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

[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.]

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It was needless. He's not the only one with someone he cares about. [ She looks over to Orpheus. ] I'm going to keep him safe. But not -- not like that.

...I know. [and he does. If one thing has been obvious, it's that she'll take care of Orpheus come ~~hades~~hell or high water. He hesitates for a moment, then forges ahead]

I...appreciate that about you, Madame Eurydice. I hope you won't mind me saying that I consider you both of you to be my friends, but it...comforts me to know that no matter what, you are looking out for him.

[ Eurydice looks up, absolutely poleaxed. She's...his friend? They both are? Gods, it's like Spongebob all over again.

In this moment, Eurydice starts to realize that it might not be just her and Orpheus anymore. There are other people who care about her, and she cares about them.

It's like a home.

The idea frightens her, a little. This school is not safe. People turn on you just like the wind. But she'd still like to hold onto it, for just a little while longer. She nods, and offers a quiet, watery smile. ]

I'll be looking out for you, too.

[that is...not precisely what he expected, but he can feel something both tighten and warm in his chest at the same time. He's truely touched by such a gesture, to be brought into what he suspects is a small circle. He can't help but smile back, also small and somehow a little shy]

Eurydice...thank you. [he's going to reach out and gently set a hand on her shoulder, if she'll allow it] That means more to me than you know.

[he sucks in a small breath] I do not know what I can do, but I will endeavor to do the same for you as well.

[ She allows it, and what's more, she doesn't tense up or pull away. For Eurydice, it's a sign of trust.

Then Salieri says that he'll watch out for her, too. That her care for him means something. She knows they have lived very different lives, but it's nice, in a sad sort of way, to meet someone who understands what it is like to be so lonely for so long. At least, Eurydice thinks she understands. She figures she's making a pretty educated guess. ]

Mister Salieri, you already have.

[that...catches him off guard.]

I...have?

You brought me this. [ She nods in the direction of the mug. ] And the wine, last week. You have stopped to ask if I was all right, you have brought me food, you put on an opera for everyone, and that is more than --

[ Than anyone else has done for her in a long, long time, save one person. Eurydice drops her gaze, suddenly very shy. ]

-- you've been very kind. To me, and the others here. Don't forget, because I certainly won't.

[oh.

There's something that tightens in his chest at her explanation. There's a part of him that wants to protest--he was only doing what anyone else would have done but...he knows that's not true. He can name so many off the top of his head for whom the thought of doing any of those things would not even cross their minds.

He takes a moment to work through the emotion in his throat]

...I shall endeavor not to, in the future. [Salieri swallows a bit, clearing his throat]

However...if I might ask a favor, perhaps?

[ Eurydice shoots him a look that reads you better not, but it's a fond one, almost conspiratorial.

When Salieri mentions a favor, she doesn't even bat an eye. So many of her "friendships" have been transactional at best -- you keep me warm for a night, I'll share some food -- but she knows Salieri isn't like that. So, without missing a beat, she says: ]

Sure. What is it?

That is...if you wouldn't mind, would you call me Antonio?

It's, ah, my given name, though it's rarely used these days. It would mean quite a lot to me if you would.

[ There's a brief moment where Eurydice, who comes from a world where last names are not very common, tries to parse the difference between a "given name" and the name Salieri already has. Ultimately, she figures it doesn't matter. If this means a lot to him, she'll do it. Congratulations, Eurydice! You didn't ruin the moment!

She smiles, at last. ]

Of course, Antonio.

[Salieri can't help but smile when she calls him that, expression pleased if not more than a little touched]

Thank you, Eurydice.

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

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