AFTERPARTY III: Never Have I Ever Been Quite This Drunk

[mirrite]

[There's absolutely nothing celebratory about this drinking party. "Party" isn't even the right word, not really-- it's more like a "drink until you forget and/or black out" session for anyone who wants to participate, and even the bartender isn't immune from that much. Please forgive him if your drink isn't mixed quite right; he's trying his best under the circumstances.

There's food, too, if anyone wants to attempt to stave off a hangover tomorrow, or just get something in their stomach after the events of the day: stirfry from Makoto, vegetable soup from Nageki (mediocre, but hey, a genuine effort was made and that's what counts), and some tea for those who would rather abstain from the harder stuff. (Is that even many people tonight? Probably not.)

Come on by the bar if you're hungry or want a drink, or even if you just don't want to be alone right now. That much, at least, is something that can be guaranteed tonight.]

Comments

[incompletely]

Mostly the cinnamon hearts, and attributing that to arson. Which is flimsy, taking everything else into consideration.

[ Just. Everything was pointing way too much to Moriarty. Seems like there might be a little more to it, but...it's not something Tenn's going to continue talking about, in any case.

It's better to focus on the real threat, anyway. ]

Good. I don't want to, either.

[ As tempting as it is to shut people out, as much as he still wants to do that -- nah. ]

Let's keep chatting, then. ... It's hard, to keep putting myself out there after everything. But I don't want to cut you off, Edamura-san. You don't deserve that.

[edamamepon]

...

[ Makoto wants to tell him that Wei Wuxian liked spicy foods, that the simplest explanation is usually the answer. But he doesn't, where's the point in that now? The trial's over. And even if it hadn't been on his profile, the cinnamon hearts were just more evidence that was too broad and unreliable.

Tenn means those words in the moment, Makoto's pretty sure of it. But he knows there's no guaranteeing either of them will have the final say. ]

That's the spirit. And... thank you.
[ A glance down to Tenn's food. ] Oh, hey. How do you like it, by the way?

[incompletely]

[ He honestly let the whole ordeal about profiles being unreliable get to his head too much. He didn't even consider that Wei Wuxian liked spicy foods because of that -- but maybe they can talk about case solving methods later. He doesn't want to think about it much right now, and what's done is done.

He's happier to talk about the food, though. Admittedly it looks like he hasn't eaten a lot, but it's not the stir fry in particular. His soup and tea look nearly untouched, too. ]

The stir fry is yours, right? It's really good. ... I didn't eat much yet, but I like it.

[edamamepon]

[ It's on the list. Especially if they can learn as much as possible from the others here, people like... No, they can cross that bridge later. For now, Makoto will attempt to inject some normalcy here. Just two friends talking about cooking. ]

Yes. [ Makoto nods. ]
I'm still trying to work around the salt issue, so I'm just glad you like it. I think I finally got it with this one.

[ Another sip of his coffee and his gaze wanders to the soup that neither of them have apparently tried. It doesn't look bad. Curious, Makoto gestures to it.
With a smile-- ] Looks like Fujishiro-san's gotten better too.

[incompletely]

...About that. I have some, you know.

[ He's not talking metaphorically, either. ]

It's in my room. ... Got it from Yor's, actually.

[ No more Yor-san. It's just Yor, now. He sounds bitter when he says it, but at least they have some salt to work with...

At the mention of Nageki, though, Tenn's spirits seem to lift a little. ]

He made this, did he? Well. I owe it to him to try it, then. [ So he'll try a spoonful of that soup -- ] ...Not bad.

[edamamepon]

Oh, really? [ a beat before a sigh. ] I'm sorry.

... But why don't we try to make some good out of it? Is there enough to make a good dinner or something for everyone?

[ Makoto watches him try it intently. He's more than a little curious, might try it later when his stomach doesnt feel so heavy. ] Has he gotten better?

[incompletely]

Probably for a few meals, at least. It's a bag that feels like it's around one or two pounds, so yeah, we can probably use it for a big dinner.

[ He nods, when he asks about Nageki. ]

Yeah. I think he has.

[ And knowing that gives him pride. He's proud of you, bird friend...and also very worried. ]

Are you acquainted with Nageki at all?

[edamamepon]

Wow. Never thought I'd be this excited over salt. Might as well make the best of it.

[ Makoto shakes his head at himself before sipping at his coffee. ]

We've talked a few times. I even took his book recommendations.

[ Makoto can't help the fondness there. Should he say kid or bird? Makoto isn't actually sure. ]

He's a good bird. Smart, too.

rip nageki

[incompletely]

He is. It's still baffling that such a large bird exists...but I'm glad I met him.

[ He drinks more of the soup. ]

It'd probably taste better with that salt, too. Remind me to give it to him later, when he's feeling better. ... I think he's been having a rough time.

s-sob

[edamamepon]

Me too. It's still hard to picture his Japan, though.

[ Makoto tilts his head at that, frowning. ]

It's not like I can really blame him, but it's good that he's finding things to keep him busy at least. Maybe next time his soup will taste even better.