Day 66: Sun Room (Second Shift)

[his_legacy]

Link wasn't in the mood for 'rest and relaxation,' as the boss had put it. Daytime here was completely unproductive, and it was frustrating. There was little he could do, other than keep up with recording his map. He supposed he ought to take the chance to get to know the other patients: Who was powerful, who needed help, who knew what... Perhaps some of the people who had been here longer. Link was lucky he had Sora as a friend, who seemed to know a good deal about how things worked.

It was a two-edged sword, though, that the boy had to have been trapped here for quite some time to be as settled as he was.

The Hylian settled into a chair with his journal, tapping the strange sort of writing device he had been given against his chin. It had become evident last night that the building was relatively organized, the second floor being similar in its main layout to the first floor. That was somewhere to start, at least.

[Nina, dearest!]

Comments

[scarefaux]

With one of the patients coming to help her ward find a place to rest, the nurse simply nodded before wandering off to find some medicine, hoping to bring Mr. Howard's fever down. She paid no attention to the glare she received from Mr. Matthews, assuming he was concerned for his friend. She had seen the two of them speak on a few occasions, after all, and Mr. Howard did seem like the type to make close acquaintances fast, given his genial demeanor.

Said demeanor was less vibrant that usual as it took the Scarecrow a moment before his eyes found their focus on Scar. He put his hand out, looking to steady himself by grabbing hold of Scar's arm; his body shook as he felt his middle complain again, and he wondered what was wrong this time. As much as he wanted to believe Sangamon, to trust that he was going to be just fine and that his body would right itself out if he gave it time, he couldn't help but worry that his trust had been misplaced. Perhaps Sangamon had been too optimistic, after all. Everything might have been just fine if he had enough time, but that time was a luxury he didn't have.

He shook his head, pushing that thought from his mind. He wasn't going to get anywhere thinking like that, especially with the brain he'd been shouldered with in his human form. Unfortunately, he also wasn't going to get anywhere with his head like it was, feeling like it was stuffed so full that it might burst, the room spinning around him every few seconds. He rubbed his eyes stubbornly, heading for a seat as instructed. He could think about what he was going to do once he could walk straight again.

[envy_the_sinners]

Scar was careful to stand as sturdy as possible (given his injuries) as Frank took his arm and made his way over to a chair. He waited to take a seat next to the other man, ignoring the persisting pains in his stomach and head.

"Is there anything you need?" He was frowning down at Frank, watching him closely. He looked as if he could pass out any moment. Perhaps he was unused to illness?

[scarefaux]

"I don't know, to be honest," the Scarecrow answered, his voice unfamiliar even in his own ears. He tried not to feel hopeless, but with the words of Scar— not the one before him, but the former lion he'd spoken to only a shift before— floating through his mind, reminding him that everything might not be as fine as he often insisted it would be, he couldn't help but wonder if he'd been wrong to trust Sangamon. The Scarecrow was painfully aware of how naive he could be at times, given his lack of a proper, working brain. It would be unfortunate if his trust had been misplaced, or even if Sangamon had mistaken this time.

But even once was enough, wasn't it? He couldn't even begin to comprehend the consequences: being bewitched like some of their fellow patients, turning into a monster, or worse- death. He hadn't put too much thought into that last one, save for when Abe revealed to him that as a human, he was as susceptible to death as anyone. With death as a very vague concept in Oz, he had no idea what it was like, or what to expect from it.

It was that unknown factor that both fascinated and frightened him- he was curious of what was to come, but if it would be the last thing he ever experienced, it didn't sound very appealing.

He rubbed the back of his neck- it felt stiff, like the wooden, unyielding pole that had once held him high above the cornfield. "I starting to think I might not get better after all, I'm afraid."

[envy_the_sinners]

Scar's eyes narrowed. No. He refused to simply accept that Frank would not heal. Somewhere along the line, the Ishbalan had foolishly let himself grow some sort of attachment to the other man. He always berated himself for this- told himself that he should know better.

Especially in a place where people seemed to disappear and die daily.

But it was too late not to care, now. Scar frowned as he watched Frank, contemplating his options. He was exhausted and sick and hurt and in absolutely no shape to fight. He knew that he should stay inside tonight and sleep. The thought of Frank, though, on his own and facing the nightly disaster, was more than enough to convince him that he could last one more night.

"I will meet you tonight." It wasn't even stated as a question, as little ever was with Scar. "Where is your room?"

[scarefaux]

Though the Scarecrow started to protest, he found he had neither he strength nor the gumption to do so. He knew he ought to stay in, to try to get some rest so that his body would recover, but he far too aware that he'd get nothing done by simply sitting around. He had to keep moving forward- it was up to him to save his friends, after all, and they weren't getting any more saved by him wasting time, even if he was feeling worse than he ever had.

A part of him wanted to show the former lion that he'd been wrong, that everything would be all right; it was unfortunate he didn't know if that was true. That was some iota of stubbornness talking, not a genuine fact recalled from the depths of his brain.

He nodded in agreement instead, complacent, willing to follow behind someone who probably knew better when it came to taking care of themselves in the Institute. Scar did remind him a bit too much of Depth Charge, at times. "I'm in M42," he answered. "As much as I'd like to insist you not worry over me, I won't turn down the company."

[envy_the_sinners]

"I am not-" But he was worrying, wasn't he? Scar heaved a sigh, settling into a chair to take a rest. He needed all the sleep he could get, at this point.

"I will be there." Frank was hardly the sort who was built for a battle. Scar refused to leave him alone, sick as he was. Any potential ideas for what he might attempt tonight were overridden. This was more important.

[scarefaux]

The Scarecrow nodded and smiled, thankful. Scar didn't look like he was in such good condition himself, but perhaps that was one more reason for them to stick together. They had something in common- maybe that commonality would allow them to help each other. He couldn't help but think of how much he'd wanted to help Depth Charge, especially in that last week he'd been seen at the Institute. His roommate had the unfortunate habit of shutting him out, insisting he couldn't take care of himself.

That may have been the case after all, given how much trouble he'd gotten into and how sick he was at that moment; however, he was the one who was still there while Depth Charge was gone. There had to be a reason, and Scarecrow was determined to find out what it was, as well as where his friends where and how he could help them. He had tasked himself with a lot, but he knew he could do it if he put his mind to it, especially with some help. He knew all too well the value of friends.

That did leave the question of what exactly he would be doing that night. Before he could help anyone, he needed to find a way to rid himself of the infection, if there was one. He ultimately didn't know much about them, how they were caused, how they affected the human body, or how to cure them.

"I'm not sure what I'll do tonight, but at least I won't be alone," he said. "If my body can't fix itself on its own, I suppose I'll have to find a way myself. I'm just not sure where to start."

[envy_the_sinners]

Scar closed his eyes, leaning back in his chair.

"This place is too dangerous to wander around alone." Granted, Scar himself had traveled on his own before, but he held everything to an unconscious double standard- especially the people whom he didn't want to get hurt.

"We will see what the intercom says tonight. If there's another clue." His brow furrowed. Scar quite frankly was in no shape to be running around at all. His legs were mostly better, but his back was still in rather rough shape. This disease still plagued him, and he caught himself dozing off several times from just sitting here with his eyes closed.

He needed sleep desperately. But from his rational, that could wait. Frank was more important.