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]

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. ]

[vogelfrei]

You do put things in the kindest of terms.

[ 'Pointing out keen observations' is what he's sure others among them would call being callous. ]

And your baking is excellent, while we're on compliments.

[sempiternel]

[ Which is a little different from actually being kind, she thinks. She can act kind, but does that mean she is kind? ]

Why, thank you. It is a skill I'm expected to have as a rags-to-riches noble. Should your cookie supply dwindle all too soon, I would be glad to replenish it for you.

[ Provided she's still around, of course. ]

[vogelfrei]

Considering candyland, I doubt I will have to trouble you, but I will cherish these specially.

[ But back up a second there! ]

You weren't born into high status?

[sempiternel]

[ She is glad to hear that. ]

I was a commoner, yes. I was adopted a little before my societal debut, so I've only been an Elizabeth for a couple of years.

[vogelfrei]

Ah. Maybe I should have guessed, from the way you see through the self-serving song and dance of nobles with such bitterness.

[ A good skill, judging by his small smile. ]

And a background we have in common. I was adopted when I was around 10 - I didn't have a name or home to call my own beforehand.

[sempiternel]

[ She returns his smile, the corner of her mouth quirked with the same bitterness he mentioned. ]

Were you also adopted to fulfill a role? The Elizabeths treat me well, but my adoption was always a part of something more - a grand plan, I suppose.

[vogelfrei]

Naturally. My father is utilitarian through and though - he and I hold little love for one another.

He is unmarried and was without heir. He is... not the kind of man who would be interested in something like that.

I was skilled enough to fill the part and advance our family's standing with it. A prestigious position, an advantageous marriage... Children like we were are pawns in the eyes of adults.

[sempiternel]

[ She's had ample practice extracting meanings from meticulously worded conversations. Thinly veiled barbs questioning her suitability as a noble; vague remarks about commoners just shy of implying the most deplorable acts. She can't read too much into his words - he's very good at this game - but she can read enough. Utilitarian, probably abusive with no real family to stay his hand. And something more...? ]

Your father is a man who only serves himself, I see. A man like that could never love anyone because he believes he is above everyone, or at least he believes he deserves to be. A heartless, disgusting excuse of a human being.

[ Sharp, harsh words that are not even enough to express all of her feelings on this. ]

I mourn for the childhood you lost trapped with such a man.

[vogelfrei]

[ That's... a lot to take in, as a response, and McGillis looks visibly taken aback for just a second. What happened happened and he is nearly 30 years old now, so having someone become enraged for him based on only a fraction of knowledge about his past... it is odd and new.

He can't decide which part of it feels uncomfortably like being put on the spot and which part is simply unbelievably satisfying.

A heartless, disgusting excuse of a human being certainly cuts right to the center of the issue. ]

... at the least, he is no longer in a position of power. Being too eager to get ahead can be a flaw. Sometimes you might get exposed for collusion with a political party you are supposed to be neutral towards.

[ There's something dark behind the smile he gives when he relates this part of the story that he had never planned to share. ]

[sempiternel]

GOOD!!

[ Oops, too loud. But her smile is bright and fierce. Now if only Fareed Sr could remove the stick up his ass and stuff it down his own throat. ]

Fufu, that is something - and better that, than endlessly asking yourself if he has paid enough for his crimes. Because it will never be enough, I think. Never.

[vogelfrei]

My, aren't you enthusiastic in judging this stranger.

[ But someone who is grinning like McGillis is can't possibly scold her for that. ]

You're correct though, it won't be enough but it is certainly a start. Eventually, I want to see to it that corruption like his becomes impossible instead of being quietly encouraged.

[sempiternel]

[ Quietly encouraged... what an unfortunately accurate way to describe it. ]

I hope you succeed. It’s important that we change the world for the better if we can. It’s not healthy to cling to old traditions and take away nothing from history but greed and selfishness.

This is why you became the lord of your house?

[vogelfrei]

It is. My father is in a kind of exile, where he lives in comfort but without the power he held previously.

It was for the best of the family name that I take over, after all.

[sempiternel]

Yes, better you than someone who will follow in his footsteps. Were you not tempted to drive his house to ruin for his crimes?

[vogelfrei]

I wasn't, but none of that is out of gratitude for him.

House Fareed is one of the Seven Stars, the top of the organization Gjallarhorn that is the most powerful institution in my world. The Gjallarhorn of today is corrupt and allows people like my father to abuse their power unchecked, but in its origins, Gjallarhorn was instrumental to mankind's survival.

I want to reform it and bring it back to its original values. A seat on the Seven Stars council is the easiest way I can work towards this goal. Eventually, I want to abolish the Seven Stars and their hereditary power altogether but until that day comes...