_{[About to make a new fan friend.]}

By the time Aidou arrived at the greenhouse, he was once again immersed in his own thoughts. Idle talk with Anise was over. Where the hell was Kyon? Nurses usually gave the excuse of “they’re sick” or “they’re sleeping,” which were no doubt lies, but given out during the instances where prisoners actually came back. They weren’t giving those excuses now. Just like they hadn’t with Akatsuki.

The vampire bit at his bottom lip as he walked towards the back.

He didn’t know why he found the greenhouse a bearable place to be--it was hot and sunny, a human-maintained place that a vampire shouldn’t want to be. It had life in it, however. Plants might not have liked him, but he didn’t mind plants, even when they were poorly tended to like these ones. Roses, what the girls enjoyed caring for. Sunflowers. Japanese flowers.

Near the back, Aidou took a seat on a bench situated between two palm trees, and turned slightly so that he rested his back against a trunk. There weren’t any true night-blooming flowers, though… which made things infinitely lonely. He crossed his legs, then folded his arms over his stomach before closing his eyes. He should consider direction to take with the coming night--all he knew was that he couldn’t get caught up in the same useless routines. Even the intercom announcements had had a change in tone; things were changing. He needed to, as well.

There was a knot in Sai's stomach as he was led back inside to the cafeteria. It was an unfamiliar feeling, and he tried to ignore it. What was it? Was he actually uncomfortable with his decision? He couldn't afford to be. This alliance with Itachi was crucial, and he'd just have to try and make sure the others saw it that way.

The promised lunch didn't help, as the fish was fried and generally not something he'd eat on a regular basis. The cod by itself would have been far more preferable. Nevertheless, the ninja took the meal as it was offered, figuring he could simply scrape away at the breading once he'd sat down. He passed up the "chips" completely and just added the cooked carrots in their place. It was somewhat more appealing than he'd anticipated once he sat down.

Having done about all he'd intended to do today already, Sai allowed himself to get comfortable and relax. His wounds needed time to heal, even in this place. The more rest he got, the faster that would happen.

Renamon blinked, and suddenly she was laying flat in the bed she had originally woke up in. The timing was impeccable, accenting Orihime's explanation perfectly. She just hoped that she hadn't freaked the girl out with her little disappearing act. She quickly shifted out of bed, and grabbed the journal she had wrote notes in last night, and jotted down another page. No sooner did she finish did her ever-so-friendly nurse come to collect her. Renamon didn't respond to the nurse's excited talk of making friends and breakfast, and simply followed her, journal in hand.

She paused at the Sunroom to leave a message on the Bulletin Board to Toboe. Hopefully the wolf had simply gotten lost, and wasn't truly gone. On the other hand, maybe she should be hoping that the boy had found a way out, and a way home. No use overly worrying about it now.

She continued to the Cafeteria, only pausing to take a plain muffin and water. It seemed she was early. She sat at a table near the wall, scanning over her notes and waiting for her breakfast date.

[Waiting for Kairi and Sora]

The cafeteria was all but empty when Zelnick got there. He was a little disappointed; he had gotten the impression that patients usually ate dinner in their rooms, so he hadn't arranged to meet anyone, and there really wasn't anyone to sit by and engage in conversation yet.

Quietly, he collected dinner and a big glass of orange juice, and chose a seat near the food-serving counters. Talking for so long had made him thirsty... and, well, fruit juice was a luxury he had missed.

[Stalk away, my dearest Admiral. <3 ]

[ waiting for Roy, I believe? ]

Stealing away to the Music Room was more difficult than Ashton had expected.

A bit more melancholy than normal, partially due to the events of the previous shift - who would have thought Ashton would meet the escaped Prince Cross in a place like this? - and partially due to the last remnants of his terrible headache, all he could think to do before meeting up with the leader of the Cooking Club was work with his hands.

That left the Music Room and the Arts and Crafts room. He was feeling too serious at the moment to play with cotton and sticks. But really, he didn't have a choice when he knew there was an imitation piano to be had.

