Day 69: Breakfast

[envy_the_sinners]

Scar scowled, both relieved and angry that he had woken up once again in his own bed. That lanky man who had become his new roommate on the night of his death was sound asleep one bed over.

This was coming to be the new "normal." It was infuriating.

As always, he begrudgingly followed his nurse into the cafeteria and took a seat. He preferred to file in with the majority of the patients in order to avoid sticking out, but no such luck this morning.

Scar stared at his food rather than starting in on it, despite the newly found appetite that had been lost thanks to that blasted sickness. He had a lot to think about. He hadn't managed to find Frank last night. The damn intercom had beaten him to it. And judging by Tsubaki's reaction to him, he had been out for at least a day's time. How many had noticed? Cared? It couldn't have been many.

But it was the few who did whose detection Scar was desperate to avoid.

[Eddyyyy!]

Comments

[complicatedliar]

Well, it was better than nothing. He'd seen the beginning of the mysterious basement now, and as long as he stuck with Soma - which Loki intended to do - he'd be able to get down to it much more easily this time.

And, really, Link and the Once-ler had made decent meat shields, though not up to Thor's standards. Then again, he also didn't want to stab them nearly as much as he wanted to stab Thor, so it was a decent trade-off.

Loki's skin still felt rather tender, though it wasn't bandaged. The nurse that picked him up smeared some white cream on it before escorting him away, which he had to admit made things feel a little better.

He made a plate of fruit and toast, as was beginning to be his habit, then cast around for somewhere to sit. There were a few people he wished to speak with today, at least.

[Soushi!]

[ever_loyal_dog]

The passing of night to day was a bit jarring, he was coming to realize, as the third day dawned. He couldn't remember falling asleep or passing out, but between one breath and the next he was lying down in his bed, staring up at the same blank ceiling. The only telltale signs that the night had been anything more than a dream were the tools still in his hands. Soushi quickly stowed the bat and his light and tried to make sense of it.

The form in the hallway had definitely been some kind of demon or yurei, from what he could tell. But would it be there again tonight? Would it help or hinder him? Searching for his old phone was becoming more and more a fool's errand, unless he also managed to find a way to charge it. The only other lead he had was to take a closer look at these monsters that supposedly roamed the halls at night.

It wasn't long before his nurse arrived, escorting him from his room and watching him closely as he made his way through the line to pick up his breakfast. He didn't much care for the overly sweet pancakes, opting instead for the bland cereal, plain toast, and a bowl of fresh fruit.

The room wasn't terribly full by the time he exited the line and the nurse suggested he find a friend to sit with. Most of the patients were either still waiting for their food, or otherwise engaged in conversation. The only other patient still standing was-

Lingormr. Just his luck.

Soushi kept his head down and took the closest seat, careful not to make eye-contact with the man. While he couldn't be sure he'd be recognized (several were too slow to make the connection), Lingormr seemed fairly sharp. How would he take to having been deceived? Then again, the man had shared some reasonably valuable information with him, a name, a contact, at least a small bit of hope, whether he knew it or not.

Pushing that thought aside, he stirred his cereal for a few moments and took a sip of his water.

[complicatedliar]

Loki might have missed Soushi, if Castiel hadn't warned him the previous day about the man (boy?). As it was, he might still have missed him, only he was trying so very hard to not be noticed. This might have worked on nearly anyone else, but Loki was a bit of a professional at not being noticed when he didn't want to be, and he was wise to all the little tricks and tics of body language.

So he sat down directly across from the man and idly stirred around his bowl of fruit. "My, how quickly they grow up," he drawled.

[ever_loyal_dog]

And there it was. Lingormr had made it quite clear he knew who Soushi was. The comment was far too pointed and precise to be simply idle words. Still, Soushi's expression remained neutral as he offered the same friendly smile as before.

Perhaps it ought to have bothered him more to have deceived the other man, only to be found out later, but he'd done worse to obtain information, power, or his end goals.

"Good morning Lingormr-san," he remembered to pronounce the name exactly as he'd been told the night before last. "I'm glad to see you are well."

[complicatedliar]

"Quite well," Loki said, turning aside the pleasantries with the wave of his hand. "I'm rather relieved to see you taller, actually. I hadn't thought you were human, but one does begin to doubt one's senses in a place like this."

...well, he'd known something was up, but he was overstating the case. If Soushi thought Loki had already perhaps figured a great deal out, they could get to haggling over details instead of playing coy about the big picture.

[ever_loyal_dog]

It was the second person in as many days to realize he wasn't entirely human. Hearing it always stung, just a tiny bit, being placed in this category of something other than human, never quite like them. There was something unsettling about it becoming common knowledge as well; in his own world, they were much more cautious about keeping their abilities secret. But the situation being what it was, he didn't see near as much need for it.

"I hope you can forgive my rudeness," he began, glancing up at Lingormr once he'd set his napkin aside. "One might call it a defense mechanism, I suppose. People tend to respond more favorably to children."

[complicatedliar]

"Fair enough, I suppose," Loki said equably. "Though don't expect that to be a constant around here. Things have gone a bit sour, with prisoners turning into monsters and eating each other, things of that nature." He picked through his food. "Is it actual shapeshifting on your part, or a cunning illusion?"

[ever_loyal_dog]

Monster. That word again. There was a barely noticeable tightening of his smile, a stiffness in his posture. Humans didn't understand, did they? Anything frightening and unknown was labeled monster, demon, or worse. He gave a slight nod.

"I appreciate your advice," he returned carefully, "but I wonder why it is you wish to know such a thing?"

