damned_institute | Nightshift 34: Patient Possessions Room

_{[from here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/433906.html?thread=35620850#t35620850)]}

"That all sounds interesting," said Ren. "Going to another country to learn about things you're interested in. I guess not everyone has the guts to do that. Hopefully you can go back to your life sooner rather than later, like everyone else... when we get out."

He gave a crooked smile at the mention of wholesome family values. Weren't most parents supposed to want that? And likewise, so many children didn't want anything to do with their parents' fantasies of the futures.

So many different lives, so many different facets and quirks. No one family resembled the rest. Most people had secrets. Maki was probably the same, maybe, where her answers didn't quite match up to the truth. Or not at all. But it was okay by him, since he'd never wanted to get truly cynical about every person he'd met, and it wasn't like he could find out the truth. Not unless he had to, when she was either a target or a client, and had earned that kind of attention.

The doll had no reason to do that sort of thing around here... not really. Even if he'd be happy asking more questions and learning about what came with them.

Stepping to the side to let Maki by, he shone his flashlight at the shelves and shelves of boxes. The two others inside hadn't run into any trouble yet, by the looks of it. But what name was this human version of himself supposed to use again? It wasn't like he'd come here for himself, though all the same, some different clothes would still be nice. That was about the thing only thing he worth snooping around for.

"It can be hard," Naomi agreed. "Just leaving everything you know to follow a dream...." There was a touch of sadness in her voice, her carefully crafted persona falling away some. She'd been so stupid. So damn stupid! And weak....

"You just have to hope you can catch that dream. And hold onto it."

But now they were inside, and she immediately began searching for her box. Now as no time to get all flustered over mistakes she'd made in her past.

Yoshida, Yoshida....

"I think I need to head into the back," she said, keeping her voice down.

Ren blinked and glanced over from underneath the shadow of his hair at the slight change. Her dreams?

When she began searching for her own box, it became something not worth commenting on. From what he'd seen, Maki didn't seem like the sentimental type when it came down to getting something done during the nights. Who was, when a lot of the time, it wasn't safe to get too relaxed?

"I'll help you look," he responded, trailing behind her. His was an American name, with a 'B', right? His would be closer to the front. But they'd come this far, and it'd be pretty stupid to have the woman get attacked and injured the moment they split up.

"Thanks. It'll be under Y, for 'Yoshida'," she explained. "That's what they call me here - Yoshida Noriko." And she hadn't the slightest idea what would be in it. She wandered back, tracing the letters, until the neared the end of the alphabet.

She wondered if maybe she should look for L's box, while they were here. She didn't think he was the sort to have anything sentimental he'd want, but...maybe it would give him some insights into something. And W and Y were close enough together that it wouldn't take much searching....

"Ah, at least you still have a Japanese name. I didn't think I looked suited for a Western one."

Not that he thought it was a big deal, since his actual name had little to do with normal naming conventions. Westerners did some odd things with names, though. He preferred his aliases.

He swept his flashlight back and forth, peeking at letters when he wasn't casting glances around the rest of the room. It wouldn't take much to push over a shelf and send the rest toppling over. Eventually, he pointed towards the shelf where he thought the last few letters would be. "Is it over there?"

"They stuck you with a Western name?" Naomi raised an eyebrow. No, he didn't look suited to one, she had to agree. When he pointed, she nodded, and stretched to reach for the nearest boxes, looking at the labels.

"Yoshida! Here!" She grinned triumphantly and pulled down the box, careful not to disturb the boxes around it too much. It didn't seem terribly heavy. What the hell was in it?

"Well, this is it." She was almost afraid to open it. She bit her lower lip and flipped open the top, at first wincing and then her face brightening with delight as she shone her light on the unmistakable sheen of soft, black leather.

He had to smile slightly. So he wasn't the only one who found it a bit weird? There were plenty of people who weren't even from the same dimension, so even running into someone who was from a semi-familiar Japan was pretty uncommon.

There were so many bright and eye-catching hairstyles and whatnot. Made it hard to tell who was from Japan, when he was used to dark hair and eyes being the general norm.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure it was Rhett Butler or something." They didn't use his surname a lot around here, just his fictional surname. The entire thing sounded a little stiff to him. He stood back as Maki pulled her box down, keeping his light trained on it. "Clothes?" he asked. She looked pleased with her find.

"Rhett Butler?" Naomi asked, laughing a little. "Like the guy from Gone With the Wind?" Now that was an unfortunate fake name to get stuck with.

