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[From here.]
There were a couple of doors on his right farther down this hall, but when Lloyd poked his head through the first one, it looked like it led to someplace similar to where his room was located. Probably not where the main entrance was, but if he couldn't find it, he could always come back. The second door wouldn't open when he tried it. Too bad he'd lost his lock pick when the doctors had taken all his things. He briefly considered trying to break the door down, but again decided to stick with his original plan. Breaking the door down, even if he succeeded, would make a lot of noise, and the door didn't even look like it had anything to do with his goal.
There was another hall up ahead. Left or right...? He shined his flashlight in both directions, then ended up going left.
[To here.]
There were a couple of doors on his right farther down this hall, but when Lloyd poked his head through the first one, it looked like it led to someplace similar to where his room was located. Probably not where the main entrance was, but if he couldn't find it, he could always come back. The second door wouldn't open when he tried it. Too bad he'd lost his lock pick when the doctors had taken all his things. He briefly considered trying to break the door down, but again decided to stick with his original plan. Breaking the door down, even if he succeeded, would make a lot of noise, and the door didn't even look like it had anything to do with his goal.
There was another hall up ahead. Left or right...? He shined his flashlight in both directions, then ended up going left.
[To here.]
Edited 2012-08-13 01:21 (UTC)
[from here.]
No door nearby this time. This time, there was only the whitewashed walls fading into the darkness, and despite himself Gabriel couldn't move for several seconds. Lucifer might say he didn't have much of an imagination--but he had enough of one, and he was feeling painfully human right now.
It was the lack of light. The quiet. The sound of his heartbeat had been fascinating earlier, but now it was unnerving. A distraction which put him in a cold sweat. Stepping into that darkness made him feel like he was plunging into an abyss from which there was no return. He'd done that once before, it definitely wasn't particularly a parallel he wanted to find.
The Archangel's fingers groped for the cross laying against his wrist, pulled it up into his palm, squeezed it hard enough to press the beads into his skin. "Though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for He is with me," he murmured, and took a step. And another. "His rod and His staff comfort me. He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies."
Gabriel spoke quietly, but with confidence, that sort of vibrating assurance. The sound of his voice made his footsteps sound less alone, the length of the hall less interminable. "He will anoint my head with oil; my cup will overflow. Surely His goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life."
The jamb of a door interrupted the line of the wall to his right; the sign on it told him it was where he wanted to go. Gabriel smiled a little as he reached for the door-knob. "And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
[to here.]
No door nearby this time. This time, there was only the whitewashed walls fading into the darkness, and despite himself Gabriel couldn't move for several seconds. Lucifer might say he didn't have much of an imagination--but he had enough of one, and he was feeling painfully human right now.
It was the lack of light. The quiet. The sound of his heartbeat had been fascinating earlier, but now it was unnerving. A distraction which put him in a cold sweat. Stepping into that darkness made him feel like he was plunging into an abyss from which there was no return. He'd done that once before, it definitely wasn't particularly a parallel he wanted to find.
The Archangel's fingers groped for the cross laying against his wrist, pulled it up into his palm, squeezed it hard enough to press the beads into his skin. "Though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for He is with me," he murmured, and took a step. And another. "His rod and His staff comfort me. He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies."
Gabriel spoke quietly, but with confidence, that sort of vibrating assurance. The sound of his voice made his footsteps sound less alone, the length of the hall less interminable. "He will anoint my head with oil; my cup will overflow. Surely His goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life."
The jamb of a door interrupted the line of the wall to his right; the sign on it told him it was where he wanted to go. Gabriel smiled a little as he reached for the door-knob. "And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
[to here.]
Edited 2012-08-13 12:39 (UTC)
[From here]
It was eerie having no one else in the hallway with him--Not that he was scared exactly! The replica had enough experience with the dark and the unknown, but he generally had the advantage of strength and fonic artes. Here, he was a bit of a sitting duck. It was such a pain, but there was nothing he could do about it. As long as he was careful, the redhead knew he would be fine. And he was totally careful! He had this.
Besides, he wouldn't be alone for long. He could see the end of the hallway was lit by several patients' torches as they waited anxiously for each other.
It was eerie having no one else in the hallway with him--Not that he was scared exactly! The replica had enough experience with the dark and the unknown, but he generally had the advantage of strength and fonic artes. Here, he was a bit of a sitting duck. It was such a pain, but there was nothing he could do about it. As long as he was careful, the redhead knew he would be fine. And he was totally careful! He had this.
Besides, he wouldn't be alone for long. He could see the end of the hallway was lit by several patients' torches as they waited anxiously for each other.
