WEEK 4 AFTERPARTY

[stanboozled]

[After everything has settled - after all that craziness - Stan stands up, putting the voting box down on the ground.]

Okay, kids. I know you're scared, and you don't know what's going on - and I know it's hard to trust either me or Red with what's happened these past weeks. Hell, with what just happened.

[He takes a breath.]

But I want you kids to know that I'm here for you. I'm not gonna pretend like this is some silly summer camp, because I can't. I can't go back to how I was seeing things now that I see them right - my brain's good at taking a pounding and coming back just as good as ever.

And - though it might not seem like it, Red's here for you, too. We've...talked some stuff out. A lot of stuff. And...

[Stan lifts a hand to his face, rubbing at the bridge of his nose before continuing.]

I can't stop this. Neither can Red. But that doesn't mean we're just gonna sit by and let you kids just die because of some stupid rock. When she gets back, she's - gonna get into contact with someone higher in the organization she works for. And she's gonna ask if we can take this rock thing out. Break it, or - something.

From now on, you kids don't need any tickets to get stuff from me. You can just ask for it, but - I can't stop you from getting weapons, or anything dangerous. An' you're still gonna have to keep doing this, because we need time to contact whoever she's gonna contact, and go through all that red tape. I don't know how long, but -

This? It's gotta go on. And....I'm sorry, kids.

[He quietly sits back down, staring at the flames.

That's all.]

Comments

[trashmouthtozier]

It's ... your birthday?

[somehow, this is the most unfair thing he has ever experienced. Richie drops to his knees next to Usagi and gives her a huge hug]

[lovebun]

Yeah. I'm fifteen. June thirtieth.

[ ...Man her birthday must be cursed now. But she'll accept the hug. ]

[trashmouthtozier]

Wow, you're only a year older than me? I thought you were older. You're really smart and stuff.

... What do you do for your birthday at home?

[lovebun]

...Just have some cake with friends. But I think Lilith has that covered.

[trashmouthtozier]

... I want to think that that's still ... her. The part that does nice things, you know?

[he disengages from the hug and considers that cake. it sure does look good]

[lovebun]

I think it is. Or at least, that the stone god really means well and is trying to convey what they'd be feeling...

[ Fill the gap. ]

[trashmouthtozier]

Whatever's going on ...

[Richie takes a slice of cake and thinks, long and hard, about what they know]

Those people in the video. The assholes Red and Stan have to answer to. ... Do you think, maybe ... the god has no choice, either? I mean ... yeah, it's a god, but ... if they tricked it? Like in the old myths and stuff, and have it locked up? They could be using it, too.

... It'd explain why it sounded so sorry this week.

[lovebun]

...That might be it. It might be as trapped as us. And if that's the case... If they really want to use it for their reasons--seeking immortality or whatever--then it doesn't matter what'll be said to them. They won't care. They already know they're throwing lives away to it. So all it could really do is... Mitigate the damage. Because otherwise, there'd be even more casualties.

[ Take as few as possible in the deal they have going on. ]

That... Might be what's going on. That's why... When I say I want to save everyone...

[ ...She means the stone god, too. ]

[trashmouthtozier]

Yeah. Flat out everyone, I get it.

... I dunno about saving the people in charge, though. I think I'd rather kick their asses.

[lovebun]

...Yeah. They don't really need rescuing.

[ She's so proud of you, Richie. ]

And saving everyone is what champions of love and justice do!

[trashmouthtozier]

Love and justice, huh?

[a few weeks ago, he would have turned his nose up, laughed, cracked a joke. but isn't that what kept him together, today, what helped him get through this hellish day? love for Eddie? wanting justice for Kanji?]

Then I guess I'm a champion in training.

[lovebun]

...I think you're well on your way, Richie. And one day, you'll graduate into someone strong in their own right.

[trashmouthtozier]

Thanks, Usagi. ... I know today has been totally full of shit, but ... still. My dad told me once that birthdays are important because without them, we wouldn't be here.

So I'm glad it's your birthday, anyway.