damned_institute | Day 49: Evening

Kirk had barely begun to dry when a nurse appeared to order them to the buses, but he left the warm shelter of the sheriff's office without complaint, and without even bothering to do up the buttons of his coat. The apprehension which had been edging around his thoughts all day was unignorable now, although probably only those who knew him could read it in the urgency of his movements. To the nurses he passed, he simply seemed like another patient in a rush to get out of the rain.

Last week's trip had apparently ended with everything exploding into mayhem at the end of the day, so fact that they were getting as far as the bus was a good sign — probably. Kirk for one would let himself relax once he was sure they weren't all about to be drowned. With this rain, there was little chance of gathering the crew again to discuss their findings, but he'd still rather get there soon enough to make sure they were all accounted for.

As luck would have it, Kirk's speed put him among the first dozen to board the buses. The nurse giving pat-downs before scolded him for not dressing properly, which he deflected with a grin and a cheerful suggestion of how else she could handle him. With how quickly she pushed him on the bus after that, it was too bad Kirk didn't actually have anything to smuggle back.

He chose a seat near the front, and settled in to look out the window for familiar faces. You had to hand it to Landel's staff — at the rate the prisoners were being rounded up, they'd be off in this hellish storm in no time.

[Roxas]

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The boy finally looked up when she spoke to him. People kept asking him that, was it really so obvious? He'd have to work on that before he met up with any of his allies. Still, like guy from before, he didn't have any particular reason to lie to her. "No, not really. Being human sucks. Having feelings sucks. It's too complicated."

"Oh," was all Bella said at first, unsure of what to say to the boy. After a few seconds of silence she responded. "What were you before you came here? I mean, if you weren't a human."

She had read about that on the bulletin board - not everyone in the asylum was human. Some people were apparently even animals in their own worlds! It was strange to think that someone held that much power in such a small place; that there was someone who could take people who were powerful and make them powerless, who could take creatures unheard of and turn them into things heard of ... it was frightening.

"I don't mean to pry," she quickly continued, frowning and running her fingers through her hair. "I'm just curious."

He ignored her apology and answered, "I'm a robot. A fighting robot," he added, just stating the fact instead of bragging like he usually did. "I got stuck in this body when they brought me here, and now I'm weak and... confused. I'm Forte, by the way."

A robot, huh? Honestly, it wasn't the strangest thing she had ever heard of. After all, back in Forks there were vampires and werewolves running around ... why wouldn't there be robots too? "A fighting robot," Bella parroted, nodding her head. "I can see how this would be hard for you. Taking you away from everything you've known and putting you in a body that's too weak and different."

Of course, it made her think of Edward. Were things this hard for him as well? He didn't like to show his weaknesses off to her, but ... most of the time she could read him like a book. However, ever since arriving in Landel's, things were ... different.

"Bella," she said with a soft smile, shrugging her shoulders. "I mean, I wasn't anything special back in my home, but I can understand what you're going through. It's like everything you once knew is just ... suddenly gone, and instead you're faced with something else you never imagined possible."

"And what's confusing you?" she added quickly, not wanting to seem like she wasn't listening, "If you don't mind me asking."

Although he knew everyone else had been kidnapped, Forte still felt a little surprised at what Bella said. Even if she didn't change her form, she was right about the sense of loss and confusion.

Normally, Forte would have been more defensive about why he was upset. But he was still feeling drained and for now didn't really care if this girl knew how much he'd been affected by this place. "It's just, having feelings for someone. It's confusing and I don't know what to do about it. "

"Oh, I know that confusion well," Bella said with a soft sigh and a nod of her head, trying her hardest to ignore the sudden heavy feeling in her stomach. She tried her best to ignore it, but the sickness was still there, even though she wished more than anything that it wasn't.

She was curious, she admitted. It reminded her of whenever her mother was in need of help and would ask for advice and she would give it to her. She only hoped she still had it.

"Well," Bella began, leaning back in the seat, her arms crossing over her chest as she thought to herself for a moment before speaking once again. "How do you know she doesn't feel the same? I used to think the same thing about the guy I liked, but in the end it was the complete opposite."

Forte looked up again at Bella as she nodded. At least normal humans got just as confused. Of course, her question would have been of more comfort before noon today.

"Because I told her. And she already has someone else." Despite his detached attitude, there was a touch of spite the last part. Not for Sheena, of course, but because, of anyone, he'd lost to such an obnoxious woman.

Well, shit. She sure put her foot in her mouth now. "O-oh," she said quietly, looking down at the ground. "I'm ... sorry."

Bella couldn't really say much on this topic; it hurt her too much. Was this how Jacob felt whenever he saw her with Edward? Yes, she knew she was happy with who she was with, but that didn't mean she didn't wish the utmost happiness on him. It hurt her to see Forte looking sad because he wasn't his interest's chosen one.

"You can't give up," Bella said suddenly, her voice a mere whisper. Her expression was soft, reassuring. "You have to just keep going. Even though it hurts, you'll find someone who you care for and cares for you back. Soon the confusion and the things you feel ... they'll fade." a pause, and the teenager turned to look out the window, her expression blank. "Time passes, even when it seems impossible. And who knows, maybe something will change."

Forte listened silently as Bella spoke. He felt like it was mostly going over his head, and he didn't know how she could be so confident, but she sounded sure it would get better for him.

He sighed and pulled his head off the next seat and sat back. Although his expression didn't change, he did feel a bit better. "Thanks. I guess all I can do is try to forget her and move on."

Bella nodded her head and turned to look at Forte once again, tilting her head slightly to the side. "Don't forget completely. Just remember what she made you feel like, then you can remember and try and find someone else who makes you feel the same way. Then, hopefully, when you find someone who makes you feel the same you won't feel confused. You'll be ready."

It was funny she was telling him this. After all, wasn't she the queen of hypocrites when it came to love? After Edward left she didn't want anything to do with anyone. Hell, she would have been completely alone forever had it not been for Jacob, who had pulled her out of her coffin of despair. He had reminded her of what it felt like to be alive, to be happy ... but not to be loved in the same way. Sure, maybe later he did, but that ended ... well, she remembered how it ended. There was no need to dwell on it.

"And who knows? Like I said, maybe something will change one day."

Forte wasn't particularly comforted by the thought of the whole thing happening again, since all that came from his feelings for Sheena was ruining an otherwise beneficial... alliance? Friendship, even? And who could say he wouldn't fall for someone else that would reject him? "Maybe." Hopefully not.

"Well, Sheena did say, 'If things were different...' And, I guess something could always happen to Yukari." He smiled, just a little, at the thought of something horrible eating that bitch. He couldn't just attack her, Sheena certainly wouldn't allow it. But if she happened to be killed... he wouldn't complain.

Day 49: Evening - Bus 3

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