We Only Have Tomorrow

[employeeoftheyear]

[True to his word, on 6pm Thursday Spongebob has the party at the library set up and ready to go! It's filled with cute handmade decorations, snacks, and cobbled together games! Even with all the help he accepted, it's very clear that this was a passion project for Spongebob.

Taped around the library is a set of rules, and frankly there were a Lot of rule fliers around the library.]

RULES
1. Bring your own food and games! The more fun the better!
2. Stay as long as you want! We can make it a sleepover!
3. ABSOLUTELY NO MURDERING
4. Have fun! 💗💗💗💗💗

[Luckily for those who are aware of the cartoon, the party doesn't seem nearly as micromanaged as it could have been mostly because this party is more in a desperate attempt to keep everyone alive than anything else so have as much fun as you can before tomorrow!]

Comments

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[Was it a bad idea to bring a sword to the party? Maybe so, maybe so. But it's hers, and she can't just leave it behind! Also, look just how shiny it is when she pulls it from the makeshift scabbard she cobbled together!

During the party itself, Cassandra's actually spending most of her time in the middle of the party, looking out. Watching for signs of disaster, but also trying to... enjoy herself? Wow.

It might help that there's a very excited Snowgie jumping from running circles around Cass, to plopping down in front of the tv Spongebob set up for those "home movies".]

These are "home movies"? Come on.

[...And yet, her hand is lightly tapping her knee when the theme song plays.]

home movies

[comeandfindme]

It's...kind of complicated.

[ How does she explain to Cassandra that this is a cartoon she watched when she was seven. ]

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[huffs] I'm from a kingdom with a monarchy, and no hot running water.

How "complicated" are we talking?

[comeandfindme]

[ ……. ]

So Spongebob Squarepants is a cartoon from where I’m from. Do you know what a cartoon is? It’s like, uh…a play, but you can replay it over and over again.

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[sorry Paregrine]

I understand the play part, but... you can see plays over and over too. What's so special about a 'cartoon'?

It looks like moving drawings.

[comeandfindme]

Oh jeez. Yes you can see plays over and over but— moving drawing's a great way to put it. It's animated, that's what it's called. But, see...

[ She presses her hands together and lowers her voice. ]

They're stories. They're fictional.

[feudalladyshandmaid]

...Ah. [A sound of understanding, even a small nod. It looks like the point is getting across.]

Stories, huh? Okay. I can follow that.

[Cassandra's voice dip low, like Peregrine's. She tilts her head towards their favorite former sea sponge.]

If cartoons are supposed to be fictional, what does that make him?

[employeeoftheyear]

[He waves!]

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[waves... back....]

[comeandfindme]

[ Staring at Spongebob waving. ]

I've been trying to figure that out since Day 1, Cass.

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[Stops waving]

Looks like that makes two of us, then. [She laughs. Good to know that someone else is still trying to wrap their heads around the mysteries of this place. Sometimes, it's not as easy as just accepting it.

She blinks. Ah, the nickname.]

Huh. My friends called me that.

[A spoken thought that carries weight.]

I... guess you'll all be able to, too.

[comeandfindme]

Oh— Sorry, it just kinda slipped out- I mean… If you’re okay with it?

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[She lets herself think about it.]

Am I... Yeah, it's fine. It's just that-- I haven't heard it in a while, that's all.

[comeandfindme]

Well... Cass it is, then.

[feudalladyshandmaid]

-- Just don't call me 'Cassie', alright?

[comeandfindme]

Oh, god, no.

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[Alright, that.

That earns a bout of laughter from Cass, bordering on the belly variety.]

Home movies

[employeeoftheyear]

Well I guess this is a little more complicated than regular home movies, but Farrah told me about this so I wanted to show it to you guys! Give you a glimpse of my wonderful home!

[His smile falters, a tiny bit, as he finishes that thought.]

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[Oh, Spongebob...

Cassandra wills herself to sit up straighter, lips curling up.]

So! Uh... Why don't you tell me about your wonderful home, Spongebob?

[employeeoftheyear]

Well it has the perfect water temperature all year round, and there's always a gentle current blowing through the city. Jellyfish fields is a must if you love jellyfishing, plus you get the most beautiful sunsets there! And the Goo Lagoon is where I love to spend a lot of my days off; it's a great place to sunbathe and play with my friends. And I can't forget about my pineapple house! I don't think I could have asked for a cozier home with better neighbors.

[There's that distinct hint of wistfulness in his voice again, as if he knows he'll never be able to go there again. But he has to keep his spirits up, for himself and his friends.]

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[This is such a river of thoughts. A constant deluge of wistful memories that Cassandra is just barely managing to absorb before some new fact comes along... Did she hear that he lived in a pineapple?]

You really miss it. [An obvious conclusion, but it bears stating.] I miss my home, too. Corona's lovely this time of year, especially in the kingdom's capital, with all the festivals and parties they like to throw, every single day.

[It's so many festivals! Too many! Even her fondness has salt laced on it.]

[employeeoftheyear]

[His eyes sparkle with wonder.]

Every day? Cass, when we get out of here you gotta let me come to Corona so I can go to all the fun festivals!

[feudalladyshandmaid]

Okay, it's not every day. But it sure does feel like it.

[Oh no. Too late. His eyes are sparkling.]

I, uh... sure! I'm sure Rapunzel would love to have you. You'd probably get along like best friends.

[employeeoftheyear]

Oh I love having best friends! Does she like festivals too? If so I gotta invite her to some of our festivals in Bikini Bottom!

[feudalladyshandmaid]

Uhh.... Yeah. She doesn't breath underwater. But she does love festivals. Actually, she just loves celebrating anything.

[Naturally, she's perfect for Corona.]