Did you love this world, and did this world not love you?

[enhancements]

[Saying that Wesker is angry is vastly overstating his emotional reaction to anything that just happened; he quite simply doesn't feel anything, just cold and driven by method as opposed to emotion, and when notes are shoved under the doors this evening...well, it's really obvious who wrote them even if they're not signed, let's put it that way.]

This has gone on entirely too long for us to remain idle. The only way to defeat power is with more power; it's the one universal constant in this world. The only power we have right now is in our unity, and we need to utilize that to its fullest.

Grieve however you see fit, as mourning in this situation is warranted. But when you're all done crying we need to gather and we need to share information. Whatever you have that might assist us in this situation can and likely will be vital over the next several weeks.

This meeting isn't mandatory, nor is it something that many of you will necessarily want to do, but it's in our best interests to persevere despite our losses. Even if you have nothing to contribute – or if you don't feel like contributing, which is your prerogative – it's for the best to not be alone right now.

Meet in the dining hall. Food will be provided, as per usual.

[...He tried. He tried really hard, and that's the sad thing.

That said, though, there will in fact be food! And also tea. Both are courtesy of Asgore, seeing as Wesker can't manage either to save his life. But they're there, and Wesker will...likewise be there in the dining hall and just seeing who shows up. Whether anything productive comes out of this has yet to be seen; somehow he doubts anything will. But again, there was an attempt made in the first place, and that's got to count for something.]

Comments

[imaginex]

No, you don't need to say anything. I was just reflecting on some of things he said.

... He's more fragile than I first assumed.

[heritrix]

Really? From the get-go, he reminded me of the kind of kids who attend school with us.

[She misses school.]

[imaginex]

That's a bit what I mean...

[Giggling, though. Sakura misses school less, but she'd take that over a murder hospital]

[heritrix]

And you thought he wasn't fragile? I can make boys like him cry at the drop of a hat.

[imaginex]

[YEAH SHE'S...

WATCHED RIN WITH NII-SAN BEFORE.

Tears weren't exactly involved but she knows, she knows, even if her brother doesn't.]

Does that include Ryuudou-san?

[heritrix]

[HA. There's a face she hasn't thought of for a while.]

Without a doubt! Albeit for very different reasons. Our diligent Mr. Student Council President must weep and gnash his teeth every time the school requests the top student assist in ceremonies and certain projects.

[Rin bursts into giggles as she finishes saying this.]

I'm like the ex-wife he has to see in the halls every day.

[imaginex]

[If she didn't have the cocoa in her hands, she'd probably bury her face in her knees in a fit of laughter herself]

I admit I could never figure out why he didn't like you much... there was one day where his face nearly turned the color of my hair before he could hide it.

I didn't think he'd recover.

[heritrix]

I would have loved to see that; he doesn't show me such faces often. But we have a history together, so he learned to be guarded around me.

[imaginex]

Aah, so that's it.

[A history with Tohsaka Rin, mm? She smiles into her cocoa, paused on the thought before she decides it'd be safer to switch to another one.]

Like this, I sorta miss school...

[heritrix]

[Crossing her legs, Rin sips at her cocoa and gazes back towards the window. Her expression is a little dreamy.]

It's been almost four weeks now. If we were home, the closing ceremonies would take place soon...

[Rin would be starting her final year of high school; Sakura her second year.]

[imaginex]

Mmm, you'll only have a year left.

[...]

What will do you after you graduate?

[heritrix]

I'll go to London, of course.

[Intending to leave it at that, Rin sips at her cocoa. But you know? Despite everything that happened today, she's in a good mood, possibly because of this conversation. She decides to elaborate, a little more open about herself than she would typically be, treating Sakura to a warm smile.]

To speak honestly about it, high school was always a selfish indulgence of mine. I've known from the start where I would end up in life. Once my compulsory education was completed, I should have immediately applied to the Clock Tower... But I thought going to high school would be fun.

[imaginex]

London...

[So continents away. Automatically Sakura nods her approval and tilts her head]

It will suit you.

["Will", not "would", because she knows Rin will go there one day]

... But I'm glad you decided to stay in high school for a while.

[heritrix]

[Rin smiles at that. Yes, she thinks it will, learning at the same institution father spent his days...

She's not so cruel, to say that.]

I'm glad I did too. It's been as rewarding as I expected... And more, in some ways.

[There's a tenderness in Rin's voice that cannot be described.] I didn't expect you would attend the same high school.

[imaginex]

Mm, since Nii-san was already attending, it seemed the easiest choice.

[A chance to keep an eye on his sister, back when he'd still been interested in trying]

I didn't mind, though. Even though high school wasn't something I'd thought much of, you and Senpai were there, too. So...

[heritrix]

...It was nice, passing you in the halls from time to time.

[She had thought their days in primary school might have been the last contact they'd have, for maybe another 20 years.]

[imaginex]

[... A deep exhale, and she looks elsewhere, hands tightening around her cocoa. Being in this hospital has made her too selfish. Even on the behalf of another version of herself, she shouldn't fight the taboo that's shaped their lives.]

... Before you go to London, will you... say goodbye to your Sakura?

I know she'd appreciate it.

[... She really is asking for too much]

[heritrix]

[Rin has her doubts. Even hearing it from the source herself, it's impossible not to. Because that's just the thing, isn't it? This isn't her Sakura. She's a close but different shaped copy, whose thoughts can't mirror the original.]

Knowing me, I will. I'm always doing things I know I shouldn't.

[Because she's selfish like that. Even if her Sakura hates her, Rin knows she'll want to see her again.]

[imaginex]

[Ironic how their thoughts would mirror each other. Sakura can't believe this Tohsaka is a reflection of the one she knows (too kind, much too kind), but as far as she's concerned, Sakura will always be Sakura.

There will always be one girl she's hoping will notice her]

I understand.

... Thank you.