damned_institute | Day 28: Germaine Street

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Day 28: Germaine Street

Rhode didn't want to have to let go of Allen, not ever. It could be forever before she was able to be with him again! But the nurses were persistent in moving her off the big yellow thing, as was Allen for getting away from her. Even outside of the building, people were just determined to keep her from being with him! It wasn't fair!

Once off the bus and shivering just slightly from the crisp fall air, Rhode was handed a small booklet of what the nurse called "coupons". It took some explaining, but Rhode was eventually able to understand that the thin pieces of paper in the book were supposed to be used like money here. She wasn't at all accustomed to buying things for herself; that was supposed to be the Earl's job. When Rhode expressed this problem, the nurse only gave her a sad smile and patter her in the direction of the buildings.

"Why don't you go find something fun to do? There's a toy store just around the corner there. Don't worry about being alone though, we're all here to keep an eye on you. If anything happens, just come get one of us," the nurse explained, nodding to the staff members that were set to parole the town for any problems their more unruly patents could cause.

So, they were all going to be watched even though they could roam about freely? Rhode took a look back towards the yellow things but was unable to pick out Allen from the mess of patients. In a few moments, she probably wouldn't be able to find him at all or for the rest of the day. Should she just resign herself to that for now and use the small bit of freedom to her advantage? Being with Allen was important, and a lot of fun but...

She glanced down at the coupons again, smiled up at the nurse as best she could, and gave a quick, "Okay!" before running off as suggested.

A small bit of freedom was bound to make her feel better. Maybe she could use it to remind herself of how she was supposed to handle Allen Walker, an exorcist. This town did have a similar air to that of the Rewinding Town, after all.

[went here]

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Shana flicked a skeptical glance between all three of them, looking as if she thought they'd all gone a little insane. "Are you serious? We have one day of freedom out in... wherever this is... and you want to go get pampered and get your nails done?"

"Shana, I've nearly died more times than I can count, my vocal chords are never going to heal properly, I'm covered in scars, and I've been showering with strange men for weeks. I wouldn't mind a small bit of relaxation while I have the opportunity." Valyn shrugged. "Besides, we have all day. There's only so much exploration and information gathering we can manage."

Honestly, it wasn't as though he was considering abandoning their plans. But a small break here and there wouldn't be detrimental.

Showering with strange men, eh? Shadow would have to ask Valyn about that later. "It's settled then," he announced with a smile. "We'll stop by this manicure place and see what sort of things they have to offer."

Shadow nudged Shana and winked at her. "Besides, wouldn't you like to see what it's like to be waited on?"

While masquerading as an elf, Keman had played the part of the younger son of a retainer...fairly low on the proverbial totem pole in elvish society. It had made him practically invisible in the city, but it had exempted him from many of the activities that the High Lords of the powerful Clans enjoyed.

Like...getting their nails done, apparently.

He had to admit, he was intrigued. But it seemed so...pointless.

"Why would I want that when I can do things fine myself?" Shana rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Getting my nails done is going to do me little good unless they can sharpen them to the point of being able to stab something next time the monsters come out. You boys can go get pampered. I'm going to wander around twon and see if I can find anything useful, or if the people here know anything."

"Because sometimes it can be a very relaxing experience," Valyn pointed out. "And ancestors know there isn't much of a chance for relaxing in this place. And I've been told repeatedly, by a great number of people, that I need to relax."

He paused, glancing from Shadow to Shana. Regardless of the fact that Shadow had given him contradicting advice that hadn't helped at all, he knew he had to talk to Shana.

Maybe it was best to get it out of the way.

"But it isn't something I'm in an immediate rush to do. If you're going to go wandering, I'll go with you." He cleared his throat, staring at a spot somewhere beyond Shana's head. "I'd like to talk to you, actually. If no one objects?"

