onceuponacomm | Afterparty II: Two Hearts, One Valve

Afterparty II: Two Hearts, One Valve

[ There's some joke about pizza to be made after all of that, but the bakery is broken, so we'll make do. The gathering seems to be happening outside this time, just around the entrance to the lodgings building, someone having left small notes and quick knocks and promptly disappearing, all saying something about getting fresh air.

Presented on a collection of tables is tea, fish stir-fry courtesy of Edelgard, chazuke from Tenn, and some sweet tarts from Junko. There also seems to be seeds in a bowl...? (Nageki is trying) Some chairs have been dragged out if you'd rather not stand around.

It's nice and breezy out tonight, though. Look up at the moon, and try not to feel too alone. ]

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[ Makoto is comfortable in the silence left for his words to sink in, content to let Tenn go at his own pace.

He has a moment of silence himself, gaze dropping into his coffee. ]

But you still got to. That's the important part, right?

You guys were amazing up there, you know. Even being in a place like this, you found a way to make good memories here. And not just for yourselves.

I think that says way more about how much you both cared than any circumstances.

[ Ah. Makoto blinks, looking away like he's said too much and more genuine than he meant it to be.

Maybe Tenn won't notice if he takes a super chill drink of his coffee. Very casual. ]

...Edamura-san...

[ His words -- even if they're more honest than he wanted them to be -- move Tenn in a way he wasn't expecting. That both he and Riku were able to touch people's hearts, together...it's really something special. For all of them.

He fights back tears and also fills up some of the silence by drinking on his coffee again. ]

Thanks. I think he'd be really happy to hear that. ... I'm glad, too.

[ Makoto looks over to him after a beat of silence. He couldn't argue he is the best orator, and his heart getting in the way always made him nervous. Recently, it had led him down too many wrong paths, nothing but a liability.

This time it ultimately feels really good being honest. Despite the knot of worry from the last trial, despite the gnawing panic of their situation, he finally feels like he breaks the surface of water to take a deep breath.

Makoto shakes his head at the gratitude. ]

You don't have to thank me for the truth.

... There's enough for another cup, by the way. I don't think I'll be sleeping much tonight either way.

Alright. I'll have another one, then.

[ Tenn is not the kind of guy who likes fancy drinks like...frappes and whatnot, but this -- plain, simple, real coffee? It's good. He holds out his cup for another pour, and while he waits, he feels himself relax a little more. He hadn't realized how high his guard was since finding Riku in the hallway -- the wise thing to do, he realizes, would be to keep it up.

But how can he, when he's faced with a conversation like this? He didn't realize how much he needed to hear this, all of this. He's grateful to Makoto for his honesty. ]

I can stick around, then. It's probably better not to be alone right now, after all of that.

[ Makoto isn't one for fancy drinks either, though he's always to try them once. Somehow, he always finds his way back to simple black coffee, as varied as the different beans he can find.

He obliges Tenn, pouring the coffee steadily before adding the same amount of sugar that he had earlier. Makoto repeats the steps for his own cup, minus the sugar. ]

I agree. [ He leans against the counter, the first time he's really broken his posture here so casually in such a calm moment. Tired but not sleepy, great. ]

Even after tonight, just remember you can talk to me anytime. I don't really need much of an excuse to make coffee.

Alright. I'll keep that in mind.

[ He really will. It's times like these that make Tenn wish that he'd met these people under different circumstances. He wishes he knew the people they were before being brought here. ]

I'll offer that to you too, then, Edamura-san. It really is the least I can do, since you listened to me so much tonight.

Thank you, I'll remember that.

And I don't mind listening if it helps. Even if it's just my coffee making someone happier, then it's worth my time.

[ Gaining an understanding of the many worlds that apparently exist, multiple universes, is the biggest silver lining for Makoto. Thin though it is, it matters to him because he's been able to meet all of these amazing people here. It feels like he is here by mistake, almost. Let's not think about the scarier ones in this moment. ]

[ Ironically, Tenn was never really a huge fan of cafes until someone took him to one. He warmed up to them eventually. He idly thinks that if they made coffee like Makoto does, then they'd probably be worth stopping by more often. ]

You sound like you were a barista at some point. I wouldn't know how to make coffee like that.

[ Makoto laughs at that. ]

No, never a barista. Funny thing is, I sold and traded tea before but never coffee.

Coffee is just a hobby. But I guess I end up making it for coworkers a lot.

[ Makoto doesn't even almost say friends anymore. The thought flickers, but he doesn't have those anymore. ]

I see.

[ He's never met someone who makes coffee as a hobby, but it seems like something that'd be relaxing. Stressful at work, but calming at home? Something like that. ]

What was it like, being a trader?

