Emergency Meeting

[induality]

[They were finally let out of the court room but things were far from great. Instead of a gathering to mourn the dead-- what they really needed right now was a proper gathering to meet and discuss what happened. As soon as they got out, she yelled for everyone to meet in the food court. She hurried immediately to start some tea and coffee and prepare what she could. All of them probably needed a moment.]

Sorry to drag you all here after... all that. But... again... it's b-better if we stay together right now. And I think... an emergency meeting i-is in order.

If you want anything to eat I can... t-try. But in the meantime I started some tea and c-coffee... so... As long as we're together try-- to relax. We're... g-going to get through this.

Comments

[myocordial]

[The news that the vampire is dead is good, of course. None of this went how any of them would like, but it's the situation they're stuck with, and at least no other Champion has been harmed. It's something.

But there's a lot of unresolved feelings left now. Anger with nothing good to take it out on, sadness muffled by everything else, and all of it coated with a good deal of spite. How the fuck do people deal with that, exactly?

...

So after a little while, Heart's sitting at a table and with him he's got a bottle of whiskey and a glass he's filling up.

Listen he's just gonna cope how humans cope. Because at this point, honestly, why not.]

[ratherdoweddings]

Heart-san... I'm so sorry.

[myocordial]

[He's only just started on the bottle, so there's not much of an effect yet. It's only because of the memories he'd gotten at the start of this week that he knows it will, eventually. But as Yurika approaches, he's still completely lucid.

God, he kind of wishes he wasn't.]

...It's fine. It's over now, isn't it?

[You can tell how fine it is by the way Heart's just gonna take a long sip from his glass.]

[ratherdoweddings]

Maybe. [She looks up at the ceiling.] Maybe it's not over until we take this game down.

[myocordial]

Yes, of course. In due time.

...I'm very glad we're not dealing with a dangerous vampire running around, but I am, frankly, disappointed he didn't really get Xander.

[ratherdoweddings]

I'd rather have Xander-san, between the two. Someone who's making himself do this for a cause is at least better than someone who just wants everyone dead because he can.

[myocordial]

The ideal resolution would have been Xander bleeding out after taking out that thing.

[Listen he's real salty and also Xander can go fuck himself.]

[ratherdoweddings]

You really hate him, don't you?

[myocordial]

Yes.

I think he's done plenty to earn that hatred.

[ratherdoweddings]

Because he chose to throw us all away for "her?" I understand why you would, but I don't know. I don't really want to judge him for it.

[myocordial]

You don't?

Because it seems like an even trade? All of our lives for the one he wants? I seem to be a bit out of the loop, so please, tell me what the exchange rate is on lives these days, because apparently I've been misjudging Xander greatly.

[a10tionplz]

[At some point the Doctor's just going to quietly set down a small bowl of bar pretzels pilfered from Flavortown and sit down opposite Heart with a glass of his own.]

[myocordial]

...It's been a very arduous day, hasn't it?

[a10tionplz]

That's certainly one way to describe it. ...And I'm sorry. That you had to see him lose himself like that. Soma didn't deserve that.

[myocordial]

No. No, he didn't. It's something he desperately hoped would never happen. And something I told him I wouldn't allow to happen, but...

[Okay yeah, he's just gonna take a long sip from his glass.]

I suppose I was fooling myself by thinking I could prevent that.

["I was fooling myself by thinking I could make a difference," is what he doesn't say.]

[a10tionplz]

Maybe. Some things are beyond the power of any one person to prevent or change.

[He gives the pretzels a little push in Heart's direction. Grief is not actually assuaged by hangovers.]

You still made a difference in what time he had. That's the important thing.

[myocordial]

[...Yeah, okay, he'll take some pretzels.]

I know that's true, of course. But it's something I have a hard time accepting. I... can't help but feel like I let him down.

...But he would probably disagree with me.

[neverheardofhim]

[For awhile, Varric only watches Heart. He's not sure how to react to any of this, least of all the emotions of the still living man.]

Guess I can't recommend fire for this one, huh?

[myocordial]

I don't know. [Heart empties his current glass and... he's definitely a ways into the bottle by now.] I think I'd like to set Xander on fire, does that count?

[neverheardofhim]

Not really. That one's both obvious and mutual. [Varric takes a sip off of his own drink.]

Helping at all? [He nods toward the bottle.]

[myocordial]

I'm not sure. Maybe. Or maybe I haven't had enough for that yet.

[He has the memories of drinking before, but it was still just the one time. It's hard to compare the two experiences.]

I may just keep going until I know for sure.

[neverheardofhim]

Or... maybe don't do that. On the off-chance it does work, I'd rather not have to see another body for at least the rest of the weekend.

[At this point, that's about as long as he can hope for.]

[myocordial]

If it helps at all, I'm pretty sure that I can't die from alcohol poisoning.

[neverheardofhim]

At least drink a little water in between, won't you?

[myocordial]

Sure, sure. If my well being is that important to you.