((From here. ))

His companions had chosen precisely the right thing to comment about. Adelheid had used his spear when fighting that monstrosity of a thunder-bird, and it had proven a tremendous downfall. Considering that he'd been forced to spend quite a few days trying to find healers to repair the damage... yes, that was still fresh in Adelheid's mind. But in this case, he hoped, the literally burned hand would learn best.

Of course, he hoped equally that his companions weren't getting too upset. Something was going on here, though; none of them had seemed upset at hearing about such a creature, which meant that they were used to something of that nature... and their comments had held just the hint of an edge, something Adelheid knew only too well, and it irked him. He was a Bernstein and a warrior, they should be listening to his advice!

Ah well. He'd done what he could, and so long as he was still drawing breath, he'd make sure that if they did do something stupid, he'd cover for them at least once. "Quite the contrary," he muttered as he walked along, "if I were at full strength- as it goes in this place- I'm confident in my ability to defeat it. One bolt at a time, when I know where they're coming from, isn't much." Adelheid knew now that he could reflect the attacks... but that first time, it had been a desperate fight for survival against something that had caught him off-guard. Now that he knew better, he was confident in his ability to survive again. Victory, however, was another matter entirely.

[From here]

Recluse turned the corner into the cell block hallway, still internally ranting about Landel. He was used to being the one in control of people like that infuriating doctor. There was a whole recruitment program for 'Mad Scientists' in Arachnos.

The vast majority of them ended up being killed by their on projects. Often in quite amusing, bloody, agonizing ways. That one little thought made everything seem just a little bit better.

[to here]

[from here]

Good, everything still looked familiar. Or as familiar as was possible in the darkness. Rhode still had yet to discover the joys that belonged to the flashlight nestled beneath her pillow, but her eyes were so accustomed to the darkness of her own dimensions that the hallways did not bother her. A little light would have been welcome, if only to flash against her golden eyes and scare away whomever had the misfortune to stumble onto her. She smiled at the thought of someone screaming as they ran away.

Only a little farther now.

[to here]

_{[from over here]}

Although, he didn't need a room number to know where he was going, that much was true. The blood scent was strong, stronger than the average person's. And even if it wasn't, he was still competent enough to track it - a vampire's senses were superior, after all. They had no true weaknesses beyond a hunter's weaponry.

The tattoo stung him in rhythmic intervals, reminding of all the little things that made him doubt. Today along two people had called him weak, both children, both with their own visible injuries. And yet they'd both had the

Shut up, he spat in his own head, and kept moving through the shadows.

The only reason he hadn't outright refused Bella's request was that he had been planning to head in that direction all along. Where the humans went to the cafeteria for their food, Aidou went to the female cell block. It was the only place to find a good meal; that girl Claire had to be around somewhere.

_{[and making his way down the hallway to here]}

Larsa knew far too well the routine that occurred with Nightshift nowadays. With his own roommate having been taken by the Institute two nights prior, he could not afford to risk the assumption that his Guardian had not been met with the same fate. And so, he only found it fitting to traverse to the latter's room and check himself.

The Hallway was still empty when he stepped out, clutching at his flashlight as he cautiously descended down the area. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to traverse about this early, but he felt that if he maneuvered by quickly enough he could avoid an encounter all together.

With his mindset firmly planted to that belief, Larsa wasted no time making his way down to the set of doors that led to the next Hallway.

[To here.]

Momo's mind was turning over all the possibilities surrounding this "field trip" to the surrounding town when she settled down in the corner of the Sun Room away from the Arts & Crafts room. She curled her legs underneath her as she waited for Shouko-san to find her. The shinigami had no idea what she looked like, so she kept an eye on all those entering the room.

It was still very cold, or at least she was cold, and the momentary thought of getting her coat from her own room passed through her mind amidst the field trip thoughts. She pushed it away and decided to deal with it being as cold as it was since she'd already been late to one meeting today and didn't want to start making it a habit.

