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

[perpend]

Good, more people need to step up. It's time we all act.

[He looks proud.]

I'd saaay your best bet is to start with friendly conversations-- don't be too demanding and don't be rude. He's pretty free with information; maybe it's because he values honesty, maybe it's because I'm not askin' him questions that he doesn't want to answer. Either way, it's worth getting as much information from him as possible.

[forcegalactic]

Yeah, yeah. That's how most information-gatherin' conversations start, Inspector. I'm the local gossip, I know how this works. [Not really the best kind of qualification.] I've started to ask him about things not related to the experiment to learn more about the Conductor himself, but it's not enough.

[Not enough. Not enough. That's been looping in his head all day.]

[perpend]

...we're prooobably running out of time. We've lost nearly half our numbers already.

[forcegalactic]

Oh we most definitely are, Inspector. I can't afford to sit back anymore, I can't let what happened to Rakka and Morty happen again.

...You can count on me. I'm tired of this place, and I don't wanna stay here any longer than we need to.

[perpend]

Good. I'm glad.

...If something were to happen to me, I'll know we're in good hands.

[forcegalactic]

What? [Don't say things like that!] Just because i'm a mayor, it don't mean I'm an expert at solvin' mysteries! I'm a peacekeeper and manager, through and through!

...And don't you start havin' any funny ideas about dyin'!

[perpend]

[...He's just thinking about how likely it is that each individual person is going to die here. No big deal. Cabanela just figures eventually someone will go after the guy who keeps solving things.]

I dooon't plan on dying.

[forcegalactic]

[Just about anyone who isn't a physical powerhouse is in danger of being killed. It can't do them any good to focus on that too much.]

Me neither, but let's change the subject. I-I don't wanna feel any worse than I already do.

[perpend]

[He nods.]

Of course. We can't start thinking dark thoughts now.