Day 21 - Sun Room

[soul-defender.livejournal.com]

Ichigo was only too eager to leave the cafeteria and its fresh memories behind when the softened chime of the intercome rang clear. What had begun as another ordinary meal, a rather agreeable one despite the lack of the proper utensils, quickly became somewhat unnerving. His conversation with...what was his name again?...took so many sharp turns, he should've felt dizzy. It was easy to feel a little sorry for the guy, though; surrounded by stangers in a very strange place, it was hard to blame him for being so alarmed.

The Sun Room occurred as a more enjoyable choice to spend the time; he had nothing against music, but something about being surrounded by some of the most unruly characters he'd ever met, each of them armed with cacophonous weaponry, didn't sound smart. Once his nurse departed, the young man picked out a cozy little spot near a flood of sunshine and settled in, cradling his head in the palms of his hands. There, he stared up almost bitterly at the ceiling with sharply focused eyes, still exuding the same unapproachable sense of being as ever.

The room was warm, even a little comforting, for any of the tired, weary masses found in Landel's halls, or even those who just craved a little peace and quiet. All he could hear, from end of the room, were soft footfalls and hushed voices. That sounded just fine to the 'berry head.

Comments

[bigshotbarret.livejournal.com]

Barret forced himself to look dead into her eyes, hoping that connection might make her understand what he was preparing himself to say, "If I hadn't seen it, I might agree. But you listen good. I ain't gonna tell you who it was because I don't trust you enough not to do something dumb. This place is responsible for most of the bad shit that goes wrong here. If Vincent can't fight it, and I know he's a tough mother fucker, there may not be a way to fight the brainwash. Just be prepared for when it happens to one of us."

[materianinja.livejournal.com]

Yuffie shifted uncomfortably under Barret's gaze, not liking at all how he was looking at her. She didn't like what he was telling her, either. He had some nerve to be accusing her of doing something 'dumb'. Geez, and here, she'd actually been worried about him... A little.

"Alright, alright!" Yuffie muttered, waving off Barret's serious tone with her hand and looking generally disgruntled at having been blocked by both Vincent and Barret. "Whatever. You can have your stupid secrets... But it's not gonna happen to me. I'm not stupid enough to let these weird doctor people mess with my head."

[bigshotbarret.livejournal.com]

Barret actually laughed softly at her declaration. "Well then, for everyones' sake, yours too, I hope you can fight it. From what I've heard, no one has been able to." The thought did worry him, and he wondered if there were any possibilities in fighting the effect. So far, however, it seemed rather impossible. "She was a stranger. It's gonna be twice as hard havin' to fight a friend."

[materianinja.livejournal.com]

Yuffie squirmed again when she heard Barret talk about fighting a friend... Was he referring to her? She wasn't sure, but it felt a little awkward. Barret just...wasn't a sentimental person... Or not that Yuffie could tell.

"I guess..." she muttered in uneasy agreement. She'd hate having to fight the others, too. Even though she'd done it before...several times.

"But anyway..." A topic change was the only way Yuffie was sure to be done with this awkward subject. And she'd been dying for some answers to her other questions, anyway. "Who's this Kadaj person from the bulletin board? Do you know him?"

[bigshotbarret.livejournal.com]

Talking to Yuffie like this didn't even leave room in his mind to explore the possibility she may not be from his time. Upon closer inspection, that much was confirmed, especially after having to question who Kadaj was.

"Kadaj, like his brothers Yazoo and Loz, are Remnants of Jenova. In my time...they were killed, and for a damn good reason. Kadaj is always whinin' about his momma because his whole purpose in life was to jump start the reunion with Jenova." He took a brief glance at Kadaj. After the wave of disgust passed over him, he turned back to Yuffie, "What's the last thing you remember before you got here?"

[materianinja.livejournal.com]

Kadaj was from Jenova? That's the mother he was talking about?

Ew.

Yuffie followed Barret's gaze over to the silver-haired kid. It had to be him that Barret was looking at cuz Yuffie could have sworn on her life that she was looking at a younger version of Sephiroth. Why she hadn't realized this before was beyond her... But probably had something to do with putting the whole incident out of her mind.

"Last thing I remember, everyone kinda went their own ways after we beat Sephiroth and after the Meteor scare. I went back to Wutai to check up on everyone, and then I ended up here not long after." Yuffie st up straight again, leaning back and stretching out her arms, her gaze drifting back to Barret. "So, I thought the whole Jenova thing was handled and all... What the heck happened?"