And with so few creative things that Ashton was good at (sewing being one of them, the piano being the other) - and with a melancholy mood that was screaming to him to indulge in such ephemeral sounds - he couldn't help but be drawn to the false piano within.

Edging around Claude and Dias was a challenge. He didn't have two obnoxious dragons flailing around and making sounds, which made it easier to sneak, but Claude was.. right there. ...That wasn't really a conversation that he wanted to take part in; he'd just sit there and feel guilty about everything. And he had Colonel Mustang to meet. ...Sitting and chatting was out.

He'd explain it later if Claude and Dias were to hear him, but right now he simply wanted to play.

Ashton sat down at the 'piano', staring at it for a few moments. It had so many words and buttons that he didn't know what to do. Finally, on a whim, he pressed the 'on' switch, and then laid a hand on a key. It sounded.

That was easier than he'd expected!

In a moment, the swordsman's callused fingers were drifting over the keys, the sound of the Song of Salvation softly drifting from the speakers on the masheen.

This was a completely worthy distraction until the Colonel came.

The lockdown had been interesting. The fact that the staff had enough power to put down a rebellion that quickly and then lock people into their rooms just as fast was something of a feat to be admired. Their efficiency would have been much more impressive if Okita had been on the other side of it, however. As it stood, he had to keep his assessment to himself and when the nurses came and escorted the men out to the showers, he was ready to play the role of model prisoner for a little while.

The last thing he needed was another needle in the neck, after all.

He followed his nurse, smiling pleasantly at her as she led him through the Sun Room and toward the men's showers. Despite arriving almost a week ago, this was his first time experiencing these strange Western bathrooms. He'd explored them at night, but the smell had kept him far from the spigets and fixtures except when absolutely necessary. His nurse pointed out the changing room and politely turned around, trusting that he'd be good for now.

It was fortunate that she did or she might have seen the extra five pens he'd stuck in his waistband to be used later if he needed a weapon. He undressed, hiding the pens away along with his journal and allowed his nurse to remove the bandages around his chest. The scratches had scabbed over and were mostly healed by now. He took the towel she offered him and went into the showers, glad to see he was the first one. It would make finding him easier if anyone needed to speak with him.

Stepping over to the shower furthest away from the door, he fiddled with the knobs and nearly screamed when cold water hit him full on. Stupid Western plumbing! He hadn't been expecting that from what everyone had told him about showering. It took a few minutes, but the hot water began to run and he calmed down, peering at the showerhead and marveling at how water came from the wall directly. Such innovation. With little else to do but enjoy a nice warm bath, Okita began to wash, feeling the stress slip off him along with the week's accumulated sweat and grime.

[open for anyone]

[[From here]]

The hallways were empty so far, and while SubZero was glad he didn't have to put up with a bunch of kids and other people running around, it was odd to be in an area without any sign of other patients after having been surrounded by them so often.

He much preferred the silence, though there were a few prisoners that he could tolerate. HK was being quiet at least, which was a welcome change from the constant complaints and insults.

After that, most entertaining conversation, William gathered his notebook, a pen and his flashlight before setting off into the dark hall. He had to be quick about this, or else his idiot roommate might end up insisting on tagging along. And William had the idea that Armand didn't have the stomach for science.

Or the nerves either. Oh well, William could always introduce it to him later, just to see what effect it had on the fool.

[To here.]

[from here]

It was lucky for both him and Usopp that their rooms were just a block down. Not that he'd seen many monsters or otherwise around the patient blocks themselves, but the further apart they were the more likely there would be something that could stop them on the way. Here they had simply a short run between them. Granted, it would have been even better if they'd been in the same block or even the same hallway, but given the overall situation they could have been far worse off.

He took one more glance around, saw nothing and no one, and continued on his way.

