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

[bloodisthicker]

[hm. this rhetoric... speaks to him.

...

cabs is speaking his language. he thought he was kind of soft but maybe...

...

yeah no he still isn't going to show up, sorry, he's busy locking himself in room 10. maybe he'll respond if people seek him out? maybe. possibly.]

[firstaid]

[Tarrlok spoke with her when she was in the dumps, so she feels it's only right to return the favor.

So knock knock.]

Tarrlok? It's Estellise. I just wished to check in with you.

[bloodisthicker]

[it takes him a bit to show up, almost like he's not... actually going to.

...

but he does eventually crack the door open.]

...thank you for your concern, Princess. I'm managing.

[firstaid]

[It's okay she's waiting at the door patiently until he opens it for her.]

Would you like anything right now? I could bring you some food or drink...

[Yes, she read all the secrets and she judges only a few for them at the moment.

Tarrlok is not one she judges.]

[bloodisthicker]

[he hesitates a bit, recalling the events of the day.

then he realizes he's talking to freaking Estelle and nods.]

I wouldn't object to tea, but I'm... still not really feeling food at the moment. I'm sure you understand.

[even if it hadn't been for the secrets he probably wouldn't want to eat anything right now. it's been a gross-ass day.]

[firstaid]

I'll bring you some tea then. Before I go, do you prefer green or black tea?

[Because she may as well bring him something he likes.]

If neither, I can make some chamomile lavender tea. Hopefully that will soothe you a bit.

[sleepytimegal]

[ Knock on the door. ]

Yo, bud. Open up. Not gonna leave 'til you do.

[bloodisthicker]

[...he cracks the door a little bit.]

You really shouldn't stay out here all night.

[sleepytimegal]

[ She shrugs. ]

Yeah, but...it's been a weird day. Humor me.

[bloodisthicker]

...I can't entirely argue with that.

[he very nearly smiles, because holy shit.]

Do you want to come in, then? I've got... the chair.

[sleepytimegal]

Sure.

[ Honestly she'd wanted him to come on out to the gathering but. You know, goal achieved anyway. ]

[perpend]

[Well, Tarrlok will hear a knock on his door eventually.]

...Tarrlok?

[bloodisthicker]

[...yeah. it takes him a while. but um.]

...yes, Inspector?

[perpend]

For what little it's worth, your history, whatever you did before coming here, doesn't change what I think about you.

[It's not like they've spoken much, but...]

We're all in this hell together; what matters is what happens now.

[bloodisthicker]

...I appreciate hearing that, Inspector, and I apologize for not making an appearance. I get the impression things really could be worse, but... I just need some time to myself.

[perpend]

....It's fine. I understand, of course.

[Quite a few of them have some pretty horrible things about them written on the wall.]

[matchbreaker]

Hey, fearful leader. Let's talk about it.

[ So... says the vampire? Knocking on the door with a little bit of a smirk on her lips. ]

[bloodisthicker]

[...cracks door slightly]

...

It's not exactly a gripping tale.

[matchbreaker]

[ Which means she's going to shoot her hand in the door to get it open more? Or at least hold it in place ]

I'm not sure I expect it to be.

[bloodisthicker]

[...he's not getting out of this. he's accepted this.]

Come on in and make yourself comfortable, then. And tell me where you want me to start, I suppose.

[matchbreaker]

[ Good, then she will! She'll come in and her eyes are already stuck in predatory mode as she does. She surveys the room once and then takes a seat at the desk, or at least, that's her intention.

She is quick to clarify though: ] Honestly, other than one specific thing, You don't need to clarify anything you don't want. I'm mostly seeing if we can still count on you after this.

[heritrix]

[So like. The cracks under these doors are small, things have to be really flat to fit.

This is why a cheese quesadilla is being shoved under Tarrlok's door and not a sandwich at some point, because Rin is considerate like that.]

[bloodisthicker]

[...

okay. that gets him to come to the door, like... a lot of these things. this time he's holding a quesadilla.]

...you really didn't have to, but thanks.

[heritrix]

[And ain't that just the freeze frame image to represent Tarrlok's life. To be replace if he ever shows up in the kitchen at 4 AM to make pudding.]

If you want something more filling, I'm making Chinese food. [Unlike with Kirei, she's not demanding he come out and eat it. Largely because sometime tonight she does have to deal with Kirei, so.] There will probably be leftovers, so I can bring those by.

[Yes, she didn't have to. Honestly she's not sure why she is.

...No, that's not 100% true. It's probably because a few little interactions and things she's seen from the corner of her eye make more sense now. And because he said thank you, even though he looks so depressed.]

[bloodisthicker]

[...his brows quirk a little.]

...describe the sorts of things involved in "Chinese" food.

[the struggle... of being in a world based on Asian cultures but they're all called something else...]

I'm honestly not sure if I have much more of an appetite just because the day has been... trying, but depending on what it is I might see if I can take you up on that.