Nightshift 30: M11-M20 Hallway

[bond-off-lame.livejournal.com]

[Specifically M12]

"… Wait, really?" Axel asked, mainly to himself, as he listened to the intercom and the head doctor’s sudden confession. It hadn’t been long since he was escorted back to his room after his dinner, feeling rather content after spending a shift to himself. It was fun and all to chill with a couple of people beforehand, but a guy needed a break every once in a while.

His plans were relatively simple at the time. He was going to run off to Kairi’s room, swing her body over his shoulders and haul her back over to his own. He’d forgotten to write a note down for Roy in the bulletin saying he couldn’t make it, but he was sure the colonel could make the right assumptions.

He had been in the middle of rummaging under his mattress for his chakram when the intercom came to life again, and with that he couldn’t help but stop and look up at the ceiling with a mix of curiosity and disbelief. At this point it almost felt like a tradition for the man behind the radio to pop up every evening, so a change this big earned a bit of attention. Axel’s gaze remained on the ceiling for at least half a minute before he glanced over at his roommate on the other side.

"You know, I almost don’t believe it." But this was technically a battlefield, and one side had to give in one way or another. He had to remind himself that tradition didn’t exactly last forever.

Comments

M17

[right-handed.livejournal.com]

Scar was taking some time to look through his supplies, though he wasn't finding much. When was the last time that he had gone searching for items? That he had been around to support his comrades? Although his earlier meeting with River and Dias had assured him that they were as well as one could expect, he wasn't sure how much use he could be during Nightshift without some tools of his own.

But all he found that could be useful was his flashlight, whose light by which he checked the markings on his arm and winced at their still not being completely black. Dammit, he'd need to do better than that to watch Dias' back.

Re: M17

[a_sin_for_him]

(From here)

That strange, unfamiliar fear was becoming irritating. But Lust simply couldn't shake it. She knew it was a silly little human fear, but silly little human feelings seemed to be all she felt these days.

She didn't even knock on Scar's door, simply opened it. Impolite, perhaps, but she had to know...

And there he was. The breath she didn't know she'd been holding was let out, and her tense muscles loosened.

"I was starting to wonder if I'd find myself in an empty room this evening," she said, by way of greeting. She wasn't going to admit she'd been worried. Not out loud.

[right-handed.livejournal.com]

Scar's head snapped up as soon as he heard the door open, and his eyes widened as he beheld the figure who walked in. He hadn't seen Lust in what felt like a very long time, and they were already in the middle of a complicated relationship.

"I..." Scar started, unsure of what to say. He finally looked down, brow furrowed. "Same here."

His gaze moved back up to Lust and he frowned.

"How have you been faring? I saw Dias and River today..."

[a_sin_for_him]

"I'm fine." Lust only nodded, as though to emphasize the words. "I find myself increasingly frustrated and irritated, but I'm fine. I've been here long enough to know how to avoid serious physical harm."

She frowned, perplexed. What was the matter with him?

"You're troubled by something." She shut the door behind her and leaned against it. "Have you been ill?"

[right-handed.livejournal.com]

"I know the feeling," Scar grumbled in response, running a hand through his hair. "And no, I'm fine. Just lost a bunch of time because of these bastards."

He looked back at her and then towards the wall.

"It's good to hear you're doing better than when we last saw each other. I'm... sorry I haven't been around."

[a_sin_for_him]

"They're skilled at that, aren't they?" Lust mused, crossing her arms. "Stealing time."

It was odd, to be touched by concern. But she supposed when it came to Scar, she shouldn't be surprised. He had made her feel things even before she had gained so much of her lost humanity.

But neither one of them were particularly skilled at voicing such things as emotion or concern or worry. She would simply take his apology with a nod and vague wave of her hand, and leave it at that.

"There's still time this night, if you had any desire to venture out. It matters little to me - I've found nothing new or of particular interest in the nights I've gone out recently."

[right-handed.livejournal.com]

Scar nodded in response to Lust's agreement. When she proposed venturing out, he hesitated, then stood up from the bed.

"Yes, I... should go," he said, grabbing the flashlight from under his pillow. "I've been cooped up here too much for it to sit well with me. Dias and River... they might need us."

[a_sin_for_him]

"I've no idea where either of them are," Lust said, moving away from the door with a shrug. She hadn't spoken to either of them recently - River more recently than Dias, but the days had been hectic and difficult to find anyone.