[From here.]
A quick scan of the air currents settling in the corridor told Skulduggery that at least a few other people had passed this way in the last few minutes. He had no way of knowing whether any of them would be dangerous and waiting further ahead, but he had noticed that if something were to attack, it probably wouldn't be in the hallways.
Besides, the amount of flashlight beams from up ahead, without any accompanying screams, meant he was probably safe for the time being.
[To here.]
A quick scan of the air currents settling in the corridor told Skulduggery that at least a few other people had passed this way in the last few minutes. He had no way of knowing whether any of them would be dangerous and waiting further ahead, but he had noticed that if something were to attack, it probably wouldn't be in the hallways.
Besides, the amount of flashlight beams from up ahead, without any accompanying screams, meant he was probably safe for the time being.
[To here.]
Edited 2012-08-13 17:12 (UTC)
[From here, and for his fellow robutts.]
But in the next hallway, Zero did slow up a bit, as he was once again unsure of where to go. His first instinct was to enter the other patient block on his right, but that was assuming X and Harpuia's rooms were there and that they hadn't already left them yet. If the latter was indeed true (why would they do that, though? Unless they were looking for him, too?), then Zero needed to continue forward, toward the first main hallway, so that he could catch up to them before they wandered off too far without him.
So would checking the patient block be a waste of time?
...Perhaps it was better safe than sorry. Zero turned and started to make his way toward the block door, though he wasn't fully confident that he would find his allies waiting for him inside.
But in the next hallway, Zero did slow up a bit, as he was once again unsure of where to go. His first instinct was to enter the other patient block on his right, but that was assuming X and Harpuia's rooms were there and that they hadn't already left them yet. If the latter was indeed true (why would they do that, though? Unless they were looking for him, too?), then Zero needed to continue forward, toward the first main hallway, so that he could catch up to them before they wandered off too far without him.
So would checking the patient block be a waste of time?
...Perhaps it was better safe than sorry. Zero turned and started to make his way toward the block door, though he wasn't fully confident that he would find his allies waiting for him inside.
[from here]
There had been talk about what made a human truly human. Lee had honestly never given it much thought, but he supposed it was the ability to comprehend right and wrong, or to love one's family and friends that made them human... though by that definition, Gaara had not been human for at least six years of his life prior to the strike against Konoha some three years ago.
It was a tough question indeed, but one that Lee wasn't overly worried about. The man in charge was clearly unstable and needed to be dealt with. His time would surely come, but not tonight, Lee was sure.
Quickly, he followed his mental map and left the hallway for the next.
[to here]
There had been talk about what made a human truly human. Lee had honestly never given it much thought, but he supposed it was the ability to comprehend right and wrong, or to love one's family and friends that made them human... though by that definition, Gaara had not been human for at least six years of his life prior to the strike against Konoha some three years ago.
It was a tough question indeed, but one that Lee wasn't overly worried about. The man in charge was clearly unstable and needed to be dealt with. His time would surely come, but not tonight, Lee was sure.
Quickly, he followed his mental map and left the hallway for the next.
[to here]
Edited 2012-08-13 20:36 (UTC)
[From Here!]
...It was almost as though last night was happening all over again, except that X was alone. Would every night here be like this? Wandering dark hallways like a rat in a maze?
X pressed against the wall, ignoring the pain in his leg as he kept moving forward. His hand was a good support, though he knew he would have to rest before long.
Humans really were frail, weren't they?
Bracing himself, he remembered the stairwell. If he could get to the stairwell, and maybe take the path that Harpuia and himself didn't take last time, it was possible X could find something useful for the three of them to use.
Medical supplies, for one. That was a priority. After what he did to his hand...
...Movement.
Gripping the piece of glass tighter, he pressed his back against the wall. There was most definitely someone moving out there, though from this distance and in this darkness he couldn't see who.
Maybe it was another patient?
...Or someone like Zero was last night. Brainwashed, wandering the hallways in search of prisoners who had escaped from their cells...
X's fist clenched.
Landel...
But if it was a patient, perhaps they were thinking the same thing about him, if they could see him. If he called out, declared he was a friendly, maybe they could exchange information, maybe even work together to find supplies or a way out.
He chanced calling out:
"Who's there?"
...It was almost as though last night was happening all over again, except that X was alone. Would every night here be like this? Wandering dark hallways like a rat in a maze?
X pressed against the wall, ignoring the pain in his leg as he kept moving forward. His hand was a good support, though he knew he would have to rest before long.
Humans really were frail, weren't they?
