damned_institute | Nightshift 23: M11-M20 Hall

Gin sat quietly on the edge his bed, hands folded in his lap as the doors unlocked. The knives were still beneath his pillow, where he'd stuffed them before Naoe came in for dinner. He'd prefer the man didn't know he had them, but if Ran arrived before Naoe left, well, it wasn't that important.

He still didn't know if she was going to show up at all. He'd wait a few minutes, check and see if her spirit thread was getting any closer, if not... there were plenty of other things he could do tonight. Jack was reliable if nothing else and wouldn't be too difficult to find. The disembodied voice of the announcer was right though. It was possible, terribly likely in fact, that he was not on the grounds. That he was somewhere else entirely. It would help if he knew a little more about how their announcement system worked. Obviously the Head Doctor wasn't the only one who could use it.

Regardless, he had to focus his thoughts on the here and now and then proceed forward. He sat patiently, for now at least, waiting for his visitor.

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Homura had gone through the same routine he had the night prior, exercising his muscles before sitting down to eat dinner. It was made simpler by the continued absence of his roommate, which Homura certainly didn't mind, as it gave him time to think over his plans, and about what had happened during the day.

But there was only so much time for thought before the doors clicked open, and with a grin, Homura stood. He could feel the same sense of anticipation from the night before, only greater, as he had defined objectives this time. He took the flashlight with him, the feeling of the short handle again making him wish for his sword as he moved into the hall.

Soon enough, however, and Homura was nothing if not a patient man. Still, he would only wait so long for this River to make an appearance before he proceeded to the Sun Room. He had no desire to spend a second night with no ground gained.

Naoe came out of his room, holding back the panic. Takaya had told him the name this place gave him, and now he was grateful for it.

"Do either of you know where the paitents are taken that the Head Doctor just spoke of?" he asked with a hint of urgency in his voice.

His guess was the second floor. He and Sasuke had found a lab up there. His plan was to go to Takaya's room, find out anything he could if Lee was still there, and then go looking, but if someone already knew then all the better.

Naoe's rush was fairly obvious, and it almost made Homura wish he could toy with the man. But there was no telling who had already allied with who at this point, so better to not isolate anyone while he waited.

"I'm afraid I have no idea." Homura spoke without concern. None of the names called out had been familiar to him, after all. "I've only been here two days."

No information. Noae didn't wish to waste any more time.

He didn't even say thank you. There was no time for politeness.

[to Takaya's room (http://community.livejournal.com/landels_damned/95566.html)]

Homura watched as the man dashed off, only to stop and kick down the door two rooms from Homura's. He grinned, shaking his head at the very violent reaction.

There was little good to panic, after all. So many weaknesses came along with it, especially a lack of observation of the surrounding area. Naoe was all but screaming for the enemy to lay some sort of trap.

But that wasn't any of Homura's concern, was it? No, all the demi-god had to do right now was wait, and guess at how much time had passed in his mind.

Kyouya forced himself to exit the room as soon as possible, spurred by the practical knowledge that anticipation only made things worse. His self-preservation instinct told him that there was no shame in hiding in his room, but he knew that his friends would be moving around tonight.

The intercom's taunts about rats in a maze was still going through his head as Kyouya stepped into the hallway from M11, his flashlight off this time. Considering what happened last night, he had no desire to make himself a shining target.

It was with no small amount of relief that he immediately encountered a familiar face. "Hello, Homura-san," Kyouya greeted after he'd made his way to where the other man waited. "Who was that?"

So the boy was brave enough to again venture from his own room. Surprising, but Kyouya's presence certainly wasn't an unwelcome one. "Good evening." Homura glanced in the direction that Naoe had disappeared, shaking his head lightly. "I have no idea. He was looking for someone. Rather desperately, it seemed."

Homura could sympathize with that. But now wasn't the time for memories that would cloud his judgment, and he focused on Kyouya, grinning down at the boy. "And what plans have brought you back into the halls for another night?"

"Experimentation. He must know one of the people whose names were announced," guessed Kyouya, the usual light-hearted cheer entirely gone from his demeanour. All males, as best as he could guess, and at least one who was Japanese. He had no idea if any of them was one of his friends.

No, it didn't make a difference, not in the short-term. Even if Tamaki or someone else had been taken, Kyouya wouldn't have been able to do anything. Empty bravery would help no one here. Better to find a use for himself elsewhere.

"I want to look around," Kyouya said decisively, pushing thoughts of experimentation and screaming out of mind. "The nurses won't be watching us now, and I need to know more about the hospital."

Undoubtedly Kyouya was right, but just like the boy, Homura doubted there would be anything he could do--if he had even wanted to. He had no idea where the patients were being taken, or who they were, and it was much better to busy himself elsewhere.

"That is simple enough. But my plans don't involve a great deal of exploration, at least not at first." Homura glanced along the hallway, trying to discern anything that might be approaching. "Several others and I are going to the cafeteria to see what can be found. You are free to come along, if you wish."

While Kyouya may not have been a warrior, an extra set of eyes to watch and arms to carry was certainly welcome. But his tone made it clear that Homura truly didn't care what Kyouya chose, and that he was equally welcome to go on alone.

Several others? "Are these friends of yours, from your world?" Kyouya inquired, although he supposed it didn't matter. He'd been prepared to go at it alone if needed, but practicality called for him to accept this offer. Plus, it would make him feel a lot better.

No need for Homura to know that, though. The man might not care either way, but Kyouya didn't want to start putting himself in debt to him should anything happen tonight. He nodded and said, tone equally indifferent: "Very well, I'll travel with you until I find one of my allies. Are you waiting for them right now?"

Homura couldn't help a wry grin at the innocent question; it was unlikely that anyone from his world wanted to be around him at the present. "No. They are people I've come in contact with here."

Another look up and down the halls, and Homura shook his head. He was a patient man, more so than most mortals often were, but he had no desire to spend another night in the same hallway as the last. Besides, this River had seemed confident about finding him. No doubt they'd still be able to if he was making his way to the hall outside the Sun Room.

"Let's get started then." Homura motioned down the hall, and began walking towards the entrance. "Do you have specific plans to meet one of your allies, or are you hoping for another chance encounter?"

Although Homura's amusement at his question could've meant anything, Kyouya filed it away for later consideration. He idly wondered how well the rest of the host club dealt with meeting such odd people on a regular basis.

"Nothing specific, no," Kyouya replied, falling into step beside Homura. He'd considered arranging a meeting with the others on the bulletin board, but something told him it might be unwise to say too much in a public place. Apparently Tamaki had plans to see a girl, anyway. Honestly... "You said the cafeteria. Were you planning to search the kitchen or trying the doors to go outside?"

((And going here!))

Nightshift 23: M11-M20 Hall

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