Nightshift 36: Cafeteria

[rectifies.livejournal.com]

[From here.]

Ken heaved a sigh of relief as he opened the door into the cafeteria, despite knowing full well he had two more rooms to cross until the pantries. It was nice having to worry over one less danger zone, at least.

Now, where was the entrance to the kitchen? Ken pouted thoughtfully in the darkness, attempting to recall the several details he'd sorted out over dinner. The map had indicated the door was somewhere on the left side at the edge of the room, directly across from where the cafeteria staff usually served the main course. If his memory proved correct, that meant all he had to do was walk past the tables and then circle around the food counter.

Sounded easy enough, he supposed.

A quick visual sweep revealed nothing suspicious--only empty chairs and counters. Something about the place, however, seemed a little off to Ken, almost as if he hadn't expected the cafeteria to be so vacant. Then again, he'd only set eyes on the place when it was packed full of people. Maybe the contrast was just getting to him.

Comments

[lady-general.livejournal.com]

"You're going to want to turn around, I'm afraid," Celes said, sliding off the one of the long tables and resting her hand on the hilt of her sword. Her voice echoed about the empty room, imperious, her blue eyes narrowing in almost a manner best befitting the general. "In fact, I would rather not harm you at all, but orders are orders. Back to your room for the night, if you would be so kind, or I shall be forced to stop you."

She might be working for the Institute, but the boy was little younger than Gau. Who was she to have a child's pain on her hands? The air seemed terribly cold around her as walked closer to Ken, the sharp staccato of her boots marking her passing on the tiled floor. It was wonderful to have her magic just where it belonged inside her, ready to come to her beck and call. Celes would only have to hope he didn't meet the business end of it.

[rectifies.livejournal.com]

Or not. Maybe he should have held off on the sentiment.

The child slowly shifted his gaze toward the source of the mysterious voice, in time to catch the movement of a slender form and hear the click of footsteps. It looked and sounded female, older... More importantly, human. The way she spoke actually reminded Ken of Mitsuru: perfect and cold in speech and tone. The words even caused the hairs on the back of his neck to stand up straight, as was often the case when his senpai issued a command.

He stepped back, unsure of how to deal with the situation. Shadows and monsters were one matter. A person was entirely another. Ken had never fought someone before, especially someone he had no intention of harming. On another night, he might have turned back, but considering what was at stake now, that was impossible. So what was he supposed to do?

"I-- I'm sorry," Ken finally muttered, his grip on the spear tightening, "but I can't."

[lady-general.livejournal.com]

Celes shook her head, "You really don't have a choice in the matter." Poor boy. Still, she watched him carefully, curious and slightly wary of the spear and the tactical advantages it gave him. Reach, for example. But that could easily be broken with the use of a shield, and a little speed.

Or a well-placed spell.

"Besides, you're much too young to be out of bed so late. Turn around now, and I'll not harm you. You have my solemn word." It would be his only warning. Celes could only be so kind, after all, and her patience was nothing like Terra's.

[rectifies.livejournal.com]

Ken had the feeling that would be her answer. More and more, she was sounding like the brainwashed patients they'd warned on the bulletin, the kind they used to guard various areas of the institute. Changing their minds apparently required actions more drastic than reasoning.

Guess he really had no choice.

Without warning, Ken bolted, or more appropriately, vaulted over to the table on his left, using the spear and his speed as leverage. His intent was to place as much obstacles between him and the woman as possible, lengthening the time it took for her to reach the child. Provided her arsenal was strictly short-ranged-- Otherwise, he might have trouble on his hands.

[lady-general.livejournal.com]

Would they never learn? As surprised by the sudden burst of speed (but even a rabbit would flee from the fox) as Celes was, she wasted no time. If he wanted to run, he would be punished. Just the same as she would punish a deserter in the Imperial or Returner ranks.

The magic built up to spilling over, bright and cold as she whispered the incantation over and over. She lifted her hand and hot, red light emanated from her body. "Blizzard!" The spell's name was nearly lost in the roar of cold wind as blue light funneled down on the fleeing boy, intent on freezing the boy in his tracks with sharp, icy fingers.

[idolism]

_{[from here]}

Before Aidou had even stepped across the threshold, he saw her. A young human girl? Not a normal human, then. Not when the chill to the air, easily sensed by a vampire with an affinity for ice, bespoke of something unnatural having happened to upset the temperature.

