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

[swirlied]

Not great, to be honest... [ Which is a definite understatement. ]

Are you doing okay? [ Because everything about that trial was exhausted, especially the end. ]

[nankurunaisa]

I'm doin' the best I can!

[That's not even a real answer and they both know it, so she speaks up quickly.]

It's...hard. It's all hard. I keep thinkin' about Ashley.

[swirlied]

[ He nods, his gaze dropping to the floor. ]

Me too. I keep thinking about everything, really. [ He pauses, not sure what else to say. ]

Why does this keep happening? [ He's asking himself more than anything, but it comes out louder than he meant it to. ]

[nankurunaisa]

I don't know what they were thinkin', picking us for this. You and I are mostly normal, it doesn't make sense to me.

[Of course, she's the girl who can talk to animals and is also an idol and he's the demon king.

They are not normal.]

I don't know why it keeps happenin'. Someone at the trial said any of us could become murderers. I don't think that's true. Do you?

[swirlied]

[ They're normal enough—or Yuuri still likes to think he's normal, even though that ship has long since sailed. ]

I don't think it is, and I know I could never kill someone. But at the same time... I just don't know anymore. I didn't think any of us were capable of it before. [ Now, though? He's been proved wrong three times, and he's thinking about giving up on thinking that this will be the last time. ]

[nankurunaisa]

That can't be true!

[She yells at first, but she mutters an apology and quiets down. They are in the hallway, after all.]

I mean, even if we're pushed to it like we are here...there are always gonna be people who won't kill. There has to be. Can't people see killin' hasn't done us any good here?

[swirlied]

[ He's a little taken aback by her yelling, but he shakes his head when she apologizes. He gets it. After all, Yuuri would be yelling if he wasn't so tired of all of this. ]

I mean, I'm sure there are a few of us that won't kill here—I definitely won't, and I don't think you will either. [ But he still doesn't know if he can trust many of the others not to kill, not after Asuka herself was pushed to it. ]

And you're right, it doesn't help anything. I don't know if everyone will realize that, though. [ What if another incentive comes along and someone decides it's worth it? ]