damned_institute | Day 66: Breakfast

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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Tsubaki looked at Leanne, a touch of solemness in her gaze. As much as people might have liked to, escaping the 'but' was a hard thing to do.

"I convinced you to come and it was my responsibility to help you make progress," she said. "For that, I apologize. I wish we could help the both of you. After what's happened, though, I know he and everyone will take extra precautions."

Leanne shook her head, flashing what she hoped was a convincing smile at Tsubaki. After everything the girl had done for her, did she really think she'd hold it against her? Did she really think she wouldn't be grateful above anything else?

"You still helped me a lot. We didn't get there last night, but now I know what I have to do tonight. It'll be okay." She let her smile widen some, looking at Tsubaki head on. "Thank you."

"It sounds like... people are definitely making headway on how to help stop the infection on the bulletin," she started to reply.

Having Leanne thank her and offer reassurance felt a little wrong, as if all that goodwill was pointed in the wrong direction. But that was a rather self-centered way of looking at things. Although they hadn't made it to their destination, other people had been working hard.

And the night hadn't been a complete failure. All three of them--she, Leanne, and Sora--had made it until morning with only minimal injuries.

All things considered, it was good to have friends to stand with. That was enough to make Tsubaki smile back. "Don't thank me yet until after you're all better! If you've got another plan in mind, I can try and help again," she said. "Come on, let's find a seat; you can finally set that tray down and get off your feet."

"You should get some breakfast, too!" she began, already setting off toward the tables. Looking over her shoulder at Tsubaki, she continued, "Yeah. If everyone can keep this up... I really think we're gonna be okay."

"Thanks... But don't worry," she said, a huff of laughter escaping her. "I'm definitely gonna get better! No matter what."

Leanne couldn't quite bring herself to say much of anything about that offer, could only nod at Tsubaki, still smiling. She'd just need to come up with a good plan then, some way to finally get a good luck at that clue... or whatever else the Institute threw at them at that night.

Tsubaki followed Leanne to the set of seats she chose, where she stopped by the edge of the table and nodded. "Yeah."

It was still risky, but if the surgical route worked as the bulletin had suggested, then there was a definite light within reach. It was just a matter of getting there.

"I'll go get that breakfast now! I'll be right back!" she added, before heading off for the breakfast line-up with a wave. While she waited to grab some food of her own, she took stock of the cafeteria, more than a little pleased to see Sora and other friends of hers in the crowd. At the very least, right now, everyone was safe and sound. A small respite from the Institute's dangers was better than none.

Once back at Leanne's table, she pulled out a chair. "So... do you still want to go to the Medical Wing?"

Leanne set her tray on the table as she dropped down onto the seat in front of it, finding herself more relieved than she'd expected to be off her feet again. Right. No matter how well she felt at any given moment, she couldn't let herself forget that she was sick. She couldn't push herself too hard or she'd definitely end up regretting it when it all caught up to her.

When Tsubaki returned, she looked back up from her still untouched breakfast, flashing a smile at the girl. "Yeah, if you think we can. The clues are still there and..." Leanne frowned, brows furrowed. What had people found there the previous night? So far, she hadn't heard a whisper of anything in the Medical Wing yet. "And..." She shook her head, forcing her thoughts back to the present. "And at the rate they're going, we could still find something else useful, too."

"I think now that we know Sora might... er, that's his name, the person we met last night... I mean to say, after what happened there'll be better ways to restrain him tonight if need be. So we should be fine to keep searching with someone looking after him. I could meet you again?" Tsubaki replied.

Provided there would be a third clue, maybe the third night was the charm? The longer things dragged on, the more dangerous the illness became (not to mention, more draining on the sick people who had to endure it), but perseverance was the only way Tsubaki saw out of this whole mess.

Sora. That had been the name on the bulletin board too, hadn't it? As if the previous confirmation hadn't been enough... They were definitely talking about the same person. It was a little frightening, if she were honest with herself. He'd said what happened to him couldn't possibly be the norm, but... The thought of anything similar happening to the rest of them still wasn't a very nice one, to say the least.

"Yeah." Leanne nodded, her voice rising slightly in excitement. This time. This time, for sure. "If it's fine with you, I can wait for you again tonight. We'll definitely get there this time."

For her part, Tsubaki couldn't help carrying Leanne's thoughts a step further. If anything did happen, Tsubaki would have to step in as she'd done with Sora, and that was that. Luckily, her injuries were more painful than anything else; she could do it if she had to.

One step at a time, though!"

"Yes, I can do that!" she said with a smile. At least now Leanne also had an idea of her powers, so if she ever had use to them a second time they wouldn't be a surprise.

"Thank you." It almost felt inadequate, to say only that much when Tsubaki was willing to help her so much. She couldn't quite find any other ways to thank her though, nothing else she could have possibly said or done that she hadn't already. But that was part of being friends with someone, wasn't it?

So Leanne leaned forward on her chair, making sure to sound as confident as she suddenly felt. "Just watch. Nothing's gonna stop us!"

She smiled slowly. Out of all the smiles yet, it felt like the strongest and most genuine she'd been able to make that morning. It was tough trying to keep hope alive when a large collection of prisoners were weary and discouraged. Even in some of Sora's bulletin notes, she could sense his tiredness.

Tsubaki was hardly arrogant enough to think she was the only one struggling with all their might, but she knew, too, that there were many people who could do with the knowledge that they had a shoulder to lean on even if they didn't need it. She wanted nothing more than to be that support, and yet there was no denying that it could be depleting for everyone involved when high spirits were in short supply.

But when hope sparked, it caught like wildfire.

Seeing it in Leanne was heartening to say the least. That was exactly what the Institute needed more of right about then. "Mmhmm!"

Day 66: Breakfast

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