Yuffie took the long way around, practically making it a tour of the entire town. She collared--not literally, since the nurses would've thrown fits--a few random citizens along the way, asked as many inconspicuous sounding questions as possible, and then moved on. Wash, rinse, repeat. Sneaking a few covert glimpses into stores and windows confirmed what she'd been talking about with Sam earlier; no dates, no explicitly mentioned locations outside of the town itself… how weird was that? Even the most insular of towns back on Gaia would've coughed up some kind of connection with the outside world.

It was almost like a living ghost town.

Well, maybe she was just thinking too hard. Maybe she was throwing shuriken too hard at the wrong target. Back home, she had a concrete frame of reference. Here, she couldn't take anything for granted; she had no local or international knowledge whatsoever. All she could try to do was get a profile of the immediate area and build it up and out from there. Theories were already budding, popping up like weeds hit by Quadra-Haste, but without facts to back them up, theories were like sand in a desert.

Not that she didn't want to share those theories, sand or not. She did. A lot.

Once she'd developed a viable mental map of the place (as viable as she was gonna get given the time constraints), Yuffie swung back around and jogged back to North Street. From there, she took the alley; a quick right turn; slow to a trot, and there. Her cheeks were tinged pink from the cold winter air, and they stung as she poked her head in through the door.

Okay, so maybe she was a little early after all. That was cool. Very cool. She had some time to set things up, to pretend that she wasn't hideously under prepared for this lunch date. Stepping into the warmth, Yuffie surreptitiously cased the place out as she headed to a table. Homey, in a way that almost reminded her of some of the up-and-coming rural towns. Automatically seeking out one of the more strategic seats--one with a good view of the rest of the restaurant, and one that didn't leave her totally vulnerable to mutant chairs or murderous sandwiches--she made herself comfortable, whipped out a few crumpled pieces of paper and a pen, and began to jot down her findings.

[Closed to Edgeworth.]

Before anyone could come to any decisions for their next move, the room suddenly filled with a thick fog. Faster than he could realize what was happening, it had filled up the entire room and swallowed every single one of his friends. Then there was that undeniable stench of iron, blood and... he last remembered taking a step back and feeling that slippery skid and the realization of what that was. By the time he yelled, he was sitting straight up in his bed like he'd bolted awake. Like it'd been nothing more than a bad dream. ...What the hell just happened?!

"Oh! Good morning!" The nearby voice made him yelp with a half squeak-like noise. Oh, for hell's sake. It was one of those freaking nurses again. She was beaming at him like nothing had happened at all. Before he could so much as ask one question, the hag started blathering real fast about some field trip and buses and getting changed and hurrying up before everyone left without him and... OH MY GOD, WHAT WAS SHE DOING?! She was grabbing at his shirt like she was about to start helping him get dressed (or undressed in this case).

He flailed in a desperate attempt to get away from her and yelled his consent to go along if she would get out and let him change HIMSELF. What was the matter with her?! Thankfully, she left but told him to hurry. Hell if he knew what she'd do if he took too long. So for the sake of not getting freaking stripped, he quickly changed into the clothes she'd left on the bed. Clothes being the ugliest looking white-and-black track pants he'd ever seen and a bright blue sweatshirt with a cute little penguin design on the front. This was some kind of joke, right? ...Not to say the penguin wasn't cute or anything but there was no way, no way, he was wearing something like this in public.

But the nurse had burst right in again, and before Kanji could offer much protest, he was being pulled down the hallways and through the doors of the bus. He'd yelled some things her way, but she totally wasn't listening at all. By the time they stopped, he was standing at the front of the bus with a paper bag and the nurse had run off to cart another poor sap along. Frickin' PERFECT. For the sake of not standing up there like some kind of zoo animal for everyone to stare at, he plopped himself into one of the seats by the front and sighed in complete exasperation.

[Free. No limit.]

Just as von Karma started to enter the doorway leading to the Courtyard to look around for anyone remotely resembling his daughter, that pretentious lunatic's voice rang out over the Intercom, heralding the approach of lunch time. Right away, the damned nurse practically dragged him back into the cafeteria and towards the serving tables, telling him in that cloyingly cheerful tone that he could get his fresh air after he had had his meal. What rotten timing!

His mood worsened as he saw what was on those tables. "Nurse! This is the same greasy, disgusting, perfect-artery-ruining swill that was offered for lunch the last time I was in here! Does this Institute serve nothing else? How is any of this healthy for someone whom you claim has recently suffered from a stroke?!"

"Why, you're right, Mr. Fuchs! Here, I'll fix you a nice, big, healthy salad." Before he could protest that he wasn't hungry anyway, the smiling nurse loaded a heap of greens and some fruits onto a plate for him. Then she led him to one of the tables and seated him there. "Now, be a good man and finish all of that. You will do that just for me, won't you?"

