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

[paralogical]

[ ... sick, huh? That might be natural. If she picked someone else for this, they'd probably tell her that. Him, though? He can't. But what he can do is walk up to her slowly and lift his hand on. For a few seconds it might look like he's going to pat her on the head again. What he actually does is lightly knock his fist against it. If it hurts, sorry not sorry. ]

Thought I said you were overthinking it. [ He sighs lightly and then, yes, pats her head. Maybe this is what you call tough love?!

A bit softer: ] ... you don't have to figure anything out right now. There's time for thinkin' this through later, so—don't cry anymore. [ At least in front of him, ok?? ]

[firstaid]

[She winces a bit when he knocks his fist against her head. It doesn't hurt, but it's a bit unexpected. She's about to say something before he pats her head. It's that gentle gesture that makes her realize what he was trying to do and it works since, for Estelle, actions speak louder than words to her a lot of the times.

When he tells her not to cry anymore, she makes an attempt to nod, but instead she moves in to embrace Mikoto firmly. She's shaking right now so it's clear it's an attempt to be consoled as opposed to anything dealing with affection on her part. Still, it's also clear that, for some reason or another, she's chosen to trust Mikoto. Maybe she's just used to dealing with people like him who aren't open about their emotions. Maybe he's like someone she admired in a book.

It's something she doesn't know the answer to right now.

So yes, she went to Mikoto to vent... and to be selfishly consoled before she went back out to face the flames. His headpats in the trial room started this.

That much is probably clear now.]

[paralogical]

[ ... this is a different turn. He can't quite keep up with Estelle or what she's thinking. Just yesterday he threatened her, turned down her friendship, and now she's hugging him. All he wanted was for her to stop crying but maybe he overshot. Was he too comforting? It's hard to believe the answer is yes.

Well, it might not matter. If she needs this he's not going to push her away. He won't wrap his arms around her either or embrace her, but the fact that he's not pushing her away is something. He isn't as tense as he could be either.

After giving her a few seconds of physical contact, he presses his hand to his forehead. ]

[firstaid]

[Yes, he overshot by a lot. Sure he turned down her friendship, but one simply does not headpat and think it's means to go away and calm down. ...at least Estelle doesn't think that. So yes, he probably was a little too comforting, sorry Mikoto!

She doesn't expect to be embraced back, but it's nice that she's not being pushed away and that he isn't tensing up. Of course, she's not reading into anything, but the fact that she's not being rejected is a huge comfort for her right now.

There's a few moments she stays like this before she pulls away slowly, notably calmer like her manic state has been wearing off quite a bit...]

You're warm...

[Duh, Estelle, he is a person and people are warm...]

[paralogical]

[ People are. Suoh, however, is warmer than average! And if she can get past the smell of cigarettes, underneath it is a scent similar to burning wood. Or a campfire.

Since she's stepping away though, he takes a step back of his own. More distance works for him. ]

Guess so.

[firstaid]

[Yeah she noted the smell of cigarettes, but she figured that was to be expected since she saw him smoking.

She probably thought the smell of a campfire may be associated with that, but it's something she keeps to herself for now though it is a nostalgic smell to her.]

Thank you, again, Mikoto. I understand that you may not have wanted to deal with this, but I appreciate it nonetheless. You're... very kind despite the fact you seem to keep people at a distance and come off as harsh.

[Game over, Mikoto, Estelle won't think of him otherwise now.]

[paralogical]

[ Clicking his tongue. ]

Quit sayin' stupid shit.

[ You don't have to compliment him, and he prefers it if you don't anyway. None of this was great, okay? He didn't do anything special. But she's running out of her allotted time (and he wants to run away if this is going to become about how "kind" he is, he's not very comfortable with hearing that) so he looks at the door.

Does she seem like she'll be all right if he leaves? ]

[firstaid]

[Yeah, she won't break down again if he chooses to leave. A lot of her emotional turmoil is now under control since she was able to get most of it out. Instead she'll try drinking a little to hopefully calm her all the way down and sleep tonight.]

I'm just saying the truth...

[paralogical]

[ Is it the truth? Is it? ... actually, yeah. In his own way, he can be pretty kind. Not always, not if you annoy him, but if you wait around he might do something nice for you. Y'know, if he feels like it and if you're around him long enough.

He waves his hand dismissively. ]

Go get some sleep.

[firstaid]

I will.

[Well, she knows her Mikoto time is up so she won't force him to stay. He's done a lot for her just by listening and she's grateful for it.]

Thank you once again.

[As a reward(?) she attempts to give him a smile. It's forced, but not nearly as forced as before.]

[paralogical]

[ She just can't stop, can she? He'll let her have this one at least. He's leaving anyway and she might need a win. Some kind of win.

So. ]

... You're welcome.

[ And then he heads out of the room. ]