damned_institute | [NIGHTSHIFT 35] M31-M40 HALLWAY

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[NIGHTSHIFT 35] M31-M40 HALLWAY

[from here]

Still no one. Although he could hear muffled voices through a few doors, the corridors were so black that if it hadn't been for his flashlight, he wouldn't have been able to see where the walls met the floor. The circle of yellow light bobbed with his footsteps, periodically swinging towards the walls. He'd been caught off guard before, and he wouldn't let it happen again.

He counted the room numbers: M34. Easier than last night, that much was certain, but the design of the institute still infuriated him. Landel had gone to great lengths to make their stay difficult, with the monsters and sedative-armed nurses. Something like bad architecture just seemed petty. He gave the door a solid knock then leaned against the wall beside it, the beam of his light still darting around the shadowy space.

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Mello watched Junior with renewed interest. He sensed Near's presence beside him but chose to ignore it for now, aware that he held a clear advantage by understanding a bit of how the institute worked.

The bulletins had spoken of people vanishing, but it was always within the confines of the institute. A person disappearing in Doyletown could only mean one thing: Doyletown was completely controlled by Landel. He'd suspected it, but this was irrefutable proof. If it operated under the same laws as the institute, it had to be part of this reality. True escape would have been impossible with so many nurses present. Mello gave the briefest glance to Near, curious about whether his rival had come to the same conclusion, but he quickly returned his attention to the room.

He'd hoped that Omi had left some kind of weapon or useful device that his roommate had overlooked, but quick look around the room yielded nothing.

Looked like it would be another night of solo travel for Mello.

Near entered the room when Junior prompted them to, and like Mello took a survey of the available items. Unlike the elder, however, Near saw value in what was there, and more importantly, in taking what was there. Part of finding an escape would be to determine the premise of the world that held them, one that Near had found quite interesting since receiving the transcripts from Artemis. Mello's glance indicated that he had come to a related realization concerning this specific disappearance. One that happened in the town meant that the town was regulated by the same influences as the Institute. This was confirmation, of course, but whatever the process was that led to this so-called release could apparently take place in both the town and the Institute, something that did not bode well for those under the impression that an escape to the town at night was an effective way to avoid the Institute.

Moreover, Near hadn't missed the obvious inclusion of Alec Doyle's name in the name of the town.

"I'd like to test something." Near spoke to Junior, though he didn't look at him. Moving first to the bed, Near stripped away the pillowcase, deciding it was the item most like a sack in the room. He would need it, and taking the flashlight, he put the item within. "I'm starting to develop an idea about our surroundings. One that if proven true would greatly effect any future escape attempts." Yet one that Near would not mention yet; the idea was possibly the most demoralizing any patient could have, and while Near knew he could handle the emotional repercussions, many others could not. Having a hypothesis spread by rumor and taken as truth was not something he desired to happen, not only for the impact on the patients, but for the purity of his own experiment. Additionally, the value of the information he tested would be decreased greatly if the conclusion was wide-spread.

The other storage items in the room were examined in turn, Near only opening the drawers needed to take the items necessary from within. The bundle of pens, the radio, and both sets of batteries were also placed into the pillowcase. "I would like to take these items. I have little doubt that you will have a new roommate soon." Near tied a knot into the top of the case to close it, but only after adding his own radio. It was more easily carried this way, and the fabric was thin enough to allow sound to travel well. "If these items are missing when your new roommate arrives, I will return them. But if they are, it would be very helpful of you to say so. A note on the bulletin will be sufficient."

The task done, Near resumed the twirling of his hair. He had little doubt of what the results would be, but he also needed to confirm them in order to present them as evidence. The question that remained would be Mello's understanding of the experiment. If Mello saw the whole of it from these actions, it could be detrimental. But because the elder would undoubtedly separate himself from Near without Omi acting as a temporary bond, he wouldn't see the other steps to the process. Thus it would be likely that Mello would base his assumption only on what he saw, and miss the true purpose of Near's test. This would be the best case scenario, certainly.

Junior went back to sit on his bed as he watched the other two take a look at Omi's old half of the room. The blond seemed to just take a quick look, but the white-haired kid...the redhead was really curious about what he was doing. He didn't really see what taking the 'Landel's care package' would do, but as the kid began to outline his idea, Junior saw a few of its merits.

