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]

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

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.