The look he shot her in response indicated that he would never do anything "just for her." Certainly, not consuming this entire mountain of lettuce and carrots. As much as he approved of salads, the portion she served him was nothing short of ludicrous. Glaring at her in silence, he made no pretense of even starting in on this ridiculous travesty of a meal. Finally, she seemed to take the hint, excusing herself to attend to the other patients... but not without admonishing him that his "plate had better be clean" by the time she returned to take him to the Courtyard.

As she left him, von Karma looked all around him to see whether Franziska had come into the cafeteria yet. Unfortunately, as he had already arranged to meet his former roommate at this time, all he could do for now was to attempt to visually confirm her presence in this hellhole. As much as he hoped that the author of the replies to this S.T.'s note was nothing more than an impostor -- in which case, he would make that person pay for brazenly impersonating his daughter -- he was not entirely certain of that right now.

In the meantime, he had other practical matters to attend to. He still needed to speak to Javert to find out what had truly happened during the time he was unconscious. As he surreptitiously scanned the stream of arriving patients for the face of his daughter -- or those of his enemies -- he patiently awaited Javert's arrival, hoping that the man could still recognize him after all this time.

[Closed to Javert]

(Dropping down from here.)

Dropping down quietly into a defensive crouch, he scanned the surrounding area. There didn't seem to be anything in the immediate area, but that didn't mean there wasn't danger lurking beyond the trees.

Straightening up, though still ready for danger, he moved to help Frey down off the wall. "Stay close to the wall," he hissed.

(From here.)

Frowning, he stopped and scanned the yard. He wouldn't be caught off guard again and risk the chance at losing control. Eyes drew in all avalible light, casting the yard in an eerie mix of greys and blues, but he could see quite clearly.

Takaya may hate this change, but there was no denying it's benefits.

He came to feeling perfectly fine, but knowing things were not well.

Qui-Gon's eyes opened. At first he couldn't see anything. But he didn't need to see to know he wasn't in the room with Vlad. He was somewhere else, and, he touched his hand to one arm, not even in his Jedi robes. Qui-Gon remained calm even as the ramifications settled in that he was in a place he didn't recognize, in clothes he hadn't been wearing prior to this and, reviewing things, was probably missing a chunk of his memory. He didn't remember anything after entrusting Vlad with his journal. Perhaps the room had been bugged, his plans overheard. But if they had tried to mind-wipe him, they had failed. He still intended to go to the basement again and find the truth. He still remembered the arena, Martin Landel, Sanzo's death.

But now he wondered how long he had been missing. There was no way to tell aside from heading back to the patient cells and contacting Obi-Wan with his commlink.

Qui-Gon got to his feet. They didn't wobble, nor did he feel light-headed. Perhaps that was all the more worrying - he expected to feel some side-effects, but there were none.

Reaching around him, he tried to collect the Force about him. Most of it seemed to trickle out of his grasp, but some of it he was able to sense. Keeping a hand on the wall to guide him, the Jedi Master headed forward, trying to get a feel for where he was. As usual, the darkness pressed in on him, but something about it felt...wider. This was a larger hall, like the Main Hall. He could be upstairs or downstairs. As he continued forward, he spotted points of light in the distance.

Other patients.

[To here]

Nightshift tended to prove just as lackluster as Dinner. At least Tyche was there to give the Gambler company for the previous shift (and she received most of his steak. Enjoy it as he may, he just never felt right about eating it). Without a roommate, there was little to complain about, so he simply watched as the kitten tunneled herself under his blankets and mocked the Head Doctor as he spoke.

He almost wished Mr. Radio would revive himself like the savior everyone else thought he was and get back into Landel's bed so the imbecile would shut up. Really, and Sora complained about his habitual monologues. Though Luxord supposed he would go off just as much if someone handed him a microphone and told him to taunt an entire building. Perhaps that was the issue with Xemnas? He'd have to remember that.

As for the night... yes, he did promise the night to Lust, did he not? It was unfortunate that he had absolutely no idea what her room number was. He'd just have to venture out and hope Luck was on his side once more.

[Went wandering over here]

Oh yeah. This was bad. Grabbing a chair and ignoring the woman who had brought him in, Takaya crossed his arms and glared at the wall. He wasn't going to participate in this bullshit. Being told he had 'company' and that he should he happy about it had ruined what was otherwise an okay day.

The nurse had called it one of his "good days" and had gone on to inform him that, maybe if he had more "good days", he would be allowed more privileges.

He'd informed her on his opinions regarding such an idea. She'd told him to watch his language.

Besides, who the fuck would visit him? Who would they get to fuck with him now? Shit... if his sister walked through those doors, he didn't think he could face her at all. Not like this.

