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

[mcfife]

[Early in the afterparty, Angus is always by Elle's side, watching the others from their seats with a barely restrained look on his face. He's angry. All of this, and everything hat happened earlier, he hates it. And he can't even fight the Wizard.

The lizard terrarium isn't here this week. He doesn't want to think about them for too long.

Eventually, the two make their separate ways, with Angus roaming into the kitchen looking for some place to direct his rage.]

What can I do to help?

[After the ordeal woth Rina's body, he's found at the side of the building with the gapping hook Varian built for him earlier in the week. He swings it up high, but misses the right stable spot. He then throws it up again, pulling on it tightly, and sighs.]

[whatyouwant]

[Elle doesn't let got of Angus as they exit the trial. She doesn't speak either.

Eventually they sit down and Elle lets out a shuddering breath. Her brows furrow as she stares at the table in front of her.]

This is just going to keep happening, isn't it?

[mcfife]

[He grips her hand tightly. He doesn't know what he can do, but this does help him think clearly.]

We can't keep letting The Wizard get away with this. We have to strike the next time we see him. Else how many more will die because of him?

[whatyouwant]

But what even is 'him'? That big metal head? Some asshole locked away god knows where?

[It takes a lot for Elle to give in to more pessimistic thinking. Apparently two children dying gruesomely in one day is enough to do it.]

We have no idea how to find him.

[mcfife]

He's no where near the auditorium. Janis and the Balladeer proved that. [And gave a life in the process.] Only Hester knows. She has to know.

I thought I could find answers on the roof, but how could I expect something so simple. [He rests his head on an arm laid out on the table.] How many more of us will die until Hester speaks?

[whatyouwant]

I keep thinking 'this is going to be the thing that gets her to work with us,' but it never happens. She acts like it bothers her, but...

[She leans her head on Angus' shoulder.]

Maybe if we get her somewhere the Wizard can't see her? Maybe she can't help us or...or maybe she doesn't actually care and none of this will matter anyways.

[mcfife]

She went to Salieri's party. Was that all an act?

[They didn't have an ally, in the end.]

He knows what she does. The Wizards cares for her. How can she turn her back on him?

[whatyouwant]

I mean, I love my family, but if Dad was pulling something like this, [She gestures around them.] I'd do everything I could to stop it.

[mcfife]

[Angus tilts his head so he can press against Elle. She's right, any person with a heart would turn against their evil family. It's the right thing to do.]

I'm starting to feel like chasing after Zargothrax was easier than this. At least we could hide from him long enough for prepare.

[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.]

[mcfife]

I can't lose any more of you. [He presses Elle's hand again and presses a cheek against the side of her head - where the pink flower hairpin is.] I feel like I don't know who to trust anymore.

...Not that I don't believe you won't kill anyone, Elle. But every time, it's come a surprise.

[whatyouwant]

Varian and Elizabeth didn't kill anyone either. They had accidents that the Wizard blamed them for.

[Elle squeezes his hand and pulls back just enough to look him in the eye.]

I can't promise something like that won't happen, but I do promise that if it does, I'll tell you right away.

[mcfife]

[With that, Angus sits up.]

Varian chose not to find help. He chose to let her die, even if it was peacefully. Elle, he would not have decided to kill her if it weren't for the Wizard. If he hadn't consider himself a - if he thought he was a terrible person! This is what the Wizard wants, he wants us to think nothing of death, to have these second thoughts! He's trying to trick us into evil, that's what he's doing!

side of the building

[disharmonizes]

[Discord's mostly just passing through, trying to find some other people, when he happens to come across Angus using that grappling hook. And he stops, just looking at this for a moment.]

It might be a little too soon after an accident to start tempting fate.

[mcfife]

I've done this before. [His voice is terse, frustrated. Of course Discord would try to be contrary. Angus grips the rope tightly and plants a foot onto the brick before, then another.]

[disharmonizes]

And now you've conquered gravity forever, yes, we're all very impressed.

What are you even going to do up there?

[mcfife]

I need someplace to be alone. [Spongebob has been up there but-] I need to do something with my other, other than sit and moan!

[He slowly makes his way up the wall, his arms going through the practiced motions, grabbing the next length of rope as angrily as possible. It ends up shaking the rope a bit too much for to not scare certain onlookers.]

[disharmonizes]

So you'll sit and moan on the roof instead, yes, wonderful plan.

Might I suggest an alternative or is this a "I'm going to go up there and brood no matter what" situation?

[mcfife]

[It's not like Discord will stop antagonizing if Angus is still out in the open, taking his time climbing.]

What?

[disharmonizes]

A lot of people in our little group aren't really the best at taking care of themselves. Case in point, I can see someone scaling the wall right now rather than processing anything.

...Just an example, of course.

[He can't not be a shit to Angus it's just unpossible.]

Why, it might be good if someone was watching out for them right now. If someone felt the need to be doing something productive, I mean.

[mcfife]

[Angus takes two more steps.]

So you would rather [grunt] have me [grunt] help [grunt] without first [grunt] calming down!?

[He's going to be contrary, just because it's Discord.]

[disharmonizes]

Well, if you'd rather that everyone rescheduled their mental breakdowns to better fit your schedule...

[mcfife]

[Angus stops his climbing and stands on the side of a wall for a few seconds.

He backs up a few inches, then drops the rest of the distance.

He walks up to Discord, eyes trained entirely on the old man's face, and glares at time.


Then throws a punch at his gut.]

1/2

[disharmonizes]

[Honestly, Discord is kind of expecting that with the way Angus just walks up to him, but he doesn't move out of the way. So, that'll connect.

He maybe doubles over a little because oh boy human bodies are all sort of frail, how do mortals live without being able to alter reality on a whim, geez.]

2/2

[disharmonizes]

[...But after a bit, he just looks up, looking maybe a little self satisfied.]

There, now doesn't that feel better?