As she waited, she pondered the next day's possibilities. Maybe, just maybe, once away from the institute the shinigami will have access to their full reiatsu. And if not, maybe they'll have a better idea of how they are being limited so much. Maybe Aizen would be able to find her then. He'd save her... right? Right?

Renji wasn't so certain what this grilled cheese thing was all about, but he liked the sound of some soup. Even if it was strange western soup, well... there wasn't anything bad people could do to soup, in his experience. His good mood was starting to fray at the edges, a little, from the strain of dealing with the Ichimaru issue, and even more from what had been on the bulletin board earlier.

He'd never had difficulty simply writing something before. But...

He shook his head as he entered the line. He didn't want to think about it. He wanted to hold on to the tenuous equilibrium he'd managed to find.

Renji got himself a large bowl of soup, water, and even one of those sandwiches, just to try it. Old habit, recently awakened, had him over to one side of the cafeteria, where the fewest people possible would have the chance to pass behind him. He sat there with his back toward the wall and started eating.

[[From here]]

It was the same area where they had fought the strange woman previously, so Wesker was cautious. So far he hadn't run into trouble in the same area twice, though he had noticed monster remains in various areas. He had yet to notice any particular pattern in the deployment of monsters, but he couldn't monitor the entire facility.

This particular area was also slightly more hazardous to fight in because of the railing and the danger of being thrown over it by a strong enough enemy. The noise of breaking down a door would attract the attention of whatever was in the area, so he wanted to make absolutely certain there were no enemies waiting in the shadows to surprise them.

Unfortunately, with Relena's light on, there was very little chance of noticing any enemy before the enemy noticed them.

The intercom crackled on, all vestige of civility lost from the Head Doctor's voice as his words came out, quick and frothy.

"Schizophrenic sasquatch? Sasquatch? Surely, you can come up with something better than that, old friend!"

His breathing continued, hard and unhinged, as the intercom squealed for a moment under the movement of his hands.

"You, weaponless? Ha! You reaped the same benefits from these patients as I did, Alec! You remember, I'm sure, the poor man from whom you stole your own abilities? Of course, I have more than that now--much more--more power than even you can imagine, than even my so-called superiors can. I'm the one being ordered, here? Ha! I have countries begging for the fruits of my research; it is only through my own pitying patriotism that I stick with this sad bunch of short-sighted military men!

"In short, dear doctor, your words are noble indeed, but your intentions are another matter entirely, as I have reiterated again and again and again. And again, this trade of tirades--I tire of it! Good night for now, Alec, and Group 3, I hope you enjoy your stay."

With that angry note, the Head Doctor seemed to slam his hand down on the intercom switch and all went quiet.

[From here]

If a being that lacked his heart could somehow have a heart attack, Xemnas would certainly have one as soon as the radio broke the deafening silence. As the man blurted his message, the Nobody found himself torn between listening to said message or trying to silence it. It would seem he had no choice in the matter, even despite the possible foes the noise would certainly attract. If it was possible for Xemnas to do so, he would certainly regret bringing the item along this little trip.

Naturally a curious man, the message was merely fuel to the fire. Where the Dead rested..., certainly some of the patients must have perished during their stay, leaving a mere corpse behind. There was no graveyard to speak of, yet those bodies needed to be stored somewhere...

Even so, the Superior had no idea where he could find such a place, as he still hadn't fully mapped the institute. Added to the fact he still had no decent weapon...it seemed incredibly unwise to pursue the supposed clue unless he would have some means to defend himself. There was also the possibility it was a trap. How much could this man of the radio be trusted, after all? What could be said of him?

He continued ascending the stairs, eventually reaching the very spot he had been a few nights ago. He had gone straight ahead back then, now there were both the options of left and right. After a moment's pause, he finally chose to head left.

[To here]

[From here]

Xemnas briefly paused as he reached the staircase, his orange eyes slightly narrowing as he gazed upwards, trying to determine whether something above waited, or not.

The Darkness didn't provide him the slightest moving shadow, nor any sounds broke the everlasting silence. For now, both the stairs and the immediate area around it were void of anything remotely sentient.

With that, the Nobody silently climbed the stairs.

[To here]