damned_institute | Day 28; Bus 3

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Day 28; Bus 3

There was, Naomi decided, some sort of cosmic irony in all of this. Not that she was trapped in a deranged and possibly other-worldly asylum with a man she'd idolized for years and a boy who was being investigated for - among other things - the murder of her fiance. No, at this point, those were perfectly normal occurrences. Rather it was the soft, pretty, feminine pink sweater dress she'd been stuffed into in the morning. A chance to wear normal clothes, and she looked like a soccer mom. The white blazer and white boots only made her look like a soccer mom who maybe hadn't given up gogo boots.

It was humiliating. Why couldn't she have jeans and a sweater? And sneakers? Something she would conceivably wear? Not this damned pink monstrosity. And her nurse kept saying how pretty she was.

She didn't care if she looked pretty.

Grumbling to herself, and taking it out on her muffin, Naomi was shoved onto an empty bus and told to 'sit tight'. Oh, she'd sit tight alright....

At least she was relatively certain L was alright. She'd spent the whole night with him, and other than falling on his ass, nothing had happened to him. And hopefully nothing would happen to him in town, either....

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Allen had been peering excitedly out the bus window when the other boy approached. There were few things that could dampen his spirits at the moment, but somehow, he knew just which one to play upon. Allen was wary of people who approached him, even at the best of times, but the boy's topic of conversation wasn't helping any either.

His face fell from a bright smile to a flat line, fraught with suspicion. "I don't want to talk about it," Allen said firmly.

Not that he could blame the boy for being a little snot about it. Still, Aidou never liked bratty behavior, and because of Reika, he thought even less of the human memories she invoked - or those she invoked in others.

The vampire leaned forward a little, expression neutral. The tips of his fingers tapped his right bicep rhythmically. "By your reaction, the same symptoms too, I would guess. The only reason I ask," and like he had any other reason for approaching a grinning fool in this hellhole, "is that I had my own encounter with her. So?"

Was this boy being impatient with him? Simply because he didn't wish to go into detail once again about his traumatic experience with that... that ghost woman?! The boy failed to impress him, even when explaining that he too had been touched.

"Then you know as much as I," Allen said flatly, his expression a terribly forced smile.

He leaned closer still, eyeing up the ugly little child. No wonder he'd been picked up by Renji's ragtag adoption agency - he was just their kind of weird kid.

"Listen," he said finally, in a way that adequately portrayed his deeply rooted frustration. "This isn't a male bonding experience. You don't know me, and I don't know you, so I'm not going to ask after personal details, and you're not either. I just want to know if our experiences have any similarities for knowledge's sake, you understand?"

He had to hold back the urge to snap - too much hand-holding was one thing, but on the other end of the spectrum, there were the people who dug their heels in when asked to cooperate to some small extent. They had to act like it was their god given right to withhold information as though it would benefit anyone. And right now, Aidou just wanted to put an end to that witch, and put an end to her effects on him.

"Why don't you just nod your head for everything I get right: the area of the body she touches is marked with a tattoo of snakes and holly, it is physically painful, and appears only at night. There are also remnants of her own memories - sadness, anger, etc. Also an aggravation in one's own personal experiences. How am I doing so far?"

Ugh, what an obnoxious brat! Allen might be compelled to be of more help if the boy didn't give off such a... a snobbish aura and spoke as though he were better or... or smarter somehow than Allen! It wasn't unheard of, but he wasn't stupid either. His expression changed only slightly as the boy started listing off the hellish effects that woman had left him with.

Obnoxiously accurate, Allen wanted to reply. "Yes," came as calmly as he could manage in its place.

"I see."

Oh, Aidou knew that look. But the fact that he was receiving it right at that moment... why, it was almost enough to really let the 'obnoxious brat' out of the bag. The fact of the matter was, Aidou was better, and he'd been trying not to lose his temper. Weren't annoyingly happy kids like this supposed to channel their inner philanthropists and empathize with someone who was probably still under the effects of a phantom's despicable touch? Apparently not.

Aidou definitely wasn't excusing Allen for anything if that was the case. Resistant little troll.

Don't look at me like that. I hate people like you.

"Then one final thing. Is it still in effect?" 'It' was a broad term, but he expected the kid to understand nonetheless.

Allen knew he shouldn't be upset. If someone else had asked him the questions in a more civilized manner instead of giving him attitude, he'd probably be happy to warn them of the danger of going anywhere near that woman. But now... it felt like admitting anything of the sort was like... showing weakness in front of this boy. And while he hadn't much pride, the little scrap he had didn't want to comply.

He crossed his arms, partly from the cold chill that just thinking of that woman gave him, and partly to show his defiance, "that's none of your business."

