[open] Chapter １ "Mourning a New Life"

[historyrabbit]

Characters: Lavi (ou) and you~ :D Lucky duck
Setting: Room 1-20, Bathroom/Hallway, Floor 19, Floor 25, Cafeteria
Format: Prose here but prefer brackets.
Summary: Waking up and wandering around basically, new is this one!
Warnings: No warnings that I can think of~

Ｒｏｏｍ １－２０

The first moment of awareness filled Lavi with surprise, eye still closed he hadn't realized that the force of the Noah's hit had knocked him out. Even for a few moments. But then he notices that the softness underneath of him isn't the stiff armchair he had been unceremoniously placed in and then thrown against the wall in. Instead it's soft and giving - like a bed - and it's wrong.

Lavi sits up and opens his eye, looking around the stark room with three other beds. Their placements and furniture all identical, except they all look as if they're lived in. Where as he was placed (unceremoniously again) on top of the sheets, note now on his lap where it was once on his chest. The redhead frowns at the note, picking it up and reading it, mouth moving along with the words. And he pales, oh how he pales, at that first sentence.

They had failed. Somehow along the line, the war had been lost. Humanity and everyone in it that he had started to hold dear was gone. He should have been gone with them. Should have and yet here he was, alive and...moving?

The simple mechanics of mobility hadn't been his first thought when he awoke but now he takes stock of himself. Looking over and moving each limb as if for the first time. "What... Ho-how..." The last thing he remembered was not being able to move, had they saved him from the parasites too? Whoever these people were that saved him?

He had to find out answers. But not in that strange outfit they had put him in. Lavi spied clothing sticking out of some chests at the foot of the beds and moves slowly to look into his own. The redhead sinks to his knees at finding Tettsui there safe and sound, hand reaching out to make sure it was there and real. It crackled as it always did in his touch, responsive and ready for whatever he needed the Innocence for. Lavi lets out a relieved sigh and relaxes, ready to put on his uniform once more. It was all he had left of home.

Ｂａｔｈｒｏｏｍ／Ｈａｌｌｗａｙ

Rather than change in the open room where any one of his three new roommates could walk in at any time the redhead uses the bathroom he came across. It was nice to wash up as well, the dirt and sweat of the battlefield wasn't pleasant to be walking around in for long. Especially not in clean clothing.

Hair still damp and curling he wraps the scarf around his neck regardless, anything to hide the unsightly collar he noticed only when he entered the bathroom. He was way too happy to be moving earlier to notice. Lavi winces again at the thought of it, "If they saved us then why do they need to collar us..."

The "us" had to be true if there were others in this place, his roommates aside, why put him with the general populace if he was the last of his own world? Lavi shakes his head at it all, maybe there'd be answers in a library or records room. He just had to find it.

Ｆｌｏｏｒ １９

The library.

He snorts under his breath as he looks at all of the bound pages in front of him. If anything at all it would be a dreamer's world in the first one he encountered on the third floor, not one page of truth or one word of history. Here... While he could tell that there was text that was more substantial and actual "food for thought" books, there was nothing that he wanted. Nothing about this place at all, why it was here, why it was saving people.

"It's almost as if they don't want anybody to know the truth..."

Part of him doesn't want to stand for it, he wants to find those in charge and sweet-talk them. Maybe see if they need a historian, he fits the job description after all. It annoyed him that nothing was being done to note what was happening, the true happenings, except by what was experienced by himself and others here like him.

Then again... With what was revealed to him at home, did he really want to continue this path? Was he still required to? It's not like the old man was required to tell him, perhaps it was too painful. But that thought as well made him snort again, muttering to himself, "Not supposed to feel that sort of pain..."

He had felt it, it was expected of an apprentice, but not of a Bookman proper. Not like Lavi could get his answers now and an ache in his chest made itself known for his mentor. Even if they had their differences he still thought of the old man as a grandfather. The pain of losing him... Lavi grit his teeth and banged his fist against a bookshelf, letting his head hang. "Damn you, old man..."

Ｆｌｏｏｒ ２５

He climbed, climbed to clear his mind and climbed to find out how blasted tall this tower was. There were things he wasn't quite sure were real, things he had to stare at and watch. Even now he could see the staircase stretching on upwards, but the contents of this floor stopped him dead.

Not quite literally but you get the picture.

It wasn't the first "outside" room that he had seen. But this one filled him with such a sense of home without even being his home. The home that he yearned for at times in those dreams of his, a land that wasn't torn asunder by war. One that was just peaceful and blooming, living as they were all intended to do.

