damned_institute | Nightshift 31: M21-M30 Hallway

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Nightshift 31: M21-M30 Hallway

((Specifically in room M22))

This night was shaping up to be another long and tiring one. Adelheid mentally ran through the checklist of things to do: give a spear to Yukari Takeba, create the sakabatou for Himura Kenshin, sharpen Kenren's blade... and then, if he found a moment to breathe, to do something to let off some of the anger he still felt. At least he wasn't powerless tonight; that was the only good thing for him to look forward to. It had been too long since he'd gotten to fight something that wasn't a patient.

He kept one ear on the radio, still wondering if Jack was honestly gone and convincing himself that such could not be the case. Besides, he was too busy to feel grief now. He had to focus, or else this night was going to be just as frustrating as the previous one.

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The idea that someone could be able to learn a technique merely by watching it being performed by someone else wasn't entirely foreign to it. By all accounts, Yahiko had managed a fairly good Ryuutsuisen during the fight for Aoi-Ya merely by having watched Kenshin himself do it. Still, that someone could do it so quickly...the rurouni had to admit that he himself was rather curious.

When Adel spoke he just nodded, stepping back another foot or two. These rooms were not large, and he didn't want to risk striking the already-injured boy. He was about to take Battoujutsu stance when he paused and ran over to one of the beds, grabbing a pillow. Stepping back to where he had been a few seconds before, he threw it upwards in a lazy arc.

Before it even had the time to start falling again, he'd drawn his sword and hit it one-handed. A fraction of a second later, he used his other hand to draw his sheath and repeat the movement. The pillow exploded in a burst of down and bits of cloth.

"Hiten Mitsurugi-Ryuu, Souryuusen," he said, sheathing the blade once again. "'Double dragon strike'--Battoujutsu that employs both the sword and the scabbard."

Adelheid's eyes hadn't missed a thing. When he set his mind to learning something, he never missed it; he saw both strikes, both of sword and scabbard, and despite himself, he was impressed. Lesser men couldn't hope to see the blindingly fast strikes, and Adelheid knew that his frame was too bulky to mimic the attack. It was a masterful attack, and Adel wasn't going to forget it.

He smiled a little as he bowed, knowing now that he'd made the right choice. Kenshin could do much more good with a blade than with just a scabbard... and perhaps, just maybe, Adelheid had learned more than just the Souryuusen. "I see that Homura wasn't exaggerating. I won't take up any more of your time, but... thank you."

Kenshin returned the sheathed sakabatou to the sword loop he'd created by tying a piece of cloth to the waistband of his trousers, happy to feel the familiar weight. He hadn't quite realized just how much he missed it until he had it again.

He also bowed, much more deeply than Adel did. He hadn't been exaggerating when he'd said that words couldn't express how grateful he was. "Again, this one thanks you. You've done an amazing thing; he can't even begin to repay it."

Once more, Adelheid felt a bit awkward at being thanked so openly, but he answered with another smile, warmer and perhaps a little embarrassed as well. In his opinion, he could have done better. His control over energy was such that he should have been able to do more. Yet Kenshin was grateful, that was the important thing. Adelheid sincerely hoped that the sakabatou would be used well.

As for that last part... Adelheid shook his head as he stepped out of the doorway, allowing Kenshin to leave whenever the man might wish. The last thing he wanted was an encounter with Sanosuke when he was weakened. "Really, the pleasure was all mine. As for that last part... you shouldn't be so certain. I might have an idea or two, later, on how you could repay me."

Was that a flash of humor in those normally so-deadly-serious crimson eyes? ...nah, couldn't be.

[From here ~~to badtouch both of you~~ to steal a Kenshin.]

The trip went by quickly, and thankfully without incident. Homura came to the closed door of M22 and knocked briefly, but didn't wait for a response before opening it. He had his doubts Adel would be involved in anything he'd need privacy for, and if he was--well, Homura wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to mock the boy. Especially not after their earlier conversation.

But no, it was just Kenshin. More importantly, Kenshin with a sword. Homura had to admit some level of curiosity when it came to seeing this special reversed blade, but no doubt he'd have his chance, given the creatures in the institute.

