This is fine. It's fine. We're fine.

[sharpasanarrow]

[Well that was.

Something.

Underneath everyone’s door they’ll find a slip of paper, in shaky calligraphy, that reads:

INVITATION

Meet in the Dining Room.

Do not bring alcohol of any sort.

Upon arrival into the Dining Room it’s clear that this is very much...not a party.

The center of the room is cleared of all tables, and instead has all the chairs arranged in a circle, facing inwards. On the tables pushed to the side are jugs of water, cups, plates of saltines, and several hastily-made pamplets that read on the front ”How to cope with Child homicide” that contains an advisory list:

1. Try not to think about it.
2. Do not get hysterical.
3. Crying is permitted, but keep it within a reasonable volume. (For the consideration of fellow mourners)
4. Maintain civility
5. Do not plunder the belongings of the deceased.
6. No drinking or gambling your sorrows away. Set an example.

Standing in front of one of the chairs already is Mr.Arrow. He clears his throat as people start to slowly come in.]

I gathered you all here because I believed it would be conductive to group morale if we all worked through our feelings regarding recent events. Talk about your feelings with one another, but not with me.

[He steps back a little, out of the circle of chairs, in what seems to be an invitation for people to sit down and discuss with one another.]

Comments

[stanbyme]

[That gets kind of a weak laugh out of him.]

Hey now, don't knock the seventies. I had to live through 'em.

I'll show you mushy, you little punk. Give yourself a noogie and pretend it's from me.

[sorrydoods]

[He wasn't paying attention to that conversation so it's a good thing Rod talks again.]

What about...what the people that died? Can we save them?!

[please say yes please say yes please say yes]

[faciliheir]

This isn't your house?

[just. lost on her.]

[ilovepuppies]

[OH

HI GOATBRO

please don't tell her mom about this]

It's, uh, nice to see you, too?

[notasingleword]

[Ariel stares at her for a moment before she basically starts to write a small novel for Freddie.]

"I don't know what I'm doing either. I thought I was in love with the prince I met. He's the reason why I became human, but I haven't thought of him at all since I came here. I don't think I was in love with him at all. Just an idea of him? I was basically looking for a reason to run away from home, and he felt like my escape.

But when I'm with you I'm really happy. I feel safe with you, and I also want to protect you? It's close to how I felt about Eric, but I feel like I actually know you. As much as I can anyway in this situation. I haven't thought about him because I've been thinking about you.

If it's weird I'll stop. I know I'm weird. But I'm just really really really glad I met you."

[By the time Freddie's done reading, she'll see Ariel hiding her face in her hands. Her cheeks are almost as red as her hair.

[scrapplinghook]

You got an evil rat? We have one that can cook! Your friends must be really weird.

[But she still wants to hear all about them!]

Still... I'm not gunna ignore everyone just 'cause they might kill someone. I mean... everyone thought Grunkle Stan was a bad guy, but everything turned out okay, right?

[kickbuttseatnuts]

My metaphorical house. My wheelhouse. My expertise, my know-how, my gosh darn life.

[truecalling]

[Yeah, that's-- probably something she needed to hear. Even she knows that. It was easy to forget when everyone needed someone to look to. She knew too well how to take care of others. Now she just had to work on also taking care of herself.]

...okay. I promise. For real.

[It's weird seeing this side of Maui. He was always a little soft but this--? This is cute.]

Yeah. This thing lets us see people. We've been able to talk to the people that survived too. Don't worry, he's safe. He's with them now. I only knew because someone told me about you two.

...don't worry. I'll tell him. But-- tell him yourself when you two see each other again, okay?

[hallotween]

[which is good because this small child looks VERY MAD]

Are you the one who gave him huge insecurity complex over being a rat? Because there is absolutely nothing wrong with being a rat, and only a total jerk would think so!

[YEAH THIS IS WHAT. SHE WANTED TO DO HERE.]

[lusito]

You seem to forget that we are constantly surrounded by the danger of dying, at least where you and I are concerned.

