[[from here]]

The door to the next room unbarred easily, and Celes looked over her shoulder at the men, briefly. Assessing them, as it were. On the patio, she heard nothing, not the sound of patients inside, the scrabble of the giant roaches or even the sound of breath echoing in the room. Shining her beam into the room, Celes stepped inside, looking around.

"It's empty," she whispered. The kitchen looked to be just ahead, though the door was locked when she tried it. "Locked."

[From here.]

Managing to maneuver through the hallways without any disturbances brought much relief in the youth, finally making his way towards his intended destination after several minutes of walking. With Gabranth at his side he was able to reach for the knob without hesitance, twisting the object before pushing it forward, opening the path that lead outside.

However, something was not right.

From the moment the door opened Larsa could smell the stench of blood poor inside, gasping out before holding his hand over his mouth. He could make out the red moon that loomed high above them, coloring the patio with the same shade. The child had never seen such a thing occur in the Institute since he arrived, and he could feel anxiousness welling up in him as he took a step back.

"What...?"

[[From Here]]

Allen followed, though his childish face was set in a firm line.  Clark couldn't be that much older than him, why was he being treated like a little child while Clark was leading the group?  He pushed his bruised pride aside.  It probably didn't help that he wasn't exactly the picture of health either.  Still, he kept an eye out for enemies from either side as the others lead the way. 

Hadn't Renji and Rukia gone up the other staircase?  They were going to get lost at this rate and then Renji and Rukia would trust him even less than they did now.  But that wasn't important, what was important was getting these people free from whatever monsters had captured them.  He'd been under Komui's knife more times than he cared to remember and if it was anything like that, he just hoped they'd make it in time.  He wouldn't be able to forgive himself if they were late only because he'd been pulled aside and wasted their precious time. 

He tried to keep his hand steady as they reached the second floor.  This was right near where she had been last night.  That terrible spirit.  He shuddered at the memory.  As long as nothing like that found them tonight, it would be alright.  He just prayed they'd have a safe journey this time.

_{[from over here]}

The area he had traversed only yesterday was empty, devoid of the wicked phantom and her godawful touch. Still, Aidou couldn't help but to be tense when passing through - he kept watching the stairs and the people behind him more than anything else. Better sense told him she was no longer there, but the part of him that was just about to snap from the violation couldn't calm itself.

Hesitation had never suited him, and it only made him angry. Cold, tired, and angry.

At the faint red glow that illuminated the open square over top of the Sun Room, the vampire looked up through one of the windows. And right into the eye of the moon, which was red and bloody.

"A sanguine moon that holds no delight for creatures of the light."

His mouth curved into a dark sneer. It didn't portend good fortune for denizens of the night, either.

[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 here]

The hallway was empty here as well. Just how much earlier had she headed out tonight? Probably not by much. The absence of others in the hallway barely bothered Rhode as did the presence of others. Her mind was usually so dead focused on getting somewhere or finding someone that she had never really paid attention to what other things happened around her.

A left at the next hallway and down a bit for the doors on the left. That should be right. She hoped the ghost woman's influence on her wasn't messing with her memory.

[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.]

The intercom gave its cheery jingle just before the Head Doctor's equally buoyant voice rang through the halls.

"Ah, and finally, our day is coming to a close! Rooms and roommates have been reassigned with care, though what great partnership can start without a good meal? Ah, yes, after the nurses escort all of our patients, new and old, back to their proper rooms, everyone will have the chance to enjoy a savory chicken pot pie, full of peas, carrots, potatoes, and of course, chicken. On the side, we'll have buttery corn on the cob and green beans, and to drink, you may choose from the regular slew of water, milk, or assorted juices, which your nurse will bring to you.

"I believe that's all for now! Phew, long day, huh? I know I'll be happy to get some sleep, and thank you to all our vigilant doctors and nurses, although Dr. House seems to have gone AWOL... Hmm... Well, in any case, have a good dinner, everyone!"

The intercom clicked off again as the nurses began organizing the patients for the small trek back to their rooms.

[ OOC: Remember, room threads go in response to THIS post, and please put your respective room number in the subject line of your first post. Thanks! ]

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.

With the nurse's guidance, Rinali was the first one into the room.  Along the way she did her best to make note of what she saw, but everything seemed to fit what the nurse had said.  This looked for all intents and purposes to be a mental asylum.  Still, everything was off.  Why did the nurse say her name was Mei Dianfu?

"Here's everything you need to get going," the nurse said with a warm smile, leading her to a table with cheap scissors, glue, and an assortment of glitter and other tools to draw or build.  "I'll be right over here if you need anything, hun," the nurse said with a warm smile.  "The other patients will be coming in shortly.  Try and make some friends."

