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

[clearasmud]

[ ...Ah. ]

Asuka doesn't scare me because she's "monster-like". She scares me because she is a person.

I don't know if we all could have been pushed into killing the person we held dearest here, but- I don't have any way of knowing for certain, do I?

[ Tense shoulders slump, but... it looks more like someone giving up than relaxing. ]

Everyone here... I think they all know it, really. Deep inside... and almost all of them are trying to prevent that from coming to the surface. So they make a big mess of things, because no matter what they come up with, it's still not as scary as the truth.

...Are you sure you can't live with them trying to protect themselves like that? I know it hurts, but...

[ look at how she's become

that is what the truth does to people ]

Even if... they are saying some exceptionally stupid things.

[ And as awful as she feels, she can still laugh at that... It's just not a particularly nice sound.

We can't have everything. ]

[decrees]

...I believe it would be better if everyone accepted the reality of our situation here. Anyone could be pushed to kill. With the weapons that have fallen from the machine, anyone can kill.

[There's poison in there too, for the smaller ones. The Conductor apparently wanted to give everyone a fair chance to murder someone.]

I will not say anything to them, but I do hope they are willing to see our situation as it is, instead of painting the world black and white.

[clearasmud]

...Realizing it for themselves might be the only way they'd accept it, if that helps. You... could guide them to that conclusion, but just telling them might not work.

[decrees]

I know. It may take awhile or it may never happen. But I sincerely hope it will.

[He's not sure how patient he can be if this happens again.]