AFTER TRIAL

[whiterosefoes]

[Well then. After that horrifying end to the trial, Harriet is in kind of a panic mode, and with nothing really to work down from it. She imagines everyone else is the same way. Krone had previously seemed like the meeting-holding-adult type, but that was obviously shot to hell now. As the murdergame veteran, should she step up? Even though it hardly feels that way, when nothing had been like this.

Eventually, she can be found reluctantly pasting up a notice on the back of some sheet music.]

Meeting in the parlour.

[She thought about writing, "for information gathering", or maybe, "for story telling", since they need to make some actual progress, or since Akko liked stories. In the end, though, she doesn't want to discourage any particular types, so she just leaves it at that and brings her bowl of weird fruits for those who would rather try their luck with these than horror foods that possibly come out of killer muppets.]

Comments

[silvertongueheir]

Hey! [Franciscus' voice gets a little sharp, but there's still definitely affection in there.] You're not a screw-up, alright? We all made wrong turns during that trial. Yours weren't worse than anyone else's.

[He reaches for Osomatsu's hand, his voice softening.] I don't like hearing those stewards insulting you. And I really don't like hearing you insult yourself.

[relieable]

[yipe! that first tone makes Osomatsu jolt a bit.

he lifts his gaze to Franciscus now, surprised by his words, before he turns away again. after a moment, he allows Franciscus to take his hand. it's a pretty risky move, being close like this out in the open. but it's not like they had doors on their rooms when they were cuddling in them]

...I just thought... Things would be different. I thought I'd be able to stop something like this from happening. At the very least, I figured I could help Akko-chan. [he gulps, tipping his head back to look up at the darkness. that's when the tears feel heavier, slipping down his cheeks. dammit] In the end, I just let her down.

[silvertongueheir]

[Franciscus nods in agreement.] I thought we could change the way it went, this time. I...I even told Felicity, trying to get away with murder never works out in the end. I thought...warnings of that sort would be enough.

[Hydrangea notices the tears first, scrambling up to Osomatsu's shoulder to nuzzle against his cheek comfortingly. Franciscus blinks, but slowly tugs Osomatsu closer, letting him lean on his shoulder if he wants.] We talked about my Pokemon. She even said she wanted to be a trainer...she was looking forward to a better future...

[relieable]

[for a few moments, Osomatsu says nothing. he just leans against Franciscus and lets the tears fall. it’s better to get them out in front of someone he trusts rather than breaking down in front of the group. it’s only the second week! what is he going to do?

he finally closes his eyes, sniffling, but comforted that he’s near someone he’s close to]

She told me... she was a witch in training. And that she’d just learned how to fly on a broom. That’s so cool...

[silvertongueheir]

Ah...she mentioned her magic to me as well. And promised me she'd show me how she can transform into different animals. I mentioned liking birds to her, so she said she'd show me that first... [Akko was such a trusting sweetheart. Franciscus will just keep holding Osomatsu for a while here. Everyone else is probably at the meeting right now, after all...]

[relieable]

[whoa! she can transform? that's so amazing, Akko...

Osomatsu keeps his eyes closed, making himself comfortable against the other man. the tears have stopped for now]

I'm really sorry... about the trial.

[silvertongueheir]

It's...it's alright, really. We were all on edge, and getting close to that time limit... [Franciscus starts combing his fingers through Osomatsu's hair, again.]

[relieable]

[that feels amazing. Osomatsu sort of slumps, relaxing even more. he is soothed, for the time being. maybe tomorrow he'll actually feel like facing the others again, though he doesn't know how he'll be able to sleep at night. he'll just keep thinking of Akko's smile, or the way Felicity stared at him, or the way Krone and the Stewards mocked him.

his brows furrow, face scrunching up into a frown, then he suddenly pulls back with a growl]

Rrrrgh! I hate it here!

[silvertongueheir]

...I think we all do. [Franciscus definitely agrees with that. His voice is grim.] I miss the sunlight, myself. [He's pretty sure you need sunlight to stay healthy?]

[relieable]

[probably... Osomatsu did not even think about that. but of course, Franciscus is like a plant type pokémon, so he'd definitely need the sun!]

Hmph. [he's pouting now, but at least he looks like there's some life in him again] I'll bet those Stewards just stay indoors and worship their bats and spiders all day. They probably don't even know what sunlight is.

[silvertongueheir]

They don't seem to know what many things are. [Is he still a little bitter about the plumbing/"plums" thing? Yeah probably.] They'd probably hole themselves up in their rooms if the sun ever breaks through those clouds.

[relieable]

Like vampires! Soul-eating vampires!

[silvertongueheir]

[Ugh, right, those soul orbs...] If only they actually were...the classical mythological vampire is weak to many common objects, after all. [If only they could get some garlic.]

[relieable]

[he'll find that kitchen, dammit]

Ugh. [he slumps against Franciscus again. Osomatsu seems like he's bouncing back, despite everything that happened. now he's tired and hungry] I think... I'm gonna turn in early.

[silvertongueheir]

[Franciscus allows that, rubbing Osomatsu's arm gently. It's an understandable reaction, honestly.] Do you want something to eat before that? There's some food available at the meeting.

[relieable]

[right... the meeting. Osomatsu still does not want to go.

he leans away, sighing sadly. he's at war with himself, his hunger versus his fear of the group]

Maybe... tomorrow.

[silvertongueheir]

Alright. [His voice is softer now.] I still have a jar of pickles I didn't bring to the meeting, so if you're just worried about talking to the others I can share those.

[relieable]

[ah... Franciscus is really sweet sometimes. Osomatsu turns to smile softly at him]

Okay. Thanks. [he rubs Fransiscus' back and then gets to his feet]

[silvertongueheir]

[Franciscus leads the way to his room, where he's folded down one of the shelves to temporarily store the jar of pickles. He's glad he didn't just bring that to the meeting as well.]

Go ahead, help yourself.

[relieable]

[he didn't think he would get to eat them right now. but. all right.

he gives Franciscus a quick look before taking one out of the jar.

no, he's not going to make any weird jokes about this. he is just going to devour the pickle because he's HUNGRY]

[silvertongueheir]

[Look, you shouldn't go to bed on an empty stomach, right? Franciscus is going to nibble slightly at a pickle himself. He's also hungry, but he's trying to keep his dignity anyways.]

[relieable]

[fine, he has enough dignity for the both of them, as Osomatsu inhales pickle after pickle. he eats about five before he remembers that these are not his pickles. ah, well. that should be enough. at least he won't pass out.

and, hey, he feels a lot better!]

Those weren't bad. [wiping his fingers off on his jeans] I don't eat pickles a lot, except for when it's a garnish.

[silvertongueheir]

[Technically, they're not Franciscus' pickles, either. But it's not like they have anyone's name written on them, so they might as well enjoy.]

I suppose this situation makes plenty of foods we'd normally ignore much more attractive. [He's also drank coffee without any cream or sugar.]

[relieable]

[how barbaric!]

You're tellin' me. If I never see one of those egg soul thingies again, it'll be too soon. [shudder]

[silvertongueheir]

Indeed. I wonder how they expect us to keep eating them after learning their true origin. [Even Ambrosine seemed mostly to want to try and talk to them instead.]