at the end of the river, the sundown beams

[destage]

[Well...that trial was most certainly a thing, now wasn't it.

It's probably a while after the trial that some notes will be going underneath people's doors, written in a nice, clean scrawl--]

For anyone who hasn't gotten anything to eat, there will be food and refreshments provided in the dining room courtesy of Estelle-san and I. Feel free to take as much as you need.

Please stay strong, everyone.

♥ Estelle and Sayaka

[True to the word, there's plenty of food to go around--potato stew courtesy of Estelle, and curry courtesy of Sayaka. There's coffee and tea out as well, for anyone to drink, and...well, it's more or less an optional thing. After today, some might need it.]

Comments

[sleepytimegal]

Wha- I'm n- hey!

[ Weakly protests, and just. Stands there dumbly, staring after Rin. ...Well, fine this might as well happen. ]

[heritrix]

[Sure is. And in about 10 minutes, Rin will return with a container in hand, filled with an odd mixture of things from the kitchen. It has soapy consistency, and smells like vanilla and honey. Knock-knock at the door, whether it's still open or now closed!]

I'm back. [She sounds more tired before, but also in a pleasanter mood.] I've got just the trick for you.

[sleepytimegal]

[ Door is indeed still open! Might as well not make anything difficult, Alex is just sitting at her desk, a little spaced out. Rin's return sparks a little more alertness from her. ]

Did...you just make bubble bath stuff? Just 'cause?

[ Honestly she sounds both bemused and impressed. ]

[heritrix]

I knew how to do it, so it was never going to take long.

[It was a little hard mostly one-handed, but still simple enough. Rin sets the container down on Alex's desk.]

If you're going to have a hard time sleeping, you either need to tire yourself out or trick your body into relaxing. It's too late to do the former, but a warm, aromatic bath might work.

[sleepytimegal]

...Oh.

[ Well...what the heck. What does she do with this? ]

That's... Thanks. That's real sweet, Rin.

[heritrix]

[...!

Rin's eyes briefly widen before she glances sharply away, cheeks tinted pink.]

It's just a favor for a favor. I owed you for your help in the hall earlier, so if I can help you get your mind off your rough day, I can consider that debt repaid.

[sleepytimegal]

Yeah, sure. [ An almost-smile. ] I, uh- ...back in that...trial, there's no hard feelings on my end. You know?

[ As she'd been one of the people to chide Rin for coming down on Caren and Estelle. ]

[heritrix]

[Oh, subject change. Rin looks back to Alex again, seemingly surprised before her features smooth over, and she reaches to brush a lock of hair behind her ear.]

I wouldn't mind if you did. [Or at least that's what she'd tell herself.]

You could hate me, and that would be fine too. So long as we're still able to cooperate with each other, I'll accept any animosity.

[No hard feelings here either, is basically what she's saying, as if it's only practical. She sounds calm.]

[sleepytimegal]

[ Pragmatic. ...Seems pretty on par with what she's seen, of her. There's a slight frown, but. ]

Well...I don't, but...alright, then. Just wanted you to know that, clear the air. Especially with [ gestures to the soap ] you know. The...trading of favors.

[heritrix]

[By contrast, after a pause, Rin meets Alex's frown with a small smile.]

I know. It was obvious before it was a trade. If you didn't mind that, it's because you're a kind person and not a self-righteous one.

[sleepytimegal]

[ She colors a little but shrugs. ]

Oh... We're all just...trying to get through this, so...even if we disagree, it's nothing to hate someone over.

[ A kind person... She guesses, she could be. ]

[heritrix]

[Rin can agree with that. And with the bubble bath handed over, she looks about to take her laundry now-- ah, there it is.]

If you want to get through this, you should shut your door too after I leave. It's getting late.

[She could be really annoyed Alex left it open, actually, but mostly she's tired.]

[sleepytimegal]

Ah- right, yeah. Don't worry, door closed, bath unlocked. I got ya. You get some rest too.

[ No more late wandering, it seems. ]

[heritrix]

[She can already tell she's going to be in way too much pain to sleep, but Rin smiles all the same as she rounds the corner.]

Thanks. Good night.