Day 26: Cafeteria, Lunch

[right-handed.livejournal.com]

Scar felt cold and sick, though more the latter than the former. As he rose from his bed, he didn't quite know which way was up, and the artificial light coming from overhead seemed as hot and as blinding as the Ishbal sun.

His head hurt, but that was nothing new. After all, the last thing he remembered from the night before was fighting a homunculus off of Lust and then having a conversation about events best left forgotten. The man hadn't been his brother. He just hadn't. And if what Lust had said they'd done to her was true...

Scar stood with shakiness that he wanted to attribute more to a bizarrely weakened physical state than a mental one. Had he been knocked out by some kind of lurking monster before the morning had come? He felt as if he had been out for days, being a veteran of such circumstances, though as he took the practiced role of being an obedient follower behind the nurse and orderlies that came for him, it didn't seem as if much had changed.

This place was probably just playing tricks on him again, and he was tired of being the man left out of the loop. He grabbed some food he didn't really care for and sat down, not seeing anyone he knew already seated. On one hand, he wished he had someone to talk to, and on the other, it scared him that he was no longer used to being alone.

He dug his fork into his food and tried to block out any related thought.

Comments

[dawning-dreams.livejournal.com]

Cid sat up with a jerk as strong and as sleep-wrenching as the five memorable seconds he'd allowed the Highwind to be put in Barret's not-so-capable hands. He felt a little woozy as he stood, and a little sick, but his physical state wasn't so worrisome to him as what it implied.

Had nightshift ended so quickly? He remembered having a ridiculously unhelpful conversation with Vincent, as well as receiving more taunts over his nonexistent marriage to Shera.

He shook his head, putting a hand to it and wincing his eyes closed. Whatever; this place's timeline was hard to gauge, and that wasn't even considering all of the outside factors that had made his friends and enemies about two years older than when he'd last seen them.

When the usual nurse came to take him away to a suspiciously good-smelling meal, Cid wasn't as loud or disruptive as usual, instead opting to eat in silence as he contemplated those differences in chronology that he just couldn't seem to get out of his damn head.

[bigshotbarret.livejournal.com]

[please deleted the anon post please mods, sorry about that >.< ]

Barret was dressed and whisked away from 'Robin Hood' before he could laugh at the name provided. Something about the name struck his funny bone. Later he would find him though--the guy could prove a useful ally.

That reminded him. It was time to get down to business and tell his AVALANCHE comrades the latest news. He was hoping for little resistance, and hopefully they would all view the situation as he did--nearly hopeless. It was this thought that prompted his desire in an alliance with a former enemy. Speaking with Reno made the decision seem a little easier to digest, but he, like anyone else on their side might, had some reservations. For now he put them aside, piling his plate with pasta, tomato sauce and meatballs. The shower put him in a strangely better mood, and he set a glass of water on his plate with a slight grin.

Running his eyes through the crowd, he was quite thrilled to see a man he hadn't seen in days. There wasn't a moments hesitation in his step as he made his way over to the pilot, sitting across him with a relieved smile. He hadn't heard anything from him on the bulletin, but he was glad to see he was ok. There were others, however...

The smile was short lived once he gave the man a once over, "Ain't you a sight for sore eyes, Highwind," he greeted with a small frown, noticing his physical demeanor was a bit off. He wasn't surprised, this place having the ability to beat the holy shit out of you without lifting a finger.

[muted-flame.livejournal.com]

Roy had made certain to make his shower quick, as he had more than a few memories of awkward situations that had gone on in there. He wasn't certain why people wouldn't keep to themselves when cleaning off, but apparently some of the other patients didn't understand common decency.

It hadn't helped that he had caught sight of Greed and Kimbley chatting tersely on the other side of the room. Luckily he had managed to avoid their attention, which had become easier as more patients had arrived at the institute. Not that he wanted so many people to be stuck in in Landel's, but there were a few advantages...

Of course, it made organizing people even more of a nightmare, and finding who you were looking for in a jam-packed room wasn't easy, either. Which was why he was glad that he was one of the first people to make it into the cafeteria for once. This way he could keep an eye out for Usopp, though it was possible Luffy's friend would find him first. He would worry about getting food once he'd secured his chatting partner for the shift.

He didn't have the best description to go off, and that comment about a strange nose had confused him more than anything, but he watched the door nonetheless.

[usoppsenchou.livejournal.com]

The supplies tucked neatly in his arms made it hard to go through the lunch line, and he found himself thinking, Isn't spaghetti one of those foods that you aren't supposed to eat on first dates because of the mess? Which was silly, since he was just going to talk about weapons with another guy, but he was still nervous as the nurse helped him juggle his items to get a good grip on them and the lunch tray. Dropping the whole plate of spaghetti, at least, would not give a good impression of 'competence.'

He'd mentioned his nose to Roy... now all that remained was to either look for someone in the room who was taking notice of that nose, or to wait until Roy came in. The room was getting crowded, so he balanced a bit on tip-toe, glancing around with perhaps too much eagerness for someone trying to make eye contact. And there was someone looking at him! A business-like demeanor even in these weird clothes. He wished he had his bandanna, though not wearing it had been a boon in the therapy session. He hurried over, thinking that if this weren't Roy, he could always start looking again.

