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

[adorabilities]

Well...

I think it's safe to say, so do you. And don't worry about me.

[ she offers a tired smile ]

[incompletely]

Thanks.

[ He means that. He won't not worry about her, but...whoof. He really did feel like he was starting to lose himself for the past half an hour or so before she showed up. This has helped bring him back to reality, somewhat. ]

And...thanks for trusting me with all of that, too.

[adorabilities]

... Maybe it was a mistake to not share it earlier. I... I honestly don't know.

[incompletely]

I don't know, either. This is the first time I've spoken about mine with anyone, too.

[ And honestly, the only reason why he can now is because...yeah. It just doesn't matter anymore. He doesn't have to hide it anymore. ]

... I can tell you're trying really hard here, you know. And giving up, trusting no one -- it's what Hamelin wants.

[ He looks at her seriously. Maybe this is a bad call, and he'd be lying if some part of him wasn't nervous about thinking this, but the I still trust you goes unsaid. ]

[adorabilities]

I know. It'd just be nice if others would-- not take him at his offer. It just feels like such an obvious trap.

[ she's glad that he's backed away from giving up, but at the very least, it's obvious that she's tired. it's weeks since she's been back to etheria, and things haven't stopped happening there.

and for a brief moment, she looks so, so tired. ]

Or if we could stay awake to stop it.

[ a soft exhale. ]

But I trust you.

[incompletely]

There's not a whole lot we can do about that -- not as we are now. Especially after today.

[ The group is divided. People are hurt. As tempted as he is to blame Yor for this, it all boils down to Hamelin in the end. ]

But I don't want to believe it's a lost cause, either. I'll work harder, myself, to uncover more secrets about this place.

[ There seems to be plenty of them, after all. ]

[adorabilities]

[ she smiles slightly at that. ]

That might be our best way forward.

I'll try harder, too.

[incompletely]

[ A nod, then: ]

Good. I have your back.