"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]

[Fifty percent ain't too bad for a human. Nonetheless-]

Do you believe everyone thought the same way?

[mayavericks]

Truthfully, I do not think anyone was ready to suspect anyone else until it was undeniable.

[She closes her eyes.]

Binding promises were made
On our souls
Grand delusions led astray

[She shakes her head]

We believed we could trust one another.

[voicerights]

Why?

[It understands that they wanted to believe. But the SQUIP's pointed question makes it clear it does not understand why]

[mayavericks]

Most of us do not come from the kind of place where this is normal. Murder happens but... never to us. We wanted to believe that, given our shared background, none of us would take that step.

[voicerights]

That much is clear. However, it is also clear that the Wizard wishes to push us beyond what we consider 'normal' - you cannot ignore the possibility that they will find a way to motivate you, much less that anyone else.

Or that another accident will occur. And that fear will motivate in itself.

[mayavericks]

I anticipate he will try. But I have always risen to the challenge. I will not let him outdo me.

[voicerights]

[Look at her, being so confident. There's another one of those long looks, a calculated arch of its brow - really? - and then it turns its attention back to the dishes]

[mayavericks]

[She lets out a single dry laugh.]

You don't believe me.

[voicerights]

Of course not. I have yet to meet a human who cannot be manipulated.

[mayavericks]

I look forward to proving you wrong, then.

[voicerights]

The probability is extremely unlikely.

[Beat- and then, is that a smirk?]

But in this case, I would not be disappointed for it to occur.

[mayavericks]

I am glad to hear it.

[She turns her attention back to another few plates, before handing those over as well.]

And what of you? Do you anticipate that you can be manipulated?

[voicerights]

Certain motivations would easily provoke me. For example, were Jeremy to be threatened, there is nothing I would not do to save him - including killing the rest of this group.

[Same calm tone as the rest of the conversation]

[mayavericks]

And who is this "Jeremy?"

[voicerights]

My human.

[mayavericks]

Your... Human.

[She narrows her eyes.]

Your profile made it sound as if you were some sort of... medication. Is that true?

[voicerights]

I am a Super Quantum Unit Intel Processor, installed through oral ingestion. My program is to assist my human in improving their life.

[mayavericks]

I... See...

[Look at that, she found something else to surprise her.]

So.. if something were to happen to your human? You would react poorly?

[voicerights]

He is the reason for my continued function.

[You're a smart girl, Maya. You may just pick up on a nuance or two of that, chief of which is yes, of course it would react poorly.]

[mayavericks]

It's good, then, that he is as far away from this place as possible.

[Not that it means anything, what with the motives being handed out. But at least he's not trapped in a murder school!]

[voicerights]

I have no reason to believe that. Considering I should be still implanted within his brain, the Wizard would have required him present to extract me.

[mayavericks]

He's pulled us all across space and time, from different worlds even. Why is it so surprising that you might have simply been plucked out of Jeremy's brain without effort?

[voicerights]

Because Jeremy is a hostage. So long as he is with the Wizard, I have every reason to stay if the group attempted to escape.

There is no reason not to bring him.

[mayavericks]

You could say the same of that in regards to any of our friends.

[Which... makes her incredibly uncomfortable. She considers the photo Angus showed her once again.]

[voicerights]

[To that, it simply nods. And, calmly;]

I find the possible futures more in our favor if we do not underestimate the Wizard, and instead? Understand more of his motives. From that, there are possibilities that we can change the situation to our advantage.