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]

I think you could do much better than a little title like that. But...

[And he leans forwards and down a little, so he can get right up in Salieri's face.]

I say you've got yourself a deal.

[violentenvies]

[Oh.

Oh that is very close. Salieri barely keeps himself from sucking in a breath, instead keeping his expression a calm arched eyebrow, even as something in his stomach flips over. He chalks this up to the success of his bargaining.

Salieri doesn't step back, merely turns at the waist slightly to set aside his wine, before turning back right into place, offering a hand into the small space between them]

Shall we shake on it?

[disharmonizes]

A little formal and official for my liking, but I suppose I could make an exception. Just the once.

[And he'll take Salieri's hand. Let's shake on it.]

[violentenvies]

[Discord's hand curls around his, and Salieri grips it tightly for a moment, head tilted up so he can look him in the eyes.

There's some sort of giddy anticipation building in Salieri's chest, causing a smirk to curl the corner of his mouth--this is a risk to take, a big one, to give up everything like this but somehow, it feels right.

It feels like...freedom. For the first time.]

1/2

[disharmonizes]

[The eye contact lingers a moment and there's a pleased glint in Discord's eyes, maybe a little much for the situation, but, well. How often does he get to take the Maestro to his level?

It's fun, for one. Rewarding, and just a little exhilarating. And as they shake hands and pull away, Discord's smile is a little more playful of a smirk than just sly.]

Such a pleasure doing business with you, Maestro. You won't regret it.

2/2

[disharmonizes]

[Then he leans back again, so pleased, and launches right back into song.]

Don't you wanna get away to a whole new part you're gonna play
'Cause I got what you need, so come with me and take the ride
To the other side!

[And he does a little overblown bow, hand twirl and everything.]

So if you do like I do--

[violentenvies]

[This absolutely ridiculous--Salieri's smirk widens slightly as he's the one stepping into Discord's space this time, placing a hand on his shoulder to shove him back a couple steps, before advancing into the space he just vacated, chin tilting up in challenge]

So if you do like me.

[So there.]

Forget the cage, 'cause we know how to make the key
Oh, damn! Suddenly we're free to fly
We're going to the other side

2/2

[violentenvies]

[he tilts his head at Discord a bit, challenging, but with a hint more playfulness this time]

So if you do like I do--

1/3

[disharmonizes]

[Discord blinks as he's suddenly pushed back, not doing much more than staring for a second as Salieri sings and oh that little head tilt...

Absolutely infuriating.

How...]

2/3

[disharmonizes]

[...fun.

And just like that, the smirk is right back, like it never left.]

So if you do like me--

3/3

[disharmonizes]

[He steps forwards and around Salieri, twirling until he's right at his shoulder, like earlier. But on his other side, this time.]

'Cause if we do we're going to the other side
We're going to the--

1/2

[violentenvies]

[Discord steps and twists around him, and Salieri remains still, calm and casual despite that this feels like the terrified anticipation of opening night, that excited anxiety. His head turns towards the side Discord eventually lands on.]

--other side~

2/2

[violentenvies]

[his smirk widens a little further as the music dies off--and he shifts, briefly, to bump his hip into Discord's]

Well. Now that that's settled, we really should be getting back to setting this party up, don't you think?

[disharmonizes]

Mm, yes, I suppose we should. Though I still think the ceiling is a perfectly fine place for all this.

[...he'll float the cup sticking there down, though.]

[violentenvies]

[Salieri reaches out to pluck it from the air as it floats into reach, before moving to stack it with the others]

Perhaps at another party, then, you can attempt to convince Mademoiselle Maya to leave them up there.

[disharmonizes]

Tempting.

Though there is the concern that they might all fall down on everyone.

[He isn't... the most confident about his magic sticking up on the ceiling for that long.]

[violentenvies]

As if you wouldn't enjoy that.

[disharmonizes]

Oh, very much, but I did promise no harmful chaos.

[violentenvies]

Ah, well. Mark it down as an idea for another time, then.

[disharmonizes]

Once that contract is at an end perhaps, hm?

[violentenvies]

[he pauses at that, going thoughtful for a moment]

...yes. Perhaps.

[disharmonizes]

Well, now, that pause seemed terribly significant.

[violentenvies]

[he waves a hand, dismissing it a bit]

Not terribly. Simply...thinking of when we finally get to leave this place.

[disharmonizes]

Any day now, if we want to be in denial and optimistic about it.

[violentenvies]

[That does make him chuckle a little, mouth curling back up into a smirk]

By this time tomorrow, I'm sure we'll be off to another dimension. Where shall we go first, then?