onceuponacomm | the final afterparty

the final afterparty

[

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. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ The words catch Makoto off guard, gets him blinking at Yeager before he does indeed join him. He can't quite keep his gaze from sliding away from him as he sits. Well, this is new, isn't it? ]

... Holding up better than I have any right to. How about you?

[This whole thing is indeed very new...]

I've dealt with worse, but today certainly was a lot, ja?

[He doesn't begin dealing cards, instead he starts shuffling them all over again. His eyes remain on the cards the entire time.]

Yeah, it was.

[ There's a pause, but there's more he wants to say. The shuffling is easier to focus on than Yeager's face. ]

... Know any tricks?

[He shakes his head at that; the shuffling he's been doing is very basic, certainly not anything fancy.]

Unfortunately not! Cards aren't really one of my areas of expertise.

[He just enjoys them, and perhaps more importantly, it gives him something to do tonight.]

[ He figures that much out at that point, leaving him to his cards again for a beat. ]

Hey... I know it's a little late. [ Especially considering Jim. ] And it's probably not a great time. But I never did get the chance to really apologize for before. I mean for all of it and not just because I was upset.

So, I'm sorry.

[ At least he actually looks at Yeager this time. ]

I can understand why you suspected my involvement there.

[After all, it's pretty obvious the trio of them are from the same world at this point. Given that everyone else who shares a world is close, it makes sense to think that they'd be close too.]

I can also understand the desire to determine exactly what happened, and to question everything. I'm not angry at you for it.

[Because being angry is tiring, and he's already so goddamn tired. But also because you have to move on in a place like this; that's just how these things go.]

Though I do appreciate the apology~ It's not like it's the first time I was accused of murder here, after all!

[And the last time led to SQ so you know what!!! It's fine!!!! Shit's been worse here!!]

Anyway, it might help to be a little more patient, in the future. Though I do hope we won't have to go through any more of these trials...

[you could say that you shouldn't be............ jimpatient]

Well... thanks for being so understanding. I appreciate that.

[ It's genuine. He might still be mad at himself if their positions were reversed, if he's honest. Not that he's surprised by Yeager's reaction either. Didn't seem like he wanted to stab Makoto at the most recent trial at least. ]

Yeah, but I wasn't accusing you the first time.

[ It's a little bit of a dry tone, but there's no heat to it. He doesn't have to admit he abstained if he doesn't want to. His exhale is almost a scoff, the sound of someone used to toeing the line. He's patient! But he can't say Yeager is completely wrong either. ]

I don't know. How much time do you think we have left?

[That first part gets a laugh from him, but the latter's more important. He hums for a moment, inclining his head as he considers.]

I'm assuming that Hamelin had some sort of involvement with what happened today. He seemed more amused than usual, ja? If that's the case, then I doubt he's going to leave his spies in a bad position.

[While he didn't exactly expose them himself, they certainly did come forward and make their presence known. There isn't any anger or frustration in Yeager's words either; it is what it is.]

I'd give it a couple of weeks at the most. It all depends on where we go from here, and I can't even begin to guess how this coming week will go.

[ Makoto nods, agreeing with most of that. Except-- ]

If by amused you mean creepier than normal, then yeah I agree with you. [ It's almost worry, but it's hard to fully muster it completely for their would-be villain of the story. ] Something was definitely up --I seriously thought I was going to die right there for a second.

I must admit, I was thinking the same thing when he really lost his temper...

[Yeager and Hamelin are eerily alike in a lot of ways, but that sure isn't one of them!!!!!]

It's a good thing we survived today, but we do need to be careful with him going forward.

I'll say.

[ He'll drink to that. The next bit, he maybe should've brought up before. But it seemed irrelevant with all the other news going on. Okay, he'll only cop to a little of it. ]

It's funny, he's been pretty easy to talk to between days like this. But.... after all that, do you think it's still a good idea to visit him?

As long as you're careful, I believe it's for the best, actually. We need to learn what we can, and there's no telling who he'll be willing to talk to.

[Or what will even get him to talk in the first place... Aside from being blond, apparently.]

Though I would give him a few days before approaching, just to be safe.

I am careful. At least, he's never threatened me like that before.

[ His favorite color is green, he likes sweets and wine. Who knows if those hold up this week though. Makoto's not sure Hamelin likes him enough otherwise.

A slight grimace sneaks on his face before he can wipe it off. He hates the idea of it. ]

I wonder if he'll like it if I apologize to him. Not that he deserves it. [ A sigh paired with a glance around for nosy people. ]

Few days isn't a bad idea. And... we can talk about it later if you want, but do you have questions you want me to ask while I'm there?

He certainly doesn't.

[He still doesn't sound mad, but that's definitely firm!!]

Not at the moment, no. Though I do think we're going to have to start considering our next move... and who all will be involved in it.

[There's a lot of information that needs to be shared and discussed, and there's the traitors to think about too...]

[ A nod in agreement on that one. It's rude to threaten to kill someone like that, and Makoto won't forget that lesson. ]

Well, you've got a few days to think about it, right? So if you think of any, let me know. Unless you'd rather talk to him yourself?

[ It's not a threat or anything, he's actually curious if he would. He suspects the answer is no. A pause, his pleasant expression as he looks across the room belying the conversation topic. ] At least it's obvious who to keep an eye on.

I'll have to think about it.

[He doesn't want to, but at this point it'll be more beneficial to try different approaches with Hamelin and see what we can get from him, so... who knows.]

It's a bit of a relief, even though today was difficult. At least now we know where to keep our focus and we don't have to keep second-guessing ourselves and who we trust!

Let's just try not to retread the same ground though, okay?

[ Makoto's tone is light enough, like he almost laughs, but it's followed by a pause. ]

That's true. It should make whatever comes next easier to navigate... But I'm still worried about the execution, though. I don't trust him to follow his own rules at all.

[ Execution sounds so direct, so final, that it almost makes Makoto wince. Maybe it'll be what they've somehow gotten used to? It's never the same, but it's always horrible. So can anyone blame the worry that flashes over his face when he imagines the worst? ]

Ja, I imagine it won't be quite the same, since Jack was working for him.

[Yeah he's. He's trying not to think too hard about the last one...]

We'll have to see how it goes. I suppose there isn't much we can really do to prepare for it.

Probably not. Just don't forget your briefcase.

[ Makoto's just going to shoot him a smile and tap his finger against his cane like it would do much against a grenade. ]

[It gets another laugh from him and he nods.]

I wouldn't dream of going anywhere without it!

[this is emotional support weapon that has gotten him through so many trying times of course he isn't going anywhere without it!!!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

the final afterparty

cards

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject