now that you are not around, my world fades to a dull, lifeless grey

[ratherdoweddings]

[Rukia will come around to everyone's rooms later, with bunny-laden notes inviting them up to the diner. When they arrive, they'll find that one of the tables in the back has been covered over with a length of fabric from the sewing room and is serving as a makeshift altar, with rosemary and, for some reason, a bottle of whiskey sitting on it alongside cutesy drawings of all the dead thus far. (Just like last time, Seth gets a spiteful no symbol across his face.)

Yurika's there too, and she speaks first:]

Thank you. I... I'm sorry for suspecting some of you a little. I was worried no matter what happened, and I knew it would be hard, but you were all innocent. If anybody wants to talk, we can.

Comments

[ratherdoweddings]

I'm starting to see why Togami-san acts like he does. Especially since our memories have been wearing on us.

[yukionna]

That's why he's the Champion Survivor, right? Because he went through a game like this before? [ that's what Rukia heard, anyway ]

...I'm the last person who should be saying this, but maybe we're all being a little too secretive.

[ratherdoweddings]

He did? That's why he's always so suspicious?

[yukionna]

I don't know the details, but that's what I heard.

[ a shrug, though Rukia's not feeling as nonchalant as that motion makes it seem ]

How are you feeling, by the way?

[ratherdoweddings]

[Yurika sighs.] I know I have to hold myself together for everyone, but it keeps getting harder. Margulis-san and McBurn-san were desperate to do something for the greater good. Maybe one of these days we'll have no option but to give up for all those billions of people we've already let down by living. But at the same time, that means everyone back home counting on us is lost.

[yukionna]

[ Quietly: ]

You don't have to hold it together. That's putting an unbelievable amount of weight on your shoulders.

[ scribble scribble. She's drawing Toby--he still doesn't look anything like a penguin, but she's getting slightly better. ]

[ratherdoweddings]

What else can I do? I feel lost when we're not just having fun like usual, but it's at those times when I have to get serious, too.

[yukionna]

You're not quite used to this sort of trauma, are you? It's natural to feel lost. But trying to keep it together when you're anything but ill do nothing but keep hurting you.

[ gently ] What I mean is...you can let yourself cry, you know.

[ratherdoweddings]

...I know. But at least when everyone else needs someone, I've got to be there too.