[video]

[notvitiligo]

[Jessica sits in the orchard, a sugar skull in hand. She glares at the mirror.]

OK, this? Isn't funny. For a lot of reasons.

This is a new low for whoever is in charge. Consider this an official complaint.

Comments

[notvitiligo]

[She holds up the skull to the mirror. Gal Cecil is written on it.]

There are others around here. Other names.

It's really tasteless.

[ritsu_kouyou]

[Someone doesn't know Gal is gone.]

...so? I'm sure there's one for each of us.

[notvitiligo]

[Oh, crap. She looks away from the mirror, focusing on the skull.]

Gal...

...she wasn't in the house. She... isn't around. Anymore.

[ritsu_kouyou]

[Akiha's expression immediately closes off and she looks away from the mirror.]

Oh.

[notvitiligo]

[She sighs]

...yeah.

sorry.

[ritsu_kouyou]

Thank you. For telling me.

[notvitiligo]

No problem. It's... important to know this stuff.

I hope you'd do the same for me.

[She stares at the skull, turning it over in her hands. The sugar sparkles around the name.]

[ritsu_kouyou]

I would try. [At least.]

[notvitiligo]

Guess that's all you can do.

[Her features darken again.]

I really hate it here.

[ritsu_kouyou]

I cannot help you with that. I doubt there are many of us that do like it here.

[notvitiligo]

There's a few, but...

ugh, even they leave. Get sent back. Whatever the hell happens!

[She rears her arm back to throw the skull to the ground. Then, with a sigh, she droops, lowering it again.]

We don't ever know what the hell's going on. Just a bunch of lab mice.

[ritsu_kouyou]

Then I suggest demanding more information from one of the Incarna. They are more willing to talk with truth than the Queen.

[notvitiligo]

Not with me, they aren't.

Maybe you're just better at translating bullshit than I am.

[ritsu_kouyou]

Only because I don't accept bullshit. Try the Crone.

[notvitiligo]

...I'd assumed she wasn't involved. But you have a point. She does seem to be the least likely to spout gibberish at you.

Though I should probably wait until I'm not feeling like throwing a tantrum. Not good for diplomacy.

[ritsu_kouyou]

She does know more about this place than we do.

[notvitiligo]

Pretty much everyone does.

[ritsu_kouyou]

She was willing to talk last year.

[notvitiligo]

I'll have to pay her a visit.

At least I don't need to dress up for it.

[ritsu_kouyou]

If you need protection, I can ask Lambda to accompany you.

[notvitiligo]

Hmmm... I actually doubt I'd need it, but... it'd probably be good, just in case.

Assuming she's not likely to get injured. I'm not too worried about myself, other than... it'd be kind of a pain to have to make new glasses.

[Planning sessions: one great way to cheer Jessica up a bit.]

[ritsu_kouyou]

Lambda is a combat cyborg. She will be fine.

[notvitiligo]

...explains a few things. Has she been over there before?

I guess maybe I should ask her, instead...

[ritsu_kouyou]

I can't recall if she has, so yes. Ask her. I do know she can handle the creatures over there as it was last year when they invaded the Garden that I meant Lambda. I encountered her fighting them.

[notvitiligo]

I'd rather avoid any violence with the locals, of course... It'd look pretty rude, to put it lightly, rolling in and doing a shakedown.