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

[bayoublues]

Yes. I mean, um, it probably happens more often that most gators, since I actually try to get close to the riverboats. Most gators learn their lesson after one time.

People also sometimes EAT gator, though luckily it's not really that common...all the same, I'd prefer not to be someone's lunch.

[bestchefinparis]

[Humans eat gators sometimes? How's that possible? How's gator meat even like? Rémy refuses to even think about this stuff]

Because of your music, right? That's why you keep approaching them? I can understand the need to approach humans because of what you like, even if it's dangerous...

[Louis did mention he got his passion from listening to boats, from what Rémy recalls]

[bayoublues]

Yeah...yeah. Gotta pick up the tunes from somewhere, you know? Can't exactly go stealin' sheet music, neither, 'cus nothin' ever stays dry in the bayou.

I have a feelin' a rat in the kitchen ain't exactly a welcome sight for more humans.

[bestchefinparis]

Of only someone had lost a radio somewhere. That should have helped more than approaching boats and risk getting shot.

[...radios had already been invented in your time, right? Rémy has no idea]

You have no idea how much they freak out if they see a rat anywhere. Sometimes I almost can't believe how someone of my size can make them panic as if there's some big predator on the loose.

[bayoublues]

Oh, I wish. There ain't any electrical outlets in the bayou, though.

[He lets out a long sigh.]

You should see 'em when there's a cockroach around. [He pause.s] Not like I LIKE cockroaches, but s'like they don't even realize the bugs are more scared of them. At least you ain't a particularly big target.

[bestchefinparis]

My size didn't stop an old woman from trying to shoot me with a shotgun.

[bayoublues]

Hmph. Typical human--makin' a mountain out of a molehill. Makes me wish we could make 'em understand, y'know?

[bestchefinparis]

[Rémy tilts his head]

Almost everyone here are treating us like friends, so it's not like it's impossible. I doubt they'll understand anytime in our lifetimes, but it could happen someday.