and every broken heart will mend

[scourgingstars]

[Not too long after the trial, a note found its way under everyone's doors, all of them written in the same neat handwriting that had been asking after a ring not that long ago.]

If any of you would prefer not to be left alone after all of that, I propose we meet in the dining hall. Nari has taken up cooking at the moment, and should anyone wish to talk I will be present regardless of whether or not the group at large should choose to join us.

-Ardyn

[True to his word, Ardyn was at a smaller table in the dining hall with an untouched cup of coffee in front of him; lost in thought leaning his head on one hand as the other turned a silver coin over between his fingers.]

[King in an empty hall, and savior of nothing. All that effort to prevent bloodshed, and it had come down to a situation designed to force their hand from the beginning.]

Comments

[shikosuki]

[ Choromatsu is missing from the after party and not in his room either. In fact he didn't make it to his room at all after that. He didn't really want to be in the same space as someone else yet, not even his room mate. So he had gone straight to the rest area instead and just... collapsed there.

He just needs... to chill out for a bit.

He doesn't really know how long he's been there. Maybe if he just goes to sleep here he'll finally wake up back at home, squished between Osomatsu and Jyushimatsu in their futon, realize this was all caused by one of those idiots chokeholding him in their sleep or something stupid like that... ]

[serrata]

[ She's on her way back from the garden when she spots him -- she just sees him flopped over in the rest room like a puppet with the strings cut and for the stupidest moment, her heart leaps into her throat and she half-expects they're going to be going through another trial today.

She's halfway through the door when she realizes... oh. He's still breathing. She pauses, knowing she's being ridiculous but... she has to ask. ]

... Matsuno-san, are you...

[ "still alive?" ]

[shikosuki]

[ Matsuno-san? Who's that? His dad? Being referred to by his last name and not by something else that designates which Matsuno he is is still weird.

But he stirs at that and turns his head back a little ]

Mm?

[serrata]

[ Oh thank god, they don't have another body on their hands. She relaxes visibly and gives him a little smile. ]

I'm sorry -- I just wanted to see if you were alright. I didn't wake you up, did I?

[shikosuki]

Ah... n-no, I wasn't really sleeping. Just thinking about things.

[serrata]

... I don't blame you.

[ Don't mind if she just settles down near you on the cushy floor. ]

How are you holding up?

[shikosuki]

...Lousy, honestly. I want to go home already.

[serrata]

... I know what you mean.

[ not "I do too". hmmmmmmm. ]

This is the worst sort of place to try and... recover from something like this.

[shikosuki]

Yeah...

[ He curls up on the floor ]

...What's everyone up to?

[serrata]

... I'm not sure. I haven't joined up with everyone yet -- I've been in the garden. But... I think we're having a meal together. Just in case... people don't want to be alone after all this.

[shikosuki]

...I see. Makes sense.

I guess I'll stay away from that. [ bruh have you even eaten today? No? No. ]

[serrata]

... do you want me to bring you something? If you're in here instead of with everyone else... it must be for a reason.

[shikosuki]

I... to be honest? I don't know if I could keep anything down right now.

[serrata]

Not even tea? I could go and brew you some.

[ a pause. she doesn't want to be too pushy, but... ]

... after all this... I really don't think you should go back to bed on an empty stomach.

[shikosuki]

Um... well maybe some tea would be fine...

[serrata]

Alright then. I bet there'll be a pot already brewing. Is there any kind in particular you'd like?

[shikosuki]

Um... oolong or green, I guess. Or barley. Honestly, anything's fine.

[serrata]

Okay. Just sit tight and I'll be right back.

[ and off she goes. she's probably not right back since she's got to hug Arianna and make sure her princess is doing okay before she comes back. But it's not too long before she returns with two steaming cups of green tea. One each. ]

Here you go. Are you still awake...? I'm sorry I took so long.

[shikosuki]

[ He almost dozed off again honestly, but it's not a full sleep so he stirs as he hears her voice.He sits up and rubs his eyes. ]

Mm, it's fine...

[ He reaches out for the tea ]

Thanks, Yuuri-san.

[serrata]

It's fine.

[ She hands off his cup of tea and then settles in as well. They don't have to talk, if he doesn't want. But she doesn't want him to be sat here by himself, either. ]