Day 21: Lunch

[totallytheseme.livejournal.com]

Hikaru and Kaoru had been so caught up in their little game that they initially hadn't heard the intercom go off. The new "ding" system was far less jarring than the old SCREECH, and as such, wasn't as easily heard, even in a place as quiet as the library. All too soon, the nurses came to separate the twins and take them to the next activity--lunch.

It only felt like a few minutes since breakfast, somehow, and yet Hikaru was starved. The lunch selection was ridiculously Americanized food of the "Pan Asian" genre, as bad as when his family had wanted Japanese food in California and had gone to the "nicest" restaurant in the English language guidebook. He cringed visibly when the surly cafeteria worker poured sauce on his rice--which was supposed to be plain--but...food was food, and he wasn't feeling terribly picky right now. At least it smelled all right.

One of the good things about being the first one into the cafeteria was having his pick of the tables. Hikaru chose one of the larger ones, saving seats for Kaoru, Tamaki, and (in a fit of hopefulness) Haruhi.

He hoped they'd come soon. He hated being alone.

Comments

[bigshotbarret.livejournal.com]

Barret almost asked what would happen after they had all been used, but it was a pointless question. She didn't know the answer, only the assholes behind the scenes did. He would have been content to rip apart one of the staff members, like his nurse, yet held back realizing she may know little of the situation. His doctor seemed like he was in the dark when questioned.

As she extended her nails, he watched in mild childlike wonder, though it made him wish for the gun function of his arm to return. It was almost like it wasn't there to begin with. "I've done best with the intimidating aspect of survival. Can't really go wrong when ya look like I do with that route," he said with a spark of amusement.

[a_sin_for_him]

"You're certainly an imposing man," she agreed, not bothering to hide the appraising look that followed. "More imposing than most in this place." She grinned, tapping her catlike nails against her cheek.

"I'm afraid I don't intimidate on looks alone. Too many men see a beautiful woman and see only her body, nothing more."

[bigshotbarret.livejournal.com]

Barret flashed a small grin in regards to her implied compliment. This type of attention was rare, yet welcomed.

When she spoke about herself, he couldn't help but agree, "Well, don't ya use that to your advantage? People gotta use what tools they got and make 'em work for them. Intimidatin' don't always mean scarin' someone into pissin' a puddle at their feet. It also means getting what you want, or keepin' trouble away with the least amount of hassle as possible. I'm sure you can make the tools you got work with no problem..." The grin seemed to widen a smidgen, though it was barely noticable if one wasn't paying attention.

[a_sin_for_him]

"I've discovered that it's far better to be underestimated," Lust said, still smiling. "Men don't expect women of my type to be intelligent or to get the better of them. I intimidate in my own way - there's something to be said for feminine wiles, after all. They come in handy when they're needed. And I never find myself lacking in defendoes, should I need them. It's always reassuring to know that if I'm incapacitated, I won't be left for dead."

[bigshotbarret.livejournal.com]

"I know what you mean," Barret leaned back in his wheelchair, his fleshed left hand tapping against the table while the metal one idly brushed against the stick and controls of the motorized device. He hadn't had to use them yet. In fact, he just truly realized they were even there, "Just because I'm big and imposing, people think that equates to bein' stupid. I'm underestimated too. I ain't no science major or anything, but I understand a lot more than folks like to give someone like me credit for."

[a_sin_for_him]

"You aren't by any means a stupid man," Lust said. Her words were flattering, yes, but they were true. "You're an observant man and a cautious man and a calculating man. I've gleaned that simply from our conversation. You aren't stupid. But it doesn't hurt if people think you are - far easier to surprise them that way."

She'd surprised many, many men.

[bigshotbarret.livejournal.com]

Her words touched him, as they didn't sound forced or mentioned just for the sake of consolation. But he also understood exactly what she was talking about. "I guess it's a matter of pride, that lets it bother me. But it ain't much of a big deal usually, though you're right. Lettin' people think that has served well in the past. Though I wonder if that would work on any of the staff here to get information outta them," he shrugged at the thought.

