damned_institute | Day 22: Brunch

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Day 22: Brunch

Cid usually liked sleeping in, especially in a place as messed up and uninviting as this, but this happened to be one situation where he really wished he hadn't.

Right there, on the bulletin board. The Head Doctor and he'd fucking missed it? Some part of him wished he'd been there to take his eye out and another part of him knew he wouldn't have been able to. No man that powerful who hid for so long went to dangerous places without some kind of entourage.

Brunch sounded like it'd be filling, at least, though he nearly stopped in his tracks when the bastard announced TEA. TEA. It'd been a damn long while since he'd had some fucking tea, though with all the stress this place had found fit to rain down on his fucking head, it hadn't really been the first priority on his mind. Kinda nice, even if Cid was sure this was just some game the mother fucker was playing to get them all stuck neck-deep in Stockholm Syndrome.

He scanned the mostly-empty room for any sign of a familiar face once he'd piled waffles and sausages and syrup on his plate, though the person he really wanted to talk to was that Reynolds guy. "Spaceship" was the last word he remembered clearly before waking up in his bed, and dammit if he wasn't going to keep it stuck like glue in his mind.

He found a table where he could watch people come into the cafeteria and grabbed for his mug. The steam rising from his drink and the bag of herbs in it was nearly enough to make him grin despite it all, and it was with marked leisure and a little relief that he drank his goddamn tea.

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Honey didn't know the person who sat across from him, and that was all right, he thought. He was used to being taken for far younger than his actual age, though. He smiled up at the man next to him. That was certainly a haircut that wouldn't fly at Ouran, he thought, as he started to respond. "I'm seventeen."

The reaction was generally always the same, he had learned by now. He decided it would be better to deflect some of the shock.

"I'm just short for my age! Really." He took a large bite of cake, and realized he'd been awfully rude by not introducing himself.

"My name is Haninozuka Mitsukuni, but everyone calls me Honey. What's your name?"

Well, it was a reaction that no one could blame Axel for. Even when he'd first seen Sora within the walls of Castle Oblivion he couldn't remember the brunet being that short in comparison. So with the facts kindly straightened out the redhead saw no other reason to press it any further.

Was he disappointed? Maybe, but it was something he'd gotten used to.

"Everyone...?" Axel repeated, finding himself somewhat ‘unsettled’ with calling a seventeen year old something like 'Honey' despite his matching demeanor. "Would you mind if I called you by the former name instead?"

And since it was only right to exchange the favor, he kindly offered his hand to shake the latter's.

"My name is Axel. ~~Got it memorized?~~"

"I don't mind." It was a little more formal than Honey really liked, but he'd been warned a hundred times about it by his parents when the nickname really took off. "If you want to be taken seriously, go by your given name."

He smiled and shook the red-haired man's hand. "It's nice to meet you, Axel." He didn't add his usual honorific - it seemed a little too soon.

"Where are you from? I'm from Japan. My friends Tamaki, Hikaru, and Kaoru are also here, and I made a new friend this morning! His name is Sora."

"We've only just met. It's only polite before I start calling you by your nickname." Yes, his previous actions seriously contradicted what he was saying, but that was before Axel found out that Mitsukuni was practically an adult. In fact, part of him still couldn't really let the fact settle as he shook the latter's hand before making a move for his fork once more.

"I know the Sora you're talking about. You can say that we came from the same parts. But not... entirely." The Nobody stated, sneaking a blueberry as he thought of a way to approach this. He'd certainly heard about a 'Japan' before in the different conversations he picked up, but Axel doubted it was like the one Mitsukuni was referring to. As for his own world...

"Where I come from it's always dark... It's actually some kind of Metropolis, but no one lives in the buildings."

"Are you a friend of -" the little Host started to say, but then Honey's jaw dropped. How could a place be like that? With no light? No one living in the buildings? It sounded like the Halloween festival! But...real? Tamaki had said it was like a horror manga. He hadn't read a LOT of them, but he got the general idea.

