damned_institute | Nightshift 33: Main Hallway, 2

[from here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/396700.html)]

Leon emerged onto the landing, and pulled out his map of the second floor. He shone the light on it, and squinted at the rough drawings. So much of this was incomplete... He frowned. Hopefully he'd be able to get a more filled in map soon.

"This seems like it'd be a good place to start," Leon suggested quietly, showing Clark the map and pointing out the janitor's closet. "Someone told me there was a staff kitchen with knives up here, too, but I don't know where that is." He hoped it wasn't behind one of the doors that you needed a key to get into. That would slow things down considerably.

"Wish I could help, but I've never been there." Come to think of it, the furthest he'd been so far was the Chapel. Probably not what Leon wanted to hear, but there it was. Clark was pretty much in the dark about this as much as the cop. At least there was a cop here, Clark thought. He might have powers, but he was more than happy to obey the law and follow orders in a situation like this.

(no subject)

officer-leon.livejournal.com - 2008-07-10 15:27 (UTC) - Expand

((From here. (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/396700.html?thread=31971996) ))

Okay. Hauling Luxord up a zillion flights of stairs? Not so good. At least he hadn't needed to shoot anyone for using them, that wouldn't been bad. Same if he'd had a gimp knee or something. Even still, each stair felt like it took a year to get up, and Luxord's leaning didn't help matters either.

Once they were at the top, Xigbar slumped against the nearest wall, breathing heavily and grumbling to himself. "Dude... diet time, 'kay? And I'm never doin' this again. Ever."

"Excuse me?" Luxord coughed out incredulously before smacking his friend on the shoulder. "I am perfect. You, on the other hand, have the frame of a teenage boy desperately needing to hit puberty. 'Tis no wonder you can hardly carry me, love. Please, on no account should you resign from chess club because of me."

Insolent twit thought he could insult the Gambler of Fate? It was a well known fact that X could argue with more vigor and zeal than anyone else in the Organization. He could do so all night, if he wished.

"I feel the need to call you Troy. It seems like a pathetic enough name for you." And they said Luxord was weak... ~~How dare II call him fat!~~

(no subject)

numberii.livejournal.com - 2008-07-12 23:58 (UTC) - Expand

[from here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/396946.html?thread=32017042#t32017042)]

Mello had expected to find the hallway silent, but apparently, there were two others here engaged in some kind of witty banter. If anything out there had been attracted to sound, it would have already attacked them. Good.

Other than the two men, the beam of the flashlight revealed nothing but the space he'd seen the previous night. Mello continued, following his mental map.

[to here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/397404.html?thread=32018012#t32018012)]

Edited 2008-07-11 06:17 (UTC)

[from here] (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/397404.html?thread=32058716#t32058716)

Beatrix ignored the presence of the others in this hallway. At least it showed signs that she'd been prudent in moving as quickly as she did. Even if it meant being turned into one Krispy Kiddo. She noted their positions and then headed down the stairs.

[to here] (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/396946.html)

[from here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/397404.html?thread=32081500#t32081500)]

Was this an example of what he'd theorized? Each time Mello moved past the other two in the hallway, he felt that he'd heard the last syllable of a statement, followed by a casual intake of air as if someone were preparing their next line. It seemed natural enough, but how long did they think they'd been here?

The desire to observe was strong, but if Mello knew anything about experimental physics, he knew that it was impossible to observe something like this without becoming involved in it. He might have even lost hypothetical hours considering the fact. With a scowl, Mello forced his mind back to the hallway and continued onward.

[to here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/404455.html)]

Edited 2008-07-13 07:21 (UTC)

Matt reached the top of the stairs just in time to turn his flashlight to the ground and not blind anyone already at the top. It wasn't crowded, so that was good. A lot of them must have been drawn to check on the dropped barrier, or whatever had occurred.

"I haven't been up here yet," the young man admitted as the other two joined him. He smiled wryly. "Anything interesting?"

"It seems to be more administrative than the downstairs," Kenshin said brightly. "There are rooms that contain supplies, as well as a room with possessions from the lives that we were supposed to have lead before coming to this place." He gestured to the kendo uniform he was wearing. "That is where this one found this. Odd, certainly, but much more familiar than the clothing we normally get."

[EDIT BECAUSE EMILY FAILS: skipping to here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/405286.html).]

Edited 2008-07-14 07:32 (UTC)

[From here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/396700.html?thread=32133532#t32133532).]

