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. ]

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[ Since Suga isn't here, Tenn decides to take on his role and be the designated "let's check on everyone" guy. So he'll check on as many people as he can; it's okay if they turn him away. He figures he should try anyway.

Everyone will be met with: ]

Can I get you anything to eat or drink?

[ He'll stick around if anyone has anything to say, too. Good or bad. ]

[ To absolutely nobody's surprise, McGillis does not show up at the bar. For quite some time, he's also not at his room, but if you want to come visit him later in the night... well, he'll eventually be in there with a bottle of wine he's grabbed from the parlor. He might even open up for you. ]

[Alexei stays in the bar for about as long as he can stand it; when he leaves, he's half-tempted to leave it there, but honestly, he just...doesn't, in the end.

The knock he offers on the door is firm and unhesitating without being demanding; it just is what it is, much like his general mood for the night.]

McGillis.

[Well, Alexei is...here? He's here, and he's currently just playing with a matchbook, striking things and letting them burn down and tamping them out, again and again and again; he's got a bit of a blank look on his face, though he glances up when Tenn approaches.]

...No, that's fine.

[He never really does at gatherings.]

You ought to come spar with me sometime. I would like to see it.

[ McGillis hesitates for a moment. It would be very easy to just pretend he isn't here and who could fault him for that... but it's Alexei and they've had a surprisingly harmonic trial experience today despite everything. Maybe that is to be expected from people who are fundamentally somewhat similar.

In the end, McGillis decides he isn't mad at him, so he opens the door. Aside from the wine bottle on his bedside table and the fact that he's loosened his collar, McGillis looks as dignified as he does at all times. Just a little tired. ]

Alexei. You're up late.

[ And you know what, he'll even step aside and let you in. His room hasn't been customized much, beyond his mirror being covered. ]

[ He watches Alexei do this for a moment, and then he nods. He won't force anyone to have refreshments if they're up for it, because his appetite isn't quite here either.

At the mention of sparring, though, Tenn looks uneasy. ]

...I'll need the extra help for whatever's coming for us next.

[ And no, he's not talking about Hamelin or the people working for him. ]

[He'll actually come in, then, though he seems about as awkward as he always does. Just who he is as a person, really.]

I owe you a large number of favors by now. I imagined I would return one of them.

Anytime you'd like, then. I'm generally always willing.

[He shrugs a bit.]

Raven and Yeager would both invite me to spar with them when they were having a rough time. I'm not good for helping with such things conversationally, but I can help work frustrations out physically.

[It's a nice gesture, Tenn. Yeager's here a little later, since he took the time to switch over to his usual suit; he's currently shuffling cards idly without actually doing anything else with them, it's just something to do with his hands for the time being.]

You don't have to trouble yourself for me, you know.

[He pauses for a moment, considering. And then...]

Actually, there is something you can do for me. You can take a seat.

[He gestures across from him. C'mon Tenn, sit down!!]

You probably need a break, ja?

[ Awkward is okay, it's amusing. McGillis will gesture at the chair for Alexei while he himself flops down pretty unceremoniously on his bed. ]

You're truly a man of honor to the last.

Okay. This week, then. I'll take you up on that.

[ It's been rough for all of them, and he's been wanting to learn from Alexei for some time, so he'll gladly join him for a sparring match. ]

Thank you, by the way, for talking Koto down a little. I know she was trying her best, but I'm glad you understood why I tried to talk Suga-san down, too.

[He will just sit down there like he's never interacted with a piece of furniture in his life. God.]

If you would like to think so, I see no reason to argue the point.

[Edelgard sits silently, staring at the bar. Yeah. This was all expected. She can only hope that Jack dies tomorrow.

She hasn't even touched the donuts yet.]

...What are we going to do now?

[It's a rare moment of actual despair from her. She carries despair everywhere she goes but she never lets it slip. But... this. It hurts.]

It's alright. I feel like the two of us are always about trouble, anyway.

[ Yeager brings out so much chaos in Tenn, oh my god. But he'll go ahead and sit across from him. He doesn't have a donut or a drink himself, but he looks at Yeager and tilts his head a little. ]

Sure, but I think we all do. Suga-san would usually be the one checking in on people, but...

[ Okay. Deep breaths, Tenn. He's really distraught over Suga, but he told himself he'd keep it together, so... ]

Anyway, what is it that you're asking me to do?

Good answer.

[ He'll pick up the wine and take a sip just... from the bottle, because this is the level we are sinking to tonight. ]

I'd offer a glass, but I didn't expect company. My apologies.

[ So like, he doesn't have glasses. ]

I imagine you have questions?

[That sure fucking happened. Goddamn. Yeager doesn't look nearly as cheery as usual, but he's not angry or upset either. He's just really damn tired!! Anyway, he swings by the lodgings for a bit to get changed and grab a few other things before joining the party at the bar; as always, he has his weapon with him, though it remains in briefcase form for the time being.

He's brought cards with him and will be glad to play a game with anyone who approaches, but for the time being he seems to mostly just be shuffling them automatically while not being focused on it at all. Some days are just like that. If you approach (assuming you're not one of the blond squad!!) Yeager will pause in what he's doing and gesture for you to join him.]

How are you holding up after all of that?

[It's a stupid question, but whatever, it's been a stupid day.

Anyway, Yeager's going to eat a donut and steal a bottle of alcohol before he ditches, but you can eventually find him at the sparring grounds. He only has his own weapon with him today, and he seems to be running through drills. Despite how much he was complaining earlier, he doesn't seem inclined to stop despite conquering the tower more times than anyone really should in one day.

He's not intensely focused and will pause whenever he hears someone approaching; he'll hold up a hand in greeting as well as he slings the scythe over his shoulder.]

Do you need something?

[He's smiling, but it's definitely not genuine this evening.]

[ Tenn will sit next to her, if she allows it. It's the first time he's seen her look like this...and it's worrisome, but he's going to do his best to talk things over with her. ]

What do you mean?

Of course. I'm not trying to say that Suga's life is worth less than anyone else's, but...there's a difference between gambling with your own life and gambling with others'. I'm aware that there's a hypocrisy in me expressing such things, but that doesn't make it any less true.

[...]

I'm asking you to take a break so you don't wear yourself out.

[That's why you're taking a seat, Tenn!!!!!]

I know it's important to look out for everyone as best you can. But you can't forget to look out for yourself, you know.

That's what I thought, too. Even if he was right about Jack-san and McGillis-san, it didn't mean they deserved to be voted just because of something like that.

[ ... ]

I think it's important to understand why they're helping Hamelin. I don't think that's inherently a bad thing anymore; I just want to know their motivations. There's more to the story than we realize.

[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.]

None that I expect you to answer. Bluntly put, I expected something like this eventually, so I see no need to waste time tonight. Besides, I'm sure the others will want to interrogate you later.

[...]

I would ask if you plan to just become a functioning alcoholic in here, but I have difficulty seeing you allowing that, much less anyone else.

Oh.

[ OH. That. That makes sense. He just wasn't expecting this from Yeager, but he'll take it. ]

I know.

[ But this is also Tenn "I almost collapsed but showed up to a TRIGGER concert for my fans" Kujo, so what is looking out for oneself!! ]

...I guess it's about time for a break, anyway. Huaisang's request really wore me out.

[ ...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?

[Yeah, he knows, which is exactly why he did it!! You would've seen it coming from anyone else!! The element of surprise is a very powerful tool.]

Did it? What did he ask you to do?

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the final afterparty

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