come out of hiding, i'm right here beside you

[barehands]

[A while after the execution has ended, everyone will find a simple note slipped under their door.]

If you don't want to be alone after everything that's happening, some of us will be in the dining room. Even if you decide not to come, please remember that you aren't alone here.

[The note isn't signed, but the handwriting is feminine and neat.

For anyone who decides to come, there's a good array of food laid out on the table. There are some small and simple cakes, cookies, and pastries, a healthy amount of okonomiyaki, okayu, and other Japanese dishes (with a focus on rice and eggs), along with curry. In addition, there are pancakes, and a large pot of soup. It looks like a few people collaborated to make enough food for everyone here.

Just like the meal they shared together earlier in the week, the candles from the storage room lend a more peaceful light than the fluorescent lights above.]

Comments

[brushworks]

[ Well, that... certainly was a thing that happened. Yusuke isn't particularly in the mood for eating right now, but he takes a plate of curry and sits down at a table near the wall. He kind of just... stares at the curry for a while, before suddenly standing up and leaving the dining room with quick steps.

When he comes back a few minutes later, he's brought some paper and a pencil with him. He sits down at the table again and starts working on two pencil drawings between bites; one features Felicia, standing in a snowy field, and the other picture is of Arietta, surrounded by liger cubs. ]

[imaginex]

[The last time Sakura spoke with Arietta, the girl was drawing a picture of her mouther. So this man will have to forgive Sakura's response to seeing him with his paper and pencil: muted shock, as if she's been slapped.

She just... stares at the picture for a while before she thinks to speaks.]

You're very good, sir.

[brushworks]

[ Yusuke doesn't respond immediately; he focusing entirely on the drawing. After a moment, though, he stops and looks at her. ]

Thank you, Matou-san.

[imaginex]

[A blink. She's still getting used to strangers knowing her by sight, and feels slightly guilty that she can't return the favor right now]

Are you an artist?

[brushworks]

Yes. [ He nods, pausing to add some detail to the folds on Felicia's dress. ] Art is my passion and my driving force.

[imaginex]

[She nods]

I can tell. You must have worked very hard to get this far.

[Her mouth opens to speak, only for a lingering pause to come out. Whatever she meant to say is lost as she abruptly switches tactics]

When did you start drawing?

[brushworks]

[ Yusuke probably didn't even notice the pause. ]

I believe I was eight or nine when I started to get serious about becoming an artist, but I have been drawing since early childhood.

[imaginex]

That young...

[Another pause, followed swiftly by:]

I-I'm glad you drew them.

[brushworks]

[ There's a short pause as Yusuke considers something. ]

...Do you think it would be a good idea to set up some sort of memorial using these pictures?

[imaginex]

... Yes, I think it would be a wonderful idea, actually.

I saw Arietta-chan drawing her mother one day, by the window, so I'm certain she'd appreciate this.

[barehands]

[She noticed when he left abruptly, and she notices what he's doing when he comes back in. After a minute or two, she approaches to see just what it is he's drawing. When she glimpses them... It leaves her with a deep melancholy feeling, but she speaks up nonetheless.]

...They're really beautiful.

[brushworks]

[ Like in the thread with Sakura, it takes a moment before Yusuke responds. ]

They're far from finished, but thank you. Your words are appreciated.

[barehands]

Were you close to either of them?

[As close as anyone can get in a week, at least.]

[brushworks]

Ah, no. [ He shakes his head. ]

Arietta spoke to me about the ligers and the magic of her world; it was interesting. I would have liked to talk more about it with her.