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damned_institute2007-10-08 08:16 pm
forgot-it-all.livejournal.com) wrote in damned_institute2007-10-08 08:16 pm
Nightshift 27: 2nd Floor Hallway near Medical Reference Library and Railed Area
[from here]
Once they were safely at the top of the stairs, Ritsuka flicked on his flashlight and swept the area. It was probably unwise to announce their position, but he needed to know where he was. For all the times Ritsuka had been up here, he had never really gotten very far and his memory was fuzzy. Somewhere to his right was the pharmacy, near the railing, where he needed to stop for supplies for Tamaki.
Whether he should stop there first or after their explorations, however, was the problem. Turning to the right, he started forward and tried not to show any fear. He wanted to get things done tonight, even if it meant facing the worst that Landel's had to offer. He just hoped he wouldn't have to do that just yet.
Once they were safely at the top of the stairs, Ritsuka flicked on his flashlight and swept the area. It was probably unwise to announce their position, but he needed to know where he was. For all the times Ritsuka had been up here, he had never really gotten very far and his memory was fuzzy. Somewhere to his right was the pharmacy, near the railing, where he needed to stop for supplies for Tamaki.
Whether he should stop there first or after their explorations, however, was the problem. Turning to the right, he started forward and tried not to show any fear. He wanted to get things done tonight, even if it meant facing the worst that Landel's had to offer. He just hoped he wouldn't have to do that just yet.
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But what if they still didn't make it in time? What terrible things was Ashton going through even as they stood there? What if he died?
He thought briefly of trying to cast a spell right there - something to knock the door off his hinges, but then realized this was irrational thinking. Casting the spell might actually take longer than simply ramming into it, and he would surely need the energy for later. Who knew what could be on the other side of that door.
Instead he moved next to Claude, palms and shoulder against it, ready to run back and throw himself into it with them - as little good as his weight might do.
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However, the part of Dias that was currently in the driver's seat of his psyche - the guilt-ridden, frantic part, faced with the prospect of losing someone else he cared for and being helpless (yet again) to do anything about it - couldn't find any argument against the fact that if he knew more, he might be able to do more for Ashton. What sort of excuse could he possibly offer? How could he excuse himself at all, if his failure cost Ashton?
So there was no glare, no snap of a comeback. In fact, Dias couldn't even look Claude in the eyes - though in a way, their thoughts were running in parallel fashion. If it had been up to Claude, Ashton would have been better off. Claude would have made friends with half the institute if he'd been here anywhere near as long as Dias, would probably have heard five or seven first-hand accounts of experimentation and would have all that knowledge to draw on. Dias had nothing.
Still, brooding would help Ashton even less than what little Dias was capable of. The mercenary had long ago learned that there was a time and place to dwell on his shortcomings, and a dangerous place when there was work that needed to be done was neither. "Move, Leon," he instructed the boy as he approached the door, testing it himself to judge its frailty or lack thereof. "...You and I together could probably knock it open." This was to Claude.
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Once again he had to suppress the urge to try and help with a spell. The way he was limited here was so incredibly infuriating, and he hated it more than any place he'd ever been to - even the headquarters of the Ten Wise Men on Nede. At least then he'd been able to defend himself.
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I must have touched on a nerve, he thought to himself with a small frown. He knew how Dias didn't trust himself to protect the people he loved. He'd left Rena in his care back on the front lines, after all. Was he blaming himself for what happened to Ashton? Did he feel guilty for not knowing a better way to help him?
He hoped not. As irritated as Claude was that he didn't have more information, he certainly didn't blame Dias for what was happening tonight. If anyone deserved the blame, it was Martin Landel.
But now wasn't the time to focus on who was at fault, or who wasn't. They had a door to break down. As Leon moved out of the way, the blond patted him on the shoulder. "I really appreciate your being here with us, Leon," Claude said, though not entirely because the boy probably felt frustrated by his dampened abilities. It was mostly because there was no telling what was going to be waiting for them on the other side of that door...or what was going to happen to them once they barged into the hallway.
"Okay, then," he said, glancing towards Dias. "On the count of three, we bust in together." He licked his lips. "One. Two. Three!" As soon as that last number left his mouth, he slammed his body into the door, sure that Dias was doing the same.
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It was kind of embarrassing to find out that the very people he told he'd be waiting for would end up at their destination before him. And, as Axel had already predicted, they were moseying themselves inside despite his simple request. Of course, considering that Ashton had been taken for experimentation he really couldn't blame their impatience, but Axel found himself sighing nonetheless.
One would have to ask how sure he'd been that this was the group that was going after his roommate; in which he'd reply that he was pretty damn confident with his guesstimate. After all, there weren't many six-foot tall men with long blue hair running about this Institute, and he was pretty sure that Saïx wasn't exactly the rescuing type.
By the time they reached the trio they were already attempting to ram at the door, so Axel took his spot behind the short blue-haired kid and watched with mild amusement. But despite how calm he looked on the outside, the redhead was anything but on the inside.
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But she couldn't just stand by when a friend of hers was taken. It just wasn't right! Naminé, too, had to thank Ashton for rescuing Axel.
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Turning to Claude and Leon, intending to indicate that they proceed, his eyebrows raised slightly in surprise to discover that their numbers had swelled while he was distracted. Not that he was concerned; he very vaguely recognized the girl(hadn't she been the artist that boy had mentioned to him once during arts and crafts? It seemed like years ago), but Axel was distinctive even at a distance.
So long as their goals were the same, Dias didn't care how many people came with them provided they weren't slowed down. He gave Axel a slight nod of acknowledgment.
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Unfortunately, it could also mean less chance that Leon would be needed to help with the rescuing. But this was another selfish thought, and the boy had to force himself to shove it aside.
He gave the two new arrivals a little wave, then began moving towards Dias and Claude, knowing they'd want to get moving as soon as possible. Introductions could wait until Ashton was out of the experimentation rooms.
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Not that he was too concerned about how cool he looked right now. But, seeing that he was practically the one leading the group into what could be a very, very messy situation, Claude wanted to give the impression that he at least kind of knew what he was doing.
He was a little surprised by the newcomers, though he did recognize Axel from when Ashton pointed him out earlier that morning. He didn't know the girl, but Claude figured he was likely a friend of Ashton's, and he nodded in greeting.
"You're here to help Ashton, right?" he said. "Thanks for coming, both of you. We could use the help." And he really meant it. Regretfully, there wasn't any time for introductions. That would have to wait for when Ashton was safe and sound, and they were all soaking in the victory they were going to share tonight. He knew this wasn't going to be easy, but Claude was determined to remain optimistic.
And with that, he slipped his maps into his coat pocket, held the flashlight in front of him, and ventured inside.
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