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]

Oh. What an interesting author's name. I don't think I've heard its like in all my time browsing libraries... but the ones here are rather unique.

[Jack is probably the most indelicate one at the moment, as instead of leaving Nageki to his quiet he kind of. Busts in to comment on his reading material, but then again it seems they've accidentally brought half the library to the impromptu potluck, so go figure.

He himself has been perusing a book or two, though just now he has his tucked under his arm and is merely being nosy at other people. What else is new, though.]

Perhaps you should try a bite or two, though, while reading about it...

[libirdian]

[ Jack is probably one of the people around here that he'll respond to without stewing in silence for who knows how long. It's easier to autopilot if you've talked to somebirdie enough. Thanks, Cinderella. ]

It's...an unusual pen name, yes.

[ He doesn't say anything about the bite part for now, but at least he responded almost immediately for once. ]

[heroicact]

[The wonders of theater troupe dynamics are real... That aside he perks up a little when Nageki responds with some degree of alertness -- it really has been a day for everyone to detach themselves a little from reality, though Jack himself seems to have stayed behind in the general stampede into dissociation.

Sometimes you need a designated disaster driver, maybe??]

I've really been spending too much time in the fairy tale section... it seems endless, but I wasn't aware there were such unusual works available, too. [there's a soft hum, moving away and back; Jack installs himself next to Nageki with a small plate of bread and biscuits, and opens his own edition of The Little Mermaid -- after a moment] I should perhaps have chosen a happier tale, myself.

[He doesn't sound chagrined or regretful, though. Just a little musing, a little wry. Sometimes you are just in the middle of a tale when murder happens.]

[libirdian]

The fairy tale section is very well-stocked.

[ Minus Hamelin, but let's not talk about that.

Nageki leans a little forward, staring towards the book's lines without actually reading. Normally he could multitask and mull over his thoughts as he finished a book, but his lack of focus keeps him from doing so.

Eventually he'll look towards Jack and actually process what he said. ]

...A happily ever after would be better right now.

[ As beautiful as The Little Mermaid is, he would not recommend the bittersweet ending at this moment in time. ]