Day 43: Courtyard, Third Shift

[oftemptation.livejournal.com]

Once again, Endrance's nurse interfered with his plans. He had been planning to look around the Game Room, but the moment he began to move towards the Sun Room, she had taken him by the arm. "Your family has asked that we make sure you get as much fresh air and sunshine has possible, and you won't get that by staying inside playing video games all day."

He had thought for a moment about protesting, but decided against it. After all, if what had happened to Haseo was punishment for having spoken too strongly the day before, he didn't want to make that worse somehow. So, when given the choice of going out to the recreational field or the courtyard, he chose the latter.

There were a few reasons behind the decision, the most salient being that he wanted to see what the area looked like for a second time - this time without the threat of a brainwashed patient surprising him. The second reason was just as strong as the first, and it had to do with the presence of a second former Demon Palace Emperor. As energetic as she was normally in The World, he couldn't imagine Alkaid not wanting to spend some time outside.

Just as before, he sat down under a tree by the side of the pond, keeping one eye on the door.

[closed to Alkaid]

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[oftemptation.livejournal.com]

Alkaid was right, of course, about that way of thinking, but right at that moment, it just served to make Endrance look down at the bandage on his hand. He had been holding it so it was just out of view, so there wouldn't be any questions about its presence. He hadn't given the fact that the zombies even could infect someone any thought until right at that moment. It was strange, and it made him feel almost as if he should have been worried about it the entire time.

Despite that, he did his best to shrug off the worry as much as he could. "You're right about that..." The events of seven years ago flashed into his head again, and that memory made him nod. "Giving in when it seems darkest means that you won't ever see the light that comes after...so the only thing you can do is keep moving forward." He smiled again, just a little, but the expression didn't stay long, turning into something of a smirk a moment later - not one that was mean, though, not in the least.

"...should we perhaps warn your friend, then? You're a rather intense opponent when you're feeling particularly inspired." A laugh didn't follow, but the intent was there nonetheless.

This place...I never thought I'd think this, but...it's forced me to open up my eyes, and focus on other people, not just what I want to see or to hide from. I think I'm glad for that...I feel almost like I did back then, when there was all that hope...

He was snapped out of the thought a moment later, that moment's teasing making him blush again. "I wouldn't say that...for one, I'm not a teenage girl in the real world, and...well. I wouldn't say what I feel is necessarily returned, either. That doesn't matter so much...as long as Haseo's happy, it doesn't matter if the feelings aren't ever returned."