well this is a depressing excuse for a party

[onthebusagain]

[Mid-day on Sunday, Heather goes around and slips notes under dressing room doors.

If you don't want to be alone today, there will be snacks and people in the Ballroom today

--Heather

She's even dotted every i with a little heart! How cute.

The dining hall is a way better location for a party (or whatever this is) with its close proximity to the kitchen, and more intimate space- but Heather doesn't want to be anywhere near that place. Not for a while, at least. True to her word, Heather's brought snacks- finger sandwiches, a few bags of chips, and a big pitcher of lemonade. There isn't much else set up, but the piano is still there, should anyone want to play.]

Comments

[allicareabout]

Not even for your crew?

[That's probably harsh, but there's a reason for asking, really. It's not anything personal, at least.]

[catliketread]

[There's the tiniest moment of hesitation before the Pirate King speaks.]

Not even then. I adore my crew - they are my family, or the closest I've had to one in a very long time - but there are things a man simply cannot do.

[...And then he lowers his voice to a stage whisper, which is apparently the most quiet he can manage:] Don't go giving the Balladeer's bosses any ideas!

[allicareabout]

[...Buddy.

He'll drop his voice at that at least, even if he thinks it's kind of pointless.]

It's probably not anything they haven't already thought of.

[...Anyway, moving right along.]

Just wanting to know if there's something I should be looking out for. Nothing personal.

OTA

[littlegirl_littlecurl]

[Well, Darla's never turned down a party before, but she does take awhile to come to this one. She's tired but hasn't slept well. Doing that thing kids do when they're sleepy; slow blinks, big yawns, rubbing her nose and eyes. But she's trying not to act like it.

She'll beeline for the sandwiches after a little while since she didn't wanna travel down the hall...]

[catliketread]

[l i s t e n next billydeer will be saying that you gave them an idea!!!]

No, no, I understand. I've taken no offense at it!

[dechagny]

[Raoul looks up, and at first he...definitely looks nervous. Astarte's sudden shift in demeanor during the investigation and trial...]

...Miss Astarte. Are...you well, now?

[dechagny]

[Raoul nods. With hard work and determination, yes, but not by wishing on stars.]

If it counts for anything, Miss Hime, I do not think you are wrong on that front.

[rockthistown]

Really? Well, what do you have in mind?

[rockthistown]

Ehe. You're welcome! Sorry it's not actual lunch food, but I don't really want to go to the dining hall right now.

[rockthistown]

I had a wish once, too. But I didn't make it with magic, even though my friends and I had earned one. I gave it to someone else. The rest of us made our wishes on our own. I wish I'd been able to tell her that.

[dechagny]

[...What.]

Pardon, I...don't think I understand. You earned a wish?

[onthebusagain]

I still think he must be lonely.

[onthebusagain]

That's-- [Ridiculous. Impossible. She's heard of this kind of thing on tv and the radio, but she never expected to meet someone- not someone she liked. ]

I didn't read the book. I didn't know. So that wasn't you?

[trettende]

Yes, it all seemed... far less real, before.

[ Like, way less real. Appreciate this moment because the gloves will likely be back soon. ]

It was easier.

[trettende]

[ Hans smiles. That's... really sweet, actually. Good luck with that. ]

That's a good goal to have.

[trettende]

Yes, I think so.

[ I mean, he's 23, not a kid like Hime. ]

But that doesn't mean we can't do everything in our power to try.

[trettende]

Let's hope it stays that way.

[ I mean murder is kind of a downer. ]

And how are you feeling? You were acting, um, strange yesterday, from what I saw.

[onthebusagain]

I'm not a good person. It would be sad, if I died here, and everyone hated me. So I'm trying. [WHY IS SHE CONFIDING IN HIM? Maybe she's just scared she'll be next.]

[solomonjihad]

No...it wasn't me.

[In truth, who knows how long she'll be around and in control, instead of the thing in her.]

[solomonjihad]

[She hesitates, then nods. Ah...]

I am, for now, yes.

[dechagny]

Do you - do you know what happened? It was...

[It was like her pamphlet blurb said - like she had become an entirely different person.]

It...concerned me greatly.

[solomonjihad]

...I don't remember.

[She looks down.]

I do know what happened, though. I'm sorry.

[dechagny]

[Not what he was asking, exactly - how could anyone not know what happened by now - but he nods regardless.]

As am I. But...I meant, do you know why that happened to you?

[solomonjihad]

...I do.

[If she could look down more her head would just fall off her shoulders.]

Viscount, I'm so sorry, I...

[onthebusagain]

I'll try not to hold the things she said against you. She's like- a massive bitch.