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

[hellochildren]

[Honestly, the parrot is still pretty much alright after everything. Was he still a bit annoyed that Sami was the first to die? Yeah, he was interested in seeing what would happen to her, and instead some fake noble strangled her-on top of a mansion for some reason, like that made sense. If he didn’t know any better, he would think Zola was trying to risk injury for choosing such a stupid-

...that was in the past, though. What was done is done there, and he never had a chance to do anything about it.

He doesn’t know why he goes to the party this time, but he does. He stays at a table, staring into a glass of water as he mumbles to himself.]

So simple, ant I completely overestimatet it. How coult I not realize...

[He’s not so much sad as he is annoyed, really.]

[heroicact]

Professor, I'm glad to see you join us. With you here, I'm certain Nageki will feel more comfortable as well. Do let me know if there's anything you need; I tried to make sure to have a little something for everyone, should they require it.

[And indeed, it looks like there's a decent selection from the bakery, whether sweet or not -- not a large volume, because even the larger Nageki seems to have more of a bird's appetite still, but surely it's the thought that counts.

Jack, for his part, doesn't quite hover, but nor does he join the Professor at his self-appointed place just yet. Just in case some sort of fetching is needed, ostensibly.

But also he has been listening, yes, so:]

... Did Zola's final revelations bother you so much...?

[hellochildren]

[The parrot simply nods in response to Jack's greeting, his mind still a bit distracted, but at least able to do that much.

It's when Jack asks the question that the bird looks up and really takes note of the man in front of him.]

Somevhat, yes. I expectet things to be much more complicated, and instead it vas...inviting a child to a roof to strangle zem.

Somehow, it is both incredibly covardly ant incredibly stupid.

[The fact that Zola didn't fall off that roof and break her neck or at least a limb just annoyed him.]