[After...party?] I would give anything, but for the grace of God I'm here and still aware

[madgiganticfeelings]

[So that... certainly happened. Christine ran along with everyone else to escape the suffocating smoke, slamming the doors behind them in the hope it would slow the flames down. She tries not to see sticky beer-stained carpet as she runs, tries to hear the voices of her newfound friends, rather than the screams of teenagers, but it's certainly difficult.

She only stops to hastily throw open the door to Steven's room and let out Lion with them, but otherwise retreats into the gardens before... letting herself watch the opera house in silence.

Thankfully, it doesn't end with as much damage as the last fire Christine experienced. In time, she can stop shaking and unfold the note still clenched in her hand. And then she looks back at the opera house with... a different kind of fear on her face.

A fear so deep that when Mephisto and Anne finally start suggesting the possibility of returning inside, she's up on her feet in an instant.]

Meeting in the woman's first floor washroom. Give me ten minutes and I'll be there.

[Before anyone can argue with her, she runs off, hoping she sounded firm enough for them to follow her request.

She and Lion move to Stephen's room first to acquire whatever notes might still be there, but she's returns to the bathroom soon enough, all the papers now collected in her binder.]

Okay. We're probably freaked out. God knows I still am. And I want to encourage you to leave when you need to, take a break if this all gets to be too much. But I think... I think I speak for everyone- [Finally, finally she can speak for everyone. Her voice is strong enough now.] - when I say this.

[Her knuckles go white around her binder and her eyes spark back to life.]

We are not letting that fucking Wizard win anymore. So let's talk time loops.

Comments

[heathencall]

You can say you don't mind all you want. It doesn't make it right.

[But he doesn't want to argue. Even now, as he tries to keep from putting too much weight on her, his soul feels weary. He feels like Ariel must have, after Helena's death. Wallowing in his grief. Lamenting his love.

And he'd spat in his face the same words that he'd offered Stephen. Even if he wanted Stephen to burn in hell for betraying his trust, it didn't change how he still felt. That made him angrier than anything.]

Will you give me tonight to mourn, Christine? I promies that tomorrow, I'll pull myself back together.

[stagemanagers]

nnnnnnnnmaybe
it's fine

idk i could try again but she seemed
idk
not mad? she wasnt MAD
but maybe like she wasnt gonna keep doing that if it was just me

[heathencall]

Isn't it?

[He leans forward into the space between them. This time he does laugh, bitter as it is. It feels a little better than the tears had, a less embarrassing release of everything caught up inside him.]

Men, right?

[madgiganticfeelings]

It's... you can make it up to me some other day.

[She leaves that bit of hope for him, something to cling to, and smiles when he returns the favour. Tomorrow, she'll fix his bandages. Tomorrow, he'll pull himself together and help her, rather than just placing all his dreams of the future on her.

Tomorrow, they'll be alive. So she does slide off the bed, though not before wrapping her arms tight around Mephisto's shoulders.]

I will. But only if you promise you'll come find me if you need anything at all. You... don't have to be alone.

[heathencall]

[It's hard for Mephisto to summon the strength to return the gesture, but he tries his best. He wraps his arms secure around her waist and even musters up a moment of strength to give her a squeeze.

He's content to leave it at that, nodding even as he plans to not need anything, just so he doesn't have to bother her. Something stops him, though, and before he can let her drift too far away.]

I love you. [The thing he couldn't say. The thing he regretted feeling for Stephen. If nothing else, he knows he can trust Christine with this truth.]

[musacal]

CHEWIE OMG

Oh geez though...
Yeah I wouldn't try again. Just to be safe.
We'll take care of things from here and figure out what she's sent us and stop the Wizard! (o ^ o)9

[ Nana he said GET RID OF ]

[likemypicture]

Men! [She matches his laugh with her own exasperated laugh. There's nothing else to do there. Who thinks that's a romantic gesture?

Since he's leaned into the space between them, she reaches for his hand-- if he lets her, she'll give it a squeeze.]

You can still count on me. But I can't do this on faith alone, anymore. I'm going to get these kids out of here-- even if I have to die trying.

[stagemanagers]

ITS FINE
if someone actually hit me id just not have student debt idk

[reasons he doesn't get on with boomers]

[heathencall]

No.

[He squeezes Anne's hand right back. Christine's only just replaced the bandages, so it's only at a quarter of his usual strength. The thought still counts though, he'd like to think]

No more dying, Anna. No one else. Please promise me that much.