Bracing himself, he remembered the stairwell. If he could get to the stairwell, and maybe take the path that Harpuia and himself didn't take last time, it was possible X could find something useful for the three of them to use.
Medical supplies, for one. That was a priority. After what he did to his hand...
...Movement.
Gripping the piece of glass tighter, he pressed his back against the wall. There was most definitely someone moving out there, though from this distance and in this darkness he couldn't see who.
Maybe it was another patient?
...Or someone like Zero was last night. Brainwashed, wandering the hallways in search of prisoners who had escaped from their cells...
X's fist clenched.
Landel...
But if it was a patient, perhaps they were thinking the same thing about him, if they could see him. If he called out, declared he was a friendly, maybe they could exchange information, maybe even work together to find supplies or a way out.
He chanced calling out:
"Who's there?"
[from here]
The pipe on Sangamon's shoulder bounced as he walked down the hallway. Too much of this and he was going to have to name the thing. Be no better than those jackasses who named Nerf swords and thought it made them look cool.
It fit, though. Recycled pipe. Like a million he'd poured concrete in for the greater good. Except not, since this one was residential-size. He didn't usually have time for death on a less than wholesale basis.
Sludginator? Fuck, he needed to get out more. And not with a guy who couldn't figure out that Batman and Bruce Wayne were the same dude.
[to here]
The pipe on Sangamon's shoulder bounced as he walked down the hallway. Too much of this and he was going to have to name the thing. Be no better than those jackasses who named Nerf swords and thought it made them look cool.
It fit, though. Recycled pipe. Like a million he'd poured concrete in for the greater good. Except not, since this one was residential-size. He didn't usually have time for death on a less than wholesale basis.
Sludginator? Fuck, he needed to get out more. And not with a guy who couldn't figure out that Batman and Bruce Wayne were the same dude.
[to here]
Edited (fixing nav links) 2012-11-13 02:37 (UTC)
[From here]
What made a human indeed? The line between man and monster was a fine one that could snap at the smallest amount of pressure, Seishin had seen as much in Sotoba. The Shiki were creatures that had crawled from beyond their graves, isolated from God's realm and humanity, forced to wander the earth forever. But he had seen Sunako's loneliness, and she had been forced to face such a damned existence alone. She had never asked for such an existence. None of them had. Did it make them inhuman, when they could experience the despair that came with such an existence? Seishin did not believe that was so.
The remaining humans in Sotoba, on the other hand, had used survival as a means to justify the killing of human and Shiki alike. Embodying the mentality of 'be with us, or against us', they had been relentless in their brutal slaughter of those who they deemed as 'enemies'. They had become the monsters they had set out to hunt, and the village either side was fighting for was doomed.
Was there a right or wrong? That was not up to Seishin to decide. The despair he had felt had driven him to hate the village and its people, after all. There were no such things as an accident when there was the intend to kill. He was hardly any better, was he?
But despite the similarities, this situation had its profound differences. He did not experience hatred for his fellow patient, only for the man in charge of this farce. Yet, Seishin found himself passively standing at the sidelines of the issue once more.
Despite his earlier attempts to shake his thoughts, the issue continued to weigh on Seishin's mind even as he walked through the hallway. He knew better than to allow himself to be distracted even if he was close to their meeting spot, but his mind still chose to wander.
[To here]
What made a human indeed? The line between man and monster was a fine one that could snap at the smallest amount of pressure, Seishin had seen as much in Sotoba. The Shiki were creatures that had crawled from beyond their graves, isolated from God's realm and humanity, forced to wander the earth forever. But he had seen Sunako's loneliness, and she had been forced to face such a damned existence alone. She had never asked for such an existence. None of them had. Did it make them inhuman, when they could experience the despair that came with such an existence? Seishin did not believe that was so.
The remaining humans in Sotoba, on the other hand, had used survival as a means to justify the killing of human and Shiki alike. Embodying the mentality of 'be with us, or against us', they had been relentless in their brutal slaughter of those who they deemed as 'enemies'. They had become the monsters they had set out to hunt, and the village either side was fighting for was doomed.
Was there a right or wrong? That was not up to Seishin to decide. The despair he had felt had driven him to hate the village and its people, after all. There were no such things as an accident when there was the intend to kill. He was hardly any better, was he?
But despite the similarities, this situation had its profound differences. He did not experience hatred for his fellow patient, only for the man in charge of this farce. Yet, Seishin found himself passively standing at the sidelines of the issue once more.
