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

[higanbana]

[Ris is going to take a moment to make sure everything is all right before leaving Mithos' side. As soon as she can be certain her leaving is unlikely to result in any tragedy while she's not looking, she's going after Towa.]

...Let me assist you.

[disregartist]

[She's obviously going to be at the meeting. She doesn't have much choice. She knows it. Her heart is being held hostage.]

As she does, she drops a pile of papers on a table in front of Towa, saying nothing as she sits.]

[overworker]

[Towa’s smile brightens a little. It’s still tinged with traces of all the worries lingering under the surface, but her gladness to see aria here helping her is entirely genuine.]

Of course. That would make me very happy.

[She’ll hand Ris the bowl of cookie dough she mixed and a spoon.]

Wanna scoop out cookies onto the baking pan for me?

[overworker]

What are these?

[She asks, but at the same time, she’s already leafing through them.]

[disregartist]

Things of importance. Your invitations, as well.

Congratulations.

[There's a quittance on top.

What.]

[overworker]

Thank you. I’ll hold on to these from now on. Know that I will keep them safe.

[And she intended to look for one of these invitations just to see what’s on them, at least insofar as she can skim it.]

I’m sorry that it came in this fashion, but I am glad for it in all honesty.

[But after reading the quittance she stops.]

This... ah...

[technicolourdifficulties]

[RGB mostly just stays out of the way while Towa prepares, though he will take instructions if given them. Otherwise, he's just going to occupy one of the bar stools and slowly spin as he ponders the events of the day.]

[higanbana]

Gladly.

[Ris takes it off her hands, getting to work.

She works in silence for a while, her brows furrowed, before eventually speaking up.]

...I do apologize, for teasing you at the trial. It got more than a little out of hand.

[eternaldivide]

[ It seems that while Towa was preparing everything and after him and Ris went their separate way Mithos had gone to his room. Part of him didn't ... want to leave, but since he had to make it so everything was alright, it'd be best if he went, wouldn't it.

So he'll be there in a bit with Friender, though it seems he sticks to the side and keeps his focus on the robodog more than anything else. Though even though he's petting and speaking with the dog he still seems in thought. ]

[disregartist]

As I said. You were trapped by the Liberation of Night. I was tasked with getting you out of there and back here, in Albion.

[Another quittance as she shifts through. And...ok then...]

Of course, others controlled the only functioning Transit Relay, so we had to fix an older one in order to return to Albion undetected by the Khanate and the Calendar Council as best as possible. Much was spent bringing you all back here.

I spoke the truth about that.

[biddentodance]

[Minato is...here. Just kind of tucks himself to one side, tending to evidence of Yarnball's handiwork. That cat's claws are very sharp. He also has a black eye by now, courtesy of McBurn.

All of that was....a lot. And he wouldn't be surprised if several people here hate him, or are angry at him, or.... Well, he expects everyone will have questions.

...Honestly? He's trembling like a leaf.]

[overworker]

That’s right. You mentioned it to me before, that you saved us...

[There is a good deal of evidence here, all of which she handles carefully as she flips through each.]

While there are things I think you kept from us, I don’t believe you lied. You have always been fairly willing to share information with me so I trust this much. And I appreciate it.

[disregartist]

As I've said, I don't generally indulge in cruelty.

[And, in the pile, are nine envelopes of high quality. Inside is the invitation, all on rather lovely paper.]

No matter what some of you might think, we don't do this because we enjoy this. Though many who don't understand obviously do.

[unwittingking]

[King is pretty much exhausted. That was...a lot to go through in so little time. Mostly emotional pain. Two people died, one person was nearly executed, and it all got stopped because, not only was a bomb going off not part of the murder, but the ones that technically committed it were already dead.

So...yeah.

Usually He would help, but this time he's kind of...busy.

And by busy I of course mean he's asleep in the nearest chair.

Look, this has just been a day and the fact that he's getting sleep is probably miraculous. You might just want to let him be if you don't have any big questions for him.]

[charmingheroine]

[Well, Charlotte had a big explanation... but it can wait.

She's just going to gently drape her cape over him, and leave him be.]

[unwittingking]

[He'd appreciate that, if he were awake. Even still, he'll snuggle into that cape unconsciously, treating it as if it were a blanket.]

[katzenpfote]

[Caleb's here, staring blankly at his hands. He's since cleaned up a bit. There's still blood on his jacket, but honestly he's used to that.]

[It's just usually his own blood.]

[In any case, he's around in case anyone wants to ask him about some of the shit he pulled during the trial... or just check on him in general.]

[overworker]

[While she has a lot she wants to accomplish-- for once there is something that she feels she must do for herself. And so thanks to those who were willing to help, she drops what she's doing for a moment to go to Minato. She sits on her knees in front of him.

Gently, she reaches up and places an ice pack over his eye. It's wrapped in one of the dishtowels-- so it shouldn't be too cold hopefully.]

...I'm sorry about earlier.

[Slapping him had-- been a very emotional, in-the-moment thing. And worse, she can't say that a small part of her wasn't effected by the closeness that Charlotte and he had shared. It was probably hopeless to think about from the start.]

[biddentodance]

It's alright. Nothing to be sorry for.

[He did, after all, inadvertently try to kill everyone. He deserved the slap. Getting punched, too. He's surprised there wasn't more.]

[overworker]

No, I never got that impression. I think everyone's views are a little biased because of the situation we're in. There's a lot we're still trying to figure out so... it makes it difficult to judge fairly at times.

[Those are... some grand invitations, to be sure. But she can't find herself too surprised considering who they're from.]

[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.

[overworker]

Yes, there is. It... wasn't fair. Not entirely.

[Her lips purse tighter.]

Of course I was mad that you tried to sacrifice yourself again. But... I was also a little jealous.

[katzenpfote]

... You don't get dizzy?

[Hi.]

[katzenpfote]

[He places a hand on Minato's shoulder.]

I am... sorry... for frightening you...

[biddentodance]

Jealous...?

[Uncomprehending. There's little to be jealous of, and.... And he remembers what became of the last person who was jealous of him. Junpei...]