i feel the love, and i feel it burn, down this river every turn

[oyashiromama]

[The trial, as usual, was taxing. It's for different reasons every week, but what it all comes down to is there are fewer of them than there were, and that keeps on happening. The note comes, as it always does, earlier than last week, but still with some delay. There's a note slipped under everyone's door. ...One under Gold's door because of course Silver will be staying there, she knows.]

Please come to the dining room, if you would like not to be alone. There will be food, and there will be some cards and board games if you need a distraction.

- Hanyuu & Elda

[True to that, there are a variety of foods. It's nothing too fancy. Rice, grilled fish, eggs in various styles. ...No creampuffs this time, it seems Hanyuu thought that would be a little in poor taste. Also a bunch of fries? ...Really spicy fries, like incredibly so.

On a far table, board games brought from the games room have been left out, along with many decks of cards.]

Comments

[ravagers]

[ She stands up and nods. ]

Yep. I never really thought it was you, you know?

[ the reason might be a touch selfish. ]

[plegia]

[Close enough, honestly.]

I didn't expect you to believe me at all, actually.

[And that's why he's here, because she actually believed in him. No one else does, usually.]

You're right to be on guard. I thought I knew Killia fairly well and look what happened.

[Did anyone see Killidia coming? If Killia had trusted even one of them with that secret would they have been able to help...?]

[matchbreaker]

[ That was ridiculous, right? Just as ridiculous as Lusamine last week. Or as ridiculous as everyone before that, when they were accusing her but denying the possibility it could have ben fish girl. Right? Elda would... ]

... You lied, you know. Either to me or to everyone else: You told me not a week ago that everyone here was clever in how they handled the cases, but just now you said we were idiots who would condemn you.

[plegia]

Half... I suppose you're right. I hadn't thought about that.

[It's the sort of thing he should probably have some kind of reaction to, but ultimately he doesn't feel anything about it right now.]

[iaspis]

The spices are amazing!

[SHE THINKS ALL FOOD IS AMAZING]

What is this food called?

[plegia]

That certain, hmm? I didn't think anyone could be.

[It's fairly obvious that he has no idea what to do with that given his expression.]

[tsugomori]

[ His lips turn up into a smile, it's an infinitesimal and slightly teary one, but it's one nonetheless. He somehow manages to look really relieved and happy at the same time. ]

Ah, well... I'm not sure. When I was first given form, I was wearing these clothing. I suppose I became quite used to them...

[ He probably had drifted over to sit on the bed during this time, but then he'll stand up so to make it easier on Gangrel. Who to think someone in this murdergame would go through the trouble of wearing four layers of clothing... ]

[matchbreaker]

Fries, apparently! You work from chopped up potatoes to fry and bake them in oil, tossing them with salts and other such things.

[ It's wild, man. ]

[plegia]

[...]

Bit of both, I suppose. I do think they're smart enough to work most things out, but I couldn't take the chance that they wouldn't turn on me.

[There's nothing in it for them if they did that, he knows. But some habits die hard. Paranoia's certainly one of them.]

[ravagers]

Well... You don't seem like the kind of guy who relies on wishes to get what he wants.

[ A shrug. And, well... nothing is guaranteed. So. ]

Besides, even if you don't think the same, you're a friend.

[foundfate]

Gah!

[Jumping forward in a startled manner is probably the most emotion he has shown in a few hours, so congrats.]

Elda!

[iaspis]

[She just looks sort of numb. All things considered, her face and inflection are blank.]

I'm beginning to doubt any of us will get out of here.

[iaspis]

That's amazing. It sounds like such a simple recipe. I've seen the others make much more complicated dishes before, too.

[plegia]

You really are ridiculous.

[It's lighter than it usually is though, just to make it clear that it's teasing and not serious. He'll get to work on those buttons, careful with his nails and the clothes alike to make sure nothing rips or breaks in the case of his long, perfect nails.

Eventually the battle with clothing will be won!! We did it.]

...Do you want to stay in here for the night? I'm not sharing my bed, but I can get someone to bring yours in.

[...he is not risking his nails for moving a mattress!!!]

party

[oyashiromama]

[Hanyuu's been so busy with the party, but Watanuki's one she's keeping an eye out for, so the moment she sees him, she walks over and places a hand on his arm.]

I'm sorry.

[matchbreaker]

Yes?!

[ She probably looks silly there, the sharpie words still on her head as she's smiling a bit impish now. ]

[tsugomori]

[ Mikazuki at some point does take a step out of Gangrel's room to head to Estelle's. If anything, he's still made the commitment to check up on her, because even though that they're both suffering through the same thing, he's sure she doesn't want to be alone. He's quite out of it though, so he gets a bit aimlessly lost because he's...distracted.

Then he hits up the kitchen to get some tea for the both of them, before finally managing to arrive to the pink-haired woman's room. He knocks at first, but when he doesn't hear a response, he enters right in, without saying a word. ]

[foundfate]

['his kids'.

Watanuki takes in a sharp breath when he hears those words. For all he had joked about it, about Varric being all motherly and like the 'cool uncle' and all, he hadn't actually expected anyone to consider him 'their kid'. It takes him a moment to be able to speak.]

What- what does it say?

[elepe]

Oh, yes. I've never been the biggest fan of it, considering my closeness with Pokemon...

[She waves it off though, it's not important.]

I don't believe I'm familiar with a rice omelette, but what did he try to teach you? Did he give you the name of the dish?

[Color her at least a little curious while she eats.]

[plegia]

[...remind him to tell you more about the fire emblem sometime...]

A friend.

[...]

You really need to consider that one again.

[WHAT IS HE SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THAT, VANILLE WHY]

[foundfate]

[At least by that point Watanuki is able to smile again. Even if it's clearly just meant to be reassuring, and he doesn't feel like smiling at all.]

It's alright, really. I'm fine.

[matchbreaker]

I don't ask you to trust them, or even me. But that hassle did delay things. And this time...

[ She hesitates to say this, even as she's laying down cards but, ]

This time we didn't win so much as Killia - or whatever ridiculous nam the red one went by - lost.

[ If he hadn't snapped ... they were going in circles, getting nowhere. ]

[ravagers]

Nope.

[ accept it. ]

But if it's weird for you I won't mention it again.

[matchbreaker]

They truly do! It's strange, that there's so much effort put into sustaining themselves. There must be a world of flavor.

[ One she'll never touch. ]

[plegia]

[...]

I want to argue that, I really do. But I don't have an argument and I'm beginning to think there isn't much point in us struggling like this every week. I don't want to die and I certainly won't give up, but...

[It really does feel pointless.]