trustfell | I dreamed of a world so far from here that's not on the map

To my Fellows,

What is "good" and what is "evil" is something that can be debated for longer than most of you will ever live, as is the nature of men. These debates are without meaning in my eyes. Despite that man's belief, men are not born to be good or evil, and what flaws they have in personality or character are things that can be overcome through their choices. Both for better and, as we've seen, for worse.

Life is not without suffering, but I should hope that every one of you is loved by someone. Loves someone. Many of you probably know that some of those loved ones are entering into an experience similar to our own. The terror of that is an undeniable sword which hangs above our heads.

Do not isolate yourselves, and hold onto what belief will best inspire you. And if you wish to join us for another one of these gatherings, meet us in the dining hall at 8PM.

Sincerely yours,
Elda Marker

PS: Those who can taste will once more provide food.

[ Well that sure is a lot of words which is being put under your doors, put on the fridge, and generally distributed around. It... uh, sure is a letter? It's in the same impossibly perfect cursive as last week, and is written with an almost angry bravado. Because even if she was vindicated at the end there, she was vindicated by a (by his own admission) evil priest. So. That feels bad.

Anyway, with some effort, the dining hall (which now has a lot of candles at Cabanela's little shrine, even with adding the two more here) is filled with food: Susan's got the booze as usual but also a big pot of mac and cheese. Adelina's done her noble best with some finger sandwiches. Yuri's brought some sweets that Estelle might've made. As for Elda, well, she still basically can't cook, so what she provides instead is:

A few board games including a Settlers of Catan, Sorry, and Candyland knock off. I guess we're playing games. Or at least she's suggesting it, who knew? ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[--oh, that...well, this is happening. Sayaka hugs back, but...]

Alex...? Alex? [...] ...I'll get the door, and...let's sit, okay?

[Come on, she'll take care of that, let's sit on the bed or something.]

[ Inside, but...as soon as the door's closed, she kisses her. ]

Mmph--!

[...Oh.

There's...there's something she wasn't expecting, but you know, it...makes her feel so light, like...she can push away all of the thoughts from her head, just for a time.

Sayaka kisses Alex back, pulling the girl closer and just...okay. This is fine. This is very fine, and she's...happy with that much, as long as Alex is.]

[ Alex doesn't really make any moves to deepen the kiss, just keeping them pressed together, until she needs to breath. When she does, that breath is shuddering, and her eyes remain closed. ]

...Hi. I...sorry, I just got...a little...

I...It's...

[Sayaka needs a breath as well--she definitely wasn't expecting that and she presses a kiss on Alex's forehead once she's got some air in her.]

...It's fine, you know? It's okay to get a little carried away. I liked it...I was just a little confused, that's all.

...Good. [ A ghost of a smile. She leans her forehead into Sayaka's. ] As long as you're happy too.

...You always do, you know? [Sayaka leans in as well, smiling.] You make me the happiest I could ever be...in this place, and out.

[ God... ] Sayaka, I- ...I want to stay with you tonight. In your room or mine, I just- I don't want to be alone...and I don't want you to be alone either.

...Like I have a problem with that, you silly goose. I'd love that. Either room works, but...since we're here, how about we stay here?

[Sayaka giggles, brightly--she doesn't want to be alone, but...well, the one time they did this, it was on accident, kind of. But now they're doing this together, and it makes Sayaka happy.]

How...how do you want to do this? I don't want you to be uncomfortable...

[ Any other time, there'd be an urge to tease her, to play coy or joke a bit. Right now, though... Alex replies, very sincerely: ]

I won't be. Whatever you want to do... I won't be uncomfortable at all.

[...Sayaka thinks about it for a bit. There's a lot she hasn't done before, a lot of things that have kind of...just been off the table, forever? But she's got this girl in her arms right now, and she's so close already...

...]

Can we...um...can we share the bed?

Sayaka, I would truly love to.

[Sayaka practically squeals a bit--she'll be sorry in a bit, but get over here, you, she's just kind of pulls Alex toward the bed and practically just. Flops on it?

...She'll be sorry in a bit, but she practically bounces a bit, there are poor stuffed animals on the floor and blankets joining them because Sayaka has no self control.]

I'm--I'm so glad...I've never really had anyone to...I don't know, snuggle up with in my sleep, so it's...honestly kinda amazing? You...don't mind if I'm cuddly, do you? I don't know how I am when I sleep, but I hope I'm not a bad bedmate...

[ Oh- oh, goodness, here they go! In the excitement of the moment, she nearly stumbles, but Alex doesn't care. This is what she needed. What Sayaka needs, to distract from the reality come morning.

A peel of laughter escapes Alex's mouth as she hits the bed and rights herself, the stray strands of hair slipping into her face. ]

I- I don't, I don't! You could be a total blanket hog and I wouldn't mind! [ ...Ehhh- ] Much. Cuddly, not cuddly, it's... It's you, right? So that's all that matters.

[God, why is her girlfriend so cute? Sayaka waits until Alex is done before just kind of...giving her multiple, tiny kisses on her face, with the stupidest little grin.]

Well, I have a whole bunch of blankets...really, if I'm right about the way I sleep, I'm more worried that I'll wind up clinging to you to the point you'll have to pry my arms off.

[...She laughs a little but she's proven clinging enough with her stuffed animals--]

...I'm so glad you're here, you know? It's...it's kind of fun, like having an actual slumber party, but it's just you and me...

[ Alex giggles, from the kisses, the comments, oh gosh-- ]

So much better than sleepovers with Ren, already. Oh-- he's my best friend, since...like, we were toddlers.

Wow, that long, huh? I'm absolutely honored--he sounds like a good guy, if he's been your friend for that long.

[She's never really asked too much about them, has she? She's seen pictures, but...hmm.]

What's Ren-san like?

Ren? Ohh... He's a stoner! [ She laughs. ] And a bit of a...funny-guy coward, that sorta person. But- oh, oh! He's in a band, I totally helped roadie for him once.

...Stoner?

[She thinks she's heard of the term before? It's uh. One of those things, you know, that she's pretty sure the industry wouldn't want her going near, but...

You know, she doesn't seem to take a damning tone with it. If anything, she's a little surprised to hear that second bit.]

A band? Wow...that's amazing! What kind of music does he play?

[ She grins and mimes smoking a joint. Sayaka has to know that, right? ]

Rough, indie rock. They're called the Redheaded Bed-wetters.

I dreamed of a world so far from here that's not on the map

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject