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

[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.

[nankurunaisa]

[Ah. That warms this idol's heart to see someone memorizing her word.]

I'm gonna give you special permission to use it if you ever need it, okay? I taught it to Ashley, too.

[ninehundredlives]

...oh.

[Susan sobers at the reminder of Ashley. That makes it more important, doesn't it?]

I'll remember.

[nankurunaisa]

That makes me really happy! Thanks, Su...Ashworth-san!