the sum of our parts is greater, but a few of them might have been broken

[overworker]

[Immediately following the strange insanity that took place in the aftermath of that trial, Towa decides that enough is enough-- she has to attempt to do what she can do. For too long she's let herself be daunted by her own abilities or lack thereof... but she can't do that anymore. If she can support everyone, even in any small way, then she's going to do that now.

Before they're dismissed she calls out to the group--]

I'm going to prepare the lounge for a proper meeting. It'll take me a little bit to get everything set up but please... I want everyone to come. We have a lot to talk about and I don't want anyone shouldering this burden alone.

[And as soon as that's done, she gets to work. Coffee, tea, soup, cookies... she prepares a small, but fairly simple collection of foods as quickly as she can and works to make the space as comfortable as possible. It feels like a lifetime ago she did this the first time. A lot has changed but some things really haven't. If anyone would like to help, she certainly wouldn't turn away the help.]

Comments

[overworker]

[Towa stops to look at Ris, putting down the spices she was using to flavor the soup.

She smiles and... laughs.]

It was a bit mean, ganging up on me like that. [...] But... to be honest, I was a little happy too. That was the first time you really treated me kind of like a friend.

[higanbana]

Ehe, well. Lessons learned to watch the way you word things, hm~?

[Ris pauses too, and glances over at Towa. The look on her face is surprised for a moment, and then... a bit sad, even if she's still smiling as she gets back to work.]

Honestly, though, don't curse yourself like that. The last three women I've called friends have been up on the execution block, and we're immensely lucky all three weren't turned to glass.

[overworker]

I definitely learned my lesson.

[Or at least that she can't let her guard down around this bunch.]

...I don't believe in things such as curses. What happened... none of that was caused by you. So...! I still hope that we can be friends after this.

[higanbana]

[And that smile spreads into something a bit more genuine.]

...Well, all right. If you insist, I suppose I've no good reason to turn you down at this point.

Although, as fair warning. If I turn out to be right, my same threat to Charlotte will apply just as well to you. I couldn't allow you to leave a hole in his heart like that, after all.

["If this is a mistake, I will hunt down what might remain of your soul and make you regret it."]

[overworker]

If you're right? Right about wh--

[Oh. Oh.]

That's... I don't... I wouldn't do that. Besides, with Charlotte I... I doubt he'd have any reason to think of me.

[How does this embarrassment continue to be her life?]

But that's fine. As long as he's happy and safe, I don't mind.

[higanbana]

...Ehehe. I do believe you misunderstood me. I meant if I were right about my curse, and by "he," I did not mean our dearest blue idiot.

[She smiles at her a little more genuinely. Sympathetically, even.]

That said. I think it would do you well to talk to him anyway, though, if he's still so on your mind. After all, it seemed to me that Charlotte felt the same of you.

I have no real idea what his feelings are, I admit. He is a hard one to read, and my interactions with him were largely through the filter of his injuries. But I think, no matter what, it's worth a conversation.

For closure, if absolutely nothing else.

[She turns back to her work, sighing a little.]

...although, I will be honest. A part of me does recommend it to live vicariously through someone with a better handle on such things than I ever will.