He must have eaten, because he wasn't hungry, but Tony didn't remember eating. He'd been too excited about the ideas that Fwiffo had given him. But he was sitting at a cafeteria table alone with an empty plate in front of him when the announcement came on. Other rooms? He stood up and started that way before the nurses arrived. When his caught up to him, she made him backtrack and put up his tray, then tried to get him to go outside, but no, he wanted the music room.

Once there--it was still empty--Tony went straight for the box of small musical instruments and plucked one of the recorders he and Kvothe had left behind the other night. He didn't want to risk the one he had already safely hidden. Satisfied that he was just going to sit and play the plastic wind instrument, the nurse left Tony alone. He cleaned the entire instrument outside and as far inside as his fingers could reach using the hem of his shirt, then put it to his lips.

Before long, he was lost in the haunting melodies that poured out of his head and into the breath the blew through the instrument. Nothing magical happened when he played--he didn't feel the stir or pull of objects wanting to dance around--which disappointed him some, but this is what he wanted most: the music. Music had been a friend to him and Tia since before he could remember clearly.

(for Takaya)

[from here]

Wally took a quick look around the hallway before looking back at Tony. "Maintenance closet, nurses' station and maybe a doctor's office? I'm guessing most of that stuff'll be on the second floor, right?" He hadn't seen much of the institute last night, as this was when he'd kicked into superspeed on his way out. Things were mostly a dark blur at that point and even if there had been signs around, he probably wouldn't have noticed them. Though if there were signs, he wasn't sure if he'd trust them at this point.

[from here]

The warm night air kissed Archer's face as he stepped outside. A half moon was out, giving considerable illumination. On the bright side, it meant that he could see pretty well, even at night, but on the other hand, it meant hiding wouldn't be as easy, especially out in the field, without any cover. Nonetheless, he cautiously made his way over to the shed.

[to here]

[In M13 to start]

Homura had spent the time for dinner in thought, to such a degree that he all but ignored Shito during the meal. He was trying to think, not like his future self would have, because that was all but impossible. Still, after his decisions that day, he wanted to take measures to help the group he had gathered. The position of leader was no longer his, and rightfully so with his utter inexperience. But there had to be something he could contribute, be it input or observations made with what he knew now--anything he could add that would possibly help them all escape.

And of course, there was the matter of fighting.

His body had the tone of a well-trained warrior. It was surprising in some ways, to find much harder muscle beneath the skin than what had been there only days ago in his memory. Yet Homura knew that would only go so far in battles, and that he would need experience to be of use in that area. So when the call for night came, he moved over to the closet, standing in the doorway and looking at the sword.

It had the shape of Nataku's blade. Somehow it didn't surprise Homura to find out that this was the case.

Unlike the week before, the buses pulled in to the front of the Institute before the sky became dark, and so the departure was a very organized situation rather than a chaotic one. Nurses and orderlies escorted patients off the buses, and just as the front doors to the Institute opened and the patients were taken back to their rooms, the intercom clicked on with its usual jingle to the sound of the Head Doctor's cheery voice.

"Hello, patients, and I hope you all enjoyed a delightful day at our neighboring town! I regret that last-minute duties prevented me from joining all of you on your trip, but I'm glad I can talk to you a bit now before you retire for the night!

"As far as dinner tonight, we have a wonderfully exotic meal of tasty, spicy lamb curry for you, served on a bed of steamed rice and with a side of seasoned vegetables and plain Indian flatbread. For desert, we'll be having sweet rice pudding, and we'll be offering our normal assortment of juices, milk, and water as drinks. As always, for vegetarians and for those of you with mild tastebuds, a large, fresh garden salad is always an option.

"And... I believe that's all! I hope you all enjoy dinner and that you're able to wind down from the excitement of today's excursion."

The intercom clicked off.

[ All room threads go in response to this post; please post your character's room number as the subject line of the initial post. Thank you! ]

Armand wearily climbed the steps of the bus. He was less tired than cold, but it made his limbs ache. He hoped they'd actually make it back to the Institute before dark this time. He hadn't seen either Citan or Morrison in town, so he kept an eye out for either one climbing back  into the bus. He still wondered if Morrison had been able to rest today instead of coming to town. Other than a lunch that he hadn't liked and meeting a new face or two, he wasn't sure at all what he'd gained by the day. Oh well, he was more than used to disappointment and failure.

[waiting for Citan if Fey is backish]

Sanji woke up groggily to find his nurse already in his room. He gave a sleepy and half-hearted "Buh?" before realizing that nurse meant dayshift, and he'd fallen asleep after dinner.

"Shit!" He sat up abruptly, which gave his nurse a start. "Nami-swan!" How had he allowed himself to sleep through an entire night? What if she'd tried to return to the basement? What if she'd been waiting for him to appear and protect her? He'd let her down!