"H-hi, are you Roy Mustang?" The look Usopp gave him, from behind that unquestionably recognizable nose, was faintly awed. Alchemy!

[a-spider-can.livejournal.com]

At least no one had bugged him in the showers after that Carnage weirdo. Peter had been able to finish up his shower in peace and then get out of that bathroom as quickly as possible. So he found himself sitting at a table in the cafeteria with still-damp hair, casting his gaze around at the other few patients there. He knew that more would be flooding in soon, and he wasn't sure if that was a good thing.

Logic dictated that he should find someone else to talk to and get more information from, but his experience so far had him wary that some other random person was going to approach him and act like they knew him. If that was the case, he wanted to be ready for it.

So for the moment, he was going to keep to himself, eat his pasta, and see if he was bothered again. If enough time went by and he was left alone, maybe he would seek someone out. Though all of this socializing was leaving him a little worn out...

[blacksustenance.livejournal.com]

Now that he'd suffered through group therapy with the resident perv and his fairy buddy, Brock was pretty sure the day could only get worse. For all he knew, that brat with that freak-eye would jump him - or, if it wasn't him - then Kasady.

But Brock quickly forgot about all of that when he stepped foot inside the cafeteria and nearly tripped over his feet when he sensed the last person he expected to see in this mutant prison. Fending off the nurse's questions, the blond focused on that presence he'd sensed, almost convinced that he was only seeing what he wanted to see and that it wasn't real. No. No, it wasn't just him. You couldn't make up that taste of Spider that was heavy on the roof of their mouth or in his nose, pulling at them just like he always did.

The symbiote, previously content to bide its time, suddenly began to roil in excitement. He's here.

Yes, they could see that now. Suddenly everything didn't matter. They needed to get to him, see with their own eyes, and...Brock didn't know what he planned to do, but he was already walking, his body jumping ahead before his mind could quite catch up. The blond made a beeline toward Parker - who they couldn't see yet - winding his way around the crowded tables and completely blind to any of the familiar faces around him. Brock could feel their heart beating, feel as well that weird, but right sensation of the symbiote inside him throbbing in time.

Parker's back was to them. Sneaking up on him wasn't particularly hard when you were invisible to his cute little spider-sense, and Brock was breathing down his back within a next few steps. At this range, he could smell the Spider all over and after all this time, they really, really could use a taste. Just a little one.

Brock couldn't help himself. He bent down, clapped a hand on Parker's shoulder, and gave the edge of his ear a good lick:

"Miss us, Spider?" he whispered. "Because we've been waiting a long, long time to see you again."

[lighthearted]

While things weren't exactly right, especially with Kairi in the state she was in, Sora was feeling pretty good. Just being around his two best friends at the same time was enough to cheer him up. Besides, Riku seemed to have an idea of how to reverse what had been done to Kairi, so everything was going to be fixed soon.

Maybe not everything. There was also Renji to consider, but that was out of his hands. Sora knew that Renji had a lot of friends who cared about him, and would probably be able to take better care of him than he ever could, so he was doing his best to leave that situation alone. Still, it didn't mean that he couldn't be there for his friend when possible.

For the first time in a long while, Sora was one of the first people in the cafeteria! That was exciting, since it meant he got first shot at the food when it was still warm and fresh. He darted over to get some, glad that for once, there was no line. One of the nurses piled his plate with spaghetti and added a piece of garlic bread on the side. With that and a glass of water, the Keyblade bearer settled down and started to eat.

[clockmongler.livejournal.com]

Luxord didn't like spaghetti.

That's not to say Nursey did not force him to grab something after pushing the Gambler to relinquish his kitten, but a simple drink seemed rather inappropriate for lunch. Even still, the blond laid his hand against the table and fixated the Keybearer with a smirk over his glass of water.

"How swiftly Time passes. We'd not spoken in quite a while, have we?" Planning to escape or no, Luxord had unfinished business with a certain brat and his friends. "And however have you been, dear Sora," he offered, charming smiles and kind tones.

He'd make the boy suffer yet.

[31st-of-china.livejournal.com]

Hard to believe it but talking with the monkey had actually calmed his nerves. Sanzo had left the showers, pissed beyond all belief and ready to take the next heavy, blunt object to Homura's head the next chance he got, and now?

Well, the monk wasn't entirely calm or satisfied. Sanzo hadn't had the irritation erased or anything. He felt somewhat drained, though. That talk in the Sun Room hadn't exactly distracted him off what happened in the showers but...

Talking with Goku about it - and anything somewhat related to sex (a matter Sanzo didn't want to even talk about) - and then watching the monkey thinking it over and reacting like he did was enough to make Sanzo cool down off that rage. Mostly because he'd been too stunned by the conversation to keep up that fury.

Coupled in with that little surprise about how the kid'd matured more than Sanzo thought was enough to make the monk feel just a little tired.

