Is This Where You Wanna Be? Crawling On Your Hands and Knees?

[mayavericks]

[In a perfect world, Maya would have been able to isolate herself for the rest of the evening. It's not like her to wallow in her feelings, but it's also not like her to be trapped away in a murder school or part of an execution so... not like she has much choice there. Besides, between the influence of Janis, and the sight of her remaining dormmates, it's clear that Maya simply can't... let things go.

It's like she told the SQUIP. They look to her for hope. And so, hope she must be. It's her job to stand tall for the others. Thankfully help comes easier this time -- there's no need to scruff Discord, or try to keep Spongebob from making Hate Patties. Maybe that, in and of itself, is a good sign.

It's just another fluke. They'll be okay. They're together, after all. Even Salieri and Discord are getting along well enough to help.

Cutting potatoes proves to be an interesting task, considering the fact that most of the knives are missing. Maya has a few guesses as to how that happened, but she won't point fingers again today. She makes do with what she has -- two swords between her and Cassandra.

Potatoes, cakes, pies -- the arrangement is much the same. There's even cocoa (made by less experienced hands, unfortunately), and alcohol. It all feels like a repeat of last week, but she's trying to not think about it. She does her best to keep a smile on her face as she knocks on each door, inviting others to the cafeteria once more.]

Comments

[mayavericks]

[Maya, for her part, is quiet during preparation. She tries to keep focused on any task at hand -- keeping from nicking her fingers on her sword as she struggles to slice potatoes, ensuring that Salieri and Discord don't kill each other, anything to keep her from looking over her shoulder every now and again.

But it still happens. She glances to every stray corner, trying to ignore how her heart rises in her throat. She's almost certain that the giraffe was a coincidence but... many other things had felt that way since arriving.

Maya only does one round at the party this time. She brings spare mugs of cocoa to those that are empty-handed. But as soon as she's sure things have settled properly, she ducks out of the cafeteria.

The rest of her evening is spent in the dance studio. The rest of this "party" had followed the same pattern, why shouldn't this? Now that she had her sword, she needed to practice all the harder. She'd failed in her promise once. It won't happen again.]

dance studio

[howtheworldwas]

[ Eurydice stands in the doorway for some time, watching Maya practice. She seems to be hesitating a bit, before she steps forward. ]

Can you teach me?

[ The first one was an accident. This wasn't, and she needs to be ready. ]

[mayavericks]

[Maya glances toward Eurydice. She's quiet for a moment, before nodding. Thankfully, she's been leaving her prop sword in here for... reasons. She's quick to fetch it from a corner of the room and hold it out.]

Have you ever used a sword before?

[howtheworldwas]

[ Eurydice takes the prop sword, examining it awkwardly. ]

No, nothing larger than a small knife. But I want to learn what I can, in case --

[ She doesn't finish. She figures Maya understands. ]

[mayavericks]

I understand.

[Wakarimasu.]

We can start with the basics. Like grip and stance.

[She sets her own sword down and gets to work on adjusting Eurydice's fingers and posture.]

dance studio

[fourbutts]

[ Janis hangs out in the doorway for a little while, but uh. Unlike Eurydice, it's because she was probably going to bring something to Maya or say something to Maya or... you know, whatever it was she was thinking about before she saw her... well, before she saw Maya with a fucking sword. ]

[mayavericks]

[Perhaps luckily for Janis, Maya doesn't have near the energy to do a whole performance. And since shine doesn't mean shit here, it isn't as dramatic either. Nevertheless, she sure is trying.]

Going higher, shining brighter
I will illuminate the horizon
A single step forward is a step closer to my dream
That is pride

[fourbutts]

[ Janis just sort of. Patiently watches. She's too gay fixated on the performance to comment, or to join.

There's a melody that pricks at the back of her head, but. She doesn't remember the words. Not yet. ]

[mayavericks]

[The rest of the song hasn't clicked into her head yet, won't until the memory falls into place. But it is the routine she's been practicing, parts of it at least.

It's another few minutes before she deems herself finished with this particular exercise. It's only then that she turns toward the door. Perhaps under better circumstances, she might have blushed, or laughed or done anything other than stare.]

How long have you been there?

