ain't no party like a murdergame afterparty, cw: some mentions of alcohol

[originallutece]

[--cuz a murdergame afterparty is horrifying and sad and possibly a little threatening if Mahiro insists on bringing his gun with him, please don't do that buddy.

Honestly, guys, we're running out of cooks at this rate. But it's nice to gather after horrifying events, and so while Rosalind's cooking skills are absolutely terrible, her alcohol-pouring skills are a little better. Come have a glass of wine or three and ruminate on the fact that there's only fourteen of us left.]

Comments

[pseudoregelia]

[She catches sight of him as she's walking back from the laundry room, the damp red scarf peeking out from in between towels. And once she does see him, belongings in hand, she just... stops.]

...Elliot-san?

[She isn't stupid. She can see what's happening here.]

[divertimento]

...um. Hi.

[He sounds kind of - okay, really - guilty, but he doesn't seem ready to turn around and give up on this just yet.

But no. Hiyono isn't stupid, he knows that. So he's not going to play dumb, either.]

...sorry. I just figured... maybe it's safer for you guys this way.

[pseudoregelia]

Safer.

[She repeats the word faintly.]

...So if we die, you mean to say that at least it wouldn't be your fault...?

[At another time, she might have tried to soften the blow. But a roommate was just shot dead as he stood next to her, and her nerves are accordingly a bit frayed.]

[divertimento]

S'not like us all being together is doing much to protect any of us, anyway.

[It's understandable that her nerves are frayed, but so are his, so he's just gonna throw that out there.]

All that's happening is that everyone who rooms with me keeps dying. [So, yes. Basically what she said exactly.]

[pseudoregelia]

Elliot-san, do you really think your presence decides who lives and who dies?

[Her grip on the bundle of towels tightens as she steps closer to him, looking him dead in the eye.]

If you wanted to move for any other reason, if you felt you were unsafe, I'd allow it. But I can't let you take responsibility for things that are out of your control.

This isn't your fault, Elliot-san. I'll repeat those words as many times as it takes for you to believe it.

[divertimento]

I don't know! [His voice cracks with his words.] I don't know. I just... every single week, another one of my roommates dies. It doesn't feel like it's a coincidence anymore, you know? I dunno what I did to make the Goddess so angry with me, but I'm sick of it hurting people I care about...

[pseudoregelia]

You aren't hurting anyone, Elliot-san.

[Her voice raises as she says this.]

I think just about everyone's lost someone they care about here. [...Besides the people who aggressively don't care about anyone at all, anyway.] It isn't just you. So please--

Don't try to act like this only has to do with you.

[divertimento]

[Aaaand he's crying. Damn it. It's not like all of this isn't bad enough without being seen like this for the millionth time on top of it...]

...I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I just...

[He's just sick and tired of all of this. But, of course, isn't everyone? Hiyono must be, too. He knows that.

And now he just feels pathetic.]

[pseudoregelia]

[The tension in her shoulders seem to fade as he begins to cry again. Carefully, she bundles up the towels and scarf in one hand before moving to place a hand on his shoulder. Gently pushing him back to Ayumu's room.]

...Let's put everything back. Okay?

[divertimento]

[Words fail him, so he simply gives a sharp nod. You win, Hiyono.]

[pseudoregelia]

[Good, because the next step would have been to bodily block him, and she's a bit tired for that right now.

So, she'll go ahead and steer him back to the room, opening up the door and nudging it open further with her foot.]

Go ahead. It's your room now, too, you know.

[divertimento]

...yeah. [His voice is still cracking. Ugh.] I know.

[A pause.]

You should get back to whatever you were doing. ...I'm not gonna go back to what I was doing, I promise.

[pseudoregelia]

Actually... I just wanted to fetch some things for the shrine.

[Hn.]

Would you like to come with me? Or would you like to spend some time alone?

[divertimento]

I think I'd rather spend some time alone, if that's okay.

[pseudoregelia]

Alright.

[She lingers in the room a moment longer, reaching out to place a hand on his shoulder once again. This time in a gesture of comfort, rather than to try to pull him along anywhere.]

I haven't been very grateful to you lately, have I? I'm sorry. But... We really do appreciate having you here, Elliot-san. No matter what, you're always trying your best for your friends - I'm honestly surprised you've agreed to keep cooking with us every week, too.

[And her grip will tighten just slightly before she lets go again.]

...I could never regret getting to know you, Elliot-san. So please remember that, no matter what happens, okay?

[divertimento]

[His eyes widen a little at her last statement, and he flounders for words for a moment before managing a response.]

...Me, either. Getting to know you, I mean. [Awkward, but genuine.] There's a lot of things I regret here, but you guys aren't ever gonna be one of them.

[pseudoregelia]

[She nods.]

The next time you're feeling down... please remember the impact you've had on everybody here. Even though it seems harsh, even though it seems bleak... You've managed to bring goodness and kindness into this place.

[And with that, she'll turn to leave him be in peace.]