Day 30: Music Room (Third Shift)

[her-lion.livejournal.com]

The last intercom had spelled out everything.

Misbehavior. Someone had started a riot - quickly quelled from the sounds of it. He didn't want to say it was good thing he'd be stabbed, but from the looks of it, it was probably best he was absent from whatever shift this had happened during. The warning siren, and all of the habub about it; blood had probably been spilled. In his current condition, he might have been tempted.

Well, there was no might in that. He would've been.

Despite protests from his nurse as well as his own body, Edward politely asked for an escort to the music room, wanting nothing more than to get out of his little cell. The cream-colored music room was quiet, spacious, and had plenty of seating.

He was surprised to see it empty this time, and made no hesitation in moving to sit at the large keyboard. It was no parlor grand, but it was accessable. Couldn't really complain about it.

Edward sat for a moment, lost in his memories. It had been a while since he had played anything... something old sounded satisfactory. Maybe a song from his childhood? Popular song, maybe. Gus Edwards?

Nodding to himself, he let his fingers settle against the keys, keeping his back straight for the hole in his chest. Without an entrance, his fingers began dancing along the keys to the tune of By the Light of the Silvery Moon. A quirky little tune, but a personal favorite.

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[the-clown-king.livejournal.com]

It was just his luck. There was one keyboard, and it was already taken. Well, Tamaki would just wait and hope it became available. Ritsuka had told him to say goodbye, and he planned to. In his own way.

She'd always liked when he played music for her.

Wiping at his eyes, Tamaki curled up in a chair, tucking his knees under his chin and wrapping his arms around his legs. He hoped the twins didn't find him here - he didn't want to talk to them about this, and he really couldn't put on a happy face for them right now.

He really just wanted to be alone for a small while.

[clockworkblond.livejournal.com]

For himself, Alfons went into the music room because he was certain that a little classical music would do him well. And it helped him think, too; that was something that he kind of needed at that point. But when he stepped in, something arrested his progress.

Suou Tamaki. Someone that Alfons had seen being well... very close to Edward. All over the place. Including the bulletin board. Seeing him reminded Alfons of his old jealousy, but at the same time, Tamaki looked distraught. And Edward was going to be in the Sun Room, with orderlies and everything else...

Sometimes he hated being a nice guy. Alfons trotted over to Tamaki, kneeling down next to the chair and offering a soft smile. "Er, excuse me... I couldn't help but notice. Is something wrong?" And also at times like this, Alfons wished that he had some of Glacier's talent for soothing heartaches. People were so much more complicated than even the most advanced piece of machinery, after all.

[the-clown-king.livejournal.com]

Tamaki looked up, startled out of his own thoughts. Oh, it was...Alfons, yes? Tamaki had only spoken with him once, but he had been terribly nice! A bit quiet, but very nice!

"Oh, no." He shook his head. He wasn't going to bother anyone else with his problems. "I'm just so terribly tired, that's all. Last night was so very busy, and so many people were badly hurt...."

It was a perfectly acceptable excuse. And it was true, too. It had been horribly busy last night, after a very long lull. And he never had heard back from Light....

[clockworkblond.livejournal.com]

Perhaps Alfons wasn't the right sort of person for this. He knew that he tended to hide things as best he could, especially from people who were worried about it. But at the same time, he knew that Tamaki wasn't just tired. Not when he'd been wiping his eyes and tucking himself in like that. Hm.

"...all right," he finally said, "but it just looked like, to me, that... you were sad for some reason."

What he didn't say, of course, was that Tamaki looked a lot like how Alfons knew he had to have seemed, curled up in his workshop and trying to ignore the fact that Edward saw him only as a friend or a false version of his brother. And this person had Ed, now... ah, this situation was so confusing.

[uruz-vii.livejournal.com]

Sousuke allowed himself to be led away from Usopp as the orderlies unstrapped his roommate, his nurse still congratulating him on resisting the urge to fight. For a man who believed he was still in a war-zone, it was a vast improvement.

When she asked Sousuke what he wanted to do, the sergeant found it very easy to decide--which was surprising.

"Music," Music always reminded him of Kaname. He wanted to remember her now. It was uncertain as to whether or not he would see her again, and with all of the terrible memories that had been dredged up last night, he wanted to remember her as she was--happy.

