pick a god and pray

[garudynamic]

[Like the weeks before, once everyone has wandered off their separate ways, notes are posted to each room that still has a warm body in it. Only this time the writing is much messier then any other notice]

None of us feel like celebrating, but I think Yato would approve if we don't spend the night hiding out because of him
There's warmed up food in the Game Room if you're hungry. Might be best to not be alone tonight.

-Yosuke

[And as promised there's leftovers in the Game Room; and eventually fresh stuff as Tarrlok gets to work in the kitchen. Yosuke is there, trying to set something up on one of the shelves, but otherwise you are left to your own devices]

Comments

[prismbloom]

[ Somehow, this "punishment" seems even worse than usual. Overkill--that's what it was, and it makes Aqua angry more than anything. Angry at the Kingmaker.

Angry that she hasn't been able to keep her promise to Caren.

She's baking, too, quite intently. If any of the treats she's made were creative before, it's nothing compared to tonight. There are a lot of flavors: green tea with white frosting and matcha sprinkled; chocolate with a gooey peanut butter center and chocolate shavings settled on top of the peanut butter frosting; cheesecake with graham cracker sprinkles; tiramisu with actual rum in the frosting (not too much, of course; or maybe it's just a flavoring) and miniature lady fingers on top.

She has a feeling Yato would approve.

Aqua does join the gathering itself; the cupcakes are set up on one of the tables, but she can't get herself to eat right now. ]

[isafraid]

[Of course a lot of people gravitate towards the kitchen. Speedwagon himself turns up there eventually. He smells food, which seems to click in his brain that he's still got an appetite. Somehow, this place hadn't wiped that out yet.]

Aqua... [Speedwagon wasn't sure what to say, besides the obvious. Look at all those treats.]

How long have you been at this?

[prismbloom]

Since the end of the trial.

[ Her voice sounds just a touch clipped; Aqua takes a deep breath and calms herself. It's not you she's mad at, Speedwagon... no, it's the Kingmaker she's mad at, of course. She takes another deep breath before attempting a smile. ]

How are you faring?

[isafraid]

Ah...? [He sounds tired, though still a bit surprised by the surprising clip in her tone. It's no wonder how this nonsense just keeps testing their nerves, especially the sort of person like Aqua.]

...Can't say I'm must better then anyone else right about now. [He tenses, letting his shoulders fall.] Feels like we've done this too many times.