when your thoughts turn sour make them sweet instead

[sentree]

[ That was...positively horrible? Ugh. After a few hours, notes are slipped under each person's door. They read, in a neat handwriting: ]

Banquet in Vanellope's honor in the dining room.

- Reyna, Sally and Thalia

[ You may not know what to expect when they say banquet, but it...really is one, isn't it? Thalia's main dish is cheeseburgers, so there are so many of those, but the table's positively covered in an arrangement of fruit and vegetables and all kinds of bread. Looks like they've gone all out.

What's really the cream of it all, though, are the desserts. Not a lot that's special, but there's a wide collection of cookies and cupcakes, and enough hot chocolate to feed an army. Maybe literally. There is a section that's particularly fancy, and that's the many candy apples, definitely courtesy of Sally. Along with a cute amount of peppermint bark. It seems like the food is unending, too, since there's the delicatible smell of baking cookies and simmering candy from the kitchen. Thalia and Sally are keeping you stocked, don't worry. ]

Comments

[greatwidesomewhere]

Well...yes.

[It really is the most ludicrous story.]

He had my father held prisoner. I...I traded his life for my own. I offered myself as a prisoner in his place.

[geomanctic]

He did what? [Cornelia's going to tear this guy apart if she ever meets him.] This was... the guy that owns the castle?

That's awful.

[greatwidesomewhere]

Yes. I know, it...it was awful. At first.

[She knows how this sounds.]

But as it turned out...he was different than I thought. The more time I spent there, the more I found he was actually quite...kind.

[geomanctic]

I've seen that kind of thing before. They're never how the seem. Anyone who would keep you from your friends and family-- [She sounds bitter and like she's speaking from experience.]

[greatwidesomewhere]

[Belle shakes her head, and suddenly her voice is much quieter and much less confident than normal.]

But...he let me go, Cornelia. When my father was in trouble, when he heard how unhappy I really was....He set me free. I believe he truly cared about me.

[geomanctic]

Sure. That's what they always want you to think. That they care.

[greatwidesomewhere]

[Belle stares at Cornelia with big, brown eyes that are steadily growing more and more wet-looking...

And then promptly bursts into tears.]

He died. He was killed, because of me!

[geomanctic]

[Oh, shit.]

Oh, Belle....

[greatwidesomewhere]

[She buries her face in her hands to hide the tears spilling out despite her best efforts.]

It happened right b-before I came here. I watched him die, and then...I woke up here.

[geomanctic]

[Cornelia stands from her seat, stepping around to try and shield the other girl from the rest of the party.]

I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have spoken so harshly so quickly.

[greatwidesomewhere]

[Belle takes a few huge, ragged breaths, trying to keep herself calm, to regain control.]

It's okay. You didn't....you couldn't have known. I know what it sounds like. But...I loved him, Cornelia. And I didn't realize until it was much too late.

[geomanctic]

I'm so sorry. I-- know how you feel. [Really, she does. Unfortunately.]

I can tell you now, it really is better to have loved and lost-- I'm so sorry, Belle.

[greatwidesomewhere]

[She pulls in a deep breath and exhales, shaky, but under control now; her eyes are still spilling tears, but there's nothing to be done for that but to let it run its course, unfortunately.]

Thank you. Really. I'm...sorry you have to share this pain.

[geomanctic]

It never goes away. But it does get easier, every day. [She puts a hand on Belle's shoulder]

I had good friends that helped me pull through. You don't have to survive alone.

[greatwidesomewhere]

[Carefully, Belle lifts a hand and places it over Cornelia's, giving it a quick squeeze.]

Thank you. Really. I...I hope I can count you among my friends.