damned_institute | Day 39: Sun Room [Fourth Shift]

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Day 39: Sun Room [Fourth Shift]

Yue was all too pleased to leave the cafeteria by the time lunch was over, even if he still wasn't satisfied that Fai was properly taking care of himself. It was clear that Touya hadn't accepted the answers he'd been given and intended to find out just what the guardian wasn't telling him, and being watched so closely was beginning to get uncomfortable.

It was clear that the truth would have to come out at some point, especially if they were going to be spending any amount of time together. Avoiding him was entirely out of the question, but at the same time Yue stubbornly refused to consider the idea of just outright telling him about what had happened in the last week. It was a dilemma indeed, and only served to make him even more irritable than ever.

How could he admit any of it? That he was weak and crippled, betrayed and altered by his creator? That he'd almost broken the promise he'd given in exchange for Touya's power? The latter he couldn't help but be reminded of every time he saw this Touya, who had only just gone through it, and would remember it even more clearly.

Fortunately Yukito was staying silent for the moment, although he could feel his other self's disappointment at being unable to speak to Touya so far, and it didn't make him feel any better.

In the midst of all this Yue was rather dismayed to realize that the nurse wanted to lead him to the music room, of all places: that was the room where he'd met the Sakura-who-wasn't-his-Sakura the week before, and needed neither the reminder nor the inevitable noise in that room. He abruptly halted in his tracks and refused to continue on. The nurse seemed initially disappointed, but finally agreed to let him stay in the Sun Room instead; the guardian found a corner in which to stand, arms folded across his chest and lost in his own ~~brooding~~ thoughts.

[for Sokka]

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"Thank you," she said in the same noncommittal tone that betrayed no emotion.

The news about the drugs was unfortunate, but Irene was reasonably confident that if it came down to a one on one battle with Ophelia that she would come out victorious.

"She is an exception. Most sisters of the Organization don't display such animosity towards humans. Also, as part of our mandate, we're forbidden to harm humans," Irene replied, completely unfazed by Arlene's glacial gaze. If the other woman sought to intimidate her, she'd have to become more terrifying than Priscilla, which didn't seem likely. Arlene was, after all, only human. "Although I don't believe her contempt is merely held for human beings. She has displayed the same sadistic tendencies towards her own kind."

Beatrix wasn't trying to be intimidating; it was simply how she was, more pronounced now that she was riding that edge between cold killer and psycho murderer. So far she was in control but eventually she would need an outlet or risk snapping. Sanity was such a bothersome thing at times.

"I see. Killing her might be more enjoyable than I'd imagined," she mused.

Switching the topic, she raised an eyebrow. "Did you arrive this morning or have you had the pleasure of being in the prison longer?"

"Perhaps we should combine our efforts on that issue. In the past, I defeated but failed to kill her. It is a mistake I fully intend to correct," Irene said, returning a deadly look in her storm-colored eyes. As the topic switched, so did her gaze, becoming less threatening. "I arrived last night, but several patients have already informed me of the institute's true nature."

The slightest of a smirk was the only response to Irene's comment on killing Ophelia. The Bride was amused by the suggestion, given she was certain she could kill the bitch all on her own. Though she was starting to get an interesting and amusing, to her, idea. She's have to think on it a little...

"Good. I loathe giving that speech," she stated. "Have you even started to accept that gods walk among us, your yoma half is practically dormant and there are things far powerful than you think here that appear to be nothing more than humans?" Her question wasn't condescending, it was honest as it would tell her a lot about Irene.

Irene didn't fully trust Arlene. The woman seemed too crafty. A long term alliance might not be possible, but for the sake of taking Ophelia down, she was willing to make sacrifices. Irene was certain she could take the number four down again by herself, but it didn't hurt to have backup. Irene was a pragmatic person, and she'd be a fool to pass up this chance.

"It's hard to believe, but it would be foolish of me to ignore the truth when the facts are all around me," Irene simply replied in a matter of fact tone. If Arlene had asked earlier, her answer may have been quite different, but now, most of her doubts had vanished.

