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

[brandnewday]

So this is Tabby's room...

[Rin and Hibiki definitely had plenty of time to talk all evening, but it was all unimportant stuff. Talking about food, talking about...animals...this is life now, it doesn't count as a week if Hibiki doesn't mention a pet Rin hasn't heard of before.]

Hey, is it okay if I toast her, too?

[heritrix]

[Lots of general chatting. Hibiki has an interesting life, and so many pets? Rin feels like she needs a flow chart to keep track of all these pets. I might actually need to ask you for their names. But okay, yes! She's surprised Hibiki wound up here too, but not... opposed? Even if she meant to do this alone.]

Mm, it's fine. Though I didn't grab a second glass.

https://i.imgur.com/pa9sObm.png

[brandnewday]

I'll be back in a flash! 3, 2...

[And the idiot is off? She runs pretty fast, too. It takes her almost no time at all to be back with a glass of her own, though she slows down a little at the end so she's not out of breath in the deceased's room.]

I was surprised to find ya here! Now that everything is over, I thought it was a good time to start thinkin' about Tabby.

[No one had time to mourn. They were thrust immediately into a trial.]

Thanks!

[heritrix]

[Welcome back! Rin's waited to pour the brandy for when Hibiki returned, and gets up from where she was sitting to do that now.]

I was having similar thoughts. [Hibiki gets her glass poured first, then she moves onto her own...] Before you asked me to help with the cooking, this is where I'd intended to hang out, actually.

[brandnewday]

I'm sorry for keepin' ya, then. I really did appreciate the help, though.

[Oh, brandy. Hibiki hasn't tried that yet. She had a drink at the party, just enough to relax a little, she hopes.]

I've never given a toast before. I hope that's alright.

[heritrix]

[Rin waves a hand.] I didn't mind it. And actually? This will be my first toast as well. I've never had a drink with someone else before, so we'll both have to wing it.

[Rin sets the bottle down after she's poured her own glass.] Do you want to go first?

[brandnewday]

Alright. I don't mind! If we're both new at this, I feel a little better.

[She pours her glass next and holds it, thinking carefully on what to say.]

Tabby...wherever ya are, I hope you're givin' the dragons hell and takin' all their loot. They never stood a chance.

[heritrix]

Or you've got the devil or whatever deity in a headlock, and you'll steal their lunch money if they don't let you back. Of all the crazy adventures in the life of Tabitha Smith, that sounds like a Tuesday.

[Tabby definitely told her weirder stories, at any rate. Despite the sparkle of amusement in her eyes and the smile on her face, however, the expression on Rin's face has a degree of solemnity to it as she tips her glass.] This is the part where we're meant to knock glasses.

[brandnewday]

[That's a really good toast, Hibiki thinks. But she lifts her glass to toast with Rin before saying so, letting both of their sentiments hang in the air instead of talking about how right that sounds or anything like that.]

To Tabitha Smith! We're gonna miss ya!

[Clink and drink now, yes? Hibiki's smiling in fond memory of Tabby, though it's not as big as usual. It's the sort of smile that feels like "I'm glad I got to meet her" to Hibiki.]

[heritrix]

To Tabitha Smith! This one's for you.

[Rin's declaration isn't as enthusiastic, but it's heartfelt. After clinking their glasses, Rin immediately takes a sip of her brandy, savoring the sweet flavor and the warm feeling it immediately leaves in her mouth, like a match has been lit there.]