[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

[likemypicture]

Please. We both need a minute. [She lets out her own shaky exhale, her arm tossed over her eyes.]

I couldn't even make up the excuse that I had to leave to go to the bathroom, because we were already in it.

[heathencall]

[He doesn't laugh, simply because he can't fathom the idea of laughter right now. But there is a short little breath that comes, one that isn't shaken by emotion that he's struggling to keep down.]

We've put you through hell.

[likemypicture]

[She lifts her hand just slightly to peer at him. She looks exhausted, and drained, in the way she had when she thought Henry was after her. But her lips twitch as if she might think about smiling. She doesn't have to smile for him. It's a relief.]

I wouldn't say we. But I do feel like--- [She doesn't want to make light of hell. She swallows it down.]

And then he tells me to be strong. Fucking asshole. [She exhales again, trying to keep herself at least somewhat calm.]

[heathencall]

[Mephisto scoffs. It scratches at his throat, which already feels raw from the simultaneous screaming and shouting. It does little to help his already aching chest.]

He left me his soul. Signed a damn contract in blood and everything. [He shakes his head. He wants to rip the damn thing up, just like Stephen said he could.]

It didn't matter how much we told him to talk to us. He wouldn't listen. I told him I was likely just as damned as he was, and he still insisted on giving me his soul.

[likemypicture]

Oh my god. That is. So. Extra. [She scoffs with him, rolling onto her side so she can look at him, but leaving the distance-- she's not going to intrude.]

He told me we'd do this together. I told him I believed in-- I thought we had a fucking moment. Oh my God. [She's been pushed so far that she's using the Lord's name in vain!!!!]

[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?

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[heathencall]

[Mephisto... really isn't sure how to do this comforting thing. Certainly not with an adult. It had taken awhile to get used to it with Stephen even. He just... pats her shoulder a few times, just a little stiffly.]

Yeah.

[It feels wrong to allow her to stay, not when he and Stephen have spent so many nights in here. But right now, all he can smell is her. That's better than catching the lingering scent of Stephen in his sheets.]

Stay as long as you need. We'll be stronger tomorrow.

[likemypicture]

[The fact that he even tries to comfort her is enough for Anne, who flashes a hint of a fragile smile at him, her shoulders sagging with relief that she doesn’t need to be a force of strength for the rest of the evening.]

Ja. Tomorrow. I can do it, tomorrow. [She stretches, then, intending to keep her promise to leave him alone, scoots off the edge of his bed, taking a seat on the floor.]

[heathencall]

Hey.

[He reaches down to grab her shoulder, grimacing as the bandages pull against his knuckles.]

Up here. Won't have a lady sleeping on the floor in my presence. [A beat.] That's what a proper man would say, right?

[likemypicture]

[Anne can’t help but laugh at that, but she doesn’t need to be told twice, and she’s back up on the bed with him.]

Ja—- Are you a proper man now? And I’ve been downgraded to a Lady?