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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Good. If your hand is sore, just...come and get me, I can cook for ya. I don't mind at all.

[She'll make her breakfast. Or any meal.]

I didn't talk to Asuka much. But like I said...I can't forgive someone who uses trust to kill someone! It makes it even worse than it already is. It's just like Reaver.

[And the fight to the death that was Undyne and Byakuren makes no sense to her so she has no idea how to logic that in.]

[The way Susan sees it, Byakuren sort of went willingly. She didn't have to go fight to the death. So that...all that was different.]

I didn't either. But it wouldn't matter if I had. There's no reason any of us should forgive her - I don't think she was even really sorry, except that she got caught.

I can't forgive her. And I'm even madder because I feel bad talkin' about her because she just died, even though it was her fault. And then everyone was yellin' at me...what was I supposed to do?

[It sounds like she's rambling a bit at first, but.]

Would it have been better if I hadn't said anythin'?

Maybe.

[Probably, really. At least there'd be more of semblance of harmony among the group. Susan wouldn't have lost quite so much trust in some of them. But she can't say yes. She would never have lied and gone along with that whole charade about poor little Asuka.]

But it still would have been true. And they all know it, too - you saw how angry everyone was at first, when we got down there? I half-thought someone would kill the murderer before the voting even ended.

I should apologize...I'm not really sure which part I'm sorry about, but I didn't want to upset everyone.

[Maybe she's upset because, like Asuka, she got caught doing something bad? No, that doesn't sit well with her at all.]

When I got down there...I was just gonna punish Ashley's murderer like normal. I was gonna be strong for her! I told myself not to cry. But when I learned how...that's when I couldn't hold back anymore.

Of course not. They shouldn't have gotten angry at you for something like that.

[How self-satisfied they all were, shaming a teenage girl for being upset over her friend's murder. That makes her angry too - mere hours after Ashley's death, and they feel the need to rub all these moral platitudes in the face of a grieving child.]

You have every right to be upset.

Right. I mean, what else...do you call someone like that?

[She isn't sure at all. She still can't think of Asuka as anyone other than a monster. And it's only going to get worse.]

It...it meant a lot to me that you stood up for me. I'm not used to bein' yelled at like that. I know that makes me sound spoiled! But I'm yelled at all the time, just not durin'...murder trials.

What is a monster, if not that? People like Logan might have real fairy-tale ones back home, but that doesn't mean people can't be monsters too.

What do you mean? [Susan imagines most people here aren't used to being yelled at during murder trials. Who's yelling at her normally?]

Well, you know, the entertainment business is really noise! There's a lot of "Hibiki! What the heck are ya doin'," or "Hibiki, now's not the time to be playin' with the dogs!"

[Not serious yelling, in other words, just "Hibiki pls" levels of attention getting.]

People that are monsters...like the Conductor. I wish I'd never have to meet one, but that's pretty naive, huh?

...maybe. Maybe not. I think a lot of people go their whole lives without ever meeting a real monster.

I do blame him the most. That doesn't mean the killers are any less guilty, but he set this all up to begin with.

Mm...I finally did it, y'know. I wrote him a letter. I'm gonna give it to him tomorrow. I dunno if I'll learn anythin', but...maybe it's what Ashley would want. Or maybe I just want to think that.

I've been thinking of writing him myself. I don't know what I'll get from him - I've never been that good with people. But there's some things I'd like to ask.

[And they haven't got Ashley to be their spokesperson now]

It keeps happening

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject