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

CUDDLING!!

[ravagers]

Ah--

[ Well, she hadn't expected that from Milla, but... heck, she's not going to complain. Milla's been so kind, but it's okay to take a little more, isn't it...?

Vanille leans into the embrace, wrapping her own arms around the other woman. ]

[spiritform]

[Vanille tried to act strong-- Milla knew what that looked like. But she was still human. Something like that bothered even Milla so she knew that it had to have gotten to the gentler girl as well.

She wants to say it'll be alright, however-- she cannot say what the other remaining individuals will do with this, knowing what they have learned today.]

Their deaths will not be in vain.

[Neither of them.]

[ravagers]

[ Somehow, Milla's words are really comforting. It almost reminds her of something Fang would say. (Fang would be way more aggressive, but still.) ]

We won't let anything like this happen again... right?

[spiritform]

I do not know what others will take from this experience, but I hope they will consider it seriously.

[While she'd like to say it won't, she can't guarantee it-- and she refuses to lie to her.]

[ravagers]

A lot of people... seemed really horrified... didn't they? About Adelina's death... and the way Miss Ushiromiya--

[ She hiccups a little, squeezing Milla tighter. ]

[spiritform]

Yes... While I had always considered it a possibility, I had hoped it would not come down to this. And that thing... was more horrible than anyone deserved.

[The way it almost seemed to play with her was wrong. But-- nothing about it was right.]

[ravagers]

No one... no one deserves that.

[ She shudders. ]

And... knowing there's something awful like that here in this place...

[spiritform]

I should hope that this is a lesson to anyone who would consider trying something like that again. The Wordsmith is not our ally-- as a group we need to trust one another first.

[That was the only way she saw them succeeding.]

[ravagers]

[ She hesitates. ]

He said... this was a trust-building exercise... So... we should start with each other, you're right.

[spiritform]

That's right. It is difficult, surrounded by strangers... but if we are to get out of here we need to rely on one another. If we can create a shared trust among us then we will only be stronger for it.

[ravagers]

I wonder if it'll be that easy for everyone to agree on that...

[spiritform]

If I want to help everyone, then I must make them understand.

[She wouldn't hold Vanille to the same burden, but she did think that there were things she Vanille could do for everyone.]

For now, you should focus on what you can do for them. It is because of you that all these people have come together.

[In her mind that was something Vanille should remember and be proud of.]

[ravagers]

I think if anyone can do it, it's you, Milla.

[ ... Oh. Vanille looks pretty surprised. ]

Aw, I didn't do much. Just sent out notes and asked people to help me out.

[spiritform]

If I want others to believe in me, then I need to have faith in myself. And in everyone here as well.

[Milla shakes her head.]

You shouldn't underestimate yourself. You were the one who brought everyone together and made this possible.

[ravagers]

[ Milla is... too good for this place. Pretty much everyone here is. ]

Underestimate myself... I hear that a lot, back home. [ She misses Fang so much, especially after all that. She has friends here... but Fang understands her more than anyone else.

... For the most part, anyway. ]

... I'll try, though. It's really hard sometimes.

[spiritform]

[Humans are not perfect. But that is part of what Milla loves about them. They are very different from spirits.]

It is not strange for others to see things about ourselves that we cannot. As long as you take what people say to heart, it's alright if you need to be reminded.

[ravagers]

[ Hmm... ]

Milla... it's okay if you don't answer, but... do you ever have doubts about yourself?

[spiritform]

[This is... indeed something to think about. But as always, Milla takes it very seriously.]

Prior to coming here, there was nothing to doubt. However... I admit that I have never faced an enemy I could not confront. Looking forward... I wonder if what I feel is indeed doubt.

[Confiding as much... Milla's not sure if it's all relief, but it does feel nice to be honest.]

Even so, I am Maxwell-- I cannot stray from my mission. I must continue, no matter the cost.