She pulled the black leather motorcycle jacket out of the box and held it to her, running her hands over the soft leather. God, she'd missed this.

"My jacket," she said, clinging to it for a moment. It was a reminder of her old life. She set it on her lap and dug through the box. A plain brown sweater and a pair of black jeans. Her key ring with the Harley Davidson tag, but no keys. An ornate hair clip that she remembered Raye giving her one year for Christmas. A photo - the very photo she'd used when she was asking after Raye, the two of them at the beach, he in a loose Hawaiian shirt and she in her small two piece - a black leather wallet with nothing inside....

"Oh, is it famous?" he mused aloud, bemused by her reaction. "Never heard of it."

Hmm, if it was the name of a character, he had to wonder if they had anything in common. It'd have to be a handsome character, right? I don't want my fake self named after someone unfortunate. He didn't mind so much if it was connected to a flattering image.

But that wasn't the point. The doll had to shake himself a little to get back on track.

He didn't move closer to get a better look at the things she examined, but all seemed like things someone would arrive with on their person. Clothes, everyday things, a photo.

"Some of them must have things that are actually familiar to that person, then," he continued, turning his thoughts onto the topic at hand. He'd almost assumed the boxes would have things "familiar" to these fictional versions of themselves, but not to their true selves. That was odd. But it made a sick sort of sense. It was a good way to unnerve people, that was for sure. The more he thought about it, the more sense it made.

"Yeah," Naomi said. "Famous book and movie." Not that she'd actually read or seen it, but she'd heard all the references.

"These are familiar," she admitted. "The keys to my bike are usually on here," she used as an example, holding up the key ring. "And this picture...I knew this man. But they're all...useless things." Nothing that gave any clues to anything, really, and nothing she'd be able to make use of. But she shrugged the jacket on and slipped the items into her pocket anyway. Then, after a moment's hesitation, she retrieved the hair clip and the photo and tossed them back into the box.

She couldn't afford to get sentimental here. That was all.

A famous name... Did that mean a lot of people from Earth were going to recognize it if they found out? For some reason, it was a thought that just wouldn't leave him alone.

He glanced back the way they'd come, a half-conscious check and turned back to Maki at the sound of the other patients' shuffling. He watched her decide on what to take and what to leave, curious. The only reason he could think of for why she wouldn't want to take the rest was that they did mean something... but maybe not in a practical sense. Who knew what was someone's painful memory or what wasn't?

"I might take a look in mind while we still have time, but it's back up at the front," said the doll, eyeing her jacket with a certain amount of longing. He hadn't worn a jacket with pockets in... well, days. But if the chance was there, why not take it? A nicer outfit wouldn't hurt.

"Sure," Naomi said, nodding. "I'm going to look at another one, but if you want to go ahead and get yours...."

She was a little curious as to what was in Ren's box, but she wasn't about to hover over him to see. That would be rude. Besides, she wanted to get into L's box.

For a variety of reasons.

Another box? So she hadn’t just come for her own…?

The servant shrugged his shoulders, making a slight gesture with his arms that said ‘okay, cool.’ “Then I’ll meet you back up there or something.” After all this time, it didn’t seem like there was anything big and stupid ready to come crashing through the wall--those types tended to do that as soon as they noticed someone.

He didn’t plan on spending time looking through his, so he could wait while she did her own thing. (If he was really curious, there were always means to observe from afar.)

They first letters of the alphabet were way back at the front, which meant Ren had to take a little stroll through the shelves. He caught sight of the Ds first, where he followed them past the Cs… and then to the Bs.

_{[from here]}

This was the second night he'd spent his time collecting items from this fictional, shameful life they'd built for him.

He'd taken both his and Akatuski's files from storage because it'd been convenient, but as he stepped into the musty, cramped room with its numerous boxes, he nearly balked at the thought of going out of his way to find his cousin's things again. In truth, the young vampire didn't want to be here. He already knew what was in those boxes: more lies. The only reason anyone wasted their time coming to the patient possessions room was because they were naive or simply curious.

Aidou knew better. There was nothing for him here. He'd only come because it was one of the few choices he had for finding certain... amenities.

From within the shadows, he hesitated. The clock was ticking, though. The sun would rise soon. As usual, he couldn't afford to dawdle. So reluctantly, he stepped into the shelves, quickly rifling through the alphabet until he reached the 'F' section. And there was his box labelled with his false name, stuffed full of false personal effects, an attempt to unnerve him with a false existence. It'd been easier to think clearly when he'd been telling himself this was just a quick pit stop; now he had to actually acknowledge this trash and the insult it carried. It was both wearying and infuriating.