Despite his earlier attempts to shake his thoughts, the issue continued to weigh on Seishin's mind even as he walked through the hallway. He knew better than to allow himself to be distracted even if he was close to their meeting spot, but his mind still chose to wander.
[To here]
Edited 2012-08-14 15:04 (UTC)
Fortunately, it seemed Zero had made the right choice in direction - and he wouldn't have to go far to find his allies.
Or one of them, at least.
"X," he answered back, although (unlike X) he kept his voice down for the most part. Immediately picking up his speed, he headed in the direction of where he heard his friend call out to him, finding him up against the wall some distance from the prisoner block door. What was he doing? Was he okay? It was hard to tell in this darkness, which was worrisome...
Not to mention...where was Harpuia? It was honestly surprising to see that the overprotective ex-general wasn't glued to X as Zero expected he would be. Which begged the next obvious question: why was X out here by himself? In this place, in that weak form, with no protection whatsoever? Zero's concern was growing by the second.
"Don't shout like that. You'll attract too much attention." ...Although a frown and a gruff scolding were apparently the only ways he was going to express that concern.
Or one of them, at least.
"X," he answered back, although (unlike X) he kept his voice down for the most part. Immediately picking up his speed, he headed in the direction of where he heard his friend call out to him, finding him up against the wall some distance from the prisoner block door. What was he doing? Was he okay? It was hard to tell in this darkness, which was worrisome...
Not to mention...where was Harpuia? It was honestly surprising to see that the overprotective ex-general wasn't glued to X as Zero expected he would be. Which begged the next obvious question: why was X out here by himself? In this place, in that weak form, with no protection whatsoever? Zero's concern was growing by the second.
"Don't shout like that. You'll attract too much attention." ...Although a frown and a gruff scolding were apparently the only ways he was going to express that concern.
X let out a breath, his body visibly relaxing. His grip loosened on the piece of glass, and he even found himself smiling, even if it was a strained one.
It was Zero; first person he ran into tonight and it turned out to be a friend. His stomach loosened a knot he didn't even know it had, and he let out a breath of relief.
"Sorry." X shook his head, lowering his voice to a soft whisper. "I'll be quieter next time."
It was Zero; first person he ran into tonight and it turned out to be a friend. His stomach loosened a knot he didn't even know it had, and he let out a breath of relief.
"Sorry." X shook his head, lowering his voice to a soft whisper. "I'll be quieter next time."
Edited 2012-08-14 20:00 (UTC)
[From here]
Good news, X: this time, being noisy had worked out for the better. Itaccidentally activated the cockblock alarm alerted Harpuia almost immediately that the guy he was looking for wasn't that far at all. If either one of them had been hoping to get some stuff done without the company of a third wheel, tough luck. Even if X had been completely healthy and properly armed, Harpuia still would have stuck adamantly to his side. Call him overprotective if you want (it wouldn't be an inaccurate assessment), but he'd experienced the pain of losing his master far too often to slack off on his duty.
"Master X!" He hurried to X's side, the usual serious frown easing up into something that might have almost been relief. He considered kneeling, as he'd done the previous night, but this X was clearly embarrassed by that sort of formality, and they weren't exactly alone. He'd have to settle for respectfully bowing his head in greeting. "Thank goodness you didn't get too far before I found you."
Oh, yeah, and Zero was there too, I guess. Or something. Whatever. Harpuia spared Zero a brief once-over -- no signs of last night's armor. Good. He was still himself. "I see you don't intend to shoot us tonight. I appreciate the courtesy," Harpuia commented dryly.
Good news, X: this time, being noisy had worked out for the better. It
"Master X!" He hurried to X's side, the usual serious frown easing up into something that might have almost been relief. He considered kneeling, as he'd done the previous night, but this X was clearly embarrassed by that sort of formality, and they weren't exactly alone. He'd have to settle for respectfully bowing his head in greeting. "Thank goodness you didn't get too far before I found you."
Oh, yeah, and Zero was there too, I guess. Or something. Whatever. Harpuia spared Zero a brief once-over -- no signs of last night's armor. Good. He was still himself. "I see you don't intend to shoot us tonight. I appreciate the courtesy," Harpuia commented dryly.
[From here.]
... Lingormr. As L had been preparing to leave, Lingormr had had his head buried in the pile of books, apparently medical, that he had pulled out upon arrival.
He seemed egotistical, possibly unreliable, certainly not very subtle about it. The reason why was an open question: it might be cultural, might be his personality, and it was most likely an inextricable blend of both—personality didn't develop in a vacuum. L hardly ever really trusted anyone—his basic level of human interaction was one founded on at least mild suspicion—but several of his observations of Lingormr had increased his innate skepticism. Apart from that, it irritated L that Lingormr had given away their room number so freely, that he was inviting people to drop by and take things... yet at the same time, expressing his annoyance could raise a red flag: why such concern about your privacy, Ryuuzaki?
