And we're all adrift together through the cold mist, 'til we're lifeless together

[dokkalfheimr]

[The preparations hit differently this time.

Last weekend was at least an attempt at being festive, even with the light supplies they have; at being joyous, at giving people at least one nice thing to look back upon before things inevitably took a turn for the worse. And now two people are dead, and instead of trying to figure out structure placement and how best to keep everyone entertained and occupied and well-fed, the preparations now are given to much more practical purposes.

Large amounts of bottled water from the machine. Bagels and bread and muffins, light starchy things to avoid forcing anyone to keep meat or seafood down after seeing a corpse. Fruit for the sake of providing energy. Avoiding including bananas for any reason. Quietly pulling aside one of the first people she sees with any experience in the matter and asking them to help her make tea.

Once she's got one of the tables at the party zone set up and the tea is on its way to being prepared, she'll set around letting people know; the invitations are simple, written in Freyja's broad, elegant handwriting:

I think another gathering tonight would be beneficial. Not to celebrate, but to remember; perhaps more importantly, to ensure that no one is alone if they don't want to be.

Tonight is hard. There is nothing further to do but get through it.]

Comments

[guffawsungraciously]

[Jasper doesn't go to the gathering at first. It's basically a wake, right? And it's for two people he barely even knew, when he was barely even one for attending funerals of people he knew quite well.

...not always out of choice, but well, it was still. You know.

...Anyway, he heads to the deck opposite the one where someone died not too long ago and just kind of stares into the distance. So. This is how it's going to be.

...]

...why did they even bother.

[It's kind of mumbled, as though it's something he's been trying not to wonder aloud for some time and just... finally let out, he guesses.

Anyway, he does eventually show up to the party zone to pile up his plate with fruit and muffins, then hovers a bit in there, debating whether to take a table or just head to his room.]

party zone

[dokkalfheimr]

[...Oh, hello Jasper; she'll approach a bit while he's debating, and just...]

I don't intend to keep you if you have no plans to stay. But I wanted to see how you find yourself, after all of that.

[guffawsungraciously]

[Jasper shrugs a bit at that, ultimately setting his plate down on a table.]

I was mostly analyzing whether it would be more comfortable to sit here or in my room, but given the rooms are a bit small, I would rather eat somewhere more furnished for it.

deck

[conceivesfrenzy]

[ She was mostly content with just hanging out in general silence, but she makes a small little "hm?" noise when he mumbles. ]

Did you say something?

[guffawsungraciously]

Merely commenting on the weather.

[HE LIED.]

It was nothing important.

[conceivesfrenzy]

Yeah, I kind of doubt that.

[ He doesn't exactly read to her like someone that cared about that kind of small talk. ]

What did you saaaaay~?

[guffawsungraciously]

[MGRGRGR HE DOESN'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT HIS ACTUAL ISSUES ESPECIALLY WITH ALICE.]

...just some existentialism, then.

[conceivesfrenzy]

Hmm.

[ coward!!!!!!!!!! ]

I don't think I would have pegged you as the type to think about that kind of stuff. I mean, you always seem so sure of yourself, it seems almost beneath you.

[ though to be fair a lot of things sort of read like he thinks they're beneath him. which, mood ]

[guffawsungraciously]

I thought as much as well, but enough has happened recently that I am thinking about things more than I would really like.

[that's a lie. he always thinks too much about that kind of thing.]

It will pass, I am sure.

[conceivesfrenzy]

I guess that's true. This sort of situation is enough to make most people think about... mortality or whatever.

[ She giggles. ]

If you ever need to talk about that sort of thing, though, I'm always here for you if you need anything~! ♡

[ Is she teasing him? Who can say! ]

[guffawsungraciously]

Ah, certainly. If I am ever feeling particularly masochistic, I will bare my emotions to you so that you may trample them.

[okay he's at least having fun now.]

[conceivesfrenzy]

Hey, I'll have you know that I can be quite empathetic when I want to be. It just so happens that it doesn't happen terribly often, is all.

[guffawsungraciously]

I hope this does not offend you overmuch, but I will believe that when I see it.

party zone

[onlyyoucan]

[Sara won't stop him from sitting down, even if she's still got that doll sitting in the next chair over.]

That's how this is going to be, then.

[guffawsungraciously]

[...maybe if he doesn't comment on the creepy doll he can pretend it's not there.]

So it is. I am not quite certain what I expected, of course, but I suppose at least we know the true stakes.

[onlyyoucan]

And the monster and Jones' people are prisoners, too.

[guffawsungraciously]

That seems to be the case, yes. It does leave me wondering what the Captain could possibly have on him, all things considered.

[onlyyoucan]

It has to be something he needs, but we don't know much about either of them.

[guffawsungraciously]

I suppose there could be clues hidden around the ship as to what is actually going on, given those keys hidden around the place. That, or those are just there for enrichment.

[onlyyoucan]

What, like enrichment for dogs?

[guffawsungraciously]

Essentially? Yes.

[onlyyoucan]

You'd think he wouldn't care if he just wanted us to die.

[guffawsungraciously]

He is likely enjoying watching all this at least a bit, though, unfortunately.