damned_institute | Night 37: M11-20 Hallway

Homura had been quick to change after he'd been left alone, part of him wanting to head up to the experimentation hall where he knew Shito would end up. But the position he was in didn't allow him to abandon responsibility so easily; he had his own group to managed, and he'd warned his teams of this possibility. In a way it would be to their benefit, since it would give both Kudo and Kaito a taste of exactly what this place could do to them.

The knock was expected, breaking Homura away from his thoughts as the demi-god moved to answer the door. He was a bit surprised, however, to see Kenren not in his patient attire, but the uniform of Heaven's army. It did spark mixed feelings to see it, but Homura also knew that for Kenren, it would be an important thread of reality to cling to.

"Hello, Kenren." Homura stepped aside so the man could enter, offering him a tight smile. "I'm glad you made it. They took Shito for the experiments." Which of course sparked worry as to who else they would take, along with everything else.

Kenren's warm smile faded a bit into concern when he saw Homura's expression. That could not mean anything good. He slipped into the room quickly and turned to face the other god.

"Damn," he said, closing his eyes for a moment. It really seemed like they had it in for people working with History Club. Or it felt that way, even if it was all chance and bad luck. "You want to go after him?" They didn't seem that friendly, but it was a question which had to be asked.

"No." He'd been struggling with that decision on his own, so the answer was easier for Homura to give. "His group was given instructions as to what they should do if one of them didn't show up." Though knowing that didn't make the desire to go after one of his own any less.

"Besides, I can only group us like this so often." Until there were more people armed in the club, Homura needed to balance the number of weapons in the groups. Tonight, with a specific goal, was the exception to that. "It's better if we keep our focus on what's already planned."

Kenren nodded seriously in response. Other people might have felt the need to point out what bad condition Shito would be in after wards, but Kenren was fairly certain that Homura had already thought that through. he knew what the experiments were like, they both did, and he wouldn't make any choice lightly.

"Yeah. it's awkward getting us all together like this," he agreed. "We should take the opportunity that we have tonight."

Reaching M13, Itachi knocked politely. Hopefully the others would already be here or would arrive promptly. This mission could provide a number of opportunities, depending on what it was, and the sooner they set out the better.

Oh... There was someone else waiting outside of Homura's room too. MOMO didn't recognize him, but she assumed that he was a part of the History Club too. A few people had been asked to meet here tonight, after all.

Smiling slightly, the realian moved close enough so that she'd be able to see once the door opened.

[skipping from here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/519676.html?thread=42835708#t42835708)]

Okita slowed as he reached Homura's hallway, keeping his ears open for any sounds that might signal trouble. He heard nothing however, and the slowed pace was enough to get his heart rate down again. The last thing he needed was to be red in the face from running over here when he met the others. Or worse, to trigger something. He started to draw closer to the room and noticed that there were others by it.

So he wasn't the only one to just arrive. Spotting MOMO first, Okita moved in by her side and smiled down at her. "Good evening, MOMO-san. How are you tonight?" He could only assume the other man was Itachi - the only name he hadn't been able to place a face to on the list of tonight's participants.

Kenren's agreement was appreciated, but before the discussion could continue, there was a knock to indicate that someone had arrived. Three someones, as it turned out, and Homura nodded when he opened the door. "Come in, all of you."

One person was still missing, but Hattori had said he would be delayed. Homura didn't want to go over the plan more than once, so he would hold off on that for now, but he could take care of other preliminary details in the meantime.

"If any of you have any serious injuries, they need to be addressed now." Homura didn't like the idea of MOMO using her energy so early on, but there was ultimately little choice about it. What they were fighting was too difficult for any of the group to be hampered. If healing was required, they would simply need to be more careful during the battle itself.

"And Itachi. I know it's hardly ideal, but we are still limited in terms of weapons." Though if things went well tonight, the man would be getting a sword, it couldn't happen immediately. To that end, Homura moved to his closet and pulled out the very same crowbar Itachi had given him, offering it to the man. "Tonight could definitely change our situation for the better, but for now, I'd suggest you take this."

"I'd like to know one more thing while we wait on the final member." Homura glanced around the group, knowing the question would likely reveal some of the gaps still in his memory, but also knowing it was necessary. "Have any of you fought the staff at night before? If you have, I'd like to hear just a bit about the experience. Namely, what to be wary of, and the most effective ways to kill them."

Kenren moved further into the room when the door was opened, going to lean against the far wall in order to give everyone the chance to get inside. They were looking at a rather large group tonight after all, and it wouldn't do to make people wait out in the corridor. Not since he assumed that Homura would be wanting to speak to everyone at once about their mission.

He recognised them all by now, had interacted with them on some level before. That was good to know. He didn't particularly want to trust his safety to strangers, although if Homura had picked them then it was a good bet that they were decent enough, even if he wasn't so keen on taking MOMO into a proper battle.

He nodded to Itachi and Okita and smiled warmly at MOMO, still grateful for her help last night.