"On Halloween, at my school, we turn out all the lights in the buildings and we try and scare people! But...that's at school. What's it like in a place like that all the time? It must be pretty scary to live there!"

It seemed unreal. But...Honey had no reason to doubt it. I mean, if Sora came from somewhere else...

Axel knew what Halloween was all about; he'd even taken a trip or two to the corresponding world to satisfy his curiosity. It was relatively entertaining to know that there were others that celebrated besides the few in his universe, which goes to show how each world was connected with one another. Fascinating.

"Considering the nature of those who live there, it's relatively calming. Even though there are these 'creatures' there that thrive on the Darkness, none of them show any interest in me. I lack what they want." The Nobody spoke, taking his time to cut the rest of his food in small squares for easier consumption. His world meant very little to him other than the fact that it was the Organization's headquarters.

"And I guess you were asking if I was friends with Sora?" Axel guessed at Mitsukuni's first question. He took his time thinking about the answer before settling with the most reasonable one.

"We're on speaking terms, but we're getting there..."

Hm. Was Axel a classmate of Sora's? Sora hadn't mentioned going to school, but there had to be schools in other worlds. Honey took another large bite of cake and took a swallow of his tea, trying to figure things out.

The person he was talking to looked older than the boys did, he thought. Maybe Axel was Sora's teacher? No, that didn't seem right, either.

He wasn't sure, and Honey really didn't want to pry. He seemed almost like was sad about it, and once again, he wished he had his bunny. Usa-chan made him feel better, and it only made sense that hugging it would make other people feel better.

That thing about the creatures, though. Tamaki had said there were monsters here at night, and hadn't Sora and the twins said the same? He thought maybe he'd ask.

"What kind of creatures? And...Darkness?" It had a different sound than the darkness he was used to.

"In my universe, there's these creatures that manifest from the Darkness and steal the one thing you care for most." Axel set his fork down, bringing up his hand and hovering it right over the blond's chest to show him. "Your Heart."

He kept his finger over that spot, a faint tingling coming from inside as he sensed Mitsukuni's Heart. Axel had almost forgotten what it 'felt' like to be so close to one, especially after his own powers were severed from this place.

"These creatures are called Heartless, a fitting name in my opinion. They were once people, but the Darkness took their hearts and they became one with it as those creatures, ever needy to steal more." The Nobody lifted his finger, only to bring it to his own chest.

"My World is full of Heartless, but like I said, they have no interest in me because I don't have what they want." It was a reflex to frown at that fact. "After a person's Heart is consumed by the Darkness, they are split in two: a Heartless from the Darkness and the empty shell left behind, called a Nobody. And I'm a Nobody."

And just like that Axel smiled, going back to his food as if all of this was normal. And, indeed, it was normal. For him anyway.

"But enough about me. You said you were at a School and some of your friends were here. Tell me about your world."

No...heart? But you couldn't walk around, breathe, or think without one. And the man's presence was certainly real. Honey felt a little shiver go down his spine as he listened to the explanation, and it was almost too much to wrap his head around. The invitation to talk about school was more than welcome, and that snapped Honey back out of the sadness he felt as he listened.

"Right! We're from a place called Japan. I've been all over, though - we've been to America, to Europe. My family travels a lot because of what we do. We run a series of martial arts schools, and I've been training since I was little."

He took a few more bites of cake and a swallow of tea, and started again.

"But the school I was talking about is called Ouran Private Academy. I'm in my third year, and I'll graduate in the spring. It's one of the best private schools in the country! Lots of the students are like me, in that they're going to inherit a family business when they get older, or their families are in the government. Things like that. I'm in the Host Club with Tama-chan, and the twins, Hika-chan and Kao-chan. Tama-chan said we were going to have a meeting this afternoon! You should come, it will be a lot of fun~!"

Axel would've been blind if he didn't notice Mitsukuni's reaction to all of this, but now wasn't the time to delve deeper into his own history. He gave the teen his full attention, idly sipping his tea while he listened to whatever the blond had to say.

So apparently he came from a wealthy family that taught martial-arts world-wide? It was a subject that intrigued Axel, and he wondered how skilled the blond was after all those years of practice.

