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

[mirrite]

[It's a long time before Marcus finally makes his entrance; he does so quietly, slipping over to a seat at the end of the bar and just sort of hunching there in silence. He's really only here because he wants to drink himself into oblivion, not because he actually wants company right now... as if his red eyes didn't make that much clear when anyone draws close enough to get a good look at him.

He won't approach Tenn, but if Tenn wants to come over to speak with him, he probably won't chase him away, either. Probably.]

[incompletely]

[ ...Yeah, he is definitely going to approach Marcus, because Marcus has helped him so many times. It's Tenn's turn to return the favor.

He'll approach carefully, and knock on the table to make his presence known, so as to not startle Marcus. ]

Can I sit?

[mirrite]

... sure.

[It's quiet, noncommittal, lacking any of his usual good humor. He keeps his eyes focused on his glass, almost as if he really doesn't want to look up, which... well, given everything that happened, he probably doesn't, at least not right now.]

[incompletely]

You don't have to say anything. Truth be told, I don't really know what to say, either.

[ But that's not Marcus' fault by any means. ]

Just having another presence around helps sometimes, though. I learned that through my experiences here. You were one of the people who taught me that.

[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]

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.

[mirrite]

I could've put everyone in danger all because I couldn't keep my damn mouth shut.

[It wasn't one of his prouder moments-- even he'll admit to that much. The way Hamelin had been acting there? He honestly wasn't sure the man wasn't seconds away from going completely ballistic, and who knows what would have happened if he had?]

All of you could have been hurt - or killed - because of me.

[incompletely]

We're still here, though.

[ And...yeah, he's not going to discount that maybe he could have gotten them killed, but Tenn doesn't hold it against him. That thought goes unsaid, and he looks at Marcus' glass for a moment before moving to stand up. He does it quietly, without warning, and maybe it might be easy for Marcus to assume Tenn's done here.

But he simply goes behind the bar and returns with a glass of water, sliding it over to Marcus. ]

Here. So you don't get too much of a headache.

[mirrite]

[Honestly, he plans on getting blackout drunk at this point, not that he's going to say as much to Tenn. Can't have a headache if you're passed out!

... but he appreciates the thought, and so he'll grab that glass and take a few slow sips before setting it back down and staring into it as if he'll be able to see something if he just looks long enough.]

... thanks.

[incompletely]

[ He nods. ]

Of course. ... I don't know how else to help you, but if if there's anything I can do, let me know.

[ It sucks to see Marcus being so down on himself. He's usually in better spirits, so it's jarring to see him looking like this. Tenn isn't good with words and he doesn't always know how to help people through situations like these, so he'll just hang out here quietly unless Marcus wants to talk or anything. ]

[mirrite]

[It'd probably help if Marcus himself even knew what he needed right now, but... well, when you spend your entire existence prioritizing someone else's needs and feelings over your own, it really doesn't equip you to be able to figure out your own emotional needs that easily.

But that's just part of being a mirrite, really...]

Believe me, I wish I knew. Right now the plan is looking to be "drink until I can't remember what I was upset about anymore."

[incompletely]

Go ahead, then.

[ He nods at him. ]

I'll keep on filling your water. I don't have anywhere else to be.

[mirrite]

You don't...

["have to," is what he wants to say, but somehow the words don't come out. In part because he doesn't want Tenn to see him like this, but also because he doesn't want him to feel obligated to do anything for him after what had happened there back at the trial. There's a whole nasty mess of guilt and shame associated with that and he's not sure he's ready to face it just yet, hence the drinking.]

[incompletely]

You're right, I don't. But I want to. Are you really going to turn me down if I say that?

[ Huff, huff! Of course, if Marcus really does want him to leave, he'll go away. But for the moment, he's being stubborn. Sorry Marcus... ]

[mirrite]

... now that's just cheating.

[Which means the answer to that is "no." Deep down, a part of him really could use the company, even if he isn't about to admit it to himself.]