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]

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.