and after the party it's the AFTER PARTY

[likemypicture]

[Tradition is Tradition.

Anne figures it's best to keep everyone busy in the aftermath of the trial, so she wrangles together a team of Mephisto, Santana, and Stephen to help her set up. Mephisto writes the notes and slides them under the door for Nana, Steven, and Christine, letting them know there's food and people in the dining room. The handwriting's not too great. Christine's note contains a 'P.S. If you don't feel up to it, I'll bring some food by later.' from Anne and a little doodle of Tad Cooper.


Thankfully, Anne has help setting up, so the weirdest of her food experiments don't make their way out of the kitchen. However, her platter of sandwiches does contain some interesting surprises--- you may find cheese and jelly, or peanut butter and chicken. There are normal things there too, though! And Biscuits, courtesy of Mephisto.

Their resident therapy dragon is on duty, too. Anne's made him a tiny crown for the event, and a regal little cape. He sits on a pillow in the middle of the dining room table, reigning proudly. ]

Comments

[heathencall]

They're far easier to get right.

[And they are definitely much better than the cookies. It's the little things.]

Thank you. For defending Christine.

[garbageface]

[ Yeah, these are actually...pretty good. Santana eats a little more. ]

It's whatever. [ santana is struggling with admitting that she's done something halfway nice, but she's trying. ] That squat thing is full of shit. Christine's better not activate, she didn't even ask for it.

[heathencall]

If it does, perhaps we could find some more of that drink and --

[And just wait for it to turn back on. Or be turned back on. Wait for the whole damn thing to start again.]

... And it never ends, does it?

[garbageface]

And do what? It doesn't seem like it did much for Jeremy.

[ it's a bitter pill to swallow, but at least Santana knows she can be a realist with Mephisto. ]

It's not gonna end until we get out of here.

[heathencall]

The only question becomes -- how many of us will survive?

[Just one? Or will they finally manage to outsmart the Phantom?]

[garbageface]

[ Firmly: ]

That's up to us.

[ There's got to be something they can do, some way they can avoid taking this lying down. ]

I don't completely hate you people. It'd be cool if we could all stick it to the Phantom and bail.

[heathencall]

[He musters something close to a smile]

I don't completely hate you either, Santana.

[She's right, though. He does his best to stick on a brave face.]

We just have to make sure everyone else is on that same page.

[garbageface]

[ When Mephisto says he doesn't completely hate her, Santana's gaze drops for a moment, as if she's bashful. That statement was a lot, coming from her, and it's a lot coming from Mephisto. It's strange. It's -- nice.

Her self-consciousness lasts only a short moment though, before her sharper expression returns. ]

Then we'll convince them. You can definitely convince Stephen, at least. And I think Christine thinks I'm, like, cool or whatever, so I can probably get her on board.

[heathencall]

Nana seems to like me well enough. And I think... I am starting to bond with Anna.

[Wonders never cease.]

Do you think you could compel Steven, then?

[garbageface]

Anne's cool.

[ nothing but respect for santana's party queen! ]

Yeah, I mean, the guy loves teamwork. I don't think I'll have to twist his arm, like, at all.

[heathencall]

Neither did I.

[But he wasn't going to actively exclude him, either!]

We will keep each other safe. There is no other choice.

[garbageface]

There isn’t.

[ Santana is quiet for a long moment, clearly thinking something over. Then: ]

I want to make a deal.

[heathencall]

[That's... Surprising. Concerning, even. He isn't particularly interested in seeing Santana being damned but --

Consider his curiosity piqued.]

For what?

[garbageface]

You. I want an insurance policy, to make sure you don’t pull any stupid self-sacrificing shit with the Phantom. If you do that, I’ll play nice for once, follow directions, help us all get out of here and defer to you and Stephen’s judgement.

[ a beat. Santana looks Mephisto straight in the eye, her gaze firm. ]

If that’s not enough, then you can take my eternal soul, instead.

[ She’s pretty confident she’ll be going to hell, anyway. ]

[heathencall]

That's not how my deals work, Santana.

[But he isn't outright discouraging her, either. Instead, Mephisto holds out a hand to the younger woman. His fingers curl until it's only a pinky remaining. Despite the comedic gesture, he looks devastatingly serious.]

A promise, then? No sacrificial behavior in exchange for your cooperation.

[garbageface]

[ It’s pretty hard to surprise Santana, but this does it. She stares at the pinky, like she can’t believe it’s there. ]

Are you — pinky promising me? Like preteen girls at a sleepover?

[ You know what? This might as well happen. Santana holds out her right pinky and wraps it around Mephisto’s, sealing the deal. ]

You know if you break one of these, I make your social life a living hell for the rest of time, right?

[heathencall]

[He huffs, just a little indignant. The finger remains extended though, even despite the stubborn furrow in his brow.]

Christine taught me. [As if that's somehow all the excuse he needs.]

I'll be sure to protect my circle of Anne and Stephen appropriately.

[garbageface]

[ okay, that checks out. Santana nods. ]

I’ll take Christine, Steven, and Nana.

[ great! adults and teens taken care of! nothing can possibly go wrong! ]