The intercom crackled on and soon leveled out into the sound of a pencil hitting the surface of a desk. This continued for a few seconds until a sigh came on over the announcement system along with a slight chuckle.

"Mr. Radio thinks he can intimidate me with his empty moral code and it's a good thing that he's sadly mistaken. Don't you realize, old friend, that I have become more powerful than you can ever imagine? That I already hold the fates of all involved in this institution within my iron fist? Heh. Your ignorance precedes you."

A woosh sounded in the air around the microphone and the Head Doctor laughed a little harder.

"In any case, I tire of these sad displays of strength against my puppets. You're beginning to bore me, patients, and that's never good."

The intercom crackled back into silence as nighttime faded away...

"Goooood morning, patients!" The Head Doctor's voice said cheerily over the speakers across the Institute. He seemed to be in a particularly good mood, humming as he paged through the topics he had to cover in today's morning announcement. "How are you all on this fine day? Good? Good!"

A feminine voice, probably his personal assistant, seemed to cough. The Head Doctor cleared his voice in turn, his tone becoming a bit more professional.

"In any case, I'm sure you want to hear what's on the menu for breakfast! Today, we'll be having the old favorite of buttermilk pancakes! You have your choice of having them plain, having them with chocolate chips, or having them with fresh fruit toppings and whipped cream! We of course also have melted butter and hot syrup for those who want to go the classic route, and, as always, our sides of tater tots, sausage, bacon, and toast are available. Assorted cereal and fruit salad are also options, as are our normal choices of water, milk, or juices.

"As far as shifts later on in the day, we will be concluding our therapy sessions for this week today, as we had to wait for Doctors House and Wilson who had left for an emergency medical consultation.

"Oh, and as has become custom these days, we have more patients that will be joining our roster today! Why, yes, if the nurses would be kind enough to escort Group 1 out of their temporary rooms while we prepare and organize all the new assignments of roommates? Thank you very much!

"I do believe that is all for now! I hope you enjoy today and all the productive activities it will include!"

The intercom clicked off once again.

[ Those whose characters belong to the First Shift group posted on the lounge, please post your character's introductions in response to THIS POST ONLY and then move on to the breakfast post once your characters are on their way there. Also, like the Head Doctor said--we're still working on getting the new roommates sorted out since we still have people to accept, so all the characters will be waking up in temporary rooms where the other bed is empty. Thank you! ]

Day came too soon.

Sora hadn't been able to find Rena, had instead been forced to crumple onto the grass of the recreational field and bleed all over himself, and hadn't even accomplished what he'd been sent out to do. What he'd been entrusted to do. He didn't know how he was going to be able to face Renji and the others, but he also knew he wasn't going to hide from them, either. That would just be low, after all, and he was ready to face up to the consequences.

He didn't try to make excuses for himself. Even though there had been a Special Counseling patient, they had managed to take her down by sheer numbers. The fact that he hadn't seen any sign of Rena was what had him the most worried. He hoped he could find her today.

The boy laid in his bed for a good while that morning before his nurse finally came in to collect him. She clucked over the bandages wrapped tightly around his chest and leg, and asked him if he was okay to walk.

Once Sora assured her he was fine (he didn't really want to use crutches, as that would just attract attention to himself, and he didn't need others worrying over him), they made their way to the cafeteria. Sora yawned and winced against the bright light of morning - it seemed even earlier than usual, and he realized why when they entered the cafeteria and found it empty.

The boy shuffled over to grab a chocolate chip pancake, a bowl of cereal, and a glass of milk (good for the bones, or so his mom had always told him) before settling at a table. He kept an eye on the door, hoping he would see Rena walking in soon.