Afterparty I: Once Upon a Hotpot Dreary...

[heroicact]

[It's very likely that many want to be alone after all of that (and it was a lot, all of that altogether), but there's also merit in gathering together and rebuilding connections after everything that was upended in something as contentious as a trial in a tree. They even had to all slide down from the heights afterward, unfortunately for those with a fear of heights.

So what Jack sets about doing is simply passing on a message by word of mouth at the bottom of the absurd tree slide, tapping shoulders and nodding at those moving away as well, there will be food and drink and company later on in the lounge should it be needed. No one needs ballroom memories on top of everything else, yes?

And so anyone who comes out of their room will be hit by the wonderful smells of fresh bread and pastries, fragrant whiffs of hotpot (it's unfortunately left over from the other day, but it's hotpot so surely it's fine), the inescapable spices of curry and who knows what else has been thrown together in the moment. Jack certainly isn't the cook here, but he can heat things up in a pinch.

There are no signs or fanfare or decorations, unlike the other day; this is just a gathering place, for those who wish to shake off the weight of the days and lives on their shoulders.]

Comments

[heroicact]

[Jack himself isn't partaking in the food at first; it will take a while for anyone to work up an appetite after that, if at all. Instead, he can be found next to the food tables deep in contemplation or slowly leafing through a book and dubiously reading it.

Those who approach may be greeted by a brief, perfunctory smile and gentle tilt of the head at the spread.]

Ah, welcome. I took it upon myself and several others to prepare something simple so that we might not all go to bed on an empty stomach on top of everything else, but don't fret if you can't stomach it at the moment.

[That being said, he does indicate the cooks, because credit where it's due. Tenn and C-ta and mysteriously Nageki seem to have been drafted for this purpose. He might also pat the seat next to himself if anyone seems amenable to it.]

Or perhaps you'd like to keep me company? I'll admit, I'm at a loss as to how this situation may be remedied...

[eternaljune]

Mii...thank you for thinking of us, Jack! I never managed to get breakfast!

[Her smile does become a little less vibrant seeing that Jack seems pretty down. Not that Rika can blame him. She sits down next to him, looking a bit confused.]

I'm not sure if there's much that can be remedied right now, sir...

[heroicact]

You are quite right... Few if any of us had had the chance to break our fast before we were thrown into Hamelin and Miss Zola's unfortunate game -- many of us have worked far too hard on little sleep and even less energy.

[Even though, you know, enchanted sleep was a thing?? At least he doesn't look like he was sleep-deprived, but that may be a little awkward because enchanted sleep is a little awkward to begin with.

Regardless he waves a hand as though to simply put the topic aside, before nodding at her.]

And no, there is much about the situation that cannot be changed. But we are still here, and what we were made to do -- viewing each other with suspicion, questioning all of the little things about each other -- was much harsher than simply having Hamelin announce his game.

[Though, it was previewed in their meeting earlier in the week... but sometimes disaster meetings evolve into disaster trials.]

So I think... perhaps, there is something we can do about that.

[eternaljune]

Something we can do about our suspicion of others...?

[Rika can't help but be a little surprised at that sort of optimism. She knows that isn't entirely how most people would act, after all.]

It'll be very hard to build any kind of trust with the group now...fate has already started turning a specific way, now that someone officially acted in interest of the game...

[heroicact]

... No, it is nothing quite so simple as that. Suspicion has now become tied with our survival, as our host wished it. It is likely not the first time he has done something like this. He is much too thorough, and has many allies.

[I'm sorry he's just dramatically referring to their shopkeeper fairies as murder allies but here we are.

Quietly, he rests his chin in the fingers of one hand, thinking for a moment -- though it's evident that it's not off the cuff in the first place. Maybe this is what he was contemplating so hard earlier.]

But, you see, no matter what has been done, and no matter what happens with the group at large -- we already have a number of bonds in place, whether it is those who already know each other from before... or those who have begun to make their place here.

That is how people are. There are those who believed in Yor Forger, and even those who believed in Zola Malfeazium herself, in a way.

[eternaljune]

[Rika thinks over what he says. Human bonds, huh? They're what drives people throughout everything, after all. It was the power of those bonds that created Rika's miracle in the first place, so she can't deny what he's saying.

But that took a long time.]

...people do naturally have the instinct to bond with each other, yes. I've seen powerful people can become when they care for each other. I--

[Bonds aren't created overnight, but they certainly can shatter in that amount of time. Rika knows that too.]

I wanted to believe in Yor. She's a kind woman. But...doesn't that bond also make it easier for her to betray me in the future?

[mathodical]

What are you reading?

[ the distraction looks like it could be welcome. ]

[heroicact]

Hmm, it seemed like fairy tales might be an important element of our stay here--

[--said like it's some sort of sunny summer getaway in the Bahamas (does he know what the Bahamas are) instead of an all-expenses-covered except life insurance trip to hell. But on the bright side, all expenses are covered except life insurance.

Jack turns the cover of the book back up; it's apparently The Little Mermaid, of all things. Bit of a departure, but.]

So I've been studying up a little? I don't know as much of these as I'd like, since only a few or their analogues seem to have appeared in my homeland.

[mirrite]

[It's quite a while before Marcus emerges from his and Phil's room. Fortunately, Phil is sleeping for the moment, and the scent of something delicious is enough to lure him out if only because they're both going to need something to eat at some point.

When he spots Jack and all of the food, he wanders on over with a smile, albeit one that seems rather thin and strained.]

You really went all out here. Props to you for that, and sorry that I wasn't around to help with it.

[Though he's trying to keep up his usual energy, he just sounds... tired, really.]

[heroicact]

Oh, I hardly did more than heat up some of the amazing dishes we had from the other night -- I'm told that they are still quite good the next day, but -- those in the kitchen did what they could on short notice.

[Jack, for his part, merely brightens up a little and doesn't force the exchange of smiles -- he is here to drum up the atmosphere a little, make sure those who are interested have a bite or two, and perhaps simply to contribute a word or two to the collective quiet left in the wake of the trial.

They did lose two of their louder members, at the least.]

But you needn't worry. There are enough of us to provide for each other.

[The word hangs in the air, still, there are enough of us still, but Jack is not one to lay it down. There is enough weight on this gathering.]

[mirrite]

Oh yeah? Give 'em my thanks, then, because it smells delicious. Glad we have at least a few other people around who know how to cook.

[Casual, impersonal conversation. He can handle that much right now, and not much more. He's already let his emotions get the better of him once this evening - to a deleterious effect - and now he feels more drained and wrung dry than anything else.]

Could I get two plates? I need to make sure Phil eats something too.

[Neither of them really has much of an appetite at the moment, but... details.]