http://right-handed.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] right-handed.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] damned_institute2007-08-14 12:56 am

Day 26: Cafeteria, Lunch

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.

[identity profile] heirloomtea.livejournal.com 2007-08-15 04:16 am (UTC)(link)
Having caught sight of people using the bulletin board between shifts, Chloe had stopped by briefly and responded to a post (http://community.livejournal.com/damned_bulletin/85375.html?thread=3939967#t3939967). Her heart shaking, she'd left the Sun Room nearly in tears to head for the cafeteria.

Now sitting before a plate of pasta and garlic bread, she murmured to herself, "Pasta. Yes, pasta." It felt vaguely nostalgic. She began to eat, pausing every now and then to wash the food down with the glass of water she'd also picked up.

[identity profile] transgenix.livejournal.com 2007-08-15 12:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Piling her plate high with spaghetti - they'd made meatballs! Max wasn't going to stop and think why that made her happy, just that it was a comfort food for her when there was no McDonalds around - Max glanced around her curiously, looking for a place to sit. She was feeling vaguely optimistic today, and she blamed it on the shower. It was hard not to be in a better mood after getting to soak under hot water. Even though a bath would have been much nicer, she could deal with just a hot shower.

Spotting a girl sitting alone, Max headed over beside her, noting her hair color with a smile. "Hi," she spoke in greeting, offering the girl a friendly smile. "I'm Max. Mind some company?"

[identity profile] heirloomtea.livejournal.com 2007-08-15 12:46 pm (UTC)(link)
"Hello there, Max," said Chloe mechanically.

She actually did mind having company. It had been difficult enough to say the few words she had, because with every syllable she felt she would lose it and start crying hysterically. She really didn't feel like she could manage a whole conversation with someone, especially someone she didn't know; they would have to undergo the whole cycle of introductions, small talk, et cetera et cetera et cetera....

The betrayal was so complete, and now it was impossible to push it into the back of her mind.

[identity profile] transgenix.livejournal.com 2007-08-15 12:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Hearing the tone in the girl's voice, Max's easy smile faded into an expression of concern, and she shifted her weight from one foot to the other as she hesitated in debate for a moment. Giving in, she sunk down on the empty chair beside the girl, setting the tray on the table, forgotten as her dark eyes searched the other girl's face.

"Hey. I know this is a rather ironic question, considering where we are and all, but... you okay?"

[identity profile] heirloomtea.livejournal.com 2007-08-15 01:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Chloe looked at the other girl silently, a resolve not to speak of it and make it real burning in her chest. Finally she cocked her head and forced a smile.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she said. She took another sip of water and thought of Altena. She really wanted to be held by her right now and given comforting words. Surely she hadn't been in on the betrayal.

[identity profile] transgenix.livejournal.com 2007-08-15 01:37 pm (UTC)(link)
"You're not very convincing, you know," Max countered mildly, reaching for a slice of garlic bread and munching on it thoughtfully. "Are you new here?"

[identity profile] heirloomtea.livejournal.com 2007-08-15 01:48 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yep, I'm new," said Chloe, choosing to ignore the other comment. She put some more pasta in her mouth so she could avoid saying anything else. As she chewed, she gave Max another smile.

[identity profile] transgenix.livejournal.com 2007-08-15 02:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Max hummed a noncommittal reply, recognizing the act for what it was. She turned her own attention to her spaghetti for the moment, taking a few bites before asking. "Have you been here at night yet? Have you been cautioned about what happens? Not that I'm anything close to an expert. I've only been here two days and nights myself."

[identity profile] heirloomtea.livejournal.com 2007-08-15 07:04 pm (UTC)(link)
"I actually woke up during the night here," said Chloe. "And yes, I've been made aware of what goes on."

The garlic bread was good. Actually, it was really good. Before she knew it, she'd finished eating it. She took another sip of water.

[identity profile] transgenix.livejournal.com 2007-08-15 08:16 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, there wasn't much Max could add to that really, so she nodded in acknowledgment and finished her own spaghetti in silence. Munching on the last of her garlinc bread, she turned to the girl with a crooked half-smile. She didn't even know her name, but she looked as if she wasn't really up for company anyway.

"I'm going to go grab some dessert," she spoke one last time, getting up from her chair and tucking her hair behind one ear. "I'll catch you around, yeah?"

Giving a little wave, she slipped back towards the food bar to see if there was anything more to eat.

[identity profile] transgenix.livejournal.com 2007-08-15 09:06 pm (UTC)(link)
(Going here. (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/177215.html?thread=12057919#t12057919))