"A Swing and Miss Doesn't Mean it's Game Over"

[mayavericks]

[Well… All of that sure happened. And while Maya is visibly shaken Sissi's literal dance with death, she’d meant what she’d said to the others -- she would protect them. At that moment, it meant voting and making the “right” decision. Now, though? It means ensuring that no one feels alone, and that everyone has a good meal in them.

She’s not Nana Daiba, however, she certainly can’t do this alone. But she does have the resourcefulness and authoritative disposition to to recruit allies. Discord is sure to be… mostly unbothered by everything that’s happened, and Spongebob will likely be eager to help. She approaches both men: one is asked nicely; The other is grabbed by the collar and dragged from whatever hole he’s locked himself in. Sorry Discord.

For Maya's part, several potato dishes are prepared (can you tell someone has a bias). And while she doesn’t have the resources to make baumkuchen, Maya does manage to produce a cake, as well as… muffins? They’re not… quite how she remembers Nana making them, but she can at least recall how hearty the food had felt, and how it had restored her energy on long days.

It’s a pleasant memory, even if it does make her a touch melancholy.

Nevertheless, the food is laid out in the kitchen, as are a number of pies that Maya has uncovered. She even tucks a few bottles of wine in a corner for the adults that might like it. This is in addition to the mead apparently brought by Salieri. Look she’s not a fan of having alcohol but… she can’t tell the adults no.

But hey, courtesy of Benjamin, there is even some cocoa. It doesn’t start off spiked but… you know. Thanks to Spongebob there are, well… Angry Patties? It’s fine. Even Discord managed to contribute some pies and tea, as well as being bossed around to do the grunt work in the kitchen. There’s also that inexplicable pizza? Huh, that’s weird.

Eventually the group goes around extending invitations to the dorms, knocking on doors and explaining what’s been set up. No one will be forced to go, just… strongly encouraged. Maya herself will even duck into the principal’s office and, if she’s there, invite Hester.

She seemed just as upset as the rest of them.]

Comments

[employeeoftheyear]

[Spongebob, frankly, spends a good chunk of the day crying in the Rodgers Dorm. He didn’t want to get up, he didn’t want to open his eyes and face that this was all real.

But when Maya asked him to help he knew he had to help; his friends were suffering too. And this included children. He couldn’t be selfish and cry all day, not when people still need him.

He sadly goes to the Kitchen to make everyone Krabby Patties. He makes quite a few of them, but oddly enough they don’t taste as good this time. Not… Bad, per se, but definitely not the world changing patties he usually makes. He will not explain what’s different this time if asked.

Despite not eating anything besides the eggs Euridice made him, he didn’t feel super hungry, so instead of eating any of the patties you can find him in the Cafeteria. He seems to be drawing some sort of doodles, one of them looking vaguely familiar to the rest of the cast.

Eventually, however, his hunger does catch up with him. Normally he would pick something healthier but he wasn’t in the mood for it so he’s going to eat ice cream.

And boy does he eat ice cream. He scarfes down multiple pints like he hasn’t eaten in weeks, and in less than a half hour he’s staggering around ranting like a drunkard.]

Yoooouu know what? I think the Wizard is just a big, stupid coward. I betcha the only reason he’s doin this is to make himself feel better about himself. Like making innocent people die is a way to make him feel morally superior to everyone else. But you know what I think? I think he’s just a big doodoo head.

[He’s fine.]

Drunkbob Lushpants

[mayavericks]

Ah, Spongebob-San? [She's been doing the rounds to refresh drinks and... Well... This sure is a thing?]

Would you -- I should get you some water, I think?

[She hadn't seen him drinking? So what the hell is this all about?]

[employeeoftheyear]

[Look he's doing great! He brushes off Maya's concerns.]

IIII don't need water, remember? Accordin' to everyone I'm no sponge anymore. No more water for me, no thank you.

[... He really does not know how humans function whatsoever.]

[mayavericks]

You're meant to drink it, sponge or not.

[She steps a little closer and... reaches out to touch his forehead? Is he sick? What the hell.]

Also drunkbob lushpants

[barberic]

[don't laugh. two people are dead, Benjamin, don't you fucking laugh.

But not laughing is one of the hardest things he's ever done.]

You're entirely right, my lad. Why don't you sit down here for a second? I'll get you some cocoa and a slice of 'pizza.'

[employeeoftheyear]

[He's gonna lay on one of the tables. That counts as sitting right.]

