The world is all one! Unity mind!

[brandnewday]

[Another week, another set of disasters. Hibiki’s head is still reeling from the lengthy ordeal that was Solf J. Kimblee. But it’s because of that exasperation that she’s able to turn her restlessness into something useful. It’s too late to set about making curry for everyone, so it’s time to make some easier dishes. A replication of Fern’s mac-and-cheese, somehow she’s whipped up some kind of donut to go with her animal-shaped rice balls. There’s coffee, tea...hopefully it’s enough? And if it’s not, Rin has provided some delicious Chinese food. And that always tastes better late at night, doesn’t it?

And for the adults (or the exasperated teenagers), Susan is carting down booze from the bar. Joy. Hibiki’s never written to the group en masse before, but she delivers a piece of paper to everyone while Rin and Susan finish up the preparations. Each paper has a drawing of an animal on it, too.]

Too much has happened today. Whether you want to get angry, cry, smile, laugh, or just be out of your room, you don’t have to do it alone. Rin and I have prepared food for everyone, and Susan’s brought the drinks downstairs so none of us have to go into the bar tonight.

Even if it’s just for a little while, won’t you think about joining us in the dining room tonight? Being together is just as important as working hard. And remember, nankurunaisa!

-Hibiki Ganaha

[Three more candles are lit today. Tabitha Smith. Sigrun Eide. Solf Kimblee. They’re all Cabanela’s doing. There aren't any decorations, but the food is spaced out so everyone should be able to grab something and munch if they need it. It’s not clear how many people will come, but a serious attempt was made this time.]

Comments

[bloodbiter]

[The gesture doesn't seem too strange to her, and she takes a few more steps towards the piano.]

How are you feeling?

[matchbreaker]

[ awful, tired. confused. lonely.

... so lonely.

She grits her teeth, exhales hard, and ... ]

Well, I shall recover, as ever.

[bloodbiter]

[She pauses, and then a new kind of gentleness comes through in her tone.]

That is not what I asked, Elda.

[matchbreaker]

Don't question me, girl.

[ Her tone shoots out defensively at that, dripping with malice. Her eyes don't turn predatory though, instead just looking bloodshot and angry. ]

[bloodbiter]

[In stark contrast to the last time Elda took her by surprise, here she barely flinches; she moves her head slightly so their eye contact is more direct, and she pauses for a moment.]

...You have no reason to be cross with me. I am trying to be certain that you are alright.

[matchbreaker]

[ For a moment she feels abashed, almost embarrassed to snap at adelina. But then... then that same feeling makes her feel sick t her stomach. What is she doing?

... For some human girl?

Her eyes harden, her expression becoming more dark and clouded. She curls in on herself, one of her long nailed fingers brushing towards her lip. ]

To which I provided an answer.

[bloodbiter]

You told me how you would be, but...

[She hesitates.]

You clearly cared for him.

[matchbreaker]

No, I did not.

[ Not... not really. She curls up on her piano chair a little tighter. She gets up on it like a gargoyle, and she narrows her eyes. ]

The man would have seen me dead, and it was dealt with. We were teased the whole time, outfoxed by our very prey.

[ If anything, she cared more about Tabitha... she's sure. ]

[bloodbiter]

Then... There is something else bothering you, if that is not what troubles you.

[matchbreaker]

[ Of course she did respect Kimblee though. Of course she did. But... but there's no reason to focus on it. It's pointless. Fruitless. She curls up tighter to the chair.

... But of course that's not all. ]

More than that man died today. Not to mention it's been a month here.

[bloodbiter]

Then... You were close with one of the victims?

[She pauses, then lets out a breath she wasn't aware she was holding in.]

I suppose you are right. I had not realized it has been so long.

[matchbreaker]

I never said that either. Do not assume things of me.

[ Tch.

... a whole month. only a month.

It's... it's awful. She digs her nails onto the piano bench. ]

[bloodbiter]

...Then, may I ask what your meaning was?

[matchbreaker]

You may ask, but I needn't answer.

[ Mmm. ]

[bloodbiter]

[A pause, and a small sigh.]

Indomitable, indeed. It's clear I won't get an answer from you if you don't want to give it.

[matchbreaker]

[ She sneers at that.

... indomitable.

... That secret is still burned into the wall.

She grits her teeth again before she steels herself and turns her eyes catlike. ]

Obviously. What human could pry my lips open? You were the one who assumed ill of me in the first place.

[bloodbiter]

[She notices the way her eyes shift, but she looks largely unimpressed by it, taking in a breath.]

When did I assume ill of you, precisely?

[matchbreaker]

That there is anything for me to speak about in the first place. I said, as ever, I shall be fine. I will be returning to my family.

[bloodbiter]

Thinking that you may be shaken by something that has happened here is not assuming ill of you, and it certainly doesn't mean I think you are incapable of returning to your family.

[matchbreaker]

[ Shut up, girl. Shut up... human. She...

It all dies in her throat. she instead just huffs and looks away. ]

[bloodbiter]

[She hesitates.]

If you would prefer to be alone, I will not burden you with my presence.

[There's some sarcasm there, somehow.]

[matchbreaker]

[ . . . Tch ]

You came without being called in the first place.

[ She... she hates this. She grits her teeth again and- she's going to pick up the goblet. She... what does it matter, now? ]

[bloodbiter]

[There's another pause, and then her voice loses that harsh edge.]

Of course I did. That is because I care for you, Elda.

[matchbreaker]

[ She visibly flinches at that.

and then takes a long sip from that goblet - of human blood.

They're a difference in kind. She's... She's been too remiss in that. To be where she is now. ]

[bloodbiter]

[She's about to say something else when it dawns on her; she isn't stupid, and after a few more moments of looking at the goblet, she brings in a small breath.

And then she lets it out, along with what might be a soft laugh of sorts.]

If you are trying to deter me, you'll find I'm not so easily swayed.