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

[conceivesfrenzy]

[ She snorts. ]

What, until I start telling Dumbo Decus what he already knows again? You won't have to wait long for it to happen again, I can assure you of that.

[ and she doesn't mean that in the sense he's probably gonna show up with a muffin and water at any point tbh ]

[cethflayn]

[Takes a very measured breath in through the nose...out through the mouth.]

If that is how you choose to phrase it? Then yes, I will wait.

[She's got the patience of a saint.]

[conceivesfrenzy]

[ Normally, she'd probably just give up at this point, but something about Flayn's choice of words just kind of irritates her. ]

Oh? I'm sorry, is there some other way you'd word it? I'm only being honest.

[cethflayn]

[Binch you tryina start somethin]

Somehow I doubt you would be interested in how I word your actions.

[conceivesfrenzy]

[ Maybe!. Another giggle. ]

Of course I'm interested! How else am I supposed to tell you how absolutely wrong you are?

[cethflayn]

[.................Gee the ocean sure is interesting!!!]

I do not know how else you can do that. A shame you shall not know, either.

[We're going to deny what brings you pleasure, Alice.]

[conceivesfrenzy]

[ If she seems perturbed, she doesn't make it obvious. ]

If you'd rather tell me while you're trying to defend someone who doesn't want or deserve it, then be my guest. I'm a patient person. ♡

[cethflayn]

Really? That is news to me.

[I mean, anything about Alice is news to Flayn, but. Grr.]

[conceivesfrenzy]

[ She giggles. ]

There's a lot you don't know about me, Flaynie. I wouldn't expect you to understand any of it, anyway.

[ Finally, she looks back at the styrofoam cup, swirling around the contents. She doesn't do anything else with it, though. ]

[cethflayn]

Of that I am aware, and the same goes in reverse.

[People who are never going to get the Nabatean Heritage talk willingly: Alice.]

[thisaroma]

[ AND at this point Decus comes running up with a bottle of water and a chocolate chip muffin, looking a lot happier than he did at the party a few minutes ago. ]

Alice! I brought these for you, and I have good news!

[ ...Oh. Is he interrupting something? ]

Oh! Hi, Flayn. What's up?

[ He smiles at her, but... hm, there's kind of an awkward tension in the air here, huh... ]

[cethflayn]

[See, it's much easier to turn to Decus and smile at him, because he's just trying his best.]

Hello, Decus. We were just having a conversation. Would you like me to fetch you some tea? I made enough for everyone.

[thisaroma]

[ "a conversation" seems kind of ominously vague, but okay ]

Oh, I was actually just down at the party before this, so I already had a little there. It was good, thanks.