I'm a human, remember, gimme human food. What do you guys eat, dirt? Gimme dirt.

[barberic]

[Sure, buddy, you lay on the table.]

Humans drink cocoa and eat pizza. Wait right here.

combo breaker: krabby patties

[yourattention]

Hey. You want help?

[He sounds unsure, because maybe Spongebob wants to stress cook, but also... he's pretty sure Spongebob shouldn't be left alone.]

[employeeoftheyear]

It's fine. I've been making these guys for years. I don't want to worry you.

[His voice seems. Creepily even and devoid of any emotion. Yeah he probably shouldn't be left alone.]

[yourattention]

Nah, it's cool. Tell me what to do and I'll be your sous chef.

[He steps in place next to Spongebob and waits for further instructions expectantly.]

Cafeteria

[whatyouwant]

[In her quest to check on everyone, Elle sit next to Spongebob as he's drawing.]

Aw, those are really cute.

Re: Cafeteria

[employeeoftheyear]

Thanks. It's me and my friend Patrick.

[A pause.]

I figured... Since you guys don't know what I really look like it would be nice to show you. Just in case...

[He trails off. He has some ideas on how to finish that sentence but he doesn't want to verbalize any of them.]

[whatyouwant]

So you're a...sponge. And your friend Patrick is a star? Is he a sponge too, just shaped different?

[She has so many more questions. This makes very little sense, but if one guy can ride space eagles, why can't this guy actually be a sponge? You know what? Sure.]

drunkbob!

[tellthestory]

Spongebob!

[The Balladeer has a bit of history that means he's typically sort of alarmed to be around very drunk people...but this is Spongebob. Spongebob is innately completely non-threatening.]

Hey, uh...you okay, buddy?

Re: drunkbob!

[employeeoftheyear]

[Honestly even if he tried anything he weighs 4 oz what could he possibly do to anyone.]

I'm doing faaaaaaaantastic. There's really nothin' that ice cream can't solve, amiright?

yet another drunkbob

[feudalladyshandmaid]

...Spongebob?

[Alright. This is enough to shake Cassandra out of her own funk... If only because it's so... unexpected.]

I mean, you're right. But have you been digging into the alcohol?

[employeeoftheyear]

What [hic] Alcohol? I've just been enjoyin' some ice cream. Wan' some?

[He gestures towards the empty pints of ice cream.]

Drunkbob

[sugarlumps]

Right? He's the lumping worst. Like- why the weird voting thing when we all KNEW what'd happened by then, it's so stupid.

[employeeoftheyear]

Yeah! An' then he had the nerve to congratulate us! After he kep' goin' on about how sorry he was about all this! I betcha he doesn't have an ounce of sympathy!

cafeteria

[howtheworldwas]

[ Eurydice, still concerned about Spongebob from this morning, takes the seat next to him and watches him draw for a little while, her expression worn and sad. ]

Are they from home?

[employeeoftheyear]

[He smiles sadly.]

Sorta. That's me [He points at the picture of the sponge.] The other one is my best friend Patrick. I've been thinking I should let everyone know what I look like since you don't see me as a sponge.

Doodles

[violentenvies]

[Salieri's pausing on his way to find a seat himself, in possession of a bottle of wine and a glass when he notices Spongebob drawing at one of the tables. He pauses and, after a minuscule moment of hesitation, changes his trajectory.

He steps over to the table]

Good evening, Monsieur Spongebob. Might I sit? [he gestures to one of the empty seats]

[employeeoftheyear]

Oh, hi Mr. Salieri. Of course you can sit next to me.

[He continues doodling, but he looks the tiniest bit brighter seeing Salieri ask to sit next to him.]

Rodgers Dorm

[defyingfrigidity]

[Though Elsa is stewing terribly in her own grief, she realizes she's not alone now. She's not suffering quietly by herself; there are others around her who are feeling the same way, and that's enough for her to try and temper her own feelings enough to help. So as Spongebob just sort of... lays there, Elsa disappears from the dorm for a bit, coming back later with a steaming mug in her hands.

It's hot chocolate. The instant kind, but made with milk instead of water. So it's about as good as they can get right now.]

Hey... I thought you might want something warm to drink.

[employeeoftheyear]

[He doesn't notice Elsa leaving, so it's a bit of a shock to see her return with a mug of hot chocolate.]

O-oh, you didn't have to do that, Elsa.

[He shakily sits up and takes the mug.]

... You're a great friend, you know that, right?