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

[barberic]

[Benjamin doesn't reach out to the hot cocoa at first, but instead reaches up to touch the hand on his shoulder.]

Better than some.

You were quite impressive, in that trial.

[violentenvies]

[asldfhs the compliment makes him flush slightly, dipping his head]

Not at all, I simply...

I simply couldn't believe that Monsieur Connor had gone through with such an act. Not with how close he seemed to be with the other children.

[barberic]

[Benjamin shakes his head, then pats the seat next to him in invitation for Antonio to sit down with him for a moment.]

It's not that. Well, not just that. What I mean to say is, you've truly embraced many of the technological marvels, here. I've barely set foot in the room of computers, and here you are, learning your way around them like an expert.

[violentenvies]

[Salieri moves to sit, then, huffing slightly, shaking his head]

I wouldn't say that. I cannot say I understand the machines themselves or know how they work other than what was explained to me today earlier and during the trial, however...more it was that, from what little I know, I was able to infer what a possible personal motive for certain actions might be.

The SQUIP was very set on its reasons being tied to "it's human," as it put it. I simply followed it from there.

[barberic]

[As far as Benjamin is concerned, he's understating it, but he'll leave it be.]

Do you ever feel like... it makes you a burden? Not knowing everything here like the back of your hand, like most of the children do.

[Being best friends, he isn't bothering to hide the fact that he's asking because that's how he feels.]

[violentenvies]

[He glances over at Benjamin at that, pausing to consider that for a long moment, before he lets out a small sigh]

...in some measure, yes. There are sometimes things they say or talk about that I cannot parse whatsoever. They come from a place that is far more advanced than either you or I can even imagine.

However...for the most part, they have been forthright and patient with any explanation, should I ask. And furthermore, despite our handicap, there is still much that we are able to do. They are still young, despite their ability, and to be trapped in this place...

It's terrible enough, as an adult. But as a child? I cannot even imagine.

[he frowns, then] We may not be able to help them in other areas, but...what we can do is be an anchor for them, should they need it. And part of me believes that could perhaps make up for any deficiencies in our knowledge in other areas.

[barberic]

[Benjamin sighs heavily, pinching his brow with one hand.]

Your perspective is wise as ever, my friend.

[He's been doing his best to try and keep their younger companions' spirits up, never forgetting that they're children.]

...What do we do? How can we protect them?

[This time was so much different from last time - this time was intentional.]

[violentenvies]

[at that, Salieri's expression pinches into a frown, leaning towards upset]

...that's the difficulty. There are few promises we can make that can be kept; few guarantees. We don't know what the Wizard is going to throw at us next. The best we can do is try and comfort them, to be pillars when everything seems uncertain.

[barberic]

...I only hope we can be enough.

[Spoiler alert...]

It's horrible, some of their parents don't even know... [...Because their children are already dead.] And I can imagine only too well how much their families must be missing them now, how worried they must be.

The best we can do, is to bring them home. But until we can figure out how to bring down the Wizard, keeping them from falling to his tricks is the next best option.

[violentenvies]

Indeed. [Salieri huffs out a sigh] We'll just have to find a way to keep their spirits up and to make sure they know that we are here to support them and help them, no matter what. Remind them that we are stronger as a group than as individuals.