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

[plegia]

[Gangrel has one of those cookies in hand, studying it like he's not sure if it's a good idea to eat it. He looks up at Vanille when she speaks up and he tips his head a bit.]

I'm certainly not having any problems. What about you.

[It's not exactly a question; she's obviously been crying for... some reason?? Weird.]

[ravagers]

[ this is an offensive tag? ]

I'm alright, [ she says, very obviously not alright? ... conceal, don't feel, etc ]

Erm, you don't have to try the cookies if you really don't want to.

[plegia]

[you're so welcome!!]

Just trying to work out how likely it is that they've been poisoned.

[The verdict is "not very likely" so he takes a bite. I am so sorry, Vanille???]

You don't look alright. You've been crying, haven't you.

[...still not a question.]

[ravagers]

[ .... In the wake of everything, his saying that is completely inappropriate, and Vanille looks absolutely stunned for more than a few moments!! ... But at least he doesn't seem to think they're poisoned, in the end... ]

Me? [ She shakes her head. ] Mm, nope. Just got something in my eye.

[plegia]

[i can't believe you let him go like that, god vanille stop being so nice]

Uh huh, sure.

[He shrugs after a moment though.]

I don't particularly care, mind you. So if you want to keep pretending everything is fine then go ahead. I'm not going to press.

[ravagers]

[ mmmmmmffff ]

I'm not pretending. [ uh-huh ] Why'd you ask, then, if you don't care?

[plegia]

Because that's what people do.

[It's said with a lot of ??????? like he genuinely does not see how one point connects to the other. Uh. Okay, then.]

[ravagers]

People... but not you, usually?

[ HMMM. ]

[plegia]

Of course not. I don't have time for anything like that! I'm the King of Plegia!

[The usual defiance and energy behind it isn't there though, and he lets it go with a sigh.]

Never mind. I suppose it's nice of you all to prepare food.

[given that he still can't cook........]

[ravagers]

Well... [ Hmm. ] This place, it probably isn't Plegia, right?

[ ... She's not letting this go yet, sorry, Gangrel. ]

[plegia]

Of course not. If it was I doubt there'd be talking animals and a gem or whatever Jasper is.

[alien.]

[ravagers]

Then it's okay to not act like a king, while we're all here.

[ grow a feeling, gangrel. ]

[plegia]

[. . .]

You do know I wasn't always a king, don't you? I act the same way I always have!

[...was he always this evil, did people let him become king by acting like this???]

[ravagers]

I'm just saying, now that you don't have any kingly duties, you can have time for talking to people.

[plegia]

What makes you think I'd want to? Anyone here could—

[snap and kill at any given moment

...But he's actually trying not to antagonize anyone further today so he promptly cuts that thought off by shoving a cookie in his mouth to give himself time to find something else to say.]

...Listen, I'll be blunt with you. You're entirely too nice to be concerning yourself with someone like me. That's an objective fact.

[ravagers]

Hmm... maybe, but I'm old enough to make that decision for myself.

[ She tilts her head to the side. ]

I think it says a thing or two that you came here to be with people, though.

[plegia]

It says that I'm bored and didn't want to stare at the ceiling all night, that's all.

[HUFF]

[ravagers]

Okay.

[ She pauses. ]

So, how are the cookies?

[plegia]

...They're actually really good. I'll probably take a few back to my room whenever I leave.

[LISTEN. HE'S NOT GOING TO APOLOGIZE FOR SAYING THAT THEY MIGHT BE POISONED. BUT THEY'RE DELICIOUS AND HE WANTS ALL OF THEM.]

[ravagers]

Hehe. I'm glad. I worked real hard on 'em. [ The compliment seems to have cheered her up just a bit. ] If you want more, I'd be glad to make more later.

[plegia]

[...huh.]

I'd like that. Are they easy to make?

[ravagers]

Yep. I can show you some time, too.

[ so he can make them himself, if she fucking dies ]

[plegia]

[wow don't be rude!!!!]

I guess I can set some time aside for that.

[ravagers]

[ i am innocent ]

Mm, good! I'll hold you to that, then.