damned_institute | Day 27: Lunch

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Day 27: Lunch

Renji wasn't so certain what this grilled cheese thing was all about, but he liked the sound of some soup. Even if it was strange western soup, well... there wasn't anything bad people could do to soup, in his experience. His good mood was starting to fray at the edges, a little, from the strain of dealing with the Ichimaru issue, and even more from what had been on the bulletin board earlier.

He'd never had difficulty simply writing something before. But...

He shook his head as he entered the line. He didn't want to think about it. He wanted to hold on to the tenuous equilibrium he'd managed to find.

Renji got himself a large bowl of soup, water, and even one of those sandwiches, just to try it. Old habit, recently awakened, had him over to one side of the cafeteria, where the fewest people possible would have the chance to pass behind him. He sat there with his back toward the wall and started eating.

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“A detective, huh? That’s pretty cool.” Bella grinned and straightened up in her seat, keeping her arms crossed over her chest as so she wouldn’t drop her annoyed stance. Couldn’t let Edward win that easily.

500 years did sound like a stretch, and the thought of living for so long made Bella think. What could they have done for so long to keep their interest? “How did they live for so long?” Magic? At this point, she’d believe anything that wasn’t logical. Witchcraft? Aliens who granted eternal life? He could say anything and she’d probably believe it.

“Turning into an old person … that must have sucked.” Shuddering at the possibility alone, Bella frowned, also leaning in closer to the storyteller who sat close by.

Heiji's serious face broke into a wide grin, "I can't believe you two actually thought that was real!" He laughed, "No, no, the 500-year-old woman was an island's tradition. The 'elder' would perform a ritual that was intrinsic to the island, and she was played by the female members of a certain family.

"As for the young woman, she got plastic surgery to make her face look like an old hag's so she could search for a hidden treasure in a mansion," He shook his head, "Crazy lady, if you ask me."

Heiji suddenly looked very much unlike his usual joking self, "Why someone would do such a thing for monetary gain... is beyond me. I just can't understand it."

"Ah." He had to keep himself from rolling his eyes at the joke, clearly unamused. That was what he got for ignoring the buzzing around him. It wasn't hard to believe strange things when magically plucked from one's world to be dumped in another. Unless everything he saw was truly just silly imaginings in the heads of the patients.

"People who do not have sufficient resources will do most anything to gain some, if they're desperate," Edward shrugged nonchalantly. It wasn't only money some beings were desperate for. "It's not that hard to understand."

Dammit, it was fake? Bella frowned and sat back in her seat once again, letting out a sigh. “Ah, well. You never know, it could happen. Maybe.”

Crossing her arms over her chest again, Bella peered around the cafeteria, surprised to see people starting to leave. Turning her gaze back towards Heiji, she tilted her head to the side and looked upon him with a questioning glance. “Anyway, do you have anyone to wander around with tonight? You don’t want to wander around alone, let me tell you.” keeping her arms crossed, Bella used her uninjured hand to scratch at the bandages that were wrapped around her currently injured arm, a frown crossing her lips. Damn, the stupid thing was starting to itch.

"If she had the money to have plastic surgery, I would think she had enough 'resources' or whatever," Heiji said, eyebrow cocked, "In the end the 'treasure' just turned out to be a particularly beautiful view." He smiled to the two, "Stuff like that could happen--maybe in books or fairy tales, but probably not in real life. And if it has happened..." He sighed, depressed, "Kudo's probably gotten to it before I did! That guy really pisses me off sometimes..."

He perked up, surprised at the invitation, his face breaking into another wide grin, "I just got here, so you're the first people I've met! It'd be great if we could go together! And don't worry," he winked, "I'm the captain of my school's kendo club--I won't disappoint you!"

He looked down at Bella's hand, then leaned in to stare at it, eyes wide, "Uwaaah... that's insane!"

Edward sighed at her invitation, looking up to watch her scratch at the bandages. There went the conversation he was meaning to have with her.

The vampire was hardly assured at the boy's statement, but it was much better than nothing, he supposed. If there was anything to worry about, they'd have to wing it. "The problem is where we're going to meet. I'm assuming it will be pitch-black tonight, and none of us have a map. Where do you suggest we find each other?"

At least he had already seen the worst of her injuries. Edward would've hated to lose his composture more than he already had. "And if you can, try to find some sort of weapon. Her injuries are evidence enough of what could potentially happen."

