but even if the stars and moon collide [afterparty]

[allatonce]

[Well, that sucked!

After about an hour, invitations written in colorful ink appear under everyone's doors.]

Understandable if you're not up to it, but we're having a memorial and "don't wanna be alone" hang-out in the restaurant again.

[The restaurant has very much been decorated with the most rainbow fabric she could find in the department store. Jonathan got roped in, mainly so she could make sure he was doing okay, but also because she assumed that he knew how to put a tablecloth on a table. He seemed like the type, anyway.

After consulting with Undertaker, most of the food that's been set out is more traditional Chinese funeral food than Victorian—you can get a whole roast duck in the restaurant—but she tried for a mix of things. There is fruit, the aforementioned roast duck, and several vegetarian dishes along with potatoes for some reason and... cookies? Okay then.

Joy's trying, because that was way less terrible for her than it was for basically anyone else.

Happy Pride Wrath, New Rapture!]

Comments

[hotpaprika]

[Jonathan spends most of his day busying his mind with the after party. He needed to keep his mind from spiraling and this was the best option he had.

He's also going to dedicate his time to knocking on the suites of people who aren't attending the party with some freshly made tea and hot chocolate, sandwiches, and cake. He won't linger around, and might even leave the refreshments in front of the door before anyone answers. But... he wanted to make sure people were feeding themselves.

He does, however, make a special stop at Zinda's suite, and more insistently knocks on the door.]

Zinda? I made supper for you.

[Well, "made" is an exaggeration.

Once he gets back to the party he is going space out for a long while, before, suddenly, an idea comes to mind. Jonathan begins to approach random people at the party for help.]

Excuse me, do you have any possessions that belong to our fallen friends that I could borrow. I promise I will give them back soon but... there is something I want to try.

[Eventually, he can be found at the garden, late at night. He promised himself that he would try to stay up all night to see what happens to their Saturday, but...

He looks long and hard at the building Obi has scaled so many times. He remembers how scared and impressed he was seeing Obi climb it like it was nothing. He thinks about how they promised to look after each other.

It was hard to believe they had only known each other for three weeks.]

At least you're in a much better place now, Obi.

[specialyellthing]

[She’s quick to hop up and get the door]

Aw, Champ! You didn’t have to do that! [She manages a smile for him, but reaches to take the food.]

Thanks for thinking of me. Ya wanna come in?

[hotpaprika]

[He manages a small smile back.]

Truthfully, I have been making the rounds for everyone who couldn't attend, but I wanted to check on you in particular.

[He hands her the food, suddenly frowning and looking away of her.]

I... I am truly sorry for my behavior today.

[specialyellthing]

Champ, when ya do something nice for a girl, let her feel special! Don’t tell her it’s jus’ what you’re doing for everyone! [Her chide is playful, and she steps back to let him into the common area. Mina will thank her some day.]

Yeah? … I get it. You’re not used to it. All the death.

[hotpaprika]

I told you that I wanted to especially visit you.

[He sounds playfully hurt, but it quickly turns sheepish.]

I... suppose. I certainly have had some experience with death but... I only had to worry about myself then. It's so much harder when there's others that I care so deeply about.

[specialyellthing]

[Her expression follows his, as she sinks back down into the depression couch.]

… Yeah. It’s hard, gettin used to.

But you have gotta stop tryin to trade your life for others, Champ.

[hotpaprika]

[Jonathan sits down next to her, placing the food on a table next to them.]

I... I know, but I can't contribute anything else to our rescue. I... I could still use myself as a shield to buy everyone else extra time if needed.

[specialyellthing]

That’s what I’m talking about. Nobody needs ya to do that. At best, it’d just end up upsettin everyone enough that they can’t focus.

I spend a lotta time with heroes. And let me tell ya. It’s not all that. It’s infuriating.

[hotpaprika]

I'm terribly sorry, I wasn't trying to infuriate you! It's simply that...

[He exhales, hugging himself.]

I... I do not know what I am supposed to do here. I'm not strong like you or stable like Forrest. I cannot even hold my own promises of controlling myself during trials. I... have no idea how am I suppose to help the team at all.'