Had Irene come to trust Beatrix so soon, the Bride wouldn't find her worthy of anything, much less an alliance of sorts. She was really only interested in the Claymore because of Ophelia. It didn't hurt to have a backup in case she did decide to kill Ophelia, though she wasn't as thrilled about the idea of using Irene as a decoy. The woman was much more intelligent, much calmer and less... irritating than the other one.

Perhaps her and the other assassins could use Irene as the forth needed for the basement should the warlord be unavailable. Perhaps she'd get SubZero's opinion. Perhaps not.

"Good answer. That already makes you much more pleasant to be around than the bitch," the Bride replied. "Aside from the weaponry issue, I may be willing to answer more specific questions. This is your only chance to come across as naive without receiving any contempt in return. Everyone should get a day to learn the ropes. Any warrior that requires more deserves to live or die by their own ignorance."

She seemed to have passed some sort of test, for now. The more she talked to Arlene, the better she understood the woman. She couldn't claim to completely understand the other woman, but from what she could tell, Arlene wasn't evil like Ophelia, just ruthless.

If Arlene was going to be so helpful then Irene wouldn't hold back. It was a good chance to have her questions answered, and she agreed with Arlene's comments to an extent.

"I'm interested in grasping the layout of the facility and surrounding area. Can you tell me about them? I'd actually prefer a map if any are available." Information. particularly the terrain, was vital at this point. It would be meaningless for Irene to wander aimlessly when the night shift started. Nothing constructive would be accomplished that way.

"The most composite map that has been put together is there for the new prisoners," the Bride answered, turning to point to the one posted on the board by M.E. As she did, the light in the room reflected briefly off the exposed part of the metal plate in her head, near her temple. "It's a simple layout." Beatrix had it memorized, but still kept her own personal copy for the occasional reference.

"There is also a basement, the area me and my associates are currently focusing on. You will not find a map for that and few willing to speak of it," she continued. "We are able to scale the outside walls, but still wake up back in our rooms."

Irene took note of the map. She'd have to come back to it later.

The metal glint from Arlene's temple didn't escape Irene's hawk-like gaze, but she chose to remain silent, for the moment. Arlene's explanation was more important now. It was a limited-time offer after all.

The basement sounded particularly intriguing but dangerous. That someone like Arlene felt the need for associates to accompany her spoke volumes. "Yes, I had experienced that strange phenomenon last night. One moment I was with another patient in the hall, and the next I was in my bed." It was somewhat frustrating.

"You eventually get used to it," Beatrix replied. "It just makes traversing beyond the walls almost pointless. The word has been so far that few have discovered anything worthwhile out there."

Her eyes scanned the room, keeping track of who was where and if there was anyone of concern or note within the Sun Room. "I find it a pointless venture as our enemy is within the walls, not outside."

"That's true," Irene conceded, on the topic of their enemies' location, while continuing to nonchalantly scan the board while seeming to have a casual conversation to any observer. "Does that mean there are no areas of interest beyond the institute's walls? Perhaps, a nearby town?"

"There is a town to the south called Doyleton, but it is too far to reach via foot before the night ends," Beatrix replied. "Our captors feel the need to taunt us with it every Sunday, taking us on a 'field trip' there."

For a moment, Irene wondered if she could make it to town on foot? Even in her reduced capacity, she should still be above normal human standards. The problem was how far the town was. Since no one else had made it, Irene doubted she could succeed where they had failed. There were bound to be other non-humans among the patients here. No doubt ones whose speed and endurance were comparable to or exceeded her own.

"Is there anything of worth to us in the town that we can smuggle out and use?" Irene asked, knowing it was probably unlikely. It'd be hard to hide anything from their captors.

"There are many stores with useful goods. If you can steal it and fool the staff when they search you before allowing you back on the bus, you can acquire many things."

The curl of her lip suggested that Beatrix had accomplished this herself.

Arlene's words implied it was difficult, but her smirk said otherwise. "I take it you've had better luck than others?

Regardless of her answer, it wouldn't stop Irene from trying her own hand when the opportunity came.

"Perhaps," the Bride replied. "Women do have an easier time accomplishing it than men do."

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Day 39: Sun Room [Fourth Shift]

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