"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

[voicerights]

[The SQUIP is present.

Before the invitations go out, it is there, off to the side as per usual. Watching. Not eating or drinking anything, but whereas before there seemed to be a certain distance, it seems...actually somewhat curious about the proceedings. There's an interest as it watches the various displays of grief and regret, for despite all its programming?

There are many things it has not yet experienced firsthand. One or two people may even catch it looking down at its own hand, turning it over slowly and flexing the fingers as if in thought.

Perhaps the execution has in fact affected it. Perhaps not. But eventually, it'll get to its feet, seeking out Pegerine before making to assist Maya with the dishes. After that?

Who knows.]

Peregrine

[comeandfindme]

[ Where he finds her is in the gym, running the bleachers. A fitting place to deck the SQUIP. ]

[voicerights]

[Don't mind it just standing by the bottom of said bleachers, hands folded behind its back as it watches her.

What, did you think it was going to try and hide?]

[comeandfindme]

[ She doesn't speed her way to the bottom of the bleachers. Doesn't slow down, either. She continues the pace of her jog, not in a hurry nor dragging her feet.

She doesn't ask if there's any place to avoid. Simply puts the energy behind her into her fist and punch the SQUIP in the gut. ]

[voicerights]

[It's a good hit. Pegerine clearly knows how to punch; another time, the SQUIP would be analyzing it, trying to understand just how much experience she has.

But considering it's literally dropped to a knee with a surprised sound of pain, it's...a little too distracted with the sensory dataation to really divert any processing power to that.

Guess who's having their first direct experience with real pain?]

[comeandfindme]

[ Peregrine breathes in deep, watching it go down. She looks down on it. ]

Never...ever... Imply something like that...again.

[voicerights]

[Give it a second, it needs a moment to rebootcover. But it'll look up after a second, breath stuttering as it swallows down the sensation. And to think, some humans fight for fun.]

That you are...capable of murder? Like any other human?

[comeandfindme]

[ She pokes a finger at its forehead. ]

That I'd make someone freeze to death.

[voicerights]

Who were they?

Party

[whatyouwant]

[Elle hasn't talked to the man standing off to the side, but after today it seems more important to try to meet everyone sooner rather than later.]

Hey, you should probably eat someting. [She holds up a plate of finger foods.]

[voicerights]

[Looks down at the food

Looks up at her]

I find the act of eating unpleasant.

[whatyouwant]

[O...kay?]

It can be, but we still need it to get ourselves going!

[voicerights]

I am aware. Proper nourishment of this body is a priority. However, these [and it gestures towards the finger foods] are not part of its diet.

[whatyouwant]

1) Potatoes are incredibly nutritionally dense, especially if you leave the skin on. [She points to the potato wedges.]

and 2) Having tasty food is good for you mental health as well. Just eating nutrient mush is no way to live life.

[voicerights]

[challenge; accepted]

Humans cannot live on potatoes alone, and my mental health is irrelevant.

[whatyouwant]

Well, no, you don't have to only eat potatoes. I'm saying that potatoes are good to eat. So you should eat some.

Also everyone's mental health is important! That's why we're here right now.

[voicerights]

[LONG-SUFFERING SIGH]

If I eat one, will you drop the subject?

[disharmonizes]

[Oh, look, it's a distraction. Perfect.

The SQUIP might notice another paper airplane flying past it, like during the trial. And then, of course, Discord nearby.]

Could you just keep standing there? I'm trying to improve my aim.

[voicerights]

[Well, Discord can try to do that, but the next one he throws that gets close to the SQUIP?

Is being neatly snatched out of midair]

[disharmonizes]

[...Fine, then the next thing he throws will be a skittle. He did it to Salieri, he can do it to the SQUIP, too.]

[voicerights]

[snatch

and not only that, it's thrown right back towards Discord's mouth. kobe?]

[disharmonizes]

[...He's just going to bat it out of the way. Mostly on instinct.]

Well, you're really bad at being a target. Zero points.

[voicerights]

And your aim is terrible. Perhaps you should try on an actual bulls-eye.

[disharmonizes]

If you stand still, I could paint one on you.

[voicerights]

You could. Unfortunately, I have no intention of allowing it.