Rinali smiled slightly to the nurse in thanks.  The nurse seemed genuine enough, so there wasn't any point in being rude until she understood what was going on.  "Thank you very much," she said, then took a seat at the table.  She didn't bother to look at the art supplies, instead waiting for the rest of the 'patients' to filter in.  Maybe one of them would know why she was here, or better yet, where her brother was.

Brother, she thought.  Where are you?

Day came too soon.

Sora hadn't been able to find Rena, had instead been forced to crumple onto the grass of the recreational field and bleed all over himself, and hadn't even accomplished what he'd been sent out to do. What he'd been entrusted to do. He didn't know how he was going to be able to face Renji and the others, but he also knew he wasn't going to hide from them, either. That would just be low, after all, and he was ready to face up to the consequences.

He didn't try to make excuses for himself. Even though there had been a Special Counseling patient, they had managed to take her down by sheer numbers. The fact that he hadn't seen any sign of Rena was what had him the most worried. He hoped he could find her today.

The boy laid in his bed for a good while that morning before his nurse finally came in to collect him. She clucked over the bandages wrapped tightly around his chest and leg, and asked him if he was okay to walk.

Once Sora assured her he was fine (he didn't really want to use crutches, as that would just attract attention to himself, and he didn't need others worrying over him), they made their way to the cafeteria. Sora yawned and winced against the bright light of morning - it seemed even earlier than usual, and he realized why when they entered the cafeteria and found it empty.

The boy shuffled over to grab a chocolate chip pancake, a bowl of cereal, and a glass of milk (good for the bones, or so his mom had always told him) before settling at a table. He kept an eye on the door, hoping he would see Rena walking in soon.

The man on the radio and the... Head Doctor, Celes supposed, had finished their tired arguments and left Celes considering her options. First and foremost, she would be waiting for Larsa and his companion. Still, her curiosity ran thickest when the man on the radio said something about a fire monster.

Asleep, in ice... Well, certainly she had an idea, and the blonde woman ran her fingers through her hair, considering her options. There was also this thin, green-tressed girl to think about. Hmm. The General settled herself at her desk, legs crossed at the ankles, flashlight up-ended on her desk for light.

Hopefully, the wait would not be long.

Ashe couldn't deny that she was a least a little relieved when the lights went out and the doors slowly groaned as they unlatched and opened. The transmitted and flashlight would of course be needed if she were to progress efficiently in her exploration of this institution; apparently, an entirely new level and a few choice foes had been selected for them tonight, if Cliff's testimony about monsters was to be believed.

Wondering if her roommate knew the ropes just yet, the princess halted at the door as she'd been ready to brave the halls and had managed to forget her probably less-than-capable companion. Turning back to look for Nadine, she awaited the other woman's reaction.

Christ. Brock didn't like the sound of the intercom tonight; considering how Landel was gloating, it sounded like they'd done the same experimental bs they'd done earlier with Luffy...although this time there appeared to be some kind of warning as to where these wackos would be wandering around. So long as it wasn't Luffy, they didn't care though. And listening to the description, Brock was pretty damn sure it wasn't Parker either.

Shame.

They might be weakened, but they would've loved an excuse to duke it out with their favorite neighboorhood Spider.

But of course that wouldn't be possible tonight anyway. That symbiote and its Kasady-Host are ours tonight, the symbiote hissed angrily. Young they may be, but they've gone too far to go unpunished. Oh, Brock hadn't forgotten. It was hours after the fact, but the anger was just as fresh as it was this morning. No one acted all buddy-buddy with Parker - much less in the showers, goddamit - than him, and definitely not Kasady. If they weren't going to beat in Parker's skull - figuratively speaking (they didn't want to injure him permanently after all - then they would go for the next best thing and beat in Kasady's. Literally speaking.

Brock slipped out the door as soon as it clicked open, leaving his roommate to his devices. They weren't entirely sure where Kasady's room was, but they would find out. The younger Host probably hadn't fed yet, which would be to their advantage. Licking his lips, Brock headed down the pitch-black hall, searching for that strange feel of another symbiote in the air. At night it was more difficult to pick him out, but he wasn't going to let this slide without beating the lesson of stay-the-fuck-away-from-Parker into Kasady.

The intercom clicked on with its usual jingle, the Head Doctor clearing his throat before he made his last shift-changing announcement of the day.

"Well, now that everyone is clean and having fun, I suppose it's time for everyone to be escorted back to their rooms for dinner! Yes, yes, I know the game room can be entertaining and doctor sessions can be fulfilling, but we only have so much time in the day, don't we?

"Ah, and speaking of dinner, tonight, we'll be having an old favorite--seasoned steak, a baked potato, and peas! Yum, yum. You also get a choice of vegetable soup or caesar salad--just tell your nurse which you'd prefer--and may also choose from our usual variety of drinks."