[to here]

_{[from here]}

Aidou exited the cell block, heading down the hallway to the second male block. There were two stops he had to make in there, and with any luck there wouldn't be too much of a hold up. After all, he made a point of keeping out of the glow of people's flashlights as much as possible--even wearing white over grey, it was more easy than not to blend in.

Habitually, he kept an eye on each end of the corridor, absolutely refusing to be caught unawares himself.

_{[to here]}

Hiei easily grew sick of the same walls--not to mention the same idiots always within those walls--and while not perfect, the chance to go outside was better than lingering in the boundaries of that damned prison. So when the chance came, the demon was quick to leap on it, heading outside almost quick enough to make a nurse wonder if he was attempting escape.

Almost.

But there were things Hiei had to take care of before he left this place, and first came sorting through his thoughts. Kurama was gone; the demon was sure of it, even without the use of his Jagan. The fox was one of the people Hiei was closest to, one of the few Hiei would admit being close to, and his presence weighed heavily on the demon, nearly as heavy as his absence.

It made him angry, that Kurama had vanished. Be it by escape or some other circumstance (which Hiei barely considered possible, only by his own refusal), the fox should be there with him, fighting with him. That was how they worked, supposedly. As a team.

Now Hiei would have to do without. And he would be fine with that, eventually. For now it was annoying, but that would pass. Perhaps quicker with a nap, and the demon moved under one of the trees. He didn't care that it was colder in the shade; his contrasting origins mixed with his stubbornness kept the weather from bothering him too much. Closing his eyes, he relaxed against the bark, as much as he could given the circumstances, and hoped for a lack of bothering.

Though he hadn't been able to stomach much of the cafeteria food, as the day went on, he did feel marginally better.  The fever seemed to have broken and he'd held down what little he'd eaten.  It made him a little anxious, to sit around so much, and even if it was difficult, a walk outside sounded like a nice break from the usual.  He had no interest in the visitors.  Likely as not they were the same as the creature he'd run into a couple nights ago in the form of Aizen Sousuke. 

He folded his thin arms across his chest as he started his walk around the courtyard.  The air was crisp, getting colder by the day it seemed, but it didn't dissuade him from taking a leisurely walk while he gathered his thoughts.

Hitsugaya left the chapel no less frustrated than before. The head doctor once again had chosen not to hide his face, yet promised he would be making an appearance at some time in the near future. He didn't like being patient, but there wasn't much choice. Either the head doctor would show his face, or he wouldn't. Renji had already seen him, and knew how to find him. That was enough.

The thought of eating made him slightly nauseous as usual, but he knew he needed to get his strength up. He could either be weak and try to force his way through brunch without eating anything, or he could be smart and actually give himself something to eat. And there was rice. Rice and fruit. He took a heaping pile of rice, and grabbed as much watermelon as he could fit on his plate, then proceeded to an empty table. He scanned the room, watching for Momo. He wasn't exactly looking forward to their conversation, knowing how she'd acted yesterday; however, he knew he had to speak to her, and there was a good chance that she would show more restraint now that the drugs were out of her system.

Thoughtfully he consumed his rice and waited.

[free at the moment, pester if you wish]

Hiei didn't give a damn about religious services, meditation, or pretending to be social. The always sudden waking after night put him in a bad mood, this one particularly so. Even with Kurikara licking him like some perverted moron, the warmth the dragon provided was welcome in Hiei's bed, and missing when he woke, giving the surrounding air a greater sense of chill.

But the perfect thing to relieve his anger might just be making an appearance that morning, and that at least gave Hiei hope for a decent day.

Hopefully Kurikara and Kurama both would be clever enough to figure it out for themselves. Without hesitation, Hiei demanded to be led to the temple, taking a seat in one of the rear pews. Humans had a way of overdoing things, and this place wasn't really much exception to that. Granted Hiei's limited knowledge prevented him from realizing there were much more outrageous churches, but to the demon, the colored pieces of glass and polished wood seemed to be much.

