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

[decrees]

Unfortunately, no. There isn't anything in here we don't already know.

[Except for Dio's thoughts on people, which usually aren't very pleasant. There's also that note in the back for someone else, but Logan hasn't read it and doesn't plan on it. It's not his place.]

[ninehundredlives]

Shame. I didn't really expect there would be, I guess...

...I did always think he'd tell us if he found anything, at least.

[decrees]

...I thought so as well. I believe he would have.

[Is it stupid to still trust Dio after that? Probably. But like hell if he's going to change now.]

I'm... I'm very sorry you had to...

[The investigation. The bodies of those two kids--

But he doesn't know how to word that and instead Logan shakes his head and falls silent.]

[ninehundredlives]

[Susan falls silent as well, visibly withdrawing as the topic shifts to something far less pleasant.]

I...I think if Hibiki hadn't been there, I might have left. But that wouldn't have been fair to the Inspector.

[Anyone can see this has hit him badly too.]

[decrees]

[Logan glances away at that.]

...I'm sorry. I...

[Hell, he doesn't have the experience to help. He's seen plenty of dead bodies and he's killed plenty of people, but he's never stuck around to handle the bodies and he's... well. He's far too attached to almost everyone here at this point.]

Thank you for everything you have done, Susan. I cannot imagine what it's been like. You've been immensely helpful.

[ninehundredlives]

[...fuck, Logan, you're going to make her cry. It's been a long hard day to begin with, she's already broken down once, and then to have someone actually thank her? The last time that happened...

Susan visibly struggles for a moment, but manages to contain herself.]

Thank you. That's...that's kind of you to say.

[decrees]

[Oh no, Susan...]

You don't need to thank me. I'm sure everyone here appreciates your assistance. We wouldn't have made it through without you.

[He's positive of that, at least.]

[ninehundredlives]

Right, that's - that's just...nice to hear.

[Privately, she's thought the same. But it's one thing to think that herself, in a way that feels almost arrogant, and another entirely to have it voiced.]

[decrees]

[I know nearly leaves his mouth before he catches himself. Sure, a lot of people have been really kind to him, but that's no reason to spill the "also literally everyone in my country hates me because I'm an awful tyrant" thing.]

...I'm sure everyone agrees with that. It... must be very difficult. Thank you for everything.

[Asking her to continue doing that is kind of... awful, so uh. He won't.]

[ninehundredlives]

...you're welcome.

[Of course she'll keep doing it. She can't leave that to anybody else - the only other person who has any knowledge about such things is Cabanela, and she's seen how the stress is getting to him. Let him just do his job, and she'll do hers.]