Another familiar hall. Kadaj wondered just how many times he'd been down it, but now that there was the promise of something new just over the horizon for him to look forward to, the thought didn't grate on him nearly as much as it had, say, five minutes ago. Wonders never cease.

"Think we're going to need to race again?" he asked Leon, grinning a little as he stared down the next hall. That might be fun, if more than slightly pointless. They already knew who was going to win after all.

Leon harrumphed at the racing comment. Kadaj had the advantage in leg length alone, never mind actual athletic skill. He could see fighting down the hall, however, (was that hall ever safe to go through?) and it was doubtful that walking calmly through would be an option.

"There's no need to race," the mage scoffed. "Just run through to-- Oh, by the stars! What's that? Someone's opened a demon's gate!" He pointed dramatically down the hall to his left before starting off in a run towards the center aisle.

From http://community.livejournal.com/damned/395485.html?view=32212189#t32212189 (Here)

Winry flicked her flashlight around, hurrying down the hallway to where she had left off the night before. The janitor's closet wasn't far from the mail room, so that meant that spider thing might not be far off. She had to keep an eye out.

[from here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/396700.html?thread=32217244#t32217244)]

The hallway seemed clear thus far, although it was hard to tell with the limited light. Even the light visible ahead from the Sun Room's glass roof was only of limited help. But holding still and watching, putting out an arm on the off chance Daniel might wander right past him, Vlad frowned.

"Something is ahead." He couldn't tell what, but he'd seen patients running off, and two others looked as though they were being approached. Not unlike Daniel a few nights ago--a limited range of movement to be protected viciously. What little he could make out of the figure in the dark, however, didn't look like a patient. Then again, I am being trailed by a ghost who happens to be a patient. "We need to decide upon a new route. Either down and around, hoping nothing is blocking the path in front of the Sun Room downstairs, or see what's available in the hallways ahead." He had the map mostly memorized, but couldn't be positive. Still, "I believe what we're looking for isn't in those hallways. We need to get across. We may be able to use those patients as a distraction, rather than go downstairs and risk finding another block."

Waiting rather than deciding was a bit galling, as he wasn't used to working with others unless he was also the one in charge. But ordering Daniel around was just as likely to result in the boy digging his heels in.

Danny slowed to a halt behind Vlad and glanced down at the map, trying to find an alternative route to their destination. Vlad was right--they didn't have much of an option. No matter which way they went, they would have to creep past whatever it was further down the hall. He hoped it wasn't anything too terrible. The idea of a few more broken bones was not very appealing.

"Well, I don't know about you, but I think I can go intangible long enough to get past that hall." Not like Danny would just run across intangibly--that would take too much out of him. He'd have to save it until it became an absolute necessity. "What are you gonna do, then? Walk around and hope you don't get yourself covered in your own blood?"

Granted, Vlad's wellbeing generally wasn't of his concern unless he was trying to beat up on the man enough to escape his crazy schemes. But Danny didn't think he was ready to take on this place with a broken arm alone, and if Vlad got injured, Danny would be the one to drag him around.

(no subject)

vladville.livejournal.com - 2008-07-16 04:33 (UTC) - Expand

[from here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/396946.html?thread=32462738#t32462738)]

It was quiet. Javert didn't like that in the slightest.

Still, he wasn't going to complain about it, either. He moved forward, wincing slightly as his head throbbed even more.

[from here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/396700.html?thread=32489628#t32489628)]

The hallway was quiet, but even from here, she could hear sounds of a struggle down one of the halls. Fortunately, it sounded as though it were past the halls above the Sun Room, not the direction they were headed.

It was a little inane to comment on, but she couldn't help murmuring, "Popular spot," as she glanced that way, the same place another battle had been ongoing when they'd passed yesterday. Maybe the Sun Room's magic aura of nastiness was leaking to other floors. It didn't really matter, so long as she could avoid it for now.

"Straight ahead?" Seiya gestured to the hallway directly in front of them. It was dark and didn't seem occupied for the moment, which wasn't an entirely good sign if there were more creatures like that cat around. Still, at least they wouldn't have to worry about finding everything already taken, assuming there was something worth grabbing.

Leon visualised the map for a moment, then grunted in approval. "Staff kitchen's that way. Might have knives." He knew that his table knife--meant for cutting tender, cooked meat--would not last through too many serious fights, and having at least one backup would be a very good thing indeed.

