Night 65: M11-M20 Hallway

[stellarregions]

[M16]

As wretched as he was already feeling, the taunting intercom messages did nothing to improve Gren's mood. What it did do was inspire enough anger to rouse him from the corner he'd huddled in and force him to collect his things and get moving.

He was really in no shape to be out and about. He felt shaky and lightheaded, hardly able to keep himself moving, let alone fight. But he also knew that it was his own fault, and that absolutely nothing good would come of hiding in his room waiting for his own thoughts to consume him whole. Going out wasn't going to do a damned thing for his physical condition, but it just might be enough to distract him from the chaos in his head for a little while longer. And maybe if he could find Hakkai, he might have a chance of working out just how much of this was really the fault of whatever that thing was they'd encountered the night before.

Maybe it wasn't his fault. Maybe it was just the drugs and the ghost and this place. Maybe he really wasn't losing his mind all over again.

It was the only thing he had to cling to. That, and the thought that maybe, somewhere, there was a way out of this hell. He had to try.

It took too long to get his things sorted, too long to get out the door and stop there, leaning against the wall while he tried to keep focused. No one was around, now. There was nothing but darkness and silence to welcome him.

Comments

[oyaji]

"You mean like condensed NEXT power? In a ball?" He would have laughed at such an idea if he hadn't just electrocuted and froze a piece of chicken. "Is that even possible?" Even if it was new technology, he would have thought it would be all over the news or in the newspaper or maybe he would hear about it from a colleague. Discoveries or advancements never stayed quiet long, so if that was the case...

Maybe it was a secret tool made by Ouroboros. Okay, maybe he was being overly dramatic, but it was the only thing that made any kind of sense--Well, except for the fact that he had them. Not to brag, but Wild Tiger considered himself a thorn in their side after upending both Jake Martinez and Maverick.

"D'ah! This is too complicated! I don't understand any of it..." Kotetsu didn't like complicated. He liked simple plots that ended well for everyone. This was not one of them and that soured his mood.

Realizing his partner was trying to get his pants back on, the former Hero moved forward and helped him get his pants back on, still fuming over the possibility that a crime organization had such powerful, and no doubt illegal, weapons as their disposal.

[baniichan]

The idea sounded stupid when Kotetsu worded it like that, but Barnaby realized that was essentially what those marbles were. Was it possible, though? Or were they overlooking something and trying to find the easiest way to explain what they had just witnessed? "That's what I'd liked to know," he said with a frown.

Well, that and the answer to every question he had about this awful place and his own memories. Barnaby could feel the beginnings of a headache coming on, but he did his best to ignore it.

When Kotetsu silently helped him get dressed again, Barnaby offered a small nod in thanks. It was nice that he didn't even have to ask for assistance, that they had this kind of understanding between them. It was a connection they had spent a long time developing as partners, and Barnaby didn't take it for granted.

"At any rate," he said as he gestured toward the wheelchair, "we should keep those on hand. They might be useful in combat."

[oyaji]

"Yeah--Actually, why don't you hold onto them? Then you can just zap things without having to lift a finger!" Wild Tiger could remain their melee fighter while Barnaby took support--Wait, this was starting to sound like a fantasy movie. Moving on from that weird comparison, the older man placed the marbles into his partner's hands before helping him back into the wheelchair. At this angle, he was able to pick up Barnaby completely. It may have put some strain on his injuries, but it sure didn't last as long when he had struggled to pick him up underneath his arms. That had just been a sad show of feats.

This way, the blond was up and back in his chair in a matter of seconds. Wild Tiger very slowly eased him back into his chair, ignoring the pain in his shoulder and the sweat forming on his brow.

"You know what will cheer you up?" and distract the young man from his partner's own injuries at the same time... He walked to Barnaby's closet and bent down to grab something. When he turned around, he presented them to the blond with a cheerful grin. "Red boots! How can you say no to those? You can't!" Obviously. Plus, Wild Tiger didn't like the idea of Barnaby running--Err, well wheeling and potentially running in case of an emergency--in slippers. There could be glass or something equally gross on the floor!

[baniichan]

Although Barnaby was wary of putting that much faith in a couple of marbles they had only used once, he figured it couldn't hurt to hold onto them. As much as he hated to admit it, he would probably benefit from them more than Kotetsu at this point.

They didn't exchange any words as Kotetsu got him situated in the wheelchair. There wasn't any shame in receiving help from his partner, he knew. Barnaby still hoped that this wouldn't become the norm in the coming days and weeks, though. It was going to be difficult for him to pull his weight if he was confined to a wheelchair or had to rely on crutches.

When the other man pulled his boots from the closet, Barnaby reached for them with a remarkably straight face. "I'm surprised my outfit seems to be in one piece after last night," he admitted. As someone who hated credit cards and frivolous spending, he only purchased something after a lot of thought. It was good to know that their captors had either somehow replaced or restored his clothes, even if Barnaby didn't entirely understand or trust their motives.

"Could you hand me my shirt and jacket, too?" he asked as he reached down to pull his boots on and lace them.

[oyaji]

"Uh, yeah, sure!" Wild Tiger obediently walked back to his wardrobe and took out both items. He tucked them under his arm and gave them to their rightful owner. It was then that he realized he had forgotten something important; it was was dangling off his neck, catching what little illumination their flashlights brought into the room.