Still, he had a few more shifts to last through, then he could look at those files. At least the day was halfway through. There was also the matter of the potential cigarettes. It was only a short-term solution, but on that front, the priest was going to take anything at the moment.

Sanzo pushed at the food. It looked utterly foreign, but didn't smell too bad. Not like those "sloppy joes".

[faithful-dog.livejournal.com]

Naoe came into the room and after gathering a basic meal for himself went straight to the man that he hoped as the one described on the board. He placed down his meal and then took the pack out of his pocket carefully, as to not attract the attention of the nurses. He was running out quickly, and if he kept up the habit of giving them away he would run out sooner, but that didn't stop him from wanting to lend a helping hand. That and, despite how small the favor, it did mean he could at least potentionally form an alliance with whoever this man was.

He put the small box on the table in front of Sanzo, though at an angle where his body hid it from the nearest nurse. "I have matches as well. They let you smoke if you are outside," he added. Despite the fact that smoking was allowed, he wasn't sure jut giving away cigarettes was allowed and he didn't want them taken away. He was also sure they wouldn't have liked the idea of him carrying around matches.

[broken-exorcist.livejournal.com]

Allen was somewhat relieved that the situation in the Game Room hadn't escalated. The nurses had interrupted, saying it was time for the next meal, and it couldn't have come too soon for him. He waved a short goodbye to Miss Bridget before his nurse escorted him back to the cafeteria.

He was also glad to note that he was one of the first to arrive. He might actually have time to digest his food before the others started streaming in. And, he noted, there were no Akuma just yet. It wouldn't last long, he knew, but the curse in his left eye faded, revealing a pair of common blue eyes.

He filled his tray with a healthy portion, sure he would need it for the coming trials. There was Rhode to deal with, as well as this other person who worked for the Earl. He didn't know much about them, aside from their message board posts, but Rhode would likely recognize them. And an ally was the last thing he needed her to have.

Maybe he and Ravi could take turns keeping her from killing the other patients. It did seem only fair, despite Rhode's strange interest in him. And if Rhode spilled about what had happened at breakfast this morning...

Allen tried not to think about it. He tried instead, to focus on the food in front of him and the act of devouring it as quickly as possible. He did need his strength.

[twelveapathy.livejournal.com]

Showering had been nice, but the Nobody knew that it wouldn't be long before she would have to dirty her hands again. It wasn't like she had a problem with that. Heck, it was something that she was actually looking forward too. The feeling of blood on her hands... It was truly wonderful.

Lunch was to be the next shift, but Larxene had a better way of spending her time. The message exchange she had with Allen on the Bulletin Board was fresh on her mind. He knew she would come for him, but had no idea when. Well, she didn't want to make him wait too much. That would've been rude!

Short, white hair and an interesting mark over his left eye. Oh yes, Larxene had found her date. She skipped the line and headed to his table immediately. Why eat when there was someone to play with?

“Excuse me.” She said with a smile on her face, one that was as empty as she was, but like herself, indistinguishable from the real thing. “May I sit here?”

[face-of-chaos.livejournal.com]

[waiting for Gremio and Leon]

Although things hadn’t been as relaxing as the bathhouses from his world, Yuber couldn’t deny the fact that there was a certain amount of charm found in the showers. It was almost like a feeling of standing out in rain, but with the added bonus of being able to cleanse yourself. There hadn’t been much to say to Cloud after too long, and after coming to a little agreement between them both all he had left to do was to get into contact with Usopp and demand that his ally aid him in this quest.

He doubted that Usopp would have a problem with the request, but there was always the possibility that the other would be busy. This meant that he simply had to wait until his message had been replied to.

His hair was still a little damp from the previous shower, but he’d countered that by braiding the long tresses back to keep them out of the way. Not that there was much that they could get in the way in at the moment considering that there was no need for him to consume the food that humans needed to have. It was why Yuber had picked the table furthest away from the serving area. He had caught sight of the mess that was apparently meant to be food, but the smell alone had been too overpowering for the black knight to handle, and so he sought out the furthest possible distance in order to keep the stench to a minimum.

These moments set aside for food consumption were always a waste of time for the knight. The only positive side-effect of such a useless time would be the fact that he could observe the other patients around him, but even that could only entertain the knight for so long.

Order was simply far too boring, Yuber rationalised, and it left the knight wondering why anyone would ever want to considering living by such a stagnant code.

[axe-of-oath.livejournal.com]

Gremio had been trying to build his resolve for this since they’d finished breakfast. Though his instincts had told him that approaching the braided man was a bad idea, the axeman could find no rational reason for why. He knew that there was something about him that genuinely frightened him, something that stole his breath and chilled his blood. And yet, for the life of him, Gremio couldn’t remember where he’d seen him before—if he even had at all.

The fact remained though that if anyone in this place could answer his questions, it would probably be him. So far, he was the only person Gremio had seen so far who was definitely from the same world as him. There were no guarantees that the man knew anything more than he did, but there was always that chance. If he remembered anything about how he got here, knew of anyone else here from their world, then it was worth it for Gremio to swallow his reservations and talk to him. As much as he hated to admit it… it was his best bet at finding out what had happened to Tir after Soniere. If he’d been brought here along with him. If he’d stayed behind in their world. If he was even still alive.