The best L could do was to lock away anything important, anything that he would find difficult to replace, on the argument that you never knew who might be going in and out of your room after you left it at night. It therefore wasn't necessarily a demonstration of personal distrust. It had always been his habit, even with the roommate he had come close to trusting.
For now, the entire topic was a distraction. His own death would solve any roommate problems in a definitive way, and if not, they would still be there when he felt better. Unless there was a good reason for it, he couldn't afford to spend all of his time trying to determine whether or not Lingormr was self-serving and, if so, to precisely what degree. Even if it became obvious that he was, dealing with it... no, deciding whether or not it was something he wanted to try to deal with on his own... would still have to wait a while.
Nina didn't seem to be at the meeting point. L decided to peek around the corner to see if Lana was waiting, and—yes, there she was, resting against the wall in the corridor. Nina would have to pass that way to reach their original rendezvous anyway, so it would be easier to intercept her than to force her to double back.
[To here.]
... Lingormr. As L had been preparing to leave, Lingormr had had his head buried in the pile of books, apparently medical, that he had pulled out upon arrival.
He seemed egotistical, possibly unreliable, certainly not very subtle about it. The reason why was an open question: it might be cultural, might be his personality, and it was most likely an inextricable blend of both—personality didn't develop in a vacuum. L hardly ever really trusted anyone—his basic level of human interaction was one founded on at least mild suspicion—but several of his observations of Lingormr had increased his innate skepticism. Apart from that, it irritated L that Lingormr had given away their room number so freely, that he was inviting people to drop by and take things... yet at the same time, expressing his annoyance could raise a red flag: why such concern about your privacy, Ryuuzaki?
The best L could do was to lock away anything important, anything that he would find difficult to replace, on the argument that you never knew who might be going in and out of your room after you left it at night. It therefore wasn't necessarily a demonstration of personal distrust. It had always been his habit, even with the roommate he had come close to trusting.
For now, the entire topic was a distraction. His own death would solve any roommate problems in a definitive way, and if not, they would still be there when he felt better. Unless there was a good reason for it, he couldn't afford to spend all of his time trying to determine whether or not Lingormr was self-serving and, if so, to precisely what degree. Even if it became obvious that he was, dealing with it... no, deciding whether or not it was something he wanted to try to deal with on his own... would still have to wait a while.
Nina didn't seem to be at the meeting point. L decided to peek around the corner to see if Lana was waiting, and—yes, there she was, resting against the wall in the corridor. Nina would have to pass that way to reach their original rendezvous anyway, so it would be easier to intercept her than to force her to double back.
[To here.]
Edited 2012-08-15 18:27 (UTC)
Zero gave his friend a nod; X was willing to listen, and he seemed to be doing...mostly okay. At the very least, he was trying to look optimistic. These were good signs. Zero, too, could relax a little...
And then the voice that called out a moment later immediately ruined any chance at him feeling relaxed, and his lips curved to make a deeper frown than usual. He didn't need to look to know who it was that was swiftly approaching them right now - as if anyone else would be crying out for 'Master X' like an overly dependent child - but he would spare a glance anyway, just to be sure. And, of course. It was X's most loyal Guardian, full of concern and snark as usual. Great...just who he wanted to see.
"Push your luck and I'll change my mind," Zero replied to him with equal dryness, briefly crossing his arms. He was this close to pulling his handgun out of his pocket as proof that he really could shoot Harpuia whenever he liked (not that he ever would, though it made an entertaining visual), but whatever. In front of X especially, that was probably going too far. "You're late." No, Harpuia wasn't actually late, but Zero wasn't about to compliment him for managing to find them here, now was he?
Hmph. He turned back to X, getting back on the train of thought he was on before Harpuia interrupted them. "...Anyway, I was curious about that clue they mentioned on the intercom. Thought it'd be worth it to check it out."
And then the voice that called out a moment later immediately ruined any chance at him feeling relaxed, and his lips curved to make a deeper frown than usual. He didn't need to look to know who it was that was swiftly approaching them right now - as if anyone else would be crying out for 'Master X' like an overly dependent child - but he would spare a glance anyway, just to be sure. And, of course. It was X's most loyal Guardian, full of concern and snark as usual. Great...just who he wanted to see.
