souls have been lost and the panic grows

[phototraces]

[That... that was hell, actually. Wendy didn't like that at all. After the trial she... has to head to the kitchen and hopefully not find clay shit everywhere. She needs to do something to keep things under control. To keep things going.

She's not a great cook but she knows the basics. Meat. Bread. Cheese. Something warm for the belly to drink. She's nervous when she works but she's relentless. There's no asking for help from her as she makes a spread for everyone. Then... she's moving all of it not to the eatery but the bonfire.

Making makeshift tables around it and placing trays of food and drink. Even setting up a chair for Alex a good distance away from the fire but close enough that he can be part of things if he wants to.

Wendy, with her careful writing, writes up some notes and hands them out to everyone if she can find them or if not under their door.

Food at the bonfire and the area around it. Attendance not mandatory but it's probably better for all of us if we stick together. Bring more food and drink if you want.

Wendy

...She can't control other people but she can try to suggest.]

Comments

[rockymountaindie]

...What'd be proper? What would you do? If you could?

[tailoredfate]

I'd use properly cut cloth, instead of a repurposed toga, for one.

[Her ideals of beauty aren't expensive, meant for the rich and influential only. Really, those are the people she hates tailoring for the most. But she still wants things to be beautiful. A beauty that reflects the person, not their wealth and greed.

The colors worked for Sayo this time, but she's not sure she has something fitting for Crito. And if anyone else dies...]

The shrouds are mostly used to wrap the deceased's body before they're properly laid to rest, so they don't need to be very special. But... I think everyone deserves one last, fine gift before they're sent through the Underworld.

[rockymountaindie]

I agree. I think that sounds...just really, really nice.

[ The Underworld... Alex frowns a little. ]

D'you think that's what's going on here? They were...sent to the Underworld?

[tailoredfate]

I don't think so.

[The question makes her frown.]

The Underworld... it's not some realm of eternal punishment. It's simply... the next stage in which our souls travel. It's not meant to be a place of suffering, unless you were a truly vile soul in life.

[Even if Beatrice had intentionally killed Crito... she's not certain that fissure in the earth was her punishment. That sort of thing was for people who did far more reprehensible acts, those who caused untold amounts of pain and anguish.]

It's possible that Crito passed into the Underworld without a problem. But whatever happened to Beatrice... I don't think that has anything to do with it.

[rockymountaindie]

[ Alex listens. He shifts, something uncomfortable in his visage. He can't keep the slightest bitter of tones from his voice. ]

Death without eternal punishment... Sounds ideal.

[ Sounds unlikely.

But it's what she says after, that's really what he has to consider. ]

If not the Underworld, what do you think happened to her?

[tailoredfate]

I can't say. Stolen by Typhon, perhaps?

[... Ah. But his comment about death.

... Maybe it'll make Alex feel a little better...]

I knew Death. Not the titan, Thanatos. But the one destined to take up their mantle.

[rockymountaindie]

[ Alex bites back a curse. Taken by Typhon, huh...?

He doesn't have much time to think about that, though. Goosebumps run down his arms. ]

...What were they like?

[tailoredfate]

She was the kindest soul you'll ever meet. A bit timid, and she needs some reminding to keep her chin up and stand up for herself a bit more... but you'd be hard pressed to find a more loving friend than Castorice.

[There's warmth in Aglaea's expression now, as she speaks of the girl.]

She was... cursed. Death loomed heavy over her as well, and she couldn't get too close to anyone because of it. But she still wanted to make friends, still liked to write and make stuffed animals...

... I think it would have been good for you, to have met Cas. To know that there's a peaceful side to Death. A Death that merely wishes to embrace, and guide. Not punish.

[rockymountaindie]

[ He's listening. Actively, even, because that's what he always does. But the look on his face, at the words, at the tone, at the warmth...

It's like something doesn't connect in his head. Like he keeps waiting for the other shoe to drop, even though there would reasonably be no reason for it, with Aglaea telling him about this. His brow furrows, and he's thinking, like it's a puzzle that he simply does not have all the pieces to.

After a long, long moment, he... ]

I... I don't think you're lyin' to me. I know, why would you? But it's so...so hard, to imagine anything like that. Anyone like that.