AFTERPARTY III: Never Have I Ever Been Quite This Drunk

[mirrite]

[There's absolutely nothing celebratory about this drinking party. "Party" isn't even the right word, not really-- it's more like a "drink until you forget and/or black out" session for anyone who wants to participate, and even the bartender isn't immune from that much. Please forgive him if your drink isn't mixed quite right; he's trying his best under the circumstances.

There's food, too, if anyone wants to attempt to stave off a hangover tomorrow, or just get something in their stomach after the events of the day: stirfry from Makoto, vegetable soup from Nageki (mediocre, but hey, a genuine effort was made and that's what counts), and some tea for those who would rather abstain from the harder stuff. (Is that even many people tonight? Probably not.)

Come on by the bar if you're hungry or want a drink, or even if you just don't want to be alone right now. That much, at least, is something that can be guaranteed tonight.]

Comments

[sempiternel]

[ As usual, Yuri doesn't show up for the afterparty. She prefers to spend the rest of trial day by herself. That night, she decides to take a stroll, and the royal lawn seems like a good, deserted place. Anyone passing by that area will find her stopped for long moments in front of the peonies and roses, a complicated expression on her face.

On Saturday, she's at the royal kitchens, baking up a storm. She's not trying to take over the whole kitchen, but she is making a ridiculous amount of cookies. On occasion, she'll mutter under her breath about how just a pinch of salt would make these taste better and what are tears good for if they can't make at least that?

McGillis will have 50 cookies delivered to him by the end of the day. Moriarty gets 10. ]

kitchens

[adorabilities]

[ well, honestly, Adora is not one to mope? she likes to get back to action.

but also, she loves sweets, and so the smell calls to her? ]

... Yuri?

[sempiternel]

My lady...

[ She tries for a smile. ]

This is the second time now that we've wandered across each other here. Hello.

[adorabilities]

I like to wander here.

What are you making?

[sempiternel]

Chocolate chip cookies this time. But can you believe they still will not provide us with salt? I don't think that's asking for much...

cookie delivery?????

[mathodical]

[ because yuri is cute and i need more yuri cr!!! ]

[ anyway when the cookies arrive, william will

blink

because ]

... For me?

give me all the cr!!!

[sempiternel]

[ She nods vigorously. ]

Yes! [ Look, they are all packed nicely in a good-sized jar. Airtight! ] You're free to share, of course, but if you don't... Well! It'll be our little secret.

[mathodical]

[ YURI IS A GOOD AND--

wow is this the first time in a while someone has given him a gift.

probably. for Canon Reasons. (tm)

so his expression will soften, and ]

... Thank you. I appreciate them.

[ let william have nice things. ]

I hope they weren't difficult to make.

[ says the person who can't cook to save his life ]

[sempiternel]

[ Let him have nice things, yes! ]

They were no trouble - and nothing compared to the pressure you were facing during the... the trial. I am also truly glad you're still with us.

[mathodical]

It was... it could have been worse. [ sure is one way of putting it. ] But I suppose in hindsight, it was to be expected.

[ damned if you help and damned if you don't, in his case. ]

At least I have been vindicated, somewhat.

[sempiternel]

Expected, yes, maybe so... but while we all must ask the necessary questions, it does not mean the person on the other end is so unfeeling that they can't be hurt by our words and accusations.

[mathodical]

[ that actually gets a soft laugh from william, one that's probably just the slightest bit humourless, and a little self-depreciating in a way. ]

It's not the first time I have been subject to it, Yuri.

Believe me, I have been through worse.

[ like. people actually wanting him dead worse. so. y'know. ]

kitchens

[gemuinemanagement]

[Guess who else is also baking! If you guessed 'the one person who shouldn't be baking', congratulations!

Nothing seems to smell or look horribly wrong, but maybe that's more reason to be concerned?]

[sempiternel]

Oh - Sir Suga! I didn't know you could bake... ?

[gemuinemanagement]

I can't
I'm going to leave these at Hamelin's door

[Not sorry about giving her boytoy his terrible cooking.]

[sempiternel]

[ Oh - she laughs a little, nothing like her usual bursts of laughter. ]

You don't want to give it to him directly to see the look on his face?

[gemuinemanagement]

I do
But if he knows they're from me I don't think he'll eat them

[So, alas, he has to make do.]

[sempiternel]

If you dared him to, he probably would at least try one.

[gemuinemanagement]

But then he'll know ahead of time that they're bad
It's funnier if he thinks they'll taste normal

Cookies

[vogelfrei]

[ Oh. McGillis hadn't actually expected Yuri to go through with her replacement plan - least of all with so many cookies, vastly more than the destroyed amount. He's going to be benefitting off these for days and they look really tasty too... ]

... you really went all out. You didn't have to, but... I appreciate it. These look delicious and this weekend can really use some bright spots.

[ There's some genuine warmth in his voice here. ]

[sempiternel]

A promise is a promise! And... we do what we must because we have no other option currently, but that doesn't mean soggy cookies can be forgiven.

[ So she is not sorry for the questions she asked, but she is truly very sorry about the cookies and chocolate... ]

[vogelfrei]

[ What a sweet girl who does not believe in love. McGillis laughs lightly, endeared once more. ]

I forgive them - had forgiven them immediately, for that matter. That test might well have helped save my life after all.

[ And he'll try one of her replacement cookies because why not. How is it? ]

[sempiternel]

[ They are simple chocolate chip cookies with a subtle coffee twist. As there wasn't any salt, she enhanced the flavor in different way. ]

Ah - if there was more time - if I had been more thorough with Sir Lucifer's check, we might have not gotten to that point. [ She looks down. ] Or Lady Yor's checks from the previous week. It is certainly a lesson.

[ When it comes to everyone here, she's so fond of them all, so doing the checks... is hard. ]

[vogelfrei]

[ McGillis looks very pleased with what he is tasting, so that was a success! And he would comment on that immediately, but ah... that's a lot of regret there. ]

To say I would be satisfied with our performance in these trials overall would be a lie, but I can't say the same for you. You've proven yourself one of the most proactive and thorough people in this game - and you're not even somebody with a background in investigation.

Please don't let regrets bog you down too much, what you are doing and have been doing this whole time is invaluable.

[sempiternel]

[ Good, that's a relief! She's glad there's 49 more for him to enjoy. ]

I could say the same for you, my lord. You never shy from contributing to our meetings or pointing out keen observations. But that's not all, of course. You have treated me very kindly and patiently.

[ And others too - like Huaisang. She's noticed. ]