Itachi considered the others who joined him warily. He assumed they both had some significant level of talent, or they would not be here right now. Whatever had happened to Homura, the man was not lacking in judgement.

He nodded back at Kenren upon entering, wishing he knew more about the man than the fact that he existed. Homura's offer was interesting -- Itachi did have a knife, which he would normally be satisfied with, but at a lower level of power here a weapon that could do more long-range damage would be preferred. Especially as he only had one knife as well as a limited field of vision, so he certainly was not going to be throwing it. However unwieldy a crowbar might be, it would probably be for the best, so Itachi silently accepted the makeshift weapon.

"I have some materials collected from the other night." He hefted the pillow case. "I have been meaning to drop them off." He was not injured and had not fought any members of the staff, though he had picked up on rumors about the nurses at night, so he had nothing else to add yet.

MOMO was surprised to have a third person join them outside the room, but that didn't stop her from smiling once she saw that it was Okita. "Good evening," she returned, although she couldn't get much further before Homura answered the door.

The realian grinned apologetically before moving into the room. Kenren was already here, so hopefully that meant they wouldn't have to wait too long before moving out tonight. She didn't yet know what they'd be doing, although if Homura's question had anything to do with it, she could wager a guess.

It was a little odd though. Homura had been there that night, so why..? Oh right, that had happened before he'd been taken... Even so, hadn't he said that he was better now? MOMO frowned slightly. He'd asked though, for whatever reason, so it would probably be better to answer now and save any questions.

"The nurses in particular are very fast, and they had scissors in place of fingers on their hands. I'm not sure what the best method for taking care of them would be, but using a sword seemed to work well enough." She paused for a moment, trying to think of anything else to add about the nurses. "That's all I can think of for them, but there was another, really big... thing that came out with the nurses that night. It was armed with chains, and seemed capable of enduring a lot of damage. Again, I don't know if it was the best way, but fire did the job."

(From here. (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/518064.html?thread=42755760#t42815920))

"Good evenin'~," Heiji chirped, all smiles as he sauntered up to the group, katana propped lazily on his shoulder. "Sorry 'm late. Had t'give Kuroba his pipe back and pick this up. So, what's up?"

He looked at the group assembled. Momo, Homura, Okita, Guy-He-Didn't-Know, and Other-Guy-He-Didn't-Know. Fishing... pretty big group for fishing. Must've been a big catch.

The door opened and the first round of business was discussed. The only member unknown was, indeed, Itachi and he'd have a metal bar which would hopefully be able to do some damage. He didn't doubt the man's talents if Homura called him for this job, but a sword would have been preferable. Moving into the room, he dropped to the side, ready to listen and receive orders as needed. Heiji appeared just on time and Okita smiled at him, happy to see that his chosen 'puppy' had his fangs for the night.

Of Okita's own experiences with the nurses, he had quite a bit to stay. MOMO already took care of the fast part, but Okita at least knew how to kill them efficiently. "As MOMO-san said, they're fast. They aren't just armed with scissors, but also with needles that have a mixture that burns and will make you sick. The nurses can fire them like bullets, so I advise caution if you come up against any that have them. As for killing them - remove the head. Piercing their hearts does little beside slow them down, and while damage will eventually kill them, beheading them is faster and will give them less time to attack us."

He'd seen the larger men with chains, but as of yet, he'd not fought any of them. All he knew was that they were strong, but not so fast. "The larger ones, the ones with chains - they're slower, but harder to defeat for their strength. They broke through a door the previous night, scattering it like straw. Teaming up on them and dealing as much damage as possible would be advisable."

Homura listened carefully to the recalled encounters, which sparked a sense of familiarity, but little in terms of the detail that would go with actual memories. Still, between Okita and MOMO, there had been enough information offered to make up for those remaining gaps, and Homura nodded when Okita brought up the encounter from the evening before.

"Okita and I went to the place last night." Homura opened a notebook, pulling out a maps he had sketched of the area during dinner, and offering them to the members of the group. "There were two of the large creatures, and as Okita said, they broke through a door as if it were nothing. There were also two of the smaller ones, though they stayed back, letting the larger pair do the work."

The method had been simple, and suggested the pecking order of the staff. The behavior had been what Homura had used to create his strategy for tonight, one that hopefully would be sufficient for the job that needed to be done. "The first room was empty when we arrived. If there are any monsters there, we should clear them away quickly before entering the second. Okita and Itachi. You are likely the fastest here, so you'll enter the room first."

He glanced up at the two men in question, then continued. "Your initial goal is to draw out the larger creatures into the first room. That is where Kenren and I will be. We'll wait along the wall dividing the rooms to allow you clear passage, and then attack the creatures from behind. That should be enough to divert their attention away from you two."

Chuckling slightly, he bowed his head towards the elder god. "It should be a good fight, Kenren. While we fight the larger creatures, Itachi and Okita should head back into the second room and take care of the nurses there. They clearly were the ones issuing orders last night, so take them out as quickly as possible. Then Okita will assist me while Itachi helps Kenren."