"Push your luck and I'll change my mind," Zero replied to him with equal dryness, briefly crossing his arms. He was this close to pulling his handgun out of his pocket as proof that he really could shoot Harpuia whenever he liked (not that he ever would, though it made an entertaining visual), but whatever. In front of X especially, that was probably going too far. "You're late." No, Harpuia wasn't actually late, but Zero wasn't about to compliment him for managing to find them here, now was he?
Hmph. He turned back to X, getting back on the train of thought he was on before Harpuia interrupted them. "...Anyway, I was curious about that clue they mentioned on the intercom. Thought it'd be worth it to check it out."
[From here.]
The creature's senses hadn't led it astray. As it had thought, there were three people with three glowing hearts in the hallway, all clustered together as if they were asking him to attack.
Sora -- though there was really nothing of the boy left in the Heartless anymore -- half-stumbled, half-crashed through the door into the hallway. While someone who knew him might have seen the resemblance, it would be harder for a group of strangers to realize that the monster, pitch-black all over and running on all fours like an animal, had once been a patient the same as them. The clothing that it was wearing was likely the only clue.
And the Anti-Form only saw the three patients as prey, receptacles for what it really wanted -- those radiant power sources that were their hearts.
Not having any criteria by which to decide, the monster jumped toward the closest target, which happened to be X. It leaped from the ground right at him, black claws reaching forward, aimed at his chest.
The creature's senses hadn't led it astray. As it had thought, there were three people with three glowing hearts in the hallway, all clustered together as if they were asking him to attack.
Sora -- though there was really nothing of the boy left in the Heartless anymore -- half-stumbled, half-crashed through the door into the hallway. While someone who knew him might have seen the resemblance, it would be harder for a group of strangers to realize that the monster, pitch-black all over and running on all fours like an animal, had once been a patient the same as them. The clothing that it was wearing was likely the only clue.
And the Anti-Form only saw the three patients as prey, receptacles for what it really wanted -- those radiant power sources that were their hearts.
Not having any criteria by which to decide, the monster jumped toward the closest target, which happened to be X. It leaped from the ground right at him, black claws reaching forward, aimed at his chest.
...And Harpuia was with them, too.
The final knot in X's stomach loosened, his worry pushed to the back for now. With a smile he had nodded his greeting, was ready to say something--
--only for those two to start fighting again. Really, this was ridiculous! They were allies; whatever grievances they had, it was more important to shove that to the back burner and work towards the common good. Even if X knew that Zero wouldn't actually shoot Harpuia, even threatening it...
Though hearing Zero's last words made him really wish he hadn't been groggy through that intercom message.
Next time, he'd have to be more careful.
"I think we should, too." X stood straighter, crossing his arms over his chest. "But we're not going to get anywhere if--"
The sound of the door crashing open caused X to whirl around with a wince. It was probably not the best way to turn around, but--
--and that was something black and fast, coming at him.
What the--?!
Claws?! Oh hell, it was leaping straight for him--
Adrenaline and instinct took over as X dropped to the floor like a rock, kicking his legs out in hopes to push back against--whatever it was, maybe to push it to the other end of the hall, give them either a chance to get away or to fight back.
At least to get it away from his companions. To prevent it from hurting either Zero or Harpuia. Protect himself from the initial lunge and protect his friends from getting pounced themselves.
He liked this plan.
Even if his leg burned with agony, and his back wasn't liking his sudden drop to the floor very much.
But...
Was this a patient?!
Or was this something else?! He'd never seen anything like it.
The final knot in X's stomach loosened, his worry pushed to the back for now. With a smile he had nodded his greeting, was ready to say something--
--only for those two to start fighting again. Really, this was ridiculous! They were allies; whatever grievances they had, it was more important to shove that to the back burner and work towards the common good. Even if X knew that Zero wouldn't actually shoot Harpuia, even threatening it...
Though hearing Zero's last words made him really wish he hadn't been groggy through that intercom message.
Next time, he'd have to be more careful.
"I think we should, too." X stood straighter, crossing his arms over his chest. "But we're not going to get anywhere if--"
The sound of the door crashing open caused X to whirl around with a wince. It was probably not the best way to turn around, but--
--and that was something black and fast, coming at him.
What the--?!
Claws?! Oh hell, it was leaping straight for him--
Adrenaline and instinct took over as X dropped to the floor like a rock, kicking his legs out in hopes to push back against--whatever it was, maybe to push it to the other end of the hall, give them either a chance to get away or to fight back.
At least to get it away from his companions. To prevent it from hurting either Zero or Harpuia. Protect himself from the initial lunge and protect his friends from getting pounced themselves.