[bigshotbarret.livejournal.com]

Barret didn't really want to answer. Remembering the alien from another world creeped him out plenty, talking about her made it that much worse. Still, Yuffie needed to be up to date on this whole deal surrounding Jenovas' offspring...or whatever the hell they truly were.

"I don't know all the details, since I was filled in on the most important ones when I was still there, but the gist of it is that Jenova's head was still in the Northern crater, and the crybaby trio wanted it to bring about the Reunion. Somehow, Kadaj morphed into Sephiroth and fought Cloud, but our Spike like always came through. Kadaj was killed. Cloud killed off the other two just after Yazoo, the long haired one, put a bullet in his back." he chuckled a little, almost regretfully that he wasn't there at that moment to help his comrade, "He survived...that bastard has nine lives. And Kadaj wonders why we all sling momma jokes at his faggoty ass..."

[materianinja.livejournal.com]

The thought of Jenova wasn't any less 'creepy' to Yuffie than it was to Barret. And the thought of that horrible Northern Crater was just as bad... But this Kadaj morphing in Sephiroth? Yuffie couldn't help but make a face at that. A very unpleasant and uneasy one. Still, she was relieved to know it would all be settled...and that Cloud would pull through again. Barret was right. Cloud did have nine lives. Or 43576837534 of them.

At the mention of the jokes, though, Yuffie couldn't help but grin a bit. "You were helping with that? Heehee.. It was totally so much fun. He throws a tantrum like he's five, doesn't he?"

[bigshotbarret.livejournal.com]

"Helping?" Barret questioned with a large, easy grin, forcing himself to keep his gaze away from Kadaj, "I started that bulletin."

He nodded his head in agreement, the grin never faltering, "More like he's still in his terrible twos'."

[materianinja.livejournal.com]

"You started that?" Yuffie started laughing at this, more amused than she'd been since she'd first woken up in this place.

"That was way awesome. I didn't know you were into random mischief... And yeah, Kitty is totally in his terrible twos." She was suddenly very tempted to go over to the silver-haired boy and harass him face-to-face. She glanced in the other's direction, tossing the thought around in her mind as she grinned.

[bigshotbarret.livejournal.com]

Barret was amused as well, until he caught her random glance his way and frowned just a touch, "Now it be one thing fuckin' with him on that board, but don't be a smartass and bringin' it to his face unless you really wanna get into a brawl with him. He's a dangerous remnant..."

He almost looked himself, the frown melting from his features as it was replaced with a small grin, "As much as I'd like to tear him up and rid us all of that whining asshole, seems we got bigger things to worry about...like survivin' the night. We may need him...as a distraction for the baddies. Heh heh."

[materianinja.livejournal.com]

"Awww..." Yuffie whined, giving Barret a look that clearly stated he was ruining her fun. "I can handle myself just fine at night. I haven't gotten in the least bit of trouble yet. And anyway, I wasn't gonna 'rip into him' or anything. Just kinda poke at him a little. For fun. He totally deserves it."

[bigshotbarret.livejournal.com]

"I agree he deserves it, but," Barret did look over at the silver-haired remnant with a thoughtful expression before turning away and looking toward the floor, "But he's pissed right now. Real pissed. Someone like him pissed off with someone like you pokin' fun at him spells trouble with a capital T. I advise against it Yuffie, but you gonna do what you gonna do. I ain't gonna stop you." He looked at her then, "Just remember, if he comes out on top, remember you did it to yourself."

He felt strange, acting like some sort of parental figure to one he considered a brat on more than one occasion, but he felt like this place was changing him. It was necessary to look out for your friends any allies, even against themselves.

[materianinja.livejournal.com]

Ugh. Yuffie groaned at the 'it'll be your own fault if you don't listen' tone of what could only be described as a lecture. Coming from Barret of all people. Yuffie stuck out her tongue with a grimace.

"Ok, ok! Geez... You're sounding like my father or something," she muttered, resting her chin against the top of the chair's back again. Hearing that 'lecture' had totally killed any kind of mischief making mood she was in.

"Nag, nag, nag. I'll be a good girl, daddy. I promise, ok?" the ninja continued to mock, rolling her eyes. "I'll mind my manners and be a polite little thing and only harass him on paper, where he can't hurt me. Cross my little heart."

