Didn't we just do this last week?

[perpend]

[It's starting to look like this is going to be a weekly occurrence.

Just like last week, Cabanela waits a while before he makes his rounds, writing everyone quick notes and sliding them under each occupied door.]

Stay strong.
If you don't want to be alone tonight, meet in the dining hall.
-Cabanela

[Like last week, Cabanela hasn't bothered to provide anyone with food-- that would just be... rude right now, he thinks. Upon first entering, you'll notice that there are now four lit candles in the center of one of the tables.

Feel free to leave mementos for the dead; it's probably appreciated.]

Comments

[icysemblance]

I don't know, but it's worth a shot.

[That will get a slight nod.]

Winter's gorgeous in the way that I don't think I can be, just yet. It's in the way she carries herself.

Well, that, and...

[Weiss closes her eyes so that the scar over her left eye is more visible.]

She doesn't have that scar.

[nankurunaisa]

It'd be nice to at least contact my Producer...or Inumi...

[Her priorities: work and also her dog?

Hibiki's expression changes when she notices the scar. She's seen Weiss around plenty of times, but she's never noticed that before. She's a...huntress isn't she? Or something like that?]

I know lots of people that carry themselves in a way like that, but...I don't think a scar would make anyone less pretty. I mean, I still think you are!

[But what she thinks and what Weiss feels must be a different story. Hibiki's compliment isn't meant to be empty, she's just...naive about things like that.]

[icysemblance]

Mm. I figured if I could get a letter to Winter, she'd be able to pass it on to everyone else.

[She keeps her eyes closed a little longer, thinking.]

It's really sweet of you to say that, Hibiki. I think I'll get to that point one day, but it just -

[Then she opens them.]

- reminds me of some bad things.

[nankurunaisa]

That's a great idea. I like to think about sendin' a letter to my family and the other idols...but I never thought it'd reach them.

[What kind of captor would let her send a letter? It's just never occurred to her, she's not pessimistic about it by choice.

But, compliment over, she can tell Weiss is thinking about something pretty heavy. It's not any of her business, so Hibiki decides to change the subject to try and make her more comfortable.]

So you've got lots of people waitin' back home? Do you have a big family, Weiss?

[icysemblance]

Why don't you? I think it would probably help cheer you up.

[She hums.]

My family...it's my mother, my father -

[the way she says 'father' is strained.]

- and my sister. Lately, though, my teammates have become a second family to me. You remind me of Ruby, my partner, a lot. Blake's quiet, but she's incredibly smart. Yang's the life of the party, but she can also be really thoughtful.

[nankurunaisa]

Alright! I'm definitely gonna do that later! Hehe, I wonder what they're up to all the time...I bet they're all becomin' even more famous while I'm here! I'm not gonna let 'em pass me too much.

[She's not giving up on her job just because she's stuck here, though a part of her wonders if "held hostage and forced to watch people die" would be a scandal or not.]

You remind me of someone, too! Her name's Takane. She made her debut around the same time as me, and she's graceful and mysterious...

[And unlike Weiss, kind of a major goofball, which is saying something coming from Hibiki.]

[icysemblance]

That's the spirit! I'm positive you won't let them get too far ahead.

[...well, as long as it doesn't involve dating, Hibiki's probably good.]

Do I? What's she like?

Ruby's like you because she's full of energy, really friendly, and really determined.

[nankurunaisa]

Hehe, those aren't bad things to be associated with! I'm glad. I'd really like to meet her. You said she's your partner, right? For...you're a hunter, right?

[Given that Hibiki loves animals, she's a little curious as to what that means, but...she's sure it's all legal and above board.]

Mm, well...she's really mysterious! She doesn't talk about herself much. And she's interested in all kinds of strange things, like takin' walks late at night and staring at the moon...but she's really graceful. When I dance, it's lively, but she could be a classical ballet dancer! And she's really wise, even if she's, um, kind of eccentric. Everyone looks up to her.

[icysemblance]

I think you and Ruby would make really fast friends.

[Weiss nods.]

We don't go after animals or anything like that, don't worry. Huntresses are monster hunters, and we protect the people across the four kingdoms back home. Ruby, her sister Yang, our teammate Blake, and I are on a team together - each team's made of two sets of partners.

[...that gets a smile.]

I like the moon, too, and I took ballet when I was little. I think we probably are a little alike.

[nankurunaisa]

Hehe! When we get out of here, maybe you can introduce us!

[She's never going to say "if," but even those who don't know Hibiki should have expected that from her by now.]

Monster hunters...it sounds really dangerous and nothin' at all like where I come from. Where I come from, it's just people and animals.

[It's perfect, or, well, it would be if it she hadn't ended up here.]

I think "a little alike" is probably where it ends. She's the kinda person to wave at a billboard if it's wavin' to her, or she'll say somethin' completely unexpected at just the right time to get a good reaction.