afterparty!! guess who's dead!! It's the only person hans ever trusted!!

[trettende]

[ Hans doesn't go to his room. He can't sleep like this, covered in the Balladeer's blood and knowing what just happened. After losing... his closest friend.

Something's changed. Maybe even for good.

No, Hans goes to his room and grabs stationary. He scrawls, angrily, several notes and leaves them all under everyone's doors. ]

We're meeting in the first floor Men's Room. There are no cameras there. I have something important to tell everyone.

- Hans

Comments

I'M THE MOLE, AMA

[trettende]

[ And what should Hans do when everyone is gathered in the bathroom? Well, he hasn't washed his hands or his face and quite frankly it looks like he's been crying (wth?) But more than that, he's gonna start it off this meeting with a zinger. ]

Everyone, this has gone on for long enough.

I'm the mole. I can send and receive letters directly from the Management.

[dontfeedplants]

[There is a small pause before Seymour responds.]

This whole time, huh?

[He doesn't sound horribly upset or betrayed, and shockingly it isn't because of a distrust of Hans.]

[sunshineprincess]

[..... hm.

Even though she really, really, reaaaaalllllyyyy does not like you, Hans... Anna is not in the mood to punch you.

Just yet.]

... You're worse than I thought.

[aflatouttahell]

[She really wants to be angry. But she can't quite get to the Anger Place. Not right now.]

What kind of things do you tell them?

[allicareabout]

I can't say I'm surprised.

[God, he's fucking tired. In a lot of ways. Excuse him while he's just leaning up against the wall and looking sort of like he'd rather die.]

At least you said something and kept us all from demanding it tonight. And I don't know about everyone else, but hopefully they'll keep whatever punishment they decide to dole out to a minimum.

[dieformymusic]

[HE KNEW IT. He goddamn knew it but having gotten his catharsis from thneed and well...the shock of Balladeer, he's oddly...not enraged.]

I have only one question and tell me honestly if you want to keep your dignity: do you know a man named Swan?

[dechagny]

[...Well you know, thinking about it, he's not all that surprised, but that doesn't mean he has to like it - or that he can find it in him to forgive you for that.]

...You absolutely need to survive this, only because you need to turn your life completely around, so help me God.

[onthebusagain]

[She trusted you, Hans.]

But why?

tl;dr the basic plot to Little Shop of Horrors (cw for implied self harm)

[dontfeedplants]

[After the commotion with Hans being the mole died down a bit, Seymour clears his throat.]

There’s… probably something I should confess too, while we’re all here. During the trial, the moment I realized someone was framing me, I knew that it couldn’t have been a coincidence. That’s part of the reason why I didn’t want to believe that Jezebel was the culprit for that trial.

[And the fact that he did like her.]

Since it was the Management who framed me, I wouldn’t be surprised if they tried this again. So… I figured that I should tell you all why I’m an easy target for this. Before the Management reveals it for me.

[There is a long pause before he continues.]

… So I should say upfront, since some of you already know this, but before arriving here, I’ve committed murder. I don’t know how many people I’ve killed, but from the memories I’ve gained at least two people directly died because of me.

Hans, I told you I killed the first guy because he was a monster towards Audrey, and that’s still true...

But I wouldn’t have killed him if someone didn’t tell me too.

It’s a really, really long story, but… you guys remember that plant in my picture on the cast list? As… as it turned out, it wasn’t just some strange plant I found one day.

It was an alien, and its goal was to devour the human race.

I didn’t realize until far too late. When I learned that it drank blood I thought it would be okay if I just fed it a little of my blood every now again. But… but after awhile, I didn’t have enough blood to give it. It kept demanding more and more that I couldn’t safely give it any more of by blood, and...

It started talking to me. It told me that if I killed people, then it could make all my wishes come true, and he told me that people deserved to die anyway. I didn’t want to believe him, but in the end… I ended up killing for him for him. Multiple times.

At some point, I think I must have realized its true intentions, and I really tried to stop it but…

I failed.

[He takes a long, deep breath.]

Looking back, I’m sure the Management is shocked that I’ve made it this far without killing anyone. Hell, I’m shocked that they never told me to be their mole.

[sunshineprincess]

[That... is quite a story. Anna just stares at Seymour for a while, trying to figure out just what all of that means. So that's why he was so good with killer plants. She's thankful that all he gave her was Venus flytraps now.

She takes a deep breath and walks over to hug Seymour.]

