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

[philoxenia]

Oh-- Della.

[ She looks pretty out of it, honestly, but she nods. ]

... I'd like that. Thank you.

[nothingcanstop]

[ Della gives Mira a gentle smile and sits by her. ]

Did you help set this up?

[philoxenia]

Mm.

[ She nods, pulling her knees up to her chest. ]

Rhea asked me to, and I didn't want to just make her do it all alone, so...

[nothingcanstop]

She did, huh?

[ She keeps that smile firm on her face. ]

Well, it was really good of you to. I think a lot of us need some interaction, right about now.

[philoxenia]

I did my best, that's all.

[ haha accepting praise? never ]

... To be honest... I nearly did lock myself in my room. But-- [ Well. There are people to take care of. ] I... guess in the end, I'd rather be around people.

[nothingcanstop]

[ The smile fades. ]

...Never do that. Cutting yourself off from people, going at it alone--that never works out well, okay? If you ever need something... You can come to me.

[philoxenia]

[ Oh...

That... certainly has her feeling some kind of way, and for a few moments, she's silent. ]

... I'll-- I'll try not to. [ Then again, she's been lonely for so long... It's true, she had her brother and Aiden, but still. ] I'm... not really used to asking people for things, if I'm honest.

[nothingcanstop]

That's okay. [ And it sounds like it really is. ] If we're being honest... There's a lot I'm not used to either, when it comes to...talking with other people.

[ Ha... She just pushes through that, because dwelling isn't going to help. ]

You can take your time. Just try and remind yourself, and...we can work on it together.

[philoxenia]

[ Oh...

She thinks about that for a few moments before she nods. ]

Working on it together... I think I can do that. We'll just have to be patient with each other, right?

[ she pauses. ]

... And I like to think I'm a good listener.

[nothingcanstop]

[ There's a soft, grateful look on Della's face.

This thing's going to keep pitting them against each other, but-- but at least she's not alone. ]

Exactly. Patience. You can't...know how to do or...be something, right away.

[philoxenia]

It's a work in progress, that's for certain.

[ And... in spite of everything, in spite of how much her heart hurts, in spite of the fact that the next Tuesday and the next Friday loom over them-- She manages the tiniest smile. ]

And we have a lot of time, don't we? As well as each other.

[nothingcanstop]

[ Oh, there it is. That's much better. Della returns the smile. ]

That we do. [ Too much time. Her boys... She's already been away from them for so long.

Della won't let herself think about that. ] We can get through this. As long as we stick together.