The sky shines differently today than it did yesterday

[employeeoftheyear]

[Perhaps to the surprise of no one, there is no after party after that trial. Two children were dead. Two children were dead over a simple accident and the Wizard cared more about himself than anyone else. But they won't give up, they can't give up. They had to keep fighting until everything's been set right.

At the Lobby ofrenda later that night, there are six origami pieces accoupling the other memorials. A penguin, a rose, an octopus man, computer, a music note, and the last one are of a boy and girl holding hands. Along with that there is a plate of strawberry cupcakes with blueberry icing and a note that reads:]

There is still hope and love in the world

Never let The Wizard make you think otherwise 💗

Comments

[brokeforgood]

[Farrah actually… pauses at that question. She begins to piece herself together. Then a wry smile passes over her face as she puts her hands back in her lap]

Maya. Come on.

You know I’d say it to them. And they’d hate it.

[barberic]

[He doesn't deserve her. But he can't bring himself to flinch away, when she reaches out to him.

The hole they're standing in comes up to just below his knee, at its deepest, and he sits down on the edge of the grave, leaning forward on his elbows. He owes her an explanation - he denied it to her before, when he was too exhausted to tell her, but... One of the few who knew is lying beneath the mounded earth next to them.]

...I learned what happened. In the years I was missing.

1/2

[violentenvies]

[A tiger. Farrah's bracelet is striped with orange, black and white. Varian's bracelet colors were black and blue. Salieri glances down at his own bracelet, at the single orange and blue beads on either end.

Oh.

His throat suddenly goes tight again, eyes stinging, and he lifts that bottle to his mouth to take a long swig, for all the good it will do without any alcohol. At least it affords him time to to push all those little cracks in his armor back behind his mask as he sets the bottle back down]

2/2

[violentenvies]

Ah. I see. Ma petite tigress, then. [he tries to put some levity in it] As fierce as anything.

[violentenvies]

[Salieri looks up at that, finding Peregrine with his eyes...and he huffs out a small sigh, a little rueful]

I think I should be saying that to you, if anything.

[violentenvies]

[Salieri nods to that, numbly. He also scoots over a little on the bench at the table, offer Angus a space to sit next to him]

He was brilliant. Utterly brilliant. Covered our walls with his ideas, his plans. [he has to swallow past a tight throat] So clever.

[violentenvies]

[his voice join's Orpheus's then, now shaky, but trying to steady, clinging to that comfort, that hope for something better, for freedom-]

The piano is not firewood yet
But you help my heart
'fore it gathers regret
Someday we'll wake up and finally escape
And we'll go to our place in the sun

[violentenvies]

Hush--hush. [now that he's holding him as well, Spongebob will feel a light tremor in Salieri, a hitch in his shoulders]

It's perfect. I couldn't ask for anything more than this. Truly, thank you.

[violentenvies]

[Salieri will follow, then, and settles against the wall next to her, though he's facing her, only one shoulder on the wall that he leans against. His arms fold over his chest, but it's more in thought than any kind of defensive movement]

I'm...sorry for what happened, too. I wish it hadn't. I wish there was anything we could have done to change things.

[he swallows, hard, as his voice wavers, but forcibly pulls himself back together. This is important]

But I would like you to understand that I neither blame you for any of your actions nor hold for you any censure. In fact, quite the opposite. I feel as though I understand your purpose quite well. Your desire to protect us here, to make sure that justice prevails, is evident, and don't think for a moment that I've forgotten it. However that desire comes across to others, know that I understand that it comes from a place of affection and a desire to help those around you.

And I'm proud of you for that. Not only am I proud of your strength of will to see that through, I admire it. Whether I agree with the exact action or not, know that I am still proud of that intensity, with that fierce love that you have for the people here--for our family--that pushes you to act. And I trust that, if there is a mistake that is made, you'll listen and correct it in a way that you see fit.

So, though I, too, am sorry for what happened...I do not personally believe you owe me an apology.

[comeandfindme]

[ Oh thank god. Movement in the forest, for once, can only mean something good. ]

Ruddiger? [ Peregrine gets an apple ready, as she too spies a stripe in the undergrowth. ]

[comeandfindme]

What? [ She’s stunned, more than anything. ] What’re you—

…Because…or what you…tried to do?

[brokeforgood]

[Farrah’s mouth twists as he drinks again—— then twitches in slight amusement as he corrects himself.