"Really? I'd like to see you do some. Just make sure not to break any of my arms." The redhead joked, unaware of the serious damage Mitsukuni could do to him, especially without his powers to aid him. He continued to eat, wiping his plate clean with one last piece of waffle before setting the dish aside. Axel made a note to get more once he got the chance.

"A Host Club..." The name sounded familiar, immediately recognizing it as something that was mentioned on the Bulletin Board not too long ago. Didn't the guy that made it referred to himself as 'Lord Suou Tamaki'? Axel nearly snorted but held it in with a grin.

"A personal invitation? Well, I don't see why I shouldn't come now."

The family pride came in, and he blushed. Should I tell him I'm not actually allowed to use my full power? No, that would be scary.

"I'm going to be showing the twins a few things later, I think. I'm a little bit out of practice, but." Honey hoped they had a dummy or something he could use as a practice tool. He didn't want to risk hurting anyone in the middle of a sparring match, and he didn't know yet if there were any other martial artists around who could block successfully without being hurt.

The mention of the Host Club again brightened Honey up. "Yeah! You really should. Bring your friends, too! We'll all be around later. At least...most of us. No one's seen Haru-chan in a while, and I don't think Takashi and Kyou-chan are even here. But the rest of us will be! And I think Tama-chan is trying to train new Hosts."

Honey wasn't sure if he should extend the invitation quite so far, but he figured he'd let the President handle it if Axel decided he wanted to try it.

Axel almost forgot how out of practice he was as well. As a test the redhead brought his arm behind his head, literally letting his elbow touch the other shoulder and wincing as his muscles protested for being stretched so far. Yes, he'd have to work on that.

When Mitsukuni referred to inviting his 'friends' as well, the redhead had to stop and actually think who'd want to come. The only real friend Axel could recall was Roxas, and even then he wasn't sure if the blond would've been interested in any of the like. Though there was also Naminé, but if she were to come Luxord would most likely follow...

"... What does a 'Host Club' do anyway?" The Nobody remembered asking the same question in the Bulletin board, but this 'Tamaki' was adamant on him finding for himself. But Axel was the kind of person that would rather be prepared for any situation.

Hm. How to explain the Host Club. Tamaki had always been the one to do that - either him or Kyouya. Honey was a little lost for words at first.

"Well, normally, we all have snacks, and tea, and lots of conversation! We entertain folks of all types. Mostly girls at the school, BUT! We've had boys there a few times. Oh! And games. Yes. And...well, like Tama-chan said! You'll have to find out. But it is really fun."

He hoped he'd gotten the point across. He remembered what Renge-chan had said, when she tried to start a Host Club in France - they just hadn't been ready for it. And Tamaki had always explained it better.

... Well that was certainly odd. So it was like a social affair? A High School version of a Gentleman's club for women? Axel guessed he had to see it all for himself to get a better picture of the whole ordeal. It wasn't like he had anything else to do to eat up his time.

But other than this Host Club, Mitsukuni's explanation of his own world was surprisingly normal, and that was considered to be a big stretch from all the other worlds he'd heard about amongst other people. Though that proved to be a disadvantage for many reasons if he ended up in Landel's.

"Have you been here for the Nightshift?" It never hurt to ask, the redhead couldn't keep up with how long other patients had been there.

"No. I just woke up here...I was in bed last night and then I was here this morning. But some friends told me about what happens...is it really as bad as people say? Monsters and everything?"

Honey was trying not to worry too much. He'd deal with it, whatever came, and as long as he had friends nearby, it would be all right, he thought. Thinking otherwise...well. It wasn't his nature to be negative about anything, and Honey didn't want to start now.

"It really depends on how many people are with you and what you actually come across at night." Axel only really had one encounter during his time here in Landel's, and in the end he was knocked out by a giant scorpion before waking up in his bed. But his earlier conversation with Larxene was also something worth mentioning.