Dance Studio

[violentenvies]

[After seeing Maya slip away, Salieri will give her some time possibly to herself, before moving to follow.

He has a hunch of where she might be, considering the end of last trial; or at least some idea of where to check first. So he heads over towards the dance studio and, finding his hunch confirmed, reaches up to knock on the door frame.

[mayavericks]

[Maya is in the process of landing a leaping strike against the target. With a real sword in hand, the mannequin is... Looking a little rough around the edges. It's fine, though. It's making Maya feel better at least.

As she bends down to right the mannequin, though, she catches sight of Salieri and turns.]

Can I help you?

[violentenvies]

[If that response surprises Salieri, he doesn't show it, instead taking a few steps into the room]

I hope you'll forgive me the interruption. Do you have time for a few words, or would later be preferable?

[mayavericks]

[She shakes her head once, before motioning him inward.]

What is it?

Preparation

[feudalladyshandmaid]

...Hey.

[Cassandra looks up from her own peeling and slicing. It's not difficult work, maybe if they wanted to do it well, it was. But they were just cutting potatoes.

That means it gives Cassandra time to look around, and realize that look on Maya's face.]

Want to see something pretty cool?

[mayavericks]

[She blinks a few times, almost not realizing Cassandra had spoken. Eventually, though, she turns her attention to Cassandra fully and. Nods.]

By all means.

[feudalladyshandmaid]

Don't worry. This is going to be good.

[Glad to have shaken Maya from the same mire she felt herself sinking into, Cassandra stands back. Away from the tables, and everyone else, she brings the flat end of her sword up, balancing... a potato on it?

Suddenly, she launches it into the air above her, and - swishswishswish - a set of precise swings at it with her sword, clearly aimed, and ending with blade pointed down, and Cassandra's free hand raised.

Only for the potato to land perfectly in her palm... and split apart into eight identical slices.]

[whatyouwant]

[Elle is there, helping with the prep. It's mostly putting together platters of finger food at this point.]

Maya? [She looks into the corner Maya had glanced to.] Are you okay?

[Much like last week, she knows none of them are 'okay', but she hopes the idea gets across.]

[mayavericks]

Oh, I'm... [She glances at the corner one last time, then looks back to Elle. She blinks then quickly nods.]

I'm fine, Woods-san. Thank you.

[She turns her attention back to the potato she's attempting to cook. Thanks to Cassandra, she's been able to chop them up, but now she's gotta figure out seasonings.]

Any ideas?

[whatyouwant]

[Elle follows her gaze to the corner, then back.]

Just...salt and pepper should be good. Maybe a little garlic powder?

Are you sure you're okay?

Dance Studio

[barberic]

[One combo breaker, however, is that Benjamin doesn't let her run off to be alone. He had been lost through most of the trial, and too disgusted to act for the rest, but one thing Maya had said made him want to seek her out.

He comes bearing a bottle of water from the concession stand - plastic seal unbroken, so she can see it hasn't been tampered with - and waits patiently at the door for a break in her training before he speaks up.]

I don't think I've seen you practice before, my dear.

[mayavericks]

[Maya stands up a little straighter at the sound of Benjamin's voice. She turns, glancing at the man. There's a brief moment of suspicion, before the tension in her shoulders eases.]

It's good to see you, Barker-san. [She gives a small nod.] I am surprised you haven't witnessed it. I... spend most of my time here.

How can I help you?

[barberic]

I brought you some water.

[He approaches, holding out the water bottle, cap extended toward her.]

And...I wanted to check in on you. Since you're always concerned about checking in on everyone else.

dance dance revolutionary girl utena

[sugarlumps]

Hey.

[LSP looks not great. Eyes puffy and red, it's pretty obvious she's spent most of her time since the trial crying. ...If that weren't easy to guess anyway.]

You still think princesses should learn to swordfight and junk?

[mayavericks]

[Maya shakes her head.]

It's never too late.

[Don't worry, Maya'd got her spare rapier on hand still. She goes to pick it up and hand it over.]

Unless you don't think a sword is your style?

[sugarlumps]

Swords are mostly Finn's thing? ...but Farrah took my knives.

[She'll sort of gingerly take the rapier, though.]