Day 28: Bus 1

[accursed-rock.livejournal.com]

Zelgadis was not happy, at all. Not that this was any change, but the events of the past few hours had given him more to angst about than usual. Nightshift had been dreadful: first he was attacked by a small green man and then covered in leeches, neither of which lead to warm fuzzy feelings.

And now this.

When the nurse had come into his room with new clothes he had a small glimmer of hope-- some thief had taken his normal Landel's wear in the night, so perhaps this was a change in luck. However, it was not the godsend he had hoped for. Minus the threat of sedation, there was nothing in the universe that could make Zelgadis wear a bright lemon-yellow shirt. There was a jacket of a slightly more tasteful variety, so Zelgadis made good us of it-- he put all his coupons in a pocket and pulled up the hood. It was almost as good as his cloak. Well, no it wasn't, but it would have to do.

With mild protesting, Zelgadis was lead to a large yellow vehicle. He climbed the stairs, took a seat towards the back, and readied himself for another frustrating day of being attacked and threatened with spoons.

Comments

[secret-orchard.livejournal.com]

"Louis is-was quite powerful in France for a time. I don't know what happened to him, if anything, but it seems he and his friends would have made the history books. He once wanted to marry my sister. I'm heartily glad she didn't want him." He didn't resort to tongue-biting to cut off the flow of babble this time. Something about his fear of his cousin prompted him to ramble on like that about him, as if talking would dilute all that was dangerous about him. If anything could be said for being at this mysterious Institute, he seemed to be out of the sadistic little bastard's reach.

"Though that does seem to be what we need here, something to bring people together. Surely they're not so powerful that we can't break out if we all act together." But he'd yet to meet someone that could easily lead them all, except perhaps M. Richter. The young Hitsugaya had many marks of leadership, but his own honor would prevent him from accepting all who would aide him. Still, Armand agreed with her on one point. "Revolutions are brutal, on lives and hearts. Yet staying here too long would suck the heart out of even the strongest and most valiant." And he was neither. He tried to guess which she was.

[iamyourflower.livejournal.com]

"Well, if he is as vile as you say, I'm relieved that she was able to refuse him," The implication in there was unintended, and probably unrecognizable to anyone unless they knew the nuances of her own situation. The "Able to" in that statement belied an appreciation for that simple blessing of autonomy that she had even given up coveting for a dark period in her life. Wedding knots were tied and severed with the clashing of swords; her veil lifted again and again by so many people without any one of them even asking if she minded. And she hadn't cared. Caring meant hoping against inevitablity. But now to hear of other women who were able to stand for themselves; who had been strong enough to choose otherwise, to refuse men who were no good for him. They reminded her of Utena in a way, though even she had fallen to those temptations. They reminded her of what she could be.

She nodded, pondering over the deep subject of revolutions, and the difficult decisions involved with weighing ends and means of moral causes. She remembered the breakfast she had been given, and then the bus stopped.

"Oh, I guess we've made it already. I hadn't eaten yet." She looked outside. The park looked nice enough for at least relaxing in a bench and enjoying a morning meal. There were simple pleasures that even their sad reality could not rob them of, "Would you care to join me for breakfast in the park?"

[secret-orchard.livejournal.com]

"We were spared the worst consequences of her choice," he admitted. The bus had stopped. Armand felt vaguely disappointed, and annoyed at himself. "I'm afraid I cannot, Mlle. Anthy. I meant to catch up with my roommate. But now we've met, perhaps we can talk some other time. Perhaps a meal?"

[iamyourflower.livejournal.com]

"That's fine," She said. She would be perfectly content to share her breakfast with the company of birds, "Some other time, then. A meal would be nice. I'll continue to check the bulletin." She was only sorry that she didn't have the means to cook for her friends here; she could have hosted a modest dinner instead of relying on the institute's crowded cafeteria. Social functions were still difficult for her, but it was easier with only a few friends gathering around.

[secret-orchard.livejournal.com]

"I'll send you a note sometime," he promised. Armand tried to make it sound sincere, because he was, but somehow the words never sounded it. It was refreshing to talk to someone who considered her words carefully and seemed not to have a secret plan. "I hope you find something fun to do today."

He stood and waited his chance to get off the bus, not wanting to rush her or the others.

[iamyourflower.livejournal.com]

"I'll look forward to it," She said, leaving her seat and heading down the aisle, "Bonjour."

[secret-orchard.livejournal.com]

"Bonjour, mademoiselle." Then he was free to leave as well, still apprehensive enough about this field trip to need someone familiar and safe nearby, but more relaxed than he had been. Now he only needed to find Dr. Birkin, or failing that, Citan or Javert.

[gone here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/244463.html?thread=17558511#t17558511)]