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

Broadhurst

[violentenvies]

[When Salieri makes his way to the dorm, he pauses in the doorway--Farrah getting his attention first, before his eyes catch on the hand-drawn pictures and notes all over the wall.

Varian's handwriting and chicken scratch, inventions, plans, ideas--they're plastered there, a stark reminder of what they've abruptly lost, of how there won't be any more added.

His eyes sting again and he closes them, swallowing hard, frantically trying to pull that mental mask into place, to regain some control. When he opens his eyes, there are some quiet tracks down his cheeks from the corners, and he's going over to his trunk, opening it, and pulling out a bottle of a sparkling light amber liquid.

Salieri twists the top off and takes a swig straight from the bottle before going to attempt to sit down next to Farrah, setting the bottle between them]

[brokeforgood]

[Farrah is very specifically not looking at the wall. Seeing all of Varian’s work up on the wall—- pinned up the same way that Salieri had pinned up her own nonsense doodles—- it’s too much. She keeps her eyes focused on the video, watching herself again, and again, and thinking of how Varian had just comforted her about it the night before.

It’s not until he sits down by her that she drops the phone, and sits up—- scooping the bottle up to move it out of the way so she can wiggle right up next to him. Then she takes a swig, and passes the bottle back to him.]

I don’t care if she was right. If Maya says anything about you next time, I’ll rip her throat out.

[violentenvies]

[he does give that phone a confused, if curious glance. Though when Farrah scoots closer, his expression softens. As she takes a swig of that bottle, she'll find that it is merely sparkling cider. Non-alcoholic.

As she tells him that, though, he accepts the bottle back, taking another swig himself, before looking down at her with something that is a little exasperated, a little amused, and, overall, incredibly fond]

I would expect nothing less, ma petite lionne.

[he reaches out to set a hand between her shoulder blades, just resting it there, another point of contact as he sets down the bottle]

[brokeforgood]

[She about chokes on the cider once she’s realized what it is— but tries to keep her cool. At least he can get a little bit of a laugh there.

She lets out a tiny growl and swipes her hand at him, like the fierce beast she is.]

No, no, it’s a ti—- [She’s already extending her arm to show off her bracelets, all orange and white and black. She swallows, hard.

Then; she gestures to her phone, the screen full of a football stadium for the tigers.]

I’m a tiger.

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.

[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.

[violentenvies]

[Salieri blinks, once, as Farrah climbs into his lap, and he's setting the bottle down, automatically moving to put his arms around her as she lays her head on his shoulder. Then she says that and he freezes for just a moment--before he tightens his arms around her, holding her close as those little cracks in his armor spread, causing his control to fray. Salieri shudders, once, and there a strangle hiccuping noise in his throat.]

My bracelet...[he tries to explain, but his voice feels rough and strangled] Rina, she...she put you on it. [Salieri sucks in what sounds like a watery breath] You and Varian.

[brokeforgood]

[Oh. Farrah follows his gaze to the bracelet, and she feels her own eyes start to sting again, even though she’s sure she’s already cried out everything she has.]

Oh—- Rina… [Farrah’s own cool cracks again.]

She was so sweet. A good, sweet, kind girl—- And— Varian was smart, and funny, and scared —-

I couldn’t —- I should’ve—- [She hides her face again.]

[violentenvies]

There...there was nothing you could do. There was nothing either of us could do. [his voice is watery, sucking in a breath, still trembling himself]

It was just...it was an accident.

[brokeforgood]

I should have been with them! If I were there—- [But he’s right.

It was a terrible accident. What would she have even done?]

And now they’re gone. And I’m here. [… They’re both here. She lets out a heavy breath, and pats his hand.]

[violentenvies]

You are. You are here. [he squeezes her gently] ...they didn't mean to leave you. Or any of us. So now we...have to keep going.

[that's hard to get out, because it's difficult to fathom how one can keep going after such a loss. he's not even sure how to at this point]