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

[comeandfindme]

What? [ She’s stunned, more than anything. ] What’re you—

…Because…or what you…tried to do?

[violentenvies]

Yes. [he sits up a bit, moving to tuck that music box away in his jacket] And, more importantly...because I didn't listen to you when I should have. [he looks at her seriously] You were right. We should have spoken to Hester first. We nearly did something irreversible that would've hurt many and solved little. You helped prevent that.

So...thank you. And I'm sorry that I put you in that position. I'll endeavor to listen better and more closely the next time you have a suggestion.

[comeandfindme]

[ Oh.

Well.

Peregrine leans against the school wall, sliding down it to crouch. To get comfortable, so to speak. Of note? The cloak she’s been so desperately clinging to, she’s not wearing it right now. ]

When…they found… When they found my brother’s body, out in the woods…everyone knew who it was. They knew, ‘cause…Whitetail’s small. There wasn’t…more than one kid who…got a bit too fucked up and got lost in the woods after prom. But, they still—

[ She lets out a slow, slow breath. ]

They needed mom and me to identify his body. It was…procedure. I hated procedure, ‘cause…’cause what good would it do, to see Jacob like— [ … ] But… I still did it. Because, it was the last time I would ever see my brother again. I thought…maybe it’d give me some closure.

[ Peregrine drops her head down to her knees for a moment. Still raw. Still fresh. Even after almost two years— ]

Every time I close my eyes…I still see his face. I still…get to wonder what his last moments were like. Was he scared? Did he know? …Did he try and…and call for me…? [ And now, she looks back at Salieri, her eyes red and wet. ] I just- I just didn’t want that, for them. I didn’t…want anyone else to have that.

[violentenvies]

[Peregrine explains, and Salieri can feel something clench somewhere in his chest--that she had to go through that, that he almost put others through that, and worst, that he forced her into such a position.]

Oh. Peregrine, I...

[he's pushing to his feet, moving towards her, to kneel down next to her]

I'm so very sorry.

[comeandfindme]

[ What else do you say to that? Peregrine knew that'd probably be his response. ]

I've...screwed up a whole lot. But- but this, I... I actually really...really know what I'm talking about.

[ It's with a sad sort of resignation. She didn't really have any idea what she was doing, out in the woods. She's let all of them believe she's some kind of survival expert, but she's not. She so very not.

But grief? Oh, yeah. That she knows...very well. ]

[violentenvies]

I'd say that you know a lot about many things, in fact. [he sits back on his haunches a bit, moving to pull out his last handkerchiefs and offer it to her]

The lot of us could do with listening to your expertise more often.

[comeandfindme]

[ She looks downward, to not meet his gaze, but still she takes the handkerchief. ]

...Don't listen to everything I say. I...have a habit of...getting in over my head. And taking other people with me.

[violentenvies]

[haha what's that like???

No but seriously, he does consider that a moment]

Then with a grain of salt. However...you have proven yourself to be adept and resourceful, and there is quite a bit of merit in that.

[comeandfindme]

[ A very...very light twitch of her lips. Some might say it looks like there's a smile waiting to form on her face.

But it's not really the time for that. She doesn't have it in her. ]

Thank you. ...You have too. You were just... [ ... ] People can do really...really stupid things when they're grieving.

[violentenvies]

[Salieri goes quiet at that]

...I suppose so. Still...hopefully the next time such an...emotional situation comes up, I'll be able to react in a more appropriate manner.

[comeandfindme]

[ a genuine and sincere f in the chat for antonio salieri's REALLY bad choices ]

...Just...remember you're not alone. Okay?

[violentenvies]

[hypocrisy, thy name is historical composer antonio salieri]

...I will. You as well.

[comeandfindme]

[ Peregrine gives a very small nod. ]

I don't... I don't wanna be alone anymore. It sucks.

[violentenvies]

[at that, he'll blow out a breath]

It truly does. [it's a bit wry]

[comeandfindme]

Then...we just won't.

[ Peregrine— this is so childish and silly, but. She holds up a pinky. ]

It's a promise.

[violentenvies]

[hm??? He is not aware of pinky-swears]

It's a...promise? [he...maybe takes his pinky in his fingertips and shakes it??? like a handshakes??? is this how this works???]

[comeandfindme]

[ Peregrine hooks their pinkies together and nods with a...sort of self-conscious half-smile. ]

This is binding. It means you can't break it.

[violentenvies]

[that...makes him smile back, gently]

Far be it for me to break a binding contract like this.

[comeandfindme]

[ That seems to satisfy her, as she shakes their hands up and down. ]

There's a whole bunch of people here we can count on... Who I think would be pretty pissed if we didn't...like, try and rely on them.

[violentenvies]

True enough. I can only imagine the scolding we would be in for otherwise.

[comeandfindme]

[ Almost cracking a smile. ]

Spongebob would cry.

[violentenvies]

Oh, anything but that. I don't know if I could bear it. I'd never recover if I were the cause of such a thing. [there's a small smile on his face, but also he's kinda sorta not really joking even though he is]

[comeandfindme]

[ Peregrine thinks if she dwells on that thought any longer it'll press down on her too much. So, instead, she offers: ]

...Do you need anything right now? I know it's a stupid question. ...I know nothing's gonna...make you feel any better. But...