"There, there. Calm down." His nurse set a familiar flannel shirt down on the bed and Sanji eyed it with confusion. The last time he'd worn that had been... "Sorry I didn't knock or anything, but I was so excited~!" A pair of jeans followed the shirt. "Today is the field trip into town! Aren't you looking forward to it?"

The chef had to admit, the town had been an interesting enough place the last time he'd been. If he could find Nami early on he might even be able to lead her around... So he didn't complain too much as he changed into the other outfit (which he really wished they'd let him keep - anything was better than the regular gray) and was led out to the first of the buses.

He took a seat near the front, hopefully easily visible to any of his crew - especially to a certain member of his crew.

[for Usopp!]

[From here!]

Halfway to the bathroom, he remembered that he'd given Kaito the wrong information about where he was meeting Weaver and realized that he and Robin would be waiting for him back where he started. Just great. Heiji broke into a run, cursing his inability to keep this kind of shit straight.

He threw open the bathroom door and began hastily whacking away at the pipes for spare metal.

The intercom came on, and as it did, it seemed to carry a little more interference than usual for a daytime announcement, a little more static. While the patients might have thought for a moment that once again the elusive woman on the radio had hacked into the Head Doctor's system, the man himself soon proved that theory faulty as he laughed over the broadcast.

"Hello, hello, everyone, and I'm sorry for the bad quality of this broadcast; we've been having some technical difficulties lately, you see, and we wanted to make sure everything was fixed by tomo...."

His voice crackled out into inaudibility for a moment before fading back in.

"Yes, hopefully that will be done soon. In any case, now's the time that you all head back to your rooms to enjoy a delicious meal... seasoned salmon! Yes, we have filets of very tasty, very juicy salmon seasoned with herbs and garlic; on the side, we have mashed potatoes, peas, and to drink, our usual assortment of beverages. For dinner, you'll all be enjoying vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce."

The intercom's broadcast crackled again. The Head Doctor laughed, seemingly a little nervously.

"Ah, yes, perhaps we'll be able to finish the repairing tomorrow, when all of you are away at... Doyleton! Yes, yes, you're all in for a fun and exciting day, a day whose activities will be new for some and a welcome familiarity to others. You'll be under strict supervision, of course, but... well, I suppose you'll find out all about the circumstances tomorrow, before you set off, mm? Yes! In any case... I hope you all enjoy dinner!"

The intercom clicked off again as the nurses began ushering patients back to their quarters.

[ All introduction posts for this shift's group of new characters should be made in response to this post. (You can find your character's room assignment here.) Remember, everyone responds to this post with their character's room number in the subject line. ]

As she was waiting to be led out of the cafeteria, Hokuto looked for someone in Arts & Crafts, and spotted... Renji. She covered her mouth with her hands to muffle her giggles; after everything she'd heard about him, he was the LAST person she wanted to go to with this; he'd probably figure out exactly why she wanted the night off and never let her hear the end of it!

I'll just wait for Momo, I guess... she can't spend the whole shift in the shower, right?

Knowing her friend and vice-captain liked fresh air too, she opted to go outside; she settled down in the grass and pulled out her journal. Writing was... kind of a bad idea right now, but she could always draw something. Clothes were always fun, since they were what she liked sketching the most anyway; after some thought, she started on a dress design.

[[Fukutaichou~!]]

Artemis Fowl was, yet again, exceedingly displeased to be naked.

As much as Haku insisted that since he had experienced public bathing before, this time would be easier, the feeling was not mutual. Artemis' body was his own personal business, as far as he was concerned, and no one else's. His only comfort was the fact that he was not hideously tattooed anymore with various and sundry insults branding him a moron.

Still, that did not stop him from taking a towel into the shower area once again, Nurse Hedgerow grudgingly allowing it. She could see no other way of getting the boy to bathe. He was as stubborn as ten teenage boys. And after that lecture on psychological torture through means of public humiliation...

The boy let the water run over his head, the towel clutched firmly around his body. And he thought. July. How was it July when it had been fall just a week previous? It was impossible, logically speaking. But what part of this place fit in with any sort of logic Artemis had ever encountered? No, if he didn't let go of the fact that things would be as insane as people claimed he was, he would lose his mind.

His fingers brushed the burn mark Caleb had given him for what seemed the fortieth time. ...He had to get himself together, or this would only be a small taste of what awaited him in the hallways.

[For Omi]

[from here]

One row over - first row in. Sai had stopped needing to look at the room numbers some time ago. He couldn't help but wonder if Usopp would be surprised to see him. His visits were a regular occurrence, but it wasn't as though he'd told the pirate he'd be coming this night in particular. He didn't think he'd be shooed away, but perhaps he should have asked?

[to here]