damned_institute | Nightshift 38: F1-F10 Hallway

Though experimenting with playing cards wasn't exactly the hardest of bodily training, Ophelia did feel that the rigorous testing of her speed, accuracy and throwing power had sharpened her mind for the coming night, and she went out into the night confident that she would be able to handle herself much more gracefully than she had previously. It still irked her greatly that she was no longer able to face any challenge that came her way head on, but she realized now that if she was going to make any progress in attempting to get her power back and shove Martin Landel's balls up his own esophagus, she was going to have to turn down a few fun opportunities here and there.

Ophelia left her room with Kio's maps and a handful of pens in her pockets. She felt more than a little naked without anything else in hand, and she was reminded instantly that she missed not having her full night vision, but no matter. She had to get to the Sun Room quickly. There was no way she was going to get tied up again and miss the opportunity to get further into the basement. The fact that Landel had mentioned something about "down there" specifically in his intercom announcement only made Ophelia more eager.

The Claymore hurried down the hall as fast as she could while making sure she didn't bump into anything in the dark.

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[From here. (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/545352.html?thread=44883016#t44949832)]

Sousuke moved quickly and efficiently through the hallways, always pausing to stop and listen and check to see if Allelujah heard or felt something before continuing. All in all, the trip was, as usual, uneventful.

He stopped outside of F1 and rapped on the door. "Miku, it's Sousuke. I've brought a friend as well, don't be alarmed."

Allelujah followed quickly and silently after Sousuke, keeping an eye out for any monsters which might decide to ambush them. He didn't hear or see anything, but he was wary nonetheless. He kept a note of where they ended up going. The women's block, first corridor. Might be a good idea to keep track of where people were.

Miku picked up her bag and hurried (the word being relative, of course) to the door, but not before tugging on a sweatshirt to conceal her arms and as much of her body as she could. It was one thing to be bared before someone that knew what she looked like under the bandages, but it was another for a stranger to see.

"I'm coming!" she called and pushed open the door carefully, as though wary of someone that might be using Sousuke's face. The stranger with him was a person she'd seen talking to Sousuke before, at least she hoped her mind wasn't playing tricks on her. "Good evening, sir."

Sousuke frowned deeply when she came to the door. She shouldn't be moving, much less answering doors. She probably shouldn't be moved at all, but Sousuke wasn't about to leave her alone in her room all night.

"You shouldn't be moving, Miku," Sousuke said, chiding her gently. He moved into the room, trying to guide her back to the bed. "Rest for a moment while we discuss tonight."

He looked back over his shoulder at Allelujah. "Miku this is Allelujah," he nodded his head towards her. "Hinasaki Miku, my charge."

Allelujah smiled politely at the young woman who appeared in the door. "Pleased to meet you," he said. He glanced along the corridor both ways for a moment before slipping into the room after Sousuke. He stood awkwardly next to the door as Sousuke fussed over Miku, finding it rather endearing if he was honest. It must have been nice, having someone to protect like that.

Miku smiled at Allelujah politely in return, but frowned slightly as Sousuke as he herded her to the bed, "I know, but, making you open the door seemed... rude." Obediently, she sat on the bed and crossed her arms, "I feel a little better. I slept for a long while." At least she'd done that, and not... well, whatever else she could've done to irritate her wounds.

Miku spared another glance at Allelujah and admired the fluffy overlong coat, "What are we doing tonight, it's not often you bring someone with you, is it?" she asked Sousuke and rested her hand on her tote.

"Last night I realized that what our team lacks is a secondary fighter. I can't protect you all the time, as... evidenced by your injuries." Sousuke was secretly mortified that he had to admit in front of Allelujah that he had failed to protect her--especially when the consequence was so grave.

"Allelujah needs a fire source, and I would like to perform a reconnaissance of the general area at night. We can get supplies we are unable to obtain by legal means by breaking and entering the shops at night." At this point, Sousuke reached down the neck of his tactical suit and brought out a map he had drawn at one of the previous town visits. Apparently he had been busy at Arts and Crafts as well, because the map was labeled with a variety of colors, indicating safe zones and dangerous points.

"There's no way to reach the town besides on foot. Therefore, I will carry you until we arrive. Then, we will conduct a search of the most promising locations and gather as many supplies as possible. After we complete this, we barricade ourselves in a suitable temporary safehouse and wait for morning.

"Does this sound acceptable?"

Allelujah listened carefully to the plan, nodding his agreement when Sousuke asked. He was already switching into a more serious mindset, preparing himself for the mission ahead. Because it was a mission like any other, albeit more dangerous without backup or technology. Still, he was sure that they could get something done at least.

"I admit, I'm curious to see if any vehicles in the town would still be working at night," Allelujah added. "If we could get hold of one, we might be able to increase our coverage of the area."

He caught Miku looking at the coat and smiled, stepping forward to hand it to her. "My roommate said it would be cold and offered me this. I thought it might be useful in case we have to stop anywhere for a while." In case they needed to hide quickly.

Miku took the coat and held it to her chest, "I see. It's acceptable, but, that town seems so far away, is there really a chance we can reach it?" She hated to be a little black rain cloud, and she was quite thankful for Sousuke and Allelujah's plan, but facts were facts, and she wasn't sure even they were that fast.

"Thank you, Allelujah-san," she added in hindsight. "On the other hand, if there's a chance that we can make it, then let's take it. I don't want to be unsure about it and lose something that would be helpful." Even if she wasn't so sure about being carried around. Sousuke protected her, but, didn't carrying her make Miku a liability? She was unable to keep her features from showing her thoughts and chewed the inside of her cheek nervously.

"It will most likely be an hour or two on foot--especially with me carrying you. However, the distance is manageable. The supplies will make up for the trip."

He nodded a little, thanking Allelujah for giving her the coat. If it would be cold, her injuries may start to bother her again.

"We should start moving then."

He smiled, glad that the gift seemed acceptable to Miku. He wasn't particularly used to having friends, his social skills limited, but he did what he could. "It didn't seem a huge distance," Allelujah agreed. "But distances here seem to be," he paused thoughtfully for a moment before continuing, "odd. Changeable. But I agree. We have to take the chance if we have it." Acting defensively seemed fairly useless.

He nodded at Sousuke. "We should. Which way do you want to head?"

Miku stood up and quietly put on the coat. The sleeves were too long, the hem dragged on the floor and was clearly meant for someone taller and the hood hid her head completely. "Isn't the way out through the recreational field?" she piped up from under the hood and pushed her sleeves up.

"Of course, that means avoiding the birds, too..." she trailed off and nibbled on the inside of her cheek.

Sousuke shook his head. "No, we should exit through the main door. For whatever reason, I've noticed that it is less guarded than the other methods of escape. Also, I cannot scale a wall safely with you on my back, and I don't want to risk your wounds opening again."

He crouched down and let Miku onto his back, easily resuming a standing position. It looked as though he had a cape on--only the cape had a person-shaped bulge under it.

"Let's move."

[To here! (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/544800.html?thread=45376288#t45376288)]

Nightshift 38: F1-F10 Hallway

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