It's okay. I still think you're a good person.

[She pulls away, keeping her hands on his shoulder.] You're trying to make up for it here, and that's a good thing. I still think of you as my friend.

[dieformymusic]

[An alien plant?! What the fuck. He knew you killed and he knew Swan can't die but an alien plant?!!?!

Nonetheless it doesn't change his feelings for Seymour as he comes over to him as a gesture of solidarity.]

That's why you thought my voice was a plant...

Seymour. We've both been fooled by powerful...monsters. I've made my own mistakes. You know this. Terrible, ones that may not only damn my soul but destroy everyone I cared for.

Maybe this horrible opera...it's chance to undo the wrongs we've done.

[trettende]

[ Dang, he actually... said it out loud. Good for you, Seymour. I mean it all sounds crazy, but Hans was there for him when he first admitted he'd murdered a dude, so he's gotta believe this even if it sounds crazy. ]

You would've made an awful mole. [ That's a compliment, I promise. ] It's good that you weren't...

[ I mean admittedly-- shit that's right Hans is having Feelings, he's gonna say this out loud. ]

Admittedly, when I first spoke to you, I did it because I thought you'd be easy to manipulate... I was clearly wrong.

[dechagny]

[To say that Raoul expected all of this out of Seymour would be a lie. There's...a lot he doesn't understand, as with many things he's discovered in this opera house, but he listens, not interrupting the other man. At least now some of Seymour's questions to him make sense, but...more about aliens? Man-eating plants? This is far too much for him to properly comprehend all at once.

If there's one thing he does understand, though, it's a man with regret on his shoulders. When Seymour is done, Raoul comes over, and...puts a gentle hand on Seymour's shoulder.]

I don't think they would pick someone who would so easily feel sorrow over his actions for their mole. It...seems like there was simply too much you didn't know at the time. I can't say what you did is right, Seymour, but...I can't find it within me to condemn you for it.

[onthebusagain]

Jesus Seymour... [She wouldn't have believed anything like this, before. She wouldn't have even talked to someone like him before- not as anything other than a joke. Or even think of associating with someone who killed people. But now, everything's changed, hasn't it?]

That sounds like, really, totally scary. And I'm sorry I haven't been nice to you.

[pennyless]

[Billy is late to the party, for the definitely understandable reason that he had to change clothes and scrub himself raw trying to forget the wet, thick blood running down his face, as well as the probably less understandable reason that he then had to go and mainline about six or seven cups of straight black coffee (okay maybe a little bit of cream and sugar) in order to not pass out.

Now he's practically vibrating and he feels like his heart might stop, but frankly he's used to some of his greatest ideas and discoveries coming about when he's in this state. He is ready to storm the fucking tower right now goddamn.

...But instead, everyone's talking about feelings and making big confessions, and he. Stops. Looks around.

That's right. B and Natalie were- were the only other two who knew that he was a supervillain. And Natalie...didn't know about Penny. Anna's the only person still alive who knows everything.

But he's... he's not strong enough to tell...everyone. Is he?]

[sunshineprincess]

[!!!!!

Billy, your girlfriend is going to come stand over by your side now. Did you see her hit Hans? Anna takes a moment before grabbing on of Billy's hands.]

... I think you should tell everyone. They'll understand. Okay?

[trettende]

[ You know what? Hans has been there. He's there right now, in fact. He hasn't been able to change out of his clothes for the same reason. ]

Billy... [ What do you even say to the guy you used to hate, but who also has ur crush's face?

They worked out their differences, Hans can do this right? (I mean, maybe not.) ]

Thanks for... You tried to take the fall in his place. That was—it was... [ Heroic? Brave? Hans isn't nearly as eloquent without his bravado I'm sorry. ]

You tried.

[ Hans Westergaard, ladies and gentlemen. ]

[dieformymusic]

[Winslow hasn't been the most grateful person but god...going through all that just to watch your own likeness die? It must be unimaginable. Even if he still grappled with the quadruple body switch, he knows that maybe Billy H could use a small word of encouragement.

Winslow walks toward Billy, extending a shoulder pat of comfort.]

We couldn't have done it without your science.

It's helped us many times. And without you we could have lost...we could have lost more friends. Even everyone.

[dechagny]

[Billy oh my God. You gave him such a fright at the trial, you know that? Raoul is going to come over and just. You know, gently put a hand on your shoulder, like friends do.]

