we'll make it happen, we'll turn it around

[quadruples]

[ Well, that... certainly was a thing that happened. Viktor wishes he could unsee what he witnessed in the library, but it seems like it has etched into his memory forever. Thinking about it makes him sick to his stomach, and eventually he decides that he needs something to keep his mind off it, at least for a little while.

So around noon, a note goes up on the fridge: ]

If you need a distraction after what happened today, come to the dining room at 6 pm.
There will be food and we'll be playing truth or dare!
♥ Viktor Nikiforov ♥

[ There's also a cute doodle of himself underneath his signature. Later in the day, he writes copies of said note and slides them under everyone's doors. ]

[ Those who come to the dining room at will find that Viktor has made plenty of borscht, pancakes and open-faced sandwiches for them. He isn't the best chef ever, but it tastes pretty good and will fill you up! There's also juice, water, and a few bottles of alcohol for those who are old enough to drink; try to be responsible, okay.

And for the truth and dare, he's prepared shots of hot sauce as punishment for those who refuse a dare. ]

Comments

[oyashiromama]

[Good. This is good. Far enough away from her bad memory that this isn't taboo anymore and-

...and she'll just...leave out the most recent one.]

Her name's Rika. She's my...aah, I can't remember how many generations, but- she's...I'm pretty sure she's the reincarnation of my daughter. Looks, speech...everything, besides hair shade. She's sweet and playful and...

And she can see me.

[matchbreaker]

Oh... Oh! [ and suddenly, Elda takes Hanyuu's hands in her own, the cat ears drooping a bit a she does ]

That' excellent, Hanyuu! That means you aren't even alone anymore, right?! If she can see you, then you have a family you can interact with again, even as a ghost!

[ Leave it to Elda to be a bit on the nose ]

[oyashiromama]

[REALLY hit it on the nose but you know it's fine. Hanyuu laughs a little, nodding.]

It's only her, but...she's all I need, really. I felt more powerful since she was born, too, more like I'm there and won't fade.

[matchbreaker]

Good.

[ Elda's smile becomes softer, more sincere. ] I'm glad to hear we both got good news, Hanyuu.

[ And that we won't be alone ]

[oyashiromama]

Me too. [...Still, not mentioning that other thing, but- Sportacus was right, she saved Rika, she was given a second chance.]

Something was bound to go right, eventually, right?

[matchbreaker]

Yeah.

[ A beat, and then she bursts out laughing ]

I was half considering kidnapping you back to haunt our manor instead, you know!

[oyashiromama]

[She flushes a little.] O-oh, I couldn't have that! It's still my duty to to watch over the village, after all!

[matchbreaker]

I'm sure we'd be a lot more interesting though! You could see Karin grow up and Calera and Henry's arguments.

[ SEE? ]

[oyashiromama]

It doesn't matter what's interesting or not, despite everything, it's still my home. I appreciate the offer, really, but it wouldn't be the same.

[matchbreaker]

Awww well, not like I have the power of dimensions anyway.

[ SHRUGS.

... Cat ears flop a bit ]

[oyashiromama]

...Those really suit you, you know?

[She makes a good cat-girl.]

[matchbreaker]

--! Wha, really?! Seriously?!

[ BUT- ]

[oyashiromama]

Seriously! You have the right demeanor for it.

[matchbreaker]

N-no I don't, don't mess with me!

[ she shoves Hanyuu lightly... Her thing jingling again.

IS IT BECAUSE SHe'S A FANG GIRL ]

[oyashiromama]

[NOT AT ALL]

I'm being very sincere!

[matchbreaker]

[ WELL...

WELL...

She's going to shove Hanyuu again, but thise time shove a letter into her chest. This is done without warning so it might fall to the floor ]

Well here's another dare from earlier!

[ For the sake of thread consolidation! ]

1/2

[oyashiromama]

[It does fall to the ground, but Hanyuu, blinking in confusion, reaches to retrieve it!]

A- a letter...? Um, well, alright, I...

[So she reads it.]

[oyashiromama]

[


Oh she reads it jesus- Hanyuu goes red in the face and stammers.]

E- E-E-Elda, I- I'm beyond fl-flattered, but I- I-I'm terribly sorry, I don't- a-aah, n-not that way, I-I-

[it totally reads like a love confession]

[matchbreaker]

[ VICTORY! SHE MADE HANYUU BLUSH!!

And in fact she's so excited at that she's going to run off to go and brag to Gold about completing the dare... unless stopped...

She hasn't connected what Hanyuu is reacting to....... ]

[oyashiromama]

[DON'T JUST FUCKING LEAVE-]

H-hold on a minute?! W-we have to talk about this, I just rejected your confession...!!

[matchbreaker]

[ HUH.... ]

What, you blushed?! Besides, you said yes a while ago!

[oyashiromama]

What?! [Blushing more.] N-no, I- I agreed to be friends, but not- the magnitude your letter suggests, I-I'm-!

[matchbreaker]

Yeah, see, so you agreed! Don't turn your back on that now, girl!

[ THAT WOULD BE RUDE ]

[oyashiromama]

I-I agreed to be friends!

[she's so distressed]

[matchbreaker]

Exactly!

[ . . . um ]