(no subject)

kanpekinasenshi.livejournal.com - 2008-07-18 03:12 (UTC) - Expand

[from here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/396700.html?thread=32514460#t32514460)]

Hijikata could hear other people moving in this hall, and the sounds of a fight; but it wasn't in the direction they were headed. Paradoxically, hearing the struggle lessened his feeling that they were walking into a trap. The monsters might all have been handled by faster-moving groups, ones who hadn't had to wait for radio broadcasts-- and what had been happening in that time, while he, Kenren and Junior had been chatting so casually downstairs?

Tension made his own heartbeat loud in his ears. Their goal was the furthest corridor to the left, and then the first -- no, second door.

Focused on his destination, not even caring how fast the others might be following, Hijikata broke into a full-out sprint towards the last corridor, readying himself for a shoulder to the door. Hopefully force would be enough to break the lock. If not, Kuroba's lockpicking skills would be needed--

[to here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/404455.html?thread=32394471#t32394471)]

(no subject)

haikudemon.livejournal.com - 2008-07-21 14:42 (UTC) - Expand

(no subject)

haikudemon.livejournal.com - 2008-07-21 14:50 (UTC) - Expand

[from here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/396700.html?thread=32289180#t32522396)]

John stepped out into the hallway and stood close to the wall. He was calm but not overly so as he looked around for any sort of intruders.

"It's clear," he whispered to Daemon. "But let's move quickly. I'd rather not press our luck."

"If we come across something unpleasant, get behind me," Daemon cautioned, laying a hand on the boy's shoulder as he stepped out of the stairwell. He paused, sweeping the beam of his flashlight up and down the hall, before nodding to John.

"Alright, let's go."

(no subject)

thesadist - 2008-07-18 13:26 (UTC) - Expand

from here]

Mason paused at the top of the stairs, waiting for Fleur to catch up. He looked over his shoulder at her, waiting for an answer to his question (and really hoping it was 'yes').

The witch laughed softly before giving a quick shake of her head. "I do not think I would want any drinks given to me by ziz place. I am sure eet would be 'orrible." She wasn't sure she would even trust the whiskey that he mentioned--of course, she'd never been too fond of firewhiskey in the first place.

"As for what 'appens when we are able to leave zis place," Fleur paused long enough to move past him in order to look down the hall. Even with the aid of the light, it was difficult to see anything... With a slight frown, she turned back to Mason to finish her statement, "Zere will be no need for you to buy anything. Although, I do not think Bill would object to meeting someone 'oo 'elped me find a way from 'ere."

(no subject)

vintagebrit - 2008-07-23 05:23 (UTC) - Expand

[From here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/394104.html?thread=32579704#t32579704)]

The upper hallway was pleasantly quiet when the knight climbed the top of the stairs. Yuber continued on down through the next hallway.

[To here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/404455.html)]

[From here]

Separating from Hijikata and the others, Kaito headed back to the hall by the stairs. He easily recalled the way to the pharmacy from his prior trip; it would be straight for a bit, and then to the left...

[To here]

Edited 2008-07-25 02:53 (UTC)

[From here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/396700.html?thread=32627868#t32627868)]

Ururu did her best to shine her light everywhere when they came to the top of the stairs, not knowing what could be waiting for them. She didn't see any monsters though, or anyone fighting. Maybe it was safe for now. That'd be a good thing.

"Which way do we go now?"

For such a large group, they seemed to be making decent progress. It was something of a relief. He kept a careful watch though, for any dangers. Perhaps they'd come late enough that most of the monsters had already been dealt with. Then again, he'd never had much in the way of luck. It was probably too much to expect they wouldn't run into anything at all.

When Orihime offered her flashlight, he shook his head. "That's alright," he assured her, "you're doing fine with it." And she was really. With everyone searching carefully as they walked, it was much less likely they'd be taken by surprise. That, at least, was a relief.

"It's not much further," he told Ururu. "Down the second hallway and then there should be some doors to take us outside."

[[to here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/397404.html?thread=32667484#t32667484)]]

"Just keep going down this hall, right?" he asked, glancing down the hallway. Still didn't look like there was anything in sight, although Junior thought he heard something further down. He couldn't tell what the sounds were, though, whether it was a fight or just something weird that couldn't harm anything. Then the redhead glanced up at Homura. "How're you holding up?"

