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

[sleepytimegal]

[ Alex doesn't want to be alone. ...Well- she- she doesn't want to be in her room, lonely. She spends some time in the dining room, twirling a spoon in cereal and just...not sure what to do with it, beyond that. She's turned away from the wall, but she's...there, if only vaguely.

After she... Well, is it fucked up if she goes to the bar? 'Cause she's going to...go to the bar. Just beer, that seems safer. A can she opens herself. She doesn't stay there the whole time, though. She kind of wanders. To the game room, where she finds some cards. ]

You wanna play something...? [ She murmurs this...though she's not really talking to anyone. ]

game room

[matchbreaker]

Rummy.

[ The woman answers this, ghosting through the door with her eyes seemingly stuck in that predatory cat-mode as she gets closer to the other. ]

[sleepytimegal]

...Huh? O-oh. Elda. ...Yeah, sure. Come sit down?

[ Belatedly, she sits down. ]

[matchbreaker]

... Christ girl, did you see a ghost?

[ But yes, she will... indeed sit. ]

[sleepytimegal]

[ ...She laughs a little. ]

Not exactly. Don't worry 'bout it. I'll deal.

[matchbreaker]

If you say so. that's what kids say when they don't want adults to butt in.

[ She shrugs. ]

Still, you're far from my kid, even if Sayaka's sweet on you.

[ So, you going to shuffle? ]

game room

[captainobnoxious]

Sure, deal me a hand.

[... She has no idea what to play, but Alex looks out of it, so. Sigrun is here.]

[sleepytimegal]

[ For a moment, she hesitates, and then...realizes Sigrun's spoke to her and nods. ]

Here you go, how about...war's an easy one.

[captainobnoxious]

Fine by me! It's the only war I've been in, after all.

[Just a little joke! ...Alex really is kind of out of it though, huh.]

How're you holding up, honey? Seems like your mind's a little elsewhere.

[sleepytimegal]

[ While dealing: ] Ha, yeah. You could say that. Today's been overwhelming, you know?

[captainobnoxious]

Yeah, no joke. Who would've thought Fernie was hiding so many people in her?

[sigrun.]

Bar

[ninehundredlives]

...that's probably a good idea.

[Susan herself was looking over the liquor, but...ugh. Ugh.]

[sleepytimegal]

[ Another adult who isn't judging her. ...Well, after today- ]

Want me to grab you one? Like...yeah.

[ninehundredlives]

...yeah, okay.

[She’ll probably buck up the nerve to drink out of the bottles again later, but]

[sleepytimegal]

[ So, she does just that. A can of beer, avoid the liquor all together. ]

Here you go, let's drink and be...tired, yeah.

[ninehundredlives]

[Susan sits down next to Alex as she cracks it open.]

There’s not much else to do now, is there?

[She takes a sip and grimaces a little. Is this American beer? Awful.]

The...flowers were part of it. A big part. That’s why. [It’s not really an explanation at all, but she’s not sure how to just...open with that.]

bar

[didntgetdadslooks]

[ Angel is here, nursing a glass of whiskey that's going to last at least three threads, she's taking it that slowly. ]

Hey.

[sleepytimegal]

[ Mmm, underage drinking all around. ]

Angel. ...Hi there. How...you doin'...?

[didntgetdadslooks]

[ Aint it fun? ]

I'm...

[ Gestures towards the whiskey. She can't really even pretend she's okay rn!! ]

[sleepytimegal]

[ Livin' in the real worrrrld ]

...Yeah. Same. ...Make sure to have some water with that, alright?

dining room

[introspects]

[ orihime's only in the dining room briefly, but alex looks so sad.... despite herself, orihime goes over, a weak smile on her lips. ]

What kind of cereal are you eating, Alex-san?

[sleepytimegal]

[ Raises her eyes, hint of a smile. ]

Cheerios. What else?

[introspects]

Oh... what are Cheerios?

[sleepytimegal]

[ ...Orihime... ]

Toasted whole grain oats cereal. [ so she deadpans ] They're simple and popular and don't make my mouth wanna tango.

[introspects]

Oh! You don't want to add anything to them, Alex-San? Maybe strawberries or chocolate?