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

[defyingfrigidity]

I don't know how people can do it.

[She shed her tears earlier. Now, she only feels the bone-deep tiredness instead of an urge to burst out crying. But even so, she feels her eyes stinging again...]

The people who see death every day... I don't understand how they can just keep going on like that. Ever since Mumble's death, so much of our time here just feels like I've been drifting. Like we haven't set our feet on solid ground for weeks now...

[mayavericks]

It almost felt easier, when it was the SQUIP. It didn't make Connor's death any better, but at least there was some... vindication.

[She swallows.]

At least we knew that we did the right thing. Today, though? And with Sissi? None of that is right.

[defyingfrigidity]

Even then... it's one thing to condemn someone to a guilty sentence. But death... I thought it would be easier if it was intentional, but that hurt just as much as it did with Sissi.

[Even if she hadn't talked to the SQUIP much. Just the knowledge of what they'd had to do was bad enough.]

None of this is right. Nobody should have the power over someone's life like this.

[mayavericks]

We keep saying that we have the power, because we are united. But do we really? Even if we held off this week, who is to say that accidents will not continue to plague our time here?

I am not a pessimist, but... It gets harder to go on, each day.

[defyingfrigidity]

I don't think it's right to say we have the power, but... what we do is affecting the Wizard.

[The way he lashed out at them... that had been a bit terrifying. But looking back on it now, Elsa's realizing that they can use that. Somehow.]

He's losing control... maybe not of us, but of himself. We just need to figure out how to use his slip to our advantage.

[mayavericks]

[Maya is quiet as she bundles all of her things together. After a second of thought, however -- ]

Hester as well. I don't want to suggest using her, but I suspect that there may be a weak link, there. Perhaps if we can show that we mean better for her than he does, she may be able to tell us something?

[defyingfrigidity]

[Use her. Elsa understands what Maya means, but... something about that phrasing leaves a sour taste in her mouth.]

As long as whatever we suggest doesn't put her in danger. There have already been too many deaths here - we can't add hers to the list.

[mayavericks]

No, no. I would never.

[She actually looks pretty upset at that idea!]

I just... want her to be safe. And with people that actually value her as a person.