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

[mearry]

[ c-ta stares at her for a moment, before sighing. ]

I also wanted to apologize. For doubting you.

[laytorest]

[...Oh. Her hands still.]

It's okay. ...Most people did, it looks like.

[mearry]

Mm…

[ probably? does that make things any better? he figures that it doesn’t. ]

That’s part of the drama that Hamelin wants, I guess. For people to doubt each other.

[laytorest]

Yes. People could become paranoid and wrongly attack each other if we aren't careful.

[mearry]

Eh...

[ c-ta stops in his tracks, almost as if her words had reminded him of something...

he smiles, uneasy. ]

It's probably gonna get worse, then, isn't it?

[laytorest]

I think it probably will.

[And she sounds so sad to admit that.]

...

For both your sake, and Suga's... please be careful, C-ta. I'll do my best, but if something happens to me...