Nightshift 30: M81-90 Hallway

[spirit-forge.livejournal.com]

The radio crackled to life, and a strange voice emerged. Archer had been wondering what purpose the radio served. He doubted it was psychological warfare via Enya, but hey, he wouldn't put it past the Institute. Deciding to pocket it, he opened up his closet and geared up. That essentially meant putting on a large gray sweater and overlarge coat. Gray definitely wasn't his color.

Archer was about to leave when he remembered his pillow. It had felt awfully hard. Searching it revealed a durable, black flashlight. He'd probably need this too.

Pausing for a final glance around the room, Archer decided he was ready to leave. He exited his room, ready to see what horrors Landel's had to offer.

Comments

Re: M85

[remedying.livejournal.com]

"Stop apologizing." The words escaped her before she could find a more appropriate way to put it, but there was little regret afterwards. "It's not your fault."

Yukari sank some in her spot, resting her shoulders and head against the edge of the bed once more. "I'd rather see you okay than to rush into things because we want it."

Re: M85

[rectifies.livejournal.com]

Ken nearly apologized again but fortunately caught himself. (Yukari would be annoyed with him if he did.) To his surprise, he didn't mind the actual words. Just being born with a highly rigid superego meant endless guilt for even the most inconsequential.

"Thanks," he said instead. With a slight shift, he brought his chin in between his knees and watched the glow from the flashlight. "Guess I'm not really fine right now."

Re: M85

[remedying.livejournal.com]

That, she knew.

What she didn't was how to respond. Yukari wanted to help him, but what did someone say that really helped? She couldn't find anything looking back at her own experiences; nothing except bitterness came out of those when it came to this situation, and it went without saying that was not needed now.

Where was someone that was better at this than she was?

"That's okay," she replied in a softer voice. "I understand." More than he realized, probably.

Re: M85

[rectifies.livejournal.com]

Ken remained silent. Much like Yukari, he was not sure of what to say. Most people he spoke about death to had no idea what they were talking about. Their consolations had often sounded bland in his ears.

This, however, was not the reason for his loss of words. Yukari was different. In fact, a good number of the SEES members held experiences he could relate to. But death... It simply was a bad foundation for rapport. Every word spoken was pain from both sides. Ken had no desire to bring more into their situation. If they were home, it would be another thing, but here, there were other worries.

A heavy frown tugged at both ends of his lips. This was perhaps a giant lie, but it was something he felt he had to say. "I'll be all right," assured Ken. "I just need some time."