mayavericks (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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itscurtains2021-06-12 09:21 pm
mayavericks) wrote in itscurtains2021-06-12 09:21 pm
"A Swing and Miss Doesn't Mean it's Game Over"
[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.]
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.]
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He knows Maya is right. They simply have no other choice but to keep moving, because life goes on regardless. Sissi wouldn't want them to give up, and neither would Mumble. He's not going to say their deaths were a mercy, but...the only comfort is knowing they aren't suffering anymore.
Varian looks up at the paper on the wall, the scribbles fascimile of the memorial he planned to build.]
The Wizard is going to do it again. I imagine he probably thinks that it will be necessary to "test" us, since Sissi didn't actually hurt Mumble on purpose.
["It" being something like the photos, he means. He has little doubt in his mind.]
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[There's no sense in denying it. The wizard pushing them with the motive was evidence enough of that. And she's never been the type of person to sugar coat matters such as these. So... Sorry, Varian.
Eventually she follows his gaze, studying the memorial quietly.]
We just have to prove that we are not going to crumble beneath his tests.
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We will. What went on in the trial proved that to me.
[For the most part, anyway. Still...he doubts any of them want to have to go through that ever again.
He's quiet for a time after saying that, but it's clear there's...something he's thinking about, still.]
...he made it sound like everything we were facing out there was obvious, even though he didn't tell us we'd be voting to execute somebody for a murder. He even asked me if I thought he was really the only one behind all of this.
I...wish that didn't make me as worried as it did.
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[Maya doesn't like feeling as if she's at a disadvantage. Actually, she absolutely hates it.]
It makes me worry. With all these memories of the future, the discrepancies of our ages, and what Angus -- [She shakes her head. Not her business to share that bit.] -- I just feel like we are only being given pieces of the puzzle and expected to know the full picture. And when we don't, it is... Somehow amusing.
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But when Maya mentions memories, age discrepancy, and other things...it reminds Varian of his own situation, unique though it might be. Something in that moment compels him to tell her.]
Maya...I haven't really told many people, just Elsa so far, but...both Cassandra and I have different memories. What I remember last is something that happened to her a while ago, and...
[He doesn't mention her bad reaction to him, not now. He...doesn't know how he'd explain that just yet.]
It's just...it's the main reason I was so worried about the photos. It put a lot more weight on them.
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Do you think I could ask what your photo contained?
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But that was before two people had died. Now, the photos don't...seem quite as important, even if they contain potentially vital pieces of information about their futures.
It's genuinely scary for Varian, which probably reflects in his expression. Maybe...maybe it's better if he doesn't hold onto it alone.]
I...can show you. But you have to promise me- promise- that you won't tell anyone. I still don't...really know what to make of it, myself.
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[She's quiet for a moment, waiting, but -- then pipes back up.]
I can tell you of mine as well, if you would like?
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To the offer...he nods slightly, though he definitely looks worried.]
...only if you'd be comfortable with it.
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[For now, though, she leans in a little closer. Like they're about to whisper a secret to one another, rather than stare at the photo of one. She doesn't know what to expect. Some sort of experiment gone wrong, perhaps?]
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He unfolds the photo, holding it so she can see. It's a picture of Varian himself, standing with his shoulders hunched with Ruddiger wrapped around his neck. He looks angry. Frustrated, in the image. Other than that, it doesn't seem particularly unusual at first...until closer inspection.
He's standing in the back of an open cart flanked by guards, each of which bears the Coronian symbol on their chestplates. His hands are shackled in chains in front of him, with the door caged with bars over the window. One of the guards has a hand on the door, preparing to close it with Varian inside.]
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She glances up at him, then back down at the photo.]
There has to have been some sort of misunderstanding.
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[He honestly, legitimately, doesn't know.]
I don't remember anything that could have lead to something like this. Even if I try to wrack my brain for anything, I just...come up empty.
I've been trying not to think about it, assuming it's just a trick to make me doubt myself, but...I just don't know Maya.
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[It feels like ages ago. It's hard to believe it's only been three days.]
He has given us an advantage, by telling us what the future holds. We now have the tools to prevent it from coming to pass. And, more importantly... You are not alone. You have myself, and Salieri-sensei. We will make sure that you are not led astray.
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He wants the reminder of what might be. What could be, if he isn't careful.
Either way, Maya is right.]
Thank you. That...really means a lot to me.
[He has to wonder if they would think he's capable of doing something to warrant being taken to prison, but...isn't everyone, in a way?]
I trust you. Salieri...and the others too. I'm not going to let myself focus on that photo anymore. It's not going to do me any good here.
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[He knows change is a part of life, but...that's not a kind of change he ever wants to go through. It just...doesn't seem like him, you know?
Talking about it does seem to have made him feel better, though. There's a clear weight that's been lifted off the boy, even if the fact of the matter still remains.]
Did you still want to talk about your photo, or...?
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In retrospect, it seems quite a lot less devastating. [It's still devastating to her but...]
I was part of a competition back home. A series of duels against competitors unknown. The winner would be granted the ability to stand on any stage they so desired. It was... everything I had always worked for. And given my background, I should have been successful.
But my photo showed me losing.
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I'm sorry, Maya.
[And he means that, genuinely.]
But...the Wizard underestimates you, I think. Vastly.
You could stand on any stage you wanted with your talent, competition or not.
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[Maybe Varian was right. But Claudine was nipping at her heels at any moment, never mind the rest of the girls at the Academy. They might not be at her level yet, but they were all driven. Any one could knock her off her podium, especially if she grew complacent.]
I hope you are right, Varian-san.
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[He leans back on his heels, bringing a hand up to cover the pocket holding his photo.]
It's like you said. We have the power to change our futures now.
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Of course. And... I am going to change all of our futures. I will -- [She draws a breath, and the song comes naturally.]
Spare us our lives from this monstrosity
Easy come, easy go, they will let us go.
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Varian inclines his head slightly, and even though his eyes are red from crying and the way he holds himself is exhausted, it's...not quite so defeated as it was before.]
Me too. I promise you that.
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...I don't want to see anything like this happen again. Not just for our sakes, but for Mumble and Sissi. I don't want them to be disappointed in us.
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