the final afterparty

[incompletely]

[

That sure happened, but everyone, by some miracle, made it out alive. No one else died, nothing blew up, no arson was committed, we're all still here. And being here, being present despite everything that just happened, is really important. This is for everyone, McGillis and Yuri included (and Jack, if he wants to party from the dungeon), because they all need it. Even with the new revelations, nobody should be left behind.

The party takes place in the bar again, and it probably looks a little...odd? Because there's all the alcohol in the back, and then...there's a bunch of donuts on one of the tables. Two whole baskets of donuts from the bakery, provided by Tenn. Next to the baskets is tea provided by Koto. Have at it, everyone. ]

Comments

Sparring grounds

[mirrite]

Yeah... another match.

[It would probably be a better offer if it weren't immediately clear that he's had a few. More than a few, actually, but that doesn't seem to be deterring him here, because despite the redness of his eyes, he looks pretty damn determined.

And angry, and upset, but. Isn't everyone, after that?]

[biyishuangfei]

[ Oh, hey Tenn... ]

Maybe something to drink? You really don't have to, though.

[ideismo]

[Alexei is determined to be at the bar for as long as he can stand it; in theory the idea was...decent, in practice it ends in sitting at a table with a box of matches and just...lighting them on fire, one after another, and watching them burn down as long as he can stand it before tamping it out and lighting another. His expression is exceedingly blank; it's hard to tell what he's thinking about, but he's clearly off in his own head about something.

He gives up on the bar fairly early into the night, though, and eventually... Well, he finds himself back at the church. It's only been available to them for a couple of weeks and it's already so deeply ingrained; if anyone wants to find him outside of the bar then he'll be here for a while. He's got one of his gloves off, toying with one of the rings he usually wears there; it's simple, a ruby with fairly flat facing on it so it won't interfere with being worn under gloves or armor. He takes it off after a brief while of toying with it, pausing for a moment before setting it down on the stand with all the votive candles. He'll light the others that he usually does, though tonight he counts out one more; for better or worse, Jack is still with them tonight.]

[scythegun]

[These are going to be some of the saddest hands of poker... His luck's also just abysmal tonight, goddamn. Oh well, it's not like he really minds losing to Huaisang.

After a few rounds of this, though...]

...Where do you think we'll go from here? The group as a whole, I mean.

[Though individuals will all react differently, and there's no telling what anyone here will end up doing.]

[mirrite]

[The laugh that rips out of him at that is bitter; strained.]

Yeah, and a hell of a lot of good my presence did at the trial today.

[Heeeeee... probably ruined everything! In one way or the other! Even if he isn't sure of the full extent of just what his actions have led to yet.]

[incompletely]

If that's how he sees it, then that's that. I'm not going to bother trying to convince him or McGillis-san otherwise, if that's how he feels, too. They have their reasons, we can leave them be unless they pose a real active threat.

[ He also does not mention Yuri's name there. Hm! ]

I tried to talk to Hamelin, by the way; he was just as stubborn and uncooperative as always. But there are people who can get through to him, I think. I know of at least one.

[ He can't help but smile when Yeager agrees with him, though, on the topic of the time they've all shared here. ]

Haha, see? Even you get it. ... Do you think you've become fond of anyone, Yeager-san?

[ HE'S LIKE. HALF TEASING??? ]

[vogelfrei]

[ At that point McGillis has mostly emptied his wine and is dozing off, his favourite book on his chest... but he is a light sleeper and Huaisang's voice rouses him pretty immediately.

He has a bit of a bedhead when he opens the door, but he does open the door. ]

... what an unexpected visit.

[ After all that happened today, he was not sure Huaisang would want to talk to him at all. ]

[scythegun]

[Yeah, looks like Marcus isn't exactly having a great time tonight... And it's definitely ill-advised to go swinging around a sword when you're that drunk, but...]

Sure, I don't mind.

[But it's better to do it here and now where he can keep an eye on Marcus and wear him out without seriously hurting him. Besides, it's not like this is the first time Yeager's solved his problems by fighting until he doesn't want to move anymore. Marcus probably needs it just as much as he did.]

Whenever you're ready, then!

[...He's definitely going to go a little easy on Marcus, but surely Marcus will forgive him once he sobers up!!]

[ideismo]

I believe so. I'm not likely to stay here for very long, though I don't know where I'll go after this.

[He hasn't been feeling very much like being among people, these past few times.]

I've never been one for socializing, bluntly put.

[incompletely]

It's okay. You weren't the only one who got angry, and I don't think it's the end.

[ He really believes that there's still hope for them. All of them, even the dead. ]

Take the time you need, but we have to keep going. And I'll be there to huff at you if you need a reminder.

[biyishuangfei]

I don't know.

[ He can't really predict how everyone will react this time. ]

Normally I'd have an idea of some sort, but...I think the news hit everyone rather hard. Even though Jack's execution is almost certainly tomorrow, I don't really think that's what everyone's focusing on right now.

Just that 'the people they trusted were traitors all along' is probably the common thought, and it's lowering morale.

[ He already prepared himself for the outcome awhile ago, so he's not surprised. He doesn't feel disappointed either, just tired. For now, anyway. Maybe he'll feel more when tomorrow comes. ]

...But, if everyone can get through that, I think there's a chance that everyone in the group can work together. I'm just not sure if that's going to happen yet.

