do it for love

[penduli]

[ Every week is the same song and dance, but it never really gets easier, or works, or ever seems like it’s going to stop.

There will be time for everyone to rest before Black comes knocking on their doors (a moot point, given the soundproofedness of them) and slipping a note beneath them. He needed the respite too, and they needed to prepare food, and… he still thinks it’s a little weird to have a party after a trial, but he’s starting to really understand why it’s not a bad idea, either. ]

[Name],

Misa would’ve wanted us to keep a smile on our faces, or at least put a smile somewhere. There’s a pancake bar up in the chapel, if you’d like to come by and make a few happen. If you don't want to come, that's fine, too. The offer's open all night.

Ever yours,
Black

[ …the ending is something he’s never quite shaken, unfortunately.

Those that make their way up to the chapel will, indeed, find a pancake bar, courtesy of Yosuke and Stan (because Black never feels that hungry after trials and someone needs to stress bake here). That is, there are pancakes! There are syrups, whipped cream, fruits, berries, candies, etc! Sprinkles! Hot chocolate, ice cream… everything you could want for your build-your-own-pancake masterpiece. It’s all set up on some tables shoved against the chapel’s walls.

…special Stancakes (or pancakes with a hint of Stan in them, aka some of his hair that might’ve gotten in there accidentally, whoops) are also available.

There’s also alcohol—dessert wines mostly, to pair with their overwhelming sugar bias, but there’s some ordinary stuff there too. Pancake bar.

The framed photos are where they’ve always been on the center area, along with their matching stuffed animals. …or most of them; some haven’t been made, some pictures haven’t been put up, you get the idea. ]

Comments

[prismbloom]

They'd be lost without us, Sigrun. [ Her voice sounds almost hollow. ] The guys are too hopeless, aren't they?

[captainobnoxious]

So hopeless. Just imagine if they had to go on without us. They'd be dead within a day.

[Morbid humor's the way to go, yup, but she's taking Aqua's hand in her own to squeeze it.]

But... like we told Misa. No more. We'll do the best we can and keep who we can safe.

[... Even if it feels hopeless in that regard.]

[prismbloom]

[ ... She admires Sigrun's strength, truly. Sigrun's the type of person Aqua wishes she'd known, growing up. She's never been unhappy, far from it, but sometimes she'd wished for another female role model.

Better late than never, she supposes. Aqua hesitates for a moment, then leans against her, head on the other woman's shoulder. ]

You don't have to do it alone, Sigrun. None of us do. [ She's noticed--noticed that Sigrun's been less than herself lately. Aqua knows well what it's like to take on so much responsibility. It's not something anyone should shoulder alone. ]

[captainobnoxious]

[Funny how she'd told that to Misa before. To pretty much everyone at some point. Getting it tossed back at her like that just makes her laugh, patting Aqua's hand.]

Aqua, I've been doing this for a long, long time. [Leading people. Seeing others die. Feeling the burden of leadership.] And if there's anyone who needs to be the one that does something alone, I'm the one with the most experience.

[And she knows that Aqua might have something to say about that, so she pins a quiet look on the girl before continuing.]

A leader is only as good as the people who follow her. And I wouldn't be much of a leader if I didn't have people behind me, so in a way, I'm not doing it alone -- I'm just prepared to do things that the rest of you shouldn't or can't. I might not lean on the rest of you the way you've done me, but it's your support that keeps my head above water.

[And yet drags her beneath at the same time, but that's not something she'll say.]

So as long as you've got that kind of faith in me I'll keep doing what needs to be done. 'Kay?

[prismbloom]

[ She listens--and she respects Sigrun, more than she could ever explain. It doesn't keep her from worrying, though, of course. Aqua gives her hand a little squeeze, and she can sense there are things Sigrun won't--can't--say, for whatever reason.

... Aqua knows well to not force the issue, though. She's done her share of mucking up relationships, and this? Sigrun? She's important to Aqua.

Which makes what might happen in the future hurt even more. But they had promised Misa. No more murders. ]

You don't have to worry about whether or not I have faith in you. But, Sigrun, [ she says quietly, giving her hand another squeeze, ] even if you never do, I'm here to help you if you ever ask me.

We have to stick close together, after all. We can't leave these hopeless men on their own.

[captainobnoxious]

[Sigrun can't help but feel touched by that, softening for a moment as she takes her hand away just to give Aqua a one-armed hug instead.]

I'll keep it in mind, honey. Thanks.

[prismbloom]

[ Aqua returns the hug, coming away with a smile. ]

You're welcome. [ Hmm. ] Is there anything I can get for you?