Day 60: Music Room (Fourth Shift)

[stray_shinigami]

It wasn't often that Renji felt less like punching people in general as his day wore on. This was a new experience for him. A not unwelcome one, if he was being honest. And the fact that he felt less like punching Fai? Kind of mind-blowing. The sort of thing Zen masters would probably use as a kouan to reach an all-new level of non-punching

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[poorexample]

For once during his time in this place, Castiel had been able to form a plan and carry it out. It was only in its beginning stages, but that didn't defeat the fact that he had written out a description of what he had experienced last night and passed it on to someone else. Kratos had mentioned that he would do what he could to keep sharing it with others, and in theory if that continued, then the information would be properly disseminated

[yin_yang_fox]

She was informed that as she normally defaulted to the sun room when given an option, she wouldn't be given one today. To this, Renamon only firmly and quietly began to miss the military. At the very least, one was spoken to if they were more than a child. The Digimon moved into the room she was presented with, and looked around dryly. If this shift could at least be useful, then it would not be considered a waste.

So it was that she caught the appearance of the angel--or man, possibly. Renamon had half-thought if Castiel believed he was Michael, then he would be gone the next day--seeing him here, then, made her wonder which persona he was currently using. She approached him to discern this, stopped in front of him to bow her head. Her normal greeting consisted of the person's name, but as she couldn't know which he was using she would have to speak otherwise. "Afternoon," she said quietly, watching him. "How are you doing?"

[poorexample]

Castiel zeroed in on Renamon soon after she stepped into the room, though he realized that a conversation with her was likely to be more complicated. She was the exact sort of person who he wanted to share his note with, but he imagined that they were going to have to discuss their last meeting before he could even touch on that

[yin_yang_fox]

...Castiel, then. Again, the Digimon bowed her head, the motion hiding the pleased expression that slipped across her face. So it had been like the time before, after all. Despite knowing this, she would keep a closer eye on him. It was possible that was a prelude to something else, and if there were any other signs, she would prefer to be aware of them. Of those known, he had proved himself capable, with an informed and intelligent mind. She would prefer his existence to continue.

Something she would not say easily, if at all.

"It was like the time before, then," she gave in understanding. "There was a day when some woke up as their false personas. I wondered if your shift was attributed to the same." Renamon watched him a moment, then added, "I'm glad that it was only a day." More-- She was glad that he remained.

[poorexample]

While Castiel had heard mention of a previous time, it was good to have it confirmed by yet another patient who had been here for long enough to remember. "I was the only one that day, as far as I know." He hadn't heard of anyone else going through that unpleasant process on that specific day, at the least. It made him wonder why he had been signaled out, but at this point he had an idea

[yin_yang_fox]

At his reveal, the Digimon raised her eyebrows. The drug trials that she had taken note of had affects such as these as well. Some of the effects had been ones that could have been expected--this was not one of them. A type of complete brainwashing in drug form.... It spoke as dangerous, to an accelerated degree, even as it offered a theory to the complete brainwashing the patients had that regained their abilities for a night

[poorexample]

The fact that his own careless mistake with the drugs would be able to keep someone else from repeating it was something that Castiel could be glad for, at least. It didn't undo what had happened to him, but it meant that his own folly could be of use to someone, if nothing else. The fact that Renamon was able to learn from it was also a sign of her competence

[yin_yang_fox]

He nodded to confirm and suggested that they sit. She only followed him silently, too much moving through her mind. First to copy that. Then to continue this train of thought. The angel sat and Renamon moved opposite, pulling the paper closer to her. She transcribed quickly, having far too much experience in coping others' notes in this place. As she copied, she spoke. "Lydia, if you know, was the head nurse of this institute since before even I came here. There were rumors passed to me that she was, in fact, Jill, but there was no way to confirm that

[poorexample]

It was no surprise, by now, that Renamon had a wealth of information to share with him. At least this time Castiel had been the one to start the discussion, and he could only assume that she found it all useful, if the way she was carefully copying the note was anything to judge by. It seemed that what he had witnessed last night had filled in some blanks for her, though he hardly had the full picture himself.

While Lydia had implied as much, Castiel hadn't realized that she had been the head nurse, nor that she had been under Landel's influence for so long. He wondered what means that man had used to control her so utterly, but that was only one mystery to add to a long list that he'd already formed

[yin_yang_fox]

The last line was finished quickly, and she moved to look at Castiel. Perhaps a part of her had forgotten that he was still newer than most. Alec Doyle have been a constant in the way of the history of the institute since before Renamon had arrived. That people weren't familiar with him was slightly off-putting in a way. "Alec Doyle was also known as Jack, the original Mr. Radio before Marc came around. From what's known about him is that he had a godlike power over the monsters in the institute, and would leave riddles to help out the patients as much as he was able

[poorexample]

Jack and Jill, then. Castiel knew the rhyme, though he had no idea what significance it had here, except that it implied a bad outcome for both of them. Seeing how Jack (or Alec) had died, that was at least true in his case. It was difficult to know what fate awaited Lydia, though it was possible she had managed to defy whatever plan had been in store for her last night

[yin_yang_fox]

She only nodded in response. Solid they may be, but without any proof, like other items of interest, they remained only theories. Like the fact of Marc's allegiance, and now the two others. She wondered if it was possible to come across the man again

[poorexample]

It seemed that they had interpreted that the same way. Castiel didn't know if it was because Renamon was also a fighter in her own right. He still didn't know what a "Digital Monster" did, exactly, but the fact that "monster" was in the title did imply that she was no stranger to combat. In that sense, Renamon and Castiel were decent choices if the people behind this were looking for soldiers. So was Kratos, for that matter

[yin_yang_fox]

As she assumed. Renamon wouldn't think that he would withhold that information if he was giving this much. It raised as many questions as it possibly answered--'possibly,' being said in the most optimistic of senses. An attack of devastation. From what the Digimon knew personally, and what she had heard within the weeks here, that could be many a thing. With nothing more likely than the other. Something to consider, though she didn't think she'd get very far without more information

[poorexample]

Castiel wasn't personally familiar with many humans, but he had observed them for long enough that he knew how each one could have something about them that made them unique; a skill that only they possessed. Looking at it from that perspective, powers and abilities could cover a large range. It was possible that the people in charge didn't know exactly what they needed or what they were looking for, and so they were gathering as many varied skills as they could

[yin_yang_fox]

She inclined her head at his response, an almost apologetic move. "Yes," she replied. "There's no way to hold anything as certain without shifting theories to facts." No way to honestly move forward instead of just blundering. She knew this well, had known a month of it. She wondered, suddenly, how other had had the strength to continue for longer than this.

...Well. She supposed she would find at least that answer out in time.

"I'll ask around and share this with a few," she added, moving to fold the paper in half and half again. "If I find out anything of import, I'll contact you." She paused there, then bowed her head to him. "Thank you for sharing this. Truly."