He liked this plan.
Even if his leg burned with agony, and his back wasn't liking his sudden drop to the floor very much.
But...
Was this a patient?!
Or was this something else?! He'd never seen anything like it.
[from herp, assuming Sora et al have cleared out by the time he gets there]
Kyousuke scanned the length of the hall as best he could, but still not a single glimpse of the creature. It had been able to move at such a dizzying pace that by now, he knew that he'd completely lost it. If he hadn't gone back... If he hadn't gone back, he'd probably be losing a lot more blood right now, he reminded himself. But who knew who was doing so in his place since he'd let it escape.
It took a of lot of struggling to keep himself from tearing into the hospital hall after all until he found it again. The only thing keeping him from doing so was knowing that walking quickly hurt enough, and running would make his wound even worse. This wasn't like the previous night, where his energy had mysteriously depleted itself; if he pushed himself too hard right now, there would be be serious consequences. He didn't care when he thought that someone could die because of this, but then, what? There wasn't anything he could physically do right now. He wouldn't be able to save anyone, he'd only end up getting in their way.
... It didn't like flashlights. Maybe he'd get lucky and it would avoid everyone because of that. But he still hated lingering here so uselessly, and no reassurances he gave himself were going to change that. Even so, he wasn't stupid. There was already blood coming from his chest, and he could stand wrap it more properly. If he made that worse, there wasn't any way to replace the blood he'd lost, and then—
He cut the thought off before it even finished. No. He wasn't having any of that.
[THIS IS A THING that could either be a reserved or a moving tag i d k]
Kyousuke scanned the length of the hall as best he could, but still not a single glimpse of the creature. It had been able to move at such a dizzying pace that by now, he knew that he'd completely lost it. If he hadn't gone back... If he hadn't gone back, he'd probably be losing a lot more blood right now, he reminded himself. But who knew who was doing so in his place since he'd let it escape.
It took a of lot of struggling to keep himself from tearing into the hospital hall after all until he found it again. The only thing keeping him from doing so was knowing that walking quickly hurt enough, and running would make his wound even worse. This wasn't like the previous night, where his energy had mysteriously depleted itself; if he pushed himself too hard right now, there would be be serious consequences. He didn't care when he thought that someone could die because of this, but then, what? There wasn't anything he could physically do right now. He wouldn't be able to save anyone, he'd only end up getting in their way.
... It didn't like flashlights. Maybe he'd get lucky and it would avoid everyone because of that. But he still hated lingering here so uselessly, and no reassurances he gave himself were going to change that. Even so, he wasn't stupid. There was already blood coming from his chest, and he could stand wrap it more properly. If he made that worse, there wasn't any way to replace the blood he'd lost, and then—
He cut the thought off before it even finished. No. He wasn't having any of that.
[THIS IS A THING that could either be a reserved or a moving tag i d k]
Edited 2012-08-21 01:19 (UTC)
((From here.))
As they continued down the hallway, Claude tried to keep an eye out for anything unusual. Unfortunately, it didn't take long for his eyes to be drawn toward some kind of commotion up ahead, the light from his hardhat revealing a group of three patients and a dark figure (a monster, he realized with dread) that he'd never seen before, clothes clinging to its body.
The sight made Claude's heart seize, and he managed to stop himself from reflexively grabbing onto Guy's arm.
"No!" he blurted with a tinge of panic in his voice. Claude could usually keep his cool when it came to combat situations, but he normally wasn't faced with a situation like this, much less the possibility of turning into one of the vicious beasts that prowled the halls. The Sorcery Globe had done something like this to Allen once, yet the solution hadn't taken anyone's life in the end. This was completely different, and much worse in some ways.
As they continued down the hallway, Claude tried to keep an eye out for anything unusual. Unfortunately, it didn't take long for his eyes to be drawn toward some kind of commotion up ahead, the light from his hardhat revealing a group of three patients and a dark figure (a monster, he realized with dread) that he'd never seen before, clothes clinging to its body.
The sight made Claude's heart seize, and he managed to stop himself from reflexively grabbing onto Guy's arm.
"No!" he blurted with a tinge of panic in his voice. Claude could usually keep his cool when it came to combat situations, but he normally wasn't faced with a situation like this, much less the possibility of turning into one of the vicious beasts that prowled the halls. The Sorcery Globe had done something like this to Allen once, yet the solution hadn't taken anyone's life in the end. This was completely different, and much worse in some ways.
