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]

Just... making sure. [He looked back to his taller counterpart, then to the girls once more.] Trying to figure out who to keep an eye on and who to keep close, that's all.

[tsugomori]

Of course, of course.

[ The dark-haired man followed the gaze of the other to the ladies, and then back to him. ]

I think it's quite a reasonable and good idea to have. We have no idea what will come of next week.

[neverheardofhim]

Yeah. Exactly. [Not that he liked admitting it aloud. Far-fetched as his beliefs that things would be alright were, the alternative was much less pleasant to think about.]

There are good people here. I'd much rather keep them breathing, no matter what next week has in store.

[tsugomori]

Then, I'll do my best to help in that.

[ Because without each other... how would they escape this situation? ]

[neverheardofhim]

Then you have my trust.

[His heart gave an awkward thud, as if he felt that he was somehow damning himself for saying it. Nevertheless, he stuck out his hand. indicating for the man to shake it.]

We'll all get through this. Together.

[tsugomori]

[ Mikazuki's smile was as bright as it always was, as his hand reached out to take hold of the other man's in a tight, secure grip. ]

It makes me happy to hear that we will, Varric. Reassurance of something positive is always a good thing as well. That said, you have my trust as well. It's only fair, right?

[ He doesn't seem to even blink about having faith in the man, for whatever reason. ]

[neverheardofhim]

That makes two of us against how many? [A tight laugh escaped his lips. Not entirely true -- he figured he could trust a handful of others, a handful that seemed to grow larger by the day. Of course, he'd thought he could have trusted anyone before but...]

[But he never got to know Kyrie. Never had a reason to suspect otherwise.]

[As it was, the amount of people he could trust far outweighed those he could. Good odds, as far as he was concerned.]

Now all that's left is finding a way out of here.

[tsugomori]

I'm not sure the exact number. It depends on how many enemies we're going up against, in terms of our captors, that is.

[ Mikazuki doesn't like to see himself as being in opposition to the people who have also been kidnapped... maybe it's a little naive and it'll wind up with him being hurt someday, but he can't help it. ]

...And yes, you're right.

Judging by how we were able to get to that room for that trial, I'm going to assume it involves also finding the correct hidden door.

[neverheardofhim]

Well... we'll just have to get to work on breaking it down, won't we?

[In the face of everything, finding something to set himself to was relieving. His chemistry experiment might not have gone so well, but that didn't mean he didn't have a chance of blasting it down. There'd been other ideas thrown around. With luck, one of them would do the trick.]

If you see anything worth looking into, you know where to find me.

[tsugomori]

Or maybe it can be as simple as opening up a hidden door in the floor.

[ Like it would be that simple, though.

Either way, Mikazuki will have some hope that someone will be able to find that exit; they can't afford to give up. Not now, not ever. ]

But, I'll keep that in mind -- as for today, you should try to take it easy. We've earned the rest for now, after all!

[ He'll give the man a wispy smile before he gives a small wave, and heads off! ]