She has a choice here. She can continue to laugh along, and play it cool. Or—- she can enter dangerous territory, and be completely honest, and push a boundary in a way she doesn’t normally. Sure, she’s constantly testing boundaries and trying to push people away. But there’s a very real, rawness here that makes it dangerous. She hesitates.

But Salieri’s always been safe. Especially now. She reaches over, and pushes his arm with the cider away, to make room, and slowly clambers onto his lap, making a move to rest her head against his chest.

Once she’s gotten herself comfortable, she says, in a soft and unsure voice.]

Dad—- it’s okay. You don’t have to be strong for me. Just cry.

[fourbutts]

[ Janis looks up, eyes still a little wet, but she's shocked out of the crying by Peregrine showing up. ]

Uh... well I'm not exactly thriving, that's for sure.

[themuseabandonsyou]

[ Orpheus's expression lightens, as Antonio joins in the song, smiling and a little surprised. He hadn't been sure how well this would work, but seeing his friend's spirits buoyed up from the depths like this helps lift his own. ]

We'll get through this, Antonio. [ he says, quietly, rubbing at his shoulder. ] We'll live. For all of them, and for the ones who are left.

[comeandfindme]

[ Peregrine hesitates for a moment. ]

Do...you want to be alone, or...?

[fourbutts]

I...

[ She shrugs. ]

I mean, apparently I'm just going to keep crying, so I'm not sure the whole being alone thing is really working for me.

[comeandfindme]

Scoot over.

[ Now they'll be two teenagers under the bleachers, not nearly as sad. ]

[fourbutts]

[ And she scoots! ]

Welcome to the most cliché possible spot for wayward teens to hang out.

[mcfife]

[Angus drops onto the bench - he drops onto the curb, next to Varian, holding him tightly - and keeps his hands clenched on his lap.]

He wanted to protect his village. He had the power to succeed where his princess failed. [But his dead father...he couldn't save him with only his own abilities.] But on that day, I saw more fear than determination in his eyes.

[whatyouwant]

[Elle looks over at Bruiser and Cassandra and gives a small smile.]

Bruiser, let go: you'll put holes in her pants.

[Her words aren't harsh, but Bruiser seems to get the idea; letting go of Cassandra's pants to trot back over to his mother.]

He's the best dog a girl could ask for.

[themuseabandonsyou]

[ The work song haunts him, knowing where Eurydice must have picked it up and being able to piece together some of what must have happened to Benjamin in those missing years of his from how easily he joins in. Despite his best efforts, Orpheus can't help but stop and stare for a moment as they work, heads down, efficient and practiced, before shaking it off and redoubling his own efforts to keep up.

He's not accustomed to this kind of labor. Working at the bar back home the most he'd normally have to do was load or unload crates of supplies, and while that wasn't easy work it wasn't the harsh and relentless work of grave digging. When Benjamin offers him the water bottle, he takes it gratefully. ]

I don't... really know what to make of any of this anymore. After what the Wizard told us. It sounded like he wanted us to spare Varian. And with what he said, about putting an end to these 'shows'... [ He shakes his head, and takes a drink. ] But we couldn't do that, either. Put all our deaths on Varian's shoulders. And I... I know it's selfish, but. I couldn't let Eurydice die again.

[whatyouwant]

We just can't get a break. It feels like things are on a schedule. His schedule. Every time we feel like we're making progress, something happens.

[Melancholy isn't something Elle is use to, and she doesn't really like it.]

[themuseabandonsyou]

I know. I've never been good at... losing people. Even when they're just going somewhere far away. I know it's just a part of life, but it never seems fair. Having to say goodbye, especially when it's sudden.

At least with Varian and Elisabeth and... and the SQUIP we knew. That it would be the last time we saw them.

[themuseabandonsyou]

[ Orpheus does kind of wonder if this is the best time to find out what kind of drunk Maya is, but that's her choice, so. ]

I've talked to a few people, but I'm still looking for the rest. I'm hoping I can check in with everyone at least once, though? Just... to see if anyone needs anything. Anything that I can do for them, at least.

[themuseabandonsyou]

Right. We call each other a family, and I do really believe that we all care for each other, but we've only been here for so long. How well do we really know one another?

[ He's starting to have his doubts. ]

She's angry. We all are, but she - I think it's been a long time, since she's let herself open up to anyone like she does here. Which makes losing people even harder.