"Oh, whoops. Almost forgot!" Unlatching the necklace from behind, the older man held the gold necklace in his hands. "I uh took it off when you were under the X-Ray machine. You know, in case it messed up the X-Ray.... Guess I forgot to give it back." With his hands pre-occupied with more clothing, Wild Tiger simply leaned over him and placed the jewelry back on his neck.

[baniichan]

With both articles of clothing in his arms, he was able to change into more of his customary look, but grew still when Kotetsu slipped the jewelry back onto him. He was pleasantly surprised that he'd kept track of it even though he'd had more pressing concerns at the time, and it showed in the way his eyes softened. "Thank you," he said quietly, "for looking after me." Barnaby knew his partner did a lot for him, often times without a word about it. Maybe it was a selfish thought, but he wasn't sure what he would have done if he'd been brought here alone.

There was still a lot he needed to ask the man. Unfortunately, that would all have to wait.

Barnaby made quick work of shedding his frumpy grey shirt and replaced it with his own clothes. Even if the pants were still wrong, just having something familiar on his body put him more at ease. It gave him a sense of control that he sorely lacked during the day -- even if the more rational part of him understood that such comforts provided a false sense of security at best, and were only here because their captors had decided he was somehow worthy of their "benevolence".

Regardless, his own clothes were much more practical than the Landel's-issued pajamas, and Barnaby intended to make use of them. When he was finished changing, he readjusted his glasses. Then, looking up at Kotetsu, he grew quiet for a moment -- the only outward sign of his hesitation.

"I'm assuming you're going to the X-Ray room," he said. There was the unasked question of whether Kotetsu intended for them to go together. Barnaby realized he may have been counting on using those strange marbles to heal him. That plan had been a spectacular failure, which meant he was still largely confined to a wheelchair unless he activated his Hundred Power. In this state, he could be more of a liability than a help to his partner.

Part of Barnaby wondered if Kotetsu would be better off if he left him here, and yet the thought made him feel as though someone had reached into his chest and started squeezing his heart until it was hard to take a deep breath. He knew he needed to try to remain objective about this, though, which meant preparing himself for the possibility of staying behind after all.

[oyaji]

Barnaby's gratitude pulled a goofy grin onto the older man's face. His partner could be so cute sometimes; it was a shame the rest of the world rarely saw this side of him. But that quiet thanks gave way to more troubling matters that the blond seemed conflicted with. His bright smile left him momentarily as he squatted down in front of Barnaby so they would be closer to eye level with each other.

"Yeah, I figured. Seems like the best place to start looking for a cure or... something..." Frankly, Wild Tiger really didn't have anything planned outside of helping his partner. If he got any further than that, he was going to celebrate it as an overchievement. With his partner's mood, though, the older man kind of wanted to stay in tonight and just sit by Barnaby, but they both knew that wasn't going to help anything. The more time they wasted, the more likely one of them would turn and then the other would be lost.

"Here--" Wild Tiger beckoned, placing his hand on top of his partner's. Together they were a stark contrast, but the horrible red of their rashes made them similar. "You're going to be navigator extraordinaire of this mission since I can't even make it to work without getting lost." Which wasn't exactly true, but it sure did seem like that most days when he made detours to help citizens along the way. Taking his folded up maps, the former Hero turned his pale hand over and placed them in his partner's palm.

[baniichan]

The darker hand felt heavy and warm on top of his own. Under normal circumstances, it might have just been a little comforting, but the rash on both their arms mostly served to steel Barnaby's determination. The stakes were high, and they both had too much to lose if they didn't act now.

But more importantly, the two of them were going into this together. Although Barnaby would never admit as much out loud, he was not only relieved to get some confirmation that Kotetsu didn't intend to leave him behind, but also quite pleased to learn that he was still counting on him despite his injuries. He didn't want to think about how he would have felt if Kotetsu had decided to move on without him.

Instead, Barnaby fought to keep his mouth from pulling into a smile. He busied himself with glancing over the maps. "That is true," he remarked. "I suppose it can't be helped, then." Of course, if they were headed for the x-ray room, Barnaby didn't exactly need his maps. He remembered the way from last night well enough. As he tucked the papers inside of his jacket, he glanced toward his partner. "If you'd get my flashlight, please."

[oyaji]

Wild Tiger handed his partner his own for convenience's sake and went to fetch the other from Barnaby's lockbox. "Okay, got the maps, got the flashlights, got your boots, got my mask, got magical balls! Alright! Let's go!"

Unfortunately, their departure wasn't as dramatic and powerful as his award-winning speech. He had to move behind his partner to push him, but the thing was stuck! After a moment of squabbling, the blond unlatched the wheels and they were once again in motion! ... Until he almost threw Barnaby into his roommate's bed. And then he had to pull him back, open the door, and then hold it open for him so the young man could wheel himself out.

But of course, there wasn't hardly enough room for a wheelchair and a very loyal partner to hold the door open with his person, so his foot took the brunt of a wheel as thanks. It was the worst Hero departure ever. He was so thankful for once there were no cameras on either of them.

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