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]

[ He's noticed the multiple attempts to say something. So, he'll try to speak himself. ]

What happened—it's making it hard to talk, isn't it?

[ That could be the only answer. It's obvious; anyone could make that sort of conclusion. But saying it was another thing entirely. ]

[libirdian]

...You could say that.

[ He has to fight the urge to just nod at that, but he does manage verbally reply. Small steps. At least he's putting the book down now. ]

[biyishuangfei]

[ Small steps. Huaisang was just going to blab and see where that took them. ]

So, I was right? There's really a lot to be bothered about with the trial and then the execution, I guess...

[libirdian]

[ And then his personal issues on top of that. Not that he'll say that out loud. ]

Hamelin didn't give us a lot of time to think about it.

[biyishuangfei]

I bet he thought several hours was plenty. Which, can certainly be shorter, but still...

[ He shuddered, remembering how bad it got at certain points. He couldn't forget, since honestly one of those points had involved him. ]

I-I'm glad we got the right person. But, it still doesn't make us having to go through any better, does it?

[libirdian]

[ Ah yes, that was a thing that happened. If he wasn't leaning heavily towards misguided, he probably would've pushed him more during the trial. ]

...It won't bring her back. No matter what is done.

[biyishuangfei]

[ ...He's also thankful Wei Wuxian had stepped up for him when he did. ]

No...not really.

Though, he said he was doing this for fun, from the very start. So, doesn't that sound like he wants a show from beginning to end?

[libirdian]

[ He certainly wants a good story out of all this. ]

Seems too high production for a show.

[biyishuangfei]

[ Huaisang wouldn't call this the start of a good story. 1/10, no gold stars. Not even a 'you tried'. ]

Isn't it? It's also in bad taste for certain.

[libirdian]

[ No one wants to be in a murder mystery unless they're a corpse magnet type of detective. ]

Very. I don't see the point.

[biyishuangfei]

It's too bad he wouldn't be too offended if we gave him more, in-depth criticism for all of this. He probably would just laugh it off, knowing how he's been so far.

[libirdian]

He brushes off a lot of questions, so I wouldn't be surprised.

[biyishuangfei]

Oh, don't remind me! I tried to talk to him right after everything and he was just the worst...

[libirdian]

He didn't want to give me any book recommendations.

[ priorities ]

[biyishuangfei]

What?! Why? That jerk!

[ Being rude to a nice birdy was just cruel. ]

He did say why, right??

[libirdian]

He says he's more into music than books.

[ Which he supposes makes sense with his folklore, but still. ]

[biyishuangfei]

Oh, alright. I guess that might make sense, based upon what you said about the story in the meeting...

[ Still, though. ]

I still think it's a terrible excuse. I also only asked him the most simplest of questions and he kept dodging it like I asked about his deep, dark family secrets.

[libirdian]

...Who knows, maybe it is.

[ It's an absolutely absurd thought, but this entire situation is already absurd and he's long done with it. ]

[biyishuangfei]

I only asked how he got to his room before I did because we had just seen him where trial was held, and I ran to that green door, and he couldn't even answer that...

I guess it's possible it involves a terrible, family secret. But what do we know?

[ He huffed a little ]

You've never had to deal with someone like Hamelin before we got here, have you?

[libirdian]

[ Sort of, and it ended badly. ]

Not really. He's...quite the character. I never know what he's thinking.

[ They're different enough in theory, but similar in that they really don't seem to care about who they hurt in the process. At least, that's what he thinks. ]

[biyishuangfei]

He really is. [ ... ] I've never really met someone like him before.

[ Too whimsical to be really compared to many people from his world. Or, well, maybe Xue Yang? There was that chaotic energy. Still, never really met him either, even if he learned about him, so his comment ended up remaining true. ]

I suppose it makes sense not many people are as whimsical as he is.

[libirdian]

Normally it'd be too hard to live like that.

[ Too bad for them that he's apparently very rich and magical. ]

[biyishuangfei]

Unfortunately for us, he's so rich that it makes it easy for him.

[ Life was so cruel to them, honestly. ]

[libirdian]

Sadly. If only...

[ He trails off hard, not sure if he should continue with that trail of thought. ]

If we could find the source of his riches and magic, things would be a lot easier.