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

[nothingcanstop]

...Yeah, it sure is. And considering... Well, I wouldn't blame you for getting some space, after all that.

[fivestagegod]

...I'm not going to apologize for what I said.

[Just so we're on the same page.]

I meant what I told him, I don't believe in mercy or forgiveness. Not when someone's trying to screw me around and get me killed, and then has the gall to stand there going on about how we didn't solve his little insanity puzzle fast enough.

[nothingcanstop]

[ The corners of her bill curl and contort, an obviously disgruntled expression. ]

...Yeah, the more he talked the more I wanted to walk over there a sock him in his glowing bones.

It all felt- a little much, a little cruel, but I-- I'm not going to forgive or forget anything, any time soon.

[ But... ]

It just all would've felt worse, if the same soft-spoken guy knew he was dooming all of us, from the very start.

[fivestagegod]

You know why he didn't want to say anything one way or the other, right?

[nothingcanstop]

Because he thought it'd be easier if we could assume the worst and flat-out hate him.

[fivestagegod]

Yeah.

[He sighs a bit. Goes back to looking over his notes.]

I personally don't really get that, but I'm pretty sure he just wanted us to agree that he was a terrible person and deserved to die and move on with our lives. Probably some weird guilt thing.

[nothingcanstop]

But it wouldn't be easier. No matter what he thought, it wouldn't keep the people who liked him, who enjoyed his company from remembering the good times.

[ With a small frown, she fiddles with the photo in her hand. Just kind of...smoothing over a crease in it. ]

I was just sick of hearing him lie to us.

[fivestagegod]

Yeah.

[Ugh, this whole thing is complicated beyond his pay grade.]

I used to have a friend who liked to act all unaffected like that. I let him get away with it most of the time. But then, he never tried to screw me over.

[nothingcanstop]

Already better. If he didn't put you on that runaround.

[ ...the friend is Wesker, isn't it. Anyway. ]

I don't understand it. Maybe that's irresponsible, or...something, to just say that. But hell, life's... Everything's too short. Just...talk to people, if you have something to say.

[fivestagegod]

Yeah. It's kind of a moot point for me, at least as far as that friend of mine goes; he died a couple months ago. I haven't really forgiven him for that.

[...Anyway.]

I'm probably not going to forgive Lif for it, either. For going and being an idiot.

[nothingcanstop]

[ ...You don't just transition like that, Birkin!!

It throws her for a moment, taking her focus back to him. She tries to stammer an "I'm sorry" but it's late and she just kind of gives up. ]

Did... Did you, um... Think of him as a friend? Before all this?

[fivestagegod]

[does he look like he's been emotionally competent a day in his life, della

if he transitions that quickly he does not have to think about feelings which are Gross And Bad Actually]

I don't know; I don't think I knew him long enough. But I thought of him as someone whose company I liked, and I preferred him being around to not being around. That's got to count for something.

[nothingcanstop]

[ Sir, please!!

At least Birkin talking more on this gives her time to, like. You know, process that emotional whammy. ]

Yeah, it sure does. I was...friendly with him, at least. ...Aela too. It's strange, to think they're just...they're both gone.

[fivestagegod]

I don't think Aela's really hit me yet. I didn't see the body, and I'm not really sure how to even start thinking about that one. I talked to her a lot, and helped her with a bunch of the technology stuff at the beginning.

[nothingcanstop]

...Me neither. I didn't see her, didn't...really want to. I wish I'd gotten to know her better, now.

[fivestagegod]

I know what you mean.

[...]

I can't promise that I won't say stuff like that again. Like what I said to Lif and all. I'm not really a nice guy, in the end.

But I do think we'll be okay. We'll get through this somehow, and we'll try to be more careful. We'll figure something out; I haven't stopped believing that.

[nothingcanstop]

We will get through this. [ She kind of repeats that, with just as much conviction. ] ...We'll find a way to. I haven't stopped believing that either.

[ With that... ]

I'm not your keeper or anything like that, man. It's not... It was harsh. But after all that, that mess in there... It's under the bridge. It's not my place to preach about.

[fivestagegod]

Yeah.

[...]

You going to be okay? After all of that. Watching people die is always rough at best.

[nothingcanstop]

Yeah. Yeah, I mean... I'm gonna have to be, right? It's...definitely not my favorite memory, that's for sure. But I can prioritize, you know? I'm...not bad at that.

[fivestagegod]

We don't have a choice, that's true. But that isn't exactly what I asked.

[...]

...Do you want to just spend time for a while? I'm not the best at hugs and stuff, but spending time I can manage.

[He's trying, okay.]

[nothingcanstop]

[ ...Aw, buddy. ]

You know. Aside from a one-way ticket home, that's just about the best thing anyone could offer right about now. Thanks.