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

[violentenvies]

[Salieri doesn't say anything as Discord sits next to him, though he does shudder a bit at the touch to his back, before he leans back into Discord, almost a little cautiously.

At the tea, he looks at it for a moment, before reaching out to wrap his hands around it]

Look at that. I didn't even have to trick you into it this time. [he's making an attempt to affect that dry tone, but it falls incredibly flat.]

[disharmonizes]

You'll have to next time, so don't get too used to it.

[Same here, bud... same here... He just. Sits there for a bit.]

...About... in there.

[violentenvies]

Noted.

[he pauses, however, at that, turning his head slightly to lean it back against the flat Discord's shoulder]

...what about it. [quietly]

[disharmonizes]

That little stunt of yours. With the sword.

[His tone is... neutral and carefully so, which is very un-Discord. He doesn't usually try to pull his punches.]

[violentenvies]

Ah. That. [Discord's tone unsettles him, so he just...keeps his head against Discord's shoulder and closes his eyes, just listening to his voice]

[disharmonizes]

Yes, that.

[And he shoves him slightly. Not enough to actually push him away, it's too gentle for that, so it's more... for effect.]

I just want it to be clear that you're not doing that again.

[violentenvies]

[he'll take that small shove, but settles once again back against Discord's shoulder. Salieri's eyes open slightly, staring down at the table in front of them, at the cup of tea he still holds, gaze distant]

...I didn't know what else to do. [his voice is still quiet, like a secret]

[disharmonizes]

Yes, that was obvious.

[It would sound judging, if the circumstances were different, but right now it... really doesn't. This next part, though? Maybe a little.]

I haven't heard an answer yet. Not that it's a question, but a response might be nice.

Spoilers, agreeing with me is the correct answer.

[violentenvies]

[at that he sits up and away, breaking that contact, maybe hunching a bit over the table, and that cup of tea.]

Is it.

[disharmonizes]

[...He's going to less gently shove him, now, and just move over to the other side of the table so he can lean over it and get in Salieri's face a little.]

Yes, it is. And you already know that.

[violentenvies]

[Okay, he leans back a bit at that, sitting up straight, posture going stiff, defensive.

His lips press into a thin line for the moment as his jaw works, tense--something in him banked, held back from bursting. His eyes narrow.]

You would think that, wouldn't you? That you're always right.

[snapped--and he doesn't know why. Discord's right, isn't he? But this thing--this specific thing he almost feels like he's itching for a fight over]

[disharmonizes]

Because I am and especially right now, because it seems everyone is on the self sacrifice train.

[He just leans down further.]

Please, tell me what the plan was. You were going to swing your sword against metal and, oh, see what happens?

1/3

[violentenvies]

[Discord's right. He's right and it makes Salieri feel helpless, powerless, just like he was then. It rankles, digs under his skin, aggitating, irritating, angering--and his temper snaps.

Salieri shoves to his feet, pushing back from the table now, tea left still untouched as he whirls on Discord, snarling at him across the table though he's on his feet now]

What else could I do?! [snapped, again, moving into shouting, raging] It was an accident! He didn't mean to do it, but metal monstrosity was going to take him anyway, and I--

[violentenvies]

[his voice breaks in his throat, his breathing rough and ragged] I--

3/3

[violentenvies]

I couldn't do anything!

1/2

[disharmonizes]

[Yes, there it is. And it's not fun, really, seeing Salieri's composure break like this. Not for this. All the same, Discord watches, not regretting poking at the issue.

It has to come out, sooner or later.

So he lets out a breath, pushing his own grief to the side a moment to focus on this.]

I know.

2/2

[disharmonizes]

[He reaches forward, taking Salieri's hand, just. holding it for a moment.]

I know. I'm sorry.

[violentenvies]

[that...takes the wind out of his sails so quickly, all the anger rushing out of him and he slumps a little, like a puppet on cut strings as Discord takes his hand, tells him he's sorry, of all things.

Salieri swallows, letting his hand be taken for a moment, just...processing. There's a beat of silence...two...before he sighs]

...come here, you absolute irritation. [he sounds tired, exasperated, and maybe a little bit fond. Salieri tightens his hand on Discord's and gives it a solid yank--enough to tug him into his arms. From there it's simply a matter of taking a handful of the fabric at Discord's side in his free hand, keeping him close.

Salieri leans his head forward onto around the area of Discord's collarbone with a small sigh]

...I won't do it again. I promise.

[disharmonizes]

[He sucks in a surprised breath when Salieri pulls him in, blinking, caught off guard. It's an awkward moment where he's just frozen, before he relaxes.

Right. Hugging.

...It's still new. So it's very carefully that he moves a hand to Salieri's shoulder, for some support.]

Now, was that so hard?

[violentenvies]

[he'll get a huff at that, almost a snort]

Is that a rhetorical question?

[he's quiet for a moment, though, just...enjoying that closeness. Before he has to bring up the next subject which he knows Discord is going to hate, but this is a two-way street here--]

And what about you?

[disharmonizes]

[.......]

What about me what?

[violentenvies]

Well. You couldn't do anything either, could you?

[Salieri leans back, slightly, so he can look up at Discord, watching him closely, releasing his hold on his side so he can hold up a hand. Salieri snaps his fingers]

No way to stop it.

[disharmonizes]

[And at that, Discord backs away, almost instinctive more than conscious.]

Yes, well...

[He had been trying. Trying to make anything happen, anything at all, but it just... wouldn't. Nothing useful.

As if being useful had ever been a concern before now.]

[violentenvies]

[he'll let Discord go as he backs away, just a step or two, before Salieri moves to follow]

Well, what? [he arches an eyebrow] Lord of Chaos, power to travel dimensions, stuck trying to do what little damage control you could because that's all you could do. And the end still didn't turn out right.

[disharmonizes]

[The words sting, much, much more than the sword cutting across his hand did. It almost feels like physical blows and he takes another step back, crossing his arms.

Defensive, of course.]

Hardly the first-- [No. Stop talking.

Divert.] You should really be taking this up with the Wizard, for taking my magic away in the first place.