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

[torrentialroar]

[ As one might imagine, Corrin isn't exactly in the mood for mingling or dining—not much of an appetite anyway. It's been a rather rough day, to say the least.

While she spends the entire party in her room of #22, perhaps she'll welcome any guest that knocks. Maybe. ]

[heritrix]

[Rin didn't think so. She was at the party briefly, she checked, but she wasn't surprised not to find the particular face she was looking for there. So after preparing some tea (Corrin's profile said she liked it...), Rin will approach Room #22 and knock at the door.]

[torrentialroar]

[ She almost doesn't hear the knock, what with having her head buried in a pillow. But it does, and so she cautiously opens the door a crack, just enough to have an eye peak out. ]

Rin...? [ Her eye(s) are definitely red—more so than usual—and her face rather flushed as well. There's a bit of reluctance, but Corrin fully opens the door so they can see each other. She's stripped herself of her armor already, leaving just the black long-sleeve blouse part of it, that, thankfully, covers the fact she isn't wearing any pants. ]

What is it...?

[heritrix]

[Rin doesn't smile (it doesn't seem right to), but her eyes are kind.]

I brought you tea. Your profile said you liked it.

[She raises her right hand a little, to indicate the thermos gripped in it. There's a second one for herself, tucked in between her side and elbow.]

I wanted to check on you. Can I come in?

[torrentialroar]

...Thank you. [ For the tea or check up on her, she doesn't make it clear.

With almost a brief hint of smile, but failing, she steps aside to allow Rin in. ]

[heritrix]

[Rin does smile now, stepping inside. She assumes Corrin will want to sit on the bed herself, so she'll take the chair to the desk once she's in, after passing off the second thermos.]

I wasn't sure what blend you'd prefer, but I tried to make something calming. It's lemon balm.

[torrentialroar]

[ Taking the thermos, she pours herself some tea and takes a tip. A warm cup of tea is always a nice thing to have. ]

It's good. [ It's faint, but a small smile forms on her lips. Pensively, she traces the rim of the thermos cup with a finger. ] Felicia could brew good cup of tea, but more often than not, she'd end up tripping when carrying the tray—I even got scalded once. [ Despite that, she laughs—little hoarsely—before returning to back to a solemn look. ]

She wasn't the best at being a maid, but that didn't stop from always trying to improve. But now...

[heritrix]

[It's a sweet story. Rin wasn't sure what Corrin would like to do here — everyone grieves in different ways. So Corrin's the type to reminisce, hm?]

How long has she been at your side?

[torrentialroar]

Mmm... I think about ten years? Maybe twelve? A lot of my early memories are foggy.

[ It's clearly not much of an issue to her, actually managing a little laugh. ]

We may have been master and servant, but... we were more like family.

[heritrix]

[All at once, Rin understands that profoundly but can't relate to it at all. She's not had to worry about anyone but herself for a long time now, sometimes it's hard to remember what life was like before that. But she does remember how much it hurt.]

That must be why they chose the title for you that they did.

[Sororal. Rin hums, and laces her fingers around her cup.]

Was it like having a big sister, or a little sister?

[Felicia was older going by the profiles, but she was so tiny and unguarded. The few times they interacted this week, Rin sometimes forgot she was the younger of the two of them.]

[torrentialroar]

I'm sure that's part of it, but I also have a lot of siblings. [ She laughs again, with a small smile staying on her face. ]

She was different than Camilla that she never coddle me—in fact, whenever I had trouble get up in the morning, she would use her ice powers to awake me. But she was more introverted than Elise, a nice partner for peaceful afternoons spent reading. [ Her gaze turns to her tea before continuing. ] ...I guess our book club is going to be just me and Jakob now.

[heritrix]

[She's learning a lot about Felicia today that she never got to understand when she was alive. There has to be more stories where that came from; the things she liked, how she got along with others. Those are all things Rin will never get to see.

But it's not as if she knew nothing about her.]

