it only hurts for a moment - you get used to it quickly

[swordsinternally]

[ After everything's said and done, Shirou's going to go ahead and set things up for today. It's the same as always; nothing has changed-- but he still wants to believe that there's something worth in doing this, so he'll at least go ahead and do that once he's given out notes (or told a person verbally, one on one) under their door, a small neat note stating: ]

For those who don't want to be alone today:

I know it's been a hard month. And I know it's probably going to get even more difficult from here. But I don't want anyone to give up just yet. If you'd like, there'll be food and drinks in the simulation room.

- E.

[ And for those who decide to make the trip to the simulation room, they'll find themselves walking into what seems to be a karaoke bar! Shirou's made it pretty spacious and there is, in fact, a table set up with some food for everyone to take - primarily burgers and ramen (hell, there's a bit of ramen burgers, too, the Biggest Cancer) - that he's made the decision to make, so feel free to take it, and he's willing to even get drinks for everyone, too.

This includes virtual drinks, as he actually has some experience working at a bar, even if it was more menial tasks and less bartending. But hey, there's a first time for everything, yeah?

And there's also the option to sing your heart out-- although that might not be the most appropriate, given the last execution, but he's. He's trying, anyway. ]

Comments

[throwabookatit]

Of course we do, I just... I don't know even where to start.

[ And she has a feeling the rest of them don't, either. ]

[buriedearth]

... Yeah, you're right. Even I don't know.

[ ... ]

I guess it's really not something I've been wanting to admit. It feels like...saying as much is some sort of defeat.

[ And he doesn't like the way that it feels. Terra's never liked the feeling of being so powerless. But maybe he's looking at it the wrong way--still, it's how he feels about it. ]

[throwabookatit]

...We've got to keep...digging. Until we find something we can use.

[ There has to be something. There will be something. Right? ]

[buriedearth]

That's really about all we can do for now.

[ ... ]

Who knows? Maybe we'll come across something that'll finally make a difference...sooner than we think.

[ It sounds like wishful thinking all the same, but in a situation like this, if it's what helps them get through it before they get the right answers and get out of this somehow, then what's the harm? ]

[throwabookatit]

Maybe. ...Maybe we will.

[ She's quiet for a moment. ]

I... I'm sorry. About Maya. [ He'd known her for longer, after all. ]

[buriedearth]

[ Terra had, and it doesn't change the circumstances, but... ]

...

[ He didn't know what to say to that, not right now. He doesn't want to say 'it couldn't be helped' for sure, because he didn't believe that at all. He'll just nod, to kind of acknowledge it. He's thankful for the thought, but he doesn't know how to put it into words. ]

I hope she's at least been able to find peace, even after all of that.

[throwabookatit]

Me too. I... After everything she's done, or offered to do, for the rest of us...

[ The note she could finally read, earnest and sweet. Rebecca needed some time, after that, to just cry. ]

...She was a good girl.

[buriedearth]

...She was.

[ He closed his hands into tight fists, before releashing them with a sigh. He's too tired to even get worked up like this. ]

Let's continue to do all we can--not just for ourselves, but everyone else who can't.

[throwabookatit]

I agree. ...For all the ones...we've lost.

[ Isabella. Ashton. Viral. Maya.

...

The friendship she thought she had. ]