No party like an pope party??

[archboxer]

[That... that was a thing for everyone. There should be no celebration for Lif but, well, even if Rhea has a very cynical view of such things it's probably for the best that everyone stays together. Her first stop is the cafeteria, after all nothing better to keep people in one spot than free food. There she bumps into Mira, leaving the snacks to her Rhea ends up writing notes to everyone to come to the cafeteria in a few hours.

Some she hands personally and if she can't find someone she slid it under their door. Rin's she slides into her room regardless.

Fortunately, you won't hear a sermon.]

Comments

[archboxer]

[Rhea will be around for a bit. She doesn't particularly want to stay but, like a good host, she knows she probably should. She's flustered but does at least say hello to most people who arrive. Most, being the key word.

She'll leave after most people are gone. However, you probably can hear a song coming from the gallery...]

gallery

[philoxenia]

[ It's much later when she leaves, too, and... well, it's hard to miss that song. It's probably a bad idea to be out so late. But Therion had called her out on it, and old habits die hard, so...

She goes to the gallery. ]

... Rhea? [ she asks softly, when there's a lull in the song. ]

[archboxer]

[The song was a soothing memory. More comfort than even her prayers since attached to it had the hope that it's writer might one day hear it. That hope was faint this far away but... well. She could pray in her room.

She pauses when she hears Mira's voice.]

Mm?

[philoxenia]

I'm sorry-- Did I interrupt you?

[ She kind of hovers by the doorway.... ]

[archboxer]

No... I just got lost in my thoughts. It is probably better for us not to be alone.

[philoxenia]

... That's true.

[ Paranoia, what's that? It's fine. ]

That song... it's beautiful.

[archboxer]

It is.

[Paranoia? Nah.]

I should be saying scriptures for mourning but... I believe this reach the Goddess just as well.

[philoxenia]

Well... for what it's worth, I'm happy to hear it.

[ She moves a little closer. ]

Is it... a hymn from your world?

[archboxer]

Hardly.

[It might sound dismissive if not for her follow up.]

...it is just an old lullaby, as childish as that might sound.

[philoxenia]

[ She shakes her head. ]

I don't think it's childish. ... Lullabies are usually comforting, after all. At least... they are for me.

[archboxer]

They are... My mother wrote this particular one.

[philoxenia]

Your mother...

[ It also comes down to family, don't it. ]

I'm sure she'd be happy you're keeping the memory alive.

[archboxer]

[She looks up, as if looking for something beyond the ceiling, beyond the massive amount of water.]

I do hope so.

[She pauses.]

...Thank you for helping me set that up. I know my, ah, temper got the better of me during the trial.

[philoxenia]

You're welcome.

[ She shakes her head, after a brief pause. ]

It was... a tense situation.

[ But she sounds kind of distant, all the same. ]

[archboxer]

To say the least, yes.

[And you weren't standing next to Jasper, either.]

[philoxenia]

... For what it's worth, I'm not upset with you.

[ She's quiet for a while. ]

But I... I've never had to do anything like that. I'm shocked I kept it together as much as I did.

Gallery

[ladygeryon]

[Nira waits for a lull in the song before speaking up.]

You went way too far down there.

[She's leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed. It's kind of a cool pose, but really she's doing it because she's afraid she'll fall over otherwise.]

[archboxer]

Did I?

[She raises an eyebrow. It's about Rin. Of course it is.]

Protecting my-- [Ngh. She cuts herself off.] Perhaps I was harsh in my words.

[ladygeryon]

...I understand that, wanting to defend someone you care about. But...you should stick to actually defending them, not personal attacks against whoever's the accuser.

[archboxer]

Family is important. I will admit that I was harsh in my anger.

[ladygeryon]

[A slight sigh, because Nira does get it, somewhat.] You're...not going to use that as an excuse to dismiss anything else she says again, are you? Because I don't think anyone wants to see that go down in every meeting we have.

[archboxer]

She and I will never agree. That is a fundamental fact that cannot change. [Well.] However, we have agreed to disagree and avoid fighting again.

[ladygeryon]

[Nira lets out a sigh of relief.] Alright. I suppose that's the best I can ask for, for now.

[archboxer]

Is that all? I have my prayers to continue.

[ladygeryon]

Yeah. [Nira nods a little.] I'll leave you to them, then.