If everything went according to plan, then the battle would be difficult, but tactically in their advantage. Homura went over what he had said in his mind to be certain of it, then turned to the last two in the room. "MOMO, Hattori. Hopefully neither of you will be involved in the actual fighting. At the start, you'll be waiting along the dividing wall with Kenren and I. Once Okita and Itachi have gone back into the second room, you'll take up a position in the doorway. Use the flashlights to provide light for the battles, but be ready to move once Okita and Itachi have killed the nurses in the second room."

"And Hattori." Homura focused on the boy specifically, who had a youthful presence about him. It was quite clear that having a sword had given him a bit of an ego, which may well be put to the test that night. "You specifically have the task of protecting MOMO. She is our only healer. It is your duty to make sure no harm comes to her."

All that having been said, Homura paused then, giving each member of the group time to think it over. "If you have any questions, now is the time to voice them. Depending on the number of enemies, the plan will have to be adjusted, but there is no way of knowing that until we get there. And Itachi, thank you for the materials. Just set them by that closet." Homura motioned to the door, then waited for responses from the others.

Kenren snorted in amusement when Homura addressed him. It should have been a terrifying prospect, to go up against the monstrous nurses, but he couldn't admit that the thrill of it was already beginning to set in. A good fight, with none of the trickery or near panic of the more recent encounters. "Yeah, it should be," he agreed with a grin, hand tightening on the hilt of his sword for a moment.

The plan seemed pretty damn sound to him. It wouldn't necessarily work in practice, but it was simple enough that it was easy to modify on the fly. "I'm ready," he said once Homura had finished speaking.

So that was what became of the nurses at night. Itachi didn't see how scissors could be all that dangerous, though the needles might pose some sort of challenge. Not that he knew what bullets were, but it was apparent that the nurses threw them like senbon. Even without his Sharingan, that should not be so difficult to deal with. As for beheading them. . . that might be difficult with a knife and a crowbar. He would find a way to defeat them, however.

Hopefully this Okita would do the same. Itachi preferred not to work with people, especially people whose abilities and fighting style he knew nothing about, but in this scenario it was really the only option. At least the plan was sound. And they apparently had a healer, a luxury he had not experienced for a number of years. Overall, despite the sub-par weaponry and lack of experience with both his opponents and his allies, he had had more difficult missions in his life.

Itachi dropped the bag of items where Homura had requested. "I'm ready as well."

It didn't sound like it was going to be too different from that night with Homura and Hijikata. The group was definitely larger and they were going to be going to a different location, but it seemed her job was essentially the same. Provide lighting for the battle, stay out of the way, and be ready in case anyone required assistance once the fighting was over.

MOMO did feel a little guilty that Heiji had been asked to protect her, but there was little she could do about that. The nightshift workers were highly dangerous, and she'd never been much of a physical fighter. She was certain that she could use Ether to defend herself if it came down to it, but it was better that she save that for healing purposes. She'd just have to hope that everything went okay.

"Got it," she said, nodding to Homura.

"Understood," Heiji said, giving Homura a lazy salute. Apparently having a sword had improved his mood by leaps and bounds. And while the plan sounded dangerous, it wasn't anything he couldn't handle. Protect the squishy, sounded easy enough. He'd fought against that stitched-together thing.

"Looks like it's you'n me, Momo-chan," Heiji said, grinning down at her. "Don'tcha worry one bit. I've got y'covered."

So it would be him and Itachi who would play the bait tonight. While working with someone he'd never met before did make him a little apprehensive, he trusted the man's skills because Homura and Kenren did. If his leaders were able to put faith in him, then so would Okita. Pitting Homura and Kenren one on one with those large behemoths didn't sit well with him, but he had no choice about the matter. The nurses needed to be killed before the larger things could be or they might come and stab the group in the back. Smaller and faster, the nurses would likely give even him a little bit of trouble. He just hoped it wasn't the sort of trouble that healing couldn't help.

Nodding at their orders, Okita looked to Heiji first, noting the sword and the improved attitude. He didn't seem to mind playing protector, which was just as well. He wasn't ready to kill yet, even if he was willing. The swordsman turned his attention to the group then, taking in everyone's faces. Tonight was going to be difficult and for all their experience, they still had no idea exactly what was awaiting them. The thrill of fear at that knowledge and the adrenaline that came with it were more than welcome to the samurai and he smiled thinnly as he readied himself for what lay ahead. "Understood. I'm ready to move when you are." He looked to Itachi now and smiled a little more warmly at him. "I look forward to fighting at your side."

Homura listened to the assorted responses, glad to hear the confidence in each, and the understanding. This was his first major venture after what had happened, certainly in terms of the size of the group, and it was important to Homura that it succeed. This one attempt, if successful, could give the History Club a needed push forward on multiple levels.

Since there were no questions, nor signs of hesitation, Homura picked up his sword. "Okita, you'll take the lead. The rest of you follow me. Do not fight anything unless there is no alternative. We've only got a limited amount of time until morning, and we should use it all to our advantage."

And with that, the group headed into the hall.

[To here]

Night 37: M11-20 Hallway

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