He'd been around Landel's long enough to become a bit more familiar with waking up in his bed every morning, even though it was really disorienting. Anything that he might have had the night before was there with him, and it seemed like the rooms might be exempt from dragging everything back to where it was supposed to go. If that wasn't really the case...well, this would be the best way to know, and everyone would need to know; lots of people had swords and important medical items and other stuff. Who knew? It might even be the key that they'd been missing to solving everything. It seemed a bit far-fetched, but he'd seen weirder things in his lifetime. This was more like just a few scientific theories, and it was a whole lot easier for him to deal with.

He glanced between the two before settling his gaze on the white-haired kid. "So if they don't show back up, then what? They don't completely control everything?" Junior sighed and leaned forward, kicking his legs slightly as they dangled off the edge of the bed. He was silent for a moment before nodding. "Sure, I can let you know either way if they're here or not. Anything you want me to call you, or are you just 'that guy who took my old roommate's stuff'?"

Mello gave a grunt that might have seemed noncommittal to someone who wasn't sensitive to his moods.

"When you get a new roommate, the standard starting supplies will return," he said with convincing certainty. "If they reappeared every night, we wouldn't wake up our first night with exactly thirty pens and fully charged batteries. Most of us moved in to rooms that used to hold other patients."

"Things we steal and hide in our rooms don't get confiscated because Landel wants to see what we'll do with them. If anything, it's a sign that he controls even more than we suspect. The supply cabinets are restocked every night, so he knows they're being raided. You don't just misplace a half-dozen jars of sulfuric acid."

Mello lifted his hand to his mouth, gnawing on a nail as he watched his rival with conspicuously narrowed eyes. "Don't mind him," he said with a glance to Junior. "He hasn't been here for long."

"He is right. This is only my second night. And certainly what has been said makes sense." Near recognized the sound Mello made for what it was; it wasn't likely Mello's observation, but Junior's that gave the elder insight into Near's course of action. And Mello was close to the mark, but not completely. And despite the arrogance in his voice, Mello was biting his nail. Near would have to be careful, simply because this information he wished to remain in control of for the present. "I would still like to see the results for myself, however."

Near turned his eyes towards Mello for a moment, then fixed his focus on nothing as he spoke to Junior again. "My name is Nate. And thank you for the time." Near's mouth turned then, a grin not at all meant for the one he was addressing as he continued. "One last thing. Would you have a map I could look at? As complete of one as possible would be best."

No, Near had not forgotten that detail.

There had to be something between the two of them. It was hard to miss the tension, since it was rather like taking a blow to the face with a large bat. He felt like he was in the middle of a pissing match of some sort, but he'd invited them in, so he'd just have to deal with it.

He listened to the two of them go back and forth, listening carefully to what they were both saying. What the blond was saying fit in more with what went on in this place; however, for it only being his second night, and for seeming kinda blunt and rude about it, Nate had a pretty interesting head on his shoulders. It was too bad he looked like anything could easily snap him in half, and it didn't seem like his acquaintance was the kind who would protect him. There wasn't much he could do, though...

Then Nate asked for a map. That was something he could do, even though he felt like just helping out with this was allowing himself to be used to further that pissing match. It irritated him, but he'd deal for now. The redhead pushed himself up off the bed again and walked over to his own desk, pulling out his journal and opening it to his maps of the first and second floors.

"I'm not sure if anything else has been added lately, but I got those not long after I got here," he said as he handed them over for Nate to look at. Then he looked back up at the blond. "What you said, though, is pretty much what I've seen happen. It's just a question of why he'd do that. Is he bored, or trying to create ultimate soldiers, or what?" Junior crossed his arms and leaned up against the side of the desk. "But where'd you get the sulfuric acid? I know there's all sorts of rooms up on the second floor, but I've only been able to look in a few of them. There's a guy looking for all sorts of chemicals and materials, hoping to make some weapons other than through the alchemists, and I want to help him out when I can."

"I haven't figured out his motive yet," Mello said. He glanced over Near's shoulder to the map, which mostly matched his own. "I doubt he's trying to create ultimate soldiers...a few people here can barely use scissors. I think it's some kind of experiment. He obviously controls every detail. If your roommate disappeared in Doyletown, that means Doyletown follows the same rules as the institute."

Mello paused and closed his eyes briefly, then bent to reach over Near's shoulder and jabbed his finger at the chemical supply closet. "This is where they keep the good stuff," he said. "I picked up hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, potassium nitrate, and sodium hydroxide before a wraith-like creature attacked me. I didn't have time to read most other labels, but they were organized by type: solvents, mineral acids, bases, and oxidizers. There are also oxygen canisters and syringes that measured by the milliliter." He moved his finger to the janitor's closet. "I couldn't find airtight containers, though."

