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

[solomonjihad]

...

[At this, she looks up at Heather, admittedly surprised. Usually, didn't humans hold grudges, even--

And yet. Here she was. She...understood.

Astarte can't help but smile in relief. Even after meeting that other self...]

Thank you...Heather...

[allicareabout]

[And if he does, he'll deal with it later! Simple-as.]

Good man, good man. But you know what, this is getting a bit heavy and you wanted this little shindig to be anything but - tell me something about this 'family' of yours, I'm curious.

[He's really not, but that's beside the point.]

[sunshineprincess]

No. I asked her about her ribbon, and she threw the key to me... we can both go and you can just grab anything you'd like?

[dechagny]

[Hesitantly, because he remembers how frightened she was when they first arrived, Raoul puts a hand on Astarte's shoulder.]

There's...no need for an apology. I just - I want to understand. That...whatever it was, it knew...quite a lot about wounds and death, and while that did help us...I am concerned. What exactly happened to you?

[sunshineprincess]

[She looks at Astarte and gasps, taking the other girls hands.]

Are you back?

after

[sunshineprincess]

[Anna gives her a small smile and wave.]

Y-Yes. Hime didn't think I should stay in my room by myself... Thank you. For doing this.

[trettende]

That's quite a thing to admit.

[ REAL AS HELL THOUGH, way to do what Hans can't, Heather. ]

I don't think anyone hates you, though.

[solomonjihad]

[Wounds and...death...well, that makes Astarte's own look of worry deepen. How..does it know so much?]

I...do you remember what it said about me, in that book? About...being like two people.

[...What has she done when she's not in control? Not here, but back home, and why, why wouldn't Mother say anything--]

[sunshineprincess]

[Anna quietly sits down beside him, not sure what to say at the moment. When she finally does say something, it's soft, and she tries to sound encouraging.]

We're still here. That's good, right?

[solomonjihad]

[Astarte takes her hands in a tight grip. Like, if she let go, she'd be adrift again.

She...she scared Anna, too. She can see it in her face, hear it in her gasp.]

I am. Anna...I...

[sunshineprincess]

[Anna still can't believe there's a little girl here. She's seen her in the playbill and around the theater, but hasn't actually spoken with her. And the little girl looks exhausted.]

Why don't you go to bed?

[dechagny]

[When he notices Anna, he inclines his head respectfully. Your Majesty.]

...We are still here - but we should be twenty. Not eighteen.

[No one has to die here. They could've left in a couple more weeks, presumably. If they had just...]

[dechagny]

[Grimly, Raoul nods.] I do, yes. I...actually read it.

[As opposed to skimming it for names and faces.]

[sunshineprincess]

I'm so glad.

[She can't help but give the other girl a hug. She was really worried when that demonic voice came out of her friend again.]

Everyone panicked when you changed.

[solomonjihad]

[To say that Astarte is startled by the hug is an understatement. She doesn't even know, really, what do to with it. For Anna to forgive her so easily, like this...

Slowly, her own arms wrap around Anna, and she buries her head into the other's shoulders.]

I...caused such a problem...

[sunshineprincess]

I know.

[If only those two could somehow come back. She could try and become real friends with D-ne, Valjean would be here and they could speak about France some more... She wrings her hands in her lap.]

I still can't believe that she chose to do something like that. She explained why, but... I don't understand. Love is important, but why do people keep having to die for it?

[dontfeedplants]

I guess so? I have no idea where one would put it, though...

[solomonjihad]

...That's...who that was. The other person. The other...me.

[Really, that's all there is to it.]

I have a split personality.

[solomonjihad]

Mmmph, all right...

[Astarte might...be taking another big handful. Geez she is hungry! Though she should probably leave some for Hime, it is her bowl...]

[dontfeedplants]

I guess a canopy would be nice...

[He idly looks through the clothing.]

This... this is really nice of you to do, by the way...

[sunshineprincess]

N-No, you didn't... you weren't yourself, but whoever it was helped a lot. I don'think we could have handled that trial so well if... I would have rather had you, but I'm glad you didn't have to see all that.

[One person was spared from the monstrosity of what had happened.]

[dechagny]

[Raoul shakes his head.]

I do not know for certain. And...I too cannot truly understand her motives. I am just...

[He takes a breath, looks away at a spot on the wall. Where D-ne might be. Where Valjean might be.]

...There was a part of me that is...was...fond of her, as...elder brothers can be fond of their sisters, and want them not to come to harm. And Monsieur Valjean taught me things...perhaps, even helped me realize that there is still much in this world I do not know. I...I cannot help but miss them both, no matter their roles in this "show".

[solomonjihad]

...I know now.

[She simply nods.]

I apologize. That...wasn't me.

[solomonjihad]

...I...

[What can she say to that? The other her had helped, but...]

No one was hurt, right? By the other me, I mean. I just...want to make sure.

[dechagny]

Is it truly another you? Or...does this person have some other name? They said "If that is what you wish to call me" when I called them by your name.

[He wants to be clear about this wacky shit okay, draw definitive lines in the sand.]