damned_institute | Day 31: Intercom, Evening

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Day 31: Intercom, Evening

The intercom's jingle came on with its usual overly-cheery quality, echoing through the halls and doctors' offices.

"I trust, as always, that you all enjoyed the last shift and that all the staff-patient interaction went smoothly. Of course, we're nearing the end of another day and so we must begin to bring things to a close. Nurses and orderlies, please escort all the patients to their respective rooms and make sure everyone gets their dinner--which is, by the way, chicken teriyaki and assorted tempura, along with rice and miso soup--before they retire for the night. A vegetarian substitute is of course available, and we have our usual assortment of drinks; we also have a special of hot green tea to go along with the meal.

"Thank you, everyone, for an exceedingly pleasant day, and our therapy sessions will continue tomorrow as scheduled. Enjoy your dinner, and I will be on again before bedtime to say goodnight."

The announcement ended.

[ As always, individual dinner threads go in response to this post, and it helps to put your character's room number in the subject line. Thanks! ]

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"I have a feeling I'll never find such a legendary thing. The tragedy!" He put the back of his hand to his forehead in mock woe. "But if I do, I will certainly take advantage of it," He said with an evil grin.

"It's only fair," Haku pointed out. He rolled his shoulders and all but flopped back on the bed, looking up at the ceiling. He was thinking now, wondering why he was able to tease and be so causal with Artemis, but not his Master.

The dynamics of the relationships were utterly different, but why?

Artemis looked up at the ceiling. There wasn't anything there, so he figured Haku must be thinking. He did the same thing often enough to recognize it.

"What are you thinking about?" He asked, laying down next to him and looking up at the ceiling with him.

"I am thinking about the differences in my relationships with both you and Zabuza-san," Haku said easily. "Since you are both the only two people still here that I know well enough to care." He turned his head and looked at Artemis.

"I know that there are a lot of different things about the two situations, but why?" He turned back to the ceiling. "It just popped into my mind now."

"That's easy," Artemis said, turning to look at Haku. "You have a working relationship with Momochi-san that isn't necessary with me." At least, that's what he believed. The situation was much like his own, truth be told.

"It isn't necessary to act a certain way around me, right? So you can tease me and tell me anything and it won't affect any sort of working relationship we have."

He smiled encouragingly, "Our relationship is purely friendship, correct? So we act accordingly. Momochi-san is your master, and thus you have to act with a manner of restraint or consideration.

"At least, that's what I think. I'm in much the same situation."

"It not something as simple as a working relationship though," Haku pointed out, then hesitated. "It's ... consiberably more complicated than that." Shaking his head, he turned back to Artemis.

"What is your situation? If I may ask."

"It's nothing complicated," Artemis said with a laugh. "Simply that the Captain and I have a working relationship and that is the extent of it. With you... I don't have to guard myself as closely. Because if I say something inappropriate, you won't punish me for it. Much." He laughed again.

"You are decidedly my friend. The Captain, I'm sorry to say, would probably look at me like I had suggested he drink bleach if I ask to be his friend," He thought for a moment. "Plus, if we were friends, once it came time to work, it would be awkward to transition from joking around and laughing into the mindset necessary to accomplish things."

"Keeping those kinds of relationships separate is a good idea, and one I agree with completly." Haku smiled at his roommate before turning back to the ceiling.

"Zabuza-san is ... No, let me try another approach. I was raised by Zabuza-san. He has been my constant companion since I was very young. I should be close to him, and I am. I'm very close to him." He turned back to Artemis.

"But I feel close to you as well. It's ... somewhat confusing."

Artemis nodded, "He is like your parent, then. Love for a parent and love for a friend are two different things. In some cases, love for a friend outweighs the love for a parental figure, but I've found the opposite to be true most of the time. It's natural to be attached to the person who cares for you and loves you."

He got a slightly funny look on his face and he looked back up at the ceiling. "I'm glad you have Momochi-san here with you. I wish I was as fortunate as you are."

He swallowed, his throat feeling tight.

Haku lifted the broken, scarred eyebrow and leveled a look of disbelief at his friend.

"Zabuza-san is the farthest thing from a parent that one can get." He smiled and turned back to look at the ceiling. He was silen for a moment, then edged over a bit closer to his roommate, the line of his shoulder and arm just barely touching the other's. He couldn't offer bodyheat, but he could offer presense.