“Oh, underneath your pillow there’s a flashlight.” Bella nodded her head, having found this on her own last night. But … then she remembered. “… Mine was destroyed by the monster that tried to eat me last night.” Well, shit. Now what was she going to do? Wander around in the darkness? … Again? “I can always just … uh … wait for you guys or something. Or try to look for you?”

Though, the moment she said the second option, Bella knew that there wasn’t going to be a chance in hell that Edward would let her wander around alone again. Turning her head to look at said vampire, she tilted her head at him and smiled, as if she could tell him to not get angry.

“Though … uh, I insist that we get to the second floor. I’m looking for a certain room.”

It was at this time that Bella wished she still had her pipe. Sighing, she frowned and ran her uninjured hand through her hair. She could always look around her room for something to use.

"Hmm... that's true!" Heiji frowned at Edward's point. Where were they going to meet?

"Ah!" He dropped his fist into the palm of his other hand. "There are numbers on all of the rooms, right? I can't remember mine right now, and," He nodded to Edward, "Since you don't want your chick running around by herself, why don't we meet at your room Bella?" He grinned, "Wait, wait," the boy detective cleared his throat, "What's your room number, babe?"

He backed off, laughing, "And I'll see what I can do about the flashlight issue. Maybe I can find one somewhere--along with a weapon. Oi, Edward," he grinned, "Should I try to find something for you too?"

"No." His answer was immediate and clipped to her suggestion of finding them. Like hell he'd leave her alone for a minute in this place.

'Your chick'? Augh. Despite his cross state of mind, he nodded. "That would seem to be the best plan. That way, we can at least become familiar with the patient blocks.

"There was an empty bed in the room I awoke in, so perhaps I could find a second flashlight there." Or he could give Bella his, he thought. He surely wasn't going to need it. At the second question, Edward paused. He'd been so long without needing weapons, he was unsure of what he should use if the occasion called for it. "If you can. I'm not sure how simple it would be to find a weapon here. Anything blunt object should do, I think."

Bella frowned at Edward’s sudden answer even if she had expected it. Dammit, now how was she going to get her stuff? “Well, in that case, I’ll just tell my friend to bring my stuff to my room.” Shrugging her shoulders, she crossed her arms over her chest once again and proceeded to grump.

Though, Bella’s next comment most likely wasn’t going to make the situation any better. “I … uh, don’t know what room I’m in? I can stand outside of the door if it would make things easier.” She knew Edward would probably be able to track her or something of the like, but she might as well just put the option out there.

“Oh, and when my friend comes to bring me my stuff, he’ll also be giving me a pipe that we picked up last night, so that’ll help some, right?” Beaming over the fact that she had a weapon, Bella’s smile soon faltered when she realized that there was no way in hell that Edward was going to let her use the thing. Frowning at this sudden revelation, she leaned back in her eat even more and let out a hmph.

Heiji leaned on his hands, his face relaxed, thinking. "Yeah, I'll see if I can find a map from someone, but until then it'd be best if we familiarized ourselves with the layout," Heiji sighed, "It will be especially easy since you don't know what your room number is.

"Wait, a pipe?! Awesome!" Heiji leaned out of his seat in excitement, "Where'd you get it? That'd be a great substitute until I can find something better! And we could get one for you too, Edward! We could be like all those juvenile delinquents, ruling the halls with an iron fist. Er, three metal pipes, really. But you get the idea!"

He frowned when Bella seemed to not be taking this well, "Hey... did I say something wrong?"

Friend. Edward was immediately suspicious, but kept the questions to himself. If he didn't agree to at least this, god knew she'd go off somewhere by herself and attract every thing with teeth in the whole institute.

He seemed preoccupied for a brief moment, but returned to the conversation easily enough. "I'll agree to that, at least. I haven't heard of any patient being attacked outside their room - as many have actually mentioned being attacked." It wasn't just one two-headed monster to worry about. But then again, what else was new?

The bronze-haired boy chuckled at Heiji's upbeat attitude. "A pipe would do well. Until something better could be found. I'll try to map what I can while I make my way to Bella's room, so we'll at least have a starting point."

Heiji's worriment over Bella's attitude earned a smirk in her direction. Even with her mental block, he knew she was steaming over every way he was going to ruin her night. Most were probably accurate.

