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

[ltcommandroid]

Good. I can make you some tea as well, if you would like.

[Or, like, a non-alcoholic mixed drink?]

[hellahighwater]

Uhhh... Pass. I drink coffee, not tea.

[ltcommandroid]

Is there coffee available? I would be happy to make some of that as well. Flayn tells me that warm drinks are comforting.

[He's...trying...]

[hellahighwater]

[ Chloe considers for a moment. But. ]

...The stuff at the buffet? It...kinda tastes like dirt.

[ All non-seafood options......ARE BAD. ]

[ltcommandroid]

[Data neither eats or tastes, and has given this like Zero Thought.]

I am sorry to hear that. Is there something else you would like?

[hellahighwater]

A way off this ship? [ She gives him a sort of wry smirk, but it melts into something a little confused after. ] Nah, it's... Why do you care, man?

[ That sounds like a genuine question. Not her getting defensive or anything. ]

[ltcommandroid]

Your emotional well-being is important.

[Like, obviously?]

[hellahighwater]

Okay, sure, but why do you care? I'm just one punk kid on this shitship.

[ltcommandroid]

[Data stares at her for a moment, like this is not computing.]

Your...emotional well-being is important. [clearly he needs to add something else, though he does not know what] It is only natural to be distressed.

[hellahighwater]

[ He doesn't...get it, does he? ]

My emotional well-being's never been a top priority. Are you like this with everyone?

[ltcommandroid]

[no]

I do not believe so. But you do not appear to be receiving adequate emotional support. I am aware that I am not the best person to provide emotional support, but I would like to attempt it nonetheless.

[hellahighwater]

[ She sits back for a moment, studies him. ]

You are seriously too much, you know that? [ And a sigh. ] S'fine. I've received a lot less before, and I've muddled through it somehow.

[ltcommandroid]

I apologize if I have said something wrong.

[you can't expect him to interpret "too much", that's so vague]

[hellahighwater]

No, stop with that, it's... You just don't gotta worry 'bout me. I'm a big girl, been taking care of myself for a long while.

[ltcommandroid]

That does not mean you should not receive aid when necessary.

[hellahighwater]

But you think you're the one who's s'pposed to give it?

[ltcommandroid]

If we were on my ship, I would recommend that you visit our ship counselor. But there is no one like that here, and therefore it is all of our responsibility to support one another. We are all - one might say - in the same boat.

[hellahighwater]

...Huh. I...guess that makes sense. We're all in this shitpot together, right?

[ltcommandroid]

[He nods.]

Essentially, yes.