trustfell | It keeps happening

[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.]

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[He'll take the chair then, nodding to both Pokémon a bit awkwardly in greeting.]

No, but I doubt anyone is right now.

[He understands why she's asking though and after a moment of thought he slouches a bit.]

Is there anything you want to talk about?

Not really.

[If she's going to be perfectly honest.]

There's no doubt that what Asuka did was wrong, but... How can people be so eager to just tear her down like that?

[It's terrifying, really. She wouldn't even think of him like that, and she hates him. He's closer to a monster than anyone here has been.]

...I wanted Ashley's killer to die. I thought it didn't matter who it was, as long as they were dead and Ashley was avenged, it wouldn't matter.

[He stares down at the floor while he thinks.]

Their reactions... To be honest, I'm very worried what will become of us. Morty had an excellent point - what if Asuka had killed Rick? Would anyone have called her a monster then? What if Ashley had killed Asuka in self defense? She wouldn't be considered a monster.

"Monster"... It's such an ugly word to apply to people. No matter how disgusting Rick might be or how terrible Dio is, they are still people as well. Murder is never the right answer, but...

[He shakes his head. Maybe this is getting to him because he's been called a monster before. Maybe it's all selfish, stupid insecurities. It wouldn't be the first time he's been projecting all over the situation.]

People aren't monsters. We make a lot of stupid decisions, but no one's a monster. We're easily scared, we like comfort, control, and for the ones around us to stay safe...

I'm mad at Asuka too, but she wasn't a monster. She made a decision to pick a bunch of lives of people in her home over ours. Just the same, we all decided that our lives were more important than hers.

[...]

I was kidnapped when I was little. It wasn't completely different from this. A lot less comfortable, but a lot less murder. I always hated the guy that took me away from my family, but...

[She was wrong to think of him as a monster, wasn't she?]

I remember heading out to take care of him before I got here. [And a little bit of what happened after that, but that's not important.] Revenge is such an ugly thing, isn't it? I don't want it anymore. Not after seeing that. I just want to stop him from hurting everyone.

[No more revenge. From now on, if someone's going to die by her hand, it's going to be for her survival or for the good of everyone.

...That's how her little bro thought of it, isn't it? Maybe he was onto something. His big sis has been a little too angry for a little too long...]

[Kidnapped... Oh. How are all of these poor girls put in awful situations? Were they all chosen because something horrible happened to them...?

Logan isn't sure what to do with what Blue has said, but after a moment he rises from the chair and moves forward so he can rest a hand on her shoulder. It's sort of an awkward gesture, but dear god he's trying.]

...I'm terribly sorry you have had to go through so much. I... cannot even begin to understand.

[For all of his family's faults, they really did care about each other.]

Revenge is never the right path to take. I... used to believe that it was, but... I've made many, many mistakes in the past and even now I'm still realizing how badly I have ruined things.

[Both back home, and here. Logan shakes his head.]

I may not be able to offer much in terms of comfort, but I will listen, should you ever want to speak with anyone.

[She doesn't really want to talk. Not anymore. She hates bringing that up, and she hates how terrified she feels--]

Don't tell anyone, okay?

[She doesn't think he will but at the same time she wants to make sure, and maybe it was a mistake to say anything at all, but-

She absolutely does not have her shit together today and is just going to pull Logan straight into a group hug along with Wiggly.]

[Oh, hang on, let him get the chestplate off first--]

I promise, Blue. I won't tell anyone.

[He couldn't keep his promise to Ashley, but this... this is something he can do.

Logan isn't exactly a huggy person, but you know what, Wiggly is adorable as hell and he is perfectly fine with this. It's... kind of nice, in a way.]

[Get used to the hugs, Logan. Wiggly's great at hugs.]

Thank you.

[Man she sure is doing great at having her shit together today, isn't she.

Damn.]

I thought I would be mad at Asuka too, you know? I was, for a while.

But we're all in this bad situation. It's sad, more than anything.

[Logan help I have too much empathy.]

[Don't worry, Blue. You're not the only one having Issues today...]

I am incredibly angry at her for killing Ashley, but that's not all there is to it. Without this situation and that... incentive, I have no doubt that Asuka would not have moved.

[Maybe it's naive to believe that. He thought Asuka wouldn't crack under any sort of pressure, but he should have known better. He considered it, so...

But that's not something anyone needs to know.]

It's horrible. This entire situation. None of us deserve to go through something like this.

[He genuinely does believe that. Whatever Rick and Dio have done surely doesn't deserve punishment like this, and the rest of us aren't total assholes.

...mostly.]

No one does.

[Not a single person deserves this. Even that old guy.]

Do you think there will be another group after us?

[There was one before them, so who's to say they'll be the last?]

...I believe that depends on what happens. If the Conductor is alive at the end of this then I have no doubt there will be another group.

[The end of this... what will that be like? How many of them will be left? Will the game end when there's one person left or can they find a way to stop this before then?]

But he's not working alone, is he? It's possible that the conductor's disposable, and someone else will take his place.

[For this "God" of his.]

...I suppose that's true. I... don't know what will happen after our group. Even if the Conductor dies...

[Another group could be put through this. How many groups have come before them?]

[If they manage to get out of here, she'd really...]

...Are you going to call another meeting this week?

I most likely will. I suppose it depends on what sort of incentive he offers us and the state of the group as a whole. I'm not entirely sure it's a good idea to have all of us in one room right now.

Maybe not right now, but it's better for us to stick together, isn't it?

[Blue fiddles with her hair as she speaks.]

I found a bunch of letters in Ashley's room. I want to share anything useful I find.

...You're right, of course. With information like that perhaps we can get everyone to stay calm for long enough to discuss the situation again.

[Maybe it'll smooth things over for a little while, at least.]

Ashley was writing to the Conductor, wasn't she?

[She mentioned it on Thursday. She was going to write to him again.

...Why Ashley...]

It keeps happening

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