He’d tried to work up the courage to approach him in the showers, but Gremio just… hadn’t had the will to go through with it. It’d been uncomfortable enough being naked around a number of other men (he couldn’t help it; he’d always been more than a little prudish), and so he hadn’t really felt like adding approaching a man who, quite frankly, scared the living hell out of him for information to the already-mounting stress.

… Not that he felt that much more comfortable talking to him now that he was fully clothed. Still, he supposed he needed to go through with this at some point, didn’t he?

Gremio approached the braided man’s table carefully, taking a breath to calm his nerves. He knew how to hold back his emotions—months and months of having to sneak around and often lie on the spot to protect Tir’s identity in the middle of a mission had strengthened his proverbial poker face like nothing else. But even then, it was still so hard to hide it when he was honestly, truthfully scared.

“Excuse me,” he said, somehow managing to keep his voice from trembling. “May I sit here?”

[deathbymidget.livejournal.com]

Hiei stormed into the room, the anger radiating off of him almost palpable. His discussion with Kurama had gone poorly at best, though to say it was a total disaster would be closer to the truth. Hiei, of course, was busy convincing himself that he didn't care, that the fox--oh, correction, the human--could do whatever the hell he wanted, so long as it didn't involve the demon.

Hiei barely glanced at his food, though one worker gave the boy an odd look when he put all of the topping available onto his pasta.

Unfortunately, the worker didn't know how much of a victim the poor spaghetti would become. Hiei took a seat, and immediately began taking out his anger on his food. It was ineffective in the end, as Hiei didn't feel better, and the meal didn't really mush enough to become anything disturbing--but he still went at it, knife stabbing repeatedly into the dish.

[sword-and-demon.livejournal.com]

The showers had certainly been enlightening. He now knew that this place was no ordinary hospital, and while he was wary of the food, he couldn't decide to just no eat, his human body required food more frequently than his demon form had.

But human food was still interesting, even after two thousand years living as one. Sparda found another interesting person to sit next to, smiling at him politely. He didn't look very happy, the way he was stabbing his food. "Does the spaghetti really taste that bad?"

[untime.livejournal.com]

[numberii.livejournal.com]

"Well well well. Look who the cat dragged in." Xigbar had always had a special sort of feeling for Riku, now more than ever. A Keyblade Wielder who had mastered the powers of Darkness? It was something new, something unique... something fun. And while he'd heard that Riku was responsible for doing in some of the Senior Members, the fact remained that Xigbar didn't have too big a bone to pick with him.

...yet.

So the Freeshooter promptly plopped down in a chair opposite to Riku, feeling awful good about what had happened in the showers and up for a little verbal re-part-tee. Besides, he could have sworn that he'd seen Riku floating around before, but never had Xigbar been able to flag him down. No time like the present, huh? After plopping down a tray piled high with noodles and meatballs and sauce, Xigbar grinned at the silver-haired kid. "'bout time we met face-to-face, huh?"

[screwthegods]

[OOC: Waiting for Gin!]

Homura was rather pleased with himself after his shower, not only enjoying the benefits of being clean, but having gained an ally and a goal for tonight. It would be better to gather metal with a partner, and Hijikata certainly seemed the type of person it would be a delight to work with.

The mortal's food was interesting as always, and Homura helped himself to a large portion of the stuff before taking a seat. The cafeteria wasn't quite full yet, and the demi-god took advantage of the opportunity to enjoy a bit of peace before whatever came next.

[traitors-smile.livejournal.com]

At least the entertainment during showers had been interesting. And if he was lucky something just might come of his conversation with Jinn earlier. In the mean time, there was lunch. The dish wasn't familiar, but it seemed alright. He took a fair helping of each offering, opting to pick and choose to see what he liked.

There was no sign of Ran yet. She was late, not surprising. Abarai and Toushirou were there already though. And from what he'd witnessed, Abarai was unfortunately in no condition for conversation. Gin chose a seat near a man he'd seen around, but not conversed with. It would do him a bit of good to at least learn the names and faces.

"This seat taken?" he asked with a smile.

[budgetordie.livejournal.com]

[OOC: Waiting for Hisoka (and others involved with Hisoka, I think?)]

The shower had revealed little, save for some clean skin under a variety of filth gathered during his days here. At least Tatsumi was clean now, and freshly dressed...though the uniform still felt nothing like his discounted cheap used discounted suits back at home.

The spaghetti was similar to dishes Tatsumi had seen before (and thankfully enjoyed), and it wasn't long before the secretary found himself at a table eating. He hadn't forgotten the message left for him on the bulletin, however, and the man frequently looked up, each time wondering who might have written the note. More importantly, what did they want?

Tatsumi could only hope it was something more productive than his note to the alchemists...which had been utterly ignored.

[hotlittledragon.livejournal.com]

Kurikara had an idea of who he would be meeting with this shift. There weren't a great many people who would call on him as boldly as that, and then persistent as if it would do anything to gain his respect. Half of him had come to express this. Violently. The other half was genuinely curious and uneasy.