Felicia really loved you, you know. [Rin takes a thoughtful sip of her tea, before deciding to continue.] I knew her for less than a week, but even I could see that.

[torrentialroar]

[ She was trying to cry, but Rin's words break the dam holding back her tears, and the slowly roll down her cheeks. ]

I-I loved her too. I-I didn't want her to leave my side—I hoped she could always stay beside me. Not even as her master, but at least as a friend. But now—[ Her sentence goes unfinished as she's overcome with sobs mixed hiccups. ]

[heritrix]

[Oh, she didn't mean to make her cry. Rin should have expected this, she realizes it now, but for a moment all she can do is stare at Corrin in distressed surprise as the waterworks flow.

Rin will curse herself later for it, but her body moves automatically. Her thermos is set down on Corrin's desk so Rin can step into the bathroom for some tissues before joining her on the bed, sitting at its edge.]

I'm sorry.

[Hushed, Rin's apology is filled with remorse. The tissues are offered to Corrin, and Rin seems to want to put a hand on her shoulder, only to hesitate, unable to follow through. But she will take the tea from her, so Corrin doesn't spill it on herself. As upset as she is, her hands can't be steady.]

I shouldn't have said it; it was insensitive of me this soon. But when I saw you vote for yourself at the trial, I just—Corrin, Felicia least of all would have blamed you for what happened.

[gymasstics]

[...Nozomi doesn't really know Corrin yet, but she knocks on her door anyway.]

Hey, Corrin-chan, right? I know you probably want some time alone, but if you need anything, just let me know, okay?

[torrentialroar]

[ She pokes her head out from the door, looking exactly what one might look after crying for a good hour or more. ]

...Nozomi, yes? I'm thankful for your concern, but—[ Before she can finish, there's a sudden, and unmistakable, growling sound. Her ears turn bright red,
and she closes door in embarrassment until there's a crack just big enough to talk through. ]

...Maybe some food would be nice. I'm not picky eater, so anything will do.

[gymasstics]

[...She feels a little bad for her timing, but at the same time, it looks like it was good to come here.]

Do you have a favorite? I can make you pretty much anything. Or if you just want something light, I can grab you some rice.

[There's a reason why she made so much of it. It's easy to get down.]

[torrentialroar]

Something light would be nice; rice sounds fine.

[gymasstics]

I'll only take a minute, alright? Just sit tight.

[And off she goes, returning with a modest amount of rice- it's more than she figures Corrin will probably eat, but better to give her more than she needs than not enough at this point. Knock knock, round two!]

[positivespin]

[ Some time, QQ knocks at the door to room #22, a basket of food (okonomiyaski, curry and soup) and a flask of tea in hand. She doesn't blame her at all for not joining the get-together, but apparently it's her thing now to worry about everyone's appetites. ]

Corrin? Are you there? QQ figured you might not feel hungry...but when you do, have food and tea ready here. Should QQ leave it at door?

[torrentialroar]

[ Another guest, another time for Corrin to peak from a slightly opened door. ]

Thank you for the food, QQ. I'll be sure to eat it when I have an appetite. [ She can at least managed a small smile now. ]

[positivespin]

[ That's always a good start. QQ smiles back, though it's obviously a lot more subdued than usual. ]

You're welcome. Anything else you need? Was going to check storage room.

[barehands]

[One such knock comes an hour or two after the party begins. She figures Corrin could use some time by herself, but she doesn't want to leave her alone if she needs support, either.

As she knocks, she speaks softly and gently, though it's certainly loud enough to be heard.]

Corrin? It's me, Rose.

[cadmiums]

[ Ryoji doesn't have much to offer in the terms of food besides pancakes (and he's seen other people leave to bring her food), but maybe his presence will be enough. He knocks softly, calling out to her.]

Corrin? Do you want some company?

[journalname]

[Knock knock. Asgore does not know Corrin especially well, but they did put together that party together. More than that, he spent most of that trial visibly supporting Arietta - it makes him feel as though he bears her some responsibility.]

Corrin? Would you like some tea?