how am i going to be an optimist about this?

[bloodisthicker]

[Almost as soon as the trial lets out, Tarrlok kind of... tears off to the kitchen, because he's mildly concerned that he's going to experience an adrenaline crash before he even starts cooking, and so he begins! He starts on some tea, marinating some beef for kebabs... but he feels like he's forgetting something...

...

OH SHIT. HE FORGOT TO PUT NOTES OUT OKAY FUCK HANG ON LET HIM REHASH SOMETHING HE THOUGHT WAS FUNNY AND SHOVE IT UNDER PEOPLE'S DOORS BEFORE ANYTHING BURNS]

FOOD IN EAT PLACE

[okay whew he makes it back to the kitchen. And so does Yuri at some point, actually! So... Tarrlok will be getting kebabs ready for everyone, since he was hungry for them, Yuri confirmed, and Cabanela said he'd have whatever he'd have. Speaking of, Cabanela shows up to make some chicken soup! And Yuri makes curry, teriyaki chicken, and steamed vegetables. So there's a little something for everyone. The food that gets put out isn't super fancy, but it's nice, and there's tea just like Elda wanted.

So have at, then!]

Comments

speech

[bloodbiter]

[She listens to all of that, and then... She simply gives a nod, resolute despite how tired she is. How tired they all are, really.]

There is nothing more they can use as leverage against us. If our remaining number were unwilling to act when even our entire world was threatened... All that we need to be wary of now is the timer.

[matchbreaker]

Yes... through strength or cowardice, we've exhausted everything.

[ What the hell else can top this week?

Elda says this as she sits down across from Adelina and-

Puts her head on the table. ]

[bloodbiter]

[It would be foolish to ask if she's alright. Are any of them, really? All the same, her tone is concerned.]

Elda?

[matchbreaker]

I talked down a madwoman, I can be permitted to sulk some.

[ She says this with her face in the table, but the fact is... that's not the worst of it. Of course that's not the worst of it. Of course it's not. ]

[bloodbiter]

[She wonders if it's too fresh, too new, to bring up directly, but...]

Are you sure that's all...?

[matchbreaker]

[ . . . ]

What do you want me to say to that, girl? We both know what else hangs over me.

[bloodbiter]

I want you to say whatever would be most helpful for you.

[Another ounce of concern comes into her expression.]

[matchbreaker]

[ Helpful? What could possibly be helpful now? ]

I should have broken her damn arms.

[bloodbiter]

Perhaps.

[She can't really argue, but—]

Would it have changed anything if you did?

[matchbreaker]

We wouldn't have that stunt at the end. [ And Elda might've been hit by a crossbow bolt, so. ]