[Open] There's a Point Where It Tips, There's a Point Where It Breaks

[zerotohiro]

Who: Everyone in Cerealia who figured out the code words for this meeting
When: Evening of IC 5/31, after Hawke's network post
Where: Sanctuary
What: "A pizza party" aka a meeting about the new masked figure that appeared.
Warnings: N/A, maybe some talks about what Alien-kun had to say, etc.


[It's evening by the time Hiro gets to the Sanctuary. Anyone who had seen him this morning will have spotted him with Baymax, both of them sans their normal armor and Baymax carrying what looks like a giant box. They had preparations to make, after all. He makes his way in and out of the building a few times but by the time the first of their guests arrive, everything's set up.

Upon entering the Sanctuary, Baymax moves to stand guard and collect your CereVice in a box at the door. Please don't cheat, he doesn't like when people aren't playing fair. In exchange for the CereVice, you will receive a form and a pencil before Baymax cheerfully waves you away.

Hiro's sitting on a table at the head of the lounge watching people come in. Hawke had promised these people pizza and cake (Hawke why) and he's delivering on that promise. The stack is about as tall as he is, more than enough to feed everyone who's shown up. He waits until a majority of the people show up before he clears his throat to gather attention.]

...uh, hey! [Well. That's a great, confident start.] I know this was sort of last minute and everything, but I really appreciate all of you coming by and actually listening to Hawke. [Sorry Hawke. But there's a grin which says he's more than appreciative.] I know you're probably here for free food, but there's a couple of things you should know. [Sliding off of the table, he moves to stand in front of what looks like a small mechanical box.]

When we all got back a few days ago, I started thinking about the fact that CERES can watch us from...pretty much anywhere. So I took some plans for something else I've been working on, improvised a little bit and created this thing. It'll deflect the signal from our implants and block them out completely as long as we're in this room. I've tested it out a couple of time already, the whole thing gets thrown off. It's...why I wanted to meet here! Because that sort of leads right to my next point.

[There's a small sigh as he paces the room, Baymax waddling after him. He moves back to the table he'd been sitting on to pull up the mask he'd been given a while ago.]

All of you probably received one of these either from that fortune teller, Aria, or it just showed up. And while we were out there? Some of you probably found the terminal like I did and spoke with a masked figure. [A beat.] I'm starting to realize that it told all of us something different, but the most important part is that it's with the Flamine Federation. You know. The guys who supposedly destroyed our planets. Baymax gave all of you a form--um. [And here he pauses, unsure if it's really appropriate to be ordering people to share information but then again that's what they all need. He's always believed everybody needs to be aware of what's happening.] Basically I guess just...answer what you can and tack it up on the board--[A gesture to a large bulletin board he pulled from who knows where.]--and talk amongst yourselves about what happened out there? Alien...the monsters, that weird altar? A bunch of you saw that, right? What was that about?

[Dear god somebody help him.] ...look, I tried. There's free food. This is about all I could throw together so fast before something else happens here. So...yeah. Let's just start figuring out what's really happening here, okay?

[Vague hand gestures? Vague hand gestures. He shuts up after that and sort of shrinks back into his hoodie, jumping back up on the table to hand out food and keep an eye on the room. All right, colonists. You know what to do.]

[ooc: Welcome to the info-sharing mingle! The idea behind this is for characters to ICly fill out this form (coded by the wonderful Fidgey/Katsura-mun) and have it displayed for everyone to view that information. You can post your sheet in your comment or link it to a post elsewhere in your journal, or even post it in the post I made that the form's posted into. HOWEVER this is open to everyone even if your character didn't speak to the alien and just wants to check stuff out! As a note: characters will start to feel sick after about two hours in the Sanctuary due to the frequency deflector. Sorry about that! Any questions hit me up via PM or plurk at alternatively]

Master List of Forms

Comments

[manolia]

[Oh. And here Chibi was, expecting he'd have to work his way into England's bedroom so he could do some digging. (At the thought, Chibi's mind falls into the gutter, but he picks it back up without missing a beat. It is not the time.) When he feels the press of paper into the age-worn creases of his palm, he knows what it is. He knows what it means.]

[At first, he just skims, but at the end he sees it: I wonder if there is some place I can write without the fear of being monitored. That is why he brought the notes here, isn't it? Chibi had been planning to wait to read them, but if he is to ask questions... In a low voice, he says:] I understand. [And then he beckons England to a quieter corner of the sanctuary, reading as he walks and muttering a few words in Draconic.]

[A lot of emotions well in Chibi's gut as he reads the memoir: sorrow for England's pain, hurt that he cannot tell anyone about it using his voice, but most of all anger. He wants to go to the ruined wreckage of that altar and spit on it, grind it to dust, ensure not a soul is carved upon it again and much less this soul, this soul with whom he has danced, over whose heart his head has rested. Hell, England might be able to see it in his face: his blood is, figuratively, boiling over.]