"But that isn't the only thing you have to worry about. On some nights they take up a few of the patients here and sit them through these 'torture sessions'. I myself haven't had it done to me yet, but I know someone who's endured it." But the Nobody wouldn't go about saying that he didn't want it done on him. Truth be told that he was actually curious about it, and if it brought him one step closer to understanding this Institute then pain was a small sacrifice he'd gladly pay.

"So I suggest you make allies with whoever you can."

This whole thing was worrying. It really is like a horror manga. I want to go home.

Mitsukuni looked up, a concerned, serious look on his face. "Axel-san. Do you know anything about why we're all here? I...I'm scared."

He hadn't wanted to say that in front of the others. It would only have worried them, and they seemed to have enough to worry about. Somehow, even though he didn't know the - what had he called himself? It didn't seem right to call him a Nobody, when he was clearly a person, right there...but if that was the right word, as much as he didn't like it - very well, he'd opened up a whole lot. It was easier to say you were scared in front of someone you didn't feel like you needed to protect.

Even though his time in the Sun Room was completely uneventful, Roxas was feeling much more well-rested than before, and was more than ready for some food. Not entirely sure what to eat, he took small portions of various entrees. It was a lot more than he normally ate, but since this would be his only meal until dinner, that wasn't too much of a problem, as long as he didn't move around too much directly afterward.

By the time he broke away from the buffet table there were a lot of people in the cafeteria, so he scanned the area for some familiar faces. There actually weren't very many, and in a place like Landel's that wasn't necessarily a good thing. Maybe Roxas would have to make an effort to be a little more social. He did see Axel though, and they hadn't talked in a while. So, tray in hand, he made his way over.

The first thing that Roxas noticed as he made his was over was the blonde boy that Axel was talking to. Just how old was he? The second was the large pile of cake. Was he going to eat all of that? He didn't ask about any of it though, instead just taking a seat unobtrusively. It looked like whatever they were talking about was serious, and he didn't really want to interrupt.

Watching the blond's face drown in worry Axel was once again stuck under the assumption that a child was here in Landel's. Maybe it was because the Nobody had been around his Heart for a while, but the redhead sought it fit to place his hand on the latter's shoulder in a reassuring manner.

"I don't know much, but you can stick by me whenever you want to when Night does come. Back in my world I used to be a real fighting machine, you see." It was something Axel had missed, even with a Nobody's emotions. He didn't enjoy the thought of being so powerless in this cramped space.

"This Institute weakened a lot of what I can do, but I'll do my best to watch out for you."

Once again these words left a strange taste in his mouth, though it wasn't unpleasant. It was just an entirely new experience to strive to protect another, and it felt a lot like what he felt for Roxas. It was... nice.

… And speaking of Roxas.

“Hey stranger, it’s been a while.” And just like that the redhead lit up like a light bulb. It really had been a while since he’d seen his ~~only~~ friend, and the last time really didn’t count because his stomach was doing back flips.

Honey nodded, more reassured than he'd been in a while. "Thank you, Axel-san. I appreciate that." It actually did feel nice to have someone else looking out for him a little. It wasn't that the others he knew wouldn't, but, well. He could just imagine Tamaki getting distracted if Haruhi was in trouble, and the twins had each other. If Takashi was here...but he wasn't. It just felt better to have someone bigger watching out for him.

He then turned to the other boy that had popped in. "Hi! I'm Honey. You're a friend of Axel-san's?"

He couldn't help thinking, He looks like Sora-chan does. Are they brothers or something? Cousins, maybe, like Takashi and I. And he looks friendly, too!

"So it has," Roxas agreed to Axel. For supposedly being best friends, they sure didn't talk much. Though in a place like Landel's that couldn't really be helped, could it? But then again, he had plently of conversations with Sora, so maybe not.

....Honey, huh? It was an odd name, but it fit the (assumed) younger boy, somehow. "That's right," he affirmed to the question. "I'm Roxas. Nice to meet you."

The words felt a little awkward to say - unlike Sora, Roxas wasn't used to meeting new people. But that was going to have to change eventually, so why not start now?

