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]

He told how he couldn't trust his princess anymore. That he would rely only on himself from now on.

Why didn't I say anything? Why did he not ask for help? Why did he have to make that choice?

[It's not like the SQUIP, who listened to Angus and who he regarded as his responsibility. Varian was a teenager who could make his own decisions. And they got him killed. Yet he was there, watching his fearful expression in the nurse's office without knowing how much preventable pain was to happen.]

I saw it in his eyes. Despair. What I thought the civilians of Earth felt as they felt their planet begin to explode. I could feel that fear. But...it wasn't for the exact reason I believed it to be. [Is he mad at Varian for lying to them? For killing his girlfriend to save his father? At the Wizard for giving him that choice? Angus can't pin it down.] I had another chance, Orpheus, and I blew it.

[themuseabandonsyou]

[ Orpheus doesn't really know what to say to that right away, because really, what is there to say, that hasn't already been said? They did their best, and it wasn't enough. ]

We all did. We let two children die on our watch, because we didn't notice Varian was suffering. [ He breathes out, and runs a hand through his hair. ] I got so much amber out of that machine. Maybe I should have asked whose it was, instead of just putting it away. Maybe that would've gotten him to come to me, when he remembered, or at least made him think about us for a moment longer. Any one thing we said could've prevented this, but we'll never know.

[mcfife]

But we know nothing of each other. There are details that no one will be able to uncover.

[He knows about Orpheus. He knows about Elle. He knows a bit about Salieri. A bit about Maya. But that isn't everyone.]

You know about my past, but I know little except for the god who looked after you. [He glances across the room, looking for the wife.] Eurydice is strong, but she does not speak much. How is she faring?

[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.

[mcfife]

...I wish I could not care.

[How easy it is, to close of your heart and let it cool in the iciness of ennui. How delightful if he felt no despair at others' suffering.]

But I have traveled so far, seen many wars, but nothing prepares for witnesses individual death, one after another.

[themuseabandonsyou]

I guess it would be easier? If we were all only in this for ourselves. It'd be over by now.

[ And isn't that a terrifying thought? Orpheus shudders. ]

But we're not built for that. People aren't. Caring about each other is how we are. And that's... why the Wizard hasn't been able to force us to hurt each other, not on purpose... Except the SQUIP, but even he did that because he just cared about someone else more than us. Caring about others is what makes us people.

[mcfife]

[Angus looks a bit uncomfortable at that.]

But Rina was not entirely an accident, remember? Varian said...he said that he was ready to kill her, even if it was peacefully. He chose not to seek help. [He wasn't going to rely on anyone except himself anymore. He couldn't trust the princess, why should he trust us?] That doubt, however small, was in him. And that doubt took two of our friends away from us.

[He turns to Orpheus, avoiding his gaze, thinking.]

What if that happens again? What if the Wizard, instead of threatening us outright, slowly pulls us apart? Defeating a dragon is simpler than defeating the idea of fear itself. If I have to wait until we have a chance to fight the Wizard...

...How long will it be? How many more will die?

[themuseabandonsyou]

I know. I'm not sure that we could have done anything to save Rina if he'd come to us? None of us are doctors. But he still chose to hide it, for that chance at saving his father. And I don't blame him for it, but it's still... The weight of that decision being on him isn't fair.

[ The cruelty of being forced to choose between family. Orpheus is quiet as Angus turns to him and expresses his doubts, his own expression grim. ]

I think the Wizard is only going to press harder from here on in. And... I hope we can endure it. I want us to endure it, long enough to figure out how to defeat him. But how much more can we take? We all have to be strong together, because if even one of us gives in -

[ He draws a sharp breath and looks away, unable to finish the thought. ]

[mcfife]

He knows about us, he knows what can be done to turn us from unity. And that is something even the most wicked of magic cannot do on its own. [He's a wizard, alright. A wizard of disharmony.]

With so few of us, it should be easier to keep an eye on each other. But it shouldn't fall to such a small number that it's enough to keep up safe.

[He looks up at the group milling in the cafeteria, some having left to other rooms to be alone. They're missing seven, and Angus breaths quietly, slowly.]

Once we were numerous but that's long ago
We are no more twenty-on as before
The last ones united but not yet as one
Fourteen are left; will we perish in flames?

[themuseabandonsyou]

[ Orpheus can't roar quite like Angus does, but he picks up the song as best he can, singing, ]

May their souls find Elysium
Treading paradise's shores

Almighty Wizard, we are trapped in your halls
Never knowing when the next of us could fall
Desperately searching, to find a way home
To return to the loved ones and places we've known

[ He rests his head in his hands, eyes closed. ]

We have to try harder. We have to look out for each other. We have to find a way out. There's so much to do, and I don't know how we even start.

[mcfife]

[Orpheus' spirit is in the music, and that's what matters. Even untrained singers can grow into their heavy metal role. to become a roaring icon.]

We had already done some work. We have explored what we can. We have prepared for a fight. We...must train more. A resistance army does not gather strength overnight.

[themuseabandonsyou]

Right. I... don't know how to fight. People have tried to teach me, but I'm not - I'm not good at trying to hurt people, even when it's just sparring, or even when they're trying to hurt me. But maybe I should try again. If it would make all of us safer.

[ This isn't like with the other Argonauts, where they could just leave him on the boat when things got dangerous. And while Orpheus doesn't want to think about having to defend himself from anyone here, it may be good to know he can be useful if they ever confront the Wizard or any other dangers lurking around. ]

I know you and Eurydice have been working together. Would you be willing to try to teach me, too?

[mcfife]

As a unit we stand
Ans united we fall

[Wise words for a blossoming army. They are an army.]

All resistance groups start somewhere. Not all members of the Hootsforce were former soldiers. Even the ability to command others and drive or control robots was useful in the Battle of Cowdenbeath.

But if you wish to train together, you may join us. I can use additional company.

[themuseabandonsyou]

Thank you. I can't really do those things, either, but if I can I'd like to learn how to better protect people.

[ Maybe just knowing that he could fight, if the situation called for it, would make him feel a little less helpless. ]

So I'll do my best, and I'll try not to slow down anyone else's training.