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

[dokkalfheimr]

I would imagine so. Either way, this seemed the sort of thing that people might need after a display such as that.

[It was kind of a shitshow, even if you don't feel bad about it???]

[thisaroma]

Yeah, probably so. That execution was a little more intense than I was expecting.

[ It was presumably a whole lot worse for people who haven't already watched dozens of people get mauled by monsters; for him personally, it was definitely "yikes" but not something that's going to keep him up at night (or would, in a theoretical world where he actually slept normally).

He sighs. ]

It's too bad it worked out that way... being an accident, I mean. At least someone who made a deliberate choice could have gone through with it without any regrets.

[dokkalfheimr]

True enough. Although I imagine that would have made it harder on the group, in ways - it's easier to reestablish trust in one another after a tragic accident, after all.

[...]

It's going to be horrid after the first intentional killing takes place. I imagine everyone here knows that.

[thisaroma]

Yeah... the more reason there is to suspect each other, the more on edge everyone's going to be.

[ And the easier it'll be to make people snap and make that cycle even worse. ]

I guess you and I are both pretty lucky in that way, huh? Having someone from home that we know and trust... though then we've also got to worry about losing them.

[dokkalfheimr]

Yes, of course. Though I imagine Plumeria would be disconcerted if I were to worry about her - as my retainer, the implication would be that I do not trust her or believe her capable of defending herself, much less both of us.

That doesn't mean there isn't cause for concern, but it's a particular thing, with her.

[thisaroma]

Ah... yeah, I guess that makes sense with how well-defined your roles are and everything. Having the person she's supposed to protect worry about her would probably make it sound like she wasn't doing her job well.

[ He, on the other hand, isn't officially anyone's defender and knows nothing of pride anyway, and he'd be thrilled if Alice expressed concern for him... ]

[dokkalfheimr]

Exactly.

[So, yeah.]

Alice fortunately seems the sort who can take care of herself; along with your protection, I imagine she will make it through.

[thisaroma]

[ Nods! ]

She's definitely a strong and amazing person! As much as I want to be a knight in shining armor for her, I know she probably doesn't really need it most of the time.

[ ...And even though their situations are vastly different, having just talked about Plumeria, he guesses he can see how maybe it's even a little insulting to someone who cares so much about having power.

But... ]

But I'll still never stop giving my all to make sure she gets through this safely, either! So... yeah. I'm sure you're right. And anyway, we've got you looking out for us too!