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

[decarded]

[She lets out a chuff of breath, and for her, that could almost count as amusement.]

Were you planning to start a garden?

[kingshaming]

Not exactly- but if we had the space and means I would consider it. My brother occasionally gardens, and some fresh food would be welcome here.

[decarded]

[a low, thoughtful hum]

It would take a project like that some time to bear fruit.

[More time than she wants to spend away from home, frankly.]

[kingshaming]

True- and I would rather not be trapped here that long. I fear I'd go mad long before I grew a single crop.

[decarded]

And that's assuming any of us survive that long.

[Considering the events of the last day... She has no compunctions about making that comment.]

[kingshaming]

...

[Softly:]

Maybe... that would be the kinder option.

[decarded]

[...]

To die, rather than be trapped here?

[There's no judgment in her tone. She just wants to be clear that she understood him correctly.]

[kingshaming]

For me? Perhaps. Thinking I could never see my homeland, my family again? I don't know if I could stand it.

But I would never expect that of anyone else here- don't worry, I'm not to start some twisted mercy killing.

[decarded]

...No. I understand. My family needs me as well.

[kingshaming]

[He nods]

For now, that is exactly why I can not allow myself to die.

[decarded]

[Angelica is quiet for a moment, looking down at the cup of tea in her hands. But, eventually, she asks:]

If no other option was available to you... Would you kill to return to them?

[kingshaming]

In a heartbeat.

[No hesitation, though it's clear he takes no joy out of the statement]

I have done it before. Still, until that day comes I intend to fight to the best of my ability to save everyone here- I doubt there's no way to escape.

...but if I had no other option, yes.

[decarded]

[She nods.]

We're alike, then. It wouldn't be the first time I've done so, either.

[Though she doesn't care nearly so much about keeping the peace here, in all honesty.]

[kingshaming]

Then I hope that the week we both decide there's no other option isn't the same one.

[decarded]

I wouldn't want to try my luck against you, no.

I just hope you're right, about there being some other way out.

[kingshaming]

So do I.

[He sighs down at his book]

But with how easily Toby and the Griffin were discarded, I'm less confident then I was.