What do you think?

[vogelfrei]

Your wishes and mine aren't too different. You are one of the people here who I think should realize theirs.

[ They agree about things like personal responsibility, but there is enough common ground here. And McGillis values ambition. ]

I assume your lack of ire towards me now is similarly motivated?

[ideismo]

[Hello, Jack, you're a shitshow, how's it going.]

I imagine you feel better now that all of that's out of your system.

[scythegun]

[Yuri's name isn't mentioned in there... Interesting. Maybe there's more to it than he's realized. But now isn't the time to bring it up, so he'll let it go.]

Ja, I suppose we'll have to see how that goes.

[If Yuri isn't a traitor then maybe she can help us. If she is, then maybe she'll be sympathetic enough to at least drop a few hints our way. Either way, it looks like she's going to play an important role here.

As for that question, though... Well, his smile turns mischievous.]

Do you expect me to say I haven't? Of course I have!

[Element of surprise, clearly Tenn won't be expecting him to actually go for it!!]

I've become quite fond of several of you - yourself, for one, and Huaisang, and Marcus... and I never would have had the opportunity to get to know Raven as well back home.

So yes, even I get it~

[incompletely]

Well, I'm glad you decided to show up anyway.

[ He hums a little. ]

That doesn't surprise me, but I'm available as always, if you need to speak about anything in particular. Today was a lot to take in.

[scythegun]

[He hums in acknowledgement, nodding a bit. Huaisang's insight is certainly good, and more or less what he's been thinking.]

I believe it'll be easier to get everyone to rally together once we know exactly who our enemy is. If it isn't Hamelin, then we need to figure out what we're up against. I imagine we can put aside our distrust and frustrations with one another if we have a common goal to work toward.

[It won't be easy and it won't be pretty, but people can pull together in surprising ways under dire circumstances.]

[ideismo]

[...Wow, that was actually a hell of a compliment, thank you.]

I save my ire for those who earn it. The rest I don't trouble myself with. There are very few I like, but that doesn't mean that I need to send my anger out in all sorts of misplaced directions. It's a waste of time.

[biyishuangfei]

Being predictable isn't in my nature.

[ The bedhead is noticeable so he figures the other must have been lying down some, but he allows whatever vestiges of hesitance to leave at him as he speaks again. ]

...I've come by because I'd like a few words with you, please.

[ He's not sounding demanding exactly, because he's not good at that, and he still has a mind to be polite regardless. Though in the trial he knows he certainly did come close to being demanding towards the end of it (out of desperation, mind.) ]

[ideismo]

It was, though I believe the offer to be more appropriate when extended to you. How are you, after everything?

[incompletely]

[ I can't believe Tenn is looking at Yeager like a proud...parent isn't the right word, obviously??? A proud...

...friend. That's the right word. At least Tenn thinks it is. He really does look happy, and he lets out an amused laugh. ]

Good. If anyone tried to throw suspicion on you at the trial like they did weeks ago, I might've actually used the cherry bomb.

[ ...Okay, no, he wouldn't have, but that's the sentiment!!! ]

Too bad McGillis-san didn't get to carry you. What a missed opportunity.

[biqe]

[ Phil comes out of his room eventually, though he expects everyone's still frustrated with him for getting everyone caught up in such a mess at the end with his stupid clumsiness. That's fine.

He's in just the innermost layers of his usual outfit — a long sleeved black shirt and pants — because in many ways, except for the ones that really mattered, he really was quite a bit like Suga at his core.

He gets a donut and some tea and just goes to sit at a table in a corner somewhere... where he takes an old letter from a folded envelope in his pocket and just sets it there on the table in front of him to look at as he sips his tea. ]

[incompletely]

[ ... ]

Do you want to know how I feel after today? Or after this experience as a whole?

[ideismo]

Answer for both.

[scythegun]

[h-hey what's that look for, wait a minute you can't turn this back around and embarrass him with it????]

I appreciate your willingness to do something stupid for me~

[And despite the teasing tone, he means that. There's something charming about being willing to do a dumb thing for someone you care about.

Though at that, his expression turns sly.]

I wasn't going to say it, but that wouldn't have been the worst thing in the world~

[LISTEN HE WOULD HAVE BEEN TOTALLY FINE BEING HELD IN MCGILLIS' BIG, STRONG ARMS, HE JUST HAD THE DECENCY TO NOT SAY IT TO MCGILLIS' FACE]

[incompletely]

After today...I won't lie. I'm pretty exhausted. That's the simplest way to put it, and I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way.

[ However. ]

Overall, though... A lot's happened. I got to fix things with Riku, I learned how to set aside my pride in the interest of learning and understanding different people. Grief isn't something I was as acquainted with like other people are, so because of that, I also had to come to terms with the fact that there was something monstrous within me.

[ See: C-ta and Riku's case. All the trials, really, but that stands out to him especially. ]

But when I go home, [ Not if. When. ] there's a lot I want to do. There's a lot I want to fix. And as long as I can take what I've learned here and keep on helping other people as best as I can, then I'll look back on all of this with some level of pride. Not for the bloodshed or the mistakes I've made, but for the people I've gotten to meet along the way.

Really. I wouldn't have lasted this long were it not for the people here. Yourself included, Alexei-san.