godspeed, all the bakers at dawn

[redfoliage]

[So that was. Bad. That was all really bad and now the group's down by four and while there are some things that really ought to be discussed, probably, immediately after that cavalcade of misfortune is not the time to do it. So everyone should probably disperse a bit? Do whatever it is they're going to do tonight. Breathe, decompress, shower (alone, Ibara, we are all doing that alone). Or just watch the roombas do their thing in here; it matters reasonably little in the end.

For what it's worth, Garista is in that later camp; he doesn't seem too inclined to sleep, maybe he'll do that later, but for the time being he's just going to watch the robots as they go about their business in the kitchen. Once it's cleared out a bit...

Well, he's not Atra, but he's lived alone for a while. Basic cooking isn't completely beyond him.

He's not really accustomed to doing a lot of cooking, mind you, and after some time has passed he's created, like. The sort of soup that's going to keep you alive and not kill you and actually be pretty decent if you're not overly picky, but is really just 20% actual ability to cook and 80% "I have hands and can throw things in a pot and by god, I'm in the right mood to do that." If you're not into whatever kind of...irritation soup he's got going on here, there's also an amount of strong tea that only happens as a result of sheer, unbridled neuroticism? Whatever. If you feel picky, do something about it yourself.

He's not offended if you people would prefer to be alone. Notes under doors for all of you, though, in the event that you don't.

At least try to eat something and get whatever you need to out of your system. The cafeteria has been cleaned in the event that you don't feel like being by yourself.

Don't do anything ill-advised. We'll work through it.

- Garista

So there's that.]

Comments

[psyshook]

[Garista you know his name now, there's no excuse! :(

Avery takes a long sip of tea before shaking his head.]

"A bit much" is a severe understatement. I've...I've never been around death quite like this before. And I just had a hand in condemning an innocent person while those aliens remain, plotting their next kill--

[But just as his voice raises, he loses all of his steam again. He chokes back a sob he didn't even realize was sneaking up on him.]

M-My apologies.

[Avery might be petty and arrogant, but Ibara wasn't wrong with the assessment that made it onto his profile- he's very fragile at the end of the day. He's a Pokemon Trainer for Arceus' sake, he's so out of his depth here.]

[redfoliage]

[...Oh. Ohhh, okay, this is...]

...I know. And I apologize if I seem distant or...unnecessarily antagonistic during trials. It's something I'm unfortunately more used to than others; I can forget that it's hard sometimes.

But you have nothing to apologize for. None of this is your fault, I promise you. You haven't done anything wrong.

[psyshook]

[WELL...HE GOT SOME STUFF OUT OF HIS SYSTEM, APPARENTLY... Bless Garista for putting up with it.]

I cannot imagine growing accustomed to this.

[But he knows he'll have to at least deal with it going forward if he's going to be of any use in the event that this happens again. He's sure it will.

Ugh.]

But...thank you. I do appreciate the perspective that you bring to this. I merely wish I had more to offer.

[redfoliage]

I'm sure that some would argue that it isn't something to aspire to. Being used to all of this. It's... I was actually at a funeral, almost immediately before I was brought here. My commanding officer.

[...So, yeah.]

I only hope that we can destroy the alien threats before they cause much more destruction, but we can and should mourn those we've lost. Not grieving them would be wrong, I think.

[psyshook]

I... I see. My goodness, you barely had the time to mourn, and now... I am sorry.

[Y-Yeah. This sucks. This sucks so hard.]

It does make more sense to spend our limited time thinking about them rather than the guilt of failing them...and the threats still among us. But I must admit that I am having difficulty shaking such thoughts.

[redfoliage]

Of course. If you ever want or need to talk about it, I'm entirely willing to hear you out.

[He's quiet for a moment, though, once that's out there.]

I can't promise you that everything will be all right, because I dislike making uncertain promises. But I'll do my best to ensure that we get through; I only ask that you do what you can.

[psyshook]

Thank you, Garista. I shall keep that in mind.

[He'll probably damn well need it if this Keeps Happening.]

Mm...I believe we are well beyond that as it is anyway. But I will endeavor to help as best as I can. There is nothing to be achieved by hiding away in my room.

[As badly as he really wants to do that. But he did venture out again, so that's...a step.]

[redfoliage]

Honestly, were I back home and something this catastrophic happened, I would probably refuse to leave the library for the next week. So believe me, I understand.

[psyshook]

[Oh... That gets him to crack a small smile.]

Hah. Glad to know I'm not alone.

[...you know,]

What is it that you spend your time reading during times like these?

[redfoliage]

...You're going to think less of me for it, honestly, but it's honestly the trashiest things I can get my hands on.

[...He has the basic decency to stop himself for a moment there because uh- ]

Not... Not bodice-rippers or anything of the sort, but things with absolutely no mental value whatsoever. Something completely devoid of artistic and intellectual merit, where I can just shut my mind off and not focus on anything for a little while before returning to work.

[psyshook]

[Good thing Garista corrected himself because Avery was on the verge of spitting out the sip of tea he was taking.]

My, and I thought I was about to hear something truly scandalous. Honestly, that sounds rather nice, and certainly no worse than how I typically calm down.

[...please don't ask.]

[redfoliage]

Well, now I'm curious.

[He's asking.]

[psyshook]

Mmmmmmm... Very well. [With a sigh,] I have been working to correct this as of late, but back home I gained a reputation of using my telekinesis to relieve my aggression.

[...]

I attempted to throw Ibara with it on our first day.

[redfoliage]

[hahahaha holy shit]

...You know, I feel like I should probably discourage such things, but in Ibara's case I just can't make myself.

[psyshook]

[Ahhh, if there's one thing to distract him from his trauma, it's being petty af.]

He is an absolute nuisance, isn't he?

[redfoliage]

He is. To an extent that I'm grateful you're willing to speak to me, after all of that - he seemed rather adamant in his desire for me to be guilty of something or other.

[Which is stressful as hell? Damn.]

I didn't think you would be swayed by anything he said, but it's nice to speak to someone who wouldn't be affected by it.

[psyshook]

That is precisely why I just went along with it. I just knew he would make a scene if I protested, and that is the last thing that I wanted with my life potentially on the line.

That said...my compliments for putting up with it yourself.

[There's still a nagging feeling in the back of his head though, and so...]

Is there a reason why you remained so resolute?

[redfoliage]

It's as I said. I dislike doing such things in front of others. It's highly improper, among other things - consider it a difference in culture or...time period, I suppose.

Even so, I did say that I would if there were any evidence against me that would render it necessary. Ibara proved repeatedly that he had none.

[psyshook]

Mmm. That is fair enough, though if you wouldn't mind my asking, what sort of evidence would render it necessary? Not against you in particular- merely as an example. I would like to better understand this process.

[In case it's relevant later!]