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

[decrees]

[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.]

[withabigsmile]

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?]

[decrees]

...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?]

[withabigsmile]

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.]

[decrees]

...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?]

[withabigsmile]

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

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

[decrees]

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.

[withabigsmile]

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.

[decrees]

...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...]