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]

[at that, there is a very small tug to the corner of his mouth as he turns a bit more to face her]

As well as I can be. [dry, with the tiniest hint of black humor]

[mayavericks]

That's... [What, good? None of this is good, or could ever be good.]

I... am sorry for what happened. Sorry for my behavior. Sorry I was not better.

[violentenvies]

[that'll garner a frown. And Salieri is quiet for a moment, thinking...before he pushes to his feet, coming over to put a hand on her shoulder]

Why don't we talk about this out in the hall? I wouldn't want to wake either of them up--[he inclines his head at the others still sleeping, indicating]--but I would like to talk further about this.

[mayavericks]

[She gives a sharp nod, before quickly finishing up gathering her belongings. She carries them out to the hall and... Settles against the wall, a few feet down the hall. She won't... say anything until Salieri does.]

[violentenvies]

[Salieri will follow, then, and settles against the wall next to her, though he's facing her, only one shoulder on the wall that he leans against. His arms fold over his chest, but it's more in thought than any kind of defensive movement]

I'm...sorry for what happened, too. I wish it hadn't. I wish there was anything we could have done to change things.

[he swallows, hard, as his voice wavers, but forcibly pulls himself back together. This is important]

But I would like you to understand that I neither blame you for any of your actions nor hold for you any censure. In fact, quite the opposite. I feel as though I understand your purpose quite well. Your desire to protect us here, to make sure that justice prevails, is evident, and don't think for a moment that I've forgotten it. However that desire comes across to others, know that I understand that it comes from a place of affection and a desire to help those around you.

And I'm proud of you for that. Not only am I proud of your strength of will to see that through, I admire it. Whether I agree with the exact action or not, know that I am still proud of that intensity, with that fierce love that you have for the people here--for our family--that pushes you to act. And I trust that, if there is a mistake that is made, you'll listen and correct it in a way that you see fit.

So, though I, too, am sorry for what happened...I do not personally believe you owe me an apology.

[mayavericks]

[Maya likes to think that she's capable of remaining stony in this moment. Everything Salieri says makes sense, is accurate to the standards she holds herself to. But being read like this, and forgiven for the actions that had put the others on edge, hits in a way that's almost entirely unexpected. She lifts her hand, clutching at her chest for a moment as her breath hitches.

She likes to think she doesn't cry. Janis could prove otherwise, of course, but she's good at keeping secrets. Still, there's a dangerous prickling sensation at the corner of her eyes.]

Neither of us -- Wanted to see anyone suffer.

[violentenvies]

[Salieri's watching her closely, but even if he wasn't, that hand and the hitch of breath aren't hard to interpret.

At that he straightens a bit, reaching out to set a hand on her shoulder, if she'll allow it, his voice gentling]

No. No, we didn't. And...perhaps our choices weren't the best. [he admits that with a small sigh, brow furrowing] No matter how much love it was motivated by. But...at least we have people with us who know when we need to be pulled back from the edge, hm?

[mayavericks]

We do.

[At least, that's what she wants to believe. But...]

Our numbers keep thinning. How long until those same people who held us back become the very reason we act?

1/2

[violentenvies]

[that catches a hitching breath in his own chest, and he has to swallow hard against a suddenly tight throat]

I...I don't know. I don't know, Maya. [it feels terrible to admit. To not have the answers.]

I don't like thinking about it--about what could push me so far that I could even fathom taking the life of another person here, no matter what the Wizard throws at me. But how can I help but consider it? [he shakes his head, brow furrowed] Because surely there's something. I know there is. Losing Rina and Varian is bad enough, I...[he cuts himself off as his throat goes tight--and he has to clear it, swallowing hard]

2/2

[violentenvies]

...I don't think about it. [when he finally admits that, it's a bit quietly] I try not to. Instead, I can only focus on trying to find a way out because at the end of the day, those horrible thoughts won't get me anywhere, because there's no real answer. But if I put my energy into escape, into doing my best to help others here, then I don't have time to sit and continually turn that thought over. It would be like a terrible water wheel, turning continuously. So instead I do what I have to to prevent it. I...don't even know if it's preventable or it's inevitable at this point; all I know is that I have to try and keep trying.

[mayavericks]

I don't... Know that I can do that.

The Wizard has taken so much from me, both here and at home. Nana may well be missing because of him. And then there is Janis and Peregrine -- if anything were to happen to them --

Or to you --

[She clenches her hands into fists once more, this time letting her nails dig into her palms.]

It has always been my duty to be strong for others. To never give in. And though I have never done it before I... Have begun to doubt my ability to keep going forward as I have. I don't... know that I can stay my hand forever.

[violentenvies]

...I...understand. It feels almost like the walls are closing in, and there's nothing for us to do about it, I--

[Salieri's throat closes up for a moment, and he has to clear it to speak]

We are in a situation where not losing hope is becoming our most difficult task. And Maya, I do admire your strength. Very much so. But I...would also like to encourage you to let others be strong for you, once in a while. This situation we are in, it is so heavy. And though you have an incredible ability to carry it, perhaps...letting others, those close to you, help you do so might be what helps stay your hand at the end of the day.