"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

[themuseabandonsyou]

[ Orpheus just blinks, not expecting such a detailed answer to a question that people usually shrug off as him being childish or naive when he asks it. It takes him a second to realize that that's... sort of what the SQUIP is doing, here? Maybe? It's hard to tell.

He shakes his head. ]

No. Suffering and misery and injustice aren't - inevitable. I won't believe that. I can't. People can change things, if they work together. It may not always work, but that's no reason to stop trying.

What good is a man
Who won't take a stand
What good is a cynic
With no better plan

I believe in a better way
I believe in a better way

[voicerights]

Reality is sharp
It cuts at you like a knife
Everyone you know
Is in the fight of their life

[The SQUIP does not...have an unpleasant voice. But with its intent look at Orpheus, its words do not seem to be intended to be comforting.]

But you believe in a better way?
You still believe in a better way.

[themuseabandonsyou]

[ Orpheus raises his head, defiant. ]

Strong and steady are my hands
And clear are my eyes
I have a right to my dreams
That won't be denied

I believe in a better way
Yes, I believe in a better way

[voicerights]

Would you fight for your better way?
Would you die for your better way?

cw: s-suicidal ideation, sort of??

[themuseabandonsyou]

[ Orpheus has to stop and think about that. He looks over at Eurydice, off doing something else. He looks at the SQUIP. He looks back at Eurydice, and says; ]

If I could make the world safe, and just? For everybody? Yes.

face in hands

[voicerights]

[Oh, that look is telling. But is that...a slight smile on its face?]

You are an interesting human.

[themuseabandonsyou]

[ Orpheus is kind of a phenomenally easy person to read. This poor boy, he wears his heart out on his sleeve. But he looks back to the SQUIP, blinking at him owlishly. ]

Thanks? [ He doesn't sound tremendously sure that was a compliment, but he guesses he might as well take it as one. ]