[The Reaper's game, the game that Joshua had set up in Traverse Town to keep what little he could save of Neku and the others from leaving Joshua the only survivor...]

... I'm working on it. Have been, since the moment you arrived there.

[bayoublues]

[actually it was mostly kim's idea from last week and the only reason he's suggesting it is because he's absolutely terrified of dying lmao]

Yeah! Maybe we could do like, a sign up or whatever. Have people room with other people they're comfortable with. Like, I know some of the kids might be more comfortable if they're with other kids rather than an adult. I mean, it might be safer if they're with an adult...whatever they feel like, y'know?

[It would also help them deal with...everything. Being alone with one's thoughts after this trial was probably not the best idea.]

[sorrydoods]

I...still, it's my fault...

But I'll make it up to you! I'll keep Mabel safe! I swear! She'll get out of here alive!

[kickbuttseatnuts]

...Sorry, do I know you? You look real familiar.

[faciliheir]

Well, if you're the expert, tell me what musical talents squirrels apparently have!

[not_over_yet]

He came with that, don't blame me.

[ HE ONLY... ENCOURAGED IT. A LOT. ON PURPOSE. ]

[bestchefinparis]

...you're right. I doubt I'll sleep well.

[He tilts his head a bit]

I guess...the only thing I can imagine with some positivity right now is that something new will be found tomorrow. It's not a silver lining, but right now that's something to be looking forward to.

[It sure says a lot about the current situation that the only good thing to happen soon is new places opening]

[sixfingeredstan]

[Ford has been on the edge of his seat, watching this trial play out; it's been an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish, and for a minute there he thought he was going to have to rescue his entire goddamn family from Hell, not just Dipper and Fiddleford.

This whole thing is a Goddamn mess.

But when he sees Stan call for him—relief floods every inch of his body and he stands up for no reason other than he's got a whole lot of pent-up nervous energy right now.]

Stanley? Stanley! Can you hear me?

[nachosquire]

[Hey actually, Lekmet reminded him about something!]

.....do you think we could bring alive Lekmet back home with us?

[sneezelikeakitten]

Even you wouldn't want to stay in this hotel. The Mystery Shack looked like a maid cleaned it compared to that place. Plus, the room I was in was all purple and...... [Oh no] The Journal! I had the third journal, and there was notes about a haunted mansion in them! It looked like Ford's writing.

[Aw shucks]

I can try, but I don't have your freakish arm strength.

[notasingleword]

[Ariel pulls back from that comment and shakes her head at Kim. It's not her fault; she shouldn't blame herself! Jane would be so sad if she heard that...

She grabs her journal to write down her thoughts.]

"You can't blame yourself for this. We're all powerless here. Jane wouldn't want you to be sad."

[upgradeit]

No, you - you died! You died and you left me and everyone else behind!

[Sorry to everyone else that's hanging around this party. Hiro's clearly upset all over again, because?? His brother is alive??? But he can't hug him????? He hates it, thanks.]

How - how do I know you're really Tadashi and not some dumb trick that guy came up with?

[Because he wants to believe it's true. He does, so badly, but Tadashi has been dead for months and after the rest of the day, this seems like a particularly cruel trick cooked up by their shitty host.]

[bestchefinparis]

You don't think the more time away you spend, the more you'll change? [It doesn't sound like Freddie is fond of that place, but still...] You could try to find a way to not have to return, if you don't want to.

[hallotween]

And I'm sure you totally didn't make it worse! Because only mice have any worth, right? That's why you have your dumb mouse queen and her dumb Mousedom!

It's total bullshit! Ratigan is a murdering, blimp-flying jerk, but he deserves better than you!

[keyofimagination]

... I'll admit, I'm not fond of the moral implications and unforeseen issues with reviving the dead.

[He's read the story The Monkey's Paw, you know.]

However, we might be able to revive the dead if we pull this off.

[ilovepuppies]

[Squint.]

'Alive' Lekmet?

[What. Did she miss.]