The nurse set him up with a CD player and an assortment of music from classical to soft new age to upbeat pop music. Sousuke liked it all (except for that odd rap music--it just sounded like people talking and intermittent beats...), so pleasing him was easy.

He slipped on the headphones and placed his hand over the right earpiece, gently rocking his head to the beat.

[sugarsweetblood.livejournal.com]

Rhode was still pretty bored when the next shuffling of the patients came. The nurse was once again listing off places to go as she escorted the girl down the halls, though Rhode wasn't about to give a preference. She didn't care for what room she was in so long as she could have fun. There was a room she preferred not to be led to again, but that one was thankfully not on the list. Today needed to be Tyki free and happy. Once she'd managed a break from all of the stress this place had given her, then she could start thinking straight again

Eventually the nurse decided to throw Rhode into the music room as it was the closest. Being raised under the Earl had given Rhode both a liking and a loathing for music. She adored humming out her sadistic tunes and hearing him ending the world controlling the Ark, but actually playing instruments wasn't something she particularly enjoyed herself. They took too much practice and got boring fast. Not something that could keep much of Rhode Camelot's focus.

She took a slow look across the instruments and odder contraptions before turning her glance out on the room. If instruments wouldn't keep her attention, then someone else was sure to. Lord Tamaki was there with yet another blond. It looked like a deep conversation, perfect for pouncing, but then someone else caught her attention and he wansn't occupied.

How long had it been since she'd seen on of those guys from the bathroom?

Skipping over, she crouched down in front of him and stared straight up at his face. Personal space was still an issue for her, even in this place. "You were in the bathroom," she stated, though she already knew it herself. Right now, she was thinking more about how to play with him rather than start a conversation off properly. Innocent little human girl, or evil Noah?

[uruz-vii.livejournal.com]

Sousuke cracked an eye open when he heard a somewhat familiar voice. He blinked, recognizing the bloody girl from the bathroom three nights ago. It was a miracle he did, though, as she had been covered in blood when he first met her and she was now, much cleaner.

"Yes, I was," the sergeant replied awkwardly. "It's good to see you escaped unharmed as well." What was this? Sun Room Male Bathroom Three-Day Reunion?

[sugarsweetblood.livejournal.com]

She watched his reaction to her carefully and noted it in her mind. If that had made him uncomfortable, then Rhode was sure she'd found someone worth her while to play with. And, as he was acting as though she was only a "helpless little girl", she knew just how to play with him.

Playing pretending was so much fun!

"Only because you guys came and saved me," she purred innocently, "but that one guy was really weird. He wouldn't let me help him." Her bottom lip protruded out into a sad pout. Acting was itself a fun thing to do, especially when the people she acted at bought it so completely. Humans were so dense.

[endlessjune.livejournal.com]

Rika was quite annoyed at the other patients, not so much for causing a riot (could she blame them?), but for having her separated from Hanyuu. Again. She would have to spend the rest of the shift looking for her friends, but in the meantime...

The Music Room was the last room that the nurse mentioned, so it was the first place Rika decided to check. She didn't know where Mion and the others could be, but she had to start somewhere.

In retrospect, the Sun Room was probably the wisest place to check, but what if Mion wanted somewhere quieter to stay? She was injured, after all. Rika almost regretted her choice of room when she walked in and saw it nearly empty... except for someone that she happened to be looking for.

"Edward! You're OK!" Rika joyfully smiled, running up to him. Her eyes showed that she was happy that one of her new allies had made it out alive, especially with her last memory of him being one where he was between her and a woman with a fire poker for a weapon.

"I was very worried. I didn't remember what happened to you last night. Mii... have you seen Bella?"

[her-lion.livejournal.com]

Even Edward couldn't say no to a face like that.

Ending on a broken note, Edward turned to see Rika's overly happy face. He had to smile in response - he didn't think she would have been worried about him. "Yes, I barely got scratched," he sighed, relieved. The girl looked perfectly unharmed, which meant he had been successful in diverting the purple woman's attention.

His face turned back into one of worry when Rika mentioned his fiancé. "No, I haven't. I woke up late, and missed a shift... I'm sure she's alright. You weren't hurt at all, were you?"

[endlessjune.livejournal.com]

Edward did seem alright; Rika couldn't see any injuries. If he made it out fine, then Bella must have been fine too. At least, that's what Rika wanted to think.

