damned_institute | Day 36: Intercom, Evening

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Day 36: Intercom, Evening

The intercom's jingle rang out and the somewhat uninhibited movement that was going on between the main activity rooms halted as the Head Doctor made one of his usual announcements.

"Good evening everyone, and I'm very pleased to see so many of you in such high spirits after meeting with your loved ones! However, like with all good things, it can't last forever, so I ask now for nurses to escort our patients in the waiting rooms and in the main areas back to their rooms, where they will be treated with a special Sunday... steak! That's right: today, we'll be serving juicy, delicious steak with fries and cooked vegetables on the side – simple enough for everyone to like and good enough for everyone to thoroughly enjoy! (Our patients with specialized diets will receive their alternate meals, of course.) Our usual beverages are available, and for dessert, we'll be serving warm slices of apple pie.

"After all, patients, t's always wonderful to see all of you cooperating with the staff even when given so much freedom, so I'd like to personally thank and congratulate all of you for helping us, your family, and more importantly, yourselves. Hopefully, we can help you to a speedy recovery so that you can see your loved ones more often, but first... dinner! I hope to speak with you all again soon."

The intercom clicked off.

[ All room threads go in response to this post; please post your character's room number as the subject line of the initial post. Thank you!

On an added note, just wanted to clarify to players of characters who are canonly vegetarians and the like that you get to decide (within reasonable and realistic limits) what kind of diet your character gets from the staff. :3 ]

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"Yes," Artemis confirmed. "There's a metal core, and then thin metal strips are wrapped tightly around the core. The string is then stretched between holes down here," he circled the area. "And pegs up here to obtain a certain tone or note. The process is more art than science, especially with stringed instruments. Obtaining a pleasing tone is very difficult at first. You have to develop recognition for tones.

"Musicians can alter the tones of these strings by placing their fingers in certain spots and vibrating the string by plucking it or running the bow over the string. Combinations of these tones create music.

"At least, that is how it works in my world," Artemis finished, a little unnerved that Haku would be bored to tears.

Haku plucked the pen from Artemis's fingers and slid his journal over. He quickly and easily sketched the stringed intruments he was familiar with, naming them as he went along.

"We have the Biwa.... Ichigenkin.... Koto and Kugo. The Sanshin, Shamisen, Yamatogoto, and the Tonkori." He frowned as he finished the last. "There might be more, but those are the more common ones."

Artemis nodded as Haku drew. "Yes, I am familiar with those in theory, from Japanese literature. But I'm afraid I've never actually played one before," he said with a small chuckle. "Do you play?"

Haku smiled and shook his head. "I know how to play some of them, but do I play them well? No." He laughed softly. "I was trained by a courtesan in a few different arts and music was one of them. I am ... passable."

"Ah, a shame. I can't pressure you into performing for me, especially since we lack the proper equipment," Artemis said with a grin. "Though even though you say you are merely passable, I would still like to hear you play."

Artemis wanted to see into Haku's soul, and what better way than through music? After all, they both agreed on that topic at least--music said something words couldn't.

He wanted to play for Haku. One day.

"As long as you understand what you're asking," Haku sadi with a laugh. "I'll do my best."

He was quiet for a little while then, listening to the sounds of the music. It really was interesting to hear them put together in ways he hadn't even thought about before and, for a brief moment, wondered what it would be like if he really did get to see Artemis's home.

"Haku, you could bash your head against the strings and I would still think it was the most beautiful thing I'd heard all evening," Artemis said with a light laugh.

The boy curled himself more closely into Haku. He didn't want to lead a mission tonight, but it was an opportunity he had to take. A necessity to further himself in the group and earn Hitsugaya's trust. If his secret was going to be kept a secret, he had to earn the trust of those who would escort him once the moon was full.

"What are you doing, tonight? Do you know?"

Haku had to laugh at the mental image that brought. "I think my instructor would have a heart attack at that," he said,still chuckling.

He placed a hand on Artemis's when the other boy moved closer.

"I will once again try to get to the pharmacy," he said. "And then see where the night takes us."

"I believe we're going in the same direction," Artemis said, pondering for a moment. "We are supposed to rescue Abarai Renji--from what, I'm not certain. He hasn't been taken for experimentation, and I haven't seen him all day. So perhaps he was locked in solitary confinement."

Haku thought about that. "Perhaps... he is doing the same thing I did," he said. "I doubt I'm the only one to retreat to my room when stressed."

Artemis raised his eyebrow and pointed to the wall directly next to them. "A rescue mission three doors down?"

Haku shrugged. "It might be worth a look. It's not out of your way, is it?"

"No, it isn't, but I can't imagine that I'd be sent to rescue Renji with a full team when his room is ten feet that way," he pointed to the wall again. "Plus Hinamori told me to watch out for the Captain tonight and make sure he stays safe. So unless Renji is planning on attacking me--highly unlikely," he hurriedly assured Haku. "I don't think that's where we're bound."

Haku nodded. "I can understand that." He smiled. "And don't forget, if there is anything that you or your team might need, I can offer my help."

He held up a hand. "Of course I can't join you, but I'm sure having a goal in mind at night would make things far more interesting for both Zabuza-san and myself."

Artemis smiled up at Haku. "Yes, I wouldn't want to trouble you both, and achieving your own goals is very important for both of you. I wouldn't want to be an interloper."

Because then, Zabuza would probably kill him. Oh joy.

Haku laughed softly. "Our goals at the moment include not dying, and restocking. Hardly things that are 'terribly important'." He patted Artemis' hand lightly. "Honest. A change in pace would do us good."

Artemis lightly stroked the back of Haku's hand with one of his fingers. "I may need an escort soon. I'll let you know once the time comes. The moon has to be full, and since you've already seen what I'm trying to hide I can trust you with the secret."

"Of course." Haku felt that Zabuza-san would also like the display (and knowledge of) the power Artemis possessed.

"As long as you know it wouldn't be just me." He smiled. "But he can keep a secret."

Artemis looked a little wary, but he supposed it was too much to ask for Haku to separate himself from his master for his own sake.

"All right... as long as he knows that he can't speak to anyone about it. Even in off-hand, casual conversation. Too many people listen to things they have no business listening to."

Namely, he guessed, Near.

Haku frowned slightly. "Zabuza-san doesn't ... talk." He heistated. "To anyone. About ... anything. Ever. Unless it's to threaten someone," he added with a small smile.

Artemis didn't know if he should feel better or worse.

"Well..." he cleared his throat. "That's good."

Haku smiled slightly and shifted to tuck Artemis as close as he could without hurting him or jarring the tubes.

"I really wish you wouldn't worry about him so much," he said softly. "He isn't going to hurt you."

"Well, he spoke to me in the forest when I was gathering my acorns, so I'm wondering if he was... threatening me. The entire time. And not just during the parts where I knew he was threatening me," Artemis looked a little sick.

"I'm conflicted," Artemis confessed. "I feel the need to keep our... relationship, a secret, yet I don't know if I could leave this room again without holding you right before I did so. Just in case this time is the last..."

Haku sighed and thought for a moment. "I don't see why that is a problem," he said. "However, I do understand the need you have to keep this secret, and I will do my best to help."

Artemis knew precisely why this was a problem, even if Haku didn't see it. If Zabuza saw him touching, embracing or, God forbid, kissing Haku, he would be butchered alive. Zabuza had said it himself: if he came between them, Zabuza would kill him. Or at least ensure his death.

"I don't want to worry you over nothing," Artemis said, smiling. "You know me well enough, Haku. You know how selfish I am," he teased.

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