── .✦ CHAPTER-6 : Candle Knight
SUMMARY : Adjusting, finding a task for yourself, encountering reliable figures on the way and a solution to arms. (4.6k words)
CHAPTER-5 << ಄ >> CHAPTER-7
Your eyes feel rather heavy.. never did you think you'd have to mourn a death that occurred right infront of you..
You feel oddly calm. The calm after the storm metaphorically.. but in this case, the actual storm outside hasn't ceased in the slightest.
There's a lot of movement around, murmurs of voices and the occational shouts over the indistinguishable muffled noises- a slight guilt crawls up your spine for being rather passive while other students seemed to have adapted to their role and were making a difference by now..
The gun holster digs almost uncomfortably into the back of your thigh now.. you didn't exactly know how to wear one- perhaps it was supposed to face the front? Though, you didn't really want any other student catching sight of it..
Even if they were made aware of 'self-defense' and whatnot.. you don't really think you're equipped to handle it without supervision.
For now you've just been carrying it around in your inventory without even knowing whether it was on safety lock or not. And now the realisation was gonna haunt you until you recieved answers.
Should you ask one of the transfer students Isagi-san mentioned..? He said they'd gotten field training..
Though you'd have to locate them first.
Unconciously you scan around for Hyoma.. he'd let you catch a breath and take a break in the top floor auditorium floor where everyone had started clearing the room to lay down gym mats.. probably for everyone to sleep on for the night-
Hyoma said he was going to help Mikage take a headcount of the students to help ration the food.. you're not sure how exactly they planned to do that with everyone scattered around campus doing the respective jobs they picked up..
Perhaps the communications were set up again. That would definitely make such a task a whole lot more manageable.
And Hyoma did mention 'lazyass' or in other words, Nagi Seishiro- one of the school's most gifted students in the technological field.. was helping Hiori-san with that, so it's only a matter of time before comms came back into commision.
An older girl gently shifts you aside by the waist to crouch and lay down a mat near you- you shuffle away with a murmured 'sorry'
For a while you awkwardly hover, you definitely feel more level-headed now.. but you think you're rather out of place in the system that had developed while you and Rin were being stupid..
"Is anyone free of workload?! The generator might go off at anytime!! Could someone try to find emergency lights or candles?? Any kind of light source!" A loud voice booms over the scattered commotion, the murmurings minutely quieting down to process his words
You perk up, that's something you could do- usually they kept candles in the physics lab, and you're sure the chemistry lab has some of them too- you've definitely seen a lighter around there.
"I'll go!!" You call out, earning a raised thumbs up from said man
You step out of the auditorium, it had been rather cold since the room was quite large.. the hallways weren't much better, but the rush around made you feel much more comfortable..
Unfortunately you can't see any familiar heads in the rush of crowd, you catch sight of some classmates now and then who acknowledge you with a wave and polite smile before straying to complete their assigned tasks
It's a lot darker than before.. so you start to quicken your steps- the laboratory wing wasn't as populated as the open corridors, but you did see a few students hurry in and out the computer lab..
You pause in front of the door, unlatching it from outside and using your body weight to push the heavy door open-
This section is much darker but you decide not to turn on the lights and drain the generator even faster.. after opening the door a few inches wider to let the light inside, kneeling to fling open the supply cabinets
You snatch all the matchboxes you can find, stuffing them in your shirt pocket.. it would've been much more convenient if you had a skirt pocket though, you should've taken a bag or something to help carry everything you were planning on bringing back to the auditorium.
Maybe you could find something in the lab.. a simple cloth or plastic bag would do- perhaps they were near the newspapers..
After a few minutes of scrounging you come across one of those huge jute sacks that you usually associated with carrying grain
It'll do.. now just some candles and any other light source you could find, you're kind of just eyeing the bunsen burner though.. unfortunately they're not the portable type so you have to settle on taking a mini lighter instead
Just incase anyone else was as hopeless at lighting matchsticks as you were..
Your eyes adjust to the dark slightly and you rummage through the bottom cabinets for candles, you had to be pretty quick with this.. the light from outside is slowly starting to dim futher and from the angle the shadow casts- you can't really see what's inside at all..
Instead having to blindly move your hand around on search of something reminiscent of a candle.
To your luck, you only manage to find old record notebooks and some chemical stained cloth.. and you slowly stand, hoping to atleast find an emergency lamp..
That's probably what you should've looked for first actually- with the amount of light you have to work with, you really hope you don't run into or knock over any vials or beakers
You catch the shine of light from outside reflecting on one of the metal tables, and debate whether or not to try light a match.. though you're not particularly tempted to waste them- they probably wouldn't give off much light on their own anyway..
