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

[uncouthhatcher]

[Gold... does not look so well; he's got a pretty ugly split lip that's been cleaned but is otherwise sort of there, and there's more that's hidden under his clothes, but he's here at the library.

After all, some of his favorite people pitched into this. How couldn't he come?

... But he's notably less... the way he was earlier in the week especially. Not subdued so to say, considering he's got an irritated look on his face and the book he's "reading" does not deserve his glare, but definitely less the way he was earlier.

Eventually, he'll leave the party and go back to him and Silver's room, keeping the door open and staring at the ceiling with a bored look on his face.

Honestly, not a place he wants to be right now, but there's also no other place he wants to be either. Dammit.]

[ravagers]

Hiya, Gold.

[ Hm. That split lip looks pretty nasty, it's true... ]

I guess your buddy wasn't joking before, huh?

[uncouthhatcher]

Eh, Silver's never jokin'. And when he is, you can't tell anyway.

[... Feels like it's gotten worse since they've been here, but considering the situation he's not surprised.]

But enough about my seriously awesome new face injury! How're you holdin' up, buttercup? Sorry about scarin' you at the trial.

[ravagers]

Aw, it's okay. [ avoiding the question... ] It's good it didn't happen. I think lots of people would've jumped on Miss Ushiromiya.

[uncouthhatcher]

And that's why I offered! I didn't think you guys would let her get too far into killin' me if she wanted to, least not some of you.

[Gold's very hands on, obviously, and he's going to be setting his book aside to take her hands actually.]

Wasn't too fair of me though, I know.

[... But it was kind of nice that everyone immediately jumped to scolding him. He won't say it, but it was.]

room

[stepout]

[ ...You sort of have to pass by 12 to get to 5, and she swings between leaving him be and checking on him before deciding to gently rapt her knuckles on the door frame.

Silver didn't hold back, huh. ]

It's pretty bold of you to keep the door open.

[uncouthhatcher]

[When does he ever.]

Why, just because someone died? Big deal.

[But it's that kind of attitude that got him his current injury, so. Should probably be a little more serious.]

I ain't scared of dyin'. [He's a little scared. Always has been. But he can pretend he's not, like this.] And I don't wanna close the door on anyone anyway. On the off chance some cute girl needs comfort, I'm here.

[... Definitely not the same kind of carefree cheer he had earlier this week.]

[stepout]

There's no one who isn't afraid of dying. [ ... ] There are very few people who aren't afraid of dying.

[ We have to make allowances for those with death wishes, that's why she corrected herself. She'll lean against the frame, observing him quietly, before she tilts her head a little. ]

You shouldn't force yourself either. [ It's not the same kind of cheer as before, after all. ] You looked mad at the party, and you're not looking much better here.

[uncouthhatcher]

[Your title should be "Observant," not "Sympathetic."]

I really wanted to get choked.

[Not really, but it's easier than talking about the real issue.]

[officerhops]

[Oh....geeze.]

Are you...alright, Gold?

[uncouthhatcher]

Peachy-keen, Officer Flopsy. This is nothin' compared to how hard we go at each other back home.

[He'll give a little salute too, setting his book down because he really was not reading it, happy ending be damned.]

How about you? Didn't expect any less from you back there, you know, bein' a cop and all.

[officerhops]

Thank you, Gold. I did what I could, but...it was messy.

[He was there, he saw just how messy it got.]

I really don't want to have to do it again.

[quadruples]

Wow. Your face looks terrible. I take it Silver wasn't joking.

[ Viktor's holding out a plate of sugar cookies as he approaches. ]

Want something to eat? Vanille made these.

[uncouthhatcher]

Silver wouldn't know a joke if it bit him on the nose.

[Despite his look, though, there is a touch of affection. Silver's still probably mad at him and it's probably not going to be the best sleep, but eh. They'll work through it.

He'll take the cookies though, having seen them but not being hungry enough to try one yet.]

Thanks. These are pretty damn cute, wonder if they taste just as good. [munch

...]

Oh, these are good. I don't even like sweets that much and I like this!

[quadruples]

Those cookies are so good I almost want to eat them all by myself.

[ ... ]

How are you holding up, split lip aside?

library

[modernmedicine]

I see Silver followed through with that threat.

[And of course, she's going to take a look at that split lip.]

That needs to be stitched up as soon as I can get the supplies to do it.

[uncouthhatcher]

[Hellooooooo, nurse!

Doctor. Nurse works way better.]

Silver's always good on his word, that's what I like best about him! He's a real asshole about it too.

[a real asshole]

... Am I gonna get a cool scar from this?

[modernmedicine]

Sometimes the best friends in the world are the ones who - quite frankly - kick us when we need it.

[She chuckles.]

You might.

[feistytrader]

[Who's loaded up on cookies? Silver's loaded up on cookies.

He's still not particularly in the best of moods, but he goes up to Gold anyway and actually takes note of the split lip.]

I didn't realize I got you that bad.

[Oops.]

[uncouthhatcher]

There's a reason we've gotta wash the sheets now, dude, I was bleedin' all over them.

[look. look at what you did.]

I'm probably gonna have a sweet scar from it though, so it's whatever! I'll work it.

[feistytrader]

...I don't know. I'm pretty sure you've had worse before.

[Silver, don't crush his cool scar dreams-]

room

[matchbreaker]

[ An older woman should not be punching down to a teen in order to get out of her own head.

... Most older women are not Elda Marker, fortunately. Unfortunately, she is the one in Gold's life. And so, experimentally pushing open the door a little, she sees the kid, screws up her face into a smirk, and then shoots her voice into the room from within the doorframe. ]

So is this where I come and strangle you to death?

[uncouthhatcher]

Come on in, babe, I'm yours until Silver comes back to kick you out!

[... Maybe to be strangled, maybe to not. Jeez.]

1/2

[matchbreaker]

[ Brat.

He should show some fear. In fact, she'll teach him some fear.

[matchbreaker]

[ She steps inside, and closes the door behind her. She then makes with rapid purpose to mount on top of him on the bed.

Or well, assuming he doesn't move she will. If he reacts, she'll stop short. ]