But now was the time to see how good his instincts were. He hopped up onto the table beside Tatsumi and sat with his legs crossed.

[heavensequal.livejournal.com]

[rabbitprince314.livejournal.com]

Communal showers were something Kougaiji couldn't say he would get used to. Never before had he had the opportunity to get acquainted with them and he did not wish for another round after this initial touch down. No, he'd rather keep his naked-- uh, private things to himself, thank you.

As the intercom called on the lunch, Kougaiji had fortunately gotten rid of the resilient blush that had plastered itself on his cheeks at the showers. Wearing new patch of clothes (still the ridiculous gray), and the few bandages he wore changed into new ones as well, he was not quite hungry yet but ready to see what this facility had to offer for the rest of the daylight hours.

The cafeteria felt already crowded, tables filling with people left and right. He could not see either Kikyo or John anywhere and while he marched towards the serving counter in the line of patients, he let his gaze travel over the masses of people, faceless to him, as he did not know any of them. Or almost so.

Was that Goku? The same brown hair and innocent face and yet he seemed oddly unfamiliar in this gray getup. And it sounded odd to think Goku would have stayed in this place by either choice or by force. But then again, even Kougaiji couldn't miss the golden headband.

He stepped out of the line and headed straight to the table where Goku was sitting, pausing his steps beside it, clawless fingers curling around the back of a chair.

"Why are you here too?" His question probably told more than a ten minutes conversation about the extend of his knowledge about this place, but he couldn't help that, could he?

[ex-northswai344.livejournal.com]

The shower had been, at the very least, been quite refreshing. Though the princess had grown used to tromping about in muck and filth after fleeing the palace, the very spirit of this institution made her feel unclean. It was as though the air itself reeked with something horrid.

Her escort, the nurse, took great pains to be as pleasant and as chatty as possible, but Ashe would have none of it; the woman received curt, borderline rude replies to her questions regarding "Amelia's" mood and stay thus far. When she was thankfully left alone, or least out of the insufferable woman's company, the young woman took her place in line and took only a salad and side of bread with her usual water. Breakfast had confirmed that the food was not poisoned, but truthfully Ashe hadn't expected it to be; if they'd meant to have her head by now, she imagined they would have taken it.

Tray in hand, the princess chose a seat at a relatively empty table in the center of the room, hoping to make herself easy to spot for the young man who seemed in on her little secret. It was hard to hide a noble air, but Ashe was still somewhat taken aback that anyone could possibly know that she was alive. Uncle Halim- No, the Marquis Ondore had made it quite clear that Ashelia had taken her life. Sitting in wait, she found it hard to eat even a bite of the small portions she'd taken for herself.

[entrust-to-few.livejournal.com]

[Um what, this table is for men only. Gabranth's only coming to give it a woman's touch >:( *killed*]

"So my fears had not been ill-placed." A voice appeared from behind the regal woman before the owner revealed themselves to be a mere thirteen year old boy. It was with no doubt that Larsa was happy to see a familiar face in the Institute, yet the fact that Ashe had been taken in the first place was what worried him. Still, he simply could not ignore her call, and graced her Majesty with a small smile a curt nod before stealing a seat across from her.

His food was to be forgotten for now, for there were more important matters to be discussed. From what Larsa managed to accumulate from the bulletin, Ashe's memory was... rather lacking. He knew that Ashe was not one to dawdle on useless banter, so the child spared them both and moved straight to a less desirable subject.

"Lady Ashe, was that a mere ruse you used to hide your identity from the Staff?" His tone had lessened somewhat, barely audible above what chatter filled the Cafeteria.

[thesadist]

[OOC: Waiting for River]

Daemon dressed and followed his nurse back down the hall to the cafeteria once more without a word. His expression was a deep frown, both from displeasure at what he had witnessed in this place so far and the troubling thoughts now crcling about Renji.

He was still keeping a mental tab on the other man, although the effort was tiring him, and his steps dragged slightly as he automatically moved along with his tray, filling his plate with food, his manner absent. He knew Renji couldn't tell him what was wrong - though from the emotions emanating from that psychic thread, Daemon could tell Renji was dealing with his own inner demons - but at least if whatever Renji was afraid of actually happened, Daemon would know and... find out a way to do something, though at the moment he didn't know what that was.

His plate full, he found a quiet table and sank down in his chair gratefully. Picking absently at the food on his plate, Daemon stared down at it unseeingly as his mind churned with a myriad of thoughts and worries.

[theycutitout.livejournal.com]

And just like that the pretty playthings were taken away, and the children were herded back to the pastures to graze. This time the grass would taste like pasta, and they would forget that they were eating grass at all. Heaven above forbid the pesticides seep into the water supply, or the streams would become tainted too.

River stepped into the new world, smiling and humming a tune that was all her own. A suspiciously good mood, but then there were people to see to, and oh! Father was back. The girl grinned in that strange way of hers, waving vigorously from the line. Perhaps he would come to meet the new blood, Blood perhaps with a capital B as it were.