Aidou narrowed his eyes, fixing Allen with a highly displeased stare.

"Do you always act like this, or is it only when someone asks you a reasonable question?" There, he pulled out of his relaxed slouch and straightened over Allen's seated figure. It was never a good idea to be so incautious around a stranger like that, especially with those wounds and Aidou in the superior position to attack. If he had been aiming for violence, things could've ended badly for the kid. At least guys like Sasuke knew that.

"It is my business, because if I hadn't made myself perfectly clear by now, I'll say it again: the same thing happened to me. So when I ask after information that could potentially aid in ending the effects and prevent it from happening again, perhaps you should use a little forethought and be a little more compliant. Otherwise, I'd hope you realize you're only impeding any progress made against that woman, or any other creature." Aidou resisted, with a lot of effort, to reach over and massage his shoulder, tainted with Reika's tattoo.

"But if you think the reasons behind your defensive behaviour take more precedence than any of my reasons, then so be it. Don't tell me anything. I'll do it all myself."

Like always. Stupid kid.

Allen didn't flinch or look away as Aidou continued on his lecture. It only proved all the more what a brat the boy was! If he didn't get his way he yelled and threw a tantrum? Wonderful! Allen pushed himself out of his seat, sick of taking a defensive posture while this boy who couldn't be any older than he was went on and on.

"Listen you little nit!" Allen replied in a hiss. "Perhaps if you had more manners than a common mongrel, people might be more inclined to answer you! Simply because we shared the same experience, that does not mean you have the right to demand answers of me!" He'd taken about all he could of this other boy. "Yes? No? Maybe I don't even know alright? Maybe I don't even want to think about it because it was horrid!" Though he was starting to think that the ghost woman had every reason for grabbing this other one. If he'd been as obnoxious to her as he was being now, he'd have given her every right to do it.

He could spot injuries as well as any predator could, and when he grabbed Allen by the left shoulder, and wrenched his face closer, he did so without touching any wounds.

"Youth does not excuse you," Aidou hissed back, deeper than Allen, and more fierce. Older than his age, colder than ice, and more disgusted then he'd been in a long while. "Who do you think you are that you may withhold such information? Yes, it was horrid, and so what? You're only of many who has experienced the same thing - what gives you the right to put your emotions first and wallow like a pig in self-deprecation under these circumstances!? Your pain is not important. Your misery is not important. What is important is accepting the fact that you are only one person. Don't you dare think you are above the situation, don't you dare think you have the right to mock me, and don't you dare think you get to decide who is worthy of your attention."

How dare a child be so wrapped up in his own grief and think it was okay to remain like that? It wasn't! It just wasn't! Aidou tried, he tried to move past it every single time the tattoo throbbed, but here was this arrogant piece of filth who put his delicate little feelings on a pedestal.

If there was one thing he could critique about Kaname-sama, it was that. And Aidou despised seeing it reflected here. He could feel his heart pounding furiously.

When he finally released Allen, he didn't push. He just stepped back. Disgusting. Totally disgusting. "I'll do it myself," he repeated. "I would never accept help from such a coward."

Allen could only glare at the other boy as he hissed out his threats and accusations. He was used to being insulted, but when the boy called him a coward, the pain was a little more apparent on his face. He shrank back, even if it was just a fraction of an inch.

"If anyone seems to think themselves high and mighty, it's you, not me," Allen said, his voice a little less sharp, a bit more cowed. "I've already passed on that information to others who will use it properly. Dare... dare... as long as I take the consequences for my actions, I can do whatever I dare. And... and if that makes me a coward, then so be it. Rather that than whatever self-important piece of trash you think you are."

The next morning found him slightly irritable, but bandaged and cleaned. It was disorientating, but on top of everything else it was a relief to find himself tended to. He didn't say anything to the nurse's chirping, even when he was stuck in faded jeans, a tight t-shirt, and a plaid zip up with a hood and deep pockets. Kain found it easier to let her talking pass by him without really listening.

He smothered a yawn as he moved into the third bus, having to duck a bit to fit his lanky frame in the slightly cramped environment. When he caught sight of Hanabusa, he hid a wince. It was too early (too late?) to deal with an ill tempered cousin. But apparently he was going to have to step in before the nurse's did.

"You can't judge what someone's like so quickly," he said as he stood behind Aidou, looking down at Allen with a mild expression. There was a warning in his eyes though, a message to not prod past patience already stretched thin.

Aidou smiled, then, sharper than a knife when his cousin appeared at his elbow. Weakness and frailty was what he heard in Allen's voice.

"Allen Walker, you are more than a coward. You are ignorant and shameful, and above all, you are dishonorable. I'm afraid I prefer my integrity to your debased ethics. But do enjoy your childish logic while it lasts."