And besides, you didn't think you could trust yourself with a lit match in the middle of the chemistry lab.
This was proving to be quite the hassle.
Why did the candles seem so intent on hiding from you..?
The physics lab would've been a better location to start with..
Your hip hits the edge of a counter you didn't notice was there, knocking over something metallic- the low clang sound seeming much too loud in the confined space, causing you to wince slightly
After the loud dies down, you murmur an apology to.. why were you apologizing to inanimate objects exactly..?
Perhaps you have lost your mind.
You feel over the object in the dark, trying to make out what it was..
You didn't really know what equipment could be shaped like this and be made of metal- atleast it wasn't glass though, you have already witnessed one too many broken windows.
The top part has a buldge upwards and you trace your finger over it before the realisation strikes-
One you've been caressing for over 3 minutes.
Where have your priorities gone..
Quickly you rummage through the sack you'd been dragging around.. it was big enough to fit a body, and finding an index-sized lighter was a little more time-consuming than you expected.
After fumbling to adjust the wick and checking for spills, you flick at the lighter- bringing the flame closer to the wick and hoping the lamp had ethanol on it already
The wick catches and you let out a soft, excited 'yes!' under your breath.. the light didn't illuminate much but it was a good source until you found the candles.
You click the lighter off- and hold the lamp in your hands.. you should take an ethanol bottle too.
Holding the lamp carefully with one hand, you hesitantly let it hover near the reagent shelf.. looking through the labels and pulling out the ethanol, tightly closing the top just in case and shoving it into the sack.
In the time frame of 20 minutes, you've managed to do everything but get candles.
Thunder rolls nearby in the backround and lightly rattles against the windows, causing the curtains to flutter against the wind slipping through the window frames.
You wonder if the teachers are back yet.. some guidance and knowledge of what could possibly be happening could prove to ease your nerves.. or ignite them.
Ego wasn't the reassuring type.
You adjust your grip on the jute sack, bunching it up and holding the spirit lamp in the other hand.. it was kinda inconvenient to carry and rather warm. You would've preferred a lamp or flashlight.
But it's still a source of light so, who were you to complain?
You think you've ransacked the place enough to conclude there were no candles.
Orr you just missed some really obvious spot.
The spirit lamp was dying out and you still didn't have a candle!
And there's also the fact that you couldn't fill it up again immediately after, you had to let it cool for safety purposes..
With a rough sigh and a little more urgency to your movements- after placing the lamp on the counter above since the heat was starting to make your palms clammy..
You rummage through the drawers.. sweat running down your skin from the proximity of your face to the fire.
The flames flicker and you lean back, sliding the lamp closer and opening the last drawer at the edge of the counter.
Who decided it was a good idea to keep an important item like candles in an utterly impossible location to find.
A part of you acknowledges that storing it there wasn't exactly out of the ordinary- but c'mon..!
The spirit lamp burns out and you sigh quietly, ripping the candles open and fishing for the lighter- guiding it to the wick and letting the flame catch.
The wax at the bottom of the candle is still cold.. you use the source of light to find the candle stand- securing it and holding it carefully..
You didn't think the flame would survive outside the lab with all the currents still roaming around the campus.
After double checking you had everything, you shove the candles into the sack and roll it up for a better hold positioning the rough fibre to be between the lamp and your fingertips.. you didn't want to place it along with the matchboxes and alcohol since it was still quite hot.
God did you feel incompetent.. atleast the job was done though, and it seems the generator hasn't given up just yet since there was still light emitting from the computer lab
The light dims a little and you wince, ah.. seems like you spoke too soon.
Or rather.. thought too soon..?
You decide not to acknowledge the semantics.
The force of the wind blows the candle out and you sigh, deciding not to relight it for now. It would probably just blow out again anyway.
Clumsily adjusting your hold on the bag, lamp and candle, you secure the latch to the chemistry lab- You could still hear murmurs and discussions from the computer lab..
Maybe you should warn them about the power going out soon- if the comms are up then they could probably inform everyone scattered on campus not to panic and slowly head for the auditorium.
Quietly you push the door open, the sound of wood creaking seeming wayy too loud admist everything.. there's something heavy in the air and you don't know what to make of it.. the talking ceases, and a senior smiles at you and motions you inside- rolling out a chair for you invitingly
You shyly smile back and shake your head, feeling a little bashful at the offer.. though the smile felt more like a grimace and attempt at reasurance than anything.. you're not sure for what, but something tells you it's important.
