trusthell | i'll wait, so show me why you're strong

[ 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. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

...You what? Was there absolutely no way you could have just told him not to do something so foolish ever again?

[DID. DID SHE PUT ENTIRELY TOO MUCH FAITH IN THE TWO OF YOU. JESUS CHRIST SILVER...

Okay, let's just. Calm down. Just a bit.]

It's no trouble, but don't let people do something like that to you. You can't simply be passive about those kind of accusations, or they'll all think it true.

[Lusamine shakes her head.]

I'm hoping what we saw today will deter people, but...we must remain cautious. If even Ms. Ushiromiya can resort to such tactics, there's no telling who might try to strike next.

[Silver doesn't quite flinch, but the momentary discomfort is pretty plain on his face. He doesn't address it, however; it's how they're used to doing things, but it probably seems bad to others.]

I think there are a few people that are more likely to act out than others, but you're right. It could be anyone.

[...Including Lusamine, really, but he doesn't want to consider that option right now.]

I'm sorry. I'll try to stand up for myself a little more.

[As long as she gets her point across, she's not going to argue the point further. It looks like they hit where they needed to.]

Good. You could never be so callous. Anyone could tell that just from looking at you. But people can get so stuck in their ways...

[She does at least start on some of the sweets. She does appreciate it--she'll have to make up for it with more vegetables tomorrow, but sometimes you just have to indulge.]

...What about you? Do you feel okay?

[...Well, if he needed another reason not to try and kill someone, there it is. Not like he was planning on it, but... He doesn't want to let Lusamine down.]

I don't know how to feel.

[That's the truth, of course, but that's all he really wants to offer right now. Still, if he just leaves it at that...]

It's kind of selfish, but I'm glad Gold and I didn't get a look at the body this morning.

...I disagree with you, on viewing such a thing as selfish.

[Lusamine rests her chin under one of her hands and looks at Silver.]

Seeing someone dead before you is...a horrifying experience. Disheartening as well. It's nothing you boys should ever have to see. Until then, not even I had seen something so awful...

[Lusamine's smile is softer, and looking directly at Silver.]

Consider that a blessing, however minor. Understood?

...I don't get it.

[They've been in here for a week. She barely knows them. Is she trying to lull them into a false sense of security, or is she really just like that? Either way, Silver doesn't know how to feel about it, and-]

Why are you being so nice to us?

[To him?]

You are both children, trapped in a hideous situation. Why would I not want to look out for you? Especially when you two have been nothing but kind toward me?

[There's...really, she's not sure how to respond to that at first. Like she just got slapped with something, and it took the wind out of her sails.]

[Because- because-]

Because no one does.

[He regrets it as soon as he says it and ducks his head down. Despite being taller than Lusamine- although around the same height with the heels- he feels pretty damn small.]

I mean-

[No, actually, that's exactly what he meant. He just didn't mean to actually say it.]

...Sorry.

[He starts to slink away towards the door.]

[...It actually takes her a moment to kind of get that through her head and process it. Really, that boy who seemed...quiet at best, believed that sort of thing?

Lusamine reaches out.]

Wait, Silver.

[There's a bit of a pause whether he does or not, and Lusamine isn't looking up. It kind of looks more like she's ashamed.]

...I have already lost two of my own. That is the true reason.

[...Oh. That... That explains a lot, doesn't it. He stops in his tracks.]

What happened?

[He's not going to press it if she doesn't want to answer, but at the same time, that's...

Did something bad happen? Or was it like him?]

I don't even know how such a thing could have happened, but one after another, they were simply...gone. I did everything I could to love them, take care of them, and keep them safe...

[...there are so many things omitted here it's not even funny, but Lusamine sounds so angry when she brings it up. Like if she weren't as polite as she was, there would be cursing.]

I swore to myself that I would not let something like this happen to another child.

[...You know, most people might take this as their hint to back the hell off, because that wording is vague and the anger is a little sketch.

Silver is not one of those people. Not when, as vaguely as it's described, it reminds him of his own situation.]

...I was kidnapped when I was younger. It took a long time to figure out who my dad even was. Even now, I'm still looking for him.

[That's also omitting a lot of things, but at least it explains his reaction.]

I'm not used to people looking out for me. [Not people that aren't big sis, anyway. Certainly not any adults.] I'm sorry.

[Both for losing his cool and for whatever happened to her kids.]

You...were taken...

[...oh wow. That's...really, really shitty. To have something like that happen to him...

It takes a few seconds for a response to come to Lusamine, but her smile is a soft one.]

...I forgive you, sweet Silver. You have simply not known a time where you could trust many, except for your friends. I should have made my intentions clear from the start.

[From what she's gathered from Gold, they seem very close...perhaps that explains a bit.]

Please do not worry, hm?

[Someone that lost their kids, and someone who lost their parents. That Wordsmith has a pretty sick sense of humor, doesn't he?

He briefly nods as he considers his words. In the end, keeping it simple feels the most right.]

Thank you.

[Trusting others isn't something that comes easily to him, but... Maybe he can look out for Lusamine next time.]

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

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Pokemon Sun and Moon spoilers

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