I have a dream that I want to fulfill with you...

[tsugomori]

[ Well, that was an extraordinary trial to have... it was certainly filled with many things that wouldn't be lost to the memory of most, even for weeks to come. Although, the return to "normalcy" could be something that wouldn't seem like it was wanted, it was better than the alternative to returning to anything at all.

With ease, Mikazuki find himself setting up the usual party in the usual place-- that would be the library of course. Notes have been slipped underneath the doors of others, or hung up on the walls to alert them of this post-trial "celebration" -- which was more like a get-together of some sorts now than a real party. ]


Please join us in the library again. Of course, food and drink will be provided.

- Mikazuki, Orihime, Hanyuu, & Estelle

[ The food and drink has been set out, what with there being tea, vichyssoise, cream puffs, and fish for everyone to enjoy. ]

Comments

[elepe]

[That manages to make her flinch, despite knowing Elda is capable of such things--physical contact was still kind of a weird thing for her, ever since she lost Mohn and her children. In general, it was still something she mentally tried to prepare herself for beforehand so she didn't jolt. But she accepts it, though she doesn't return it.

...But really, how can she possibly tell Elda that he's gone now? She can't just...backpedal after all of that. Or admit that she didn't want to have a terrible mood during truth or dare, so she lied to avoid it...

What an odd impasse.]

I'm thankful that the Wordsmith would let me have her. She's...been comforting, in this trying time.

[matchbreaker]

[ Come on Lusamine, you know you want to join the dead husband club. There's like at least three possible members here!

But no, she's just animatedly clapping the other woman on the shoulder, perhaps resisting the urge to grab her hands. All the same, Elda, ]

Oh I bet! [ She laughs ] Best I've gotten is some nail polish and my brush, but that's got nothing on a pet.

[elepe]

[...ha. Haha. God, talking about this--it's making her remember things...actually being good, for a time.

...]

I suppose it isn't, but...I'm glad you have wonderful memories as well, Ms. Marker. [...] Is that...your last name, or your husband's?

[matchbreaker]

Mine, actually.

[ She shakes her head ]

My James married into the Marker clan - we've always been a far more substantial family than the Edwardses.

[ The patting stops, but she's still over here, looking interested and... well, pleased to know Lusamine - actually ]

Do you guys not have family names, now I think of it?

[elepe]

I see. I hadn't been sure--I wondered if it was like Ms. Furude's case.

[...and you know--]

...We all simply know one another by first name in my world. Surnames typically aren't important. Most will find that family resemblence is the best identifying marker.

[...pun not intended.]

[matchbreaker]

Oh... well, that can happen! For vampires who live so long, at least back in Europe we would end up with branches. When I was a little girl my grandfather, great-grandfather, and father were still alive, as well as their siblings in the case of my father and grandfather. The further you are from the source, the less resemblance there will be, obviously.

[ . . . ]

But no, not quite the same as hers.

[ He wasn't a human, Elda can't help but think. But seemingly content with her hair now, she holds out her hand for Lusamine's, reaching around for her red nail polish... ]

[elepe]

[In that case, Lusamine holds her hand right out for Elda.]

Families tend to be rather centralized where I come from. Perhaps in the older days, there were branches. Of course, in Alola, most people consider and call just about anyone family. It's an unusual phenomenon of familiarity, but perhaps it is simply the level of closeness that is encouraged that acts as a surrogate.

[Shrug.]

Blood of the covenant, or something to that effect. I find it rather silly.

[matchbreaker]

[ She wishes she had a good file or something to deal with the cuticles, honestly, but while the bathroom is well supplied it's not that well supplied. That said, while she trusts Lusamine to keep her nails clean, Elda realizes she should give her a little wash and dry first. So she held up a finger and quickly came back out of the bathroom with a bowl of warm warm water to soak the other woman's fingers. She also brought out a towel for drying them!

