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

[biyishuangfei]

That's a terrible lie that just came out of your mouth. You haven't really touched your food.

[ That was straight to the point, but Huaisang was just saying what he could see what was in front of him...and that was exactly that. He wasn't sure how else to respond to that—even a rather unobservant person could see that so there's no point in not bringing it up, he thought. ]

It's okay to admit the trial is bothering you. It'd be stranger if it didn't, if you think about it.

[goldencave]

. . .

[ Is it that obvious?

Norton wearily looks up at the guy... And breathes a heavy sigh. ]

It's not just the trial, it's this whole thing. You realize Zola isn't the only one who's gonna kill, right?

[biyishuangfei]

I-I don't know...

[ He looked at the food in front of them and then back at Norton. ]

It's a scary thought. I don't even want to believe it, but...I can see it. A lot of people would want their wishes to come true. Though, I don't think we can afford to let this go on forever.

[ He'll look down, recalling what happened through the trial, and appearing a little uncertain. ]

Do you think the same? Or...

[goldencave]

[ He nods, quietly. ]

If this keeps up, we're gonna end up with only one person left standing...

[ He goes quiet for a moment, contemplating. ]

... What do you think he's getting out of this? Other than entertainment?

[biyishuangfei]

[ At that question, he'll just shake his head. ]

I don't know...I really don't know.

[ It seemed Huaisang was unable to really come up with any other alternatives. ]

You believe he's getting something else out of this?

[goldencave]

He might be. You don't go through all this trouble just for the hell of it, right?

[biyishuangfei]

Yes, that's true. I really wouldn't know where to even begin to guess, though.

[ He'll bring out the prop fan and begin to fan himself. ]

...I suppose he might think he could get "something" from us beyond entertainment. It might be too early for us to tell what that is, if there's anything else besides that.

[goldencave]

Too early, huh...

[ He narrows his eyes at his companion. They may be on speaking terms now, but... No, maybe he's overthinking it a little. This one's kind of soft...

And now Norton's starting to feel bad for him. ]

The bastard does keep going on about some story.

[biyishuangfei]

[ He'll tremble a little when Norton looked at him like that as he said those things, and then he'll consider the other man's words carefully. ]

A story in particular? O-Or was it just him saying something like 'this is how stories work'...?

[goldencave]

... [ He shakes his head. ]

More like he keeps saying we're in his story, like he's forcing us into his narrative. Why the hell he's doing that is beyond me.

[biyishuangfei]

[ He'll look a little thoughtful. To be honest, he found it the opposite of endearing himself. ]

...Nageki mentioned something about The Pied Piper of Hamelin being a folklore story. Maybe that's why he is saying things like that. Or something like he feels we're actors in a play, or story, to fit his narrative. But I really wouldn't know.

It really could just be an ego thing.

[goldencave]

[ A beat of silence as his eyes light up with some kind of revelation. ]

I think I've heard that story once. Some piper got hired to rid a town of rats, but when he wasn't paid for the job he went and kidnapped all the town's children... And he did it the same way that bastard leads us around here.

[biyishuangfei]

That's exactly how the story went, according to what Nageki said...

[ There's a pause, as he seemed to consider something. ]

I wonder if the story ever let us know what happened to the children that were kidnapped. I don't know if that would be another hint about our situation, but it could be something else to think about.

[goldencave]

I wouldn't know, but I bet you if we somehow got that flute away from that bastard he'd be as helpless as the rest of us.

[biyishuangfei]

[ Huaisang wondered how that would be possible, because that sounded like something that could help them, but the problem was they didn't know all the powers the man possessed. One thing at a time, though, and they could discuss that after one pertinent question he had.

He lowered his voice appropriately. ]

How would we get it from him, though? He always seems to be carrying it with him.

[goldencave]

[ He lowers his eyes... Nod. ]

... That we'd need to figure out.

[ He just got the idea, give him a break. ]

[biyishuangfei]

Ah, well. Yes, of course, but also I think we should probably find out what else he might be capable of, if we can...he wouldn't even tell me why he was able to get back to his room before I did. And I had ran back to the place straight after trial. It's entirely possible he could've used a teleportation array, or some kind of secret passage, but I don't know.

He could always decide to try to hurt us for doing something like this, after all...

[ That was his only real concern with the plan, really. ]

[goldencave]

. . .

[ He glares down at the table and breathes a heavy sigh. ] Goddamnit...

[ He thought he had something there, but it's not a good enough lead. ]

[biyishuangfei]

It might be something we can do with later?

[ He will get a few light and gentle pats on the shoulder. ]

Just not right now, since we don't know enough to even act on it, or to make a good plan around it.

[goldencave]

[ He doesn't wince at the touch, but there is a delay before he quietly nods. ]

[biyishuangfei]

[ He'll smile sheepishly, bringing a hand to cover part of his face so only the other could see when he mouthed, 'I'll look into something for you, and maybe we can talk about this later'. And then aloud: ]

Let's hope next week we can find out more information.