Afterparty

[latinumsbetter]

[After the execution finishes and the culprit is once more dragged down into the Earth (he watches Snow be dragged down, with a pursed-lips look), and Typhon gives his goodbye, Quark doesn't wait in the silence this time. Instead, he says, arms folded:]

Well, since we're all doomed--[sarcasm, dry and acrid, edging a black humor]--then no better time to get a drink.

The bar’ll be open. Even if you don't eat or drink, stop in. [That's said with a side-glance at Leb. He then turns to look at Ferdinand, Aoi, Ranma, Cerejeira, and Vanity.] Ferdinand, you're gonna help me set up. Cerejeira, Aoi, you're behind the bar. Ranma you're in the kitchen. Vanity, if you've got more of that coffee, we could use it. Let's go.

[and he turns and walks out of the Arena. So...post trial, the Eatery’s been moved into bar configuration. There's a few more faces behind the bar again. Once again, there’s been several of the extra togas gathered and folded to be used as blankets. There are some dishes, light but filling for those that don't want to eat much, courtesy of Ranma.

Cerejeira, Aoi and Quark are behind the bar, the latter watching the other two like a hawk and teaching and helping when he needs to. They're all there to serve drinks, however. And Ferdinand? He's been relegated to the Dabo table. Maybe the first couple buttons of his shirt has been unbuttoned. He's paying off his tab!

The door is open.]

Comments

[eeeonetwothree]

[ Oh hey, it’s Omega. ]

PRINCESS LUNA. YOUR GREATEST SHAME…YOU MEAN THE INCIDENT THAT LED TO YOU BEING TRAPPED IN THE MOON?

[raisethemoon]

It seems to me that there is little more shameful than that.

[ So - yeah, obvs. ]

But I have certainly done nothing to save anyone here, either.

[eeeonetwothree]

…HAVE ANY OF US?

[raisethemoon]

Such is the duty of a princess. What else are we for?

[ It's not the same for the rest of y'all! ]

[eeeonetwothree]

IN MANY CASES, IT IS THE ROLE OF ROYALTY TO PROTECT THEIR PEOPLE AND ENSURE THEIR WELL BEING. AT LEAST, THAT IS THE ROLE OF THE ONE OTHER PRINCESS I KNOW, THE MAGNIFICENT BLAZE THE CAT.

BUT HERE, YOU ARE NOT A PRINCESS. YOU ARE A POTENTIAL GOD LIKE THE REST OF US. YOU ARE NO MORE RESPONSIBLE THAN THE REST OF US. WE ALL SHARE THE RESPONSIBILITY, LUNA, AND THE FAILING.

[raisethemoon]

I am still many years the elder of most of you, and I have fulfilled a god-like role for a very long time. I ought to be able to lead you all out of this.

[ Things that could be said of several others here, true, but this isn't about them! ]

[eeeonetwothree]

AND YET YOU ARE STILL AS FALLIBLE AS ANY OF US. I, MEANWHILE, AM THE GOD OF PROTECTION, CHOSEN TO DO SO BY ATHENA. I HAVE SAVED NO ONE FROM DEATH. IF ANYTHING, I HAVE ENDANGERED LIVES WITH MY ACTIONS. AND YET, I PERSEVERE.

LUNA, YOU ARE CAPABLE. YOU SURVIVED BEING TWISTED INTO SOMETHING TERRIBLE. YOU CAME BACK FROM YOUR GREATEST SHAME. SOMEONE MAY HAVE SAVED YOU, BUT IT WAS YOU WHO CHOSE TO CONTINUE. DRAW ON THAT SAME STRENGTH, AND YOU CAN RAISE FAR MORE THAN JUST THE MOON.

[raisethemoon]

[ Luna laughs, touched and perhaps a little delighted. ]

Wherever is this coming from? You sound like my sister!