damned_institute | Day 28: Bus 2

Momo tugged on the collar of the light blue sweater she was wearing as she followed her nurse to wherever these buses were, winding her hair up into its customary bun as she went. It was an odd feeling, knowing she was about to go outside of the institute's borders. Maybe the Head Doctor was about to make an error and the shinigami, as well as everyone else, would no longer be limited and they could finish what they started several nights back.

That was probably too much to hope for. She was feeling better this morning, even with the blood moon, and was mildly looking forward to the bus ride. Captain Jack said he was going to be here this morning and even if it wasn't customary breakfast in the cafeteria, she's be satisfied with him sitting next to her on the bus.

The nurse handed her a muffin, some napkins, and a small box with a straw. She stared at this box for a moment before shaking it. From the sound it contained liquid. How odd... Momo wasn't sure why they would but liquid inside a small paper box - it didn't make any sense to her and she wasn't sure how one was supposed to get it out of the box.

Clambering onto an empty bus, Momo chose to sit in the very back near the emergency exit. Maybe she could force her way out of it as they were moving and escape the limiter enough to come back and level the institute, freeing everyone. Or maybe she just wanted to be able to see everyone that was on the same bus as her. Wishful thinking versus reality.

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"She might. I don't know whose box I found this in, but there might be more like it there." Ritsuka was excited. Both of his friends seemed interested in his camera and that meant they might want to make memories later in the day. The idea of Miku exploring, however, made Ritsuka pause. "Are you going with someone? That room is dangerous..."

He caught movement out of the corner of his eyes and smiled at Alfons. His friend had expressed interest earlier in how things functioned, so he offered the camera to him. "Technology advanced to the point where microchips and circuity were small enough to fit inside a case this small. Unfortunately, this one runs on regular batteries rather than a rechargeable, so it's a little bigger than normal."

"My friend from home and I are probably going to go out for a bit, but I can meet up with you later, is that okay?" The batteries he'd pulled from his drawer were sitting in his pocket, giving him a secure, content feeling. It was the first in a long time. It felt strange asking them like this, but he'd wanted to do it for so long that he couldn't pass up the chance. Besides that, it was still a little embarrassing to ask people in case they refused him. "But, um, after that, if you guys are free... would you like to make memories with me?"

Soubi had been unable to speak all morning. Even his battl-eaxe of a nurse admitted he looked 'scary'. But what did they expect? All he and Ritsuka had to do was drop off the supplies to Tamaki and head off to his room. Just him and Ritsuka. In his room. Peace and quiet, songs of bunny rabbits and trees.

Instead, the 'clinic' was crowded and then BAM- Soubi woke up alone.
He hid his new treasures away and sat on his bed hating Landels more than ever. Even is it was delaying the Goura trip.

He'd been given flared cords, the colour of english mustard, tatty crocodile-imitation shoes and a red raincoat. The one thing he did like, however, was the black turtleneck jumper that went underneath. It hid his scars and gave his neck a break from bandages.

He slipped a few cigarettes and the lighter into his pocket and headed out with his breakfast. He stared long and hard at the buses, deciding to try number two. He was going to trust his instincts with this and make sure he got a space next to Ritsuka. He walked along the narrow space between the packed seats, but he didn't have to look hard. Ritsuka was sat up, leaning to the seats in front and speaking to two people. Recognising Heiderich, Soubi decided not to jump to conclusions and automatically dislike the situation.

As he got closer, he could hear Ritsuka's words. His sweet little request. And as he got closer still...he could see what Ritsuka was wearing.
"And I thought you couldn't get more adorable," he smiled, running a hand over Ritsuka's head. The long fingers 'accidentally' brushed Ritsuka's cheek as the fell down to the earmuffs around his neck.
He sat down, quite pleased. Maybe today wasn't so bad after all?

Making memories sounded like a good idea, and she was as interested in the little camera as Alfons was. If she and Rei used these on assignments, why, that would take care of more than half their equipment! She was about to answer Alfons and Ritsuka's worries (really, she didn't get hurt all the time. Usually.) when some stranger joined them.

Instantly she felt nervous, and he was touching Ritsuka in such a... weird way. "Ritsuka-kun, is this your friend?" she asked, choosing to skip over their concern for her plans for her concern of her friend.

Alfons was about to say more, as well, but seeing Soubi suddenly appearing rather made him clam up a bit. The group was getting a little crowded, and it seemed like the older man and Ritsuka really did know each other. And, more importantly, Alfons had a piece of technology to poke around with. It was always a lot easier to deal with technology than with people, especially when Alfons was reminded by that phrase alone that his life wasn't going to be lasting that tremendously long. Even if the Institute didn't finish him off.

Still, none of those showed on his face, and he smiled as he nodded to Soubi and accepted Ritsuka's camera. "I'd like that," he said to the request of making memories, "and whenever you're ready, we'll... er... meet up somewhere?"

His weak laugh was masked by the rumbling of the bus, and the German looked out the window as the vehicle started moving. It seemed like they were on their way! ...and how quickly this bus moved!

Soubi appeared out of nowhere, touching his hair and brushing a hand down his cheek. It seemed innocent enough, but Ritsuka knew enough about his Fighter to know that the touches weren't accidental. He was particularly irritable about anything having to do with his clothing and gritted his teeth. "I am not adorable. This sweater is absolutely hideous and once my nurse is out of sight, I'm giving it to some homeless guy on the street."

He noticed Miku's concerned look and sighed as he nodded. "Yeah, this is Soubi. Soubi, this is Miku. I think you already know Alfons, right?"

Ritsuka was glad that Alfons was willing to make memories with him and he assumed Miku would be as well once she got over her suspicion. Maybe if Soubi didn't act too weird they could call be friends, unlike the Fighter and the Host Club. The bus rumbled into motion and Ritsuka slipped from his perch into his seat. After a moment, when the ride grew smoother, he popped his head back up and looked over at the other two. "If we're going to make memories, we should try meeting at a park or something if they have one. I might need to find more batteries for that first, though, so maybe at lunchtime?"

"If you say so," Soubi smiled, thinking Ritsuka just looked even more cute when he was angry. "You'll need something to keep you warm then." Soubi looked away, still smiling. There was so much more he could have implied and suggested the situation, but he was on his best behaviour. Mostly. Stroking, aside.

He gave Ritsuka's friends a little finger wave. "Pleased to meet you. Thank you for your help Alfons." He vaguely remembered a suggestion about meeting the boy for breakfast, but Soubi had found Ritsuka. Even if he'd remembered Alfons, he wouldn't have needed anything more from the boy anyway.

Soubi settled back and looked at the muffin and juice he'd been given. Not an ideal breakfast, but food all the same. He spotted Ritsuka's and gently nudged the boy. "Eat your breakfast..."
Later he'd have to check Ritsuka's wounds, though he suspected they'd been taken care of like his own. He wasn't going to do it here, however, in case it embarrassed Ritsuka.

He put his head back against the seat. Batteries. There was a dilemma. If the torch batteries could fit, then Ritsuka could use those. Soubi didn't want the boy wandering about without him, so they'd at least have one torch.

"It's nice to meet you," Miku said politely, unsure of what to make of the stranger. She exchanged a glance with Alfons. "First thing, first," she began as the bus took off and turned to Alfons, still fiddling with the tiny camera. "How does this camera work? We don't have anything this small except maybe Polaroids. And their quality is horrible."

Cameras were something she could talk about all day long.

Day 28: Bus 2

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