Day 38: Patients' Library

[emotionl4arobot.livejournal.com]

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]

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Raine twitched; it was very tempting to hit Sheena again, but the nurses were watching as closely as ever and she had something of a history of being violent. She settled on giving the ninja a glare that promised pain later. "If you know what's good for you, drop it."

At least Sheena hadn't brought up Valyn. Yet.

[mizuhomaiden.livejournal.com]

"Okay," Sheena replied with a well-timed pout. "Spoilsport."

Her lip twitched and she started toward the library door. "Enjoy Buck and Lila's Wild Bathroom Adventure," she said with a laugh, shooting Raine a grin back over her shoulder before disappearing into the Sun Room.

Mission accomplished.

[to the Sun Room]

[per-ardua.livejournal.com]

Raine twitched, but settled on very calmly putting the book back and finding something else. At least Sheena didn't seem to think she was interested in Valyn.

If she was lucky she'd be left alone for a while...

[beloved-less.livejournal.com]

Soubi was fairly sure he knew who he was looking for once his Defense lesson was over, and what an interesting lesson it had been. But Raine was a regular visitor to the Clinic and he'd seen her around with Sheena.

Having to walk up and play nice to the second stranger today, Soubi readied his smile and forced his limp away as he approached.

"Raine-san? I'm Soubi."

He almost wanted to reach up and put a hand around his bandaged neck, just in case she tried anything. He was hoping that this woman wasn't as head strong as her friend or he'd have kept it on the bulletin. But he didn't need people reading his business. Especially Kio.

[per-ardua.livejournal.com]

Raine looked up, closing the book she'd just started, and nodded. "How are you doing?" Her eyes were on the bandage; she expected that he was here to ask her to heal his wound anyway.

If he wasn't, but it was in bad enough shape, she wasn't asking permission.

[beloved-less.livejournal.com]

Soubi didn't like that look. His voice was still a little husky, but it was light enough to pass as natural for anybody who didn't know him well.

"I'm very well, thank you. And yourself?"

He tried to judge her character. She didn't strike him as the sort to back down easily. So he just hoped she was at least a little understanding.

"I wanted to speak to you about Sheena. Or rather something she's concerned about. She's under the impression I need healing. I just.... wanted to be sure that she hadn't persuaded you to do so without my permission. I don't wish to be rude, but my pain is my own to deal with."

Although, in all fairness, if she wanted to have at his ankle, he wouldn't mind. It was getting annoying now and, really, it had no consequence.

[per-ardua.livejournal.com]

"I'm well enough." It was the most honest thing she could think of to say.

As for Soubi's own concern... Raine replied, "I'm aware. My healing spells don't do much for pain, if you're concerned about not taking the easy way out." Maybe it was a little brutal, but she didn't see any benefit in softening her words. "But, she said you're not healing well enough on your own. May I see?"

[beloved-less.livejournal.com]

Women. Soubi was glad he'd never really had any in his life. Nagisa-sensei forced herself into Ritsu's business far too much and had taught Soubi was most women were plain annoying. The girl's at college had been smart and stayed away after the first warning, unlike Kio. But, then...there were few regrets there. Most days. Some.

"No. How much did she tell you about what happened?" he asked, all pretense of friendliness fading into a dangerous look in his eyes. She'd promised. Not just Soubi, but Ritsuka too.

He wanted to step back, to cover the wound with his hands. Raine looked as though she could see through things if she willed it enough, and that made Soubi uncomfortable.

"I don't want you to meddle. I'll heal on my own."

[per-ardua.livejournal.com]

"Very little--all she saw was that the injuries occurred because you were being experimented on, and she was worried about infection. I've heard that healing spells don't always work on those types of injuries, but I'd still prefer to try it." Raine didn't care if Soubi liked her or not, and she saw nothing wrong with healing an unwilling patient. If she thought he needed it, she could wait until he walked away before using First Aid. He'd feel it, but as she said, it wouldn't do much for the pain anyway.

[beloved-less.livejournal.com]

She seemed too stubborn. Soubi needed a new tactic. It was called Honesty.

"The pain is emotional, it can't be healed this way. Though I fully intend to rest tomorrow and allow myself time to fully recover. Does that satisfy you?" he asked, smiling softly. He really was sincere, though he had to hide it behind a smile in front of others.

[per-ardua.livejournal.com]

Raine wasn't falling for it; Sheena had no reason to lie to her about this, but Soubi did. "Almost. What treatment has the staff given you?" As much as she hated them, the nurses did do better work than she could here.

"I won't ask you what happened, but if Sheena's concerned about the injuries you took, she has a reason for it."

[beloved-less.livejournal.com]

"Mild painkillers," he answered, honestly. They'd offered more, but Soubi had kicked up a bit of a fuss. Not so much that they saw fit to sedate him, luckily. They had decided to let Soubi have his way, expecting him to be overcome with pain and beg them for more. He was hoping it was enough to beat the fever that was trying to set in.

"She's being oversensitive," he said, stubbornly. "Let me put it this way. If the wound closes before I see fit, I will tear it open with my bare hands." A little TOO honest, even for himself to hear, but he wasn't going to back down. He turned to leave, hoping he could leave the matter there.