Lavi walks out into the middle of the floor, or as close to it without losing sight of the staircase and sits. Flowers and their scents surrounding and overwhelming him, a grin stretching across his face. This...he might be able to get used to. If it was safe.

Ｃａｆｅｔｅｒｉａ

The rumbling of his stomach was what brought him down out of the meadow, back down through the interesting and nightmare-ish rooms that almost made him lose his appetite. But his hunger was persistent, a gnawing that hadn't been filled in hours, hours before his capture and hours since waking here. Really it was past time he did something about it.

Lavi walks into the cafeteria, leery but at the same time too hungry to care about the food's safety. Others were eating it with no problem and there didn't seem to be a need for money, not that he had any or even if he did they probably didn't accept his world's currency. He fingers the beads on his coat, grateful that he wouldn't have to hawk them in order to eat or pay board.

It was just a matter of finding the right food now. Mouth watering for some of the chicken he saw and the bowl of simmering curry but he moved on. Despite not being able to feel his injuries from the hit, something plain and simple would be better suited. Throwing it all up wouldn't be the best way to find out that his ribs were truly cracked or broken.

He looks mournfully at the delicious looking food and picks up a bowl of oatmeal, loading it up with cinnamon and honey.

Comments

Floor 25

[lotuslover]

Kanda has been looking through the floors. He didn't really have interest in most of the floors, but after finding that there was a floor with a forest in it, he wanted to see if there were more outdoor floors. It would mean he'd have somewhere to fall back to if the floor with the forest was crowded for any reason.

That, and just floors that would be good for meditating would also be nice.

He hadn't seen Lavi in awhile. Hadn't expected to see Lavi here. For some reason, he wasn't really expecting to see anyone (this place was actually really big). He steps into the meadow, scanning before his eyes fall on the redhead.

[historyrabbit]

Lavi understands that completely, something about the forest had unsettled him but this place was just filled with amazing calm. The perfect spot to just sit and think about all the things that had happened. Not that thinking about it made it any clearer or easier for Lavi to accept.

What? Couldn't meditate in the gym?

Distantly he hears the rustling of the flowers as they move, but it isn't loud enough to be a generated (or even real) wind moving through them. That and it's very centered, if Kanda keeps moving. Lavi turns around, opening his eyes to look back the way he'd come. His eye grows large with disbelief and at the same time, relief.

That he wasn't alone.

"Yu-Yuu?!" He scrambles to his feet and takes a few steps forward but...he stops with a large distance still between them. He could be just an illusion.

[lotuslover]

People actually use the gym! How can you meditate with that much noise and so many people making it? Of course he can't! You need peace and quiet. Something you probably don't understand with that mouth.

He should be relieved. Should be happy to see Lavi. Except...

Kanda totally just pulled Mugen out and pointed it at Lavi. He looks mad. "Don't call me by that name! If people hear you, they'll start using that name too, idiot!" He doesn't even bother to think that Lavi might be an illusion. He's too mad being called by his given name.

[Floor 25] redheads all day erryday

[bloodyashes]

[At first, seeing a relatively small splash of red, Asch assumes the figure is the newly arrived version of his replica.

A approach for a closer inspection, though, reveals otherwise - the hair is too short, but more importantly, Luke sure as hell doesn't have an eyepatch.

So a little ways off, there is now a fellow redhead - with hair long enough to rival Kanda's - with a hand full of flowers. This is not the weirdest thing you'll see today, Lavi.]

/o/ For breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

[historyrabbit]

[Still, red wasn't very common, it warranted a closer look. And a closer look means that Lavi can hear Asch approach, see him even as he moves around Lavi to see the eye-patch. Of course the noise alone has him opening his eyes. Last thing he wants is to be caught unawares by a monster or something.

Probably his over-active imagination on the former anyway. He hopes.

Lavi relaxes just slightly upon seeing the other.] Nice to finally see another person.

[bloodyashes]

[Asch is exactly as impressed as you might have expected, ie not at all. At least this guy has enough wits on him to open his eye when he hears someone.]

There's a few of us around.

[Not very friendly, this guy.]

Cafeteria

[odetothefallen]

Whether he wants to admit it or not, he has to eat. Allen grumbles to himself about the demands of his abilities as he shuffles across the cafeteria.

