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

[destage]

[Hey, Alex. She's not wary around her at all, at least.]

Yep. Honestly, at this point...if they can see it, I'm not sure if I mind. This stuff is kind of terrible.

[She says, taking another sip.]

How are you holding up?

[sleepytimegal]

[ Swig. ]

Kind of terrible's an understatement.

[ ... ]

I'm... I've actually...been worse, I guess.

[destage]

I'm not quite willing to embrace a colorful vocabulary yet, I admit. I'll leave creative statements to you.

[...That's said with more of an air of amusement than any sarcasm, and she seems to giggle a bit at her own joke.]

That's good, though. I think just...being through all of the trial proceedings kind of made the impact a little less bad, maybe.

[Sayaka shakes her head.]

Still, that was a bit much, wasn't it?

[sleepytimegal]

[ She actually laughs a little too. Good joke, Sayaka, good. ]

Right? Kinda stupefied all of us, all that...BS. Maybe we should be thankful for it all.

emeto cw

[destage]

...I sort of am, even if eating anything red or green for a while is off the table.

[She's never gonna see jello the same way again.]

[sleepytimegal]

[ She almost grins. ]

Kinda messed that I've still got an appetite, yeah? ...Well. It's more I don't wanna drink without food.

[ ...and she really wants to drink. ]

[destage]

...No, not really. I'd honestly say that's a good thing. I haven't even eaten anything today, and here I am with this stuff. And I'm supposed to be a good influence.

[Sayaka chuckles a bit.]

Ah, well, I'll deal with it tomorrow. You're better for your appetite, though.

[sleepytimegal]

[ Ah... She stands and goes to get two glasses. ]

Well...if you can't eat, I got an idea. Trust me? [ She's pretty casual with that. Maybe she's just tipsy. ]

[destage]

You say that like I could ever distrust you, silly. Do it up.

[She'll probably have a thousand regrets in the morning, but after today, hell with it.]

[sleepytimegal]

...Heh.

[ Well, it may be a surprise then, when she fills them both up with water. Then sliiides them over. ]

Mike always said, match every beer with a water. Figured that goes for wine too.

[destage]

[Well, she'll take that glass of water and drink it on down.]

Good advice. It's not something I ever would've known, so thank you, Alex. You're the best drinking buddy.

[She's probably the only drinking buddy that's her age, granted.]

[sleepytimegal]

[ She grins. ]

Michael's advice was always worth full marks, so...thank him, not me. [ Ah... ] Ha, Elda asked who I'd take as a drinking buddy here, I shoulda said you.

[destage]

Well you're the one passing it on, you know. [Sayaka sticks her tongue out a bit.] I'll give him a bit of thanks, though, I promise. I'll thank him by actually finishing this.

[She just kind of laughs a bit, good natured and all. This is honestly fun as hell.]

Aww, well thanks! I'm glad I'm being a good buddy, if nothing else. Didn't think I'd ever be doing this, but I couldn't have done it without you!

[She takes another sip of her spiked tea, along with the water, before chuckling even more.]

[sleepytimegal]

[ See, this is why kids drink underage. The need to unwind after watching a biomass bacteria monster get killed by a magic- wait.

The moment slows for Alex, as she shrugs her jacket further onto her shoulders. She holds the beer close under her lips, the smile a little wistful. Then...she's back in the now. ]

So, what you're saying is, I'm corrupting you.

[destage]

[True fuckin' that. Either way, Sayaka giggles when Alex says that, putting her drink down to rest an arm on the table, and her head in her hand.]

Oh, please. You say that like I mind, Alex.

[sleepytimegal]

[ ...Her face colors a little. ]

Just, uh, getting facts straight. Fact checkin', for when everyone...accuses me of being a snake, it's...consensual corrupting.

[destage]

[...oh no. Sayaka giggles a bit, without a single care in the world.]

You're not even close to a snake. I've worked with plenty of 'em, truuust me. [If Alex lets her, she'll just reach across and poke her nose with one of her fingers, before going back and chuckling.] It's absolutely fine, though! I'm having so much fun!

[sleepytimegal]

[ O- oh...! This is surprising, she's so giggly? Especially after this week, it's... ]

Ha... Wow, you're really getting into this, Sayaka. Don't go too overboard your first time, alright? As your...drinking senior, I gotta be kinda responsible.

[destage]

I think I'm fine! ...Does it look a little unusual, though? I don't really know how much I've gone through, honestly...

[Even so, it is still getting some laughter.]

I don't know, though, it's just really fun. Especially after all of that stuff that happened today...

[sleepytimegal]

You're tipsy, at least. [ But...she smiles. ] But...this is a nice way to drink, I think. Like...with friends, laughing. Enjoying ourselves.

[destage]

Well, that was the whole point, wasn't it? Good job, corrupting extraordinaire!

[Her tone's definitely sing-song when she says it.]

I agree, though. I wouldn't ever get to do this back home...but here I am, drinking with my best friend, without so much as a care in the world. I don't know if it could get much better than this!

[sleepytimegal]

...Best friend...you say?

[ Oh, that's. Kind of nice? ]

[destage]

Yeah, of course! [Sayaka bounces a bit in her seat, beaming.] You're really, really, really the best! The best friend a girl could ever ask for!

[sleepytimegal]

...Heh. Never had a lot of...girl friends back home, that's...that's nice.

[ A beat. A drink. ]

You too. I dunno how... This place would be a lot rougher without you.

[destage]

...Honestly, I agree with you there.

[That giggly sort of demeanor dies off, there.]

I don't...think I could've survived in this place, without you being there for me, you know? I've been so tightly strung for so long, it's like...it was only a matter before they got all tangled up.