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

[notaccurate]

[Of course she has someone to handle everything for her. Of course.

Luca sighs.]

It sounds like you need to learn a bit about taking care of yourself, then. As nice as it is for Yuri to look out for you, you still should know how to handle finances and such.

Fortunately, you just happen to know someone who speaks the language of bank accounts.

[firstaid]

Do I?

[She ponders...]

Yuri can be pretty stingy with money sometimes, so is he the one?

[I'm so sorry for her, Luca.]

1/2

[notaccurate]

[That. That short-circuits Luca's brain for a moment. Because nobody can be that fucking dense-]

2/2

[notaccurate]

[But no, it's Estelle. Of course she's that dense, she wouldn't troll him like that on purpose. So he sighs and runs a hand through his hair before answering.]

No, it's not Yuri. I was referring to myself.

[firstaid]

[For as smart as she really is, yes she can be dense at times. Like she could actually troll on purpose.]

Oh, are you rather good with finances? Perhaps I should learn from you, then!

[She claps her hands together like nothing was wrong and she didn't say anything wrong. Because she doesn't know she said anything wrong.]

[notaccurate]

[Guuuuurl]

Well, I did marry into a family of merchants.

[firstaid]

Oh, you're married, Luca?

[Well, that changed that conversation fast...!]

[notaccurate]

Yes, I am.

[He holds up his left hand, and look there he has a wedding ring on!]

[firstaid]

What's she like?

[She loves hearing about couples, kk.]

[notaccurate]

[OH BOY]

She's...well. She's very driven. When she decides on something, it is very hard to persuade her otherwise. But she has a good business sense, and she does wonderfully at her job. And she is raising our son to be just like her.

[It's hard to think of ways to say everything nicely.]

[firstaid]

You have a child as well?

[Her expression softens a bit. Here they are stuck in this place and his family is elsewhere.

Still, she seems to note something is off...]

Are you worried about them?

[notaccurate]

Not...entirely, no. There is always a general worry for them, especially my son, but. Well. They are not here. The troubles they have back home are not as serious as 'being stuck in a school and being forced into some killing contest.'

Now, if they were brought here, then I would worry more. But I am reasonably sure that they are safe.

[firstaid]

I suppose that is one blessing.

[She hopes her friends back home are safe, but she can't be as positive they are as Luca is about his family.]

Hopefully, you can return to them soon.

[notaccurate]

[He hesitates, but then he nods.]

I hope so too.