damned_institute | Day 29: Courtyard

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Day 29: Courtyard

Though he hadn't been able to stomach much of the cafeteria food, as the day went on, he did feel marginally better. The fever seemed to have broken and he'd held down what little he'd eaten. It made him a little anxious, to sit around so much, and even if it was difficult, a walk outside sounded like a nice break from the usual. He had no interest in the visitors. Likely as not they were the same as the creature he'd run into a couple nights ago in the form of Aizen Sousuke.

He folded his thin arms across his chest as he started his walk around the courtyard. The air was crisp, getting colder by the day it seemed, but it didn't dissuade him from taking a leisurely walk while he gathered his thoughts.

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Shadow had followed Daemon out into the courtyard. He'd been anxious to talk to the man and now was the perfect time. He just hoped that Valyn didn't get the wrong idea about why he needed to speak to him. For a brief moment, Shadow thought that Valyn's irritation might have been more then just growing frustration at their situation. That perhaps Shadow had implied he'd found Daemon pleasing to look at which wasn't really the case. Shadow just needed to know what being controlled by this place felt like and perhaps how to avoid it, if there was one. Shadow hoped there was.

He crossed the courtyard, jogging a bit to catch up to Daemon as he strolled around the open space. "Hello," he greeted. "Daemon, was it? I believe we met last night. I'm Shadow, if you don't really remember." He smiled at Daemon and held out his hand. "I hope there are no hard feelings."

Daemon paused as the familiar young man approached him, and he eyed the outstretched hand with obvious surprise.

"Shouldn't that be my line?" he asked, his voice low and intense as his golden gaze drifted from Shadow's hand back to his face. "I apologize for last night. I sincerely hope you are well this morning."

"Best night of sleep I could get," Shadow replied, keeping his hand out towards Daemon. He knew this wasn't going to be easy. If he'd been forced to corral his friends and fellow patients into their rooms using any means necessary he'd feel rather guilty the next day as well. "Except for a few bruises I'd have to say I fared fairly well for having met one of the more dangerous obstacles this place has to offer, or so I've been told. How are you? Any lingering effects?"

"A guilty conscience and a bandaged leg," Daemon answered, finally - reluctantly - reaching out and clasping Shadow's hand briefly. "I suppose I got off light, considering. At least I am... myself, again. Or as much of myself as I'm likely to be here."

"This place does have a way of making a person question many things about themselves," Shadow agreed. "And it doesn't help when you're being used. I was wondering, if it isn't too much trouble, if you'd talk about that with me? I'm rather curious to learn everything I can about how this place works. Of course, you might have had enough of my questions last night and this time if you tell me to leave I might just listen. Maybe."

Daemon couldn't help but chuckle softly at that. "Persistent, aren't you? Didn't you take enough abuse last night?" he replied mildly, tilting his head to the side to eye the young man curiously. "What questions do you have?"

"Abuse I can handle," Shadow snickered. "Especially since I've had worse then just a few bruises before. It will take more then ordering me to bed to keep me from asking my questions."

He paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts. He didn't want to ask the wrong questions or to try the man's patience. As eager as Shadow was for information, he knew when his questions began to become irritating and he wanted to avoid that situation. "What do you remember about last night?" Shadow asked. "I only ask not to bring up bad memories but I'm curious as to how they, whoever 'they' actually are, were able to control you. You don't seem like a person who is easily manipulated."

"I'm not entirely certain," Daemon answered carefully, motioning for Shadow to walk with him as he began to stroll through the courtyard. "But I will tell you what I remember."

"I was dragged off the bus the moment it screeched to a halt. Everything was confused, there were people yelling, and there were things wheeling about us. It was the singular most disorienting, nauseating experience of my life, and I think... at some point I hit my head or I was struck. It didn't knock me out, but it was very difficult to focus. I do remember being dragged inside and carried up at least one - perhaps two - flights of stairs. I was strapped down and injected with something in my arm. A voice started speaking in my left ear, repeating things over and over again, but though I've tried since I woke, I cannot remember what was said, or if I even recognized the voice."

He sighed, his voice grim as he tucked hands more deeply into his robe pockets. "The next thing I remember clearly is being in the Sunroom, waiting for someone to come. My mind was consumed with the need to stand my guard and assure that no one got passed me, that they were sent back to their quarters for containment. Not once did the thought occur to me to question why, or to object, or to even fight it. It was my sole purpose for being. I've never experienced anything like it. I can't even imagine how it is possible for someone to so overcome my mental barriers like that and completely control me. It should be impossible. I still don't understand how..." he paused, his voice trailing off in frustration as anger raged up in him again, icy at the memory, and he had to forcefully rein it back in.

He stared off over the courtyard, not meeting Shadow's gaze. "I'm sure you're well aware of how things progressed from there."

Shadow nodded, listening carefully to Daemon's account of the events that had taken placce. It was very strange to say the least. Daemon didn't seem to be the sort of person who could be easily subdued and manipulated. And the thought of a being whisked away only to be Changed frightened him the most. Yet, if those who were in control had the power to turn one patient against his friends, why would they only make the change temporary? It didn't make much sense to him, not in the long run.

"When you woke up this morning did you feel any lingering compulsion?" Shadow asked. "Or would you say that what happened last night was purely temporary and you're back to your old self. Well, as much as your old self as you can be."

"When I woke up this morning in my bed, I was myself again," Daemon answered quietly, and edge to his voice as he continued staring into the distance. "Whatever it was was gone. The only thing I felt with any forceful clarity was guilt and regret. And hatred."

"It doesn't make sense," Shadow remarked, frowning. "Why would they change you just to change you back? Are they expecting you to harm your friends? Weaken whatever bonds you've formed here? Or do they hope that these temporary betrayals will bind people closer together, making it more difficult to choose escape over staying with new found friends?"

