Welp We're Here and That's What Matters

[ahelpingpaw]

[Perhaps it's tradition by now, he doesn't know. Still, he does send a note to everyone some time after the trial. Simple and to the point:]

Because everything on this ship is awful, I think a drink is needed. Come get some at the bar, it'll do you some good as long as you don't drink too much

Filbo (pawprint)

[Indeed, if you come to the bar you'll find there's one of everything. Filbo seems to have asked literally every drink he knows or has at least heard about, and lined them up from the most mellow to the strongest. There's one of each, so it's limited, take yours before it's gone! Or...ask Jimmy Buffett for more, he's right there.

Should he be encouraging drinking? He's not completely certain, but he had to do something! And this is as good as anything -- not festive because this is no time to be festive, but also social enough to encourage coming.

This will do.]

Comments

[jibunwo]

I don't know about that. Bravery would have done more to stop all this in the first place.

[cethflayn]

I meant in regards to your name.

[He's kept it to himself all this time.]

You did not have to share it, and yet you did.

[jibunwo]

I suppose I didn't. But I didn't have to hide it all this time, either.

[cethflayn]

Perhaps.

[Do you mind if she sits with you for a bit? She'll tap a chair and look at you quizzically.]

[jibunwo]

...Go ahead, if you want to.

[cethflayn]

I would, thank you.

[She sits.]

...It can be difficult, to hide who you are so thoroughly. But I am assuming Zero is a name you chose for yourself - and those, too, can still hold an aspect of ourselves, even as a means to be hidden.

[jibunwo]

Zero is a persona I created out of necessity. But it's closer to who I really am than most other acts I've had to put forth.

[cethflayn]

[A nod of understanding.]

And...do you feel comfortable enough with us, now? To be Lelouch.

[jibunwo]

...I don't know. But if this should happen to go wrong from here somehow, I would rather die as myself than be behind a mask.

[cethflayn]

...I wholly agree.

[A little sip of her drink.]

And for what it is worth, I am honored to know you, both as a leader and as a person.

[jibunwo]

I haven't exactly been much of a leader here.

[cethflayn]

You have done much more in being a unifying voice than I could do.

[Also you have a braincell, which is important in being a leader]

And I will be honest - you likely know much more about the world the things in this ship are from than I could ever understand.

[jibunwo]

I suppose so. Most of what's on this ship is technology similar to that of my own realm as well.

[cethflayn]

[Sir you are Smart]

And you are not afraid to stand up and take charge when needed. You bring forth reason when we can become...distracted. And I know I can rely on you. So, in my opinion, you are a good leader who is doing his best despite the circumstances.

[jibunwo]

...Thanks, Flayn. I'm sorry I can't do much better than I already am.

[cethflayn]

[Her smile is soft, small, and genuine.]

As long as you are doing your best, then you have nothing to apologize for.

[jibunwo]

Perhaps. I just felt...painfully helpless. I truly didn't want to think Freyja or Plumeria truly had any hand in that, and it was a critical mistake I can't afford to make again.

[cethflayn]

You were not the only one who did not think they were to blame. I...could not assume Freyja hurt anyone after how she reacted upon seeing Plumeria. [I mean, she figured Freyja would lose her shit once they figured out who did kill Plumeria, but. Uh. Yeah.] But perhaps that makes me a fool, more than anything.

[jibunwo]

All it means is that we can't afford to let emotion prevail over strategy. If and when this happens again, we have to suspect everyone without exception, no matter our feelings about them.

[cethflayn]

[A soft exhale, and a grim nod.

She is at least glad she didn't do anything stupid this time.]

[jibunwo]

...It's alright, Flayn. You weren't wrong to care, just... Just be cautious, and choose your moves carefully.

[cethflayn]

I will try. Mostly, I am trying not to do anything too foolish again...I did at least succeed this time.

[jibunwo]

We got through it, and as a result this isn't over yet. That in itself is enough in the short term.

[cethflayn]

Agreed.

[Just going to take another sip...orange juice is good for you, after all.]

...I want to believe we are getting closer to something. With the clouds encroaching upon us, and...the seaweed? On the ship? Unless that was some kind of trick...

[jibunwo]

...I don't know for sure what to make of the seaweed yet. It's a little unlike Jones to be openly malicious towards us even in death, but setting all that aside the clouds are still concerning me.