PC: Lucretia

[overlimit]

Comments

w6, saturday

[overlimit]

[back at the dorm, rita returns from the trial, sluggish and limping. her thoughts are a mixture of fear for Maya and Denji.]

[when she realizes Lucretia's nearby, she stops... and lets out a sigh.]

I... I kinda suspected. As soon as I saw her nails...

But... there's no way we could actually... [sacrifice her? never.]

[ambiography]

...I know.

[her posture slumps, at that.]

We couldn't, not her, but-- how in the world did it end up being him? Just the phone?

[overlimit]

I... I don't know...

[rita looks pretty damn confused about that, too.]

There was a lot of confusion at the end, I know, but it just couldn't have been him, so why...!?

[ambiography]

...it should have been someone else. One of the adults, at least, not a boy who never did anything.

[she'd have accepted it, if it was her, but... she couldn't offer herself up. not with spring the way it is.]

[overlimit]

[Denji... damn it. I just wanted to protect that idiot...]

... Did you vote for yourself, back there?

[ambiography]

No. I couldn't risk that.

[overlimit]

Maybe someone just wanted to spoil their vote, then. Can't blame them. There weren't any good options.


... Maya probably blames herself, huh.

[ambiography]

...we're going to have to just-- be here for her. It wasn't her own fault, but I don't know how much she'll believe it.

[overlimit]

Yeah.

I... I hate that it's Denji.

But I'm also just... really glad it wasn't her... [she squeezes her eyes shut, trying to will away any tears that might try to well up again]

I just want her to be okay.

[ambiography]

I know.

[she understands the feeling, and as rita squeezes her eyes shut, lucretia reaches out to gently take hold of one of her hands.]

That's going to be up to us, in part. But she'll be alive, and that's a good point to start from.

[overlimit]

[she'll grip that hand tightly, gratefully]

... Yeah. I hope she understands that we still need her here. I'll... make her understand, if I have to.

[ambiography]

I think you're going to be in a pretty good position to do that for her, Rita.

[she manages a tiny smile, at that.]

...but tell me if there's anything you need.

[overlimit]

[she looks up.]

... Thanks.

And, look, I know you're the adult around here now, but you don't have to take on everything yourself, either. You can rely on us a little more, too.

[ambiography]

I'll rely on the rest of you when I can, Rita, I promise.

[she just makes no promises on how often that might be. if ever. hashtag spring things.]

[overlimit]

Good. Don't forget that. We're gonna need you, so you better not wear yourself out before the final stretch.