He stood straight once again, looking at Junior with an expression of interest. Even if their knowledge overlapped, it was good to find someone who knew what they were doing. He wasn't worried about being superfluous. He'd simply be better.

"I've worked with that group before. They're innovative but their knowledge is dated...they're trying to make gunpowder when we can get the supplies for nitroglycerine. If you're interested in chemistry, though, they're good people."

Mello smiled, the way he always smiled when things seemed to be going his way. Near might have had the same knowledge, but Mello's networking had already put him a step ahead.

Edited 2008-09-21 07:54 (UTC)

Near wasn't as surprised by this point when Mello latched on to the idea of it being a controlled experiment. There was promise, however, in the validation offered, an agreement that Mello found basic enough to state despite the fact that he was agreeing with Near. During their time lapse, there might have been evidence that pointed to the idea of the prison being an controlled experiment, and that meant Near too could find such evidence. Moreover, he could use that proof when he presented his conclusions to other patients, should the time come when it was appropriate to do so.

"I agree he controls the town. The demoralizing effect of the taste of a normal life make it obvious enough, even if the name didn't." Near abandoned his sack for the moment and held the maps up high, looking over the details carefully as he memorized both pages. "But I would like to find out his exact motive in all of this. It could be an important factor."

Near had no doubt that he would discover the motive, and that it would be vital, despite the uncertainty that lingered with such a word as 'could.' He already had an idea in mind, but any experiment must be controlled. That meant his variables had to be limited, and Mello's active involvement to try and topple Near would create a highly unpredictable variable. The incident with Takada had certainly reminded Near of that much. No, it would be best for them both if Mello went about the search in his own way while focused on his own goals; considering Mello's apparent goal in the Institute wasn't likely escape simply for the fact that he showed no desire to return to their world, Near had little doubt that Landel's motive was a stronger factor for the elder even that it was for him. But Mello would come to him in conference as he made progress; Near was certain of this. How else could he gauge the competition between them?

The were all obsessive. It didn't leave much room for patience at times.

Most of Near's would have to wait, however, for the coming of day. Moreover, Near would have to ask his questions carefully so as not to raise suspicion among patients or staff. And then of course was the matter of Kira. That too would need his attention in the near future. But for this night, the focus was on what Near could accomplish. Even with his limited physical abilities--average was hardly satisfactory in such a place--the map confirmed that he wouldn't have to travel far to accomplish his goals for the night.

Focusing on the conversation at hand revealed that Mello's networking seemed to have given him an edge, and explained why he was being so helpful to Junior at the moment: both to brag and to cement his connections. But it wasn't hard to find his own ways to assist, particularly when Mello made a claim and failed to follow up on it. "Then you wouldn't mind sharing their names. I'm certain they could use all the help they're willing to get, after all."

Outdated chemistry could be brought into the present easily enough. More importantly, Near was a master of precise hand movements. He didn't slip save for when it was in his purpose to slip, an invaluable and life-saving trait when it came to mixing chemicals.

Junior just listened to them go back and forth about the doctor's plans and control, nodding when it seemed appropriate. The motive was probably the most important factor, but that was something they probably wouldn't know for a while, so the redhead supposed there wasn't much he could accomplish by worrying about it. The bastard would eventually get what was coming to him. Everyone seemed to want in on it, so there was no doubt that it'd get done. In the meantime, Junior was gonna focus more on getting home with MOMO alive and well.

Then Mello explained where he had found it. He'd need to talk to Kenren and Hijikata about maybe sending a group there, then, since alone would apparently be a really bad idea. The nitroglycerin comment caught Junior's attention, though. He didn't really know exactly what it took to make, but if they really did have the supplies for it...well, that'd be kinda awesome. Making a few holes in the walls and shaking this place's foundations would be nice.

He nodded at Near's comment about names. The only one he'd spoken to was Usopp, although he knew that there were more people, and it would always be nice to have other people to go to in case Usopp was busy. "I've only talked with Usopp, but I really like some of his ideas. The group's got a lot of potential for more than just chemistry. I know some chemicals and what to mix to get what, but not too much. The gunpowder's mostly what I'm looking for for myself, despite it being outdated. Gunpowder and maybe some sort of pellet or crude bullet." It wouldn't be the best thing, ever, but it'd save the alchemists some time. If it was something that Usopp could teach him, or that he could do on his own, Junior was more than willing to give it a shot.