He wished that he still had his magic. Maybe he would be able to figure out the identity of the person running the hospital. Shadow had a few questions for him as well.

"There's not much that makes sense here at times," Daemon muttered in frustration. "Perhaps they merely needed the extra help for the night. Perhaps they like to gloat over the absolute power they believe they have here. Perhaps they grew bored," the last word was uttered in a snarl, and his fists clenched in his pockets.

Shadow shuddered at the implication of the last word. If this merely was a game then the people in control had far more idle time then the elves back at home. Shadow remembered the sports that the elven lords found pleasure in. He didn't want to think about the lengths these people might go to. It was horrifying to even think about.

"No," he said, shaking his head. "If it was merely sport I would expect much more lethal casualties. Masters tend to grow more violent the more slaves they have to punish. They don't have to be as careful to keep them unbroken. There will always be another slave, after all."

Daemon stilled, his golden gaze flickering to Shadow's face, his expression unreadable. "You sound as if you're speaking from experience."

"I might know a little about being at the mercy of a cruel master," Shadow said, glancing over to see Valyn across the courtyard. "Then again, I had Valyn so I was sheltered from some of the worst things elves did to humans. That doesn't mean I wasn't witness to it."

"Elves?" This was the second time Daemon had heard mention of this. "Will you tell me about your world?"

"My world is rather different then this one," Shadow started, happy to answer Daemon's questions. "The humans in my world are slaves to the elves. They are laborers and indentured servants, gladiators and harem men and women. Humans are bred to be used for work, pleasure or sport. Elves give humans very little thought, if any at all. Their magic is kept in check by collars that dull the mind magic and by glamors and spells that keep them under control. Most humans believe this is how it's always been - the elves are our master and we are the slaves and our treatment depends on which elven lord we belong to."

Shadow took a breath and pushed his hair behind his ears, showing off the slightly pointed tips. "I'm a halfblood," he said, looking up at Daemon. "Halfbloods aren't supposed to exist. It used to be we were killed on sight and human children even suspected of having elfblood in them were 'disposed' of. Hopefully that has all changed."

"Hopefully?" Daemon asked, arching an eyebrow in curiosity, listening intently as the young man explained about his home world.

Before coming here, he could have never imagined there were so many diversified realms. If this place weren't so... well. He would have enjoyed the chance to learn about these different places much more.

Jaenelle would have been fascinated by them...

"There was a battle," Shadow said, finding it hard to think about the last few days. Even though he had Valyn with him now, remembering how it felt to lose him was still very painful. "We fought against the elves. The fighting became ugly but Lord Dyran was defeated so the halfbloods ended up winning. I'm not sure what sort of treaty both sides signed as we arrived here before any of that took place."

Besides, Shadow thought. Even if they had decided, he wouldn't have been in any mood to listen. Valyn had been gone and it had felt as if a hole had been ripped into his chest. Focusing on the outcome of the war hadn't been high on Shadow's list of priorities.

Daemon gave a low, humourless chuckle at that. "The similarities are stunning," he murmured under his breath, mostly to himself.

"What sort of similarities?" Shadow asked, confused by Daemon's laugh. "Is your world ruled by elves as well?"

Daemon shook his head at that. "No, we've nothing called elves where I live. ALthough from the description I've heard, they sound like a tainted version of the Dea al Mon."

"Where I come from... there are Blood and there are landens, the non-magic humans. The Blood are the guardians of the land and of the people and of the traditions that should have been passed down through all generations. But there were a few that became twisted with their greed and hatred and jealousy and bitterness and it tainted them, and like a rotten fruit, that taint spread. Slowly at most times, but more quickly as it grew wide spread, through all three realms. Before I awoke here, there was a war, but not realm against realm or tainted against untainted. It was my Queen against the taint. She was Witch. The most powerful Blood to walk the realms. Our Dreams made Flesh. She wiped it out entirely, but the cost... I was assured that she is alive, that she will heal, but... I awoke here before I could see her with my own eyes. It is like living without a large part of yourself."

"As for the other, I lived most of my life among those of the tainted courts. I was kept for... entertainment purposes, I suppose you could say. Like your concubines, with a much higher price. I did not have a collar, I had a Ring of Obedience." His voice deepened darkened, a hint of a snarl of hatred at the memory.

Shadow didn't dare ask what the Ring of Obedience was. From the sound of Daemon's voice it was something that Shadow was better off not knowing. Yet, he had a point. There was a strange similarity between the two worlds. Now he regretted ever thinking that Daemon would be found pleasing to the el-Lords. The truth was too close for comfort.

"I was lucky," Shadow confessed. "Had it not been for Valyn I probably would have been in a situation not so different then yours. Val kept the worst of it away. When he di-"

Shadow stopped himself from saying the word, changing it at the last moment. "When he disappeared it felt as though someone punched a hole in my chest. I'm happy I woke up here instead of in my world if only because Valyn is here."

Daemon gave him a strained smile. "Then you are lucky to have him. As lucky as any of us are in this place, at the very least. I am glad you have found him again. It must be a comfort, of a sort, in this place."

"More then a comfort," Shadow replied, speaking quickly as to get all of his worries off his chest. "Valyn thinks I'm not taking this place seriously. Perhaps I'm not. I would rather be with him here then back home. He's sure he didn't die and he grows upset whenever I imply that he is dead. But, I know what I felt. I lost a part of me and if going back home will mean returning to a place where Val is not..."

Shadow glanced up at Daemon and laughed, shaking his head. "I apologize. I'm sure you're not interested in listening to my story."

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thesadist - 2008-01-11 04:31 (UTC) - Expand

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