Scar seemed distracted, as though his mind was on other things. A part of her wanted to ask, but she doubted he'd say. That was the way with the strong, silent types.

"But if you've information I don't, by all means, lead on."

[right-handed.livejournal.com]

"I don't know any more than you do," Scar grumbled, heading for the door. "I know for sure they were both in the riot, though. And so was I."

He grabbed the door handle and then paused, looking towards Lust. He felt a vague sensation of relief wash over him; he was truly glad to be certain that all of his allies were alive and more-or-less well, even if it didn't alleviate his guilt.

He turned away and began opening the door.

"Which direction should we go?"

[a_sin_for_him]

"Ah yes, the disturbance this morning." All three of them had been involved? "I'm afraid no one's been particularly forthcoming on information regarding it. What happened? And are all of you alright?"

Perhaps that was what was on Scar's mind.

"To the main hallways?" she suggested. "I imagine they've both left to do whatever it is they're doing tonight by now."

[right-handed.livejournal.com]

"I agree," Scar nodded as he walked out into the hallway, flicking the beam of his flashlight both ways. He paused and then turned back to Lust, answering her first question.

""We're fine... for the most part." The Ishbalan sighed, glancing away in thought. "River seemed pretty affected by the whole thing - pretty affected in the first place to have gotten involved, and... the nurses drugged her and me pretty badly."

[a_sin_for_him]

"But you're both alright?" Lust stepped close, reaching up to brush her fingers lightly through Scar's bangs, an expression bordering on concern twisting her features.

"After the drugs wore off?"

[right-handed.livejournal.com]

Scar frowned as Lust drew near and visibly tensed when she touched him. It wasn't so much that he was uncomfortable with the closeness as he was so used to pushing people away. He'd changed now and though he'd accepted that change and was willing to go along with it with the hopes that God had given him another chance, he wasn't finding it an easy adjustment.

"I'm fine," he grumbled, glancing away from Lust's concerned expression. He felt guilty for making her feel concerned and so wanted to assuage any fears she might have had, though now that he'd gotten up and moving, he felt a little woozy. He pulled away from her and put a hand to his forehead.

"Afterwards, they just had orderlies escort us everywhere and the drugs have been having a couple of after-effects. That's all."

[a_sin_for_him]

"Honestly Scar," Lust chastised as he tensed beneath her touch. "I'm not going to bite you." But she dropped her hand and made no move to follow when he pulled away, giving him his space.

"You don't look fine." She was at his side again, not touching him, but ready in case the idiot did something foolish like pass out. "You couldn't simply keep your tempers in check, could you?"

There was a great deal more she could say, but she held her tongue. But truly, it had been a foolish move to attempt anything during the daylight hours. Men! They had to play the hero, didn't they? And look where it had gotten them.

[right-handed.livejournal.com]

Scar pulled his hand away from his face, staring at the opposite wall.

"What? Should I have left River alone with those orderlies?" He grumbled under his breath, his frustration directed more towards the Institute itself than towards the woman at his side. However, Lust's previous comment did stir something else on his mind, something that had been forgotten amidst all his worrying about River and Dias.

"Speaking of biting..." he said, turning towards Lust with narrowed eyes. "Your old homunculus friend tried to attack me in the showers. Did you know he was here?"

[a_sin_for_him]

"River was included in that 'you'," Lust pointed out, with an arched eyebrow. And then she glanced away, a touch guilty, realizing she hadn't warned either of them about one another.

"Yes," she said, nodding. "I'm sorry. He...doesn't like you very much. You can't blame him, Scar. He has a child's mind and he's very protective of me. I'll speak with him and remind him once more who's friend and who's foe."

[right-handed.livejournal.com]

Scar wasn't sure if he bought that Lust's condemnation was blanketed towards the whole family, but he let it go for now. Her defense of Gluttony was far more disturbing, in any case.

"I hope he can remember that." Scar growled, glaring at her. "He may have a child's mind, but he has a bear's strength. And appetite."

He looked away towards the open end of the hallway and began to walk towards the exit.

"At any rate, we should try to get somewhere before we're whisked back to our rooms. You have any ideas beyond the main hallways?"

[a_sin_for_him]

"He's only trying to keep me safe, Scar," Lust reminded, gently. "But you needn't worry. I've already turned him against Envy, to accept you as someone not to bother is a small thing."

She followed after him with a small shrug. "I've exhausted what the second floor has to offer easily," she told him, recalling her plundering exploits at the colonel's request. "What did you wish to accomplish?"