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

[forcegalactic]

...Y-you don't think we'll find a way out before that happens?

[You're the leader, Inspector. That's what lawmen do. Mordecai is only a humble bartender; he's no leader.]

[perpend]

[Wait a minute, when did he become the leader?? He didn't sign up for this!]

I... wiiish I could say I can get all of us out. But now...

[forcegalactic]

[The Marshal is the biggest reason why everyone on Mars isn't dead yet. He kind of gets a huge say in a lot of things, and Mordecai is projecting a lot onto Cabanela.]

No. There's gotta be a way outta here, even if it means searchin' through every room we can find.

[He often boasted how few physical nervous ticks he had: no fiddling with clothes, no flailing his arms around, but to make up for that, his voice cracks as if he's about to say something, then doesn't.

And then he does.] IIIII'm gonna help with investigatin' from now on, Inspector. I-I may not get as much intel from the Conductor a-as Ashley did, but I wanna go home. I don't want to be here any more.

[perpend]

[God, he wants to find a way out of here so badly. He really, really does. Too many people have died, and if more children start getting killed, he's going to lose it.]

We'll find a way out of here, somehow. I'll save as many people as possible.

[He listens carefully. Cabanela's expression is serious.]

Every bit helps. We need eeeveryone working together, if we're to get out of here.

Look for everything you can; we need to trust each other.