"Hi.. are the comms up? I think the generator might go off soon- if we could inform everyone then it might save from the panic.." you murmur, catching the attention of a few people gathered around one of the systems
"Mm.. generator down..? Sounds like a hassle.. we haven't tested the intercoms but we've gotten the radio to work.." Nagi-san pipes up, shoving his thumb at the device to his side
"Ah.. kouhai! We were just discussing bout the powergrids.." Another familar face exclaims, and you register Hiori-san with a slightly relieved smile
You'd sort of forgotten Hyoma mentioned he was working with Nagi-san.. they were an unlikely duo for sure but you could see their dynamics were pretty compatible.
"Hiori-san..! Thank you for the umbrella.." you mention with a slight grin, bowing slightly in gratitude.. that umbrella had definitely done way more than it's intended purpose.
"Mm? Don't mention it, was just a lil' hunch to lend it to ya" he states with a loop-sided smile, eyes focusing on you for a second to register the sack you held before straying right back to the screen
Suddenly you remember you'd left the umbrella on the ground floor.
Well.. you'll get it back eventually.
"Did ya find your friend, hm?" He asks softly, tilting his gaze just enough to catch your shake of the head
"Ah.. well more like he found me?" You mumble sheepishly, earning an amused nod from him followed my a soft sigh once he realised you purposely let the conversation die
"The radio's problem was the amplifier, m'not sure bout intercoms but the cctvs work just fine cause they're local.." Hiori-san commented, leaving the system to Nagi-san when he seemed to have a mild breakthrough with his thought process.
"Soo.. was it the storm that messed with it?" You ask, a little fascinated as you watch Nagi-san connect his system to some kinda panneling..
"Mm.. just Electromagnetic interference. Would've been static if the main panel wasn't reset.." Nagi-san mumbles, idly twirling around in his rolling chair as he waited for the panneling to connect to the main one
A senior whistles lowly and claps her hands slowly, impressed by his competence.. followed by a few other scattered claps that Nagi-san just scratched his neck at and acknowledged with a murmured thanks
The panel connects and Nagi-san's fingers move with rapid precision, isolating and rerouting an audio network
"Cool huh?" Hiori-san hums, resting a palm on the back of the rolling chair.
Nagi-san quickly stands once his work was done, taking the headphones with an attached microphone off and immediately handing them to Hiori-san
"Quick. Announce. The panel is slow- the generator will probably go off in a few minutes at best." Nagi-san blurts out, tapping the mic to let the screech echo- indicating the audio was clear now.
"O-oh? Giving me the more social task, are we..?" Hiori-san states with an amused smile, holding the mic up to his lips
"Attention all, the generator will be goin' out soon. Head to the auditorium as quickly as ya can before the lights fail, navigate if possible or wait till we start a search" he announces, the echo of his voice indicating the intercoms were working perfectly
"If any staff are listenin' the radio kept informin' to not take government pil-" it's expected but sudden. A static scratch follows and the audio cuts off, and soon does the computer system. Quickly followed by the lights, engulfing the room in darkness.
You hear the sound of a soft, annoyed click of the tongue.. someone plugging out a system? And another gathering something that sounded like a CD case.
Then your role clicks and shove the spirit lamp to the nearest person- blindly dig into the sack for your lighter, quickly lighting the flame and holding the candle out for someone to take.. a soft sound of realisation is heard and the candle leaves your fingertips but you just dig for another one, lighting it up as well and handing it to the next nearest person- which happened to be Hiori-san.
"Ah.. thought I heard the lab openin' it was you huh..?" he states, holding it at the bottom carefully since this one didn't have a stand.
The senior that invited you in, helps you with the sack while you pull out another batch of candles
"Shield it from the wind outside btw..! The school's quieting down but there are still currents" you call out, voice carrying over the silence illuminated by candle light.
Quickly you pass a few sticks around and close the lighter, keeping one to yourself and shielding the flame with the plam of your hand
The senior holding your bag walks ahead, and you quickly follow behind cause she wasn't holding a candle
Hiori-san follows quietly, and you catch sight of the radio someone took up from your peripheral.. as well as Nagi-san slogging behind a little with the candle held way too close to his face for warmth
"Could we light the spirit lamp?" A voice asks, and you blink.. only then realising you had parted from it in your urgency
"Oh sorry.. is it cool now?" You ask, feeling rather sheepish for shoving a hot object into unsuspecting hands
"Yeah? Only the cap is a bit hot.." the voice mumbles, shuffling near you once he registered where your voice was coming from
"Maybe we could save that for going on a search party, the candles ain't that bright.." Hiori-san pipes up, pairing up with said guy to share the light source
"Okay senpai.." he acknowledges, you decide that's dealt with and join the senior with your bag again that seemed intent on navigating back to the auditorium..