Whatever the case, he was not getting waylaid here.

As soon as he entered the cafeteria, he leaped away from Sasuke and Naruto, onto a tabletop to his left, and began thundering down its length. “Sorry, no time to play with you,” he called to Celes, almost sing-song.

[sasuke-of-sound.livejournal.com]

If nothing else, the silence that descended across the Institute at night was good for Sasuke. Sounds of a scuffle and a slight drop in temperature had put Sasuke on guard -- never knew what the hell was in this place -- before Aidou gave orders.

And although Sasuke didn't make a point of blindly (ha) listening to just anyone, he had just enough confidence in Aidou and the fact of their shared interests to duck right as soon as they were through the cafeteria doors. He had to be grateful for how much time they spent in the cafeteria; the layout was familiar enough that it was fairly easy to navigate along the sides of the room.

Hopefully Naruto knew better than to stop. Aidou was making enough of a commotion for two shinobi to slip by unnoticed if they were fast and quiet.

[lady-general.livejournal.com]

"I'm afraid that you don't see the gravity of this situation," Celes smiled, though it was cold and disapproving. "I have a duty. I will fulfill that duty. Now. Get back to your room." She casted again, lips murmuring and filling the room with the special kind of magic. From under the general's clothing, a brilliant light shone.

"Lunatic Voice!" Celes's body faded and vanished. In the Gestahlian General's place, reappeared a lovely woman, clad only in a dark blue swath of rather revealing fabric, carrying a harp. Her dark brown hair floated around her face, and her smile was warm and comforting. She strummed her fingers along her harp and sang with a voice as sweet and warm as anyone heavenly creatures could be. It did not matter if her physical beauty enticed, it was her voice that was alluring and sweet.

It made the listener's limbs heavy and lethargic, and their eyes just wouldn't stay open no matter how they tried. Siren's song was such a boon to its user. Why battle when one could sleep away the night?

[whirlingwinds.livejournal.com]

Naruto had made to follow right behind Sasuke, but a voice sounded and startled him. He, somehow, hadn't expected for whoever was there to speak to them -- and was even further startled when he glanced in the direction of the sound and saw a woman appear.

She was incredibly pretty, and carried a harp; as soon as she started singing, Naruto felt a warmth wash over him, like when he had a good day of training and got him exhausted, collapsing on the couch for a nap. His legs and arms felt heavy suddenly, and he wanted to turn and run, but only stumble, eyes blinking against sleep.

He frowned, mumbling something aimed at Aidou or Sasuke, trying to say they should go on without him as he suddenly could barely stand. But the words barely formed on his lips and he was down, sprawled on the floor and soundly asleep.

[idolism]

Forget your duty, stupid, brainwashed brat, was what he thought as he cleared the length of the table without slowing.

Only weak creatures used ritual magic, the kind that required incantations to complete, and when the girl began her preparation, Aidou cast her a sharp look, expecting something unsightly for her efforts. He wasn’t disappointed. The vampire found nothing beautiful in the creature’s voice, not when he jumped to the ground between tables and the landing felt sloppier and heavier than it should. Oh, he had felt this before, hadn’t he? No different than what that damn Indra had tried, on the recreational field, when he’d taken a chunk out of the vampire’s shoulder and had him bleed.

Aidou was far too sleepy to move from his newfound position on his knees, but with one guttural little snarl, he used the last of his time to send the item in his possession spinning through the air, to land in a clatter behind the counter. To be picked up when they passed through.

Because having two hands was better than one, and the girl’s delicate body was more easily harmed than Indra’s had been… His last thought was a resounding: This should be nothing to me.

The vampire fell unconscious making a face.

[marin-karin.livejournal.com]

As they entered the next room, Mitsuru noticed several people on the floor, and a blonde woman standing alone. Otherwise, the room seemed to be empty, and seemed like some sort of cafeteria. Perhaps the woman could tell them a little bit about what was going on.

"Excuse me," the redhead called out. "Is everything all right, there? Has there been a fight?"

[lady-general.livejournal.com]

These children. They would never learn, would they? What part of staying in their rooms, away from the creature that would rent them and kill them, didn't they understand? Curiosity killed the Stray Cat, after all. Celes waited a moment before answering, taking the lull between the sleeping patients to cure her own diminishing magic by swallowing a bright blue liquid from a crystal vial.