"I am glad he is here, since it means I know he's alive. But I would rather he not be trapped at all."

Artemis chuckled. Overprotective man who raised Haku--if that wasn't a parent, Artemis didn't know what was. Of course, his experience had been much the same. And while Artemis couldn't exactly crush people's arms, Butler could--and with great gusto to boot.

"Of course. It would be wonderful not to be trapped but... given the circumstances, it's best to be trapped with the ones you love and care for, right?"

He paused here, collecting his thoughts. "You're very lucky. I'm jealous." He finished with a rather shaky laugh. "Of course, this means that I can get into all sorts of trouble and no one will scold me afterwards!"

No Butler to guard him with his life. No Butler to be exasperated for Artemis' lack of self-preservation instinct. No Butler to tell him that he was the most socially inept teenaged boy in existence. He clenched his jaw and gripped the sheets, refusing to cry.

Haku was sorely out of practice at expressing emotions, but he could read them easily. Without speaking, he reached over and gently took Artemis' hand from where it clung to the blanket and laced his cool fingers with his much warmer ones. A reassuring squeeze.

"You are here with people that care about you."

He nodded slightly and squeezed back. "It's stupid of me to say, really. I know there are plenty of people here who care about me. I'm lying next to one of them and I still said that."

Artemis was quiet for a moment, then he slowly moved his head so it lightly touched Haku's. He continued to stare up at the ceiling. "I simply miss him. Butler, I mean."

"I understand," Haku said, glad that the offered comfort hadn't been dismissed. "I may not be able to relate, but I do understand."

He lay there for a few minutes, breathing and thinking. "I know that he must miss you terribly too. But you'll go back to your home, and he'll be there." He laughed softly. "Think positivly."

Artemis smiled softly, "Yes. I'll go home and he'll be waiting." That was the last thing he'd said to Butler, after all. That he would be back, no matter what happened. And back then, things had been grim. Although, between having a bomb cuffed to Holly and being locked in a mental institution, he would pick the bomb.

"And he'll ask me where I was and what took me so long, knowing him. He'll say, 'Artemis, I'm surprised. It took you a whole eight days to escape? You must be getting lazy!'" He laughed.

Haku laughed lightly along with him. "I think I would have to agree with him. What sort of brilliant, former criminal couldn't instantly break out?" Before Artemis couldhave the chance to be hurt or upset, he mock sighed. "Of course, I shouldn't really be one to talk."

Artemis grinned, "Exactly. A boy who can crush arms and kill people on a whim hasn't escaped yet either! So we're both lazy. Or just here for the free food." He laughed.

It was interesting that they could joke about something they took so seriously elsewhere, Artemis thought. Perhaps he was beginning to accept that he would be here for a while.

"Really, such things aren't terribly impressive where I'm from," Haku pointed out. "And the food, well, tonight was one of the better ones for me."

He laughed softly. "It's a rare meal here where I don't look at something and wonder what it is."

"Haku," Artemis said, looking deadly serious. "You are fascinating to me, and don't every think otherwise." He tried to maintain his serious expression, but failed after a few seconds and started laughing. "Especially since you can't figure out the food they give us. But, I suppose I must be superior in some way~"

Oh he knew he was going to get it now.

Haku didn't miss a beat. "It's only fair, since I'm so much better skilled than you are in every other area." He pitched his voice to sound serious and looked over at Artemis with an almost pitying expression.

"Oh is that right?" Artemis challenged. "So the fact that I beat you in our pillow fight, and obviously have a talent for getting drugged, and am just better looking than you doesn't count for anything?"

Haku grinned again. "Better looking than me? Who's the one getting hit on here and who's the one being hit?" He shook his head. "Though, yes, I will concede that you won this round of pillow fighting. But I will regain my title there."

"Yes, it's a shame. I lose more dates that way, when I talk," He laughed. "And now that I know I have a worthy opponent, I won't be so lax! Mark my words, I will be stronger when next we meet!"

Haku made a face. "You're trying to date people in here? A fine group of people you have to choose from. Shall I put in a good word for you with Muraki-Sensei when I next see him?"

Artemis looked uncomfortable, "Please don't mention me. If what people on the board say is true, I'd rather not be within ten feet of him.

"Speaking of which," Artemis sat up and pulled the doll out from under his bed. "We were going to open this, weren't we?" He grinned down at Haku.

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