Why was it that you were so bad at asking for names..
Well, you weren't really in the mood for a conversation so perhaps you'll just refer to her in your head as nice senior.
Weird guy and nice senior.
You wonder what kind of spectrum you're on.
Somebody locks the computer lab from the outside and you stand near the railing, catching sight of a flashlight beam from the ground floor.. Ah. The staff must be out.
"Guys! I think the teachers are out" you comment, and nice senior leans next to you- eyes flashing with recognition as she nods
A few other do the same and there's a shared relief in the air
"We needa tell Ego-sensei bout what we heard on the radio.. and they'll probably look to guiding students up too" Hiori-san mumbles in thought, still shielding his candle from the light breeze
"Let's just get back to the auditorium.. we'll work out what to do from there" Nice senior states, gently tugging you close to her with her free hand
"Mm.. they were setting up gym mats on the floor when I was there" you comment, holding the candle to illuminate the path ahead just enough to watch your steps
Nobody speaks after that, only the rhythmic sound of footsteps and the occational filtered currents fills the space around.
There isn't anyone in the hallways like before, they probably would've headed for the auditorium after the announcement.
You wonder if Hyoma and Mikage made it.. and Rin as well. You feel like Sae-senpai would've taken initiative to find out more information.. there was a possibility he could've been with the staff as well.
Your mind drifts to Ego-sensei. Hiori-san said they needed to inform about something they heard on the radio.. maybe that's what has the room so tense when you came in.
You heard the world 'government' and immediately thought of Kaname Mirai's uniform.. Toharu Corporations. That was the name of the delivery sevice..
They had government contracts and we're usually deployed to supply approved vaccines to public institutions.
'Govenment pills' would make the most sense.
Thunder rumbles through the buildings walls, sounding too close for comfort.
There wasn't even any moonlight.. could it possibly a no moon day? It wasn't something you would've ever thought of if not for the situation at hand.
Curtains brush against your frame and you unconciously hold the candle away from it.. wouldn't want it catching on fire..
Wax drips down the candle and you adjust your grip to avoid it from dripping onto your skin.
Nice senior's footsteps halt, soon followed by everyone else.. you stop as well, curiously looking up at her for an answer.
"The auditorium is just at the end.." she says, handing the sack over to you and taking the candle from your hand, motioning another girl with a candle to stick close to you before gesturing the stairs
"Go and set up there, we'll split up over the lower floors to find students" she states, a few people nodding and grouping with her
"Huh..? Okay.. be safe!" You call out, clutching the sack that had been deposited in your hands again..
Hiori-san and Nagi-san are among the few that didn't leave, holding the radio and monitor respectively with their free hands.
"Hopefully they'll be back soon.. if the flames die out then we might needa search party for the search party.." Hiori-san comments, earning a small amused smile from the girl you were sticking to
"Yoriko-senpai would rather die than let herself become unreliable.." she hums, positioning the flame a little away from your sack..
You perk up, slightly elated that you finally got a name for 'nice senior'
"Aha.. don't doubt it in the slightest! But accidents happen no?" He hums back, sticking by the guy with the spirit lamp while Nagi-san lagged a little futher- seeming to be in his own line of thoughts
"Did you see Reo?" He suddenly asks, and you blink.. not having expected him to address you.
"Not in person.. but Hyoma said he was gonna help him with headcount and organising stuff.." you reply, trying to think of any location in particular he mentioned
"I think he said they'd start at the cafeteria.. I dunno after that?" You offer a little weakly, but Nagi-san just nods.. quietly mulling over your words.
The door to the auditorium is slightly open and you can hear loud voices as well as muttered conversations.. you didn't want to just barge in and suprise anyone, so you loudly knock first before opening the door further
Some conversations quiet down and people register the light before they register you.
"Finally..! C'mere.. we can set up the candles on these plates!" A loud and slightly familiar voice calls out- ah.. it was the same guy that lent you the task in the first place.
He lent a hand out to help you over the mats while the girl with the candle hovers close behind, standing at the edge of the mats.
Hiori-san sets up his own candle near the doorway and motions Nagi to set up the monitor in the nearest plughole which connected to an oscillating fan
A few other members start passing their candles and matchboxes to the other ends of the auditorium where they were placed near the sills
"What did you bring Ethanol for?" Task guy asks confused as he holds open the sack
Sigh.. This was starting to get quite old.
