Afterparty

[latinumsbetter]

[After the execution finishes and Wendy is dragged down into the Earth by that absolute horrific monstrosity of a creature and Typhon gives his goodbye, Quark will stand there for a long moment in the silence, before announcing, in a voice that wavers while trying to go for neutral:]

The bar’ll be open. Sitting around alone isn’t going to help anyone. [he turns to look at Ferdinand] Ferdinand, you’re with me. I need someone to move the table.

[and, taking Cerejeira’s elbow, he’s going to head out of the Arena. So...post trial, the Eatery’s been moved into bar configuration by Ferdinand and Quark. There’s been several of the extra togas gathered and folded to be used as blankets. There are snacks from the pantry brought out and placed on plates and in bowls and left out to eat. The bar is open, but so is the kitchen, if anyone wants to make something.

Both Ferdinand and Quark can be found behind the bar, the latter attempting to teach the former how to use the replicator he’s now got back there in addition to the other drink components. At least it’s keeping them busy. They’re both there to serve drinks, however.

The door is open.]

Comments

1/? sorry for the incoming walls of text

[catsgothistongue]

[Puppy......

Giving the goodest good boy headpats, he raises a lazy, half-hearted thumbs up at the greenlight and starts to head to the kitchen intent on burying himself at the stove. It isn't until his brain catches on that Quark still had more to say before he grinds to a halt, whipping around to face the Ferengi.]

For me? What--

[Ranma's breath catches seeing the letter. The letter from Alex, addressed to him, most likely snooped through if the creases and folds of the paper tell him anything. He spares Quark any scathing remarks and snatches his in a single fluid motion. Its contents aren't read out loud, privy to only its reader (and those that had looked at it), but Quark will watch the teenage boy's face vacillate through a myriad of emotions.

"Thank you for helping me with that. I still hate that you had to see it. It's harsh and cruel and cold. That's the exact opposite of you."

Guilt.

Guilt for betraying that perception of him, as he joined the mob's mudslinging and derisions at Wendy when her crime was revealed. Ranma didn't want her to die or thought she deserved eternal damnation, or that she was some cold calculating bitch doing this for wanton avarice and sadism. Yet he let anger beguile him, called her names with more venom than the standard schoolyard teasing, because he was so pissed anyone could've been there at the wrong time. Mutsumi, Misane, anyone who didn't do nothing to anyone could've died because Wendy couldn't bloody her own hands. Because it was Alex, who was genuinely a good guy through and through who wanted nothing more than to keep anyone else ending up in a grave like him, who died for what ended up being nothing.

And now... "I'm not going to waste my last breaths on an asshole like you, Ranma.", she died despising his guts. It doesn't sit well with him. Many people considered him the bane of their existence, and still do to this very day, but they've never bit the dust, let alone died loathing him. Before he could apologize for being such an ass.]