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

[onlyyoucan]

Figuring out some of the clues there. I... it's difficult, dealing with more people dying.

[jibunwo]

I am accustomed to strategizing under pressure. Solving a mystery of sorts bears little difference. So I am only relieved we got out of the situation without a larger disaster.

[onlyyoucan]

[sigh] I know. You're in a war yourself. It's no wonder you're committed to hiding everything.

[jibunwo]

You seem to be the only person today utterly disinterested in what I may be hiding.

...So perhaps I should thank you.

[onlyyoucan]

[She takes a quiet breath, holds it, and sighs.]

I just know what it's like. Having to hide who you are because it's the only way you can do what you need to do.

[jibunwo]

...It's the same for you, is it?

[onlyyoucan]

[Maybe it's the obviously self-done haircut that gave it away. Sara tenses up at the confirmation, stares at her cup of tea, and nods.]

I'd never have gotten close to the front lines as Sara Werec. I had to become "Sara Cruz." And when the school found out, they put me in solitary and said they'd turn me over to the military, just in case I was spying for Deague. I didn't even expect them to let me out to test my sync levels with Emily, but the engineers thought it was the best way to get closer to what's going on and why Deague are chasing a training ship.

[jibunwo]

[a little bit the angelic layer hair, a little bit the fact that neither of them are subtle.]

[But he listened as Sara spoke, and then lapsed into a long and deeply contemplative silence.]

[His options were going to become limited, and quickly. Regardless of whether or not Britannia could or would somehow be aware of what was happening here, none of it would matter if Zero's secrecy got him killed here. Maybe it would indeed be safer to speak of what little he could, on his own terms, before the Captain forced it out of him.]

[Reaching some kind of conclusion, he gestured for her to come closer. With his other hand, he took his device back out of his pocket and navigated through it. Carefully angling the phone to keep it out of view of anyone else and hopefully any nearby cameras, he inclined his head to indicate Sara should look at the screen.]

[Onscreen was his ticket, made out to the name Lelouch Lamperouge.]

[onlyyoucan]

[Sara follows over when he beckons her to him, and she looks at the device. Taking in the image and name, she nods quietly.]

There is nothing he doesn't know.

[jibunwo]

I am inclined to both agree and disagree--that information is only half accurate. While I hesitate to assume he fails to know the truth, the fact that he didn't address it with full accuracy is either a poor joke or a genuine mistake on his part.

[onlyyoucan]

He wouldn't elaborate on how, aside from that he did "research." But he never elaborates on anything. Just says he has reasons to do what he does.

[jibunwo]

And I am certain he does. Whatever necessitates all this work, there must be some reason or intended result to it. I intend to find out what that is, right before throwing the Captain to Jones' little friend.

[onlyyoucan]

Right. Whatever it is he wants, there has to be something here that leads to it. Scott found that key; it can't be the only thing hidden. I haven't uncovered anything, but...