With some annoyed effort, Mello ignored Near's voice. Hadn't he just said that himself, with more precision? The teenager always went around stating the obvious in complex language to sound as if he was saying something intelligent, and people always seemed to fall for it.

In actually, Near had said very little throughout the conversation and none of it was exceptionally offensive, but that didn't keep Mello from bristling at the perceived sense of smug superiority.

Biting his lip, he repressed the majority of his irritation. There was no reason to drag Omi's roommate into their rivalry, and it would only make him look more petty. It was impossible to hide all of his disdain, though, and he wrinkled his nose as he moved a step away from Near.

"Usopp organizes the group," he said, clearly responding to Junior rather than Near. "There's another person, Sai, who works with Usopp as kind of a bodyguard." He didn't respond to the idea of a projectile weapon. Mello was as fond of guns as the next person (assuming the next person was a Columbian drug lord or lifetime NRA member) but it wasn't feasible to craft one out of the available materials. Junior would have better luck taking up archery, but there was no reason to be the bearer of bad news.

Now, he folded his arms and turned his attention to the figure crouched on the floor. "Looks like our group's disbanded then," he said. He kept his voice light for Junior's sake, but Near would have sensed the relief. "Maybe next time."

Mello hadn't stated the goal Near wished to achieve in a satisfactory way for the younger, but he wasn't the type to be so bothered by the elder's annoyance to nitpick over the details in such an instance. If they both had the inferiority complex that plagued Mello, neither would have come so far as they'd managed. Thankfully, at least one was more capable of restraint in his emotions, the separation that had perhaps been the most decisive factor in Near's ranking as number one among Wammy's children. And despite what Mello might think of it, Near's attitude was not one of smug superiority, but of neutrality, as he would have when he mulled over any simple fact.

Near noted that Mello seemed to be directing his answer more towards the room's occupant, and that suited the younger well enough. He was still very capable of hearing it, after all, and now had two people to potentially seek out in the future. Near's talents were limited in this situation, after all, and it was best that he find the best place to apply his particular skill set. Being of enough use would perhaps make up for his social failings, or so Near could reasonably hope to enough of a degree to make the effort.

"It does seem that way." Mello's glee was indeed quite evident, but the younger knew him rather well. Even if he had chosen not to comment on it, Mello's satisfaction at the situation would have been obvious enough simply from Near's preexisting understanding of the other. He held out the maps to Junior with a single hand, collecting his items with the other. "Thank you. I've finished with these. And since I doubt anyone has time to linger here for long, we should likely be going." Near had his plans, after all, and enough potential obstacles without unnecessary loitering. Now that he knew exactly where to go, the younger intended to take as much advantage of his time as he could.

Well, it looked like things were wrapping up. Whether it couldn't have been sooner or not was hard to tell, but Junior figured that if he really had more questions. He took the maps back from Near with a smile and a nod. "No problem. Thanks for dealing with my questions." Then he turned that smile to Mello, as he slid the maps back into his journal. "Thank you, too. I might need to go speak with Sai at some point, and that room information's gonna come in real handy. Be careful, you two."

"Anytime," Mello said with a pleasant smile. Normally, the expression would have been faked for the purpose of making friendly alliances, but now he was genuinely pleased to escape working with Near.

Mello turned and stepped through the doorway without glancing back, confident about the rest of the night.

[to here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/457725.html?thread=37360381#t37360381)]

Edited 2008-09-23 02:34 (UTC)

Mello's confidence was obvious enough, and typical enough, especially considering that the elder no doubt believed he wouldn't be held back by the time-consuming power of Near's observations. It didn't matter, however, as pending trouble in the halls, Near could accomplished what he wanted that night by himself. While it was inconvenient in normal terms to not have a subordinate to do the task for him, as Mello put it, Near had to adapt.

So he would.

"Thank you for your cooperation." Junior could have very well protested Near's theft, after all. But that hadn't been the case, and that made things much easier. "You should take care as well." It wouldn't do if Junior got himself killed, after all. Then any data gathered from that room would be invalidated.

With that, Near turned and followed after Mello.

[To here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/455439.html?thread=37399567#t37399567)]

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[NIGHTSHIFT 35] M31-M40 HALLWAY

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