all that glitters is gold [AFTERPARTY]

[sixfingeredstan]

[It's been a very long, and very upsetting morning, and honestly, Ford is feeling goddamn drained. All the events of the day have hit him like a ton of bricks. And as much as he wants nothing more than to sleep for about a week...well. There's work to do.

After talking it over with Fiddleford, his first mission is hitting the kitchen and scraping together all the eggs, potatoes, and onions he can find. It takes him a good few hours, but eventually he's got five big casserole dishes full of kugel, steaming hot, fresh out of the oven. He stacks up a big pile of plates, forks, and serving utensils and carries it all into the lounge in trips.

Next is the business of the still. Between the two of them, the two Fords manage to get it into the lounge and set it up on a table where it's easy to access. Ford also pilfers a big glass jug of apple juice for the kids and puts it nearby. All the adults are free to partake of a cup of Fiddleford's sugar shine. They'll be needing it, tonight.

Lastly, are the notes. Ford writes them all out in his neat, block lettering, and slips one under each door—pausing at the doors of the deceased with a sad frown each time.

The lounge is quiet while they wait for everyone to arrive, save for the sounds of banjo music....

Comments

[aboyandhiscar]

[Mike's making rounds later, giving up on trying to down moonshine, and spots Anna in the room. He knocks lightly at the door even if it's open.]

Yo, you okay in there? Folks are still hanging out in the lounge if you want company.

[outsidethecircle]

[She gives a slow nod. Thanks, friend.]

I figured. I just... it was quite a day, wasn't it.

[aboyandhiscar]

To say the least, yeah. You uh--holding up okay? You know, for as much as anyone can after two deaths and watching a weird guy impersonate a jungle dude and then get his head lobbed off.

[truly comforting!!]

[outsidethecircle]

[She gives him a flat look. You didn't need to say all that!!]

... Yes.

[aboyandhiscar]

[he's a HELPER--!! He winces a bit. Not the best wording.]

Okay, yeah, not he best question. I mean, do you need to talk about it or do you need or want anything. . .?

[outsidethecircle]

[That flat look is still there. He tried.]

I'm not sure what I can say about it.

[aboyandhiscar]

[My gosh does he try. He leans against the doorframe, sighing.]

Yeah, fair enough. I know everyone's upset, but wanted to make sure it didn't hit you too bad--especially when folks started pointing fingers at Star.

[outsidethecircle]

[That definitely gets a different reaction out of her--]

I know we were just throwing around ideas and I've pinned the wrong person before, too, but this seemed different.

[aboyandhiscar]

A little too aggressive, yeah? We jumped the gun, bad, but at least folks had her back. I think it mighta stung even more since it seems like Star was real close to Wander and Sylvia.

[outsidethecircle]

I know I didn't believe it could be her. She... wouldn't try something like that.

[aboyandhiscar]

Yeah. This place makes you wanna think that people can snap, do the unthinkable, but, I don't think that's the case. Folks are genuine friends here, we're not gonna turn on each other like that.

So next time, we'll all make sure that doesn't happen.

[outsidethecircle]

That old man wasn't one of us, after all, and both of the others really were good people in bad situations.

[Even Tadashi.]

Yes. We just have to make sure it doesn't.

[aboyandhiscar]

Yeeeah, that old guy was one nutjob. Stealing folks looks, threatening to blow us all sky high? None of us are that far gone.

With the bar set that high, there's no way we'll make any mistakes like that again. But on the off chance it does happen, just be sure you have your friend's backs. It can be hard, thinking everyone's against you. Folks just get kinda irrational when they're scared, that's all.

[outsidethecircle]

I'll make sure that I do. I'm not going to turn my back on them no matter what.

[aboyandhiscar]

I know. And we've got your back too, you know. Don't ever think you've gotta stand that ground alone, got it?

[outsidethecircle]

I know. [She's finally in the circle!]

It's all of us versus them right now.

[aboyandhiscar]

[gj kiddo. BE THE CIRCLE!!]

And we've got them out numbered. Probably. Maybe? Well in any case, if they pull another stunt like that with Tarzan, we won't give them an inch. Just keep staying cool.

[outsidethecircle]

Well, if the rest of the ghosts don't care then we do! We'll just keep after them.