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

[foundfate]

[He shakes his head.]

Fate is...kinda complicated, really, but if it helps fate doesn't control every little action we take in our lives. It's something that happens sometimes, usually for significant reasons.

We were all fated to come here, for example. Even if we knew it was coming, we wouldn't have been able to change it. Fate doesn't dictate if you're going to eat or not tonight, though.

[firstaid]

Fated to come here. [She mulls over those words.]

When you put it like that, it's the only thing that really makes sense. Otherwise... even I don't know why I would be placed in a place like this to play such... a cruel game.

[foundfate]

Exactly. We didn't come here because we wanted to, or even because someone else wanted us to suffer. Fate dictated that we are supposed to be here.

Hopefully we're also fated to put an end to games like this.

[firstaid]

I... I truly hope so.

[She hugs her knees against her chest and buries her face in her knees.]

Honestly, I... I don't think I can do this anymore.

[foundfate]

Don't talk like that. We found out a lot of stuff last week. Maybe if we keep finding keys, or even doors to go to those keys, we'll find the way out soon. It can't be much longer now.

[firstaid]

I want to believe. I truly want to. I want to keep believing. Because the moment I give up it's over.

[Those words, they sound forced.

Varric told her to fight.

Killia told her to survive... that's probably the only thing keeping her sane right now.]

[foundfate]

And if you ever feel like you can't keep going, that you just want to fall down and give up, then I'll pick you up and carry you until you can stand on your own two legs again.

[firstaid]

Watanuki...

[She looks up at him.]

...you don't have to do that. It would just be a burden.

[foundfate]

I'd still do it. Today, tomorrow, any day. Because I know that, if I couldn't carry myself, you and everyone else would do the same for me.

[firstaid]

You're too kind.

[But...]

Though you're right. I would help you if you were in this situation.

[foundfate]

Yeah. And that's what we need to do: help each other.

[He smiles.]

That's also part of why we were all fated to come here: those of us here specifically, we were all fated to meet. And now that we've met, our lives will never be the same again.

[firstaid]

At the very least, I'm very happy that I've met you, Watanuki.

[She smiles at him.

She also has her arms open wide. It seems she wants a hug. While she's sitting on her bed.

That's not awkward.]

[foundfate]

[It totally is a little.

But okay, Watanuki will walk over and give her a hug, as awkward as it may be.]

[firstaid]

[Good, because she is just in need of physical comfort tonight above all else. When he hugs her, she definitely hugs back and rather firmly like she needed this.

She can attempt to wear her brave face, but it's clear that even though she's avoiding everyone right now, she needs people to comfort her.]

[foundfate]

[Luckily comfort is one of the few things he can actually offer here. Comfort and food.]

...you probably shouldn't stay alone tonight. Do you have anyone you can be with?

[firstaid]

No... I've... always stayed by myself.

[She's never even thought of staying with someone else.]

[foundfate]

[Watanuki thinks of offering up his own room, but that might make things awkward, and Silver probably wouldn't appreciate it. But then he realizes that he might be able to take care of two things at once.]

Are you on good terms with Vanille?

[firstaid]

Yes, I am.

[At least they've always gotten along and have told fun stories to one another.]

[foundfate]

She normally stayed with Varric, so I'm not sure what she's going to do now.

[Hint Hint maybe staying with her for a few days would be a good idea hint.]

[firstaid]

So you're suggesting we should stay with one another...

[...that might be a good thing. However, right now hell will freeze over before Estelle leaves her room tonight.]

[foundfate]

It might be good for the both of you, yeah.

[firstaid]

It... might be. However, if she doesn't, I'll probably be fine. I'm... used to being alone, anyway.

[foundfate]

So am I, and I still ended up sharing a bed with someone.

[It's nothing scandalous, promise.]

[firstaid]

Sharing a bed is... nice. I did that a lot with Rita back home.

[She takes a deep breath.]

I miss her.

[foundfate]

Is Rita your...friend?

[Maybe girlfriend but he's not going to presume.]