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

[desperateprayer]

I-It's fine. I like sweet things...

[ Everything that is about to happen is your fault, Junpei. ]

[misanthropicprinciple]

[As bad things often are!

He tries to gauge how she's doing for a moment, then takes a nearby seat.]

All right. Just... take it easy, for now.

[desperateprayer]

...Yeah...

[ She'll just keep drinking. Sorry, dude. ]

[misanthropicprinciple]

[After a while steeped in his own thoughts, Junpei notices just how much of a dent Clarith's put in that bottle already.]

Wow. You can really drink. Maybe...

[...But far be it from Junpei "Panty Claus" Tenmyouji to tell anyone to slow down.]

[desperateprayer]

[ SHE REALLY NEEDS IT. ]

...Thank you, Junpei.

[misanthropicprinciple]

...Of course, Clarith.

[Ain't no one here going to leave her behind. Not after that.]

Uh, make sure to have some water between drinks, though. Hydration is key.

[desperateprayer]

...All right.

[ She should... Go get some water. ]

[misanthropicprinciple]

[He waits a bit, then rises.]

Here, I'll get you some. Some food, too. Think you can eat?

[desperateprayer]

...I don't know. I... Honestly don't know if I'd be able to to.

[ She's at least relaxing? ]

[misanthropicprinciple]

I'll bring something simple, and you can decide if you want it or not.

[After a pause, he puts a hand on Clarith's shoulder.]

It's part of staying alive. Making sure your body's got what it needs to keep going.

[desperateprayer]

...I'm just not sure if I could keep it down right now is all.

[ She's still sickened by this entire event, really. ]

In time, I think, I'll be fine.

[misanthropicprinciple]

Yeah. That's... fair enough.

[If she can drink like that, food might help rather than hurt; but he's not going to push the issue.]

As fine as anyone can be like this, anyway. Would some crackers be all right?

[desperateprayer]

[ She's just. Going to nod. ]

[misanthropicprinciple]

[She's so sad. She's sad, and this whole thing's hit her worse than anyone else. Mikaela was all she had, and Mai's story was so like her own...]

Do you...

[He doesn't even know why he's asking. It's not like him. But the warmth of Rii-san in the garden still lingers.]

...Want a hug, too?

[desperateprayer]

[ ...She's just going to nod again. She doesn't trust herself to speak at the moment. ]

[misanthropicprinciple]

[All right. C'mere, girl. As he bends awkwardly to hug her in her chair, he says softly:]

I'm sorry, Clarith.

[There's no promise he can offer to make this better.]

[desperateprayer]

[ And she's just. Going to break down in tears. That's going to happen a lot. She'll recover, but. For now... ]

[misanthropicprinciple]

I'm sorry.

[He just holds on and strokes her hair. For all he's tried to get these people not to trust him, not to think he's a good person--he just can't help but help.]