This Used to Be the Life but I Don't Need Another One

[stenchus_rodentus]

[Well Ratigan couldn't care less about what happened, but he really didn't get his fill of partying from the bar and everyone simpering wasn't how he wanted it to go down. Soon after the trial little notes are slipped beneath each door.]

You are cordially invited to a mourning party in the lobby. RVSP ASAP.

[In the lobby Thalia will have moved some tables to the lobby and provide her choice dish of cheeseburgers along with a smattering of bread, fruits, and vegetables. Reyna will have brought along hot chocolate galore.

For those that aren't your thing? Well in honor of the recently departed there's pine tree shaped cookies (Thanks Thalia.) and triangle crackers with cheese (thanks...Ratigan?). And there's a helping of drinks if the bar wasn't enough for you wink wink. Ratigan has every intention of making this a party.]

Comments

[greatwidesomewhere]

[WOW TADASHI DON'T PLAY HER LIKE THIS.

She doesn't realize that he's been asleep until she's right up close, and she covers her mouth to stifle a startled note of laughter.]

I'm sorry to wake you. I'm...fine. Fine as anyone can be, anyway. I think maybe it hasn't all hit me just yet.

[tadaishi]

You didn't. I'm glad it was you, though, and not our host. I don't know if the 'you must sleep only in your room' applies all the time, and I don't want to be the example if it does.

[He sits up straighter in his chair so he's more comfortable to talk to her.]

It's a lot to deal with at once...

[greatwidesomewhere]

I like to think I'm a little bit more trustworthy than that...that dishonorable, awful man.

[Belle is obviously not a huge Rod fan, in case Tadashi hasn't noticed.]

It is. It's...I've been trying to let it wash over me, like it's a bad dream, but I'm being reminded all to often that it's real.

[tadaishi]

You are. Our host doesn't do a great job at acting like he deserves anyone's trust.

[Honestly, Tadashi's waiting for her to throw a punch at Rod eventually.]

Hah...I think a few of us are. It's hard to process this kind of thing...and we barely even get a break before it happens again. But we'll find a way out...eventually...this place isn't escape-proof.

[greatwidesomewhere]

Not at all. I had thought to give him the benefit of the doubt, but some of the things he says...I can't bring myself to.

[She raises her eyebrows at him.] Do you think so? Do you truly think there's a way out?

[tadaishi]

I do. I was in a situation similar to this one, that was also supposed to be inescapable. But I got out...somehow.

[And then he looks a little embarrassed before continuing.]

...I don't remember how I got out.

[greatwidesomewhere]

Really? You...you've done this before?

[She reaches out to put a comforting hand on his shoulder.]

Tadashi, I'm so sorry. Even worse, not to be able to remember it...

[tadaishi]

Yeah...just like this, only in a different place. A mansion next to a graveyard.

[He pats her hand, managing a small smile.]

Probably better that I don't remember most of it. Maybe someone was trying to be nice.

[greatwidesomewhere]

[That's deeply disturbing to her. What if this happens again? To her, or one of the others? It's frightening...]

If they're being nice, you must have seen some terrible things.