It was nice to have someone there behind you to fall on when you needed it the most, as Axel was that secure in his masculinity to admit. Though on Roxas's behalf he'd like to admit that he was watching the blond's back as well. They've had plenty of conversations in the Institute, but it was around when they both just arrived there. Still, no one would ever find Axel saying no to seeing his best friend, and he was ever determined to keep their friendship as close as Nobodies could get.

The redhead watched between the two blonds with interest, taking notice of Roxas's usual persona when he meets new people.

"Roxas comes from the same world as I do, the one filled with Darkness and skyscrapers. It's very empty there but Roxas keeps me company." He explained to Mitsukuni, giving his friend another smile. Every time the other Nobody was around it really did feel like he had a Heart of his own.

… But all of a sudden a feeling of RAGE welled up inside him, and Axel immediately whipped his head over to it’s source. Green eyes narrowed into poison darts at the sight of the man whose body language was obviously more flirtatious around Naminé than he would’ve liked. And he would’ve gotten up if Xigbar and Luxord weren’t already there. For probably the first time since he came into this Institute, the redhead was relieved that the other members had came to Landel’s.

So he brushed the scene off with a well placed smile, using his fork to idly pick at Roxas’s plate.

The loud noises from across the cafeteria briefly distracted Honey from the conversation. He was shocked to see one person covered in blood and being dragged away. He'd always been taught that you used your skills to protect other people and protect yourself, not to be the one who started the fight. He guessed there really were people in this hospital that needed a little help managing their anger. But that situation had been quickly handled, and after watching it, he turned back around.

"Axel-san was telling me about that place. It sounded scary, and it's not like where I'm from at all."

He went back to the large pile of cake in front of him, and then noticed Axel wasn't watching. He looked at the pretty girl he was looking at. "Is she a friend of yours too?"

Roxas was actually somewhat used to all the commotion that went on in Landel's by now, so he wasn't really paying attention to much but his food and the conversation. Putting large egos together was bound to cause some fighting, if his days in the Organization had taught him anything. It was something of an annoyance, but some people just couldn't be helped.

He was a little surprised to hear that Axel had told Honey about The World That Never Was, but then again, the redhead couldn't really claim to be from anywhere else, could he? And Roxas couldn't really say otherwise either, even though he wasn't exactly welcome there anymore.

"It's not really scary," he replied with a mild shrug. "It's just kind of... sad? The way that everything there is missing something." It wasn't quite the right word, but Roxas wasn't really sure how else to describe it.

On the second question, he turned his head to look at whatever Axel was finding so interesting. Naminé, Luxord, Xigbar, and some redhead? That guy was getting a little friendly, so as much as he disliked his "comrades," Roxas was glad that they were protective of Naminé. Still, both Xigbar and Luxord were a bit non compos mentis, so if things got a little too intense, he was going to have to get her away from there.

"That's Naminé. She's kind of like my sister, and she has a lot of other people to help look out for her, too," he explained, a little too preoccupied to notice Axel stealing his food. He was definitely going to have to keep his eye on that scene.

Snake simply slammed his plate in front of the cafeteria workers and allowed them to pile on the food however they pleased, and made his way through the cafeteria without even looking at it. Pot luck, but whatever they'd given him he'd eaten worse. He'd never been anything close to picky.

The first thing he had to do would be to find Otacon - or Fox, he realised, although something close to shame began to fill his thoughts as he remembered him. He couldn't force Fox to stare him in the face again and see Big Boss. Who he'd stolen from him.

He glanced up and down the rows of people, all talking away and eating like machines, and -

- comes from the same world as I do, the one filled with Darkness and skyscrapers. It's very empty there but Roxas keeps me company.

That voice.

He shouldn't have been brought here, he thought fiercely. The kid's mentally unstable as it is, and he needed to be left alone. He needed to go free. Not even this Landel would lock away a man like him and expect him not to lose it. It's beyond madness.

He moved swiftly over to where he'd heard the voice. Two kids, and a young man.

But that voice...

"Raiden?" he asked, weakly, realising his mistake too late.

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