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]

[No, this time it's 100% Marcus, and he'll own that much once he's sober and probably also rather sore.

He doesn't last all that long; his energy and adrenaline were mostly depleted earlier, and what little he has left ends up sputtering out abruptly and just sort of depositing him on his knees, which all things considered is probably much better for him than trying to swing a sword he can barely aim straight at the moment.

He makes a couple of half-hearted attempts to get back to his feet, but... no, he's pretty much done here. It's for the best, anyway.]

...

[scythegun]

[That's fine with him, and he transforms the weapon back into briefcase form before moving over to join Marcus... and then just sitting on the ground.]

Feeling a little better after that?

[Sometimes you just need to get that frustration out or you just need someone to smack you around a bit, either or.]

[mirrite]

[He doesn't respond right away, seemingly trying to catch his breath. Normally he wouldn't be this tired from so little exertion!! But right now he feels like he's running on empty in more ways than one.]

... 'm sorry about earlier.

[That would be a "not entirely," for the curious. Looks like there's still at least a little bit of frustration lingering.]

[scythegun]

[Oh no, Marcus... Yeager inclines his head a bit at that.]

What are you sorry for? You don't need to apologize to me.

[mirrite]

For almost starting a fight and dragging you into it.

[Because it's pretty clear that's where things were heading if he hadn't been able to rein himself in, which would have left Yeager - one of the only other combatants - with the extremely awkward choice of either leaving Marcus to fend for himself or having to join in as well.]

[scythegun]

I figured you'd be able to make the correct decision in that moment.

[Well, maybe it's more accurate to say that's what he hoped, but it worked out in the end and that's what matters.]

I can understand why you wanted to, anyway. I'm not angry about it.

[mirrite]

You mean after I made the terrible decision of starting that whole mess in the first place?

[Ah, good old self-deprecation, he knows you well.]

[scythegun]

People make terrible decisions all the time, particularly when they're upset and hurting. You knew when to back off, ja? I would have reason to be mad if you'd endangered us all, but the situation was one we could handle.

[...well, okay, maybe not "we" because cookie club was not helping, but!!]

You can be angry at yourself for it if you'd like, but that doesn't mean I will be.

[mirrite]

I'm angry at...

[... himself. Jack. Hamelin. This place.]

... yeah, I'm angry at myself. And you should be, too. I know you just want to stay out of things after last week.

[scythegun]

I do. Believe me, I really do.

[He sighs at that.]

But like it or not, I am still here and I can't exactly avoid dealing with all of this forever, ja? There are so few of us left at this point that everyone needs to do what they can. I'm a fighter first and foremost, and I don't mind stepping in to play my role when necessary.

[It's not exactly okay, but he's had a week to calm down and he can acknowledge that doing nothing can be harmful too.]

So don't worry too much about me, okay?

[Wink!!]