Tilting his head, never once looking back at his cousin, Aidou signaled their exit. His eyes were dancing with dark, caustic reproach, trained on Allen's face as they were.

"Let's go, Akatsuki. There's no time to waste on his kind."

And wasn't that the truth. Utterly disgraceful.

_{[moving here]}

Allen opened his mouth for a retort, but no response came. He'd been called many terrible things in his short life, but rarely did he let it get to him. He tried to tell himself that was just because he was upset, not because the things he'd said might actually be true.

He could only watch with a cold anger as the boy walked away with his friend. He was too affected by his own rage to notice the other boy's apologetic look, offered no doubt, as some kind of consolation for his friend's terrible manners. Allen sat after a moment, his fist sinking deeply into the seat in front of him as he struck it. There was a considerable dent, but Allen had a hard time making himself care.

As if that wasn't enough, the icing on the cake was watching Rinali walk past him without so much as acknowledging his presence. That hurt more than anything the other boy could have said. His head sank down and he leaned forward, resting it on the seat in front of him. Maybe he really was as pathetic as that boy had said. Maybe...

The nurse let go of her hand once they were to the front and directed Rhode to sit quickly so she wouldn't be hurt in case there was an accident. She nodded happily, then looked up at the white hair of what was most definitely her Allen. He seemed... detached? She cocked her head at how he had his own leaning forward into the seat. So cute, something must have happened the last Night that made him like this.

Maybe he'd gotten touched by the ghost woman again! If he had...

Then he was so vulnerable right now.

She quickly slid up into the seat and latched onto his arm before he knew she was there. Her head bent down to his ear, and she quietly whispered, "Hello, Allen Walker~" as slowly and quietly as she possibly could. The delight in her tone was unmistakable.

He didn't even have the heart to glance up out the window at the scenery and the town that was slowly coming into view. The bus rumbled along, reminding him of a bumpier version of a locomotive. He probably should speak with Rinali. She was upset with him... he wasn't sure of the specifics, but maybe a generic apology would be nice. He'd failed in more ways than he could count lately, he didn't know if he had it in him to apologize for each and every shortcoming.

Just as he let out a sigh, he felt something take hold of his arm and a familiar voice whispering in his ear. He jerked away immediately, edging as far from her as he could without physically jumping out the bus window. "Rh-rhode! Just leave me alone, can't you?" Apparently Ravi and Kanda had either had no luck with her, or had abandoned the assignment completely. He was supposed to talk to Renji and Rukia about her... today? He wasn't sure... he didn't really care to think much about last night.

There was the reaction she liked. So cute and jumpy; it was just Allen that could make her so happy from simply starting at her presence. "Whyyyy, I haven't seen you since..." she paused mid-sentence, wondering exactly just when last it was she had seen him. Yesterday's events had been a complete mess because of that ghost woman having touched her, but Rhode knew she had been waiting for him last night.

That's right. Allen hadn't showed last night!

"Why didn't you come last night, Allen?" she pouted. Her words were playful, but there was actually just a bit of sadness in her tone right alongside the playing. Had he really intended to stand her up like that? To leave her all alone like she didn't even exist? She wouldn't be happy if she heard that he had been with his friends over her.

Allen Walker wasn't supposed to leave her alone like that.

What was wrong with the nurses here? Didn't they know better than to let her sit near him? Allen looked helplessly at the nearest one, but it didn't seem to do him any good. They only shouted at him to sit down which he did, though the look on his face was enough to tell that he didn't enjoy it.

"What... are you talking about?" Allen's face looked puzzled at the young girl. Did she know that Ravi and Kanda were supposed to have tailed her? Had something happened to them? Worry crossed his face for a moment, though he tried to dismiss it.

"Don't pretend. I waited aaaaaaall night in front of the Sun Room for you, and you didn't come!" she scolded.

Half of that was a lie. She'd waited half of the night for him, then spent the rest dancing in the bloody showers and bathroom, and she had enjoyed every minute of that later half. Still, the fact that Allen hadn't shown up when she had been there irked her. He may very well have gotten there after she had left in search of the blood scent, but that was no excuse! Not in her mind.

When he sat back down, she grabbed and held to his arm again. He was supposed to be hers and no one else's whenever she wanted. When she waited for him - when she had the patience to do that instead of go look for him herself - he was supposed to come! That's how it worked. This time Rhode hadn't taken any hostages or forced him into the Ark for her games though. She couldn't understand that missing things like hostages or time limits meant that Allen wouldn't go looking for her. Wasn't he trained by now? Perhaps not. He would have to be trained again to understand what it meant to be one of her toys. Once she got out of here, she would make sure that he was broken.

