There was little to be said of the daily business that went on. He allowed himself to be shuffled, mind embedded too deeply in things he shouldn't be dwelling on. The night was over, the shadows had vanished, and there was little more than bad memories to be left in their stead. This was logic, pure and simple, and should have been reassuring but for the whispered accusations made by his own. Of all things that his mind moved to unconsciously focus on, it was one of the first things spoken. That he could kill himself and nothing would stop him.

Which was pointless. In the whole of its entirety. Gaara had not truly moved in that way for time past--And now, even, he had goals and aspirations that he would see come to pass before he gave anything of himself away. He was working for what he believed in; he was working to become acknowledged by others as himself, and not as what he was created for. And there was no point to anything that thing had said.

His thoughts shifted, moved over the night, each dark statement echoed by an internal vow of his own, a denial of returning to what he once was. He still had yet to seek out Temari--his sister, too, would have been confronted by her demons, and there was a edge of concern in that thought. Considering all of this, he seated himself in a place near the wall, glancing at the doorway every few moments.

[sister dear.]

Although the day was sunny and warm, there seemed to be a strange tension within the walls of Landel's Institute. The nurses seemed a little more on-edge than usual, and they were already bustling to-and-fro in the hallways before the Head Doctor even made his announcement. It seemed that they'd all been roused early today by Nurse Lydia – but for what reason? The Head Doctor had been making calls all morning, it seemed, regarding a situation that he himself had not anticipated.

Finally, the intercom jingle sounded.

"Hello, everyone!" his voice finally said through the intercom. Although trying very hard for a cheery tone, it was clear he was under some kind of great stress. "Today, we'll be having waffles – the usual toppings are available: syrup, butter, whipped cream, powdered sugar, cinnamon, jam, and fresh fruits. We also have cereal and assorted drinks, along with coff– wait..." He murmured: "No, no, not coffee, he'll..."

After a moment of contemplation, he continued: "Ah! Anyway, I believe that's all for now. Just... go on with everything and stay behaved! Yes!"

The intercom clicked on without his usual farewell.

[ Any newly accepted character can be introduced in response to this post, waking up in their assigned room. Put the room number in the subject line. ]