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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"And selfish and short-sighted, don't forget those," Artemis said with a wry smirk. "But I can live with one of those faults."

"Only one of them?" Haku smiled, teasingly. "And which would that be?"

"Blood-thirsty," Artemis replied automatically, as though it were the simplest and most obvious thing.

"Oh good." Haku tucked himself against his friend's side again. "Though, admittedly, when I planned it, it was supposed to be a bloodless overthrow."

Artemis started laughing when Haku seemed to be playing along with the joke. However, he stopped rather abruptly.

"You... planned a bloodless overthrow of a government?" He said, his voice wavering a little.

"Yes. Myself and seven other men were working on it."

"...Haku, is there anything else you'd like to tell me? I think one large shock would be better than several smaller ones spread out."

Haku blinked, and sat up, keeping one hand on Artemis's chest.

"Hmm... Alright. I planned to overthrow the ninja clan with Zabuza-san and the six other Swordsmen of the Mist. There was ... an incident and all the blame fell to Zabuza-san and myself. I spent roughly five years as a fugitive before I died, while Zabuza-san was listed in the Bingo Book, the book that has the most powerful shinobi in it. You're name stays in that until you die. I was never listed." He stopped to think and make certain Artemis was alright so far.

"Let me see... I'm an assassin, so I've killed, but that shouldn't be a surprise. I've 'killed' Zabuza-san on more than one occasion, and I'm trained not only in death, but medicine as well. I actually spent much of my time inside the Village as one of the elite task force known as ANBU, though I never graduated. I left when the overthrow failed.

"I think that's it really. You know that I died before I came here, so did Zabuza-san." He frowned at that and looked away. "I tried to stop it when I took the blow meant for him, but I suppose it didn't quite work out like I'd hoped."

Well now, that wasn't so bad. Artemis hadn't had a heart attack.

Although it took a while for him to realize he was staring at the ceiling in shock. That was... quite a history. Nothing terribly insane, but scary nonetheless.

Haku frowned and reached up to lightly touch Artemis's cheek. Well, at least he hadn't pushed him off the bed and freaked out on him.

"Artemis?"

Artemis didn't respond for a moment. It was a very good thing that he hadn't stayed on Haku's bad side. Very good indeed. But still, thoughts of what Haku had been running around doing in his own world were a little... well, worrisome. If Haku was ever brainwashed and set on patients, there wouldn't be much anyone could do, he mused.

He continued to stare at the ceiling as he thought this, not hearing Haku calling him.

"Artemis?" Haku was slightly worried now. His fingers gently stroked the other boy's cheek. "Are you with me?"

If this went on too long, he might have to shake him, or slap him to bring him back.

Artemis' jaw fell open a little as he continued to think. 'Killing' Zabuza. How exactly did that work? You couldn't kill a person multiple times, you only had one life.

And this talk of elite task forces and overthrowing of governments by various warriors in Haku's country. If he ever brought Haku back to Ireland, he'd have to insist that no governmental overthrows took place.

"Uuuh?" Artemis tried to respond in the affirmative, but his face wouldn't move.

Oh dear.

Haku sighed and shook the boy's shoulders lightly. "Artemis. Come back now please. You're starting to worry me."

Really, was his upbringing so bizarre?

Artemis let Haku shake him, thoughts still rattling about in his brain. Elite organizations, overthrows, killing, death, medicine, Bingo... hit lists? Bingo and hit lists didn't sound similar at all. If one got a row of five, was there some sort of prize?

"From...?" Artemis asked, apparently unaware of what was going on. He was too wrapped up in what was going on in his head.

Haku sighed again and thought. He could slap the boy to try to bring him out of it... But that would cause pain and he didn't want to do that ~~yet~~...

Reaching out, he placed both of his hands on Artemis's neck and dropped his body temperature suddenly. Even his lips and fingers paled.

But even if one were to get five in a row, how did you prove it? You could just cross of the names of those people you'd killed and--COLD.

Artemis yelped and veritably spasmed out of his thoughts. He looked wildly around, finding Haku looking... almost as pale as he normally did.

"...apologies, I was thinking," Artemis explained.

"You were gone." Haku was still frowning worriedly and took his hands back, bringing his temperature back up to the normal baseline. That he could still do even that much was something he was grateful for.

"Are you alright? Did... did you have any questions?"

Artemis pondered this for a moment, unsure where to start. So he asked the most important question, he felt:

"We're friends, right?" He swallowed. "Possibly more than that...?"

Haku smiled and nodded. "Of course we are." He heistantly placed a hand on Artemis's. "Unles... you changed your mind?"

Artemis shook his head, "No, no, God no." The boy laughed, a little incredulous. "You're a very unique person, Haku."

He smiled, "And frankly the idea that all of this could be turned against me if the staff brainwashes you is rather terrifying."

Haku looked horrified at the thought. "If they take me for that, you can't come looking for me. Please, promise me you won't." He knew Zabuza-san wouldn't, he didn't think he would be able to bear it if Artemis crossed his path.

Artemis looked surprised at Haku's expression. He hadn't seriously entertained the notion that Haku would be taken. But... he couldn't say that he wouldn't want to find him and help him. As Omi had done for Ken.

"Haku, it was a joke," Artemis said, laughing a little. "I'm sure they won't take you."

He hoped he was sure, at least.

Haku shook his head. "Even if there is a slim chance, don't." He frowned. "Zabuza-san would tell you the same. Do not come looking for me if this place takes me. You shouldn't ever see me as I was before."

"Haku this isn't necessary," Artemis reasoned. "Making such a promise is ridiculous, it's not going to happen.

"Besides... I wouldn't want anyone to hurt you," the boy said, looking away from Haku.

Day 36: Intercom, Evening

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