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

[disharmonizes]

Of course not. I think I have that covered myself, already.

[At least he's self aware?]

[mayavericks]

Inflating your own self-worth has to be the hardest I have ever seen you work, now that I think about it.

[disharmonizes]

Why, thank you for noticing! I'd hate for my hard work to remain unrecognized.

[mayavericks]

Far be it from me to ever minimize your worth, right?

[Maya's kind of been in a funk all day but... You know, Discord manages to get a laugh out of her.]

[disharmonizes]

Oh, never. Not even once.

[That's good to see, though.]

Not to go even more off brand here and come across as concerned, but... You are holding up alright, yes?

[mayavericks]

[Ah. She sobers right up at that.]

Why wouldn't I be? Someone was brought to justice for a terrible crime today.

[disharmonizes]

Yes, I'm sure everything that happened today was just great for everyone's mental health.

Not that I didn't get some satisfaction out of how that ended up -- well, a lot, actually -- but justice can only do so much.

[mayavericks]

Connor did not deserve what happened to him. And the fact that I was unable to prevent it will stick with me for some time.

That alone would have been enough, but...

[Maya wraps her arms around herself.]

The execution was unnerving.

[disharmonizes]

It wasn't exactly pleasant to watch.

[Not that it did much for him in that regard, but. Even he knows that would be unhelpful to say.]

...Was there something about this one specifically?

[mayavericks]

If I tell you, I know you will laugh.

[disharmonizes]

...Let's call this a freebie, then. One mockery free conversation, at least for the next few minutes.

Deal?

[He figures this is a little more convincing than simply saying he promises not to laugh.]

[mayavericks]

Deal.

[A beat, and then...]

There is a giraffe running a competition at my school. The fact that the boys walked away with a giraffe in particular has me... concerned.

[disharmonizes]

Huh.

[Honestly, the guy from pastel pony world is probably the last person who's gonna find the giraffe part weird. Well, you know, still weird, just not as weird.]

You think it might be a message? A hint just for you, perhaps?

[mayavericks]

I think... It would be rather presumptuous to say it was directed specifically at me. The Wizard does not seem to have much regard for us on an individual level. I doubt he would even know my background from anyone else's.

But it still seems odd to include.

[disharmonizes]

We've been getting personalized photos every week to drive us to kill, I wouldn't be so quick to jump to conclusions.

Though either way, I can see how it'd be a... not so fun coincidence.

[mayavericks]

That's different.

[A beat.]

I hope that's different. It would certainly change everything if it were deliberate.

[disharmonizes]

Who can say? I'm not usually one to be paranoid, but I am one to be cynical.

[Always assume the worst.]

If it's not related, it was just a momentary scare. If it is, you've already prepared yourself for that.

[mayavericks]

Knowing what might be coming is different than being prepared for it.

But it does change everything I know about my revues, if the Giraffe was behind this as well.

[disharmonizes]

Ah-ah, knowing what might be coming is the first step in being prepared for it. Leave some pessimism for the rest of us, please.

[mayavericks]

I think I am allowed my fair share of pessimism after my attempts to keep us united up until this point.

[disharmonizes]

Not when I'm starting to look like an optimist next to you. It's not good for my brand, you understand.

Besides, all the more reason to double down, isn't it? Out of spite, if nothing else.

[mayavericks]

I have never needed to use spite as a motivator before.

[Spite is what losers use. she's a winner, thank you.]

[disharmonizes]

You've also never been trapped in a school by a mechanical wizard-head with a group of people from different dimensions before.

First time for everything!

[mayavericks]

[A grimace]

Fair point. Spite then.

[She sets down her sword for the time being and... Crosses her arms over her chest.]

Now what do you recommend?

[disharmonizes]

Prepare for the worst, hope for the best? Or something else you'd find on an inspirational poster, I don't know, advice isn't usually my thing.

...Mostly I would encourage you to go through worst case scenarios now so you're less caught off guard in case things do get that bad. Shock tends to be counterproductive to making good choices, I should know, I exploit that little fact constantly.