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

[matchbreaker]

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? ]

Comments

[matchbreaker]

Mmmhm. Like I said, I don't have anything against you specifically, not... really. I just wonder about how much you or her comprehend things.

[sleepytimegal]

...Comprehend things? That's a broad term.

[matchbreaker]

[ Mmmm. ]

... You're young, is all. I know she's young too, don't you start with me there. The whole thing is endearing, though my instincts find it frustrating.

[sleepytimegal]

We won't know how to do things until we do 'em. ...I'd prefer they don't end with death, that one we're- going to try and avoid, but... We won't know things for ourselves until we get some experience, right?

[matchbreaker]

Of course you won't. It's part of why I offered to give you sanctuary in Shihaba. Once you're free of this dump, there's nowhere else on Earth you'd be able to better experience things.

[sleepytimegal]

...I know. She told me.

[ But...? ]

I'm...thinking about it. I want to, but only if I can see my family too.

[matchbreaker]

[ . . . ]

With all of your timelines, can that even begin to be possible? Won't any return to your world see you right back in that day?

[sleepytimegal]

I don't know, but I'm not gonna just give up. I'm...out of that place, so that...has to change something. I'm not content with just leaving my family to mourn.

[matchbreaker]

[ They're a bunch of humans, so who cares?

... But that said, it makes sense. Honestly, the conviction of it sees Elda keeping a steady eye on the girl for a long second before she nods. ]

... Truth told, that girl of yours doesn't understand family. Not really.

[sleepytimegal]

[ Oh Elda, you and your awful fantasy racism.

She understands that I love them. ...And that you love yours. She's...making her own family, in the meantime.

[matchbreaker]

[ Look. ]

She is at that. [ Elda says that with a dramatic, exasperated sigh. She looks up at the ceiling again, leaning back against the piano. She... ]

I'd more say she knows we love them. Understands... you know, when I invited her to Shihaba, she jumped at it. I'm not sure she'd thought about that dad of hers at all. Never had a mother, doesn't have siblings. She's called me of all people "mom" before. Understands... no, I'm not sure she understands it quite yet.

ah... small text fail, my old friend

[sleepytimegal]

Don't sell her so short. [ ... ] I'm not saying she doesn't have...issues, things to sort out, but... I dunno. Not everyone wins the family lottery. I don't think wanting to get away from a sad situation's...a horrible thing.

She understands love. No matter...how much she says she doesn't, and I think that's enough for now.

[matchbreaker]

You're blind if you think that's the case. She's working it out now, but she's not there yet. Like I told Hibiki, there's a different from starting on page 1 from starting on page fifty.

[ Or two hundred thirty three.

Still, she laughs it off with a wave of her hand ]

It's probably not going to be that much of a problem either way.

[sleepytimegal]

[ Huff!! ]

Well, you believe what you want to and I'll believe what I do.

[matchbreaker]

[ Yes, yes she will. Sayaka has yet to get it as near as she can tell. The girl's still jittery, thinking about it in terms of repayment, or as if considering the possibility of rejection.. She'll learn, but to watch it is frustrating, particularly when the girl's foisted such a title as "mother" on her.

She'll go back to playing now, clearly considering this the end of the conversation. ]

Be good for her though, girl.

[sleepytimegal]

Of course. That one... That one I'm determined to do.