[ Makoto buys some time, sipping his coffee. Like Tenn, he settles on the less complicated parts of his history. Parts of his job that he loved are safe.

But he can't tell him the worst, or he'd end up with that coffee in his face and he'd deserve it. ]

Honestly? Pretty amazing. Traveling all over, getting to meet different people and visiting places I never thought I'd get to see. Those were the best parts I think.

That does sound nice.

[ He's sure the job has its downsides, but being able to travel and not worry about this stuff -- he misses it. ]

It would've been nice to meet everyone here under those circumstances instead.

Yeah, it was nice.

[ It's less downsides and more the legality and ethics surrounding his recent cargo. But those are thoughts for an even darker day than this. ]

I think you're right. In another life, maybe I could've been a fan of yours.

Oh? You're not a fan of mine now?

[ He's joking, of course. He only performed once, after all. That at least gets him to smile a little wider, though. ]

Just joking, though... I wonder if we could get some kind of dvd player here, somehow. I doubt it, but I got one of TRIGGER's performance dvds from the shop at random. That's the group I'm part of.

[ He looks a little grim again, though, when he mentions the dvd. ]

I think it belonged to Riku.

Of course I am, but you know what I mean.

[ Makoto laughs again; a soft, unenergetic sound lacking any serious defensiveness. It's cut short by the sudden dip into gloom. ]

... I can check. Wonder if it's worth asking for one. Think he'd trade it for an apple? Coffee? [ Makoto shakes his head a little. That's a train of thought for later when he has more than stupid spitballs to work with. ]

Well, even if that all fails, it's still something to remember him by, right?

I really do wonder if he's so low that he'd turn away good coffee.

[ Another joke...an attempt to resurface from that bout of sadness, and Tenn adds a little shrug for some dramatic effect. He's still got it in him, at least, to be a little snarky. ]

It is, but I brought it up because I thought it might be nice if you and some of the others could watch one of TRIGGER's performances. Even if it may not have Riku in it, it would've been a good way to pass the time, and maybe then you could've seen what we were capable of at our fullest.

[ And, you know. Get their minds off of...all of this. ]

Maybe I'll blow him away and we'll get a whole theater.

[ Makoto sips his coffee. It's good see Tenn move back into this mood actually. Tiredness be damned, Makoto does his best to follow him there. ]

Actually that would be pretty great. I'll definitely try, but I don't think he takes me seriously at all. If I have to... I can invite him to watch it too.

I will never let Hamelin join in on a watch party.

[ He is. So serious about this, god. His expression is completely deadpan when he says it, too!!

It quickly (almost comically) shifts into something a little more neutral again, though. ]

A theater would be good, though, at least to spite him. Hamelin aside, even a stage to perform on would be nice.

[ Makoto blinks, caught off guard by that. Idols are so dramatic! His free hand waves defensively. He can understand why he wouldn't want him there of course. ]

Okay, okay, it's already off the negotiating table.

[ A pause, the consideration in his expression evolving to some level of determination. ]

Well, a stage can't be harder to build than a catapult, can it? Maybe more materials...

Hey, how good are you at baking bread?

Edited (Shh) 2021-06-16 08:53 (UTC)

Baking bread?

[ Oh, man, he shakes his head and shrugs a bit. ]

I've never tried it. What are you thinking of doing?

[ Makoto seems like he's up to something. Is he going to try and use bread as a negotiating tool...? ]

[ Makoto shakes his head gently. Scratch that, then. ]

Well, I was just trying to think of his other likes. I don't think he lied on those actually.

Hey, you talked with him before, right? Any advice?

Edited 2021-06-16 19:52 (UTC)

[ At that, Tenn's expression turns more serious. There's some anger behind it, too. ]

Don't provoke him. Don't try to bait him into confessing something -- at least, not outright. He's really cagey, so don't go in expecting him to budge on anything.

Unless you're Yuri-san, apparently.

[ Makoto nods slowly, expression equally as serious before shifting to something more reassuring. ]

That's really useful advice, thank you.

[ This is as good of an excuse as any to get over his distaste for dealing with Hamelin. If he wants to useful to anyone here, he needs as much information as possible. ]

And, I'll be careful. So don't worry about it, okay?

[ A nod. He looks concerned, but... ]

Still, you should arm yourself. Not visibly, but just in case. He most likely won't try to kill you, but he's unpredictable. His weapon of choice is a dagger.

I...

[ Makoto glances around, voice lower. ]

I've started keeping a knife on me. But I don't think it would really make much of a difference with him.

He let people have access to weapons for a reason.

Besides, I don't plan to give him a reason to use a dagger on me.

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