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

[angelgoatdemon]

[IT'S FINE LET'S NOT THINK OF THE CONSEQUENCES THAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK WITH LION INNARDS AND A SEVERED HEAD.]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-

[Wait. He urgently taps Marco's shoulder and points in the direction of the casino

The Slot Machine]

[nachosquire]

[Marco looks over where he's pointing, and it takes a minute before it clicks in his mind but as soon as it does he looks like he's ready to Run.]

You're right, Lekmet! If we destroy the slot machine maybe we'll find it---

[so today is. a little stressful]

[ilovepuppies]

Of course! The slot machine! We had one of those too! If it's anywhere, it's in there!

[because she doesn't want to think about it being in the hands of whatever loony is running this show]

[angelgoatdemon]

[Lekmet should've been a reasonable guy who'd hold Marco back and go 'Wait.'

Too bad most of the deaths traumatized him so he's ready to wreck the hell out of the slot machine.]

[nachosquire]

Okay, okay. Tomorrow, Lekmet and I will try to destroy the machine to find your wand. And if we find it I'll use it to... uhhhhhh...


[...]


...what spell would you recommend for saving a bunch of people from the Underworld?

[angelgoatdemon]

[Cue Lekmet flipping through the smaller spellbook for something, in the background

?????

Destruction magic isn't his style but he can Learn.]

[ilovepuppies]

[THIS IS A GOOD PLAN. NOTHING CAN GO WRONG WITH THIS PLAN.

Also Lekmet just... ignore that "immediately do all my homework for me" spell shhhhh.]

A spell for getting us out of here, huh? I guess... something like SPARKLING BOX BUST BREAK-OUT!

[Because nothing would make her happier right now than destroying this stupid box she's stuck in.]

You guys get that wand! I'll do what I can from this side. There's a really powerful sorcerer stuck in here with me named Merlin and he's been giving me magic lessons and I think I'm getting better!

[nachosquire]

[Star's exclamation gets a laugh out of Marco, a really genuine one like someone who hasn't laughed in weeks heard the best joke of their life. And he nods at her instructions, glad to hear that she's doing the best she can over there.]

We'll do our best on this side, too.

[His smile turns a little sad then, after a moment and he moves back into frame a little better.]

And... Star?

[ilovepuppies]

[She's glad she can still make him laugh despite everything.]

Yeah?

[nachosquire]

[are you kidding shes like the goofiest person he knows]

Please be careful.

[Marco's smile turns serious, and he reaches up to run a hand through his hair.]

I don't want this to be the last time we ever talk to each other again.

[ilovepuppies]

I promise. I'll see you guys soon, okay?

[I love you]

[nachosquire]

Okay.

[I love you, too]

[angelgoatdemon]

[Just kiss already Goat dad waves and scuttles away from the mirror to give them some personal space.]

[angelgoatdemon]

[He's going to stare at the homework thing- he does like the idea of more fix-it spells! And as for the new spell, he writes that down too, just in case.]