and it takes, and it takes, and it takes

[acherontiastyx]

[It... definitely takes a while for the weekly after-execution note to arrive, but it does --- kind of scrawly and on ripped paper rather than nice stationery.]

EY. YO. WE GOT EFFIGIES IN THE DINING ROOM AND WE'RE GONNA BURN EM.

FOOD TOO. THE USUAL AND HOT COCOA. GOOD FOR THE SOUL. GET SOME. MAYBE TAKE IT BACK TO YOUR ROOM IF YOU HAVE TO. JUST GET SOME.

[Anyway, in the dining room, there's plenty of mugs set out, with a janky looking arrow sign pointing into the kitchen to where you can get your hot cocoa. On the table, there's Vichyssoise, a pot of green tea, and some booze. There's also a cookie tray on the floor away from the table on which to burn the Wordsmith and Kimbley effigies, which are handily placed near the food on the table.

...also if you go in the kitchen without shoes on just. Watch the northern corner. There's no kidneys, but there's a lot of broken plates there for some reason...]

Comments

[introspects]

[ A note for you, a note for you--a note for everyone!!! ]

Jasper-san,

I'm sorry about what happened. It must be difficult to process everything that's happened. I care about you a lot and I hope you know that I'm here for you, like how you were here for me. You don't need to reply to this, but if you want to, you can leave it under the door of Room #3.

- Inoue Orihime

[iaspis]

[Jasper does notice the note, and takes it, but it's still a while before she comes out of her room. When she does, she heads towards Orihime's room, knocking quietly on her door.]

[introspects]

[ Orihime's eyes might be a little red from crying in her room, away from where nobody can see her; she opens the door regardless, overwhelmed with emotion, and even more so when she sees Jasper.

Without saying a word, Orihime pulls Jasper into a hug. ]

[iaspis]

[She looks startled, but doesn't pull out of the embrace. It's awkward, because Jasper isn't used to things like this.

But after a moment she returns the embrace, not saying anything just.... standing there quietly.]

[introspects]

[ It's okay, Jasper; Orihime's here, no matter how awkward it is. Jasper gives pretty nice hugs, though.

After a moment, Orihime lets go so she can stand back and face her. ]

I can close the door.

[iaspis]

Yes, that would probably be best.

[So obviously the solution is to slip inside. Not that Jasper is very concerned with her reputation now. If ever, really.]

[introspects]

[ Orihime doesn't care about Jasper's reputation. Jasper is one of her friends. She's okay with this. ]

What are you thinking right now?

[iaspis]

...I don't know.

[She's quiet for a moment.]

Why he did it. Why he didn't tell me he was planning on doing it.

[She means Kimbley, but she doesn't bother clarifying.]

[introspects]

Ah...

[ She wishes she could provide some sort of answer, solution, but.. ]

I...I didn't know him as well as you did. But...will you be okay?

[iaspis]

I... think so.

I'm angry with him, but I...

Well. I'm in no hurry to join him. We need to keep our numbers up.

[introspects]

I'm glad to hear that.

Our numbers...really dropped a lot this week, haven't they?

[iaspis]

Yes. It's... really awful.

We need to keep the numbers up, somehow. But I don't know how to stop killings, either.

[introspects]

[ this is awful. everything about them being here is awful. yet...yet, there is something good, in all of this: ]

I don't know if we can stop the killings, but the most we can do is be there for one another.

[ orihime places a kind, gentle hand onto jasper's. ]

If you ever need to talk to someone, Jasper-san, know that I'm always here to listen.

[iaspis]

Yes. I'll keep talking to you, keep talking to others.

It's the only way to stay sane, I think.

[introspects]

Right. That's why we're all trying to support one another...

[ she smiles sadly, wistfully, looking off and away from jasper-- ] Wouldn't it be nice, to return to those days before we wound up here?

[iaspis]

I... don't know.

[She's quiet for a moment.]

I don't think I would choose that life for me, now, if I could. Maybe I'm alone in thinking that.

[introspects]

...Really?

[ so...this question might be a little invasive. it might make jasper uncomfortable. but orihime's going to ask anyway: ]

What was your past like, Jasper-san?