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.]

Comments

[madeinthehrl]

As much as the anesthetic had taken the edge off of last night's surgery, Soma had still been in considerable pain when she'd finally manage to drift off, Lingormr still at her side. It was the pain that woke her, too, though it had thankfully receded somewhat.

But her head was clear for the first time in days, and as far as she could tell, her fever was gone. The soreness in her muscles seemed to have relocated itself almost entirely to her abdominal region, but that was only to be expected after what had happened. Hesitantly, she raised her arm, and she couldn't help but exhale slowly when she saw the rash had faded significantly.

It worked, she thought, and it was stupid, but the sudden wave of relief, magnified in part by Marie's own emotions, brought tears to her eyes. It was a moment before she could swallow the lump in her throat and wipe her face with her sheet.

Sitting up immediately seemed like a bad idea. Instead she had to wait until her nurse arrived, and not even her explanation for what had happened (some kind of suicide attempt? Really?) could dampen the joy she felt. Maybe it was a little early to consider herself out of the woods, but she couldn't really bring herself to care. Instead she kept quiet as the nurse assisted her into a wheelchair and escorted her to the cafeteria.

Lingormr's face was the first she looked for as she entered. The cafeteria was still mostly empty, and he was easy to find. Still, when she told her nurse she'd like to sit with him, all she got in response was a frown and a faint shake of her head. She'd been spending too much time with Lawrence, the nurse said as she filled Soma's tray with fruit and water. Evidently they thought he'd had something to do with her so-called suicide attempt, as if he'd encouraged her to do it or something equally stupid.

Soma could see trying to argue the point would have been a waste of breath, and even breathing held a certain kind of ache to it. She didn't quite feel up to calling across the room to him, but she managed a wave and a wan smile as the nurse wheeled her past.

Left at an empty table with her breakfast and an admonishment to make more friends, she stuck her fork in a chunk of cantaloupe and frowned slightly. She might be feeling better, but her appetite hadn't entirely returned yet.

[for Nina!]

[mirrorimage]

Nina had awoken in far less happy spirits. She, Ryuuzaki and Lana had made more progress than she'd been able to make on previous nights but they still hadn't found a cure. It ate away at Nina, to think they still didn't have any way to fix what had happened to so many people around the institute.

Still, she was determined not to give up or let herself become desolate, either. She didn't speak much to her nurse on the way to the cafeteria, simply letting the woman guide her around. She did ask to be let fill up her own tray, a request to which her nurse relented.

Choosing where she sat would not be permitted, though. She was guided to where a young woman sat in a wheelchair, at an empty table. "Why don't you sit by Maria?" the nurse suggested, depositing Nina across from Soma before departing.

Nina blinked at the other girl now sitting across from her. "Hello," she said, a little awkwardly, before offering a smile. She couldn't help noticing the wheelchair and feeling the same spark of anger she'd been feeling every time she saw another injured person around this place.

What it was, Nina wasn't sure, but it certainly was no hospital.

[madeinthehrl]

The girl who sat down across from her was only a little familiar, and Soma blinked for a moment in confusion, wondering what she could possibly want from her, before she noticed the nurse heading rapidly away from them.

She must have spaced out for a moment; the operation might have been successful, but it was no surprise she still wasn't feeling her best. At least the other girl seemed friendly enough, and if nothing else, Soma was grateful for any excuse to put her fork back down.

"Good morning," she replied, trying for a small smile of her own. "My name isn't Maria, but I guess you know that already. Soma Peries. I think I've seen you around once or twice before."

[mirrorimage]

"Hi, Soma," Nina said. "I think I've seen you around, too." Yes, now that she thought about it, the other young woman did look familiar. Nina wouldn't have easily forgotten such an uncommon and strangely beautiful sight as long, white-gray hair on a young woman. "My name is Nina, but if you hear the nurses talking about anyone called 'Klara,' it's probably me."

Her smile didn't fade, but it did become a little sadder, and more wry. Nina pushed her food around with a fork but didn't try to eat anything yet.

"How long have you been here? I woke up here not long ago."

[madeinthehrl]

"Almost a month," said Soma, folding her hands in her lap. She wasn't sure if that felt shorter or longer than it really had been. Sometimes it seemed like time flowed strangely here.

She couldn't help but look curiously at Nina when she mentioned her false name. Was it supposed to mean something, like her own? She supposed it would be too personal to ask right away.

"Anyway," she added quickly, "if you have any questions, I'd be happy to help. Where are you from? Or when, I guess."