"Good evening." His satisfaction was obvious, though there was something more devious in his smirk for Adelheid. No, Homura hadn't forgotten, and he certainly hadn't forgiven Adelheid for his beliefs. In his eyes, the boy was now someone to be made uncomfortable, to be pushed just like Sanzo, for the simple reason that Homura was a sadist when it came to instances like these. "I see you've been successful."

Kenshin stopped a few feet short of the door, eyebrow raised. Somehow, Adel wasn't the type he'd expected to crack jokes like that. "Oh? Well. This one will be sure to keep that in mind, then."

Before he could say anything else, Homura walked into the room. The rurouni could see he glint in the demi-god's eye and sighed, shaking his head. He smiled. "Hello, Homura. Have you come to whisk this one away?"

There might be an option, really. Adelheid was already considering Kenshin's strengths, and the strength of his character even moreso. While the wanderer had claimed that he was grateful beyond words, Adel knew that such gratitude really only went so far. The question was how far to go... though in all actuality, the younger man had a feeling he wouldn't be making a request. He'd already gained a fair amount from making the weapon.

But then Homura burst in right after knocking, and Adelheid's expression grew cooler and more self-contained. And needless to say, the rapier was within easy reach if he needed it. "Yes, as I said I would be. While I won't hold you up if you're leaving, I will need Hijikata's measurements if you expect me to make a weapon for him. He didn't see fit to respond to my request on the board."

It wasn't hard to notice the changes in the men once Homura came into the room, especially in Adelheid. Hints of the calm and comfort he'd felt were visible in his retreat inward, not that Homura was at all surprised to see it. He'd been expecting a level of coldness, considering the conversation they had had.

And so be it. So long as the blond continued to do what Homura needed, the demi-god was willing to be more careful in his game. At least for the time being.

"I don't know the exact numbers." Unlike Adelheid, Homura didn't contain his arrogance. He refused to let any frustration or anger over the other's views show. Let Adel be afraid. Homura wasn't. "I'll mention to him to be more alert. Unless Himura can give you the specifics."

He looked to the rurouni somewhat expectantly. "You are enemies, correct? Or were." If they had fought against each other, Homura expected Kenshin to be acutely aware of the length and blade Hijikata would need, moreso than even his allies.

Save for Okita. Okita's level of devotion Homura doubted anyone would ever match.

Kenshin looked up at Homura, and he wasn't smiling anymore. Why did Homura seem so set on pushing his buttons all the time? Granted, the demigod didn't try to provoke him as often as others, but it was still rather frustrating sometimes. "Were," he said quietly, "and we only crossed swords once or twice."

Sighing, he turned to Adel. "Be that as it may, his sword would probably be standard katana length. Two and a half to three feet, just like the sakabatou you very kindly made for this one just a few moments ago."

"If you'd kindly, I'd appreciate it." Discomfort gave way to perhaps a bit too much politeness, the kind of defense that Adelheid had learned to evolve when he dealt with unsavory business associates. He appreciated Homura's work, and he didn't wish to leave anyone unarmed and at the mercy of the Institute. At the same time, however, the conversation he'd held with the man still roiled in his mind.

So he turned to Kenshin, a more pleasant foil for conversation. "I see; I'll guess a bit on the larger side, assuming he's built more heavily than you are. And a regular katana as well... at least I'm getting better at creating them." Repetition, while not the cornerstone of Adelheid's abilities, was nevertheless one thing that he could handle. With each blade he made, his skill became greater. Hopefully soon he'd be able to create blades sharp enough to serve on their own.

"Yes. He's closer to my size than to Himura's, certainly." Homura was just as polite to Adelheid in return, but with an ease that sharply contrasted with other's discomfort. Perhaps he simply had too much experience in it, tormenting gods who wanted to spit on him for being a heresy, who somehow thought that the label made them superior.

All part of living too long, he supposed.

Regardless, there would be time enough to play the game at a later date. Adelheid certainly couldn't avoid him forever, and for now, letting him simmer was good enough. The demi-god turned to Kenshin, now effectively ignoring the blond. "There are things we need to take care of. Let's go."

[Going down the hall!]

Kenshin barely had time to thank Adelheid one more time before he was swept away by Homura.

"Once again, this one is very grateful for the sword. Be safe tonight, and rest. You look exhausted."

[following the badtouch-happy demigod.]

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Nightshift 31: M21-M30 Hallway

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