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

[magycks]

Nope — no, I'll take it. [ YOINK ] Not like you'd poison it anyway, with the knife at our collective throat at bay.

For however long that lasts.

[cethflayn]

[She almost looks a little hurt that you'd suggest the thought.]

Tea is lovely. I would not ever do something to ruin it.

[magycks]

Uh-huh, maybe walk that statement back until you get someone to actually drink it. There's all sorts of ways to ruin a cup without homicidal intent.

[ She punctuates this by taking a sip of the tea, which is, unfortunately, fine. ]

[cethflayn]

While I am aware of that, I have also had enough experience making and drinking it that my tea is likely not to bring about an incident.

[magycks]

It's fine. [ BOOOOOO ] Why are you even doing this?

[ Honestly, does she want to know? Probably not! Too bad, she just said it anyway. ]

[cethflayn]

Lady Freyja asked me to help by making tea. And...to be honest, I wanted to do so anyway. It can be comforting, even just a little bit.

[magycks]

[ this is such a normal statement and yet the psychic damage Magica takes from it is unparalleled....... ]

Not that. I'm talking about this little soup kitchen of yours.

[cethflayn]

...Well. It is customary to come together when someone dies. Food is often eaten, and people can find some solace in company with others.

[Do you not have funerals in Duckburg]

[magycks]

... Do you think I don't know what a funeral is?

[cethflayn]

[Confused look.] You asked why we were doing this. That is why, is it not?

[magycks]

That's not the point! And I said you, not we.

[cethflayn]

Well, I am helping because I want to.

[magycks]

[ In perfect silence, Magica looks up at Flayn, pinches what would be the bridge of her nose if her nose and mouth weren't a goddamn bill, closes her eyes, and then breaks the silence with the loudest, most long-suffering sigh the world has ever known. ]

[cethflayn]

[Okay, well, you can go ahead and do that, and Flayn is just going to continue handing out tea. Clearly Magica does not want to deal with her.]