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

[perpend]

[...Well, it's not like Cabanela does much more than take the word "god" in vain, so

He sits back up, looking serious.]

I don't know if anyone here can help you, then. We don't even have enough information about our present situation.

[decrees]

I know. It... It may be too late anyway.

[He shakes his head slightly.]

There was over a year left, but... If these dreams are memories then I have no idea how much time has passed. If that profile is correct, then... the attack must have already happened.

[If that's the case, then Albion is already destroyed and Reaver was sacrificed for nothing. Not that Logan could in good conscious allow everyone else here to die, but...]

[perpend]

[....he was afraid of that answer.]

I'm sorry, Logan.

I wish there was sooomething I could say, something I could do.

[decrees]

...I know. I wish there was something I could do, but I... don't believe there is.

[He leans forward a bit, dropping his head into his hands.]

...This week I remembered something... horrible. On top of all of this, my sister...

[God, he can't do this.]

[perpend]

[Well, that's..... nothing good.]

What.... what about your sister?

[He looks incredibly worried.]

[decrees]

She... I believe she was trying to overthrow me?

[He doesn't sound too sure on that though, and Logan shakes his head after a moment.]

She stole a ship and set sail for Aurora. The ship was sunk. On board with her was Sir Walter, my... former adviser and... something like a father figure, I suppose.

[...]

They're dead. Even if... even if they survived the shipwreck, they would be in Aurora...

[Where the Crawler is.]

[perpend]

My... my god.

[Logan confessing to attacking his sister is not something he thought he'd hear.

Too much everything has happened, though, to get much more of a reaction out of him. He collapses onto the bed for a brief moment, not saying anything, before he sits back up.

Right now, Cabanela just feels strangely numb.]

[decrees]

[HE DIDN'T SINK HER SHIP that was actually all Reaver's doing, which makes things an extra level of horrible.]

...I apologize. I shouldn't have... This isn't something anyone should have heard.

[His hands are shaking again and Logan moves to play with the sash across his chest so he has something to do with himself.]

[perpend]

[Jesus Christ dude, Jesus Christ.

Cabanela hesitates for a moment before he walks over in an attempt to give Logan an awkward hug. He doesn't even know what he's doing, really, and he's aware all of this could change for the worse tomorrow, but what does it matter right now?]

[decrees]

[That's... probably going to be uncomfortable with the chestplate on, but Logan only hesitates for a moment before just sort of... awkwardly latching on. He doesn't say anything, but he's shaking and not even bothering trying to hide it.]

[perpend]

[....It's okay. Take your time.

Granted, he's far better when it comes to comforting kids, but Cabanela isn't letting go, even if this is pretty uncomfortable.]

[decrees]

[Sorry... He could take it off, but that would probably be just as awkward at this point.

Eventually he pulls back, after he's gotten the shaking mostly under control.]

...I apologize. That... You shouldn't have seen that.

[perpend]

[He shakes his head.]

We're all... under a great deal of duress.

I dooon't think anything of it.

[decrees]

I can't afford to be weak, especially not now. Not after... everything.

...Please, don't tell anyone about this. Any of this. I... am not prepared to speak about Aurora again.

[He clasps his hands behind his back. They're shaking again, but he's trying to regain his composure.]

[perpend]

You haaaave my word: this doesn't leave this room.

[decrees]

...Thank you. I... genuinely appreciate it.

[perpend]

[He gives a weak smile.]

What else are friends for?

[decrees]

[He doesn't smile in return, but he seems to have settled a bit.]

...Most friends don't have to put up with... that. Any of that.

[perpend]

I'm nooo expert on the ins and outs of friendship, but I'm sure they're willing to.

[decrees]

...You're very kind, Cabanela.

[perpend]

[He'll take that as a thank you.]

Don't mention it.