it is a funeral.

[ltcommandroid]

[Well. That was certainly something.

Emotions are clearly high, so for once, Data steps out of his helper role and takes on the brunt of organizing the after-trial gathering. He's seen enough of them by now to know what's what. He's also seen more than enough in this particular trial to decide that the bar, while possibly being the most logical location, may be distressing to some! So instead, we're gonna do something different. Data will deliver invitations, that sort of look like a computer printed them, to each of the rooms:]


Please come to the ice cream parlor if you would like company at this time.

- Data

[Everybody likes ice cream!

There are no decorations, but there are some snack selections from the buffet and the cafe, depending on what you want, and a tray or two of mixed drinks courtesy of Jimmy Buffett. Data and Parker are both here. If you're sad, you may pet Parker (probably). If you're too depressed to make your own fancy sundae, Data will do it for you (definitely).]

Comments

ice cream parlor

[ltcommandroid]

Reika?

[dude, you're just sitting here with an untouched bowl of ice cream and you have been for a bit]

Perhaps you would like something a little more filling? We have some of the buffet food.

[leaveittomother]

[Ah--she sits up a little.]

Right... maybe I'm just not into sweets tonight.

[ltcommandroid]

[He nods.]

I know many people find sweet foods comforting, but I imagine many people did not get an opportunity for a filling meal today. I would not want you to become ill. Perhaps some seafood? I have kept it chilled.

[there's presumably a fridge or something in here, it's an ice cream room]

[leaveittomother]

Mm... maybe something simple. Seafood might be nice.

[Hopefully!]

Thank you, Data. That must have been rough. [Being in the middle of That.]

[ltcommandroid]

[I mean it wasn't.....ideal.....]

I suppose it was better than it was me than anyone else. I do not experience awkwardness.

[Now that's one of those ones that, just from observing him at every trial up until now, just seems sort of patently untrue? Anyway forget that he'll just go grab you some crab legs or something lol]

[leaveittomother]

[She... doesn't believe that.]

I imagine even so being between those two would have been, ah, eventful today.

[Mm crab legs.]

[ltcommandroid]

Yes, it was. At least things did not become violent this week.

[he has such low standards, fam...]

[leaveittomother]

Yes. That was fortunate.

[She would have stabbed Alice, though.]

[ltcommandroid]

[Data nods.]

...so. Your child is a serial killer?

[leaveittomother]

She's sort of a being like Davy Jones. It's difficult to explain but where I come from heroic or infamous people from history or myth can be summoned as spirits. She's one of those... Jack the Ripper.

[ltcommandroid]

Ah. An unsolved case from Earth. There were some theories at the time that the Ripper was a woman.

[Data assumes that this is a whole different universal schema and probably has no relation to his Earth, but nonetheless.]

I am not sure I understand. She is a spirit?

[leaveittomother]

Yes, from London in particular. My Jack was only one of the possibilities of that murderer's identity.

[Fate is illogical. It's okay. She nods.]

Summoned for a special occasion. I didn't summon her but we ended up together and she adopted me.

[ltcommandroid]

...I see. Not a blood relation.

[That clears some things up, but frankly everything else you just said has severely muddied the waters.]

[leaveittomother]

No, not at all. Still, I don't think that really matters in the end.

[Look. Look...]

[ltcommandroid]

Of course not. I am incapable of having biological relations, and I still do have family members.

[Or. Did? They're mostly dead. ANYWAY]

[leaveittomother]

Yes... I suppose that would be difficult for you.

[ltcommandroid]

I did once have a daughter of my own. Unfortunately, she was only able to live for a few weeks - she experienced a cascade failure which I was unable to prevent.

[cool story bro]

[leaveittomother]

[Reika is.. well. Wow. She feels something about that.]

I'm sorry to hear that, Data.

[ltcommandroid]

Thank you. She was...quite incredible. Better than myself in a number of ways - but I am given to understand that this is the hope for one's children.

[leaveittomother]

I think it is. Jack... she's amazing, despite her obvious flaws. I think she was just a lonely soul.

[ltcommandroid]

[reika she kills people

Or maybe she doesn't? Data is very unclear on this point, and indeed most other points.]

I hope that you are able to return to her.

[leaveittomother]

[Reika kills people too!

What do you mean this is a bad thing]

I think I won't be able to. [Oh. Right. That. Hah...]

[ltcommandroid]

Why is that?