i'll wait, so show me why you're strong

[ravagers]

[ Generally, people need time to cope and gather themselves after a... thing... like that. Unfortunately, that's not how Vanille sees it. Her thing is avoid, and once she gets out of that hellhole that's the courtroom, she makes her way to the supplies closet, then to the library. She spends some time setting up things, pushing things aside to make room. Once she's finished, and she's met up with the Party Brigade, she makes enough invitations for everyone. She slips them under everyone's doors, or hands them out if she sees someone walking around.



Inside the library, there are candles set up to provide some soft, comforting lighting. There are pots of tea, courtesy of Mercy, pancakes made by Viktor, and books (picked out by Estelle, of course) laid out on the surrounding tables. The others have provided their own touches, and Vanille's even managed to make something: sugar cookies, which are actually very good. They're flavored lightly with all sorts of flavors--not all in the same cookie, okay--and each plate is marked with whatever flavor she's put in them.

After a successful trial, it's healthy to indulge, right? Let's mingle. ]

Comments

[tsugomori]

[ He's not sure what he is supposed to do here, so he just... gives a few claps. ]

That was quite a good speech that you've made.

[neverheardofhim]

She deserved more. Better. [Still, he gave Mikazuki an appreciative look.] Thanks though.

[tsugomori]

[ He'll nod. ]

Of course, of course. You did the best you could.

[ ...And while they're talking about the trial here-- ]

...I don't suppose you're familiar with seeing things like that, are you?

[neverheardofhim]

[He opened his mouth to counter, to argue about it further. It wouldn't do either of them any good, but Varric simply couldn't wrap his head around the fact that a eulogy could be good enough for her.]

[Adelina deserved life.]

[Mikazuki's question caused a chill to run up his spine. He shook his head in the slightest, but his expression remained somewhat doubtful.]

Never anything like that. But... close enough, I suppose. Reeked of demons and blood magic, to me.

[tsugomori]

[ Mikazuki knew it would not be a good idea to dwell too much on what she may or may not have deserved. ]

Yes, it was definitely something malevolent.

[ He was pretty sure none of them expected that. ]

I wonder why our captors thought it was necessary to use something... like that in the first place.

[neverheardofhim]

Or how they managed to get hold of something like it. [It certainly moved the Wordsmith from deranged layman with an ego to something a little more fearsome.]

I wracked my brains for hours trying to figure out common threads between the lot of us, but I came up with nothing. [Which meant somehow, it was out of their scope, yet knew of them.]

Whatever it all means, I don't like it.

[tsugomori]

[ Of all the things... Mikazuki supposed he should also wonder how they got a hold of it as well, while they're at it. So many mysteries going on here. ]

Well, they sure do have it quite very well under their control, otherwise I'm pretty sure we'd be sharing her fate too.

[ If that is the only thing that happened, that is-- he'll just shake the thought. ]

But yes, I don't like it much either. I have seen some odd things, but noting quite like this.

[neverheardofhim]

Where I come from, we'd call him a mage. [It wasn't the first time he found himself wishing that someone else had been nabbed. If Cassandra or Cullen were there, they could have neutralized the magic, kept the Wordsmith at bay while they figured out how to deal with him. The most Varric could do was make clever commentary.]

[But then, where would Estelle and Vanille be without him?]

Just means we'll have to try harder next week. [In more senses than one.]

[tsugomori]

[ Mikazuki figures that "mage" is probably a good term for the Wordsmith, but ... he wonders a little at that. If only because he doesn't know the full capabilities of one, and which category of a "mage" the Wordsmith may fall into. ]

We certainly will. Looking out for one another should help with that, I believe.

[neverheardofhim]

[Asshole blood mage comes to mind. But then, that was an accurate description of most of the villains Varric came across.]

Don't worry. I'm already working on that. [He glanced over at his remaining girls, frown crossing his lips.] Can I trust you?

[tsugomori]

[ The man is glad to hear that people are certainly looking out for one another. It'll make things easier, he thinks. Although, at the question, he'll give a nod. ]

That you can. Is there something I can help with?

[neverheardofhim]

Just... making sure. [He looked back to his taller counterpart, then to the girls once more.] Trying to figure out who to keep an eye on and who to keep close, that's all.

[tsugomori]

Of course, of course.

[ The dark-haired man followed the gaze of the other to the ladies, and then back to him. ]

I think it's quite a reasonable and good idea to have. We have no idea what will come of next week.

[neverheardofhim]

Yeah. Exactly. [Not that he liked admitting it aloud. Far-fetched as his beliefs that things would be alright were, the alternative was much less pleasant to think about.]

There are good people here. I'd much rather keep them breathing, no matter what next week has in store.

[tsugomori]

Then, I'll do my best to help in that.

[ Because without each other... how would they escape this situation? ]

[neverheardofhim]

Then you have my trust.

[His heart gave an awkward thud, as if he felt that he was somehow damning himself for saying it. Nevertheless, he stuck out his hand. indicating for the man to shake it.]

We'll all get through this. Together.

[tsugomori]

[ Mikazuki's smile was as bright as it always was, as his hand reached out to take hold of the other man's in a tight, secure grip. ]

It makes me happy to hear that we will, Varric. Reassurance of something positive is always a good thing as well. That said, you have my trust as well. It's only fair, right?

[ He doesn't seem to even blink about having faith in the man, for whatever reason. ]

[neverheardofhim]

That makes two of us against how many? [A tight laugh escaped his lips. Not entirely true -- he figured he could trust a handful of others, a handful that seemed to grow larger by the day. Of course, he'd thought he could have trusted anyone before but...]

[But he never got to know Kyrie. Never had a reason to suspect otherwise.]

[As it was, the amount of people he could trust far outweighed those he could. Good odds, as far as he was concerned.]

Now all that's left is finding a way out of here.

[tsugomori]

I'm not sure the exact number. It depends on how many enemies we're going up against, in terms of our captors, that is.

[ Mikazuki doesn't like to see himself as being in opposition to the people who have also been kidnapped... maybe it's a little naive and it'll wind up with him being hurt someday, but he can't help it. ]

...And yes, you're right.

Judging by how we were able to get to that room for that trial, I'm going to assume it involves also finding the correct hidden door.

[neverheardofhim]

Well... we'll just have to get to work on breaking it down, won't we?

[In the face of everything, finding something to set himself to was relieving. His chemistry experiment might not have gone so well, but that didn't mean he didn't have a chance of blasting it down. There'd been other ideas thrown around. With luck, one of them would do the trick.]

If you see anything worth looking into, you know where to find me.

[tsugomori]

Or maybe it can be as simple as opening up a hidden door in the floor.

[ Like it would be that simple, though.

Either way, Mikazuki will have some hope that someone will be able to find that exit; they can't afford to give up. Not now, not ever. ]

But, I'll keep that in mind -- as for today, you should try to take it easy. We've earned the rest for now, after all!

[ He'll give the man a wispy smile before he gives a small wave, and heads off! ]