Oh blessed ether.

The crystal shattered when she dropped it, and sighed. "Everything is fine. These young, tired men are simply returning to their rooms where they belong." Celes lifted her sword and pointed it at Mitsuru and her companion. "As should you." It was time to stop being Lady Nice General. If these fools wanted to continue to play on Celes's last nerves, so be it. But they would pay dearly.

[fourtharcana.livejournal.com]

Akihiko looked between the blonde woman, Mitsuru, and the boys on the ground. He didn't believe for an instant that they were going anywhere - not while unconscious, they wouldn't. He couldn't stifle the urge to scoff at her remark. "What really happened, and why should we go back?" The disbelief was evident in his voice.

He stepped forward, putting himself just in front of where Mitsuru was standing, and shifted into a fighting stance, though he stopped short of putting his fists up. It would be best if they could simply get information from her without needing to fight, but the way she was pointing her weapon at them made that seem unlikely. That didn't mean he was going to make the first move, however; he was simply preparing for the most likely scenario.

[marin-karin.livejournal.com]

Even though Akihiko had stepped in front of her, Mitsuru shifted into a more prepared stance, in case the woman attacked. It seemed like he had had the same thought she had. Prepare for what would likely happen, so they would be ready to defend themselves when she attacked.

The problem lay in that the woman had a sword, as well as who knew what else, since the boys on the ground didn't appear to have a mark on them. She and Akihiko were both cut off from their Personas, he had his fists, and she had nothing. There were two simple options: comply or fight. However, with those boys on the ground, it was clear that no good could come of fighting, but leaving could well take them further away from their goal. If the woman was just there to be a hindrance, then they could simply bypass or overcome it before moving ahead towards information and/or their Evokers.

Well, Mitsuru supposed she had tried to go about it the nice way. It would be unfortunate for them to have to fight in order to get information, but it seemed as though it may be the only way at the moment. Wasn't that always the case?

"We just woke here, and have no idea even where we are. I'm afraid that going back isn't an option just yet."

[lady-general.livejournal.com]

Well, they couldn't say she didn't try to negotiate. Celes's body glowed bright and red again and the temperature dropped like Edgar's chances with the High Priestess. "Blizzard!" The spell surrounded both of her new targets in cold. It was fine, though, at least for Celes. The rapier in her hands was a familiar weight as she waited to see how they would react. There was no worry nor fear in her countenance, indeed, it was as though the general was marble possessed.

And by the Triad, she could stonewall with the best of them.

[numberii.livejournal.com]

((From here.)) (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/494384.html?thread=40257584)

Well thank goodness for that. Xigbar got out of there with just getting soaked to the skin, and with quite a bit of new information to fool around with. Didn't matter what he did, so long as he promised to go to his room, it seemed like he was all right. But they weren't entirely brain-dead zombies; some flash of their own personality could go through with the right provocation. Huh... something to think about.

As it was, Xigbar wrung out the water dripping from his ponytail and put his bow on the table. Darn thing was soaked... that wouldn't be good if he needed to shoot something real fast.

[lady-general.livejournal.com]

"I would have thought you, of all men, would have been smart enough to stay away," Celes said from the entrance of the cafeteria, as she walked towards him. It was good that her fights had not taken an especially pugilistic form - she was still in good health, good shape, and magic still flowed plentifully in her veins. She supposed she had that child to thank, but no matter, another patient meant another warning, and another battle.

Perhaps Master Xigbar would be so kind as to turn out the door he came and return to his room. Perhaps not. In any case, Celes would take good care of him in either case.

[numberii.livejournal.com]

...oh great, another one? Granted, this particular one was really hot- and Luxord's current target of lust, which made her even more desireable in Xigbar's opinion- but still, he doubted he'd be scoring with her tonight. Especially not when she had a sword to swing around. Wasn't that just his luck?

The Nobody stripped off his sopping wet shirt, pointedly wringing it out on the cafeteria floor while he was at it. "Listen," he said with a reasonable tone of voice, "I just got chased by killer zombie squirrels, then some insane chick with a hammer tried to drown me. If you're gonna say 'go back to your room,' save it until after I've dried off, 'kay?"