[When his eyes reach the bottom, he folds it back just as carefully as it was, punctuating each fold with some phrase in Draconic. (It is clear that he is cursing; some things don't need translation.) Then, in crisp but low syllables of Cerealian, tight like a coil:] Were it Mosley laid on that fucking altar. [He does not meet England's eyes at first, instead looking at his own hands.]

[(He's actually about to burst into tears, but he tries his best not to show that. Chibi knows he has always been an empathetic soul, but that is too much to show.)]

Before anything else... This [he motions to the paper, then between them] means a lot. More than you know.

[unionjackoff]

[England would have smiled were this any other situation. to hear those words from Chibi's lips, that this means a lot to him, well, it makes England's old heart skip a beat. but there are no smiles, no words of love in response. now is not the time for that.

he was not expecting tears, even close to tears. but then, why hadn't he? Chibi is a spiritual, emotional being. and people cried if they were feeling sad, or angry. Chibi is obviously feeling both. perhaps that is why England moves in to hold him, regardless of where they are, or how many people around. he's not so good at comforting, but he'll try, dammit. he'll try because he just about brought a grown man, someone even older than him, to tears]

I'm going to have to share it with the rest of the refugees. [at least the ones that were in this room. he knows Rei is here, and Merlin (though England is not that close to Merlin, and Merlin does not know who he really is)] ...People are going to find out about me sooner or later, anyway.

[manolia]

[Chibi wraps his arms around England in turn, squeezing tightly as he can manage and choking back tears. He doesn't want to turn into a mess now, especially not when England is the one who really needs the comfort. He's about to do something big, for the good of the colony, and yet Chibi is the one who's all broken up.]

[He's alright, really! Just... Give him a minute to compose himself.]

I will be your voice if you need it. At least, for the initial part of it; the questions will be all yours. [It'd be easier than passing a paper around, maybe. He forces a smile, one that becomes genuine around the corners of his eyes.]

But before that... [He pulls out a small notepad and pen from his hat, then flips through a bunch of poems to a blank page towards the end. With his typical messy handwriting, he scratches out:] Should I wait to ask my questions, or shall I ask them now?

[unionjackoff]

[thank goodness Chibi is going to help him out here. at least if he reads it, everyone will hear it. it's also kind of embarrassing, but England knows he has to suck it up. he's given speeches before, as well as written them for other people. so he's no stranger to having someone read his words. his feelings, however, are a different matter entirely, though England supposes he doesn't have a choice.

England nods when Chibi says he will be his voice, and he smiles in return. it's a sort of sad smile, because he is sad, and nervous, and trying to psyche himself up for having Chibi read his notes. he has to remind himself that they are in a safe place, and whatever questions he gets, he will try to answer to the best of his ability. most people would probably be sympathetic, while others may question his motives. others still, people who know him as Arthur Kirkland, will wonder about his powers. and England needs to receive all of those queries.

he gently takes the notepad and pen from Chibi's hands so he can respond] You can ask them now. I don't know if I'll be able to answer them if you're standing here with me, but I can try.

[manolia]

You summed it up pretty well; it's mostly theoreticals I want to ask your opinion on. [And then Chibi switches to writing again, movements of the pen that don't quite catch up to how fast his mind is racing. So many questions to ask, so much to process - so much anger he will have to process later, too, and a few things he'll have to cry out. Perhaps a trip to the gym would be worthwhile.]

[For now, questions. That'll get his mind off how he offered to read his lover's death aloud, Goddess be merciful.]

- Mosley said CERES was hired to colonize Tellus. Do you think he speaks only of the contact between CERES and the natives, or do you think the Flamines were involved? Possibly a fourth actor?

- I ran into a friend of mine; he is a sword spirit, and found the personal effects of many of his fellow swords on the altar. Do you have any idea what would happen with someone who didn't have organs to take out?

- Are you going to be needed again?

- Did the Bridge give any indication to what sort of sacrifice this is, whether it is simply an ego thing for the gods or whether they use the energy gained from the death elsewhere?

- Did you ever get that payout they promised, or did they renege on that promise too?

[He passes the notebook to England and turns away obligingly, allowing him the space to write.]

[unionjackoff]

[oh. so they were going to do this right now. okay then. England takes the notepad and pen back, and watches as Chibi turns away. then he turns to look for a place to sit. he finds an unoccupied seat near a window and goes there. for some reason, he's starting to feel a little nauseous. he chalks it up to the subject matter.

England sighs softly as he takes his seat. then he's looking over the questions. a few of these he can answer right away, the others are just guesses. it takes him about fifteen minutes to plan what he's going to say, and then write everything out. once he's done, he gets up and goes back to give the pad to Chibi]

1) I don't know for a fact, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Flamines were involved in any and all contracts regarding Cerealia, though guesses for a fourth option are equally valid. There might be someone else pulling the strings here. I still don't think CERES is innocent, in any case.

2) I have no idea. Perhaps other things were taken? Body parts, significant artefacts.

3) I do not think I will be needed again, unless I volunteer. Mosley seemed to act like this was a one-time deal.