When the girl received her portions, she made a face; spaghetti always looked like worms, and she entertained the idea of finding Simon and rubbing her lunch in his hair. If it wouldn't put her on the list and in the world slowed down in the motion of everything. Hostile actions with spaghetti. It could be considered a dangerous weapon in war.

And, no, Father wouldn't appreciate it much either if he was the selected victim.

With a small portion of pasta, no sauce as she liked her worms plain with a bit of butter and cheese, River selected the spot where the tall, dark stranger with eyes like the sun sat and took her seat beside him, her bright smile a direct contrast from the mess she'd been the night before. Apparently, gazing at the exploding stars with that boy in the game room had put her in a decent enough mood, moon-brain that she was regardless.

"There's a web of worry in you brains. All twisted up. Too much to think about all at once," she offered in greeting. Then, with a smile on her face and in her voice, "You'll overload your brains that way, and then they'll cease to function properly. Brains can only multitask too much before the processes cease to process."

[flash-of-blue.livejournal.com]

Elfangor felt almost cheerful as he walked into the room. The smell of food was overpowering and it was food he had eaten before. He gathered as much as he could and went to sit at a table. He looked around before eating.

He knew he really should start working on finding out more information about this place and the going-ons of the 'patients' but there was food and his mouth was watering just thinking about eating it.

He supposed he could always wait until after lunch.

[itneverwas.livejournal.com]

[ooc; unknowingly waiting for Claire]

After he had dressed, the Superior found himself herded towards the next shift once again. The nurse had attempted conversation during their little walk, yet Xemnas disregarded her as he always did. The women and their ignorance weren't useful to him, therefore he didn't see the need to grant them any attention.

He scanned the cafeteria upon entering, noting Luxord along with the Keyblade Master. He had wanted to approach the Gambler, but it wouldn't be convenient on this very moment. The Keybearer was near, and Xemnas wasn't keen on allowing the boy to listen. For now, he decided to let it rest. He had no plans for today, and he could surely attempt next shift.

After filling his plate, he picked a seat and began on his meal.

[claire-ity.livejournal.com]

Claire was starting to get nervous.

RC still hadn't responded to her, and while that might not have meant he was the one killed, it meant something had probably happened to him. Not paying much attention to what was being put on her plate or where she was sitting, she started absently chewing on a piece of glaric bread, eyes glued to a random spot on the wall.

[foxyroses.livejournal.com]

Funny how by the time lunch rolled around, Kurama wasn't feeling all that hungry. The brief argument with Hiei left him feeling unsettled, and even the promise of progress being made tonight couldn't help him shake that feeling.

He glanced briefly at Hiei before getting his food and finding a seat away from the other demon. Perhaps if he let Hiei simmer for a while, he would cool down a bit. Or at least one could hope. In the meantime, Kurama picked at his plate of spaghetti idly, lost in his thoughts.

[arc-wrench.livejournal.com]

HK was still shivering slightly by the time he sat down at an isolated seat in the cafeteria. The cold water had been a real shock, but he had continued to try to clean this disgusting meatbag body, while also trying to not get hypothermia.

His hair was still wet and cold. Little drops of water kept on sliding down his head from where they had nested in the short black strands. HK was not happy. He never was when he wasn't killing things, but now he was really unhappy.

[roger-hug.livejournal.com]

Bridget was sad to have to leave Allen, but he hoped he'd be able to meet up with the other boy later. With Roger tucked under his arm, Bridget took a tray of food to a table where a grumpy looking man was seated.

With a happy grin he sat down.

"Hi! Can we sit here?" Not that the answer mattered as he had alread done so, positioning Roger neatly beside him.

[0bnoxious.livejournal.com]

[ooc; Reserved for Cliff]

Due to circumstances, Albel wasn't very hungry.

But even despite that, he still went in line to get his meal. He wanted to keep his strength up, and the last thing he needed was to lose to that stupid blond-haired maggot just because he had skipped a meal. Assuming they'd continue searching tonight and they would find anything, at least.

'Hmph, that fool would best stick to his side of the bargain.' That silly thunder spell of his hadn't been too impressive, after all. And if that worm would somehow break the promise, Albel wasn't going to wait for him to find a new weapon. He'd continue where they had left off.

After finally filling his plate, he picked a random chair and began eating his meal.

[gotahunch.livejournal.com]

Cliff was starving. He hadn't eaten anything at breakfast but his anxiety had subsided somewhat since then. It was amazing what a long shower could do sometimes. His head felt clear.

If Nel was around, he'd find her sooner or later and there wasn't much he could do until then except wait. He piled his tray with spaghetti and surveyed the cafeteria for some familiar faces--

Well, that would do.

Albel wasn't usually his first choice, but it had been a while since their last unsuccessful talk. And that had been his own fault. Cliff carried his tray over..

"What happened to your arm?" ...and promptly put his foot into his mouth.

[seiran314.livejournal.com]

The blood was still seeping out from Aya's lip as the lunch rounded up. Slowly but steadily a pearl of crimson formed on the slit and he'd sweep it away with either his sleeve or his tongue. His chin and fingers were now clean after a short side trip to the bathroom, but still carrying a faint smell of blood. He pressed an ice pack against his cheek as he was escorted in by the same nurse who had been kind enough to take him to the bathroom.