Oatmeal would be the easiest thing to tell if it was drugged, wouldn't it? One bite and he could stop immediately if it tasted funny. If he didn't eat, he couldn't fight. The catch twenty two doesn't comfort him. It's enough to blacken his mood as he sighs and steps up next to someone tall and red-

Allen stops. His head turns, letting him see Lavi. For a second he just stares with wide eyes. "Lavi?!" His voice is a bit too loud and he winces while reaching for a bowl of oatmeal. "What are you doing here??"

Come to think of it he hadn't seen Lavi since before he got captured. They'd been sent to different locations. He hadn't heard a single thing about him and had been too busy keeping ahead of the Noah and that creepy Apocryphos to find out his fate. "When did you get here? Where were you before??" The questions spill out of him before he can stop himself. "Where are we?!"

Where else but here. :D

[historyrabbit]

The very same reasons that drove Lavi to finally picking something. If there were hostile things here, and he got the feeling there were, then he'd need to protect himself. Possibly others. And you can't very well do that if you're starving yourself foolishly.

So focused on the idea of finally eating and being busy sweetening up his plain meal he almost misses Allen. Dismisses him, truth be told. Many a morning in the Order they've stood side by side in line, it wasn't new. Thus, his mind thought it entirely normal to see a slight, white-haired lad standing next to him.

But you had to go and startle him...

Lavi jumps enough to make his bowl clatter around on the warming plate it was on and the honey spill onto it from where it is in his other hand. The redhead looks towards his friend with equal surprise, "'Doing here'?"

The question is so simple yet the answer that Allen probably wants is one that Lavi simply doesn't have, so he gives a strained grin and gives the one he does, "Getting something to eat." The barrage of questions almost swallows his first answer, Lavi puts the honey down to clap his hand down on Allen's shoulder.

"Slow down, yeah? Gonna run out of air there soon..." The strained expression eases off his face, "By the sounds of things you know as much as I do. Woke up not too long ago even though I don't recall being knocked out."

It's the perfect place :D

[odetothefallen]

"Before now I was-" The images flash before his mind's eye. Bending over Johnny and the Earl looming over the both of them.

'Mana' is the cause of everything.

His expression goes surprised to completely unreadable. Allen turns to pick up the oatmeal and a spoon. "Fighting." With one hand he indicates the farthest seats away from everyone else. "Let's wait to talk about it when we're sitting down."

Something isn't right. Now he's sure of it. The Earl hadn't knocked him out. The gap between that moment and waking up hadn't been like when he'd woken up to Johnny bleeding and it was all his-

He takes a deep breath and walks away, trusting Lavi to follow. They'd figure it out. It would be okay.

[reassures]

[Nill doesn't entirely want to interrupt him. It's a little on the cruel side when he doesn't seem to be doing well, but... that also probably meant he was new, which was worse to leave him the way he was. She doesn't approach exactly, instead staying over near a shelf. She lifts her free hand, and knocks against the shelf firmly, once and then a second time, to get Lavi's attention. There's a book or two held with one arm - language books, at a glance - but that's not really important. She doesn't have words to use to speak to him (she's not willing to reveal her actual ability to talk to people), so she just needs to wait for the moment, because there's no good way for a woman without a voice to surprise someone who seems to be in pain.]

[historyrabbit]

[He dimly hears the knocking, mind recognizing it for what it is. The actual act of knocking and not accidentally hitting something. It's purposeful.

But he doesn't think it aimed at him until the second knock and he feels her gaze on him. He lifts his head and gives her a strained smile.]

Sorry, I didn't mean to intrude...

[He does take note of the books and while usually he'd take the opportunity to flirt... His heart isn't in it at the moment. And yes, he would flirt with you, Nill.]

I can go if I'm disturbing your studies.

[reassures]

[There's a reason it was done more than once. It usually clued people in that she was around - one was too accidental, three times too repetitive.

She's grateful for the lack of flirting. Nill is quick to shake her head though, and pull her tablet out of her pocket as she takes a few steps closer, typing on it with one hand and then holding it up for him to see.]

You're not. If you want to study you should probably take the books to your room.

Library

[woodpeckermaruta]

He needs a quiet place to think; and, that is what he hopes to find in the library--a place to readjust himself and come to terms with his new discovery, of sorts. Reaching up, he picks a book (a random one that he had given a brief glance over) out and begins walking down the aisle. An unfamiliar redhead seems to be deep in thought, but Ganta has seen that look so many times, lately. Therefore, he thinks nothing of it, and continues on his way. Or tries to, at least.

