It keeps happening

[forcegalactic]

[After that horror show of an execution, Mordecai is still restless from the investigation and trial. He has too much pent-up energy, and plenty of others are sure to be upset, too. Ashley was loved by nearly all of them, the trial was mentally draining, and that execution was crueler than it should have been.

Two hours after everyone has returned to their rooms, they'll find a note slipped under their doors.]

We can't go on with empty stomachs. There's food in the kitchen, and the dining room is always open if you need someone to talk to.

Please keep anything outside of eating and civilized conversation away from the dining hall. That room is meant to be a peaceful place for those of us that need it.

-Mordecai Benmont Jiminy

[Today, there's cream of tomato soup warming up on the stove with a set of bowls besides it. It's a more mindless dish to prepare than mashed potatoes, as much as Mordecai wants to vent his frustrations on the potatoes.

He decides to follow Cabanela's tradition and lights one more candle, and after some consideration, lights a sixth. Let those who cared about either girl pay their respects.]

Comments

[nankurunaisa]

[It's probably later in the night when Hibiki knocks on Susan's door, slipping out of her own emotions to...well, she doesn't know what. Susan is the person she looks up to most, and she's also the person who agreed with her during her...

...She doesn't want to call it a rant, those were her honest feelings at the time.

Everything is confusing. With someone so mature, Hibiki figures she should keep her message brief.]

Are you in there? I'd like to say goodnight. If that's okay!

[ninehundredlives]

...I'm here.

[Does she want to say goodnight as in, actually face-to-face?]

[nankurunaisa]

[That depends entirely on whether or not Susan answers the door.]

I'm glad! I...wouldn't have felt right if I didn't say anything to you before I slept. I was worried I'd miss you.

[ninehundredlives]

...right.

[After another second or two of silence, Susan shuffles over to the door and opens it a crack.]

Are you alright?

[nankurunaisa]

[For just a brief moment, Hibiki looks relieved to see Susan is alright, smiling just long enough for it to be seen that she's smiling. And then it's gone.]

I don't think any of us are alright. ...Are you? You always seem so strong.

[ninehundredlives]

[Susan does not return the smile.]

...is that what you think?

[nankurunaisa]

[That sounds like a loaded question. Hibiki's not sure how to answer, she thought it was obvious.]

I think we all have weak moments, but compared to someone like me...you're a lot more experienced. You know a lot of things.

[ninehundredlives]

...I promised her she'd get out of here alive.

[She's obviously not talking about Asuka.]

[nankurunaisa]

[Oh. Oh, ouch.]

Mm...mm, I did, too. I told her we'd be fine. Both of us.

[ninehundredlives]

I told her not to ask Giovanni to go with her at night. I warned her about him...

[It's not that she feels bad - she still doesn't know him very well, she'd say it again. But it was obviously not the advice she needed to give.]

[nankurunaisa]

Giovanni? ...So he was the one that brought her up to the library, then?

[She's not sure she understands entirely, but she's leaving it open for Susan to answer in detail if she wants.]

[ninehundredlives]

I don't think he was involved at all.

I should have just told her not to trust anybody. To stay in her room at night.

[nankurunaisa]

I kinda accused him of murder anyways...

[Her voice trails off because she has no idea how to apologize for that, especially to an old man who wears a thong.]

It's not her fault. Or anyone else's. It's all Asuka's. To take advantage of someone like that...it's beyond sick, right? I'm not the only one who thinks so?

[Please validate her worst feelings.]

[ninehundredlives]

She threw away Ashley's life for nothing. She was going to kill all of us on the off-chance the Conductor was even telling the truth!

I don't understand why they're all so eager to forgive her...

[nankurunaisa]

That's what I told her! As soon as she even decided to hurt Ashley, that's when she became an idiot! We weren't gonna sit around and let someone get away with hurtin' Ashley!

[And her voice rises with Susan's. It's probably best not to yell in the halls this late at night, but Hibiki has emotions. She's not done.]

I can't forgive her...or people like her. How could anyone ask me to?

[ninehundredlives]

[Susan sighs and steps back.]

You'd better come in. I don't want to deal with anyone storming down here and getting all high-and-mighty right now.

[nankurunaisa]

Huh?

[She blinks. This is kind of unexpected. Even if it's not Susan's home, being invited into someone else's room is kind of strange.

...Of course, she invited Bakugou into hers earlier, so.]

Alright. Thanks for the invitation. And you're right, it's for the best.

[Dorika will be fine on her own for a few minutes, it's not like Hibiki's worried about a chicken messing up her room.]

[ninehundredlives]

I can't deal with that again. Not right now.

[The room is still pretty much exactly like the others, unadorned save for the black cat clock hung on one wall. The adjoining bathroom door is shut. Susan's right hand is bandaged - it wasn't at the trial - but she tucks them both into the pockets of her jacket.]

Acting like it's fine to murder someone as long as there's a reason...and then turning around like we're just as bad for executing the killers! They wouldn't have cared at all if it had been Rick or someone.

[nankurunaisa]

We aren't executing the killers! That's the Conductor and his rules and no one else. Right?

[Hibiki sees the bandages and looks at Susan with a look of concern. She has to address that first, the cat clock can come later. But she will have to address the cat clock.]

Is...did somethin' happen to your hand?

[ninehundredlives]

I'd say it was him. But that's not going to stop people from implying we're at fault.

[As if they were supposed to sacrifice their lives for a killer, on some ridiculous moral principle. As if they were supposed to just lie down and die. Killing in self-defense is not the same as murder.

Susan darts an irritated glance down at her hand.]

It's fine. I just cut myself.

[nankurunaisa]

They almost make me feel bad for wantin' to live! It's the Conductor's fault most of all, but they can't expect us to not fight, right?

[That's how she sees it. It's simple in her eyes. If someone puts the lives of a group of people in danger, someone dangerous, they have to be stopped. It's simple logic, even if it's deadly logic when taken to the extremes of trials.

Hibiki winces. That wasn't there during the trial.]

You should be careful, okay? I don't want to lo...[lose anyone else.]...I don't want to see ya get hurt.

[ninehundredlives]

They're being ridiculous. It's only because they liked Asuka.

[Susan doesn't care to think about the possibility someone she cares about committing a murder. Most of them...from a logical sort of viewpoint, are more likely to end up victims.

At the question, she folds her bandaged hand in her other, only slightly guiltily.]

...I will.

[nankurunaisa]

Good. If your hand is sore, just...come and get me, I can cook for ya. I don't mind at all.

[She'll make her breakfast. Or any meal.]

I didn't talk to Asuka much. But like I said...I can't forgive someone who uses trust to kill someone! It makes it even worse than it already is. It's just like Reaver.

[And the fight to the death that was Undyne and Byakuren makes no sense to her so she has no idea how to logic that in.]

[ninehundredlives]

[The way Susan sees it, Byakuren sort of went willingly. She didn't have to go fight to the death. So that...all that was different.]

I didn't either. But it wouldn't matter if I had. There's no reason any of us should forgive her - I don't think she was even really sorry, except that she got caught.

[nankurunaisa]

I can't forgive her. And I'm even madder because I feel bad talkin' about her because she just died, even though it was her fault. And then everyone was yellin' at me...what was I supposed to do?

[It sounds like she's rambling a bit at first, but.]

Would it have been better if I hadn't said anythin'?