Love's no good but it sure beats the hurt

[madgiganticfeelings]

[That was... Christine can only call it the most horrible thing she's seen so far, with that familiar dread that says something worse may come. Four people have died. Four friends Christine had trusted in and relied upon. And four more people she cares about have turned into memories and painful reminders of her failure to do anything meaningful here.

And Christine wallows in that. God, does she wallow. But she also knows that those painful ghosts of the people she loved relied on her to keep getting back up when the world knocked her down. And she has to keep going, if only to honour there memories.

The note she slides under each person's door is very simple, the bright orange gel pen somehow seeming duller in the wake of mourning:]

Food is in the dining hall.
Please come have something, or I'll track you down in an hour and force feed you.
If there's anything at all you need, please come talk to me. We shouldn't have to suffer alone.
-Christine

[There's a few dishes Christine knows how to make: lo mein and beef stew, some simple sandwiches as well. There are almond cookies after the more filling foods are prepared.

Off to the side is a plate with a few dumplings and... what looks like mashed turnips? An odd combination, but they were Angus' favourite.

And Christine is true to her word. If you don't come in an hour, she'll find you. In fact, she makes rounds around the opera house pretty much every hour, checking each room, and... maybe singing softly to herself as she goes.]

O god,
I can't stay, I won't stay for things left unseen
I can't stay, I won't stay, this end has no means
I can't stay, I won't stay, you were just a dream
A sweet sweet dream
You were a dream
But not my dream...

[Speaking of dreams, someone should convince her to go to bed.]

Comments

[heathencall]

[Shrugs!]

You never know until you try. And it would make me feel better about this whole mess.

[likemypicture]

[She continues to pout for a few moments-- but! It's one of her character traits that Anne will do just about anything to be liked. And he is currently manipulating the fuck out of that.]

Well. He's likely the least gross thing I've kissed. [And with that, poor Tad Cooper is getting swept out of the basket, and smooched.]

[heathencall]

[He at least has the decency to cover his mouth and... bite back whatever laugh tries to bubble up. He just wishes he had one of the cameras that --

No. Don't think about that.]

Well? Does he feel any different?

[likemypicture]

[Anne pulls back with shock, so dramatically that there must be something happening--] Ja! Ja! He is---- [She can't keep the joke. She dissolves into giggles, returning poor Tad Cooper to the safety of the basket.]

[heathencall]

[Ah, she got him. He tucks his head down, laughing almost a little... too hard. Probably not a big deal.

He's only shaking from laughter. And it only lasts a second before he pulls himself back together.]

Sorry, Tad Cooper. Suppose it wasn't your time

[likemypicture]

Tad Cooper will be fine. We will find him a nice, haughty little princess dragon to be friends with. Won't we, Tadothy? [She makes a few more silly kissy duck faces at Tad, then smiles, just relieved to hear Mephisto laugh.

Laughter. The finest of medicines. It won't heal what just happened today-- but if she can start-- well. She'd kiss worse than Tad Cooper, for that.]

[heathencall]

All the more reason to drag us out of here, isn't it? [He looks at the liz... dragon. He can believe that he's dealing with a dragon, right? It's no less unbelievable than a fallen angel being tamed by a group of teenage girls.]

We can't have him take after his new mother, after all. A life of celibacy? I shudder at it.

[likemypicture]

Of course. I have Richard's kingdom to rule now, and finding Tad Cooper love seems a good secondary reason. But-- hey! You know what they say. [She recites, as if carefully memorized]

The one who is most chaste, will win first place! [They being Anne, in this case. Anne is the only one who says that.]

[heathencall]

[Mephisto's... expression verges on the disgusted. Chastity? How dare you.]

Yes, I... suppose I did hear my brethren saying something similar. I imagine they'd quite like you.

[But for all that... he still seems amused. And grateful, at that.]

At least you'll be able to pray to God and tell him all about how you've resisted the temptations of a demon.

[likemypicture]

Wife five did counter with The biggest sinner is obvs the winner-- you'd probably like her too. But I kept my head, so who is the real winner there?

I'd rather tell God I made a demon laugh. That's wildly more impressive.

[heathencall]

Oh she does sound more my type. [he shakes his head.] But I think I much prefer you. Horrible taste, maybe, but I haven't met a queen willing to kiss a dragon for me before.

I think that makes you far better company.

[likemypicture]

Or--maybe it was wife two? I can't remember. Either way. Only one Queen partied in her own personal 'Little Prussia'. You made a good choice-- even if I am doomed to lose the contest. I may have claim to the most boring sex life-- but that doesn't mean I couldn't still get down!

[heathencall]

It's not too late for you. I'm sure we could find a dashing suitor for you. One with less... obvious blemishes as your previous partner. And certainly someone better than Tad Cooper, even.

[He has no idea who but. He'll figure it out. He will not let this poor woman live a sex free life.]

[likemypicture]

I don't believe there is anyone better than Tad Cooper. But--- better than my last husband. That shouldn't be too difficult. [She smiles, though.]

Thank you. I never thought I would find myself friends with a demon-- but here we are.

[heathencall]

And I never thought I'd befriend a Catholic. [He shakes his head, returning her smile all the same.]

Stranger things have happened here, I suppose.