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

[tanukey]

...sounds pretty fake, but okay.

[You don't sound like the type to just make stuff up, at least?]

What makes you so sure it's real?

[downtonabbeast]

I spoke to Belle, the one I was looking for when we all awoke here. [Let's pretend we don't see his grip on the neck of that wine bottle tightening.] She was forced into the same situation we are.

[tanukey]

...shit, man. And it was really her?

[downtonabbeast]

It was. [He nods, a pained expression creeping onto his face...and then he takes a drink.] She was tricked and murdered by a sea witch.

[tanukey]

Damn. ...Guess Randy wasn't kidding about doin' this crap before.

[Also you don't have to call her a "witch", Beast. He's a grown not-coon, he's heard profanity before.]

...You, uh. Mind if I give it a shot. Just for scientific purposes.

[downtonabbeast]

You're welcome to it, Rocket. Did you have someone in particular in mind?

[tanukey]

Just. Some morons I know.

[His tone is a little too forced to actually be casual.]

[He reaches out to take the mirror carefully. He's not sure if he's more afraid of it working or not working.]

Just say who we're looking for, right?