[lady-general.livejournal.com]

Celes shifted, and mirth flickered across her face. Better a smart-ass that might know what he was doing. At least she would be entertained as she kicked his scarred hindquarters from one end of the cafeteria to the other.


"You know I need to say it, Master Xigbar. It's fair warning, and I would rather play fair." Her heels clicked on the floor as she kept walking forward. "So honestly, if you don't want me to say it, you can go return right out the door behind me and save the both of us the trouble."

[numberii.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I could, but then I'd prolly get soaked again. Who'd want that, anyway?" Xigbar rolled his eye, then decided to just keep his shirt off as he picked up his bow again. Sure, he wanted a bit of a knock-down drag-out fight, but somehow he wondered if the blond could really offer anything like that.

That, and what she said was rather intriguing. "Wait... do you want me to go that way," he asked, pointing to the door leading to the sun room, "or back the way I came? Very important question, you know."

[quickdrawbkiddo.livejournal.com]

[from here a bit after imp!Xigbar has been booted out] (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/493495.html)

Beatrix picked up the scent of blood and a tinge of fire as soon as she entered the cafeteria. She noted it, not surprised given how disturbingly safe the Sun Room had been, but it didn't slow her pace any. She was prepared to meet an enemy, sheathed katana across her back with the hilt sticking up over her left shoulder.

She didn't detect any movement, but that didn't mean there wasn't someone in here. In fact, when she paused a third of the way in, between two sets of tables as she'd been heading toward the kitchen, to look around, she was certain she could hear something other than herself breathing.

Perhaps she would kill tonight. It depended on what intended on standing in her way.

[lady-general.livejournal.com]

The night had been very busy indeed, hadn't it? In fact, had she not been standing her faithfully, who knew how many of the poor patients would've found more danger than a few of her carefully cast spells and a few stabs of her rapier? Really, she'd been going easy on everyone, and only those three fools from earlier had chosen to not follow her command.

Fine for them, if they found Death, they couldn't say she had not given them fair warning. Watching the Bride from atop a table, Celes sighed. "When will you all learn. There is no point in moving on," she walked across the table, heels clicking in warning, "and no way to pass me without incident."

[quickdrawbkiddo.livejournal.com]

Locating Celes' exact position was easy once she'd started moving. The words given to her made Beatrix raise an eyebrow and continue walking. Celes was brainwashed, that was obvious, which meant that Skuld would not be in the kitchen. Logic dictated that placing two brainwashed prisoners in such close proximity given the locations would be a mismanagement of assets. Skuld was not in the kitchen and, therefore, the Bride had no interest in it. Her goal lay in the courtyard.

But Celes was in her way. Was she supposed to be afraid of the girl?

"General," Beatrix greeted her, the ex-assassin's voice low and cold as she didn't bother to put up her public face. The Bride was aware of her surroundings and that Celes had higher ground, but the younger woman also had a rapier. Beatrix had a katana. A katana could easily cut through a rapier if the wielder wasn't intelligent enough to compensate for it. The Bride continued to walk steadily as if Celes wasn't a concern.

"Do you know how to use that blade properly or is it just for show?"

[lady-general.livejournal.com]

"If I didn't, I'd have far more wounds, would I not?" This would be excellent, if she had an opponent worthy of something that didn't immediately require magical intervention. Besides, the other woman was not something she called a dear companion. Were it not for Mion, Celes would not have ties to the woman at all.

Something, in the back of her mind under the haze of Slave Crown-like control, flickered with relief that Mion was not with the Bride. She'd hate to mingle the woman's blood with the girl's. She matched each step of the Bride's with one of her own.

[quickdrawbkiddo.livejournal.com]

The Bride's pace did not slow, nor did she take her attention off of Celes. She didn't feel the need to draw her sword as Celes had yet to actually raise her own in a threatening manner. That was not to say that Celes couldn't do so any moment, even attacking without warning. In fact, Beatrix fully expected the woman to do so any moment. Beatrix was skilled in many forms of the katana and she'd always been faster than Elle in a quick-draw.

"That entirely depends upon the skill level of those you've encountered thus far this night, General," the Bride replied conversational. "Even one trained in stage-fighting can overcome a good potion of the populace here."

She paused a moment in her speech, though her feet continued to move. "Tell me, General, did Mion fight the staff when they came to collect you or did you gallantly go quietly so as to not place the girl in harms way?"