damned_institute | Day 38: Patients' Library

The intercom rang out, disrupting what had turned out to be a rather pointless breakfast conversation, at least in Brainiac 5's eyes. He couldn't wait to put more distance between himself and Scar's blather of how logic, of all things, might not work the same way in this dimension. It was almost enough to make him believe that the man may very well have been a lion originally after all, as he'd never heard anything so very... ignorant and uneducated.

He quickly finished up the fruit he'd been nibbling on - he was no longer as hungry as he had been - and looked around automatically to see where Clark was. Unfortunately with the press of people around, some being led off to the library and others to the mentioned 'therapy sessions' - if that was what they really were - he had lost sight of the Kryptonian. Still there wasn't many places he could go, so Brainiac 5 would be able to catch up with him eventually to check on his condition and try and learn more about what had happened last night. That the Chapel had healed him - admittedly by passing his injuries to another - was interesting, but far more important in his eyes was what had happened to Clark and his powers. They hadn't been working correctly and that worried the Coluan boy more than he would normally have admitted. Without Clark's abilities... he wasn't sure what they would have to rely on in order to escape.

Another problem he would have to deal with was Grell... or, if he was to believe the notes on the bulletin board, the person pretending to be Grell. But that was going to require more careful planning before he made a move. Come to think of it, he had agreed to meet another in the library today on that same post that had sparked this whole mess. At least then he would have something of interest to look forward to, as he doubted any of the 21st century books were likely to be worthwhile to someone of his advanced intellect.

Following the nurses led him to what must have been the library; a reasonably large room filled with a range of archaic books on tall shelves, a few tables and chairs interspersed around the room. The Coluan boy couldn't refrain from wrinkling his nose in distaste as he entered the room, not liking the cumbersome books and the dust that he knew would have gathered on them; he much preferred the clean arrangement of his C.O.M.P.U.T.O. systems back in the Legion headquarters. It was much more practical then shelves and shelves of books on fictional worlds and dated information.

Trying to avoid as much of the room as possible, Brainiac 5 settled himself down on a chair to wait, keeping an eye out for a tall, dark-haired man with a red... something on his forehead.

[for Homura]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Yep, my very own." Being able to say that to his rival was extremely satisfying. Not only did it mean they could compare their skills if they felt so inclined, but it also meant Dias would be less likely to leave him in the dust at night. It wasn't the fanciest thing in the world, but it was a sword, and not even Dias could call it a sub par weapon when it was compared to the alternative.

He knew he shouldn't have been surprised when Dias brought up Ashton's sword -- he'd half-expected it, really -- but he still had to pause a moment before answering.

What was he going to do with Ashton's sword? Other people facing this situation might have suggested burying it or something as a nice gesture, but that would have been a waste of a good weapon. Ashton himself would have been appalled at the idea of just discarding it or letting it sit around, so that was out.

No, it needed a new owner.

But since it was missing its twin, it wouldn't really do to go finding someone who might have the same sword style as Ashton. Still, it wasn't like it could be called useless by itself, either. That sword was definitely an upgrade when compared to a bat or a knife.

"I guess it isn't good to let it collect dust while we're trying to figure out where he is," Claude said at length. He still wasn't ready to suggest that maybe they wouldn't be seeing him again, even if he was having to tie up some loose ends his best friend had left behind. It made his heart ache, but what else could he do except press on? "What would you say if I wound up giving it to Guy? He's only got a meat cleaver to fight with right now, so I'm sure he'd put it to good use."

Edited 2009-01-12 04:59 (UTC)

"Clearly you've never fought someone wielding a meat cleaver," Dias replied with a trace of faint, bitter amusement. Cleavers were small enough to be swung with great force, had considerable heft, and by definition and design were built for shearing through flesh and bone. Well-wielded, one could be vastly more frightening and nearly as effective as a sword...but then a fighter used to a sword would still prefer one, and he didn't begrudge Guy for wanting a weapon he was familiar with even if the one he had was considerably more serviceable than, say, a ladle. "It should be put to good use. And Ashton would be happy if he knew his sword was helping a friend of yours." It hurt even to say that - it almost sounded as though Ashton were dead - but Dias had never been one to shy away from harsh truths.

"Hey, I never said a meat cleaver was obsolete," Claude said with a dry smile, "but I think he'd really appreciate it just the same." And anyway...it wasn't like he wanted to give Ashton's sword to just anybody. Maybe it was selfish, what with the lists of people wanting swords for themselves. But Guy was technically one of those of people, so it wasn't like he was being irrational about it or anything.

Either way, Dias sounded like he was all right with his idea, and that was what mattered. Claude hadn't wanted to argue about it, especially considering the circumstances.

"I'll talk to him about it later today," he quietly added.

"Probably," Dias agreed. He was of roughly the same mind as Claude about it, actually, although neither of them would likely ever be aware of it - he'd rather Ashton's sword go to someone they knew, who'd use it properly, in a way to keep it close to them. It was all they had left of Ashton, really. "Get it to him tonight, if you can; you never know when he might need it."

After a moment's consideration, he added, "Speaking of tonight, care to join me? I've been trying to make my way to the basement for awhile, but the night always seems to end before I make it that far. I thought I'd move faster alone, but apparently that's not the case."

"I will," Claude assured him. He had no intention of sitting on the sword any longer than he had to. With Sync on the prowl, there was no way for them to know when he'd strike next, which meant they had to be prepared for an attack at all times.

When Dias invited him to go to the basement tonight, though, Claude was genuinely surprised. He regarded his rival with raised eyebrows. "Join you? You mean..." Looked like getting his own sword had made him more of a valuable ally to the other man after all. At least he still wasn't trying to go at it alone. Claude suddenly grinned. "Yeah. Yeah, sure. I've been meaning to give the basement another shot anyway."

Even though it was sort of tempting to see what they could do with just the two of them, Claude also knew it'd be dangerous to head to the basement without anyone else. "Mind if I find someone to come along?" he asked. "I heard it's pretty tough down there, so it'd probably be good to have one more person if we can manage it."

"Guy?" Dias guessed, raising an eyebrow. It seemed like the logical choice; Claude would need to meet with the other man to give him the sword anyway, and that would result in there being three swords to three swordsmen. Not a bad set-up for an exploration party. And, besides that, Claude seemed to spend an awful lot of time with Guy these days. "You can ask him."

"Uh, well..." Claude laughed a little, rubbing the back of his head. "I did have Guy in mind, but it's possible he made plans with some of his other friends. If that's the case, I can ask someone else." He smiled. "I'll just have to see when I talk to him later."

Hopefully he'd say yes. Given how much of a loner Dias usually was, the fact he'd agreed so readily to having Guy along said a lot. Finding someone else who Dias could tolerate just as well could be a little more difficult.

"Anyway, how does meeting in my room sound?" he asked. "I'm in M44."

"Guy is fine, if you can get him," Dias replied with a slight shrug. "He seems like the best choice, and probably the most convenient. If you bring someone else, just make sure they won't slow us down." That had probably been an unnecessary addendum, but then again...Claude was occasionally too good-natured to think practically. Dias wouldn't put it past Claude to show up with some clingy kid and a sheepish 'it followed me home, can I keep it?' look on his face.

In response to the meeting place, he simply nodded. "I'll see you there." And he would not check Ashton's room on the way. He wasn't going to continue feeding that false hope.

Day 38: Patients' Library

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