Pulling the box from the shelf, he lifted the corner of the lid for an impartial peek. Clothes, good. A bottle of sunscreen, yes. Other things, things he didn't focus on. Stuffing the lid back on, Aidou picked it up and moved down the shelf a little... to 'H'.

He hadn't really thought about it. He'd only been planning to take his box and make use of what practical things he could find inside. But the container labelled with Akatsuki's fake identity was here somewhere, lying around for anyone to pick through, or otherwise disturb. The boxes might have represented nothing but drivel, but they were still nobody's business but their owner's. As Aidou's file had contested, private situations were manipulated and laid bare--things that strangers didn't need to know.

Once he'd found the correct box, he also pulled it from the shelf and stacked it atop his. Carrying them comfortably meant using both hands, but that would leave him open if something were to attack... Experimentally, he hefted both up on one palm, judging weight. He was still stronger than the average human.

Well. It was an acceptable risk.

_{[and back out to here]}

Edited 2008-09-01 00:32 (UTC)

Yukari slid her things behind Renamon once the door opened, setting them aside and out of the way. She, too, shone her flashlight around the room, but it was more to look at what objects were in the room and less to see if there was anything that could attack them. Nothing useful seemed to be around, just a lot of shelves and labeled boxes. Lots and lots of them-- this room was huge. There must have been a lot of stuff for them to need this much space...

"Oh," Yukari's attention was caught when Renamon spoke up, and immediately she went to looking for her own. Ah, right, she'd have to find that other name they often called her by... She didn't have to stray too far away from Renamon-- B came right after A. "Here we go." She slid the proper box out of its place, examining it closely and shaking it some to figure out what was inside.

Yukari seemed to have found hers. "Good." One less thing to worry about.

Renamon quickly moved to the next aisle. Dairine was Cassidy, Brid... Bridget? Bride? Something. She skimmed the boxes, intent. Down a row, and... there. Cassidy, Bridget. Renamon instantly decided that she wasn't going to take all the boxes. Clothes were meaningless, so if there was anything else that might have actual meaning to her newfound ~~charges~~ friends, she would put that in hers. She popped the lid off. Clothes, more clothes, and...

A computer. Renamon laughed. Of course the computer wizard would have a computer. The small laptop seemed to be dead, but maybe Dairine could get it working again. She slid the lid off of her own box. Fabric stared up at her. She didn't want to be distracted now by any curiousity of what lay beneath so she just put the computer on top. It was only about a foor across so there was still room for more.

A computer for a computer wizard, Renamon thought. What would be in the bottom of a Digital creature's box? She shook her head slightly moving down to the H's.

Only a slight peek was taken inside her box before she looked up at Renamon. As much as Yukari was curious to really see what was inside, it probably would have been best if they hurried up with what they came for before digging through their 'prizes' of the night. It had felt like a while already; how long would it be before they would find themselves in their rooms again?

"Renamon-san," Yukari called out, setting her box beside the brooms she propped up against the wall. "How many are you looking for? I could grab a few, too."

Renamon was pleased. "Three more. If you want to head to the K's, there should be two right next to each other--Kilbride and Kim. I'll come over and take some things from each when I find this one."

Again she peered into the hall of H's. Orihime's name came more easily to her memory. Hitachi, Amaya. Renamon slid the box that matched the name out. Again she passed on clothes, and instead grabbed a few papers, a solitary book, and a wallet. As she was transfering them to her own, something fell out of the wallet. It was one of those photo-booth pictures, with Orihime and a few of her friends. She looked so happy in it; smiling easily, not like her forced smiles when she was in pain. Renamon carefully placed the pictures in her box, and slowly started towards where Yukari had went to.

She missed Rika. A part of her wished that they had done mundane things like play in a photobooth or have a picnic or something. It wouldn't have been like them at all, but at least she would have those memories now. She wanted more of Rika to remember. Because that was all she had.

"Alright."

Yukari stepped across the room, pausing briefly over where Renamon kneeled at to catch what she was looking at over her shoulder, but quickly headed over by the correct letter to start skimming. Odd names to have, she thought, yet they stuck out enough that they weren't hard to find eventually.

"Like this one?" She slid out the first box-- Kilbride-- and held it out before setting it down, tapping a finger at the next one not too far away from the first-- Kim. Yukari felt a little accomplished, even over something like finding boxes so easily organized, but it had to be if they had next to no trouble along the way. She knew there were others out there having it much worse than they were right now.

