hey mom, dead mom, i need a little help here

[nothingcanstop]

[ ...All of that happened, huh. That's the sentiment each and every week, and it's no different this time. Except, this time they've lost more people than before. Five.

The gathering invitation is slipped under everyone's doors, but it specifies something a little different. ]



[ That's a good two hours or so of difference. Enough time to wander around, for sure.

But, in the garden, at the appointed time, there's a variable arrangement of fresh-cooked food. A good amount of beef stew, some Chinese hot pot, and...watermelon? Just, an absurd amount of watermelon, cut up and set on plates. All the food's set on tables that seem to have been moved from the library, and the ground is littered with blankets, for those who don't want to sit on the grass.

And yes, she did not lie. There is, indeed, a variable fuckton of alcohol. (And coffee, for our underaged.)

This has become routine. But, we're still here. We're still alive. ]

Comments

[philoxenia]

[ Five people gone. The memorial's going to see a considerable amount of additions this upcoming week.

But for now, she doesn't want to think about it. Doesn't want to think about anything for now. Immediately after they leave the trial room, Mira goes to her own--not Zerinda's, but her own. Things are far too raw and painful right now, and she needs to be alone--

Just remember your promise.

If I don't throw away people who hurt me or can't help me, then they'll do the same to me! That's how this world is!

If things had been just a little different, maybe she would have been like Anna.

Eventually, though... she goes to the dinner. This time, she doesn't hover near the back, away from everyone else. Daisy's here, too, head in Mira's lap. She has a plate of food, but she's eating it pretty slowly. All the same, she's here, she's trying. And she certainly won't turn anyone away. ]

Dinner

[ladygeryon]

[Despite the rhyming names, Nira doesn't actually know Mira very well. But her Pokemon are good at noticing upset kids. After a while, Rori comes over, stepping carefully before crouching down near Mira and gently bumping her snout against the girl's side in a comforting manner.]

[philoxenia]

[ Oh, hey-- ]

Hello. [ She's still pretty off, but she reaches a hand out and gently pats that snout. Daisy, meanwhile, is staring curiously at Rori. ] You're very gentle, aren't you?

[ladygeryon]

Rhy. [Rori doesn't quite nod, since Mira's hand is on her snout right now, but it's a sound of agreement there.]

[philoxenia]

[ She lets out a soft noise, something almost light and pleased, then drops her hand. ]

You're Nira's, aren't you?

[ladygeryon]

Rhy! [Now she nods in agreement. Nira herself is still sitting at one of the tables and eating, Aria and Wu Kong sticking close to her sides for now.]

[philoxenia]

[ Aww. Mira holds out a bit of watermelon for her. ]

She must be a good trainer.

dinner

[nothingcanstop]

[ Della comes over with some hot pot and kneels next to Mira. ]

Hi, honey. I'm...really glad you showed up.

[philoxenia]

I... didn't know what else to do with myself, really. And you've all worked so hard, so... Besides--

[ I want you to promise me something. ]

Being alone... It's less of a comfort than it used to be.

[ Please, do not become like me, Mira. ]

[nothingcanstop]

[ Della's just going to edge forward and wrap her arms around Mira's shoulders. Might be a bit of a tight fit, with Daisy there, but. The girl needs it, right now. ]

I've got you. I'm not letting you go. [ Crushing silence, endless silence-- ] You're not alone.

[philoxenia]

[ If it feels like Mira's shoulders are shaking, it's definitely not Della's imagination. She holds on tight, as tight as she feels she can, and Daisy's low, soft whine just barely registers. ]

Thank you. [ Her voice is barely a whisper. ] Thank you....

[nothingcanstop]

[ She runs a hand over Mira's back. The positioning means it's easier for her to do the normal, comforting maternal things. ]

It's okay. It's okay, Mira. [ It's not. It's not, but what she means is-- ] I'll be right here for you.

[philoxenia]

I-I know. I--

[ She hides her face, as much as she can. She has so many things she wants to say, but they all get stuck. She takes a few breaths, and finally-- ]

I-I believe in you.

[ That's not even the extent of it all. But it's a start. And she hopes it says enough, what with everything Mira's told her. ]

dinner

[bogwife]

[When Mira finally shows up to dinner Zerinda doesn't waste a minute getting up off her blanket to go to her. She doesn't say anything, not this time, just takes a seat next to her and pulls her into a hug.]

[philoxenia]

Zaza--

[ Oh. Oh, she's hugging her. Mira doesn't move for a second, but then she wraps her arms around her and clings, tightly. ]

[bogwife]

[Zerinda clings back, resting her chin on top of Mira's head. These past two weeks have been especially hard on her, she knows, and if she were in her shoes she knows what she'd need. Hopefully it's what Mira needs too.] I'm so sorry, Mia.

[philoxenia]

[ It... really hasn't been easy. But as she holds on tight to Zerinda, things feel a little less heavy. It's not enough to stop the hurt, but it helps. ]

I wish-- I could have done something more...

[bogwife]

I know, honey, I know. [Her heart aches for Mira. She's felt the same way with Alice. Still feels the same way, even if she's managed to cope with it by now.] But you're not responsible for anything that happened today, Mia.

[philoxenia]

[ She holds onto her, just a little tighter--and maybe part of her is scared Zerinda will be gone, too, but-- She can't think like that. Not for a second. ]

I-I know, I just--

[ Just what, she doesn't know. So she lands on... ]

I hate this, Zaza.

Dinner

[bolderfell]

[Some time after she's settled in, Therion arrives. He doesn't even ask permission, he just takes a corner of her blanket, half-facing away, and fishes a piece of meat out of the stew to offer to Daisy. You know, if she takes her head out of Mira's lap for a second. He's not gonna dangle stew over Mira's legs, that's rude.]

[philoxenia]

[ She absolutely does. She's at least polite about snagging that piece of meat, and she gives Therion's hand a little nudge when she's finished. ]

I'm sure if she could talk, she'd thank you about a million times.

[bolderfell]

Then I'm glad she doesn't.

[Unsure what to do about that nudge, he just waits to make sure Daisy's finished chewing and swallowing that piece before giving her another.]

I'd be gone before she finished the first.

[philoxenia]

[ She'll gladly take the next piece. As for Mira, she's quiet for a little while. There's something she wants to say, she's just-- not sure how to approach it.

Because she's stronger than you. ]

I can see that. Though I'm sure she'd learn pretty quickly.

[bolderfell]

[Good luck to Mira with that, because it's not like he's going to help her.]

You did say she could do tricks. Must be clever enough. For a dog.

[philoxenia]

Mm. I like to think so.

[ She snaps her fingers lightly for Daisy to come back to her. ]

Lay down. [ Which she does. ] She can roll over, too-- [ Which she also does! ] Along with a few other things.