She smiled at him, not discouraged from the blank look she received for her troubles, and then went to fill plate for him. Appetite was something Aya wasn't quite sure if he could even describe anymore, it seemed he didn't know the concept by neither experience nor the idea. He stared down at his plate with less interest as he had gazed down at the mushroom soup his sister had made him eat when she was six. The stomachache that had followed felt quite familiar at the moment as well.

The day had been quite giving already, and it could only get worse, he guessed. His face ached, the side throbbed in time with his heartbeat but he had refused to take the painkillers the nurse had offered. He was paranoid enough not to take any pills so freely given to him. He had probably fucked up things with Yohji the night before, he had been exchanging punches with Ken just a bit before and he kept imagining one dead teammate hovering around this crazy facility. All he really needed was Omi to pause beside his table to tell him this all was just a virtual reality he and Kritiker had pulled together to test Aya's mental stability.

He half wished it would happen. Any time now would be good.

[black-ageha.livejournal.com]

The intercom had come on just moments ago to announce the change in shift. Like little wayward children being escorted from class to class, the patients were rounded up by nurses to be taken for their afternoon meal. The menu had sounded just as appetizing as breakfast. Though still, Kikyo would probably eat only a handful if anything at all. He never ate that much to begin with, and it seemed that in this pampered environment, there was little necessity for decadent sustenance. Perhaps the nighttime haunts were a different story. But he hadn't seen enough of it to prepare for it, and even if he had, it would not have induced much appetite anyways.

"If you please, I'll be taking you to the cafeteria now," a kindly nurse tapped Kikyo on the shoulder and smiled expectantly. Kikyo gave her a pale smile in return and rose to his feet to follow.

This was an odd kind of place. He couldn't remember if there was ever a time when he was in the company of so many people all the time. Yet even within this sea of unfamiliar faces, there was one who stood out, though he had only caught a glimpse of him. They passed on his way in to the sunroom just a little while ago - the young man with crimson locks and a violet gaze that had briefly looked upon him as though they saw nothing.

Blank.

Kikyo couldn't get those eyes out of his mind. Who was this, that he could haunt him in this world beyond death? Resembling someone who had been so dear to him, yet looking so changed. Ran could not change...he wouldn't allow it. He gripped his fingers around his arm to calm himself.

Past the doors and into the cafeteria the nurse led him. She asked him if she could bring him his food, and he politely declined. He told her he would help himself, though had she known he would take so little, she might have insisted on fixing up a tray for him after all.

With a cup of tea in hand, he moved across the room, his feet taking him to a table in the far end of the cafeteria. Perhaps he sought him out deliberately, this face he once knew. The ghost from his past that would look upon with eyes like those. He would hear him speak.

He slid into the seat across the table from him, bringing the teacup to the table with a gentle clink.

"May I join you?" he said, though it wasn't really a question. His countenance was calm and unchanged.

[norainu]

[waiting for Obi-Wan, or to have a really quick and unpleasant conversation with Hitsu THEN talk to Obi-Wan.]

Renji had felt something beyond relief when the nurses had just taken him to his room (see, nothing happened, nothing to worry about, like nothing happened before, it's all in your head, damnit) and had ended up taking a nap. Short though it was, it had helped. He wasn't exactly clear and coherent when they came to take him for lunch, but he could almost walk on his own, and could almost think. He was just very, very calm, a sort of muffled feeling rather than the cold calm in the anger he'd felt before.

The nurses deposited him at a table, then came back a minute later with a plate of spaghetti and a glass of milk. Renji already wasn't hungry, due to how muddled he was and how upset he'd been earlier. The spaghetti, in his opinion, looked utterly disgusting. He'd never encountered tomato sauce before, and it looked appalling. As soon as the nurses left, he pushed the plate as far away as it could go with an unsteady hand. The milk, at least, he'd attempt to drink.

it's all in your head, you're just being stupid, stop it Under the influence of drugs, it was easier to think and believe that sort of thing.

[whiteychan.livejournal.com]

Hitsugaya had his conversation with Rukia heavy on his mind when he walked into the cafeteria. Plain spaghetti seemed like a decent option today, as it looked like a very plain, basic noodle dish. He debated the olive oil for dressing...it didn't look too vile...but decided against being too creative with his meal.

And there was Renji. Drugged, from the glassy look in his eyes. He didn't feel like lingering around the other man, but there was a matter he needed to discuss.

"Abarai-fukutaicho," Hitsugaya said, still standing and holding his tray. "Kuchiki-san advised that you might need tonight off."

[heavens-too-far.livejournal.com]

Dias was rarely ever in what one would call a good mood, but conversations with Xigbar over the bulletin board - he doubted he could talk to the man in person without punching him - definitely didn't help. Entirely aside from his default anger at the man, the question of why he hadn't been there for Ashton when Ashton needed him (and, further, why he'd ever allowed Xigbar around Ashton without his supervision, since the man was so blatantly untrustworthy and Ashton so naively trusting) lingered in his mind without any justifiable answer. True, he'd intended to meet Edgeworth, but the man had never even bothered to show up.