[a_sin_for_him]

"You men and your pride." But Lust's words were soft, almost teasing. "I've yet to meet a man who didn't have his pride. But I suppose it serves you all in its way." She laughed and crossed her legs beneath the table.

"I suppose it couldn't hurt to play the fool for the staff. They can't all be on their guard at all times."

[bigshotbarret.livejournal.com]

Barret caught on to her teasing and found himself rolling his eyes, yet he couldn't hide the smile that was forming in light of what she'd said, "Prides' all we got to hang onto since women take our dignity, and our money," he teased in turn.

[a_sin_for_him]

"Come now, a real woman has her own dignity and money, and doesn't need a man's." And back to flirtatious teasing. Better than constant discussion of the horrific possibilities offered by the hospital.

[bigshotbarret.livejournal.com]

"A real woman..." he drawled out the words a bit, as if contemplating the meaning of the phrase, "Those are mighty hard to find. I can at least say, you seem as real as they get to me."

[a_sin_for_him]

Lust leaned forward, across the table, her eyes heavy lidded and her voice a sultry purr.

"I assure you, Barret, despite my origins, I'm as real a woman as you'll ever find."

[bigshotbarret.livejournal.com]

It'd been a long time. A very, very long time. He hadn't even bothered to look since Myrna died. He would distantly think perhaps Marlene would do well with a mother, but when Tifa entered there lives she served as close as one could get to being a mother. There was no need.

Things change. And to think night was hours away.

"You sure know how to make a man squirm with anticipation, Lust. I guess you'll just have to prove it to make me completely satisfied."

[a_sin_for_him]

"When I'm done," Lust went on, wetting her lips in an intentional gesture, "you'll be far more than satisfied."

She knew exactly what she was doing. And she enjoyed it. Every moment of it. She enjoyed the power, the thrill, the anticipation. And to have such a man on the end of her attentions....

[bigshotbarret.livejournal.com]

Barret stared at her long and hard, his mind fumbling through his memory banks to try and weave some wording together. Nothing came. All that showed clearly as day was a look of mischievious wanting.

Finally he got his bearings, "If it's that good..." he said in a low, barely controlled whisper, "I may not want you to be done."

[a_sin_for_him]

Lust chuckled and withdrew back to her side of the table, sitting back and crossing her legs. "Then I hope you have the stamina," was all she said, lips still curved up in a teasing smile.

[bigshotbarret.livejournal.com]

Barret thought about that before he gave a little frown. He was still feeling a little spent from the night before. After all, he had lost a decent amount of blood, "Well, ain't like I don't have it any other time...just, well...last night took a bit outta me. Guess I should take it slow." He chuckled, feeling a little embarassed yet he knew better than to completely exert his energy when his body was trying to heal.

[a_sin_for_him]

"Oh Barret, I'm just teasing you." Lust laughed, a small sound. "I'm not in my best shape either, remember." And there was that masculine pride they'd been speaking of. Men never did take well to any teasing that could be constured as emasculation. They were such sensitive creatures, reall.

[bigshotbarret.livejournal.com]

Barret felt relieved and foolish at the same time, averting his eyes to the table as he laughed nervously. He remembered why he didn't engage in this type of talk--too much pressure not to sound like an idiot in front of an attractive woman, "Yeah, guess I kinda forgot. You hide it so well." He paused, coming upon a slightly disturbing thought, "Have these nightshift baddies been known to...get into the rooms?"

[a_sin_for_him]

"I've never heard of any creature entering a room," Lust answered, honestly. "On my first night there was a rat in a closet, but that was all. The rooms seem to be relatively safe. I'm not sure why, but I'm not going to think on it too deeply."

As long as there was one safe place in the damned hospital, she wasn't going to complain.