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

[introspects]

[ When Vanille comes over, Orihime at least attempts to smile at her in greeting. it's weak, barely there, but it's there. She's trying. ]

Yeah... Nikiforov-san did a great job with these. Would you like some?

[ravagers]

Mm-hmm, sure. I haven't really had much to eat yet...

[introspects]

Okay. Take as much as you need, Vanille-chan.

[ Just gonna slide over her plate in her direction. ]

[ravagers]

[ She takes a pancake, then... blinks... ]

"-chan"? Is that like "-san"?

[introspects]

[ Oh...oh! She hadn't even realized, it just sort of--came out?! But it was honest, and Orihime doesn't mind. ]

Ah, that's...sort of more of familiar than "-san", haha...! I...I guess since we've gotten closer, I just used that without realizing it...

[ravagers]

[ oh... oh my gosh ]

Orihime... [ ... HI, SHE'S GOING TO HUG HER. ] That makes me really happy...

[introspects]

...Eh?

[ She's hugging her--oh, okay, she understands why. Orihime didn't think it was a huge deal, but she'll happily hug her back. ]

I'm...I'm glad to hear that...!

[ravagers]

[ She pulls back, and--no her eyes aren't wet, you're imagining things. ]

Hehe... this seems kinda silly, huh? Sorry...

[introspects]

No, it's fine, I--

[ Oh god, she's just gonna start crying into Vanille's shoulder now-- ]

I don't want you to be next, Vanille-chan!

[ravagers]

[ o-oh no... Vanille holds her a little tighter now. ]

I won't be next, Orihime. You can count on that. And I'll watch out for you, too, okay?

[introspects]

I-It's okay, just look out for yourself!

[ She's really just a blubbering mess right now. Today was too much to handle, and this outpour of tears is the result of a lot of stress, remorse, and regret. For a lot of things this past week. ]

I...I'll be fine.

[ravagers]

I will. Promise.

[ She pulls back a little, to give her a sort of shaky smile. ]

Let's watch out for each other... How's that sound?

[introspects]

Y...Yeah...that sounds good.

[ She's only just met Vanille and barely knows her, but Orihime wants to protect her and everyone else here. She doesn't want anyone else to die so senselessly. ]