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

[oyashiromama]

[Hanyuu cries every week at the start of each afterparty. She goes to her room, and she cries, that's just what she does.

...This week is not an exception. However, she...emerges, a bit sooner than usual.

I promise.

She held that boy's burned hands before he died. She will not desecrate his memory.

So, she goes to the dining room, for sweets, and will sit quietly for awhile. Other than that, she's seeking people out. Looking for those who look alone or isolated, offering hot cocoa. She...doesn't look great. That hasn't changed. Hell, she hasn't smiled all week. But though her face is red and streaked with tears and her eyes water, she is firm and determined. For right now, she will try to be strong.

...In the kitchen she's a bit less so, as she...starts to make some cream puffs and just starts to sob as she does so. They're going to taste far too salty, sorry Gold.]

[matchbreaker]

[ God, what a day.

Elda's own actions are sort of a perverse mirror of Hanyuu's. The vampire's sentimentality is far, far lesser, but she ends her night, what she can handle of it, finding the other woman and accosting her by way of putting a hand on her shoulder. ]

Hanyuu.

[oyashiromama]

[She's been crying on and off all night, so she looks positively awful. Still, at least Elda doesn't startle her this time.]

A-aah... Elda, I- I'm sorry, I've been looking for you too.

[She's trying to do so much.]

1/2

[matchbreaker]

Don't apologize to me-

[ That's too harsh. She frowns, and then falters - her voice softens ]

[matchbreaker]

... Let me stay with you tonight, Hanyuu.

[ She's just going to cut to the chase. Whatever Hanyuu wanted to talk to her about can wait ]

[oyashiromama]

[...Oh. Hanyuu doesn't even take a moment to consider.]

Alright. Of course. ...My bed won't be very comfy for someone...used to a coffin, though.

[matchbreaker]

My coffin isn't big enough to fit two people. [ She... actually laughs at that, a little weakly. A little sheepishly. ]

But it's okay, we'll share your bed.

[oyashiromama]

My mattress certainly is big enough. ...And I don't really want to be alone tonight either.

dining room

[introspects]

[ As soon as Orihime lays her eyes on Hanyuu, she will pull her into a tight, warm hug. No questions, no greetings, no pleasantries--just this. ]

[oyashiromama]

[She accepts it, instantly. She tries to keep her eyes dry, but- well-]

I- I couldn't...do anything for him.

[It's small and it's pained.]

[introspects]

Nothing could have stopped them, Hanyuu-san. They knew what they were going to do...and were ready to accept the consequences...

[ As saddening as it is, that's that. That's the truth. She doesn't know what else to say. ]

[oyashiromama]

He was... They were both so good to me...this week. Both, a-and I was so...so worried, but still...!

[She knows. Really, she does, she just...needs a moment.]

[introspects]

I know...it's okay, Hanyuu-san. We all love you.

[ Just gonna hug her some more. She feels so much pain for her right now.. ]

[oyashiromama]

[It makes her cry harder, bury her face into Orihime's shoulder, and hold her tight. Be quiet for a moment, then:]

I-I'm sorry... I'm sorry...you have t-to reassure me...like this.

kitchen

[deofoled]

[ He's here making two cakes because this is a thing that is happening today, when he spots her crying while trying to make the cream puffs.]

Do you want me to make them for you?

[oyashiromama]

[Hanyuu fiercely shakes her head.]

N-no, I- I have to, h-he- i-it's for him-

[She never got to cook for him.]

[deofoled]

Okay.

[...]

Will you let me help at least?

[oyashiromama]

...

[A sharp nod.]

S-some eggs. I-I'm making a, aah...a double, s-so...eight of them.

[deofoled]

I'm on it. [ He practically lives in this kitchen, so he produces the eggs in record time.]

Do you want to talk about something else? I can tell you about the one Netherworld that isn't like the rest.

[oyashiromama]

[As she continues the recipe, trying to quell her sobs, she nods once more.]

Pl-please.

Kitchen

[neverheardofhim]

[The sounds of crying are what drew Varric to the kitchen as he passed it by. He entered slowly, though his pace picked up at the sight of the woman therein. He crossed the room and quickly set a hand on her arm, expression becoming all the more worried by the moment.]

Easy, easy, Feather... [There was no sensing in asking what was wrong or if she was okay. He knew the answers to both.] Just... take a break and let out, okay?

[oyashiromama]

[She takes a step away from the stove and covers her face with her hands. It's ugly crying, full of sobs and wails and it's just what she's like. She tries so hard to cry...at least not in a public area, but she can't help it, right now.]

I-I should've...! [What? She doesn't know.]

[neverheardofhim]

[With the hand on her arm apparently not doing a damn thing, Varric settled for something else entirely. He wrapped his arms around her, hand settling up between her shoulder blades and against the small of her back. It was a slightly awkward hold, their heights considering, but not nearly as bad as the times he'd comforted or been comforted by Hawke or Lavellan.]

Hey... none of that. He pressed his cheek against her shoulder, fingers rubbing comforting circles into her back.] It's... it doesn't do any good to get caught up in the should haves.

[oyashiromama]

[Her voice hitches as she sobs, arms going around Varric. Awkward, yes, but it's alright.]

I-I told them to take care of each other...!

[neverheardofhim]

And they did. It's... it's not ideal, I know, but... [He squeezed her tighter, but it did nothing to ease the helpless feeling in his chest.]

You were good to them. And they appreciated that. They could have done a lot worse than you, Feather.