trial 4 afterPARTY

[keyringwitness]

After the chaos of the trial and its aftermath, their tradition of the morbid "afterparty" almost seemed insulting... to everyone else, at least. Yasu is more than happy to provide.

The rest of the class might be drawn toward the cafeteria by the alluring scent of well-steeped black tea and baked goods. Inside, Yasu sips from her own cup, looking totaly composed by the tray of scones—sorry, everyone, cookies are a Kakuya-only privilege—and the teapot.

There are plates set out, too. Much more sophisticated than the mopey crackers, apples, and cheese everyone is used to.

Comments

[temmapathy]

[Emma takes note of which way Anya is heading, and after some time, she follows, carrying a plate of lopsided-looking apple bunnies. She also has a few bandaids on her fingers. Reaching out, she lays the plate in front of Anya, smiling slightly.]

I made them all by myself. I'm not as good as Yuta, but it should still taste the same?

[spychic]

.... Anya wishes Yuta hadn't...too... [A beat.] ...thank you, Emma.

[She picks up one of the appy bunnies and takes a bite.]

Anya's just...so mad. And sad. And people don't get it. It hurts.

[temmapathy]

[Emma kneels down in front of her, signing slowly.]

You can try to explain to me. I'll do my best to understand.

[spychic]

....

Anya doesn't get it. Why can these people be okay with this? Why can this just keep going on? People are dying! People are getting hurt! Everyone was so mad when it was Father, but now that it's not--now that it's not, it's okay?!

Anya misses Yuta! Anya misses Luz, and Reika, and Thomasin, and Edward, and Valmont, and Dylan, and Jeanne! Why is everything okay now?! Why aren't we all upset together?! Why?! WHY?!

cw: toxic relationship discussion

[temmapathy]

I don't really understand it either...but what I was trying to say down there was that Yasu was isolated for a long time last week, where probably only Fake-A talked to her. So she probably started thinking that Fake-A was the only one who cared about her at all, and so she had to support her no matter what. That can happen, when people pick the wrong boyfriend or girlfriend.

[She picks at her pant leg.] And maybe...her secret was something really, really bad. Something she didn't know either, like Hunter's. So it made her think she was bad as well.

And maybe...maybe some people are hoping that Yasu can make Fake-A better. I don't know if that would actually work.

[spychic]

....

Anya...doesn't think that'd work. Not without hurting everyone else first. She should've...should've just talked to us. Should've known it was bad, especially when there were lies. Liars are almost always bad...!

[She squirms.]

...

Anya...wants things to go back to how they were. At least everyone was mad at Father. At least everyone didn't like him. At least...it felt like we were friends.

[temmapathy]

I want that too! [Emma's eyes are starting to mist up with tears, but she struggles to keep them clear so she can read Anya's lips.] We argued and fought a lot during the trial, but then we were all standing up together against Father...and then Fake-A changed everything.

[She leans forward slightly.] Anya...do you want to have a sleepover tonight? Just you and me? I...I don't want to be alone...

[spychic]

[At least Emma understands. If no one else fully understands, Emma does...]

Okay. Anya will have a sleepover with Emma.

[She wants to cry, too. But she can't.]

Emma should eat too. For Emma's health.

[temmapathy]

[Emma nods.] I already ate at the cafeteria. But I guess I should try the bunnies I made. [She picks up one to take a light bite out of.]

Well, they might be a little lopsided, but they still taste good.