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

[markofnobility]

[oops there it is, his mouth turns down and his brow furrows]

I am an Aegir. Raised and trained to be the best of the best in all things. The line of the Prime Minister- right hand of the Empire. If I have... floundered to the point of needing to be worried over then it is a failing on my part.

[stringup]

[ Velvet is marginally better at keeping her expression neutral, internally, she's frowning big time. She is recognising something in this and she doesn't like it. ]

News to me that nobles aren't allowed to fail even that much.

[markofnobility]

I will be the first to admit that few live up to their proper noblesse oblige-

[he scowls]

- not even in the line of Aegir. But my lineage and Crest demand I live up to them as best I can. Even if others can or will not.

[stringup]

Then I'll say that faltering such that people are concerned for your wellbeing is so insignificant a failing that it hardly counts as one.

[ Certainly, it's benign—peanuts, even—conpared to the shitshiws she's seen. ]

[markofnobility]

But is a failing none the less.

[Okay now he's just being a stubborn brat]

[stringup]

[ Ferdinand, buddy. Pal. ]

Unless you mean to tell me being worried about you will ruin people's lives, then it's a failing I'd rather take than all the other crap I've seen of the nobility.

[markofnobility]

... I certainly hope none of my failings have ruined lives. Or will. But who can say in circumstances like these?

[stringup]

[ Unfortunately she can't quite argue against this, having some experience with the apparent premise Typhon has decided to torment them all with. The way to the void is paved by turning people into hypocrites and exposing virtue for the hollow constructs they are, after all.

So instead she just. Grabs the side of Ferdinand's head, not really in an aggressive manner so much as it can be described as the idiot sandwich gesture without the bread. ]

Ferdinand von Aegir, just for tonight, can you let people just worry about you the way they'd do after seeing a friend get their ideals battered in broad daylight?

[markofnobility]

[ her touching him so overtly shocks him enough that it knocks him completely out of the increasingly frantic arguement loop he was on. Makes him actually process her words.

Oh... they all thought of him as their friend? His eyes water, making him squint to try and hide it but making it more obvious by the effort. Something... collpases in his expression that he is utterly incapable of stopping.]

I...I don't...

-okay. Okay.

[stringup]

[ Please don't mind Velvet internal screaming a little when she sees Ferdinand tear up. Good job, Velvet, you made this grown-ass man cry!

She slowly lowers her hands, just barely remembering to not flail in panic. ]

Do you want to...head back, or....

[markofnobility]

[ he rubs at his face with the heel of his hand, laughing weakly]

No, no... I'm alright. I'm sorry... I really have been quite ridiculous tonight.

[ some of the tension is winding out of him. He leans down a bit, resting his elbows on his knees to catch his metaphorical breath]

Thank you. I... probably needed that.

[stringup]

[ Oh? She didn't hurt his feelings, shockingly??? ]

I just couldn't stand to see you be so ridiculous, that's all.

[ You can practically hear the "hmph" even if it isn't actually said. ]

[markofnobility]

[He 'heh's at the unspoken hmpth, oddly charmed]

Sadly I am sure you will get your fill and more of my antics either way.

[stringup]

You make it sound as if you're happy for it.

[ There's no heat to what she's saying, though. ]

[markofnobility]

Should I not be?

[Just a hint of tease]

[stringup]

[ Okay, that flusters her. ]

I— What's that supposed to mean?

[markofnobility]

[A little of the sparkle returns to his eyes.]

I suppose it can mean whatever you want it to mean. I said before I enjoy your company. I would hope you do not find me too unagreeable. Even after all of... this.

[stringup]

[ On the one hand, good! An improvement over Ferdinand crying!

On the other hand, why is this happening at her (perceived) expense?!

She's about to ask what that is supposed to mean but thinks better of it. ]

If I found you unagreeable I would've walked away already.

[ So, no, her opinion of him hasn't lowered even after all that. ]

[markofnobility]

Good. I'm glad.

... I know I can be a bit... much. For some people. But it's a relief to know you would be direct with your distaste if it was there. I am not great at reading others.

[stringup]

[ At least he's got that much self-awareness. Velvet could guess a little from how he almost seemed anxious during their exchange at that little gathering at Quark's bar. Which was relatable, honestly. ]

I don't enjoy playing that kind of social mind game nonsense, so I'd rather not if I don't have to.

[ It begs the question how Ferdinand has lasted this long however, since isn't this sort of thing noble bread and butter...? ]

[markofnobility]

[A good question indeed. Maybe for the best that Ferdinand has no idea]

Nor would I.

[He sighs, some of the exhaustion finally hitting as his anxious adrenaline eases with the tears and banter.]