That said... ]

Alola's the sort of place where Tethras would fit right in, then? [ She huffs- but no, she won't salt... ] Or maybe how you've been acting with that Gold boy.

[ Perhaps that was a bit of a needle? Or maybe just a question - her tone isn't nasty, just curious ]

[elepe]

[Lusamine does everything she can to keep her nails clean, really. Kira wasn't wrong to take an interest--it's clear that while they haven't received the treatment she'd usually give them, she's been doing everything she can to keep them nice.

...of course, after tonight, she almost wants to rip them to pieces--this'll at least ensure that she's less willing to do so. The water's nice...]

Perhaps. It would certainly be the object of an interesting story...

[...Lusamine pauses a bit at the snipe, not...really sure how to respond to that. There's a lot she could admit here...]

He's a child. He has to be looked out for...otherwise he's going to do something rash and get himself killed. I can't let that happen.

[matchbreaker]

Why not? It's not like he's one of yours.

[ This is perhaps Elda being able to look from a hill, a species removed from the whole affair. To her, a human child is always a human first. And to her, a human will always be one of those devils who killed her family and ran her out of her childhood home.

... Right?

There's some irony in the fact that here she is, soaking, washing, and gently drying Lusamine's nails. She's... she likes the woman. ]

[elepe]

[That gets Lusamine to tense right up, shooting a look at Elda.]

I consider him one of mine, at this point. Silver, as well. Children need to be looked out for, or else they'll get into something they shouldn't and--

[Lusamine stops herself dead in her tracks, turning away.]

I want to. That should be reason enough.

[matchbreaker]

[ Elda's gaze doens't falter, but it does become a spot more complicated. Considering them her own within a period of a few weeks. That's sure something. Elda keeps her steely gaze for a long moment, smiling to herself in an oddly knowing, or perhaps just a hint judgmental way.

... But she also won't press it because ultimately, ]

You're right. As long as you don't blow a vote on me, that's a good enough reason.

[ And she's going to end that by way of popping (well, unscrewing) the cap off the nail polish, content that she's dried Lusamine enough ]

[elepe]

[...she's thankful for that much, at least. She didn't want to expand much on it.]

Hmph...

[...There's a tangible pause there, for a moment. And...really, the more she considers it? The more she has plenty of reasons not to. Even in a situation like this, those who've voted wrong haven't been punished. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to give Elda that sort of promise.

On the other hand, it'd be incredibly stupid to say something like that. Elda could use it against her, and she wouldn't doubt that the woman would. That and while playing nice had perks, the court room was a different matter.]

Don't do something that would force me to do that, then.

[matchbreaker]

Oh, don't worry, this isn't about me. [ She laughs, shaking her head ] If I'm ever the real culprit, you won't figure it out. I meant that if your Silver or your Gold ends up being guilty, you better not hesitate.

[ She refuses to die for sentimentality ... or at least, that's the vibe she tries to project. It's...

Well, she definitely comes off sincere. This was probably too harsh, but at least she's saying it while evenly applying the base coat. But on the flip side, that means that she won't be making eye contact. ]

[elepe]

[Don't worry, Lusamine stops making eye contact after a bit--she at least knows better than to react to that, but...

Not only does Elda have far too much confidence, but she's asking an impossible request of her. She can't fulfill that, no matter how hard she tries. But...]

...There won't be hesitation, then. Simple as that.

[It probably sounds cold, but she doesn't say what she won't hesitate to do. And in this case, it's likely lobbing a vote at herself.]

[matchbreaker]

Alright, as long as we're square.

[ She... trusts Lusamine. Despite everything - perhaps even because of everything - Lusamine is one of the people she mosts likes and trusts here at the university. Not that she's going to say that specifically.

No, she'll just keep gently applying the base coat. ]

Your turn for a topic.

[ She picked one light one, and one heavy one. She knows it's fair to offer Lusamine the same. ... Since when did she believe in fair, though. ]