trustfell | One day we'll reach to emotions: unexplored, unprecedented

[ Sometime shortly after the trial small notes will be folded underneath the doors of everyone still alive, and also posted to the staircase leading up to the upper floors. Not many of you have probably seen Elda's penmanship yet unless you checked that Penmanship check a while back, but it's impossibly impeccable fancy cursive script, to match with her old timey appearance. ... She also writes a lot more proper than she talks. ]

To My Fellows,

The half of you who didn't assist me in this are cordially invited to a celebration of our continued living, and to the memories of those who aren't. We are a mismatched group,
but it has become increasingly clear that we are together in this. Do not allow yourself to be alone.

We will be congregating in the ballroom for the rest of the night.

Better chefs than I will be providing food.

Sincerely,
Elda Marker

[ she's being somewhat facetious about half the group, but the fact does remain that she got more offers than she expected, when she set out to do this. She had expected that Sayaka would help, and indeed both her and Alex provide cookies and curry for the tables. Elda herself sets up the tables, dotting one longer central one made of smaller ones in the ballroom for things to sit on. The bulk of the food's provided by Tarrlok of all people, Chinese food by any other name. Susan, bless her, provides alcohol. Hibki, once she was clean, decided to run backup on preparing the food.

And then perhaps fittingly, Aligula provided the decorations. Steamers line the room, and little cut outs hang around. At Elda's instruction, it's a mix of cats, snakes, and bats. The majority of them have little faces on them. And finally, as and afterthought more than anything else, Elda makes some tea.

... Said tea is black tea and is impossibly dark and bitter because she can't taste it, but maybe that's what you want on a night like this. Who knows. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Thank you! I was doing my best.

[ With a little sage nod. ]

[ So... So... ]

Are you, uh... Are you feeling okay, after...all that?

... Do I seem as if I'm the sort you need to be concerned over?

[ :T ]

Elda, I'm concerned about everyone, that's kind of how I do.

[ :T!!! ]

What, do you think you're some den mother?

[ . . . ]

... I never liked Terumi, I barely knew Archer and Chie, and ... No one know Mikoto. I shall survive.

[ She kind of...glances away. ] I...kinda wanted to know him...

[ But. ]

...Then...okay. You say you're alright with everyone who's died, but... What about everything else?

[ she... ]

... The man's actions in the last week befuddle me. It's a splinter in my mind, and it shall remain for now. [ A beat ] But if you're insisting, are you digging towards something, Alex?

It confused everyone, didn't it? That- I was so sure, if there'd be a...a crime this week, it'd be for our memories. We were all worried about them, I thought, but...

...I just thought you might be confused about that, too.

[ . . . Mmm ]

Are you making a confession of intent, girl? Or accusing me?

Wha- n-no! Neither, what the hell- I'm just- I'm confused, okay?! That's it, I'm confused that- how did you get there?! I'm- confused, and worried, and upset about everything, why does that have to mean anything else?

[ The girl really is upset, isn't she? And ... yes, confused. Elda exhales ever so softly, and then her arm shoots out to grip the girl's shoulder. It's firm, and she squeezes. ]

I very much doubt either of those men died for our memories. Though in the end, the result's the same - we killed them for that reason. To me, while some of Mikoto's actions are baffling, the pure results... perhaps I'm simple-minded, but I don't see what's so confusing about our memories.

[ She deflates a little. ]

I know they didn't... I just thought...when we reached the end of this week- if something happened, I'd at least be able to understand the motivation...but instead it was two suicidal jerks who just- didn't talk to anyone.

[ And if they hadn't... ]

[ . . . ]

Ultimately, aren't you wishing death on someone here, Alex? "I want to understand it," makes sense, but ultimately isn't it just that you keep thinking about what if?

[ She's tensed. There's a...self-deprecating tone to her voice. ]

...Isn't that what we were all doing this week? I don't think anyone who wanted to keep their memories was actually just...resigned and not...quietly hoping.

Yes, we were. I know i certainly was. In all honesty, if I were more true to ideals, I should have taken action myself. As it was, it was all I could do to wish well for Sayaka and Ashworth.

...I'm glad you didn't.

I wouldn't...want you not around. Sayaka wouldn't.

You'd be dead, the both of you.

[ She says this with a sad, nostalgic little smile. No, she can't allow herself to think that she would take action and die. Not to This girl especially. The fact is, if she did it, she would try to win. ]