Day 66: Breakfast

[nobleman]

What Guy had seen on that scan resulted in some mixed feelings. While he had expected to find something in Claude, seeing how he was sick, it hadn't been quite the same as what they'd seen when they had scanned that other ill patient two nights ago. What did that mean? It was possible that the shape of it just looked different because of where it was in Claude's stomach, but Guy couldn't help but feel that there was a deeper meaning to it.

Yet another thing that he didn't understand, then. With a sigh, he got himself up out of bed and went searching immediately for the single leaf that he'd taken from the X-ray room last night. It was stored carefully in his possessions box, which meant that he didn't have to worry too much about that.

While he wanted to quickly sketch the leaf's general shape to post on the bulletin, Guy wasn't given that chance, as his nurse showed up before he could even grab for his journal. He had to relent and let her lead him to the cafeteria for breakfast. While Guy considered stopping by the bulletin to leave a note, that could wait until after he ate. He suspected that Anise or Luke would try to find him as soon as possible to tell him about their findings, so leaving a note for them would be redundant.

He did need to ask about the clue from last night and see if anyone else had further insight on it, but that might be something Claude wanted to do, seeing how he had a better idea of who that baptist was and what it all might signify.

After collecting a small amount of food onto a plate, Guy took a seat near the cafeteria's entrance, keeping an eye out for any of his friends so he could flag them down as they walked in.

[For Anise and Claude.]

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[his_legacy]

The night's end had come quickly and without a word from the Boss. Link's eyes snapped open, immediately turning to the empty bed beside him. His heart sank, the empty sheets a stark reminder of his failure. If he had only been fast enough, or strong enough...

It was with a lackluster attitude (and slightly droopy ears) that he heeded the words of his nurse, shuffling into the cafeteria.

But- there was Sora! Great goddesses, he was okay!! The weariness eased from his face and was quickly replaced by a smile of relief. He was talking to a boy Link didn't recognize, and the Hylian decided to give him some space. He could speak with him at dinner, offer his owed apology then. The guilt still weighed on Link's shoulders, but at least Sora was okay.

He sat down with the strange food they had been served, alone but alright. He wanted to think. If they were going to beat this place, they would need a map. Depending on what happened with the sick patients tonight, Link could spend his time drawing one. There was some paper in his room, from what he could remember.

[For Flynn!]

[brokensmolder]

On his third morning at Landel's, Eugene Fitzherbert woke with a splitting headache.

It wasn't that his leg didn't hurt--it did--but his head ached more. They hadn't even gotten to Rapunzel's room last night. The shadow that attacked the Once-ler had taken up all their time. And it had looked like Sora. Eugene had never met the kid in person, so he still tried to convince himself that it had been a coincidence, that the Once-ler was mistaken even though it had been publicly known the boy was ill. He didn't know what if the Once-ler was right.

Walking into the Sun Room that morning, he pointedly avoided the bulletin board. He didn't want to read about patients transforming, particularly if one of them had actually attacked them. (He didn't want to read about it period, but the merest suggestion that it had been Sora made it so much worse.)

"Zachary? Honey, are you feeling all right? You're a little pale. Come sit next to Mr. Miyamoto while I go find some aspirin."

Another kid. If Eugene had been perfectly honest with himself, he would have admitted that "Mr. Miyamoto" really didn't look all that much younger that Rapunzel, but all he could think of was Sora.

...He hadn't yet noticed the ears.

[his_legacy]

Link's yet-unnoticed ears perked up slightly as he heard a nurse approach, one strange wolf-like trait that had never completely faded. He gave the older man a small smile, his good mood still lingering from seeing Sora. The Hylian waited for the nurse to be out of earshot before speaking.

"My name is Link." Might as well clear that up right now. Whoever this... Mi-ah-whatever is, he is not Link.

[brokensmolder]

"Flynn," he responded automatically. His nurse had reappeared with a small plate of food specially chosen for its blandness and digestibility, a glass of water, and a couple of white tablets, which were dutifully swallowed. Eugene didn't have enough energy to tease/flirt with/snark at her this morning. She seemed to notice because she clucked around longer than usual, monitoring every bite until she was satisfied that he would...what? Not choke? Be appropriately nourished? It took a solid five minutes of awkward silence for her to confirm that, yes, he was a grown man who was capable of nibbling toast unassisted.

The faces he pulled at her retreating back were a mark--a confirmation, even!--of his maturity. (He had shown considerable restraint.)

Eugene was so put out by the whole ordeal that he temporarily forgot to be miserable about other things. He shot his nurse, now stationed across the cafeteria (but still watching, he was sure of it), one last evil look and turned to the boy sitting across from him, annoyed that there had been a witness to his humiliation.

"We have a complicated relationship. She thinks I'm a toddler and I think...she's a..."

Eugene trailed off. He'd suddenly noticed Link's ears.

After that, they were all he could see. They were long and pointy and stood out on either side of his head like little flesh-colored wings.

The only logical explanation was that someone had taken hold of them and vigorously pulled until they stretched. That was what he was going to cling to.

[his_legacy]

Link continued to eat, eyebrows slightly raised as Flynn's nurse loomed over him far longer than necessary. His almost child-like disgruntlement about the situation was amusing.

"It's fine, they're all kind of like that-" Link paused upon realizing that his ears had once again become the fixation of a new acquaintance. Were they really so bizarre? He wasn't offended, but he was certainly bemused.

The world was so much larger than he had thought.

"You've... never met a Hylian before, have you?" He didn't want to leave an awkward silence, so he might as well address it directly. As if to confirm that he was on the same page as Flynn, Link reached up to scratch an ear. He frowned slightly, noticing for the first time that they had even taken his earrings. Was there a reason for being so thorough? Perhaps it was all part of the puzzle...