"Well enough, I guess." Considering that Homura was at that moment entirely dependant on Kenren to keep him from falling on his face. But the task of walking was getting easier, for better or for worse--much worse, considering the pain he'd been in before. Maybe it wouldn't be worth his surroundings no longer spinning out of control in the end. Still, something in Homura was thankful for it, more willing to face the agony than dependance on another god.

He still didn't know where they were taking him, after all. He didn't know if they could be trusted.

The die was cast, however, and Homura now had little choice but to move with the group. He tried to focus on saving what little energy he had, in case something worse was to come later. This path could still lead to answers, and Homura could travel it a little longer.

[To here]

Edited 2008-07-23 06:52 (UTC)

Itachi warily stepped into the hallway at the top of the stairs, keeping aware of his surroundings and still listening to Kunzite. So that was how the other man knew to get tools. Itachi would have thought of it, of course, but Kunzite's suggestion implied prior experience.

He nodded in assent to Kunzite's speculation. "True, we should collect medical supplies if we run across them, but it will be harder to make a specific search for them and we should focus on things that will be simpler to find. Besides, if we can make adequate weapons with the metal, we will have less use for medical supplies." Or he would, at any rate. Anyone who could not defend themself properly was not Itachi's concern.

"My thinking exactly," Kunzite smirked. "I would have little use for medical supplies for myself, since any time wasted tending to injuries only leaves me open to further attack." Furthermore, he thought, what concern is it of mine to tend to another's injuries? My talents would be better spent defeating the enemy.

Kunzite stared down quickly at the map, then shined his flashlight into the distance. "We continue forward here; two more halls before reaching our destination."

[from here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/394104.html?thread=32777080#t32778104).]

It had only been a few days since Keman had been up here last, but it felt much longer. The similarities between this time and the last would have been ironic, if not for the seriousness of what they were doing right now. Last time he and Valyn had sort of been aimlessly wandering when they'd run into the mimic that had disguised itself as Shadow almost by accident. Now, they were looking for the real Shadow, and the circumstances were much more dire.

"Which way?"

"This way."

Valyn wasn't wasting time on small talk this evening. He couldn't afford to. His mind was on one thing and one thing only, and that was getting to Shadow.

(to here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/404455.html))

[From here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/404455.html?thread=32781031#t32781031)]

“I could go as far as I wished within the blink of an eye if I was at full power.” Yuber admitted while walking down the hallway. Glancing back over his shoulder towards Reno, the Black Knight added. “Currently as I am with these limitations on my abilities… it seems I can only travel as far as my line of sight and not through solid object.”

Reno glanced back. "Was talking about how far you've been. FYI. Not how far you can go."

Jeez. Yuber really wasn't listening tonight, was he?

"Handy skill, though," he added.

[going here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/396700.html?thread=32787100#t32787100)]

[Coming from here.]

Crossing into the final stretch of hallway that ran from one end of the building to the next, Daemon nudged John up one of the adjoining corridors. "Stay close," he cautioned. "We're almost there."

[Going here.]

(Coming fromhere (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/396700.html?thread=32430748#t32430748).)

Takaya looked around, pupils expanding to take in more light. "There's some commotion from up ahead. If we're quiet, we should be fine." He glancedback to check on Frey.

"Very well." Frey hoped they didn't come across anyone badly injured, though--he doubted he could bear to just leave someone lying wounded, without at least trying to help, but stopping to heal a stranger last night hadn't gone all that well.

Frey still felt nauseous every time he thought of those... jars. Were the doctors in this place really all such madmen? Or was Muraki somehow different from whoever owned that office from last night?

((From here. (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/394104.html?view=33003128#t33003128) ))

The stairway was as quiet as always, and yet Adelheid still glanced around with an alert eye. He remembered that there had been a few times when the stairs had been equipped with monsters, and sometimes others had waited at the top. But it didn't seem like such was the case here, much to Adelheid's relief.

...now, he just needed to go to the second floor kitchen, and hope it hadn't been raided too badly.

((...well shoot, they never showed. Speeding to here. (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/397404.html) ))

Ami paused at the top of the stairs, listening for anything out of the ordinary. For the first time that night, Ami saw other people, and felt herself physically relax. She'd been harbouring a deep fear that she had been left here on her own. Though she didn't know the others in the hallway, she was comforted by their presence.

She moved on, determined to find the experimental laboratory.

To here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/404455.html)