"Yes." Renamon had made to where Yukari had already found both boxes. "Thanks." She picked on the one Yukari had put down. Toboe's box. Again she pushed past the clothes, picking out a few bangle bracelets and a photo of an old woman. There was a wolf stuffed animal as well. She thought a moment, and thought that might be the most comforting to a wolf shoved in a human's body, before sticking that in her box as well.

Hers was getting full at this point. She hoped Toph's didn't hold much. Taking the last box from Yukari, she slid her hand in. This one was mostly clothes--all children's outfits that would be deemed cute. Finally she found a small purse buried at the bottom. Not bothering to open it, she put it on top of the rest. There. She was settled for the night.

And her hands were full with all her new things. "That's all. We should go before something shows up." She started to walk the trek back to the door. "Thank you, Yukari."

She didn't say much as Renamon opened the boxes and took things out, just observed, watching what was inside. Each one was different, and while she didn't know which one belonged to who, all the items did look like things different people would own... Not like a hoax, like Renamon had brought up before they came inside.

"Oh, right," Yukari agreed, and quickly she returned to her own belongings and gathered them in her arms the best she could. A box, a flashlight, two brooms... Well! This would prove to be interesting. She could only hope that there wouldn't be any trouble on the way out. The curiosity of what would be in her own box was eating at her even more, but Renamon had a point-- it would be better to rummage through such things in a place where they were more or less guaranteed a greater level of safety.

She hadn't been expecting the thanks, and with a vaguely surprised face, Yukari turned towards her partner for the night. Then, she made a small smile, as if to brush it off like it was nothing. "No problem. Besides, you got that other door open far easier than I was able to before."

Renamon gave a half-smirk in response. "Force is something I'm good at. If you need a fighter or a thief, or someone that can run very quickly, I can help you."

That reminded her.... "Yukari," she started, shifting the items in her arms as well. Flashlight, clay shard, makeshift staff, and item box. Too much to fight freely. She looked at everything but Yukari to give the girl some sense of comfort. "You don't even have to acknowledge that I'm speaking. Just listen, and accept this, and think about it. Or don't." She paused then continued. "You can take care of yourself. You told me this when we first met. I believe you. But if you ever need anything. Backup, a witness, someone to fight with you, or even a protector... if it came to that. I am willing and able. I wouldn't offer if I didn't mean it."

She finally looked at Yukari, eyes unreadable as always. "You shouldn't have to be in situations where you're hurt. I don't like it." She failed at emotional connections and she knew that explicitly. She glanced away. "I'd offer you someone to talk to as well, but I've never been good at communication."

Awkward, she shifted the things in her arms again. "...That's all. I guess we should get going."

She listened the whole way through, not moving a step as Renamon spoke. Halfway through, Yukari downcast her eyes, and anyone who saw could almost think she was finding her items far more interesting than anything that was being told to her.

Hadn't they already been through this? Yukari wanted to be angry at Renamon; so what? She didn't want to make anyone worried-- never, and not at all. But the way she was offering like she needed it, like she couldn't protect herself and find her own way out of whatever damn hole she had been tossed into...

It just made her doubt herself even more. Maybe she did and she was just too stubborn to realize it, no matter how painfully obvious it was. Yukari knew she had no idea what to do concerning her... little issue, but she kept telling herself she could find a way. She had to find a way, on her own, by herself, because otherwise that would mean she really wasn't able to look out for herself like she claimed, that she really wasn't strong at all. It had been a long time, and by now she should have been able to do a whole lot more of something, right?

God, what the hell did she need to do?

Unable to find some sort of appropriate response Yukari would be content with, she did nothing more than stare at the floor some more, nodding only in agreement for their departure.

Yukari's silence fortified what Renamon already knew--the girl didn't like to come off as someone that needed help, and might not ever be someone who could accept it. Renamon understood this, and came to a silent decision to watch Yukari carefully to see exactly what she wasn't telling her.

It occurred to Renamon that she had already integrated herself into a few lives here; by choice or chance, these people had become ones that she needed to protect, that she wanted to be there for. They weren't taking the place of Rika... it wasn't possible. But they were becoming something that was just as severe when combined.

May the Sovereigns help the person that would harm them all at once.

When had she become someone would would help others this freely? Someone who would become attached to people she had spent so little time with. Yukari, Orihime, Toph, Dairine, Toboe... she would do anything in her power to help them get out of this.

It was around this time in her contemplations that she noticed the dark surrounding the two in the large room had been replaced by a light coming in a small window. No longer with Yukari, Renamon sighed softly. Day had came.

Nightshift 34: Patient Possessions Room

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