He shuffles a little closer and passes the lamp to the girl who passed it forward again to task guy
"Spirit lamp.. used it when I couldn't find the candles and brought it along" you explain, still occupied with lighting and passing along candles to students who had already started settling down on the mats because of the lack of room to stand about now..
He hums in approval and quietly uncaps it to refill it with ethanol, lighting it up with a matchstick since you were occupied with the lighter..
The spirit lamp burns bright and he passes it to the centre so it could illuminate more ground.
You stare at the matchstick.. feeling a little dumb for not thinking of it sooner. Ugh.. You really should've sent Yoriko-senpai with a matchbox or two!
What are the chances you could find them if you went now..
"Senpai..! Yoriko-senpai and a few others went to the lower floors to try lead the others here" you blurt out- and task guy just blinks.. urging you to continue
Candle girl.. lights up, seeming to get your line of thought immediately
"Oh! The matchsticks! I'll see if I can find them- give me a few boxes" she asks, intent on darting outside
You blink but nod anyway, gathering around 4 boxes and depositing them into her hands.. a frown overtakes your face when you notice the wax grip, and you tilt her grip against it
"Oh thanks" she smiles, holding it away to keep it from dripping on the mats..
Task guy noticed and immediately takes out a cut portion of a cardboard box- coaxing the candle from her and wrapping it to prevent the wax from dripping onto skin
"Here.. it's not fool proof so be careful. And stick with the staff if you find them. They should be making their way up now.." he comments, dusting himself of the cardboard and pausing to survey candle girl
"If you can't find them it's alright okay..? Just come right back" he states, ruffling her hair lightly
Candle girl huffs with barely concealed annoyance, unable to do much with her hands full
"Yeah yeah.. don't patronise me.." she mumbles, sending you a light wave with match-box filled fingers before disappearing beyond the auditorium door..
Chatter quietly starts again and you think you can hear snoring admist it too..
What was the time..? You never really got the chance to stop and check.
The gun presses into your thigh again when you sit down at the edge, and you wince- immediately stranding up again.. the last thing you wanted to do was set it off in a room full of students.
Task guy looks a little alarmed at your wince, setting his hands on your forearms
"Whoa.. hey? You good?" He asks, scanning over for any injury
"Huh? Yeah uhm.. not hurt! Just.. uncomfy?" You squeak, you didn't want to reveal the gun just yet.. he seemed like the over worrying type.
He hums, unconvinced.. raising a brow for anything else you could offer.
"Are any of the transfer students here..?" You ask quietly.. and there's immediately surprise on his face from the sudden line of questioning
"Uh.. I think I saw Loki-kun recently..? They uh.. came back with weapons..?" He trails off after a few seconds of debating whether to tell you.. he'd told Loki to keep it from eveyone in the room just in case it stirred panic
You perk up, and task guy has absolutely no idea what to make of it.
Did he came by Ego-sensei by any chance? And for what reason would he get a weapon of he didn't know how to use one.
Loki didn't really sound like a German name- so you assumed he wasn't the one Isagi-san was talking about..
But then again.. it didn't sound like a typical spanish, french or italian name either.. well- you guess you'll find out soon enough. Names these days weren't really a good way to establish someones nationality.
"Okay. Where?" You ask immediately, feeling your body thrumming with energy despite feeling depleted close to an hour ago.
"I.. behind the stage I think, I don't think he and his friends moved since the lights went out.." he pieces, holding a lit candle out to you since you seemed interested on meeting the guy
"I'll be here if you need me.. the bottles are in that box and if you wanna eat something the-" his words do not register cause you're already parkouring over the edges, a few students sharing a laugh at your random burst of energy
"Kids these days.." task guy murmured in exasperation to the nearest person who would listen
CHAPTER-5 << ಄ >> CHAPTER-7
TAGLIST : @vyxeen @peachesona (Open <3)
A/N : Why is half the chapter just finding candles.
Anyway.. Sorry for the OCs, I know for a fact that I don't like reading them in most fics so there's a chance it's the same for some- but.. it's kinda hard to only work around bllk characters & I definitely want reader to interact with more women.
I don't have plans on involving any OCs with blue lock characters romantically- just platonic interactions and conversation initiated purely by the situation..
I'm kinda getting attached tho, so maybe there could be some backround romance between sm of the OCs.. ionno- how bout, nice senior x task guy? They lwk mom and dad heheh-
I'm open to names btw, nice senior has been named but candle girl (did you catch the pun I hid??), task guy and spirit lamp guy don't have names yet!
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