...I think it no small thing to say that you've...become a light in the darkness here, Billy. You are an incredibly brave man.

cw teen suicide: the canon

[onthebusagain]

I... I think I should say something too.

I think everyone here knows I'm not nice. But I don't think anyone knows how bad I was, back home. I did a lot of really mean things, because I thought they were funny. And because I wanted to fit in, a lot. I would make fun of people, or steal other girl's boyfriends- and then leave the guys right after. I'd knock lunch trays out of peoples hands, spread rumors that people were sleeping around, and turn everyone against people I didn't like, so they'd be all alone. I'd leave other girls in dangerous situations with guys. There's one girl that my friends and I bullied badly enough that she jumped off a bridge. I hid it all from you all, because I didn't want everyone to hate me.

Everyone around me started killing themselves. My best friend, the guy I slept with- all for different reasons. And it made me think about doing it too- when I got kicked off the cheer squad, I even tried.

That's part of why I asked The-- [Her voice cracks. She can't say his name] what would happen if someone here killed themselves. I thought, maybe, if this week I-- maybe I could stop it, before someone else died.

I just want to make it all up. I don't want to die alone and hated.

[dieformymusic]

[They're all just terrible people, aren't they? But no, he's seen how much a hard time Heather had. He gets it. At least she's just a teenager...that means there's a chance to change. To not become a Swan.

So forgive him if this advice is dispensed via scary electronic voice.]

That's why you...

Heather. We first met you told me you only wanted to be a trophy wife. Later you were thinking what you wanted to do.

I think...the person you were and the person you are now are two different people.

I...I like the person you are now.

[sunshineprincess]

[Anna has no idea what any of that feels like except that last part. Being alone and hated.

She goes over and takes Heather's hands.]

You're not alone here. Okay? [Soft sigh.] You were really mean when we first met, and I have to admit I didn't like you. But just like everyone else here, you had to show who you really were to survive.

[What she's trying to say-] You're my friend. And I could never hate you.

[dechagny]

[...Now the "nerds" comment makes more sense. Though...there is sorrow in Raoul's expression.]

If anything, taking your own life would have only been more sad. I don't think I can hate you for that, Heather - but I do hope you'll try to be better if and when we get out of here.

[trettende]

Heather...

[ y i k e s, that's horrifying. Hans can't even imagine but... hey, Heather never turned her back on him, did she? ]

Just as you told me, I don't hate you.

[ He doesn't have a lot of fancy words since he's still sad, but. If even Hans can make a friend, Heather can too, right? ]

It meant a lot to me to hear you say that. You're not alone here.

cw: body horror, suicide, winslow fucked up

[dieformymusic]

Many of you know pieces of my story or the name Swan.

But I have to tell you everything. Even if it's terrible.

I was writing a cantata based on Faust...Swan was the president of Death Records. Every big name: the Juicy Fruits, and so on, they sign on to him. I thought he was interested in making me a star...but he only wanted my work.

Swan stole my music, ripped my name from it, and had his personal slaves the Juicy Fruits change it! And I....I had nothing. I was so mad...I went to destroy his records...but...my face got caught in the press where he made the records...and it...it-it destroyed my face and my voice.

I was left to die in a river. I wanted to get back at Swan so bad...I came back to his opera the Paradise and wore this...to terrorize him. But instead...he gave me a contract, this box, and offered to let someone be my voice. Phoenix...she was good...no, perfect. I wanted her to be my voice, to sing my Faust. I signed like a fool.

But he betrayed me again and put a star Beef to sing it! I wanted Phoenix to sing so bad...I killed Beef on stage as he was singing. I warned him! But he wouldn't listen! Now I realized what I've done. She turned to Swan...she was seduced by his power. I didn't see a way out. I tried to end it.

That's when I found the real terms of my contract. I couldn't die until Swan dies. Neither of us will leave until Swan chooses it. And now...I fear Phoenix is in danger...

When my memories came back...all the feelings came back...I saw Swan everywhere...I couldn't think it was anyone else. Because...if I must speak the truth...I can't see a life beyond my revenge. I didn't have anything before I came here...

[dechagny]

[Holy shit Winslow you really fucked up. Raoul is kind of...stunned, listening to all this. He can see eerie parallels to the bits and pieces of his own story he's managed to patch together, too, and overall...]

Winslow...good man, you have us. As deserving of revenge this Swan sounds...do not forget the friendships forged here. If there is anything any of us can do to help...