He made his usual pause, perhaps contemplating what the night would have in store once the sun fully set. Now, however, wasn't the time to reveal such musings, and so he ended on his usual cheery note:

"That's about all for now! I hope you all enjoy your suppers."

And again the intercom turned off.

The concept of showering with a bunch of children terrified him, but he refused to let it show. He was over 130 years old, and they wanted him to get naked and bathe, surrounded by kids very nearly a tenth his age. It was certainly inappropriate. On the other hand, he had to shower. It was his third day in this asylum, and he had not been given the opportunity for a shower yet. The idea of wiping off the filth of the last two nights seemed ideal.

Thankfully, he seemed to be the first one there. Maybe if he were quick about it, he could shower and leave before too many of the children came in. He got undressed, and stared at the showers for a second. They were significantly different from the ones he was accustomed to, but after a small amount of trial, error, and scalding hot water, he managed to figure out the system.

He'd just need to get through the showers quickly and efficiently, and then get the hell back to the sun room.

Scar felt cold and sick, though more the latter than the former. As he rose from his bed, he didn't quite know which way was up, and the artificial light coming from overhead seemed as hot and as blinding as the Ishbal sun.

His head hurt, but that was nothing new. After all, the last thing he remembered from the night before was fighting a homunculus off of Lust and then having a conversation about events best left forgotten. The man hadn't been his brother. He just hadn't. And if what Lust had said they'd done to her was true...

Scar stood with shakiness that he wanted to attribute more to a bizarrely weakened physical state than a mental one. Had he been knocked out by some kind of lurking monster before the morning had come? He felt as if he had been out for days, being a veteran of such circumstances, though as he took the practiced role of being an obedient follower behind the nurse and orderlies that came for him, it didn't seem as if much had changed.

This place was probably just playing tricks on him again, and he was tired of being the man left out of the loop. He grabbed some food he didn't really care for and sat down, not seeing anyone he knew already seated. On one hand, he wished he had someone to talk to, and on the other, it scared him that he was no longer used to being alone.

He dug his fork into his food and tried to block out any related thought.

It wasn't as if Phibrizzo didn't enjoy breakfast; he simply grew bored with it after awhile. Exchanging pleasantries with Haku only held his interest for so long and once the meal was finished, they lost all their charm. He was heading for the exit to go exploring on his own when a nurse put a hand on his shoulder and told him it was time to go somewhere else.

"Where are we going?" He asked, looking up at her with large eyes. She smiled back.

"The game room! You'll be able to find yourself a little playmate there."

A playmate? Probably not in the same sense Hellmaster was accustomed to playing, but it wouldn't be so bad to mingle with others his "age". If nothing else, it was a way to pass the time. And who knew- maybe a 'playmate' would present themselves. There was some fun to be had yet. Shuffling into the game room at the nurse's urging, Phibrizzo picked up the first game he could find and inspected it.

"Uno," he read back from the cover. Huh. He opened the box and pulled out a few cards of various colors and numbers. The small Mazoku cocked his head. How did this game work? Were you supposed to separate them and pile them in numerical order by color? It didn't seem like much of a game, but what did he know about the games children played?

Taking the deck in his hand, he meandered to a corner and sat down on the floor, making blue, red, green, yellow, and misc piles of cards as he waited for others to filter in.

Sai awoke rather groggily, which wasn't a good sign for a ninja. It meant he was probably ill. He'd need to get checked up with a medic-nin before he did very much more that day. Eyes blinked open slowly to stare at the ceiling and then narrowed in confusion. Not his ceiling. Was he already at the hospital?

"Mr. Pastello... wake up, hon."

Turning his head to the side revealed a vaguely familiar woman in a white uniform. A nurse? ...Oh yes. His nurse. Landels. He sat up at her direction, feeling mildly dizzy as he did so, and glanced down at his arms as he folded them in his lap. They were covered in clean bandages, no longer bleeding. The dizziness told him he was still suffering a bit from the blood loss, however.

When had he passed out? The last few events of the night hadn't been very clear. He didn't know what had happened to the two pirates and, looking around, the mess of blood they had left seemed to have been completely cleaned up. It was amazing, really. He smiled at his nurse, too weary to do much else but let her lead him to breakfast at the moment.

She helped him to his feet, where the light-headedness was even more apparent. It didn't seem to be anything he couldn't put up with, though. The nurse seemed to know a bit about what he suffered from, but made no mention of it aside from telling him to avoid lifting heavy objects and to drink lots of fluids as they made their way to the cafeteria. The subject of blood-sucking leeches never arose, and he figured if it had she'd surely feign ignorance.

It wasn't until they got there that he realized just how absolutely starving he was. He'd had what, corn for dinner? The smells were simply enticing, even though he had no idea what waffles were supposed to be. He was sure anything edible at this point would be fine, and made his way out of his nurse's grip and to the line with more speed then he'd probably ever gone after food at.