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

[isafraid]

[And so the day's trial for the attempted murder of Gabriel Knight draw to a close with... charitably better results then usual.

They were alive, at the least, but that didn't mean there wasn't several blows against the trust that had been built up here. One mole that attempted murder, another that quit, and another that was given the offer no doubt put strain on several relationships... most notably Sigrun's.

It was all, in a word... frankly shitty. But now it's all out there, no sense in trying to get it back.

An hour (or two) after the "trial" ends and everyone's gone off on their own business, Speedwagon heads back to the kitchen. It was the usual plan in mind, what they did after every trial. And everyone, regardless of what was said or done, would soon find a note being slipped under their door.]

[Name],
There's gonna be food in the dining hall, in case anyone's got an appetite for it.
I know some might want to be alone after that mess of an investigation, but if you don't then the offer's as open as it's always been.
I'd say sticking together might still be safer then not.

-R E.O. Speedwagon

[And yes, folks that arrive in the dining hall will find a nice spread of sandwiches, soup, and what leftovers Speedwagon could scrounge out of the fridge. Speedwagon isn't the best cook in the group, but there's definitely stuff here that's good enough to eat.

...Sigrun's 'masterpiece' was, thankfully, left out of this. Keeping folks alive is the goal, after all.]

Comments

[cherryblooded]

We could check the library here - wouldn't hurt giving it another once-over. Or maybe there's something in Ford's book...?

[captainobnoxious]

[... Yeah...]

You won't be able to do that again, Cherry. [She knows he'll probably refute this, maybe, a part of her hopes he does.] You and Bruce need to take up the reins.

[Since she's not fit, by anyone's standards.]

[cherryblooded]

[He knew this discussion was coming, but that doesn't make him want to have it any more.]

...I'd really rather not, you know. Being your right hand man was an honor.

[notjustawriter]

Ford's book....

[He brightens, just slightly.]

There might be. He's a smart guy, from the sound of it. It's worth a shot.

[cherryblooded]

I'll ask Stan about it when I get the chance.

[...since apparently leader duties are starting to fall to him.]

[garudynamic]

[Eventually he loosens his hold, though he doesn't uncover his face- he can't bare to see anything right now, but it's enough that Cherry can hear him]

I'm sorry. God, I'm so sorry. I didn't think I just.... Cherry I hated him so much and...

[And he would have had to force Cherryblod, and all his friends to kill him. He'd leave that burden on them all, because he couldn't control himself. Just like he almost did with Namatame- he thought he was better then that, had grown]

I'm... I'm the same as I've always been...

[captainobnoxious]

I know, sweetheart, and I'll be thankful for your support until the day I die. But even if I wanted to keep leading -- and I do, really, I've gone this long and I don't trust anyone to do half as good a job even with my mess ups -- majority would probably rule in that I don't.

[...]

It'd be best to put it to a vote, though I really don't want to see everyone who raises their hand in firm rejection of it. It's wrong to assume one way or another. I just need you to be ready to share leadership with Bruce if it comes down to it.

[notjustawriter]

[Gabriel nods.]

I should check out the library, just in case. I doubt the Kingmaker would leave anything around, but we can't let any possibility go.

[cherryblooded]

It was a personal betrayal, and I don't blame you for reacting that way.

[He saw Black kiss Yosuke then, at the play - had been happy. Was looking forward to teasing the two of them over it.

Ha. Ha.]

It's so much worse when it's someone you care about than it is with a stranger. You think you know someone, and it turns out that you don't.

It's different, Yosuke. And you're a different person from the one you were then.

[cherryblooded]

...Alright. I'll do my best.

[He doesn't have a lot he can use to argue against that. It had been clear that plenty of them were angry at Sigrun for pulling the same stunt twice.

But...]

For the record, if I ever kill someone?

Don't do this.

[garudynamic]

[There's no agreement or disagreement, just a low groan like he wants to be sick but can't]

Thanks... for stopping me. You and Sigrun saved my life.

[And Black's of course.]

It... wouldn't have been clean.

