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

[downtonabbeast]

If she has any problems I have no qualms with properly putting him in his place. [#helping]

[toogoodforhim]

[sweats]

O-oh hey, your highness...

I'm- ...I'm sorry for what Gaston...did to you and Belle. I didn't stop him- I didn't realize how far he'd gone until it was too late.

[downtonabbeast]

For what it's worth I put the blame squarely where it belongs: with him.

[toogoodforhim]

Well, good.

Thank you for letting the others use the mirror.

[downtonabbeast]

It was selfish of me to keep it from them for so long. I'm...still trying to work on that. [It's a process.] I was planning on showing them even before Randall started spouting things at the trial.

[Anyway, on the subject of his singlemindedness-] Lefou, were you...were you and Belle in the same one of these?

[toogoodforhim]

Um, well, that's... No, I wasn't. She was in the one after mine. I was with Stanley's brother, and-

[He gasps a little.]

If you want to avoid him, I understand, but I want Gaston to know that I have a new Captain now.

[downtonabbeast]

I see. So you don't know the details of what happened to her. [Probably for the best.] But Stanley's brother, he's alright?

[It shouldn't right now but a smile tugs at the corner of Beast's mouth.]

I would prefer it however I'm willing to make the sacrifice to deliver him a piece or two of bad news.

[toogoodforhim]

...I, ah... I didn't say that. We've been able [Forced] to watch both of these that happened after ours.

Ford is alright. He's here with us.

[He smiles a little as well.]

He ought to be livid to learn that he's the one without any friends now.

[downtonabbeast]

So you were all the first. [Randy, what the fuck.] But Stanley will be glad to hear his brother is safe.

I can't see why, he made such wonderful impressions during that first motive and the trial. [Said with the deadpan delivery of man with no fucks to give.]

[toogoodforhim]

[He actually manages to laugh.]

Believe it or not, I used to think he was charming.

[downtonabbeast]

I almost can. If he and I had met before my encounter with the Enchantress I'm worried we may have gotten along. [He shudders slightly.] Thankfully taste was developed.

[toogoodforhim]

I'm sure you would have had more taste than I used to, Your Highness.

[downtonabbeast]

[There it is again, the proper use of his royal title. Some of the others referred to him as a prince regularly but this is the first time in years someone from his home who wasn't also a victim of the curse.]

Lefou, that's the second time you've called me "your highness".

[toogoodforhim]

...Ah...yes? Because you're the Prince, monsieur...

[downtonabbeast]

Did you find out about that through watching us? It's just back home I'm aware no one in the village could remember. [How about those divergent timelines, buddy?]

[toogoodforhim]

[Briefly, panic flashes across his face.]

Well, ah... Yes!

[downtonabbeast]

[Raises eyebrow.]

I'm just still adjusting to being referred to so formally by new people. It's been quite some time.

[toogoodforhim]

We-well, "Monsieur la Bete" felt like it would have been a little rude.

[is joke]

[downtonabbeast]

[okay yeah, that gets a small chuckle out of him]

I appreciate the thought.

[toogoodforhim]

[Oh good he made the prince laugh.]

Of course!

And...I'm glad to see you, though I wish it wasn't quite like this.

[He'd been so afraid that Belle's memories had meant the Prince was dead.]

[truecalling]

[fuck yeah teamwork]