And it's the stars, the stars that lie to you.

[neverheardofhim]

[This week, Varric opted to take a page from Vanille’s book. Gathering everyone together after the roller-coaster that the first trial had been proved to be somewhat cathartic for himself. He hoped that it would prove to do the same for the others.]

[He wasn’t alone, of course, having found himself blessed with the most ragtag team of chefs and party-planners. He might have had words for and thoughts on Elda and Kimbley, Mikazuki was welcome company, and he wasn’t about to turn away potential allies, even in a fight as simple as cooking dinner.]

[Once everyone’s set to a task, baking a cake, brewing tea, or stirring stew (the only task Varric could think to assign Elda to), Varric excused himself to his room. His first task was writing up cards, each personally titled and signed by Varric.]

Food in the Library. 5 p.m. Don’t spend the night alone.

[Each note was slid under a door and accompanied by a single rap on the wood.]

[With his tasks completed, Varric returned to the kitchen to put out any potential fires and, with luck, set the food out. A table in the library would be adorned with plenty of tea, cake, pancakes courtesy of Viktor, and stew thanks mostly to Varric (sorry, Elda).]

Comments

[ravagers]

[ After that whole thing, Vanille goes to her room. Welcome as the invitation from Varric is, she's not willing to do much of anything. She's already shown just how emotional she can get, and honestly, she's worried that something else might come out at the gathering.

That's... something she's not prepared to deal with yet, if at all. So instead, she sits cross-legged on her bed, cradling the flower close. It needs water, but... but Vanille doesn't want to leave just yet.

Even still, she won't mind if anyone comes by. Just knock. ]

[neverheardofhim]

[Varric had, admittedly, been watching for Vanille. And when her familiar locks failed to appear, he stood up. Much like he had with Orihime, the dwarf took it upon himself to ladle a fair amount of stew into a bowl and pour her a mug of tea. Both of these items were carried to her door and set down outside.]

[While his knock might have been abrupt, his voice was gentle.]

Open up, Bubbles. It's just me.

[ravagers]

[ She's crying when she hears his voice, and... well. It's a mark of how much she trusts him that she doesn't want to pull the mask over her face when he comes in. She gently sets the flower on her pillow and goes over to open the door. ]

H-hiya, Varric.

[neverheardofhim]

[The food at his feet was immediately forgotten, the second he saw her face. He stepped toward her, arms immediately snaking around her as he held her close. One of the hands against her back rubbed a gentle circle there, and a sigh escaped his lips.]

I'm sorry.

[ravagers]

[ It's the hug that gets her, and Vanille sort of crumples. She's small as it is, but now she feels even tinier than Judy. She drops her head onto his shoulder and trembles. ]

V-Varric... [ She can barely get his name out, and she hiccups a little. ] N-none of this is f-fair...!

[elepe]

[Not seeing Vanille at the party was...surprising, if not understandable. She took Alani's death very hard, and it feels so lonely without her being there. But...if she's doing this, she must need to recoop, and Lusamine is somewhat proud of her for that.

It's a little bit later when she comes by, but she has Clefable knock softly on the door while bringing a tray of food from the party. It only feels fair, after all.]

Vanille?

[ravagers]

[ Heck, more food can never hurt. Vanille's not crying as much by the time she opens the door, and when she sees Clefable, she can't help but smile.

(It's a very watery smile, though.)

She looks up at Lusamine after a moment. ]

Aww... you didn't have to bring me anything. [ Her voice lacks any pep, and there's a long pause before she moves to open the door a little more. ] ... But thanks. D'you want to come in?

[elepe]

It's only fair that I do the same for you, after you have done so for me. You look like you need something.

[Lusamine will come in, though, Clefable toddling in behind her. The latter sticks by Vanille until she finds where she wants to go, though--she seems cool, and she seems like she could use the help.

Lusamine doesn't quite put the tray down yet, not wanting to mess up anything in Vanille's room.]

And I can't say I blame you for wanting to avoid the hubris.

[ravagers]

Oh... thank you.

[ In all honesty, there's not much to mess up; she's been staying with Varric the past week, but there are a few items of note around; there's a rainbow-colored crystal on her desk, for one.

Vanille closes the door and gestures to the desk. ]

You can put the tray there. [ She appreciates Clefable's sticking close to her, and it'll get a little pat on the head. ] Erm...

[ ... well, she does feel comfortable around Lusamine, so. ]

I feel... kinda guilty, you know? There are people who're suffering more than I am...

[sportadork]

[SO LIKE he'd vaguely heard snippets of their last conversation, enough to catch "flower need water," so being the helpful moron he is he immediately went looking for a vase. did not find one. spent at least ten minutes wondering how much water an ocean-planet alien flower needs. decided it was probably a lot. thought some more. made an action plan.

so basically he's now at Vanille's door holding a full basin from the laundry room. he's knocking on the door with his foot.]

[ravagers]

[ She can't say she expected to have so many visitors tonight... Surely they'd all be at the gathering, right? She's not going to complain about people checking on her, even though there are people who need it more... like Hanyuu.

She opens the door, though, and she's a little puzzled about the basin. ]

Sportacus? What's all that for?

[sportadork]

Your flower! It needs water, right?

[beat]

I wasn't sure how much it would need. Do you think this is enough?

[ravagers]

[ oh... Vanille's getting a little misty-eyed again. ]

Hehe... That's real sweet of you. [ sniffle ] Um, I think that's gonna be enough.

[oyashiromama]

[Some time later. Maybe an hour? Either way, there's a soft knock at Vanille's door, with no voice calling out.]

[ravagers]

[ Vanille opens the door, and her heart squeezes all over again. ]

Hi, Hanyuu... What've you got there?

[oyashiromama]

[Her eyes are red, and she can't bring herself to smile.]

I... It's a letter. From...Alani.

[ravagers]

Oh...

[ .... ]

Thank you... for bringing it.

[firstaid]

[Estelle will knock on her door.]

Vanille? It's me, Estellise. May I come in?

[ravagers]

[ Oh, it's Estelle... honestly, she's glad she decided to drop by. Estelle's a friend, after all. ]

Mm-hm... door's open.

[firstaid]

[She'll open the door and come in, closing the door behind her.]

How are you feeling?

[She knows it's a loaded question, but at least it's something to start off with.]

[ravagers]

[ If Estelle looks around, she'll notice a few things: an opened letter on her bed, a basin from the laundry room all filled up and with Alani's flower in it, and an ice cream dish on the desk. ]

A little better. [ She fidgets with the hem of her skirt. ] Don't think I'll ever be one hundred percent, but... lots of people have helped me tonight.

[uncouthhatcher]

[Vanille's someone he hopes is never up on the block (or on the ground), and he's getting Polibo to actually get out of the shower at this point.

... The frog still isn't looking too well, but he's got a damp towel on his head and it's fine.]

Yo, Vanille? You in there?

[Because she wasn't at the gathering he spent a little time at, not big on parties for the dearly departed just yet, he's certainly knocking.]

[ravagers]

[ She opens the door and peeks out, then gives him a faint smile. ]

Hi, Gold. Hi, Polibo. You have fun in the water?

[uncouthhatcher]

He's been coolin' off.

[A small wave from the frog. Gold looks a little relieved at seeing her though, leaning more on one foot.]

How're you feelin'?

[ravagers]

Well... a little better, I guess. Lots of people've come to see me tonight.

[ She fidgets a little. ]

Sorry... for yelling at you during-- that.