(too late) you're at the party

[scouserer]

[Well, it's safe to say that trial fucking sucked. Therefore, some sort of afterparty is in order. Constantine is admittedly not good at throwing parties without some sort of liquor or other drug involved, but that's where Data and Sylvando guide him.

First order of business--invites. Upon returning to your rooms, crumpled pieces of paper have been taped to the doors. Written in poor handwriting is the following:]

meet at the lounge
bring whatever you want
[Simple, but effective. The lounge itself has been livened up a bit with Sylvando's help. Some nicely patterned fabric has been draped around on the tables to liven up the place a little, and snacks from the café and vending machines have been placed out for people to peruse.

A few supplies from the first aid room have been gathered, as well, for those who may need it. But perhaps the help is unnecessary, as tomorrow will likely bring another New Years Eve. And with it, another week of despair and frustration.

But for now, they can forget about that and pretend that all that matters is the present.]

Comments

[jibunwo]

You may, if that's what you wish to do. I won't stop you.

[cethflayn]

Thank you.

[She takes a seat.]

Miss Allenby...she was not herself in those moments, was she. [It's more a statement of observation rather than a question.]

[jibunwo]

...No.

[He folded his arms again, suddenly very tense.]

Perhaps it's better that way. To go to one's end unaware of it, rather than fully understand and face the atrocities one committed when not themselves.

[cethflayn]

Could...could the loss of her memory have made that happen? Could it have triggered it?

[And then once the gate was open, it just. Kept happening?]

[jibunwo]

She seemed fine and in control of herself up to now, if a bit eccentric. I can only assume that either the loss of control now can be attributed somehow to the Captain's manipulations, or simply just the amount of time that has passed.

[cethflayn]

[A frown, and a nod. It's a gesture moreso meaning, "I am listening and taking this into account" than anything.]

The - what is it called? The screen? The screen. I saw something in the corner, briefly. The end of a lounging chair, and...feet? [Frown deepens a little.] I think he was present and watching.

[jibunwo]

I saw it as well. Whether he intended it to be seen or not, I think it safe to say that the Captain himself is indeed close at hand.

[cethflayn]

How could he have gotten there so quickly? Especially when the ship remains underwater until it is time to...um. You know.

[Give the Kraken a person snack.]

[jibunwo]

For all we know at present, he may well simply be able to breathe underwater.

[cethflayn]

[gasp

lucky bastard]

On top of all else we have been through? I am insulted that he gets to have such a power.

[Let! Flayn! Befriend! Fish!]

[jibunwo]

... [okay that got him to make a sound suspiciously like a laugh.]

If he does, we'll have to make him tell us how he came by such an ability.

[cethflayn]

And then I want it.

[There's another pause.]

...I would like to be like Adeline, and swim into the ocean to see what lies beneath for myself.

[jibunwo]

...I think that sounds a worthwhile goal to keep hold of. We could certainly benefit from such a thing or two, in a situation so dismal as this.

[cethflayn]

We certainly could...but I was thinking more a bit selfishly, I will admit. It would be incredible to see what lies in the depths of the oceans around Fodlan. We cannot construct sub-marines or the like - they are far too complicated, and we have not the resources. This would be the next best thing.

[jibunwo]

There's no fault in being just a little selfish, from time to time. Do you spend much time near the water?

[cethflayn]

Not lately, but I grew up on the Rhodos Coast. My most fond memories are of that time.

[jibunwo]

With your family, I would presume? [or you know, whoever you were chucking out a letter to]

[cethflayn]

Yes. With my mother and brother.

[jibunwo]

...Older or younger brother?

[Despite probably seeming like an interrogation on the surface, Zero sounded honestly curious.]

[cethflayn]

Older brother.

[Father]

[jibunwo]

[meh, details]

I see. [He was incredibly still as he thought that over, as if consciously trying to resist fidgeting uneasily or giving anything away.] Do you get along well?

[cethflayn]

[That's a loaded question.]

He...he has always been very protective of me. To the point of ridiculous parody. But he is all I have left, and I know that I am safe by his side. He would not ever let me down if I was in need of him.

[jibunwo]

[COOL HE HATES THIS]

...One of the Black Knights is similar. He fights relentlessly for the sake of his younger sister, that he might be able to aid in forging a peaceful world for her sake. But neither would he have her worry for his sake, so he hasn't told her where he goes off to when we're conducting our operations. He-...I imagine he must worry that the truth alone would cause her pain.

[cethflayn]

[Cool cool cool]

It might be that she would be troubled by his actions, yes. But at the same time, it might relieve her if he explained where he goes. In some ways, keeping such a thing to oneself might protect those they love...but it might hurt them to find out through another way.

[She is absolutely not picking up what he might be putting down about himself or certain other revolutionaries, just talking from the heart.]

[jibunwo]

[Bless her heart. Terrible liars tended to overlook the obvious when it was just barely concealed, he found.]

Perhaps it would. I don't claim to understand what he thinks, but I don't think he can quite weigh which option is worse; the pain it would cause her to learn what he's done for the sake of the world, versus how she would feel if she learned it from another.