It didn't matter, however. Either could be turned into weapons, perfect objects to slice into that damned head doctor's throat or bash in his skull. That was a thought worth grinning about.



[Feel free to pester. Just, uh, be aware that he's not exactly nice.]

(From here.)

Artemis poked his head into Farfarello's room, and seeing that there wasn't anything waiting for him, entered. "Right," He stopped in the middle of the room and turned, "Where do we start?"

Why did the room suddenly feel like it was the size of a matchbox?

[[from here]]

With the thought of food fresh in his mind, Allen found himself hurrying along, his mood just a little bit brighter. It seemed like his stomach was always rumbling in this place.  While the dinner had been sufficient, he was already hungry again after using so much of his strength just to invoke the Innocence back on the bus. 

He had to be careful though, his eyes were still adjusting to the darkness.  Usually the dorm rooms and hallways were safe, but then, usually there weren't giant automobiles and trips into town that ended with everyone being attacked by transforming nurses.  He wasn't going to take any chances if he didn't have to.

[[From here]]

Allen struggled to keep Sanji from falling over as they walked further into the institute. The halls were so dark without the portable lanterns, it was difficult to see much going on in front of them. He didn't like it, but there wasn't much he could do about it for the time being.

"Whatever is close I guess," Allen replied to Sanji's question. He hadn't thought much further than that. As long as there was a place where the other could rest until the effect of the drugs was gone, it didn't really matter where, did it?  "Unless you want to go to yours?  Mine is much further up the hall."

[OOC: As the maps are currently down, I don't have the exact room name handy. Will edit if necessary when the maps are back up.]

[coming from here]

Farfarello was a little surprised to find the lobby empty when he came through the doors. They hadn't been the first off the buses, he knew that for certain, but no one else had made it inside? Pathetic. But also good, for Schwarz' purposes.

Leaning against a wall and keeping his senses alert for any trace of monsters, Farfarello waited for Schuldig and Crawford to catch up with him.

[Dropping down from Bus 3.]

Shana dropped into the darkness from the open window above, keeping her back to the carraige as she waited for her eyes to adjust to the pitch blackness surrounding her. It must have been a cloudy night, for she could make out no stars or moon above. Eerie sounds filled the night and she shivered, not liking the sound of it, nor the fact that she was out here alone with no idea of what could be lurking in the shadows.

Shadow was still trapped in the bus somewhere above and behind her, and she had no idea where Valyn and Keman were. Focusing her magic, she tried to reach out and feel for them, wondering if they'd felt her cast her magelight spell, wondering if they'd cast anything in return for her to find them. She had no desire to spend the night separated from them, especially since she hadn't been here long enough to know her way about the place, let alone the extent of dangers it could hold

Shana’s head jerked up as the carriages screeched to a halt and an awful, thick tension fell over all of them. Feeling her hair stand on end at the nape of her neck, she glanced around the outside of the bus, searching for whatever had given her the awful feeling of dread but seeing nothing out of the ordinary in the waning light of…

There wasn’t even time to complete the thought before day slipped into night and the peaceful twilight melted into nightmare. For one endless, dizzying moment, everything around her warped, shifted, leaving her disoriented and grabbing for Shadow to keep her balance, and then darkness fell and they were surrounded by the screams of tortured beings as their watchers… changed, turning into grotesque monsters Shana had never seen the like of before. Valyn hadn’t been joking when he’d told her of the horrors that stalked the darkness here, but not even her imagination could come close to inventing these.

Gasping in horror, she recoiled, darting to her feet, even as startled cries and exclamations rose from the other patients on the bus and eerie, unearthly sounds echoed from outside in the darkness. They were trapped in here, with the monsters at the exits, and none of them armed!

Her mind racing frantically, Shana summoned just enough of her power to send magelight dancing along the roof of the carriage, enough to illuminate the inside of the bus. This would possibly draw unwanted attention, yes, but at least the rest of them trapped on the bus wouldn’t have to fight blindly.