The black-haired teen blinks the second said redhead suddenly bangs his head against the shelf.

Well, that's no good. The Deadman furrows his brow, stops, and turns to give a concerned frown. Sure, Ganta may be having problems of his own; but, that's no reason to go without at least asking if this guy is okay. His voice is not exactly enthused, but it has nothing to do with him feeling obligated to offer help to the stranger. It's simply a matter of him not feeling very lively, at the moment. Finding out that your best friend murdered every single one of your friends, resulting in your ending up in prison, ...can do that to a guy. Tilting his head downward to look at the floor, he sighs out the statement.

"I'd ask if you're alright, but... you're here. My name's Ganta and I've been here for a while, now. Anything I can do to help?"

His definition of 'while', although not accurate in most people's opinions, is true in the fourteen-year-old's mind. Nearly two months in this place is nearly two months too many.

[historyrabbit]

Not his head so much as his fist, still the sound echoes loudly in such a quiet place. It wasn't his intent to alarm anyone that entered or disturb them, his sightings of other people has been few. He hadn't thought anyone was in the library to be honest, he wouldn't be in it if he weren't driven here with the need for information.

But Lavi understands the feeling of not "feeling lively" as Ganta puts it, having immobilizing parasites put inside you against your will and hearing disturbing information just as you're flung into a wall hard enough to break bones... Well, Lavi's just content with being able to move and function. The rest of his humanity can wait.

He does lift his head at hearing the younger's voice though. At least there's some hope if they save people this young, though as he looks at the other... Lavi can tell that his trials have made him look much older than what he is.

"'Here' is a bit better than where I was, kid," Lavi gives him a bit of a smile, it's sad but at least for the moment it isn't pained. "Think you could tell me about this place at least? That would ease my mind."

L-let's pretend that fail didn't happen. It was an off day, for me. *buries face*

[woodpeckermaruta]

The Deadman's head tilts at the words. Well, it's safe to say that this guy went through an ordeal, before showing up in this Tower. Really, it's somehow reassuring to know he isn't the only one. The teenager's brow wrinkles a bit, before he gives a faint sympathetic look. Obviously, he doesn't know just how bad this place is, yet; so, who knows if that opinion will stick.

"Well," he closes his eyes for a moment, "...they rescue one person from each world, before that world is destroyed." Blunt, since there's no point sugar-coating it.

It will hurt, no matter when he finds out.

"That's what everyone's learned. It's... hard to accept, but all the facts point to it being true. Apparently, there are worlds so identical that... there are those that are practically duplicates, with only minor differences in looks and personalities." He pauses a moment.

"There are what people are calling 'Administrators' controlling this place. One has the ability to pull the souls here, another is in charge of 'games', another is in charge of... experiments. And there's another one who people say is actually nice and seems to really care about us. I don't know how true that is. I can't imagine it, considering the hell we go through."

He pauses a moment, watching the stranger's face.

"The one in charge of experiments is called Jason. Watch out for him, he... apparently does very bad things to people. And when he's in charge for a certain month, the food is bare minimum. Um..."

There's a tensing in his expression as he says the next part, "You can die here, but... you can't stay dead. No matter how many times it happens, they'll simply give you a new body. You'll wake up the next day, back in your bed," he then adds almost absentmindedly, "Also, the fluid in your collar will fade the closer you are to death."

There's a faint bitterness as he lets out a soft laugh. At least the fluid isn't poison, right? Somehow the irony of him going from one prison, where he had to wear a collar... to a another prison where he still has to wear one, is just now hitting him. His voice is soft as he says the next part, his expression falling.

"Anything else you want to know about?"

He'll give him time to process--or call him a liar. It won't be a surprise, if this guy thinks he's making it up. Either way, he's going with what he believes is the best way to tell someone about this place--ripping the band-aid off style.

+1 green-eyed redhead to the Cafeteria Party

[desireforchange]

He's only there to get something to drink. Eating isn't exactly on his 'to-do' list, for the day--not after what he discovered, recently, anyway. Luke sighs and begins making his way towards the exit, drink in hand. He stops when he spots a head of red hair, though. He must be new, too, since he's eating that absolutely awful tasting oatmeal. Making his way over to the newcomer, Luke sits down across from him. He could use a distraction, and this person could probably use some answers--of course, that all depends on who this stranger's talked to, so far.

"Heh... Wish I'd thought of that," he speaks in a friendly tone, offering the stranger a smile, "I'm Luke. I'm fairly new here, myself."

