don't wait for a knight in shinin' armor, your savior's reflected in the mirror

[perpend]

[That sure was a fucking thing. That execution was a fucking thing. Those secrets are a fucking thing.

Cabanela retreats to his room, but not for all that long. Everyone will get a note eventually, written in very neat handwriting

I do not plan on bowing down to threats and intimidation. If you did not act, it means you were, like me, aware of the risk, but decided against it. Your reasons are entirely your own.

Join me in the dining room if you agree enough is enough, and that you won't acquiesce to threats. I don't plan to let this stop me, and neither should you.

-C

In the dining room itself, Cabanela has set up coffee and tea for those who want it-- there's no food, because to be honest, he doesn't know how to cook. Two more candles have been lit-- he wasn't really sure what to do about the whole... parasite thing... so Fern's candle will have to make due.]

Comments

main party

[matchbreaker]

So girl, what do you know about mortality?

[ So asks Eldas, her eyes already in predatory mode. Yep... ]

[perpend]

It's true that he made his own choices, but had I not left my gun behind, it wouldn't have happened in the first place. Lynne wouldn't have been taken captive, either.

[so yes, he does feel responsible]

[destage]

...At least you have a family to care about. The closest I had was my group, and even then...

[...Let's not go down this path. Yet again...]

Half of it was manager's orders, I want to say. The rest was instinctive. All of it was over time, starting after we gained steam. I let the environment influence me so much that it just...became instinct. It's pretty laughable, isn't it? An industry of cute, pure, wholesome, sweet girls...and we're all just tearing each other to veritable shreds.

[Sayaka laughs, but the sound isn't nice.]

I just wanted to be loved, for once.

[sadisticwarfare]

That makes sense. Information like that would be devastating if it got out.

[So Bradley isn't human. That would explain how fast he moves and maybe even why he seemed to be in two places at once.]

What is he?

[explosivecombat]

I'm not going to argue the point with you, or try to convince you otherwise; that seems...condescending, in a way.

But I do appreciate you discussing it with me.

[perpend]

You're a military man. We don't think entirely differently.

[Left unstated is the fact that despite Archer doing a terrible thing, he isn't going to let it change his mind, not now. Cabanela wouldn't have sent that note if it was going to contain an "except you" PS to everyone who did something horrible.]

[explosivecombat]

How familiar are you with the concept of homunculi...? Artificially created humans and the like.

[...You know, that thing that none of us are allowed to do except the Elrics apparently, who get a pass because they were like goddamn twelve.]

[sadisticwarfare]

[...]

I take it you've read everyone else's secrets?

[He can see what Cabanela is getting at, but he wants to rule out the possibility of "Cabanela just felt the need to ignore all the other secrets" first.]

[destage]

Burned into the walls like these facts are burned into our heads. It's kind of disgusting.

[She'll take a sip. She's not quite sure what to say, herself, really. It's all kind of a goddamn mess, and she's not even close to sure what he'd even want to talk about.]

Are you sure reading all of these is a good idea? Or are you trying to burn these into your head, too?

[sadisticwarfare]

Homunculi... I'm admittedly not very familiar with them beyond what you've just said, but that's incredible...

[A created human leading their country. Holy fuck, information like that would certainly make for excellent blackmail.]

[perpend]

Of course I have. They're hard to ignore.

[blackmass]

No. You are incorrect because you seek an answer you're incapable of comprehending. A question is worthless if asking does not bring clarity; if such a question were to be asked and an answer received, failing to understand it would leave one in the same situation as they were before asking.

['Inquisitive' would know better than anyone, most likely.]

[blackmass]

You're making a mistake in assuming I care how I appear to the rest of you.

[perpend]

They're here for some reason-- shame, fear, regret. With everything listed here, it makes me wonder what Miss Green and Mr. White wanted to hide, and if in the end they were any different than what's written here.

[A lot of these secrets, including Kimblee's, would be something he wouldn't stand for normally, but the enormity of it all just makes him feel kind of hollow.]

[destage]

That's not a bad thing. That's a pretty good starting point for any sort of talent. Like your own little record.

[Sayaka...pauses for a moment, but then shrugs.]

I was considering it, but if you're already in here, it'd be rude to take that from you. At this point...I'm wondering if you mind an audience, or you'd like to be left alone.

[explosivecombat]

He isn't the only one, either. He and his...'siblings,' I suppose one would call them, are the ones carrying out most of this operation we're in the middle of. They all answer to a being called Father; I don't know if he has a name outside of that, as that's how I was told to refer to him.

[perpend]

You're willing to die to prove a point, then?

[perpend]

......I agree.

We've lost so many, and there's no end in sight.

[sadisticwarfare]

[Okay that's a little Weird but the concept is pretty cool.]

Fascinating. If this was the information I stumbled on, it certainly could explain the first portion of my secret.

[He absolutely would blackmail Bradley with this to start a war is what he's saying. That sounds fun!!]

[matchbreaker]

[ . . . I just wanted to be loved, for once.

There's a sharp intake of breath at that. She's betraying herself, isn't she? The woman can't help but shiver a little at that version of events. Honestly, she was going to praise the gumption, but that somehow feels... hollow. It feels lacking. She doesn't quite know what the right words are, or if she can provide them. Can she truly say that her haphazard feelings towards a human can possibly fill that?

... Of course not, that's arrogant.

So instead, she stands from her seat. She walks around the table, and walks towards the other, her arms spread. She doesn't go in for the hug immediately though - she knows the girl is skittish, and she's asking for it with her body language. ]

[explosivecombat]

...It's good that Mr. Jericho kept his word, with regards to not revealing the secrets of those who attempted. I would have had to be angry with him otherwise.

[It's said in the sort of even, blank tone that implies that he's probably never been properly angry in his life, whether because he simply doesn't get that way or is incapable in some way. But the sentiment is there, anyway.]

It would have been disrespectful to tell us; it's for the best that he didn't.

[sadisticwarfare]

I see.

[He won't thank Cabanela for it, but he doesn't really look at the man either.]

...Who was Yomiel?

[He doesn't want to talk about his own secret, but sure he'll talk about everyone else's!]

[explosivecombat]

I believe I've told you in the past that I don't ever mind your company; that hasn't changed tonight.

[...Just saying.]

Are you going to be all right...? After the events of the day, and the secrets.

[firstaid]

It's fine. I mean, it is sad, but...

[She tries to force a smile but it disappears just as fast as she attempt to wear it.]

...it's fine. Please, do not feel sorry for me.

[It wasn't her intention, but she's glad Sayaka is listening to her.]

[blackmass]

I am willing to die for a number of things.

But if you think I've any intention of dying here, you are very mistaken yet again.