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

[neverheardofhim]

Of course, Sunshine. [A smile worked its way across his lips, reassuring as he could manage given the circumstances.] The second I have a lead, I'll let you know. We can work together.

[introspects]

'Sunshine?'

[ What did he mean by that? ]

[neverheardofhim]

[Aw, hell. He looked away, briefly fighting off a bout of sheepishness. Usually people argued about the nicknames, rather than asking for explanation.]

It's a nickname. [He shrugged.] Your hair, see. It's like the way you might color sunshine.

[introspects]

You...you think so?

[ Oh man, now she's all flustered! What does she do in this situation, she's so flattered?! ]

That's--that's really nice of you to say, Tethras-san! I like that nickname a lot!

[neverheardofhim]

[Oh good, no need to be ashamed.]

Of course I think so. And there's no need to thank me -- it's just what I do, kid.

[The discussion had allowed a brief respite from his more troubled thoughts. Just as he began to relax, though, they came rushing back. She wasn't the first girl here to receive a nickname, after all.]

I called Adelina Brains. She was damn smart, you know?

[introspects]

[ Ah..that's also quite a fitting nickname for a princess like her. She didn't know Adelina as well as Varric did, but she can believe what he's saying. ]

She seemed like it. I'm sure she appreciated that, too.

[neverheardofhim]

Sometimes I wonder if she took it, just to avoid any of the alternatives. [Another laugh, this one soft.] She was a good kid. A good woman, I should say.

She... didn't like being thought of as young, I don't think.

[introspects]

I'd...imagine not. She seemed very dignified, and she was a princess, after all.

[ She seemed like the kind of person who wanted respect. Someone who deserved it. Orihime didn't know her well, but it seems like Varric is taking this really hard. ]

Adelina-san must've been glad to have met someone as kind as you.

[neverheardofhim]

I sure as hell hope so... [He hoped for a lot of things with her. That her spirit had found its way home. That she actually enjoyed listening to his stories.]

I'm sure you don't want to listen to an old man wax longingly anymore though, do you? [He doubted his own groveling was doing much for Orihime's own well-being.]

[introspects]

No, I don't mind at all. It's good to talk about these things, isn't it? That way, Adelina-san can live on through our memories.

[ She knows what it feels like to grieve, to long for a different outcome, to see someone who didn't deserve their death just one more time. Orihime isn't upset at him in the slightest. ]

[neverheardofhim]

Yeah. That's right. [He drew in a long breath.] It's why I wrote that. Not only does she deserve a good ending, but we need to remember her.

[If anything, they needed to remember what this brutal place was capable of, and keep it from happening again.]