Until the dawn of another new morning

[daughterofthemark]

[Not long after the Rose Ceremony ends, Arianna goes around from door to door, leaving the by-now-expected notes:]

Everyone's presence is requested in the dining room for food and companionship. We must stand together.

-Arianna

[The promise of food is slightly premature, but she's got Clarith working on it. And Arianna is helping! Not much, though, since she keeps running back out to the dining room to make sure people are... well, not okay per se, but not circling the proverbial drain.

She's also brought in some blankets and pillows from the first floor rest area, for anyone who isn't feeling up to chairs at the moment.]

Comments

[daughterofthemark]

Sir Junpei!

[THIS IS THE FIRST GOOD THING THAT'S HAPPENED ALL DAY]

[misanthropicprinciple]

H-hi, Arianna.

[He does, at least, seem aware of that. He's not sure what to do with all this attention. Or the guilt attending it.]

How's... how's it going?

[daughterofthemark]

Better, now that you are up and about.

[Just be glad you're not dead, like everyone else.]

[misanthropicprinciple]

Well, you know how it is. Uh, can't keep a hard-boiled detective down.

[daughterofthemark]

Of course.

[Yep, she's accepting that as a law of the universe. It seems legit.]

...it is something of a relief that Dame Mai could not see what happened.

[misanthropicprinciple]

...Yeah. I... I guess.

[It sucks that she could not see what happened because she's dead, but he's glad not to add onto her guilt.]

I wouldn't have blamed her. Or--I don't blame Takumi, either. I know they wouldn't have wanted this. But at least I'm alive.

[daughterofthemark]

[Yes, the silver lining is that surely Mai will now never know about this.]

Yes. And you must remain so. We need you, Sir Junpei.

[misanthropicprinciple]

[Certainly, she is in a better place where death games can never come to hurt her.]

I don't, uh, plan on going anywhere and taking my experience with me.

[daughterofthemark]

[A place unrelated to Florida in particular.]

It is not your experience that we need.

[misanthropicprinciple]

[He looks a little surprised by that.]

My... abilities?

[????]

[daughterofthemark]

You. Our dear friend.

[misanthropicprinciple]

[We do not fucking deserve Arianna of Caledonia.]

I... [How does he even. Eventually, he laughs softly.] I'll try to take better care in the future.

[daughterofthemark]

[Everyone deserves Arianna of Caledonia.]

...please do. I do not wish to see Rii-san in such a state again.

[misanthropicprinciple]

I-I really didn't mean to worry anyone...

[GUILT GUILT GUILT.]

[daughterofthemark]

I know.

[WAIT NO THAT WAS NOT THE INTENDED EFFECT]

[misanthropicprinciple]

Do, uh, do you think she'll be okay? She seemed...

[Distraught. Overwhelmed. Literally crying over him.]

[daughterofthemark]

I believe so. ...I hope so.

[Though was she really okay to begin with?]

[misanthropicprinciple]

[We are all definitely 1000% mentally okay on the IG7 Fantasy Sweet.]

...I'll ask her to stay with me tonight. So she doesn't... so she can see for herself I'm still here.

[daughterofthemark]

Thank you. I'm certain she will appreciate it.

...have you had anything to eat?

[misanthropicprinciple]

Ah, no. Not yet. Just some juice to drink.

[daughterofthemark]

Please, wait here and let me get you something. What would you like? Is there anything in particular that you feel you need?

[misanthropicprinciple]

Just some crackers would be fine. Or if anyone made any of that gelatin I've seen people get out of the dumbwaiters, I'll take that.

Arianna... thank you.