And in the meantime, his friend had been in trouble, and he hadn't been there to help him.

He could easily have brooded over the matter for the entirety of lunch, but as it happened chance interrupted his angst as a familiar shock of pale hair caught his eye. He hadn't really been counting the days since he'd arrived, so he wasn't entirely sure how many it had been since he'd last seen Scar, but it had been a high enough number (four? five? Most of a week, he thought) to have left him distinctly uneasy in the back of his mind, the place where all matters he tried not to think about dwelled. Only the fact that River had failed to sense or say anything distressing about his plight had kept Dias from thinking the man might have died.

It wasn't so much curiosity over where he'd been that made Dias change course to sit down across from his friend so much as it was quiet relief. "It's been a long time." As far as the swordsman was concerned, Scar's absence didn't need to be accounted for to him so long as the man was all right, and that was all he'd ever say about the matter.

[right-handed.livejournal.com]

Scar stared at Dias for a moment, chewing on some spaghetti before he swallowed and responded:

"It has?"

He supposed it made sense, given that he felt no trace of injuries on his body, though then again, he'd been in pretty good shape the last he remembered--good enough shape to drive the violent homunculus away from Lust, anyway.

Still, it was worrisome that Scar had been unknowingly unconscious for so long if such was the case, and he wondered what kind of troubles had befallen those who were unwittingly close to him while he was gone.

"I didn't know," he mumbled, half-apologetically. He looked back up at his friend. "You and Lust were badly injured. Are you all right?"

[hellmunchkin.livejournal.com]

Phibrizzo once again found himself in the cafeteria, staring less than enthusiastically at the pasta before him. He had sort of hoped to have a repeat of breakfast, as those sweet things had been mighty tasty. Still, pasta wasn't completely offensive to his senses, so he couldn't complain.

He looked around the room and took in the other patients. He still felt a bit out of sorts, but that would surely be remedied with time. And, more importantly, if he was going to bring about the destruction of the world in a sea of chaos, was it really worth the effort it would take to get to know everyone?

Hellmaster mused to himself over the variety of suffering such an end would bring about and gleefully reminded himself that like all good plans, it would just take patience and planning. He also wondered where Xelloss was and how he was doing. The two HAD to talk, but he didn't know when he would be able to sneak away and speak to the priest. Still, Xelloss would undoubtedly find the time and moment at some point. No sense rushing things on THAT front either.

Settling down to his meal, all Hellmaster could do now was sit, wait, and maybe enjoy some food.

[bulletofjustice.livejournal.com]

FOOD! Glorious food! Excel had never been in a place that served food regularly. What was this sort of place? A five star hotel? She was beginning to think the evening was some sort of nightmare and that this was IlPalazzo's true quest. Excel piled on the pasta and meatballs, making as large a tower as she could before plopping down at the closest table to stuff her face silly.

Once finished, her face covered in sauce, she noticed the kid sitting nearby. There was still food on his plate and she eyed it greedily. "Are you going to eat that?" she asked, twirling her fork idly.

[secret-orchard.livejournal.com]

The nurses came through the sunroom like a tide, washing the driftwood patients out into the hallways. The announcement indicated lunch--an odd meal to be sure since Armand wasn't expecting to eat again until later in the afternoon. He lost track of Takaya, but he was getting used to that, too. People came and went here so casually.

It smelled good though, and he collected a plate of noodles and red sauce and dripping bread. Then he found an empty spot near the walls and ate, keeping an ear out for anyone speaking French and wishing for a chance just to relax. He also watched for familiar faces.

[formyfather.livejournal.com]

It was time for the masses to get their 2nd meal of the day. However, unlike them, Suigintou could afford not to eat now, even if it smelled somewhat appetizing.

There was little to do during these meal shifts for someone who wasn't eating. Her options were limited, but Suigintou managed to stay off her boredom after spotting one of the humans she saw last night.

"Well, look who it is." she said, taking a seat across from his table. "Have you managed to settle in yet?"

[faithful-frost.livejournal.com]

Haku smiled up at the nurse escorting him to lunch and thanked her for her time before walking over to pick out something to eat. He was trying to reestablish himself as a 'good' boy. He needed to dull the memory of the fight he'd been involved with just two days ago.

It looked like it was working.

Taking a small plate of the noodles, no sauce thank you, bread, salad and a glass of water to a table, Haku sat down and picked at the food, watching the door and keeping an eye on the rest of the room as well.

[tsunagari.livejournal.com]

Sai, wandering in after that peculiar therapy session, found himself at a loss as to where to go. Usopp seemed involved in a conversation already and the nurse didn't seem willing to let him wander over their way in any case - and she definitely wasn't wanting him near Sasuke and Naruto for some reason. It had something to do with worrying about his personal safety, but he was hardly listening to her.

He caught sight of Haku at last. Curious to speak with the boy while not engaged in a combat scenario he knew little about, he finally managed to shake the nurse off and set his tray down beside him.

"Hello," he greeted with a smile. "I'm sorry, but I don't think I caught your name before."