itscurtains | "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.]

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It's not about if I'm right or not. It's about if you believe it to be true.

[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.

[She considers that for a moment and then... nods.]

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.

[All of their futures, huh?

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.

Good. Then... We both know we are not alone, then. That should help more than anything.

[Varian nods, letting his gaze shift back over to the corner he'd been looking into when Maya came into the dorm.]

...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.

You're right. Wherever they are... I don't want them to look to us and find that we could not keep our promises.

[As Maya says that, Varian is finally moving to his feet...and he'll offer Maya a hand up too, just as Ruddiger climbs up his other arm.]

In the meantime...I think I'd better take your advice and at least try to eat something. It sounds like you guys have been busy out there.

I think you're right, Varian.

[She takes his hand and stands up as well.]

It's quite the feast, if I do say so myself. We even managed to get Discord to help us.