damned_institute | Day 37: Sun Room

Joe had read some of the larger notes stuck up on the bulletin board when the announcement came on the intercom. All things considered, this Landel guy didn't even seem so bad. Even if these people were held here against their will, he was certainly nice about it.

Apparently, the new patients - including Joe - were to hang around in the Sun Room or go to Arts and Crafts with the kids. Well, there was plenty of information on the board, including maps and descriptions of monsters, for Joe to prepare for the nighttime, when he could seriously get going on fighting his way out. He could look for where the boss would probably be waiting, or where his V-watch might be, and figure out how to fight the monsters. In fact, he had plenty of time to work all that out... but this the first time he'd had to really relax since he got his powers. So it couldn't possibly hurt to enjoy the calm period, could it?

The red-head stepped back from the board, and hopped back onto a comfy-looking couch to digest in the sunlight. He reached up to pull his cap down, and sighed when he realized it wasn't there. "Oh well, nothing's perfect. I still wouldn't call this hell."

[free!]

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"Oh...yes. He's supposed to have wings. Big, feathery - like an angel, sort of." Yukito waved his hands a little to either side, making a vague gesture that was supposed to somehow indicate spreading wings. "But they've been gone ever since he arrived here, and he misses them. It's like, oh, like if I were missing an arm or something, I guess."

And no, I don't see a problem with telling him about it, Yukito added silently, when he could feel a hint of annoyance from his other self. It's who we are, why shouldn't he know? Momentarily distracted by the inner conversation, and caught between his own thoughts and Yue's, Yukito nodded slightly at Fai's comment and absently started to reply, "Mmm, yes, like Clow-sa--"

But then Yue abruptly silenced that comment, expression shifting to his usual cold stare, and his only reply a single, "Yes."

With his silvery hair and pale features, he supposed that wings would just about complete the angelic look. If he smiled a little more, it might even be believable. When the journey had started, back with the time witch, Yuuko, they'd all given up something important to them, and that feeling of loss, he could understand it far better than he let on. "Mm... I can see how that would be pretty awful."

And then there was that name again. It hovered just on the edge of his memory. This wasn't Sakura and Syaoran's home world, but something else, a person, not a place. When the man's expression changed, grew colder, Yuuhi decided that was probably a topic he ought not pursue.

"Well, I'm sure we'll get them back somehow," he said, trying to sound hopeful. He lifted the sleeve of his shirt enough for the black phoenix tattoo to show through, not that the other hadn't seen it easily enough in the showers. "They sealed away something of mine too."

The tattoo had been rather visible before; Yue only flicked a brief glance toward Fai's arm before looking away again, pretending disinterest. Yukito had been talking a little more than he was comfortable with, but when he started to bring up Clow - well, he couldn't allow that. Not around anyone. Even if his false self was rather hurt at being shoved aside like that.

"Perhaps there's something through the hidden door." He'd thought for a second that he caught a glimpse of what looked almost like stairs, and wondered where it could possibly lead. A hidden area on the second floor that wasn't on the maps, maybe? And if so, what would be in it?

Yue seemed to have changed the subject as quickly as he'd changed bodies. It was for the best, Yuuhi decided, since it seemed like a topic neither side was terribly comfortable with. He relaxed a little more in his seat, thinking over the hidden door.

It was likely there was something up that way, it didn't make sense otherwise. It was possible the that it might lead to the missing ones, even if that chance was only minimal. Even if it just led them closer to the head doctor, that was one step closer than they'd been before.

"They wouldn't guard it otherwise, right?" he mused, "so it's probably our best bet."

"Likely." Yue kept his gaze focused on some indeterminate point on the far wall, expression mostly set in its default neutral and emotionless state, but for an occasional downward twitch at the corner of his mouth. Yukito was unhappy, but then so was he; it had been so much easier for the pair of them to get along before they'd been forced unwilling to share the same body rather than having their separate existences.

After a long moment's silence he glanced sidelong toward the other. "What is this errand you need to do this evening?" Yukito might not have cared enough to ask about where they were going, but if Yue was expected to go - well, he wanted to know what to expect.

Perhaps it was just his imagination, but with Yue here instead of Yukito, it was hard not to feel a strange sort of tension in the air. Their personalities were so drastically different. And once Yue was satisfied with the current topic, he was quick to move on to another one.

It wasn't that he wanted to go run the errand tonight, but he still owed Homura and a deal was a deal. He'd just rather other people didn't find out about it. There was no use saying he was just trying out different clubs, that was obviously not the case. And the truth was suspicious enough, if he tried to lie about it, that was only going to make it look worse. So half-truths it would be. Just enough of an explanation to eke by. Hopefully.

"I'm not exactly sure yet," he admitted scratching his head as though embarrassed by the question. "Probably something easy, collecting metal or medical supplies?"

This time Yue turned the rest of the way to actually face Fai, one pale brow quirking just a little in inquiry. "You know you have somewhere to go, but you don't know where. Or what." Though his voice was entirely expressionless, the look on his face probably said more than enough about what he was thinking about that. "Dare I ask if you know why you're going on this unspecified errand?"

Hopefully it wasn't something as potentially suicidal as their mission to the rooftop a few days ago. And it was more important than exploring the staircase that might lead them to some answers? But if Fai didn't even know what it was, then...well, unfortunately for him, Yue wasn't about to just let that pass without comment.

It was hard to tell if Yue was simply not amused and potentially upset by this news or if he just wanted more information. Either one was a little scary to deal with.

"Eheh," he gave a short laugh, though it was hard to keep from sounding nervous. "I kind of owe someone a favor. So... they asked if I would help run some errands, that's all. They just... haven't really gotten back to me on it yet. Don't worry, I'm sure we can handle it no problem!"

Whether Yue noticed the nervousness or not, he didn't say; he only folded his arms across his chest and glanced away again, apparently fascinated by the skylights or the staff members on the walkway above. Or both. "One would hope."

Although he told himself he didn't care, Yue couldn't help but wonder what kind of "favor" this might be a payment for. It clearly was something that made Fai uncomfortable to talk about, although whether that was just because Fai seemed to dislike talking about things in general or if there was something specific going on here, he wasn't sure.

"I'd like to know as soon as you do," the guardian finally said, still looking away. "It would be nice to be able to plan for where we're going."

Yue didn't seem too pleased when he heard about it, but he didn't ask questions. Kurogane, Yuuhi was completely positive, would've threatened and tried to deal mortal harm if he weaseled out of answering or given such half truths as he just had.

"Of course, of course!" he smiled, waving a hand as though there was nothing to be worried over. "You'll know as soon as I do. I'll leave you a note on the board or something. If you don't hear from me by then, mm... then I'll just let you know first thing when I meet you at your room, okay?"

Day 37: Sun Room

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