[musacal]

[ I'M NOT POSTING THAT ROWLET EMOTE AGAIN BUT GOD THAT'S NANA RIGHT NOW THAT'S STILL NANA ]

omg
WELL PLS DONT DO IT AGAIN OK

[likemypicture]

You know I can't promise that. This place--- But I won't do what he did. I won't... throw away a child's life, like that. And I won't do anything stupid on purpose. I have an entire kingdom waiting for me.

[heathencall]

Suppose that's all I can ask.

[He sighs, but at least his posture seems to loosen, just a little]

If you have to do it. Do it to me. Kill me. Not out of melodrama, not because I want to die. Do it because it's better than any of the children going down.

[stagemanagers]

K

idk man u guys are dying like every 12 seconds
its fine

[likemypicture]

If I have to. [She squeezes his hand a second time as if she can somehow transfer some of her strength to him through the action.]

We'll find a way to get them out. To do this right. And then I'm going straight to a church, to pray, and tell God to get over himself and forgive you, because if anyone's earned a favor for being so devoted, it's me.

[heathencall]

Can I tell you something?

[He doesn't really wait for a response, because you're stuck on Mephisto's wild ride now Anne, sorry about it.]

I don't even want to return to Heaven. I just want to save myself from being damned to hell. If I have the choice, I want to live one mortal life taking care of those I have left.

[madgiganticfeelings]

[He can plan to not need anything, but she can plan to also just be passing by, or just be sleeping outside his door that night.

Which... she feels even more strongly that she has to, when he says those words. Words she'd told Stephen just a few hours ago at the trial, words she'd tried a hundred times to make Jeremy accept. She clings to him a little tighter, in relief to realize, just once, the feelings she's had for everyone trapped in this hell with her are returned.]

I... I love you too. I'm sure it doesn't mean much from the Love Interest, but... at least you know I'm not lying about it.

[She slowly pulls away from his embrace before the door opens, and she's sent off to the meeting again.

But if he does check in the morning, Christine will be there, at his side, as she'd promised to. Her oaths are ones she refuses to break.]

[likemypicture]

Forty years of virginity should be worth that much at the very least. What do you think? [She doesn't even know anymore-- but she's at the point where she can suggest it, which would have been insane six weeks ago. Talking to him about any of this, would have been insane six-- five weeks ago.]

I've always hoped for a forgiving God. I played most of the rules right, so not exactly for my own soul-- but. Living through all of this bullshit? Should be worth something.

[heathencall]

Are you sure you want to cash all of that in for me, Anna? [A wry smile now, even if it doesn't quite reach his eyes.]

I imagine all of that might get you a rather delightful room beyond the pearly gates. Seems a waste to pour it all into a bastard that said you've never had friends.

[likemypicture]

Might as well cash it in for my first friend then, ja? [She can't hold the joke for long--- the smile on her mouth fades.]

And you were right about me. I am foolish and too trusting at times. I didn't have many friends-- and here, surrounded by people-- I trusted too quick, and loved too fast.

[heathencall]

Even if that's true... [Mephisto squeezes her hand again.]

I'm not the one to judge you. I came to love Riley and Christine almost immediately. I fell in love with Stephen just as quickly.

[He shakes his head slowly.]

Then you're the fool, I'm just as well
And it gave us hell

[likemypicture]

And it gave us hell. [She chews on her lip, trying not to cry. She came to comfort him, after all, as much as she did to get away from it all.]

I loved him too, you know. Not like-- you did, obviously. But something like a brother.

[heathencall]

Screwed us all over, didn't he?

[Something catches in his throat. That, coupled with Anne's expression, means that Mephisto is almost helpless against the new wave of emotion that takes him.]

Who does he think he is?

[likemypicture]

[A martyr. Anne doesn't speak it. Instead, she sits up, and opens her arms, giving Mephisto an expectant look.]

[heathencall]

[He considers her for a very long moment but. What's he going to do? Say no.

Here he comes for that hug. And maybe just shake once. Only once.]

[likemypicture]

[Anne's not as restrained-- She pulls him into an embrace, turning her face away so he can't see, but she's definitely crying. It's not nearly as dramatic or as long-winded as her crying sessions normally are, she just needs to get it out of her system.

When she finally pulls back, she's settled her face into a steady expression again.]

Can I-- just-- hide away here until tomorrow? I'll leave you alone. You can pretend I'm not here. I'm not ready to go out there and be Queen for them.