4) The Bridge said nothing of either nature. She spoke very little, and only directly to Mosley. Mosley, himself, said that the gods demanded the practice be carried out because the Bridge is now free. The sacrifice is to appease them so that we can keep on living in Cerealia. He said that the Bridge and the gods would kill everyone if the sacrifice did not happen.

5) After the sacrifice, I was $1,000,000 in credits richer. I plan on saving them, especially if I need to pay to keep my memories.

[manolia]

[While England plops down to write, Chibi roams restlessly: looking over the notes again and again, then grabbing a slice of the cake that's just been put out and returning to a notepad with answers. He gives an earnest:] Thanks, again.

They have cake out now, if you'd like a bit. [As though that wasn't obvious. Still, he offers, then starts to write:]

Just a couple more:

- She said the gods demanded it because the Bridge is free, but does this line up chronologically with the personal effects people found, I wonder? Is it possible they were performing sacrifices before the Bridge was freed, and Mosley is just covering up?

- Why didn't you tell someone where you were going before then? It didn't have to be me, just someone?

[unionjackoff]

[they exchange the notepad and the cake, and while Chibi is writing, England takes a small bite. he's not too big on sweets, but he wants to try it at least. who knows? he might be feeling so cruddy because he's hungry]

Thanks.

[once Chibi is done writing the next questions down, England trades the cake back again, and takes the notepad to read over them. ah, these questions are a little more tricky. he wanders off, considering how to answer]

- I really don't know. It sounded to me like the sacrifices were unnecessary while the Bridge was in captivity. But, of course Mosley could be lying. I'm just not sure. Your guess is as good as mine.

[ah, then this question. England knew it would come up at one point, or another. he sighs, tapping his pen against the pad for a couple minutes. then he starts writing]

- I am used to doing things alone. I could say that I didn't even think about going to anyone with my idea, but that would be a lie. I thought about you, about mister Edgeworth and miss Hino. I thought about miss Vietnam and madame Grell. I suppose what it comes down to is I did not want to worry you. Or, honestly, I didn't want anyone to tell me not to do it. I'd made up my mind, and I thought I was prepared for what was to come. I don't know what else to say. I'm sorry, though, for worrying you, but not sorry that I did it.

[hn. that last part seems a bit harsh, but it's the truth. England reads over it a couple more times, before tacking on]

You're not mad, are you?

[then he goes to give the notepad back to Chibi]

[manolia]

[Conjecture is easy, practice is easy; emotions are muddier, more difficult. The words on the paper wrench Chibi's heart, but he reads them and takes them in just as carefully as he had the other answers; at least it is a duller ache than reading about England's death was.]

[(Also, he lets himself wonder who half of these people even are for a moment. Goddess, he needs to make more friends.)]

I'm not mad. I might have been mad if I didn't know what you went through, but I'm not mad. I care about you; that's why I was scared. But I wouldn't have told you not to do it, you realize.

[He pauses, pen hovering above the page, thinking of how to say what he wants to say.] If it had been me, I would have done the same thing. I spent so long bearing burdens in solitude that I barely know how to share them. Even if it takes all the time we have to stay here, I want you to feel comfortable sharing things with me. I'm sorry if that's a bit much, but it is how I feel.

[unionjackoff]

[England reads over what Chibi wrote, eyes becoming a little glassy at the last part. he can't help but think how silly this is because... well, they're not really speaking of the sacrifice anymore. Chibi didn't have to write that. he could have just said it!

maybe it's easier to write down.

England will attempt to speak out these next words, and realize that, yes, it is easier to write his thoughts down] Next time, if there is a next time, for whatever reason, I will make certain to come to you first.

[sharing is hard! but if they were both working at it, they could support each other. England has never really felt comfortable sharing things among his fellow countries. but Chibi isn't a nation. Chibi is a man who doesn't mock him, who cherishes their time together, who wants to be closer to him. and, for that, England thinks he can confide in him. with some hesitation, England reaches down to take Chibi's hand and just hold it for a moment]

[manolia]

Thank you. [And Chibi means it; it shows in the shine of his eyes, the way he smiles when England takes his hand. He laces their fingers together, then cups his other hand over the two of them, as though to hold it there just another moment - to freeze this bittersweet moment in time, simply to exist alongside this brave man and this terrifying, exhilarating feeling.]

[It's almost like he succeeds, for a second.]

[But then he realizes where they are, and what they have to do. He takes the hand not entwined with England's and covers their faces from view of anyone nearby to steal a brief kiss, then says:] Are you ready?

[unionjackoff]

[it will probably be difficult for England to come to Chibi with his worries, but he would make the effort. that was part of making a relationship work, wasn't it? giving and taking, growing, making sacrifices.

...ah, probably would be best to not use that word.

with their faces still close, he nods, before pressing their foreheads together. this, too, would be difficult. but he made a choice, and he wants to share his findings with anyone who will listen. right, then. let's go try this]