Event Five.

[awashmods]

So here I’ve stood for forty years In dark and dust and creaky sounds, Waiting for her to say, “Turn around.” This might not be just what she meant, But me – I’m so obedient.

t first, it seems a little too simple for a true test of morals. Don't eat, don't take, don't look? The most basic of requirements. And with guides, it isn't too difficult at all to avoid those obvious pitfalls. At least, until the Town's suddenly far, far too empty, almost eerily so -- until there's nobody there but your fellow reds, or blues or yellows, in a town that is far too big for just a portion of the people there. And that's when the true test starts. Good luck. Welcome to Awash's fifth event log, everyone! Further information on this event can be found here at the OOC post. This log can be used for either phase of the event; please just mark clearly when it is happening and which colors can respond to the prompt. Please remember as well to let us know if your character passes or fails these tests! You are welcome to start your own posts or logs for this event as well. If there are any questions, please ask them here. Thank you!

Comments

iii

[troubadamsel]

[Hey mellow yellow! Minus the mellow part. Maribelle can be found sitting on her porch, hugging her knees, eyes red, clearly have been crying for a while.

She doesn't even lift her head when Ochako runs toward her.]

...

[thriftea]

[Comforting others is something that Ochako is always down to do. Even though she wants to find Deku, that mission goes on the back burner the moment she spots that sad, hunched figure.]

Maribelle? [The urge to place a comforting hand on her shoulder is strong, but she settles for crouching down beside her instead. Some people, especially the prim and proper ones, don't appreciate an uninvited touch.] Is everything okay?

[Obviously not, but she has to ask.]

[troubadamsel]

[Maribelle still doesn't lift her head, and there's a sniffle, before she finally speaks.]

... I hate this place. From the deepest pits of my heart, I hate this godforsaken place.

[thriftea]

[Ah, that's... definitely enough for Ochako to reach out and tentatively touch her arm. There are some good things about this town, as weird as that sounds, but it mostly just sucks. And Maribelle is so nice! She doesn't deserve to feel this low at all.]

It's... not the best place to be. Do you want to talk about it, Maribelle? I'm here to listen, and to help, if I can.

[troubadamsel]

[She allows the touch, barely noticing it. She presses her own fingers to her head.</>]

... I heard my loved ones... At first, it was tolerable, I could ignore it, like I was supposed to, but... they were screaming in agony! They were in pain, and begged me to help!

[thriftea]

[Just when you think this town can get any worse—bam! It finds a way to do something even more despicable, and honestly, Ochako hates it. She despises this place. But her feelings aren't the important ones here; Maribelle's are, and so she keeps her hand on the lady's shoulder and tries to think of what to say.]

That must have been so, so hard for you to go through, and all on your own. I'm sorry.

[And she genuinely is, because a healer should never be hurt this badly.]

Is there anything that I can do to help you? Just sit with you for a while, maybe?

[troubadamsel]

[Another hard sob escapes her, and she needs a minute to compose herself, as she can't even speak. The minute passes, and she swallows, her voice quiet.]

I... I appreciate it, truly... Just... please, don't tell anyone you saw me like this.

[Not because of her dignity or nobility.

But because she knows the sight of a young woman crying might be enough to push some people into giving up hope of escaping.]

[thriftea]

[As someone who hates—hates—to cry in front of her friends and teammates, Ochako understands the desire to appear strong. Well, she thinks she does, anyway, which is why she nods without hesitation.]

There isn't anything wrong with crying in front of the people you trust... so you can trust me, Maribelle. I promise that I'll keep it a secret.

[And she'll continue quietly sitting here for as long as Maribelle needs her to.]

[troubadamsel]

Thank you... Really, thank you.

[And she does trust Ochako, do a degree. But it's more than some other people here have. So she buries her face in her hands again, sniffling and sniveling.]