[Jonathan suddenly finds himself looking like he said something wrong.]

I'm so sorry, I came here to check up on you, and here I am throwing my own pity party again.

[giddyundertaker]

Possessions that belong to the dead?

[ He's happy to see Johnny out and about, but this seems a bit forward of the fellow. Hm... ]

Whatever for?

[hotpaprika]

[He looks sheepish.]

I... I was considering performing a séance, so we can contact those who we have lost here. I know you need something belonging to those who have perished for it to work properly.

[giddyundertaker]

A seance, eh...?

[ He considers this for a moment... Before smiling. ]

I believe I might have something that could work. Not sure who it belongs to, but there is this hair pin in my possession. Might belong to Obi's mistress.

[ Someone's looking forward to seance time. ]

What method were you planning to use?

afterparty

[sixthnonsense]

[Considering what was discussed during the trial, Hagakure immediately has a bad feeling about this. And he doesn't even need his clairvoyance for that.]

...Jonny, whaddya plan to do?

[hotpaprika]

Oh! I was thinking of performing a seance tomorrow. I... haven't the faintest idea if it would work here, but I want to try. We deserve some sense of closure.

[sixthnonsense]

[HEAVY SIGH. He knew it.]

Did my warnings durin' the trial not mean anything to you? This is some real dangerous stuff that you're gonna mess with, y'know.

[hotpaprika]

I am sure it should be fine. I haven't read of any stories about seances going so horribly wrong that people die.

...

Well, I'm sure the ones I have heard were simply fictional meant to scare people. It seems pretty safe otherwise.

[sixthnonsense]

You've really got no idea, do you?

[Hagakure is sincerely anxious about this when he continues. He's also just dramatic, but this seems to be a Very Serious Topic to him.]

I've done 'em, y'know. S'part of my job description to check up on the dead for people. But here? The bad juju is off the charts. Something bad could seriously happen.

[hotpaprika]

[His eyes suddenly light up, his brain latching onto a single part of that.]

You have experience?

[He gently takes one of Hagakure's hands.]

Then certainly you must be familiar with how to prevent bad fortune from befalling us! Please, Hagakure, you must help me.

[sixthnonsense]

[Hagakure just lets out the biggest groan of frustration, but he doesn't bat Jonathan's hand away or anything.]

You're seriously dead-set on this, aren't you?

[Who is he kidding? Of course Jonathan is. This man sets his mind to something and does it, no matter the consequences.]

Fine, only 'cause I know this is gonna happen whether I say no or not. But you better listen to me if things start goin' south, okay?

[hotpaprika]

[He absolutely beams at Hagakure at this.]

Oh thank you so much Hagakure! I promise to listen to whatever have to say should we need it!

[He lets go of his hand.]

But I suppose that's for tomorrow. Would you like refreshments? I am not an expert in cooking, but I wish to thank you in some way.

[It feels... awkward thanking him with something he can easily get for free, but his options are super limited.]

doors

[inaclearing]

[Brett didn't come to the party! But at least when Jonathan knocks on the door, he's fairly responsive:]

Yeah, what is it?

[hotpaprika]

I brought you some drinks and supper, thought it might do you some good to at least have something in your stomach.

[Because boy he sure does remember not eating all day after the first trial.

... He gently shoves the memory of Obi offering to get him some food and fresh tea after that day.]

[inaclearing]

[There's an audible sigh. He could just send Jonathan away and say he isn't hungry; it's true. But he's also not thirteen years old anymore. He knows better.]

Sure, okay.

[He'll get up to open the door!]

[hotpaprika]

[Jonathan hands him the platter of drinks and snacks, offering him a small smile.]

I can also provide company if you desire, but I will not force myself if you wish to be kept alone.

[inaclearing]

...thanks.

[Brett looks him over. Yeah, he feels awful right now, and grief's not really a contest, but...sometimes you have to prioritize other peoples'. all the time maybe don't worry about it]

How are you doing? [not really an answer to the question, but]