Edited 2012-08-18 19:11 (UTC)
As much as Guy had tried to prepare for something like this, he had to admit that he hadn't expected to come across it so quickly. There were three other patients, just like him and Claude, trying to fight off a humanoid creature that was pitch-black and was clearly out for blood. He had never seen a monster like it in the institute before, and the fact that it looked more like a human than a beast made it clear that it had probably once been a patient.
When he heard Claude call out, Guy grabbed for his shoulder, aiming to stop him from doing anything reckless. The question was, how they did handle this situation? There were already three other patients (technically, four) caught up in this, but there was no guarantee that they could just move past it either.
"What do you want to do?" Guy asked Claude under his breath. "We need to make sure we get to Anise as soon as we can, but..." What if these patients tried to kill the transformed one? Did they have an obligation here? Guy just wasn't sure what they should do.
When he heard Claude call out, Guy grabbed for his shoulder, aiming to stop him from doing anything reckless. The question was, how they did handle this situation? There were already three other patients (technically, four) caught up in this, but there was no guarantee that they could just move past it either.
"What do you want to do?" Guy asked Claude under his breath. "We need to make sure we get to Anise as soon as we can, but..." What if these patients tried to kill the transformed one? Did they have an obligation here? Guy just wasn't sure what they should do.
[from here]
Niikura ground to a halt just before he nearly stumbled into something he wanted to avoid at all costs tonight: a fight. There were three guys, all scrambling around a--what was that thing, anyway? It was big and dark and had the glowing eyes of death thing going on...kind of like something out of a video game. That this monster had managed to wander into the patient halls, though, told him the most important thing: it was a patient, one of the unlucky five.
His hand clenched into a fist. That goddamn Landel. The problem was that he couldn't do anything right now to help; he had his own monster to deal with, after all. While it was distracted, he had to run by. It was a dumb, cowardly move, but he had no choice. Shiina was waiting for him.
Wrenching his gaze away and gritting his teeth, Niikura sprinted as hard as he could for the next hallway.
[to here]
Niikura ground to a halt just before he nearly stumbled into something he wanted to avoid at all costs tonight: a fight. There were three guys, all scrambling around a--what was that thing, anyway? It was big and dark and had the glowing eyes of death thing going on...kind of like something out of a video game. That this monster had managed to wander into the patient halls, though, told him the most important thing: it was a patient, one of the unlucky five.
His hand clenched into a fist. That goddamn Landel. The problem was that he couldn't do anything right now to help; he had his own monster to deal with, after all. While it was distracted, he had to run by. It was a dumb, cowardly move, but he had no choice. Shiina was waiting for him.
Wrenching his gaze away and gritting his teeth, Niikura sprinted as hard as he could for the next hallway.
[to here]
Edited 2012-08-19 09:41 (UTC)
"Anise--" Claude swallowed hard and looked back toward Guy with an anxious expression. They couldn't just keep her and Luke waiting. What if she'd started to transform too? He couldn't stand the thought of other patients attacking her, and he wasn't sure if one person would be enough to guarantee that everyone stayed safe.
"We have to get to Anise," he said, a little more focused now. It killed him to say that at a time like this, but they couldn't just leave her and Luke alone when they weren't sure what was going to happen. Besides, with three other patients involved, they would probably get in the way.
Still, he knew they couldn't slip by without saying anything. Realizing he might attract unwanted attention, he called out to the group anyway. "That might be a patient!" Claude warned. "Be careful!"
"We have to get to Anise," he said, a little more focused now. It killed him to say that at a time like this, but they couldn't just leave her and Luke alone when they weren't sure what was going to happen. Besides, with three other patients involved, they would probably get in the way.
Still, he knew they couldn't slip by without saying anything. Realizing he might attract unwanted attention, he called out to the group anyway. "That might be a patient!" Claude warned. "Be careful!"
It wasn't a choice that Guy found easy, either, but the fact was that they probably wouldn't be of much help trying to fight in this narrow hallway, anyway. And if they got held up, it might mean the worst for Anise and for Luke. In the end, it had to be this way.
Once Claude gave out his warning (which probably wasn't needed, but it was best to be safe), Guy grabbed him by the arm and started to quickly pull him past the group. While it did pain him to run away from a group of patients that might be their help, they really had no choice.
Luckily, the monster didn't end up switching targets, so they were able to get past without any complications.
[To here.]
Once Claude gave out his warning (which probably wasn't needed, but it was best to be safe), Guy grabbed him by the arm and started to quickly pull him past the group. While it did pain him to run away from a group of patients that might be their help, they really had no choice.
Luckily, the monster didn't end up switching targets, so they were able to get past without any complications.
[To here.]
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