when you hear me calling out to you, saying, "i'll always believe in you"

[ratherdoweddings]

[It occurs to Yurika that she has no idea what either of the men they'd lost just now had with regards to religious beliefs. She doesn't know who they wanted to leave their things to. She doesn't miss the detailed funeral requests, and at least neither wanted their ashes scattered over a lake on a planet that might not even exist here while the mall radio blasted "Stairway to Heaven," but having nothing...

It's actually kind of fitting. They don't have much to begin with.

Arianna strongly insisted on handling the food, so don't worry, your afterparty food today does not consist of disgusting burnt lumps and will not send you all back into the courtroom should somebody eat one. Candles are lit on another table and Yurika's standing at the front with a hand on her shoulder.]

In my last group... our last group, for some of us, the only cases we've remembered so far had culprits who were either cruel or just that determined to escape. Here, it seems different. We're all survivors, so it seems, and we're all friends who are doing our best -- even when the motives make it seem like we should give up. Even when people die anyway.

Maybe Togami-san was right that it'll just keep going from now, but he was also right that it can't keep going forever. I'm going to make sure to keep trying for all of you, and I know you will, too.

Comments

[daughterofthemark]

You should not be in this state in the first place! There never even should have been an opportunity!

[burninglight]

Arianna, enough. Nothing will ever go perfectly or without some hitch in the ideal plan. We're alive, I'll recover and so will Touko given the time, and we can work to get out of here!

[daughterofthemark]

But Sir Togami and Sir Varric will not! Both of them are dead because we still do not trust each other!

[burninglight]

There's always going to be an accident, or rigged circumstances, or someone like Lee--we don't need unquestioning trust, we just have to coexist long enough to get our shit together and figure something out.

[daughterofthemark]

But it is my--

[She cuts herself off.]

My apologies. I should not burden you with my difficulties.

[burninglight]

Your what, Arianna.

[daughterofthemark]

[...sigh.]

My role, as a Sovereign.

[burninglight]

Arianna. There are thr-...two monarchs trapped in this miserable place.

Title or not, what makes you more culpable than the other?

[daughterofthemark]

[Arianna looks away.]

It was what I did before. My contribution to our survival.

[burninglight]

Imbecile, I'm saying don't hold yourself solely responsible! Even if we can't trust one another fully, there are still people willing to share that burden and do stupid things like I did!

[daughterofthemark]

[She's quiet for a while longer.]

But the rest of you can do other things as well. You've been of use.

[burninglight]

And where would Clarith be without you? Or Touko, or any of the other friends you've made?

[daughterofthemark]

[She doesn't have an answer for that.]

...my apologies.