"I'm fine, all thanks to you!" She smiled. "And I was a good girl too in the morning and didn't get caught up in that fight this morning. I'm glad you didn't have to see such a sight, Edward, it was awful."

Rika paused. Bella certainly wouldn't have joined in... would she? She looked at Edward with this unasked question, since he knew Bella much better than she.

[his-singer.livejournal.com]

At first, Bella had no idea where she was going to go. She had plenty of choices to choose from in looking for her fiancé, and she only got one chance at finding the right room. Dammit, she cursed to herself, chewing on her bottom lip as she delayed telling the nurse where to bring her, If only I could track.

That was before she heard the piano playing.

“The music room,” Bella answered instantly, her gut twisting. She hoped she had made the correct choice.

To her intense delight, she had.

Sitting in front of a large keyboard was Edward, talking to none other than Rika. All at once all her panic and fear seeped out of her, and she let out a shuddered breath, watching as her fiancé spoke to the child for a few moments before she began to run towards the two of them, her eyes starting to burn with relief.

[for-marian.livejournal.com]

[free for bothering]

This morning sucked more than most mornings in this place, Leon had decided. First the annoying wench interrupted his meal, then the riot interrupted his meal, and then finally his roommate proceeded to give him a headache from the sheer stupid coming out of his mouth.

So a little quiet music sounded like just the thing, as far as Leon was concerned. He didn't play, but he hoped that no one incompetent would disturb his ears with crap. On entering the room, he discovered that indeed, the person who had taken up playing was indeed passably competent. Good.

Leon limped over to an unoccupied stretch of wall and settled down with his back against it. Resting his cane across his legs, ready to hand if another stupid fight broke out and he needed to defend himself, Leon closed his eyes and allowed himself to relax as much as he could in the presence of others. Granted, this wasn't very much.

[faithful-frost.livejournal.com]

((Coming from here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/296340.html).))

Haku had placed the maps in his room once he'd finished and then decided to give the Music Room a try. He didn't know much about Music, though he could play a few notes on a few instruments back home. It was interestingly enough, fairly quiet in the room.

Haku spotted an unhappy looking young man sitting alone and not really using the room for it's apparent purpose, so he decided he would be good to tease a bit.

He smiled cheerfully down at him. "Hi there. May I sit with you?"

[for-marian.livejournal.com]

Leon reluctantly opened his eyes, looking over the young... person... who'd approached him. Damn but this place was full of friendly people. Sighing openly, Leon managed a shrug. "Go ahead." It wasn't like he could do anything to stop them, and the nurses were always hovering over him if he was alone. Even a friendly person was better than a nurse, more or less.

[faithful-frost.livejournal.com]

Haku settled down near the young man, careful not to sit too close, but close enough that they coudl have a conversation without raised voices.

"The staff leave you alone a bit more if you pretend to enjoy yourself at least a bit," he offered. "My name is Haku, by the way."

[trelesekrayotre.livejournal.com]

Still so much she wasn't able to get done. There was a list of things Tear had to do that was running through her head but she was still dragged to the usual activities. The option of having a moment to think really wasn't allowed here it seemed. She had to think on her feet, so to speak.

The music room had a few people in it for now. Seemed rather calming, all things considered. The nurse had commented to her during the switching shifts that she had looked stressed and perhaps some calming music was her ticket to happiness. If only the nurse knew the irony in that. Or maybe she did and that's why she had brought Tear to the room? It was still a little hard to tell if all the employees were working together. Not that Tear had a lack of suspicion or had her guard down; she still just lacked proof in a way.

Her lack of hymns was rather bothersome already and the room was just reminding her of her new inability. Tear sighed and walked over to a seat near a corner of the room. She sat quietly, her hands in her lap, and simply began humming to herself in a near whisper. It was the least she could do to help her concentrate and maybe even get herself to feel a bit better about the situation. Though that was rather wishful thinking.

[innovator-skuld.livejournal.com]

"What sounds good to you, Dalia?"

Skuld sighed; she was pretty sure there was no use protesting the use of that name. "Um... the music room." Having already thrown a fit twice this morning, while she was still very agitated, that didn't show as much as her confusion and worry.

Once in the room she just stood there for a moment, the picture of a lost little girl. They had things to listen to, but she didn't want to passively turn on a tape right now; after a moment's search, she spotted a few instruments. Good--that was what she'd come in for, and she would have been in an even worse mood if they didn't have any.