As much as Shadow didn't want to be separated from Valyn he knew what the elf was trying to do and he wasn't going to stick his nose where it didn't belong. Not yet, anyway. "It's fine," Shadow grinned, walking over to Keman and throwing his arm around the dragon's shoulders. "Keman and I will adventure into the unknown and see exactly what this facial is. I've always wondered what it would be like to be on the opposite side of the pampering."

Keman grinned. Valyn alone with his sister? Hilarity could only ensue. Plus...he had a feeling that he knew what the elf wanted to talk to Shana about. Maybe he'd told Shadow what he suspected regarding Serina Daeth, and Shadow had convinced him to tell her.

Well, Keman could hope, anyway.

He blinked when Mero put his arm around his shoulders. "I...I suppose."

Shana looked as uncertain about all this as Keman sounded, but she glanced between her foster brother and Shadow for a moment before glancing over at Valyn, looking slightly hesitant.

"Alright," she finally agreed, giving a slight nod. She hoped he wasn't about to lecture her for something again. Whenever he separated her from the others to "talk", she always ended up angry with him.

...At least he couldn't handfast her to Shadow again.

"Good. Thank you." Valyn just nodded. He was starting to get an idea of what he could say, to put this to rest in a way that didn't lead to anyone feeling uncomfortable or hurt.

"We'll catch up with you later, then. Keman, try and keep my cousin out of trouble, will you?" He raised an eyebrow in Shadow's direction, knowing full well if he wanted to get himself into trouble of any sort, he would.

"Shana? If you would do me the honor?" In a courtly gesture, Valyn offered her his arm. He was going to be a gentleman, and he was going to be polite and courteous. Even if it killed him.

"Have fun!" Shadow called after them, waving. He kept his arm tight on Keman's shoulders, indicating that there was more going on in the half-blood's mind then pondering nail care in a strange land. The moment that he was certain Valyn and Shana were a good distance away he pulled Keman over to the side of the road, keeping his voice low just in case.

"Here's the plan, Keman," he said with a grin. "You and I both know the odds of Valyn and Shana's little 'discussion' ending well. A betting man would never take those odds. So, to make sure that Valyn doesn't end up with his head in one of the trash bins on the side of the road, you and I are going to follow after them. Discretely, of course. If either of them found us spying... well, it'll be our heads in the bin. Think you could handle a little espionage?"

Keman gave the pair a halfhearted little wave and sighed. This was not going to end well. Maybe he could convince Shadow to--

The dragon gave a little squawk of protest when Shadow suddenly dragged him to the side of the street, but his confused look soon changed to a devious one as a slow grin spread across his face. "Mero Jenner, I thought you'd never ask," he snickered. "I was thinking something exactly along those lines. But you'll have to help me with the whole stealth thing. Dragons aren't exactly the sneakiest of hunters, you know. It's kind of impossible to be sneaky or subtle when you're the size of a house."

Shana stared at Valyn's waiting arm for the span of several long heartbeats before she ducked her reddening face and tucked her hand against the crook of his elbow.

She didn't know if there was any sort of honor about it, but it was almost the closest to charming he'd ever attempted to be with her. It probably was the most charming he'd ever attempted to be with her.

...She wasn't sure if that made it worse or better.

Avoiding looking at Keman and Shadow altogether, she bit her lip and waited for him to lead to wherever he'd planned to talk to her.

Giving Shadow and Keman one last nod, Valyn cast a small smile down to Shana and led the way off to the other street, not certain where they were going, but knowing he had to start walking or they'd look like a pair of fools.

(to here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/245151.html))

Shadow laughed, amused that Keman was thinking the same thing he had. "Alright," he nodded. "Just follow my lead and don't talk to loudly. We'll keep them in sight but it might be difficult to hear what they're saying. But, I'm sure we can figure out what's happening from their body language."

He motioned for Keman to follow him as he took off down the street, carefully keeping himself hidden behind other people and objects that peppered the sides of the street.

[headed here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/245151.html?page=2#comments)]

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Day 28: Germaine Street

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