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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[ Fake sake + Mordecai thinks she was crying because of him? This is already going so much better than expected. Youko can't help it, she lights up. ]

Seriously? I'd love that, thank you! That's really thoughtful of you!

[ Was the man implying he thought she might become a threat, or a victim? Maybe both? Who cared! At this point she's successfully spoken to both children and was just heading back to her room, so even the timing works well. ]

[See? Booze makes everyone feel better.]

Wanna sit somewhere else while I mix it up? Dinin' hall might not be the best place to have some quiet time.

[And he's can't let Youko into his room. A man needs a sense of self-preservation, and his room is his final line of defense in case things go pear-shaped.]

Let's meet up in the foyer, alright?

[ As much time as Youko has spent in rooms not her own here, that would be one hella awkward suggestion. So you're good, Mordecai. ]

Alright, then I will!

[ She heads straight there, because why not? ]

[After ten minutes, Mordecai finds Youko in the foyer holding his triangular shot glass in one hand and the bottle in another.

He sets that half-empty bottle on the table.]

It's a bit of an experiment, but I added lime juice to this. Here, see if it tastes any good.

Lime juice? What's that?

[ She at least has enough sense of self-preservation to ask beforehand. ]

Juice made from limes. Which are like lemons, only small and green. What, they don't have it where you're from?

Well, no... I know about lemons, though! Does that mean they're sour as well?

Yup! And a bit sweet, too! They go great with sake, so I was wonderin' if addin' some would take away the non-alcoholic taste of what the Conductor gave me.

[He holds out the glass to Youko.]

[ JOYFUL GASP ]

Alright, let's do this! [ Youko takes a sip, and... ] Ahh~ I really like it! Sour and sweet sake, how interesting!

[You don't know how much that means to him, Youko. Weeks of having to deal with this disgusting drink popping out of the vending machine have now bee nullified. It can be delicious.]

Oh, perfect! Here, I'm gonna write this down. Any other suggestions you got? Personal preferences?

[He pulls out a notebook from his vest pocket and opens it to a page with the recipe. There are notes with other's names written by it, and Mordecai writes "Youko" on the bottom of the page.]

[ She really doesn't. ]

Ah? Really? Um... Since one juice worked, maybe try other kinds? As for what I like - the good stuff! Sake, of course.

[ Seeing as they're all from different places and - sigh - times. ]

That's all I got, anyway. The beer from the fridge is long gone. ...Well, this means you're lucky that your favorite drink is always available! Can I get you more?

Yes please!

[ ALWAYS. ]

[Can't refuse a behaving customer! Youko gets another, and this time, Mordecai sits next to her.]

How're you feelin' now? Better? You did look awful when I last saw you.

[ ...Ah, that's right. Logan wasn't responsible, but Ashley's still dead. And they're still alive to deal with that. ]

I'm worried. With the trial out of the way, we have the future to look forward to. [ And Youko doesn't say that like it's a good thing. ] Ashley meant a lot to so many.

[He's quiet for a moment.] She really was. Everyone knew her, and she was doin' so much to help us get outta. Someone that important doesn't die without any hullabaloo.

[It's all because he got attached to her. He started to reach other to more people, and this is where it got him.]

This whole exercise might not end anytime soon, at this rate.

Mmm, no. Not because people won't stop being tempted, but because we're too good at catching them. It really isn't a way out.

[No way out.

That can't be.]

There has to. If that profile is right, I survived the end of the universe. Don't know how, but someone was able to save everyone. With all the work we've been doin', there's gotta be a way to help our rescuers get us out.

...There's gotta. [From the frown, it's clear Mordecai isn't so sure himself.]

...Huh? I didn't say no way out. Just that the one offered is... well, it's fake. Rigged. It's not something you're supposed to be able to win. He just wants to see who'll break and who won't.

...There was something he said, way back when. That we couldn't end this without somebody dying. But... the way he talked, he made it sound like just one person had to die.

...We know that's not how the trials work, though. So what does that mean?

[ That there's something else. ]

[That's right. From what he recalled, the Conductor liked giving out vague rules, which were up to his interpretation.]

...He could've been referrin' to how we need murder for a trial, but when I think about it, that one person could be him. Remember rule 5? Violence against the Conductor's only permitted with his permission, but it's still an option. If we can get rid of him, we'd be free.

When I asked, he said he wouldn't stop us if we found another way out, and he did mention it's possible for multiple people to leave at once. Whether it's due to more than one murderer or escapin', I'm not too sure, but it only means we need to take a better look at the rules and see what our available options are.

What?! Seriously?! That's major! Do the others know?! Multiple people at once...

[ WAS SHE NOT PAYING ATTENTION (probably) ]

I only found this out recently, but I'll bring it up the next time we get together. I-I'll see if I can get anythin' better tomorrow. Without Ashley, we have to make up for all the work she did.

It keeps happening

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