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

[ninehundredlives]

Oh... [Susan certainly stops when she realizes Hibiki wants to talk, at least! She's not really sure if she should offer a hug or not, though.] ...hello.



[She's hugged Mitzi before, hasn't she? She can do it now too. You want a hug, Hibiki? Because she's offering.]

[nankurunaisa]

[Yeah, she's going for it. Once she'd heard about Morty's death, she'd left and hadn't really spoken to Susan since Rakka was still in her lap, broken neck and all. She really needs a hug right now, and the number of people willing to give her one went down by two this week.

She won't say anything yet, she just wants to squeeze Susan tightly for a moment. At least she isn't going to pat her.]

[ninehundredlives]

[There will be no patting occurring here. Just hugging.

Susan doesn't say anything either, largely because she doesn't trust her voice to remain steady.]

[nankurunaisa]

[She'll sniffle, but she won't pat!

But all hugs have to come to an end, and she's not sure what to say to Susan. Hibiki has been trying so hard to keep a confident face, but as soon as she goes back to her room...she's going to be alone and without Rakka and Morty to look forward to.]

Your...those were your drawings, right? I took a look at 'em after you left 'em. They're really nice.

[ninehundredlives]

Yeah. Yeah, I used to...draw and paint and things.

[She glances reflexively back towards the memorial.] I, um...thought it might be nice.

[nankurunaisa]

It's a good thing we have an art room, then, 'cause they're really lovely.

[Well, it's not great to have an art room, she just wants a silver lining.]

Did you...did you talk to 'em a lot?

[ninehundredlives]

...not Morty, so much.

[But Rakka? Yes.]

[nankurunaisa]

I told Rakka I was gonna give her some good memories even though this place is so...so horrible. And Morty...I know he's a bit strange, but he really is a nice kid. He told me I reminded him of his sister.

[ninehundredlives]

He seemed nice. We just didn't talk much. But Rakka...

...I told her she'd be able to make a new home, when she went back.

[nankurunaisa]

Do you think she was ever happy, Ashworth-san?

[ninehundredlives]

[Susan hesitates.]

I think...sometimes, yes. Not everything here is terrible.

[nankurunaisa]

Right. It's just...mostly terrible.

[Like tonight is terrible. Tomorrow will be terrible. But sometimes there's a nice Wednesday thrown in.]

Hey, would you...like to try and do somethin' nice this week? I don't really know what kind of things you like yet, but I'd like to find out.

[ninehundredlives]

...alright. What do you want to do?

[nankurunaisa]

I don't know yet. Maybe we could draw together? I'd really like to try drawin' you, maybe! Or show you some cute animals.

[ninehundredlives]

That could be fun. I've never really drawn with anybody before.

[nankurunaisa]

Really?!

[Her face lights up.]

This is going to be fun! I can't wait.

[ninehundredlives]

Sure, it'll be nice.

[Her smile is genuine - not so much because she thinks it'll be nice to art with others, as because she likes to spend time with Hibiki.]

[nankurunaisa]

I'm glad ya think so! I've been wantin' to ask for a while...but it was kinda hard with everythin' going on.

[ninehundredlives]

Yeah...yeah, I know.

[There sure has been a lot of shit going on.]

[nankurunaisa]

We'll get it done this week for sure, and we'll get closer to gettin' home, too! Nankurunaisa!

[If Susan looks confused by that word, she will explain it, I just can't remember if Hibiki explained it to her or not yet.]

[ninehundredlives]

[NO SHE DID NOT what the fuck does that mean]

[nankurunaisa]

Hehe. Sorry, sorry. That means "everything's gonna turn out fine in the end" where I come from, more or less.

[ninehundredlives]

Oh.

...what was it, again?

[nankurunaisa]

Nankurunaisa! Whenever I say it, I know we've still got a fightin' chance!

[ninehundredlives]

Nankurunaisa. [She pronounces it carefully, making sure to get it right. This seems like a good thing to remember.] Got it.