For now, she could guilt trip him like no tomorrow. He had stood her up, and that just wouldn't do! A pout returned at his slightly worried expression. Had Allen really intended to just leave her alone? But he was supposed to be kind even to his enemies. That wasn't the Allen she knew and adored. Not at all! It scared her to think that something here might have changed the kind exorcist she knew into another run-of-the-mill exorcist lacking in kindness.

While Allen tried to wrap his mind around what she was saying, she managed to latch onto his arm once again. Allen squirmed, but didn't pitch the same fit he had originally. That would be all he needed was someone like that blonde boy to come along and see him like this. Or Rinali. That might be even worse.

He had said he'd play with her, though he couldn't remember giving her something so specific as the Sun Room during night time. But if she really had waited... that seemed odd in and of itself.

"I'm not going to come and fetch you every night. I had important things to do."

"What's more important than me?!" she protested immediately, clinging tighter at his arm. There was yet another things Rhode couldn't understand. If Allen was her plaything, then there should be nothing more important to him than being there for her to play with! The vain Noah girl had never been taught to think of anything as more important than her. Well, aside from family, but that only applied to the Noah.

Allen Walker didn't have that out; she knew his only family had been that Akuma who cursed him. There were no Akuma here, and ever if there were, that one wouldn't be amoung them. Allen had killed his beloved father, the man who had left him cursed.

His defense of having not shown up at all nearly made her sick. She picked through every inference she could find in his words and whittled them down to a basic sentence: "You weren't important enough." That's really what he'd said, wasn't it? Or what he had meant.

She wasn't important enough to him?

What a naughty doll he was being! Very bad! She had a mind to start scolding him right then and there, but she wasn't able to channel her irritation into words at all. Something was unfortunately keeping her from speaking out on more than a quick reflex as her earlier words had been. Something cold that made that basic sentence stab her far deeper than anything that would ever pierce a Noah.

"Why did you leave me alone, Allen?" When the words eventually formed, they were slow, and though her own, reflected nothing of what Rhode had intended them to. No irritation or scolding, not even a trace of playfulness. Nothing that was really Rhode as she was supposed to be. Only the flat, cold sadness of what a nearly faded curse had turned into a lonely little girl.

He winced as her voice rose. He felt like a child being scolded for a wrong he hadn't even committed! Why she chose to cling so tightly not just physically, but emotionally as well was beyond him. He tried to pull away with a little more force, but her grip was stronger than she looked.

"Let go Rhode!" he said in a hissed whisper. "I had other things to do, there were people in trouble! It would be a lot better if you'd just stay in your room and sleep at night like a good girl." Did the nurses really expect him to babysit her like this?

"No!" She had him right now, and wasn't going to let go or let up on her hold one little bit. Though she had met others here, Allen was still the only person she really knew and liked as an added plus. He was the only person she honestly could cling to, even if he didn't like it.

"That's even worse. My roommate's a boring human, you know." Rhode could barely stand being around something so weak as that. Allen should at least be happy that she'd yet to kill the red-haired girl she was forced to share a room with, but nooooo, he wanted her to stay in that room with her! Surely he could see just how bad an idea it was telling a Noah to deal with such annoyance.

If Rhode did end up killing her because Allen had wanted her to "stay put", then she'd be sure to make Allen deal with that guilt. Oh, now there was an idea!

Oh right, the roommates. Allen couldn't say he envied the girl who had to share a room with Rhode. He just hoped she'd be alright. The nurses would make sure nothing happened during the day, wouldn't they?

Allen fidgeted, still trying to extricate himself from her grasp. He was not about to spend the entire day walking around with Rhode like he was her babysitter... or worse, like some kind of horrible date. "What is it you want from me?"

What she wanted from him? She'd already told him that back at the Rewinding Town! He was the kind little exorcist that had been cursed by his father-turned-Akuma. The Earl had told her aaaaaaaaaaall about Allen Walker, so far as he knew, of course. She even remembered her exact words to Allen that night!

"So I decided, if I was going to get involved with anyone, it would be you."

Word for word what she had said to him. She remembered his expression afterwards too. How his confusion had quickly turned to shock once she'd ordered that Level Two's self-destruction. How he'd jumped head first into an explosion to try and save that pathetic human's soul. How that Rinali girl had slapped him for it. And how she'd laughed. Such delightful memories of their first encounter. Yes, Rhode knew exactly why she had chosen Allen Walker and what she wanted from him for that decision.

But the game would be no fun were she to tell him that so easily. Her eyes trailed away from his face for a minute to think. What was all right to say? What did she want to say, actually? Come to think of it, she had been scolding him over one particular issue since she'd sat down with him, so there was as good an option as any!

"Say you won't leave me alone," she answered directly, her eyes setting firmly back to look at his own.

Day 28; Bus 3

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