Week Three

[stagemanagers]

[Last week, some shit went down! Salieri's scene went off without a hitch, but the good mood didn't last. The first motive was a bit of a doozy, and yet it didn't even have anything to do with the eventual accidental death of Mumble Happyfeet! At least Sissi was already pretty much dating Death anyway, right? She's probably fine, wherever she is.

This week, new menus have been posted in the cafeteria. But, more importantly, it seems that other new information has emerged. Everyone wakes on Sunday with some new memories - or are they old ones? - floating around in their heads. Maybe there was something to your discussions of time travel after all. Maybe there was someting to the Wizard's knowledge of the future.

Regardless, you're still stuck in here. At least there's some new places to explore this week. Maybe you'll find something helpful.]

Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday

(( Be sure to submit your memory regains and your AC for this week! Hester's office hours and the merch booth also remain available! ))

Comments

[comeandfindme]

[ She grins. ]

Everyone else thought so too. Finally got the town of Whitetail to take me seriously.

[mayavericks]

[Oh! Maya perks up at that.]

They are? Is that what you remembered on Sunday morning, then?

[comeandfindme]

[ She nods, enthused. ]

We're the talk of the town. Everyone's excited, cheerin' for us. Even Mom's on board.

[ It has yet to occur to Peregrine that she hasn't actually...explained a few things to Maya. ]

[mayavericks]

Cheering for you to... explore the woods safely?

[comeandfindme]

Oh, no, I mean for The Final.

[ ................. ]

Oh, shoot. I haven't...right...

[mayavericks]

The Final? As in school finals?

[comeandfindme]

[ Peregrine shakes her head. ]

It's...something I came up with. Howl— my- my teacher. He...takes us all into the woods, with minimal supplies. He leaves us there, separately. Then, it's up to us, using just what we've learned, to... Well, to find our way out. To prove we can, to—

[ She breathes out a sigh. ]

To...make Jacob's death mean something.

[mayavericks]

That --

You aren't serious, are you? That seems so needlessly risky?

[comeandfindme]

[ And yet, she looks entirely serious. ]

How else am I gonna know if I'm actually prepared? If I learned anything? The whole town, they were ready to just sweep it under the rug, 'cause they weren't prepared. To just let Jacob's death be a horrible accident, and not what it was— all of us failing him.

Not me. And now, I proved it to 'em.

[ ...Even though the photo from last week stays in her mind. Woodsley, so pale and— ]

We're gonna go through with it. Last I remember...it was in only five days.

[mayavericks]

You have worked for a year and a half. That is more than most anyone has -- certainly more than myself. You know more than anyone in your town about surviving. You don't need to prove it. Certainly not like this, either.

[comeandfindme]

Yes, I do. Scaring away a bear's not enough. None of it is, not until I go into those woods and work my way out, no matter what. ...Maybe... Maybe I already have. Maybe I just don't remember doing it.

[mayavericks]

[Maya is quiet for a long moment. On the one hand, it all sounds so stupid. She can sympathize with the motivations. She knows what it's like to stop at nothing to achieve a goal.

But her goals have never once put her life at risk, nor the lives of others. It's that part she simply can't comprehend.]

What if you don't? What if you fail, or have already failed?

[comeandfindme]

[ Peregrine looks back, her expression hard, but...also sort of hurt. ]

You don't think I can do it either?

[mayavericks]

[Maya is quiet for a long moment.]

If it were only you, I would not bet against you. [and that much is true, but...]

But you are a leader. You have cultivated a following. They rely on you, and it is your job not to lead them astray.

You want to be the best you can be, do you not? I do not believe for a moment that your best you involves throwing the lives of those dear to you in danger.

[comeandfindme]

[ Woodsley, pale and still. Herself leaning over him. Just what could he be feeling?

If something happens—

Peregrine's lips thin. ]

I'm making sure what happened to Jacob will never ever happen to anyone I care about. Not ever again.

[mayavericks]

I know little about survivalism, but I am almost certain that rule number one must be to never go out woefully underprepared if it can be helped. But that is what you are doing to the people you care about.

You are smarter than this, Peregrine.

[comeandfindme]

You're right! I am smarter than this.

[ She turns to leave. ]

I don't have to stick around and listen to someone tell me what I've been working for is stupid.

[mayavericks]

That is not what I am saying, Peregrine.

[Maya tries to reach for her hand. Or her wrist or. Something.]

What you are working for is a noble thing. You want to do right for those around you. Nothing is wrong with that. But your manner of proving yourself? That is ridiculous.

[comeandfindme]

[ Peregrine feels Maya's fingertips and pulls away. ]

Oh, I'm sorry, and fighting your class 'cause a giraffe told you you'd get you places is smart? You think you have any ground to judge me?

[mayavericks]

[It's good that Peregrine is at least mostly turned away. She can't see how Maya recoils at that.

When she speaks, her voice is even. Too even.]

There is no place for me but at the top, Wells-san. That has been decided since before I was born.

[comeandfindme]

[ She closes her eyes tight.

It's just like Lexy, isn't it? ]

Then I guess we've got nothing else to talk about, huh?

[mayavericks]

I suppose not.

[Most of Maya's junk is still on the table but... she can come back for it later. Especially once she realizes she's left her cast photo behind. She's definitely leaving before Peregrine can, though.]

[comeandfindme]

[ She listens to Maya leave, and she doesn't make a single effort to stop her. ]