Then something broke in me and I wanted to go home

[tokencanadian]

[The ending to a very long day has come, and it couldn't have ended... softer, which isn't the first word Pyrrha would use, as everything about what had happened stung hard. Of all the things Choromatsu could have done, he did what he did out of worry for his friends and family, and instantly regretted it when his plans actually came to fruition. It reminded her of things. Certain things, and certain people, who did so much for their family..

...So that's it, isn't it. I can't save my children.

She can't stand this, this feeling in her stomach. So, she does something about it, pushes herself to help instead of moping all to herself. All she has to do is make a quick visit to the storage closet, and a less... exciting trip to the restaurant. Soon enough, everyone's getting a carefully written letter slipped under their door.]

Hey.
The trial was tough, and draining, but as much as we can, I think we should all stick together. Show PAL and his bosses that he can't shake us. It's what Ardyn would want, and Choromatsu as well.
If you would like some food and company, come to the VIP lounge. I won't force anyone, just know that you're not alone, even if you think you are.
- Pyrrha

[True to her word, Pyrrha's in the VIP lounge. Things have been set up so there's a good amount of food on the tables and bar. Mostly simpler things, like fruits and a few non-cookie snacks from the restaurant, and the packaged food from storage. There's also some fresh coffee, water, and whatever the lounge naturally has at the bar. It should be enough for everyone, if anyone even has the appetite to begin with.

Let's party like we're running out of time.]

Comments

[motherfucking_ghost]

[Church isn't as used to this kind of rage. The slow, quiet, smoldering, persistent kind. He's used to flashing quick and petering out in an instant. This doesn't leave when he watches Choromatsu eat the damned cookie. It doesn't ease when he watches him fade and die. It doesn't cease when PAL lets them out without a vote.

He goes straight to room 7.

...Under the bed. That's what he'd said, right? Under their bed. Under his bed. It takes a few minutes for him to gather himself up to even look.

He deposits them outside the door.]

[ratherdoweddings]

[Yurika goes to pick hers up, sniffles as she reads it. Gets offended at the comment about her cooking, but that's for later.]

Oh, poor Church-san...

[daughterofthemark]

[Arianna is first back into the elevator, and briefly stops by the security office before paying a visit to room 4 to put up new markers.

Choromatsu's is between the ones he made for his brothers. It's out of order, but... it seems like the right place for it to be. She leaves the bookmark and the picture there.

Ardyn's is next to Yuuri's. She doesn't have anything to put in front of this one. She'll have to ask... no, she'll have to let Church and Junpei deal with it on their own schedule.

She arrives late to the "party," but she's there, making her rounds as usual. Trying to make sure no one is alone for long.]

[ratherdoweddings]

[Yurika sadly munches on a premade cheese sandwich, staring at the bar.]

What could we have done?

room 4

[ratherdoweddings]

[Yurika walks in and pauses, a book in her arms.]

Arianna-chan...

[daughterofthemark]

[Knock, knock.]

[motherfucking_ghost]

[No answer! Try again?]

[cyan_maid]

[...It's probably towards when she goes to bed that she picks up her letter, but Jane won't bother Church when she does. She'll take it, and read it on her own, and cry on her own and let the man grieve.

They'll be here when he comes out, after all.]

[myocordial]

[Heart considers knocking, checking up on Church, doing... something. But he's not sure what he'd even say right now. So maybe giving him space is better.


Heart takes his letter and leaves.]

[induality]

[When she stood... when it was all over-- Fukawa left her grief in the courtroom. She left all the despair and anger and frustration and hopelessness trapped within the walls of that room. Stepping outside she renewed her determination. Rather than running-- she accepted the invitation to the VIP room.

With all her strength she tries to keep her expression from wavering.

But in the face of Ardyn's letter she falters a little. Not out of sadness but an intense pride. Expressed in those words is a great number of feelings from Ardyn that-- their worth can't be expressed.]

...Touko Lucis Caelum...

[Her expression is near blank, but in her eyes there is a spark.]

...I swear... I'll be the death of this cursed foundation. I swear it. The only storm they've to fear is me.

