Afterparty 5.0

[forcegalactic]

[There's not much that can be believed about that trial. Or that execution. Still, like before, two hours after everyone leaves, they'll find a note slipped underneath their doors.]

We have to stick together. The dining room is there for anyone that needs a quiet space, and I cooked dinner.

Hibiki made some coffee and dessert for all of us.

-Mordecai Benmont Jiminy and Hibiki Ganaha

[Today's selection includes potato pancakes and a light coffee cake. Hibiki has lit two more candles in the dining hall. It doesn't take long before Mordecai lights a third.]

Comments

[forcegalactic]

[He clutches the computer more tightly.]

Right. She ain't. [He reminds himself. She's not here. She's on Mars. She....]

...I don't know what the Conductor did to her. This-this thing here? She never lets it out of her sight. Either she's bein' held prisoner by one of the scientists, or she's on Mars hurt o-or... [gulp.] I don't wanna think that she's dead.

[openterrain]

[ Uh oh. He hadn't meant to upset Good going, Jean! Now he's gotta deal with a sharp jolt of guilt, though not before something else occurs to him. ]

That could be it, but I don't think that's the only option. The vending machines give out duplicate items all the time.

[ ... he could probably stand to be a little more reassuring, but this'll have to do. ]

[forcegalactic]

[Mordecai brushes his fingers over the imperfections of the computer. The little dents that come from everyday bumps. Remains of stickers Harriet tore off. He could swear he felt that special aura that comes from holding a familiar object.]

...It's the standard model they give out to Troubleshooters, I guess...

[openterrain]

... But you're not convinced, right?

[ Shame the Conductor won't anyone write letters back</>. ]

[forcegalactic]

I-I asked him what happened, but he said it wasn't his business. [So a non-answer.] I don't know anymore.

...If she's still alive, I have to give this back to her. She'd be upset if she had to buy a new one.

[openterrain]

Tch. Useless bastard.

[ Though Jean isn't particularly surprised by that. ]

What do you think if plan is for if we get out of here anyway? He has to realize there are plenty of people here stronger than him.

[forcegalactic]

Stronger than him if they had their powers. We gotta find out how to get 'em back first, but if not, I can always get the USSA get on his trail. They're experts at dealin' with intergalactic threats.

[The Conductor shouldn't have messed with space dad. His world is equipped with fighting criminals on faraway planets.]

[openterrain]

[ 'If' is a good point, to be true, but even so... ]

It still makes me nervous. He doesn't seem like the type to miss something so obvious.

[forcegalactic]

No, and that's so worryin'. When I asked him about the rule where we're allowed to hurt him if he gives us his permission, he explained it was a precaution. Like he expected us to get revenge in one way or another. Like he doesn't care is he gets caught.

Likely, once we escape, he'll just wait until he's arrested. I don't understand him.