are we actually living? or are we being kept alive?

[finalring]

After the execution, the survivors are dismissed to rest in preparation for the next week. The miasma curls and turns into each room, letting fall a cold and oppressive atmosphere that fills every corner of the place.

And yet, even in a place that has caused so much grief, life must go on. Thirteen has always been considered to be an unlucky number, but that is the number of people that are left--what will you do, in this false calm?

Comments

[finalring]

Ah...

[ he looks a little embarrassed when she speaks up, and he has to look away. ]

I can wait...but only if you really don't mind helping me.

[oxidegreen]

Of course not.

[She... made some fairly unpopular decisions yesterday, regardless of how aware anyone is or isn't of it. The least she could do is make herself useful.

She returns to scrubbing out her own clothes.]

Once I'm finished with these, I'll hang them up to dry and wash yours.

[finalring]

... Thank you.

[ and while he could leave (and part of him feels like should), he can’t bring himself to. she suffered so much yesterday... ]

How...how are you feeling?

[oxidegreen]

[She doesn't answer right away, scrubbing at her clothes for - a bit too long really. They're probably clean enough by now.]

...It's strange. I know he did awful, horrible things, but...

I'm still sad that he's gone. He suffered a lot, too.

[But- that's no excuse, is it?

So why can't she stop feeling like she's lost her family again...?]

[finalring]

I don't think that makes your feelings any less valid, Marona.

[ his voice is soft as he approaches her, his eyes full of concern. he settles a hand over her head hesitantly and, if she allows it, she'll get some head pats. ]

You're...definitely allowed to grieve for him, too.

[oxidegreen]

[She definitely allows it, her movements stopping entirely for the moment.]

...He reminded me a little of someone. Or... at least, how he acted before the trial.

[finalring]

[ he sighs, ruffling her hair a little before pulling back. ]

Many people have different faces that they show to the world. Maybe he was someone like that. It doesn't make them a 'fake' person, in my opinion...it just means that there were many sides to him, all of them true.

[oxidegreen]

...He was a big brother to someone, once. I thought he acted that way, too.

[She pulls out the clothes, very gently pressing the water from them so they can be hung up to dry.]

[finalring]

Was he?

[ it's a little difficult to visualize, especially with everything that happened. but romani believes marona, and tilts his head. ]

What happened to his sibling? Ah-- if you don't mind telling me, that is?

[oxidegreen]

I don't know.

[There wasn't much time to ask. Plus...

She thinks she has a pretty good idea, and no, she doesn't want to speculate on it.]