His smile is genuine, for the most part. There's a hint of sadness lurking there, but who isn't sad about being here? Luke props his arm on the table and takes a sip of his drink while he waits for the response.

CAN IT HANDLE TWO OF THEM?!

[historyrabbit]

It's human nature to sit at least somewhere near someone else in an empty room. Not right next to them but near enough so that you keep one another some kind of company. He's seen it often enough in the countless interactions he's watched. But it's odd being the one having someone sit next to him, few have, odder still to have conversation.

He looks up from his mixing of cinnamon and honey into the oatmeal, grimacing a little, "I'd suggest less, I put in too much this time.

"Lavi..." He nods at the 'new' comment, agreeing with it. After all he sort of stuck out like a sore thumb what with all of the wariness he was exhibiting. But who wouldn't be after suddenly waking up in a strange place, that wasn't normal for him.

TURN IN NEXT WEEK TO FIND OUT

[desireforchange]

"Heh... Well, I don't plan on eating that, ever again; after all, you don't have to after the first day," not taking in account that this person might not know about that rule, "But thanks. It's nice to meet you, Lavi... even if it's in a situation like this."

He offers a polite smile, before leaning on his hand and looking to the side, a moment. After a while, he glances back to the other redhead.

"Oh, and... If you have any questions, I might be able to answer them. Unless you'd just... rather I go ahead and explain everything in one good?"

Whatever works best for this guy.

Floor 19

[floreatnoctem]

[Chidori's trips to the library are usually few and far between. She's not an avid reader by any means, but the books remind her of Dualscar- so sometimes, she'll settle in on the ground next to a bookshelf and read whatever is closest.

Between that and Hecate, it's no wonder Lavi probably doesn't notice her- at least, not until she notices him, and marks her page with a piece of ribbon before looking up at him from the end of the row. Her expression is impassive, but she knows that posture- and it's never a good one. Still, she waits a moment before clearing her throat and speaking up, drawing her knees up and setting her book in her lap.]

Is there something specific you wanted to know?

[historyrabbit]

[His head lifts as he hears her voice, he hadn't thought that anyone else was here. As Lavi looks at her there's faint surprise in his eye at seeing another redhead. In his home they were few and far in between unless one happened to be in Ireland. Counting her, himself, and the fellow he met in the meadow there are three so far.

Still, that's all in the back of his mind, that observation. He smiles a bit, small, trying to hide the pain he's feeling.]

Anything. That note doesn't explain a lot, yeah? [Maybe her explanation would be better than Asch's.]

[floreatnoctem]

No, it does not.

[She stands in a slow, fluid motion, adjusting her skirts properly before looking back at him, expression mild.]

They hope to control us by controlling our information. I has not, of late, been working well for them.

[She clasps her hands over her book and inclines her head at the bookshelves.]

And there is not much of use there either. If you would like, you can ask, and if I know the answer, I will tell you. If not, I can likely direct you to someone who does.

Cafeteria

[explodewiththerage]

[AT the same time, at one of those tables he passes by there is one pink haired teen currently in the middle of lighting his meal on fire. Which probably makes him look like some kind of mentally deranged victim of this place. Except as soon as the food is lit he starts eating it, flames and everything.]

[historyrabbit]

[Yeah, that would be Lavi stopping and staring. At first it's because of the pink hair.

He's only seen a few odd shades in his lifetime, Timothy's sea-green/teal combination being one but pink... He wonders if the guy dyes it or if it's natural and if it's the former, will he share his secrets. Lavi's always threatened to dye Kanda's hair pink, why not here where he won't really die permanently? Though he's not sure what the whole dying and being reborn process entitles.

Not sure he wants to try it, he should say.

But the fire...]

How... [Why]

Floor 19

[tohko_amano]

Tohko, being a librarian and a book girl, spent a good deal of time in the libraries, and even if she didn't read or eat much nonfiction, she did work here, helping patrons and cleaning up messes. So, when she heard someone bang on a bookshelf, she wandered up to them, looking a bit worried when she finally reached the red-headed boy and heard what he said.

"Pardon me, but are you alright?"

[historyrabbit]

Lavi lifts his head and puts a smile on his face, nothing about it looks out of place. He's skilled at hiding behind a mask, it's what he's done for the majority of his life. "Fine, just fine. Stubbed my toe on this bookcase here, is all."

It was a weak lie, but it was all that he had.