And if Barret believed that, she had a bridge near Wutai to sell him. Because she was going to hunt the silver-haired boy down later and make a grand time of it... Just so long as Barret was out of sight.

[bigshotbarret.livejournal.com]

"I don't believe you, and I'm disappointed you'd lie about it. But you wouldn't be Yuffie if you didn't." Barret laughed, shaking his head at the ninja. He knew she wouldn't listen to him--it was in her nature to be mischievious. He did his part in warning her, and if she was going to put herself in the line of fire for some mayhem in the name of fun then so be it.

"If you gonna fuck with him though, just don't be alone when ya do it. Usually better to travel in numbers, and I doubt anyone but his fellow queers will back him in a showdown. And don't forget to insult his momma."

[materianinja.livejournal.com]

"Will do." Yuffie grinned again, giving Barret a cheesy thumbs up. Making more 'yo momma' jokes at someone like that was easier than cake. Though, the thought of scrounging up other people to watch her back seemed too much of a bother for her...

"But really.. Disappointed?" She was still grinning. "You know you love me just the way I am. Your lives would all be totally boring otherwise."

[bigshotbarret.livejournal.com]

"Love? That word is too god damn harsh. I'd say more like tolerate, like a chocobo does a fly on it's back," Barret laughed before placing his hands to his gut. He knew before the complete end of the day, and probably during nightfall, he was going to bust open at least one of his stitches.

[materianinja.livejournal.com]

"Hey!" Yuffie whined again, giving Barret a pouting look as she crossed her arms over her chest. "That was way harsh. You keep talking like that Wheelchair-boy, and I'm gonna sabotoge your motor and leave you here til nightfall. See how much you like me, then."

She paused for a few seconds before adding, "What are you going to do about tonight? You can't exactly wander around in that thing, you know. Stairs can be a problem. Among other things."

[bigshotbarret.livejournal.com]

Barret's laughter died off as she asked him about his plans for the night. One thing he didn't need is further teasing from the ninja in regards to his plans with a fellow patient she definitely didn't need to know about. The idea was still kind of surreal to him, but he didn't need this teenager making it even more awkward, "Stayin' in my room. Think I'm gonna get some sleep so I can heal faster." The lie came easy, surprisingly, as did the hard look of 'Don't question what the hell I just told you'.

[materianinja.livejournal.com]

"You're just gonna hide out in your room? You?" Yuffie asked, throwing a skeptical expression Barret's way before noticing the peculiar look he was giving her. Oh, he was hiding something. Definitely. She grinned.

"Mind if I stop by and keep you company, then? I mean, wouldn't want any little beasties coming in a preying on you. That would be so sad, and I'd just feel totally terrible leaving you all alone and defenseless."

[bigshotbarret.livejournal.com]

Barret wanted to glare at her. She was trying to pry, and he was not liking it one bit. If only she'd just go bother Kadaj already... "What didn't you understand about the word 'sleep'? No, do somethin' useful like looking for a way out of this shithole. I'll be fine."

[materianinja.livejournal.com]

"Aww, but I won't be bothering you," Yuffie pointed out. "I could like.. keep guard outside your door or something. You know, make sure you sleep well and all. I'm just concerned is all." And curious. And the curiosity usually won out in the end.

[bigshotbarret.livejournal.com]

"I don't believe you. Just stay the fuck away from my room. Damn..." Barret was starting to get pissed off with her proding, setting him off edge and wanting to squirm. He refused to tell her his plans, as she was sure to tease him and make his life miserable.

[materianinja.livejournal.com]

Despite the urge to grin, Yuffie scrunched up her face in a mockery of a scowl. "I don't believe you, either, and I'm disappointed that you'd lie about it." Barret's exact words to her a few moments ago thrown back at him. The ninja was quite pleased with herself.

"But fine. Keep your dirty little secrets. I'll just go bug someone else then. And I hope you get eaten by something horrible while you're--" Yuffie made quote marks with her fingers, "--'hiding in your room' and 'sleeping'."

[bigshotbarret.livejournal.com]

Barret didn't say anything at all. Not one thing.

Instead he lunged a foot beneath her seat and thrust a hand forward at the back support to throw her from the chair. Wallace could only take so much before he was ready to blow a gasket.

"THEN GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY FACE!"