[Later in room 4 she makes a point of penning a poem in fine lettering. She deposits it in it's own spot-- a memorial to Ardyn. And in one for Choromatsu-- she leaves the origami lilies he made for her.]

[cyan_maid]

[Jane turns up after a while, having showered and changed into something clean, but she doesn't touch any of the food Pyrrha put out. Not out of suspicion, but out of just...not wanting to eat. She never eats on these days. She can't.

She's quiet, curled up in one of the chairs, and while she's not crying, she is...shaking slightly. Almost tense. Because she'd had to do it again, like with Rukia, catch onto something significant and look a person in the eye and try to corner them into a confession.

And it sucks.]

[tokencanadian]

[Pyrrha's scurrying around, busying herself with making sure there's enough of everything. There's always a slight anxiousness to her actions, but that's probably a given. Every so often, she approaches someone if they're on a couch, just hanging around, or even at the bar. And she'll ask with a tired voice,]

Can I get you anything? Water? Maybe... something to eat?

[Guess who hasn't eaten all day.

She does spend a little while on a couch, looking at old pictures through her Scroll, but then it's back to work until a point where most everyone's leaving. Then it's clean-up time.]

[daughterofthemark]

[She's on her knees with her hands clasped in front of her, like she's praying. She's not sure exactly who she's praying to, but maybe there's someone out there who's listening?]

Captain Yurika.

Cleaning up

[cyan_maid]

...Do you want some help?

[Jane's just. She's tired, but she's been here, and she can't not help Pyrrha out. Pyrrha always helps others. Let someone help her.]

[myocordial]

[Heart's mostly in the VIP lounge. He's taken a seat and he's drinking coffee, more for the sake of having something than anything else. He's reading the letter Ardyn wrote for him. And somehow, despite the loss, despite grief, the horror of watching Choromatsu die...

Heart is actually chuckling softly as he reads. There's still sadness in there, of course there is. But the amusement is very real.]

Honestly, Ardyn...

[He makes a stop at room 4 later. Not for any specific purpose, not really, he just felt the need to be there, at the memorial. He's standing quietly in the room, just... thinking.]

[induality]

[Fukawa gives it some time-- not just for him but... to find her own words. But she'd never abandon him.]

...Leonard...

You don't have to say anything. Listening is enough. I'm sorry... that I wasn't there for you when you deserved it. That I let myself run instead of supporting you when I knew you needed it-- deserved it. It's fine if you're mad at me.

...but I'm done running. And... if you need me... for anything... I'm going to be here.

[daughterofthemark]

[Arianna reaches up to knock again, then hesitates.

...]

Sir Church? You don't have to come out, but please respond.

[kingshaming]

[When she arrived Xander nods to her and stands, moving over to talk to her quietly]

Arianna, I would speak to you alone, if I may?

[ratherdoweddings]

[She walks in and sets down the book at the same section of the memorial. It's a photo book.]

His family album. I gave it back in the simulation, but...

[daughterofthemark]

[Arianna nods back, and leads him out to the laundry room. It seems like as good a place as anyway, and she doesn't want to get too far away.]

What is it?

room 4

[ratherdoweddings]

[Yurika's set Choromatsu's family album with the rest of his and his brothers' things. She's staring at that with a sigh.]

Every time we try to do something for everyone, it doesn't work completely.

[ratherdoweddings]

Jane-chan...

[Yurika leans over and sets a hand on her shoulder.]

We tried. I'm so sorry.

[kingshaming]

This trial... was, how do they say it? An 'utter shitshow'. We all fell on each other like rabid dogs, and I fear with Ardyn gone this won't be the last time.

There's little I can do, considering my former position... do have any ideas? We have to bind together if we're going to survive this, and you are well liked.

[cyan_maid]

...It's not your fault.

[Because it isn't. No matter the motivations or actions, it all boiled down to the people in the shadows. The bigger picture. Their captors. EP.]

We...we're still alive now. More than just one of us. So...we still have time to find a solution that works. That's...

[That's how she sees it, or else, how could she keep going?]

[daughterofthemark]

I'm certain he would want it there. All of them would.