[complicatedliar]

"Knowledge is power," Loki said, then looked up from his fruit and smiled. "And I should say I'm owed a few answers, since you made such use of my hospitality under false pretenses, yes?"

[ever_loyal_dog]

"Of course. Forgive my idle curiosity."

Soushi folded his hands in his lap, ignoring the already untouched food. He'd already disclosed some of the information to other patients for far less, but he got the distinct feeling that Lingormr might be more likely to use the information in an unfavorable sort of way, should it come to that.

"That form was no illusion. Such a thing is beyond my humble abilities."

[complicatedliar]

"Interesting. Illusions are normally simpler magics than a full transformation, I've found. But perhaps that is part of a non-human heritage?" There was nothing but curiosity in his tone at that statement. He certainly didn't seem at all bothered by the idea of someone being not human.

[ever_loyal_dog]

"You would be correct in that as well. I've no magical abilities, but my bloodline is not entirely human. You're quite perceptive Lingormr-san," he replied, watching the other's reaction. Was that common knowledge where Lingormr was from? Many could hardly even differentiate between the two, it was all muddled into a group of supernatural elements.

[complicatedliar]

"Ah, I see. Interesting." If Soushi was hoping for some kind of tell from Loki, he was destined to be disappointed. There was nothing but that same curiosity, all the way through. "From whence comes the non-human blood, then? Frost giant? Dark elf? You're a bit tall for dwarf. Wolfrider?" Of course, he already knew the answer Soushi had told Castiel, but was curious to see if there'd be a lie thrown in.

[ever_loyal_dog]

Though he'd admitted his demonic ancestry to one other, the man hadn't asked so far as what type he fell under. Lingormr seemed to know the right questions to ask. Knowledge was power indeed. He forced himself to relax, even slightly, as he unfolded his hands in order to polish the plasticware with his napkin.

"A fox demon. The nine-tails specifically," he said evenly. "I am not certain it translates through so many worlds and cultures, but I believe the creature you're looking for is called Kyuubi."

[complicatedliar]

"Ah..." Loki nodded as if he knew precisely what those were. Though he could imagine - he'd run across shapeshifters before, though not specifically foxes. This would require a bit more research. And it was in line with the more legendary qualities of foxes as creatures of cunning. "I always did rather like foxes," he murmured, almost to himself.

"Surprising, that the ability worked so well here. But it is nice to have some sort of defense, to be certain." He tilted his head. "So I take it your forms are not just limited to a human of flexible age."

[ever_loyal_dog]

Soushi's smile widened at the comment, though it was just as friendly and good-natured as it had been the night before. While he didn't make a habit of outright lying (most of the time he simply didn't see a point), he had no problems withholding certain truths if it suited him. Lingormr, unfortunately made that rather difficult with how precise his questions had been.

"Is it? I was under the impression that many had certain abilities at their disposal here," he commented, setting down the clean plastic spoon and moving to the fork.

"As for the other, I have not made attempts here, so I cannot answer with any amount of certainty."

[complicatedliar]

"Sometimes so, sometimes no," Loki remarked. "And even what abilities exist are rather... restricted."

He dissected a bit of pineapple. "Well, do be careful when you try it out. As you saw last night, things have gotten rather messy and I imagine people are... jumpy." He nibbled a shredded bit of the fruit. "But do let me know. I'd be interested."

He looked curiously at Soushi. "Ah, and I assume you've ascertained that the girl for whom you were looking is not here?"

[ever_loyal_dog]

Restricted, yes, he'd thought as much when he wasn't able to transform himself into his true form when night fell. Though apparently he could still change his age if it suited him.

"I shall have to look into it," he nodded once. Thus far, Lingormr had proved a valuable resource. If he continued to stay in the man's favor, perhaps he might find more information.

The second question was enough to startle an honest reaction from him. Ririchiyo. The tight feeling in his chest returned as strong as ever. Though the smile returned a moment later, it didn't quite reach his downcast eyes.

"I must thank you for your kindness in sharing your contact, Lady Tsubaki-sama, but unfortunately she had not heard from my master. Ririchiyo-sama is not among the patients. I am certain we would have found her by now were that the case," he replied. Soushi still held suspicions that she might be among the creatures that walked the halls at night, but even that hope was beginning to fade.

[complicatedliar]

"I had suspected as much, but you have my sympathies nonetheless. This is a most unpleasant prison, for all it is wrapped up in a nice appearance at times."

He poked at a bit of melon with his fork. "Are you a rather uncertain warrior, like myself? Since you seemed more content to hide..."

[ever_loyal_dog]

"I am undeserving of such kind words, but I thank you," he replied softly. Lingormr's sympathy might have been merely a formality, but real or not, it was probably the kindest thing he'd heard since his arrival.

The turn in conversation gave him a moment's pause though, as he considered the question. An uncertain warrior? Perhaps that was so. He could be certain of nothing without his master present. Prior to working with Ririchiyo, he'd had no inclination to throw himself into harm's way unless there was some sort of profit in it. He would fight for her and her happiness without hesitation or concern for his own well-being.

"I do not wish to fight or die in any needless battles," he explained.

[complicatedliar]

"A laudable attitude, from my point of view. Though many here seem quite fond of charging into battle." He snorted. "Let them, I suppose."

[ever_loyal_dog]

From what he'd observed thus far, it seemed there were hardly any battles, more like predator and prey or victims before slaughter. The ghostly woman from last night had been much the same. They had no way to fight her, only the hope that if they ran fast enough, they might escape her malice.

"Certainly. Battle will not be what wins this game," he agreed, though his smile gave away a bit less than the snort from his companion. "Were that the case, I am sure more would have escaped long ago. It's a pity so few patients understand that."