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

[blackmass]

'Upset' is not the term I would use.

[Whatever he would call it, Kirei didn't specify.]

Some might call you wise not to bother.

[firstaid]

You mean because of your secret? If you think that's going to make me afraid of you, I'm afraid you're mistaken.

[Given the amount of shit that Estelle's dealt with, well, his secret doesn't really bother her.]

[blackmass]

Then you're far more foolish than I initially estimated.

[firstaid]

Am I really a fool for not being afraid?

[Maybe she is but...]

I don't see how you would have any reason to hurt me. Even kill me. After all, if you did, you would be subject to a trial and thus likely executed. Because of that, I see no reason to fear you.

[blackmass]

You speak as though murder is the only way to cause harm to someone.

[firstaid]

I'm aware there are other ways, however, I'm certain this situation has done a lot of mental an emotional harm to us. I'm not sure how you would be capable of furthering that without deciding to murder someone.

[....WE'RE NOT SURE IF THAT'S A COMPLIMENT BUT SHE MEANS NICE BY IT? PROBABLY? JESUS CHRIST, ESTELLE.]

[blackmass]

[...are you saying he's not as good at this as jericho]

[because rude]

Was there something you wanted, Estellise Sidos Heurassein?

[firstaid]

[Well... since he asked...]

Why does another's suffering and anguish bring you joy?

[...............right so that was just asked.

She's honest to goodness curious because his secret says he understands this is flawed so she just wants to know.]

[blackmass]

...Why should such a thing matter to you?

[firstaid]

I suppose I'm just curious. You don't seem like a bad person, so that's why I'm asking.

[.............]

[blackmass]

...

[And just like that, the thin and hollow smile was back in place.]

['How like my father you were. Even at the very end, you never really understood me.']

That alone proves you could never comprehend it.

[firstaid]

[Estelle's silent for a moment and it's telling that she's actually having to think over his words a bit and is figuring out how to respond before she shakes her head as her expression now turns serious.]

To be honest? I don't think I ever could comprehend it-- nor would I honestly want to.

[blackmass]

Precisely. And if there is a question you can not understand the answer to, then there is no point in asking it to begin with.

[firstaid]

Well, if I don't understand the answer to, then I need to do what I can to try to understand it, right?

[She doesn't want to know what it's like to feel joy from suffering and anguish.]

And while I've said that I don't wish to understand it, that doesn't mean that I don't want to figure out an answer to it, either. It's... difficult to explain.

[And saying it just sounds convoluted.]

Since you understand it's flawed it, well, it makes me more curious.

[This girl is either incredibly stupid or she literally has no fear.]

[blackmass]

[...LITERALLY WHAT EVEN ARE YOU, ESTELLE]

It's futile to try to understand something of which you can have no possible concept. You waste your time, Estellise.

[firstaid]

[She's a special breed of human. Literally. She is.]

I don't think it's a waste of my time.

[blackmass]

I regret to inform you that you are objectively incorrect.

[firstaid]

[Estelle puffs her cheeks out like a child.]

Is it because I said I didn't want to actually understand how you feel?

[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.]

[firstaid]

Are you speaking to me...? Or are you speaking to yourself, Kirei, when you say all of that?

[It's either that or he refuses to answer her and give her any clarification.]

[blackmass]

Were I to believe the answer to my question would be incomprehensible, I would not seek it to begin with. I speak only to you, and your impossible pursuit.

[firstaid]

Have you found the answer to your question?

[I'm so sorry Kirei, Estelle really is a special person.]

[blackmass]

If I did, I would not be called 'Inquisitive' at all, now would I?

[firstaid]

Then are you saying you've found the answer?

[She wants a yes or no answer. She will continue on with this until she has her answer (or a door is slammed in her face).]

[blackmass]

I thought that was obvious. Of course I haven't.