[The slash on Sigrun's jacket was proof of that. He didn't just want to stab Black, he had intended (as much as he was capable of *intending* anything in that moment) of gutting him. They didn't have the equipment to fix that. It would have been slow and painful and foul]

[cherryblooded]

Appreciate it. There's always the chance he slipped up - he's only human after all.

[cherryblooded]

No, it wouldn't have.

[He's seen enough blade injuries to know that.]

But it wasn't something you were thinking through, either. I don't believe you really want him dead.

[notjustawriter]

Yeah.

Would you like to come with me? Two eyes are probably better than one, especially since we're probably runnin' out of time.

[cherryblooded]

There's a few people I still have to talk to here today, but I wouldn't mind joining you later.

[isafraid]

[Speedwagon's around. He has to be.

Mostly he could be found working in the kitchen on whatever was going to be added to the dining table's supply of food (usually another sandwich) before carrying it out and going back. This happens several times until he's sure there's enough.

Later he actually takes a seat at the dining table, not too far away from everyone, but it gives him a good view of whoever's here. He's got his own bowl of soup, and a cup of tea. Not much of an appetite for either.

But he's glad this all came together.

Like always, around the time everyone's left the afterparty, Speedwagon's taken to patrolling the lower floors. There's a brief stop in the library to clean up whatever's left of the mess Black made, but that's about it. Anyone that's out at this time had better be prepared for a confrontation.]

[captainobnoxious]

[Sigrun huffs lightly, shaking her head.]

I can't promise anything, Cherry. You're in the list of people I'd go to great lengths for, but... I'll try to resist the best I can.

[Even if it means handing off the evidence or anything to someone else. Both times her leadership had been called into question by Bruce the accused had defended her, and she's not sure Cherrywould offer her a third time anyway.]

Just let me know if you actually killed someone so I don't defend a hopeless case instead of dancing around it.

[garudynamic]

I... really really did. I... don't now, I think. I don't know.

[He had pleaded for amnesty for his friend as he left. So there must be some affection still in his heart. But looking at it hurts too much right now]

[cherryblooded]

You'll be the first to know, my dear.

[That's about as much as he can expect from her. Of course she wouldn't give up her values, even if he asked her not to defend him.]

I can't think of any situation but one in which I'd kill someone if you were still alive, anyway. But that might just mean I'm not creative.

[notjustawriter]

[Gabriel gives a nod.]

I suppose it could also wait a day; I'm just not sure what to expect around here. The Kingmaker is bound to be pissed.

[goodforsomething]

[That was an ugly, unpleasant experience.

But Stan knows it's for the best. The Kingmaker wasn't going to keep their short flirtation at cooperation a secret, and it would have been so much worse coming from him, after all they've been through. Best to just lance the wound. It's too dangerous now to have secrets like that - besides, it feels like keeping things from family now. He doesn't do that for just any old reason, and not just for himself. Whatever's happened back home, he did what he needed to, and as far as anyone there knew they lost him anyway. He's all in here.

He shows up to the party same as ever, takes a sandwich and sits near the others. But not too close to anyone in particular. He may not have fucked up as much as some people, but he did nothing to help this whole shitshow. If they wanna talk to him right now, that's up to them, not him.]

[cherryblooded]

You can hate someone for what they did to you and not want them to die once the first rush of anger wears off. You can hate someone and still want them to be treated fairly, even.

[As much as Black deserves a punishment for everything he's done, he doesn't deserve to die.]

[cherryblooded]

Oh, certainly. We've taken his mole away from him, he won't be happy.

[captainobnoxious]

Better that you're not. Not sure how I'd feel if I had someone else I loved do that.

[... Black's probably too into his notes to hear that jab, which is good, and she leans against the table.]

Though, you know, two for two so far. You're definitely not hiding anything from me, right?

[It's the quietest plea, even in if it's light and teasing in form. Please don't be another betrayal waiting. Please don't be.]

[notjustawriter]

...This is gonna sound weird, considering the kid tried to kill me today, but someone should look after him tonight. To make sure the Kingmaker doesn't try to kill him.