“That sounds fun.” Bella replied to Heiji’s comment with a laugh, smiling soon afterwards. “The guy I was traveling with last night got it for me. He put me down in some … I think it was a janitor’s closet? And left and went and got it for me.” Shrugging her shoulders as if it were no big deal, her eyes drifted to Edward for a second before once again returning to Heiji. “So it had to be close. I’m sure we can find the room again? Near the janitor’s closet.”

Well, now that her room was to be considered as a starting point, Bella really couldn’t argue. At least she would be able to find out what her room number was.

“Oh, I’m fine. Just thinking about how much fun I’m going to have smacking things with my pipe tonight!” Grinning towards Heiji, Bella didn’t even have to glance at Edward to know that he was most likely going to reply to her comment with an eye roll or something equally as obvious.

"Sorry Bella," Heiji said with a smug shrug and matching grin, "But you'll be hitting stuff IF I don't get to it first! I've got a lot of pent up energy that I intend to get rid of tonight!

"Let's... just hope we can find this janitor's closet before something decides we're intruding. Then I think we'd be in trouble," he paused, thoughtful again. "I'm pretty sure I could keep it occupied. D'you guys have any skills or anything?" Hopefully they'd have some sort of self-defense, right? I mean, schools taught girls basic self-defense at the drop of a hat.

Edward looked pretty built, but that didn't mean he knew what to do with himself. Privately, he was worried he would be the one to protect the group. Not that he minded, really. Heiji was used to it, after all.

And an eyeroll he did make to her comment. Wonderful. Two people bent on bashing some random monster's brain in. This night was just going to prove itself to be a great time.

"Skills?" Edward thought for a moment, wondering how best to put it. "I've had my share of sparring. Nothing with a weapon, I'm afraid, but I can improvise." He gave a reassuring smile. "And I'm quick."

Oh, what a way to sell himself short.

"And Bella can handle her own, I think." He turned to give her a mischevious grin. Not that she'd be given the chance, if he had anything to do with it. But, worst of all, maybe he wouldn't have a choice.

Bella grinned. “Is that a challenge? Then I’ll take it!” This would at least make the night a little more interesting.

She couldn’t help but roll her eyes at Edward’s own comment on his skills, knowing how much he wasn’t saying. He was a good fighter, this she knew for a fact. After all, hadn’t she seen it with her own eyes?

Turning to grin up at Edward at his comment about herself, Bella gave him one of her “Don’t-even-think-about-it” looks before turning back to Heiji with a smirk. “Well, I can punch … and I remember how to break noses thanks to gym and all that. Plus, how hard can it be to swing a pipe around?” A pause, and Bella continued. “Oh, and last night there wasn’t anything in the room, thankfully. Though, who knows if it changed tonight?”

Heiji grinned, "Fine, fine. Let's see if you can keep up with me. That is, if Mr. Stoney-face here will let you," He flashed his toothy grin in Edward's direction.

He leaned his head on his fist, his grin falling into a light smirk, "Really Edward-han, there's really no need to stand on ceremony here," His eyes flicked to Bella, indicating that he'd seen her roll her eyes at his statement. "If you're a good fighter, than that'll take a load off my chest, seriously. I know enough kendo to protect myself, but I've never had two people behind me. It'll make me feel a whole lot better if I know I can count on you.

"My dad always says that his team is good because he plays to their strengths. Let's try to do the same, yeah?" He smiled. It was a normal-enough smile, but with just a hint of a polite warning. If people lied to him, he would know. He wasn't about to jeopardize the entire group because he made a miscalculation. All of the pieces had to fit.

He laughed a little and shook his head, "How hard could it be to swing around a pipe? If you don't want to injure anyone--very hard!"

"I'm nothing special," he tried to assure the boy, in more ways than one. "But I won't need protection, either. I'll hold my own." At least the boy wasn't against fighting, but then again... he seemed the type to run into danger when it reared its head, too. Both a blessing and a curse. Edward hoped he knew when to retreat. As much as he loved a good fight, he had to deal with the fact that he was as human as Bella and Heiji.

And he was worried that Edward was lying to him? At least it was because he was looking out for a strong front. Better reason than most.

Hearing Heiji's teasing, Edward laughed as well. "And knowing you," he turned to Bella, raising a finger to point at her, "You'll find a multitude of ways to hurt yourself. But I suppose we'll have to see, hmm?" The teasing was light, but he knew it would annoy her further. Which only made it all the more amusing.

How easy it was to forget sometimes that he was stuck in this place.

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Day 27: Lunch

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