It keeps happening

[forcegalactic]

[After that horror show of an execution, Mordecai is still restless from the investigation and trial. He has too much pent-up energy, and plenty of others are sure to be upset, too. Ashley was loved by nearly all of them, the trial was mentally draining, and that execution was crueler than it should have been.

Two hours after everyone has returned to their rooms, they'll find a note slipped under their doors.]

We can't go on with empty stomachs. There's food in the kitchen, and the dining room is always open if you need someone to talk to.

Please keep anything outside of eating and civilized conversation away from the dining hall. That room is meant to be a peaceful place for those of us that need it.

-Mordecai Benmont Jiminy

[Today, there's cream of tomato soup warming up on the stove with a set of bowls besides it. It's a more mindless dish to prepare than mashed potatoes, as much as Mordecai wants to vent his frustrations on the potatoes.

He decides to follow Cabanela's tradition and lights one more candle, and after some consideration, lights a sixth. Let those who cared about either girl pay their respects.]

Comments

[ninehundredlives]

[After the execution is finally over, Susan returns to her room without a word or a glance at anyone.

They can all mourn Asuka all they want. She knew what the risk was, and she took it anyway - she valued Ashley's life so little that she thought even that slight opportunity was worth it. She threw Ashley away for nothing.

Her, all of the other killers...they were nothing more than parasites. If they weren't here, they'd have just gone to prison, and maybe she'd have been satisfied with that. But they are here. They knew the way this little game's being conducted. Whatever simpering morality anyone wants to throw around, they brought their executions on themselves.

It's not even that Susan thinks she's a good person. She knows she's not.

She doesn't push the note back out, but she won't be showing up at the gathering either.]

[forcegalactic]

[There's a knock on the door sometime after most of the others have come out.]

Susan? I got dinner for you.

[He doesn't expect her to open the door immediately, but he won't let one of the people he's least afraid of starve.]

[ninehundredlives]

[It takes a moment or two before there's an answer.]

I'm not hungry.

[forcegalactic]

[He drops his gaze at the warm bowl in his hands.] You should eat somethin' at least.

[...]

I'll leave it out here when you're ready.

[ninehundredlives]

[No response.]

[forcegalactic]

[He leaves the bowl in front of her door. It might take her all day to leave, and he can't stay here forever.]

[ninehundredlives]

[Maybe you can come back and get it later.]

[charcoalfeather]

[Sometime after the party has died down a little, Rakka drifted back to the rooms, stopping as she comes across the door of her... friend? It was Susan's room. She liked Susan, so why didn't she see her?]

....Susan. Susan? [She repeats, giving the door a soft knocking, before letting her ear brush against the wood. She would listen for... anything, really.]

[ninehundredlives]

[Oh. That's Rakka.

Dammit.]

What?

[charcoalfeather]

[Oh, thank goodness.]

Umm... [She searches for the obvious words.] I-I just wanted to know if you're alright.

[ninehundredlives]

I'm fine.

[Hear how fine she is?]

[charcoalfeather]

[That is a lot of fine going on right now.]

...Susan, can I come in?

[ninehundredlives]

Why?

[charcoalfeather]

I... [That's a good question.]

B-because, I want to see you. And maybe talk to you...

[Checking up on her friends like they would disappear if she didn't was becoming not as funny as it might have been.]

[ninehundredlives]

...alright.

[After a few moments, Susan opens the door. Her face has been scrubbed, probably with the sleeve tugged over her right hand, but it's obvious she's been crying. She darts a glance around the hallway, then steps aside.]

Come in.

[charcoalfeather]

[To be honest, Rakka wasn't expecting Susan to open up. When she finally does, Rakka is taken aback, however briefly. It's immediately noticeable that she was crying, and it took one to know one.]

Umm... okay.

[She quickly steps inside. Better to get in quickly, lest they want anyone else to see them like this.]

[nankurunaisa]

[It's probably later in the night when Hibiki knocks on Susan's door, slipping out of her own emotions to...well, she doesn't know what. Susan is the person she looks up to most, and she's also the person who agreed with her during her...

...She doesn't want to call it a rant, those were her honest feelings at the time.

Everything is confusing. With someone so mature, Hibiki figures she should keep her message brief.]

Are you in there? I'd like to say goodnight. If that's okay!

[ninehundredlives]

...I'm here.

[Does she want to say goodnight as in, actually face-to-face?]

[nankurunaisa]

[That depends entirely on whether or not Susan answers the door.]

I'm glad! I...wouldn't have felt right if I didn't say anything to you before I slept. I was worried I'd miss you.

[ninehundredlives]

...right.

[After another second or two of silence, Susan shuffles over to the door and opens it a crack.]

Are you alright?

[nankurunaisa]

[For just a brief moment, Hibiki looks relieved to see Susan is alright, smiling just long enough for it to be seen that she's smiling. And then it's gone.]

I don't think any of us are alright. ...Are you? You always seem so strong.

[ninehundredlives]

[Susan does not return the smile.]

...is that what you think?

[nankurunaisa]

[That sounds like a loaded question. Hibiki's not sure how to answer, she thought it was obvious.]

I think we all have weak moments, but compared to someone like me...you're a lot more experienced. You know a lot of things.

[ninehundredlives]

...I promised her she'd get out of here alive.

[She's obviously not talking about Asuka.]

[nankurunaisa]

[Oh. Oh, ouch.]

Mm...mm, I did, too. I told her we'd be fine. Both of us.