The bodies in my floor all trusted someone. Now I walk on them to tea.

[kingshaming]

[After the trial, Xander does what he does best. What always blanks his mind when training is not an option:

He organizes.

The hot food for lunch is out still, and while he feels far from hungry, he knows they all SHOULD eat. Everyone wanders off to take care of their own grief, and he lets them for now- and instead busies himself at the espresso bar. There's something specific he wants to do.

Later, under each door, and with the same thing written on the white board he had dragged out for meetings:]

There is hot food and tea in the cafeteria, and while I have no stomach for food it is there for those that can.

While it is tempting to be alone right now, if you wish company I shall be there until evening. Now may be a good time to compare new information while it is fresh.

If not, please stay well.

Xander

[And as promised there is fresh tea. Green tea in fact, though it lacks the milk Chitanda made- but basic tea he can manage at least]

Comments

[kingshaming]

We were... unprepared.

[ratherdoweddings]

They were desperate to get someone killed, too. That wasn't an incentive like money or even just getting to go home again, and we weren't there three days before they threw it at us.

[kingshaming]

True- if us 'living here peacefully' was really something they wanted, they wouldn't have gone this far this fast.

[ratherdoweddings]

...Do we know what Eru-chan and the others wanted after they died? Back on the Nadesico, I had to perform funerals for anyone killed in action or on the job. Some of them got a little weird, but I feel like it's the only thing we can do.

[kingshaming]

Not that I know of. We can improvise, they deserve an attempt at least.

[ratherdoweddings]

Maybe they just need to be remembered. That's what's important in the end, isn't it?

[kingshaming]

[He doesn't smile, but the crease between his eyes smooths a bit]

It is. It might help those that live... once things have settled.

[ratherdoweddings]

I just keep going back to how Bolton-san was taunting us when they first introduced themselves, saying if someone escaped, they could bring back news to the loved ones of everyone they killed. That's not what anybody wants, but at the same time, it's terrifying knowing that maybe we could all die and nobody would know.

[kingshaming]

...

I have taken to writing my thoughts here and there. And after seeing Chitanda's letters home I am tempted to do the same. Perhaps it would help that feeling for you as well.

[ratherdoweddings]

You mean, writing letters to people we miss?

[kingshaming]

Exactly. If worse comes to it, if any of us survive they could take them with them.

And if nothing else, it might ease your mind a bit.

[ratherdoweddings]

I'll think about it. I hope everyone's alright back home.

[kingshaming]

[He pauses, unsure what to do, before finally giving into instinct and defaulting to what he would do for his sisters.

He reaches over and lightly places his hand over hers]

They will be fine. You must keep that truth in your heart.

[ratherdoweddings]

[Yurika sits up a little straighter and looks over to him.]

I hope so. I know they're strong enough to go forward.

[kingshaming]

[Xander nods]

Then keep faith in that.

[ratherdoweddings]

I will. And in all of you, too! We made it through this one okay, at least.