Second.

[trustwellness]

A week's distance from the last death seems to have helped some of you, seems to have calmed things down somewhat; the presence of a new floor has helped a little in that endeavor as well – things are a little less claustrophobic, a little more open. Of course, for others things haven't been going as smoothly; between the odd dreams that you've all been experiencing and the Wordsmith's incentive, the added space may just be encouraging distance between you and your fellow Apprentices. It seems that only time will tell how things will progress from here. Friday morning comes, and with it comes the brightening of the lights throughout the University – though it seems there's something a bit wrong with the second floor in that regard. Namely, the workshop remains dark. That's probably going to be a problem. >Explore?

Comments

[trustwellness]

[It looks like they've been through a rough time.

There are a few clear injuries that can be seen just from the soft light the candles are giving off across this person's facial features, contusions and the like; just the same, they're in no way unrecognizable - the long teal hair is more than enough to ensure that, as are the glasses lying askew across the bridge of his nose.

He doesn't stir when approached; he isn't breathing, and there are no signs of life.

Christo is dead.]

[feistytrader]

[...Silver's seen people beat up before, but he's never really seen a dead person like this, so combined with the fact that he's not well lit, Silver's going to try to shake him awake.]

[oyashiromama]

Silver...

[A gentle, shaking hand on his arm.]

S-Silver it won't...do any good.

[feistytrader]

[...Silver looks at Hanyuu for a moment, then slowly nods and retracts his hand.

It's not quite registering just yet, but one thought runs through his head; how did anyone deal with this last time?]

[introspects]

Silver-kun...he's really...

[ Seeing Silver shake his body is just...so heartbreaking. She can't believe Christo's gone. He didn't deserve this. ]

[feistytrader]

[...He's not really sure what's appropriate to say here, so instead he gets up and holds out his arms. Mind the candle, but... Come here, Orihime. Hugs are the best comfort he can really offer.]

[introspects]

[ She will hug him right back. It's almost a bear hug, but just a little more desperate than that. Orihime doesn't cry this time but still shakes, grateful Silver is alive but still in shock over what's happening. ]

[oyashiromama]

You shouldn't stay here. Take Weavile somewhere else, alright? Get yourself some food. You'll need your strength.

[She's on auto-pilot. She has to keep this boy safe.]

[feistytrader]

[Silver stares at Hanyuu for a moment- that's a nice out, and he'd like to take it, but he shakes his head and his expression hardens.]

No. I'm going to help too.

[oyashiromama]

Aah... [She can't stop him if he really wants to. Not with that look on his face.] Alright. I'll be close by if you need me.

[trustwellness]

[Nothing.]

[oyashiromama]

[...oh

Hanyuu is very quiet. The first one like her she'd seen in centuries, gone.]

Christo. [Somehow, she finds her voice, strangled and choked.] It- someone- keep Killia out, oh no.

[neverheardofhim]

I've got it. [He'll turn away, guilty for feeling something akin to relief. His first thought had been of the children remaining, after all.]

[But none of this was right, and it was making him sick that he was thinking otherwise.]

[oyashiromama]

Th- thank you. I'll- I'll be fine, I just need a moment-

[But she appreciates this and will take that moment to collect herself.]

[iaspis]

[Why, why did it have to be Christo?

Her fist shakes.]

[byday]

[Bruce walks into the room silently. He's a bit more solemn than usual, and clenches when he sees the body.

They'll find the culprit again. He knows they will. But he doesn't know how much good it will do.]

[tsugomori]

[ ... They had been just speaking not too long ago, hadn't they. It's still a shock that he's just lying there, clearly dead, and - hah - he's not going to be getting up any time soon, is he?

That's just how it is, he doesn't have time to dwell and well, he knew a certain someone who should at least be notified with what happened, so at some point he'll make a movement to do that. Not to mention, he's not of any use here, so quietly, Mikazuki leaves the body of the man behind with the others. He doesn't know if he'll be able to keep Killia out, but he shouldn't be kept in the dark. ]

[deofoled]

[ Killia has been doing his level best to avoid people as best this entire week. There's a few times he's gone out briefly, but he really didn't want to deal with anyone.

So he's in his room when Mika comes by, and he can tell by the other's face that someone is dead. He's not surprised.]

Who is it?

[tsugomori]

[ It probably shouldn't be a surprise, and indeed, the solemn expression he has is hard to miss. The man doesn't waste time dodging around the subject like others may have done so; there's no point. ]

. . .It's Christo.

[deofoled]

What?

[ That's all he's saying before he is just barreling past Mika, manners be damned because he's using all of his force to just get out. He doesn't know where Christo is but that doesn't matter, this place isn't too big and he'll just follow the crowd of people.

Hope you're ready for one pissed off beyond belief demon trying to get into the workshop.]

[tsugomori]

[ Mikazuki is definitely less clumsy in battle, honestly, but since he was sort of probably standing at least partially in the way, he's knocked a bit to the side, and ... maybe he should've been prepared for that. He wasn't, however. But, if there's one thing Mikazuki has got going, its quickness, and he's going to try to see if he can reach him in time to block the way bodily... or hope someone else gets to it before he does. ]

Killia, please hold on a moment!

[ This is getting to be a Day. ]

[neverheardofhim]

[Varric had faced pissed off demons before, but this... This was almost too much.]

Easy, kid, easy. [Grief was a hell of a thing, and after this week, the dwarf knew that all too well. Varric placed his hands on the man's forearms, or at least made an attempt at it. In the meanwhile, he shot Mikazuki a look, searching for help, or perhaps more words of assurance.] You don't need to see that, okay. Let them do their work.

We'll make this right.

[deofoled]

[ He doesn't hear anything Mika says, as all he can hear is the same word repeating itself in his mind over and over.

"Again. Again. Again."

But when's he's forcefully stopped at the door it snaps him out of the fugue, though it certainly doesn't calm him any. It's a good thing Varric has his hands on Killia's arms because he is very much just going to try to fight his way through, so hopefully the dwarf can get some leverage on him this way. He's not holding back either, so depending on how he's stopped he might draw some blood with his claws.]

Don't tell me what I need to do, LET ME IN!!!!!

[tsugomori]

[ Mikazuki will literally catch up; if it looks like Varric can't hold him back the man will come try to see if he can help hold him back from behind if it's needed. He has a feeling that no matter what he says, it'll be nigh-impossible to assuage Killia's rage. Still, he does make an attempt so he doesn't disrupt things, as cruel as that may sound. ]

Please listen to him -- at least let them finish their investigation before you go in.

[ ... ]

We will find out who did this, but for now, it'll be best to take a moment if you can. It's not much comfort, I know, but I'm here for you.

[neverheardofhim]

[Caught up as Varric was in keeping Killia in place, he didn't really feel the claws rip across his skin. In any case, it was nothing he wasn't used to. Given the amount of scraps he'd found himself in, this was likely the least devastating wound he'd suffered in awhile.]

This is his game, Killia. Let them play it.

[It was sick, seeing their lives reduced to this -- to murder and dispensing of some mockery of justice. He knew that if the roles were reversed, if it were Hawke in there and him out here, he would have felt the same damn well. But it didn't change what needed to be done. Survival hinged on the methodical investigation going on inside.]

Mikazuki, take his shoulders, will you? [Varric was a strong man, but his low vantage point made the struggle next to impossible.]