Week 1: post trial

[disclosures]

[It's nearing the end of the night and she's bringing Natsuo back to her and Cardia's room. Apparently he's going to face some kind of punishment for writing in his own name.

If she can provide some amount of comfort to him, then she's going to.

So tonight, she's leading him into her room. Where her roommate has likely heard nothing about it.]

He's staying with us tonight.

Comments

[discardia]

... Ah.

[ Cardia looks tired, but not all that surprised, and she'll even offer a small smile as she nods. ]

That's fine.

[randori]

[ The last sleepover before judgement day... He's a little shaken at the thought, but for the most part, it's exhaustion that he brings with him when he enters the room. He'd shouted a lot today, bled a lot, kept getting pulled aside by various people before he managed to escape and follow Rebecca back into hers and Cardia's room. ]

...Thanks. I really didn't want to stay by myself tonight. The bed's so big without... hmm.

[disclosures]

[She's never been great at comforting, so instead she just pats Natsuo's head. It's been a long day. Natsuo's lost his partner. He's potentially on the chopping block...]

They're not really designed for one person.

[discardia]

There's room for three people and a dog.

I'm glad you're not staying by yourself tonight, too.

[ Cardia is not a head patter, but she is pro at sympathetic looks. ]

[randori]

[ He's tired enough that he doesn't even flinch like he normally would when people pat him on the head, instead, just leaning back into the touch and letting Rebecca take some of his weight. ]

Surrounded by people on all sides... That sounds nice. It could've been like that, you know? Everybody all together.

[disclosures]

[She lets him do it. If there's anybody she'd be willing to support today, it's Natsuo. It's been a very long day, but it's been longer for him than anybody else, she thinks.]

This whole thing is a mess. Making us do this and promising wishes is just... cruel.

[discardia]

[ Get over on the bed, guys. ]

I'm not sure how they're making people follow through on this... there's no wish I have that would make me want to sacrifice someone's life for it.

[randori]

[ Like he can read Cardia's mind, Natsuo climbs onto the bed so he doesn't have to stand, pulling his legs up after him so that he's sitting with his knees up to his chin instead of lying flat. ]

That's what I thought too, that there's nothing I really want, big or small. I couldn't even think of a wish to use that token on.

[disclosures]

I had a small one for the token.

[She follows into the bed, taking off her shoes and sitting by his other side.]

I don't think I'm going to use it again.

[discardia]

I tried it out, but...

Be careful what you wish for.

[ But for now? She'll lean against Natsuo so he's comfortably sandwiched, and Sisi will amble across the bed to flop across his feet. ]

[randori]

[ He wants to, but he doesn't ask, hoping they'd received something small and ultimately harmless like Fane's black paged journal, instead of what'd happened with Shirasu and him getting caught on fire. Those thoughts chill him, but the bodies all around him are warm, and he relaxes a little. ]

...Do you think I'll have time to use it before tomorrow? I could wish for something like... I wish this were all a dream, and that everybody's actually safe in their beds at home.

[disclosures]

You might be able to try, but that might put you into an endless sleep. You know, like Sleeping Beauty?

Just be really careful with that well.

[discardia]

Or everyone won't be able to get out of bed for a week... she's right. That well isn't very trustworthy.

[randori]

[ Why does that well have to be so complicated?? He squeezes his eyes shut tight and lets himself flop backwards onto the mattress. ]

I can't even wish for a plate of karaage without it being poisoned huh? I thought these things were supposed to help us.

[disclosures]

That guy who could jump seemed fine? But I don't know how he phrased his wish.

If you want that, you could probably ask somebody to make it for you. Or make it yourself?

What is it?

[discardia]

[ an inquisitive hum on her end; yeah she has no idea what the hell karaage is. ]

[randori]

[ heathens who do not know karaage, Natsuo will pray that Sanji does so he can share this mortal delight ]

It's delicious! [ —that doesn't explain what it is, though true ] Fried chicken, but the sort you buy on the streets or make at home! I dunno how to cook, so finding it in a convenience store bento is always the best!

[disclosures]

Oh. So like Kentucky Fried Chicken? Is it different than normal fried chicken?

[discardia]

[ uh. ]

It... sounds delicious.

[ But also not like someone she's had? ]

[randori]

[ heathens!!! ]

That sort of chicken is for Christmas, but karaage is all year round! I'll ask Sanji if he can make it, and we'll all eat it together!!

[ The fact that he'll have to survive past tonight in order to have a meal together never crosses his mind. For him, it's a plan set in stone: they're going to eat together, no matter what, they're going to try new food and have a good meal and a good time and it's something he looks forward to— he doesn't want anything to take that away. ]

[disclosures]

[She's not Japanese!!]

What? That kind of chicken is for when you don't want to cook.

That sounds good. [She's... worried about his chances of living past tomorrow. But it's probably best to be positive.

It'll happen. Definitely.]

[discardia]

[ neither is she!! ]

Mm... I'm sure Sanji will be able to do it. I'll look forward to it.

[ NATSUO IS NOT GOING TO DIE DAMMIT. NOT IF THEY DON'T THINK ABOUT IT. ]

[randori]

[ ...This is terrible, because maybe even Sanji wouldn't know what karaage is and Natsuo will have to petition to the super Japanese types like Sousei or Souji to see if they can do anything about it. But until then, they are going to be positive about it and pretend!! ]

Fried chicken is for celebrations with lots of people. Karaage is for when you want to make yourself happy. We'll ask Sanji to make both.

[disclosures]

[Somebody must know!!]

Aren't they both fried chicken? He's a chef, he probably knows how to cook both of them.

[discardia]

Chefs are amazing like that.

But don't we need a celebration first?

[randori]

We can celebrate having karaage!

[ IT'S A MEANS FOR CELEBRATION OKAY always a good reason ]

[disclosures]

We're celebrating having fried chicken by eating friend chicken.

Works for me.

[discardia]

... It's very... roundabout.

[ But okay. ]

[randori]

It's pretty direct, isn't it? [ He thinks so, anyways: celebrate the cause for celebration. ]

What about you guys? What's making you happy right now, that we could celebrate too?

[disclosures]

... Being alive?

[That's pretty arguable, considering the circumstances.]

[discardia]

Making new friends.

[ who hopefully won't die horribly. ]

[randori]

[ ...He smiles, and it's set. ]

I'll talk with Sanji. We'll celebrate all of us being friends, hanging on and living despite all this crap.

[disclosures]

Yeah sounds like a pretty good celebration. For now though, we should probably get some rest.

[Because tomorrow's going to be rough.]

[discardia]

She's right. Please try your best to get some sleep-- we'll be right here.

[ Sisi included. ]

[randori]

Yeah, let's sleep.

...And thanks for being here. Not just tonight, but all those times before too.

[disclosures]

[She can't really promise it but...]

Don't worry, I'll be here.