Finding a kind of flute, she studied it for a moment before going to sit down somewhere off to the side. Closing her eyes, she played a few soft notes to get a feel for the recorder. It wasn't the kind of flute she was familiar with, but it was close enough, and she hadn't been planning on anything very complicated anyway.

Once she had it down, she started playing a soft, slow-paced melody; it was just the first thing to come to mind. Belldandy liked them more than she did, but she was homesick already.

[trelesekrayotre.livejournal.com]

The problem with a music room and concentrating on thinking within one is well, the music. Everyone seemed occupied with conversation or the near by instruments and other musical devices causing a relatively high noise level. Tear let out a sigh. Maybe she did need to just relax and not think so hard on her next move. At least for a few moments she could try, a very small few moments that is.

After a moment Tear could hear the faint sound of the recorder playing. Though it wasn't as if she recognized the tune, it still sounded rather calming and nice. The girl who had been playing it wasn't too far from her either. Going to the girl didn't seem like a fantastic idea but it did sound rather soothing all the same. She was rather hesitant to stop the girl's playing so in a rather soft, barely spoken sound she said: "That sounds very nice. Did someone teach it to you?" She attempted to let out a small comforting like smile. Her specialty definitely wasn't confronting others or even speaking to them so saying anything was rather challenging.

[innovator-skuld.livejournal.com]

Skuld opened her eyes to see if the woman was speaking to her; finding she was, she played to the end of the measure before answering. "Oh, I've always known how to do this." At least, she didn't remember having to learn.

Her hands had been bandaged, and had probably stopped bleeding a while ago, but moving her fingers that much had been starting to hurt. She put the recorder down in her lap and tried not to clutch it too tightly. "But my older sister taught me that song. She plays it all the time." On the radio, at least; they usually listened to music more than played it themselves, but she'd heard it enough to memorize the notes.

And there was a magic to music; she wanted to think that she'd played that particular song because Belldandy was listening to it, right then.

[mylackofeffort.livejournal.com]

Quatre came into the room quietly. He had been completely useless last night and he wasn't sure how to make up for it. He should have been looking for his friends, but instead he found himself drawn to the music room again.

He wasn't in the mood to play, just to watch and to listen. He sat in the corner of the room and closed his eyes. Music didn't need to be played to be alive inside of someone who knew it. It sounded corny, even in his mind, but it was there. He was frightened for his friends, and for the people here, but for the first time he realized he couldn't feel any of it. He couldn't sense the pain around him as he could sense the air. It should have been thick upon him, instead there was silence. It was... interesting.

He tired to hear more, but he couldn't. He felt lost without Sandrock. At least he would have been able to guide the way.

[queenpeacecraft.livejournal.com]

Relena barely managed to keep a hold on her notebook when the nurse shuffled her away from the brawl. The nurse praised her restraint, but all the ex-queen wanted was to start yelling at them all. A futile gesture, but the pacifist in her demanded it.

As soon as the clear was given, she made her way to the Sun Room. She peaked into the adjoining rooms, looking for her friends before she spotted her fellow blond in the corner with his eyes closed. Not wanting to disturb him, she sat in a nearby chair, close enough for a quiet conversation, yet far away enough to not disturb Quatre should he prefer solitude.

[mylackofeffort.livejournal.com]

Quatre opened his eyes when he heard movement by him and then smiled. "Miss Relena," he said cheerfully but quietly. "I'm happy to see you are still in one piece."

[queenpeacecraft.livejournal.com]

"I could say the same for you. You missed breakfast. Or I didn't see you there," she amended, remembering the fight could have hidden him from her sight.

[unmocked-lawr.livejournal.com]

[from here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/294992.html?thread=23569232#t23569232)]

The sound of the piano - was it electric, like virtually everything else here? - sounded harsh and fake to Javert's ears, but it was infinitely preferable to the conversation from which he'd escaped in the Sun Room. He had a feeling he'd effectively antagonized St. Just, and while he was still adamantly unapologetic about the whole thing, driving the man to tears had probably been somewhat excessive. That, and he honestly couldn't afford to lose any allies in a place like this.

He dropped into a chair in one of the corners. Closing his eyes, he leaned back against the chair, all but forcing himself to focus on the music filling the room. It was better than thinking about everything else.