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

[oversaw]

Something pertaining to my realm. Pay it no mind.

[ In an attempt to ease the other man's mind, he smiles gently. ] May I ask what you were looking for?

[biyishuangfei]

[ He'll pay it all the mind. Nah, just kidding.

...Hm. Huaisang will lower his voice to a conspiratorial volume because it was time for light tier shenanigans: ]

...Oh, you know, the fun stuff.

[oversaw]

[ ...? ]

The fun stuff?

[biyishuangfei]

[ Oh my god Luci he needed to show you fun fantasy and adventure stories tinted with ridiculous, dumb, and terrible romantic subplots. ]

That's right. There's a section of them over here...did you want to read some of them with me?

[ He'll point to a stack which held some trashy novels. Their only sin was the bad romance aspect. Okay, not only that. But cliches and pacing too. ]

[oversaw]

... You want to read with me? May I ask why?

[ He would often read the same reports and technical documents as Lucilius, but that was to further his knowledge of the skydoms and to aid Lucilius' with his research.

Reading "the fun stuff" with someone is a far cry from that. ]

[biyishuangfei]

Oh. Why not? It's a good way to pass the time, and sometimes it's fun to do it with others.

[ Plus it's a good distraction to what happened, he's sure. Though he couldn't ever really tell what this guy was thinking... ]

[oversaw]

[ Is it?

He admits to enjoying his time reading with Lucilius despite the contents of the various books, but the experience wasn't necessarily a good one. Nor a bad one. It simply was one, tbh. ]

Then I believe I will join you. Thank you for your generous offer. [ Lead the way. ]

[biyishuangfei]

Of course!

[ Huaisang will lead Luci over to the "fun stuff" trashy novel section. Then he began to pick out two books. ]

Okay, here we are. We can start with...a story about a girl who falls in love with a vampire, that also involves a love triangle including a werewolf, or a story about a childhood friend who meets her fated one on the way to save the world. Which would you like to begin with?

[oversaw]

[ ...?? ???? ? ]

Unfortunately, I am unfamiliar with all of these tales. Do you have a favorite among them?

[biyishuangfei]

Not yet! I haven't gotten through all of them enough to say which was my favorite.

[ Maybe some day. ]

So, which one will it be?

[oversaw]

[ Lucifer says nothing for a long, long time. Then... ]

The second one.

[biyishuangfei]

[ At that, a small sly smile danced across his lips in unveiled amusement. ]

Ooh, so you like stories about childhood romance and fated pairs? Well, let's save the questions for later.

[ After that, Huaisang started. Luckily this won't be a large block of text but he's completely and unrepentantly dramatic in his telling. When there's happy times, he's giddy, and when there were sad moments, there were tears in his eyes.

Whatever the case, the trial of Luci having to get through this silly - or perhaps with a small chance, enjoyable - way to spend the time. Once he's done, he closed the book, and turned to face the angel with a smile. ]

So, what did you think? And was I right about what I asked before we started?

[oversaw]

[ Hm, that's an interesting question. He doesn't quite understand what a "childhood romance" would entail, largely due to a lack of experience with actually being a child. He knows the developmental stages and knows they are capable of love, at least?

And being "fated" is another topic altogether.

But all right. He begins reading, making sure to keep pace with Huaisang by noting when the pages turn. When he's done, he closes the book gently and ponders. ]

I'm not sure I can say I understand some of the romance, but it was a compelling story. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.