the final afterparty

[incompletely]

[

That sure happened, but everyone, by some miracle, made it out alive. No one else died, nothing blew up, no arson was committed, we're all still here. And being here, being present despite everything that just happened, is really important. This is for everyone, McGillis and Yuri included (and Jack, if he wants to party from the dungeon), because they all need it. Even with the new revelations, nobody should be left behind.

The party takes place in the bar again, and it probably looks a little...odd? Because there's all the alcohol in the back, and then...there's a bunch of donuts on one of the tables. Two whole baskets of donuts from the bakery, provided by Tenn. Next to the baskets is tea provided by Koto. Have at it, everyone. ]

Comments

[ideismo]

[Hello, Jack, you're a shitshow, how's it going.]

I imagine you feel better now that all of that's out of your system.

[heroicact]

[I mean, who isn't a shitshow in this joint? He's just the shitshow of the week, maybe? Jack will perk up when Alexei comes rolling in, the fellow's unmistakable, and sit up on his couch to prop his chin up on both hands.]

Hmmm. Well, I wouldn't say I feel differently one way or the other. This game... just feels like something I've played for a long time, or simply something that I had to remember a little how to play. It has been a while, after all.

[A small laugh, the sound clear. His gaze is similarly clear and curious, considering Alexei like a bird with a bell.]

Are you here for the company? Or something else?

[ideismo]

Shame. I've always found it cathartic to finally go off on others like that.

[Like dude, seriously, that was some magnificent Bugfuck Villain Yelling. And Alexei is voiced by DC Douglas so like, he loves him some bugfuck villain yelling.]

I'm not here to interrogate you, if that's your concern. I imagine the others are going to have a field day with your still-living friends, but I'm of the opinion that they can do what they will.

Bluntly put, I was wondering if you were bored.

[heroicact]

I am used to waiting far, far, far longer than a mere month or two, Alexei. It was relaxing, in a way. Both being here, and speaking my mind? I think so.

[Well, he will contend that he did no yelling! He spoke very calmly and not-so-courteously through it all, but then he isn't quite the type of villain to go off in the normal sense of the word. Usually. What is usual for him? The world may never know.]

Ha-ha, I wouldn't mind if there was anything you wanted to know, but you've always been one to go your own way. Since Miss Zola, yes? [he'd always found that an interesting state of affairs, and it hasn't gotten especially less interesting since] All of us have always been working for what we wanted, ourselves, with our eyes fully open. I have no doubt that those two will do well.

[The not-quite question itself gets a laugh, though, as though he hadn't quite expected that.]

But yes, I've really been wracking my brains for an activity down here. A game of cards, perhaps?

[ideismo]

Do you have a deck, or do you want me to go get one?

[You know what, sure. He's here to amuse you and McGillis tonight, apparently.]

[heroicact]

[He grins, and then whips out the deck he whipped out at trial. Ta-dah! ..... It's still glittery, but what can we do about that, truly. The fucking dungeon is now glittery too, and we're just going to have to live with that.

There isn't a table, actually, because he wasn't planning on suddenly starting a poker game through cell bars here but at some point on this disaster afterparty night he's dragged the couch closer so... he just indicates the free space on the couch?? Does Alexei want to stretch or should they use the floor...]

I'm afraid I didn't think to ask for a poker table, so we'll have to make do.

Though, you know, there is one thing that is particularly gratifying. Sometimes I do want to play a real game of cards.

[Seriously, the poker at the casino party? Please.]

[ideismo]

[He doesn't mind reaching over, he'll manage.]

Prepared for everything, it seems... Well, I'm not certain you'll get a satisfying game out of me; my luck is terrible, and I can't say my skill at cards is much better.

[So you're going to have to suffer through some really subpar games.]

I suppose I'm glad that I've been able to entertain you with going my own way, as you put it. I've never been partial to doing otherwise.

[heroicact]

We-ell, I may have already had a bout or two today.

[Jack were you... playing poker on murder day.




He was playing poker on murder day. ☆ He just looks sort of amused but not especially disappointed; seems he's perfectly fine with casually trouncing Alexei if it comes down to it. Maybe he'll mess around, maybe he won't. Hmm.]

But I don't mind -- I can hardly ever get a good game, either way, so warming up a little isn't so bad. [skills: lie detection] I often wonder how one can simply do such a thing, and still be so straightforward... Perhaps I should learn better combat skills, or simply learn how to make machines to do it for me?

[This is probably not the lesson he should take from all this.]

[ideismo]

My own machines aren't nearly as advanced as some of the others I've heard of; they don't think for themselves, and I rather like it that way.

[Some might argue that the people he conscripts also don't think for themselves, and he likes it that way.]

That said, I am fascinated by the idea of computers. And combustion engines.

[heroicact]

Well, McGillis does tell me computers might be able to think for themselves? I don't know what combustion engines are, but they sound rather unsafe...

But if there is a way to the stars, or a way to have these computers and whatnot do things instead, I feel like I'd like to see it. Something that thinks for itself but doesn't go to the trouble of having free will...

[He stops there with a curved little half-smile and deals the cards again. Smooth, easy, like watching water flow; like the cycle of his moods today, all the way through darkness into light.]

Will you try to create such things?

[ideismo]

I think I might.

[It seems weirdly decisive, for something that's an uncertainty by nature. Will he? It seems like something worthwhile, almost.

His hand slips into a pocket as he watches Jack deal, then passes him a drawing from the notepad that he'd been working on the night before at the party. It's a weird sketchy thing, the sort that gives off the idea that he's not used to drawing living things. A horse.]

In case you were still wondering.

[heroicact]

Hmm, I wonder what you would use them for.

[It's half a question, and half rhetorical -- that's the easy flow of conversation over the flow of cards, tipping smoothly like the curious tilt of Jack's head when Alexei hands him a drawing. Of all things--

Of all things! Goodness. He spends a moment just blinking at the bizarre creature, completely uncomprehending of what he's looking at, but at least it's four-legged and -- wow, he bursts into laughter because what kind of surprise attack is this.]

I don't know what to question first! Please don't tell me this is a horse... I think I'm beginning to understand your consternation, actually. Or is this a strange poker strategy?

[ideismo]

I can assure you it's a horse. Not the finest-drawn horse in the world, solely because horses are difficult to draw in the first place, but a horse regardless.

[It's easy, though. Amused.]

I'm not about to be one of the only ones to have to deal with this.

[heroicact]

Indeed, horses are one of the harder animals to draw! They have so many shapes, but these are quite a lot pointier than ours. Honestly, this looks much more like a dragon with hooves than a horse. I am almost jealous of how impressive these are!

[A huff of laughter at that last statement -- maybe he's just being contrary in praising the... horse(??????).]

I was not aware of how different the animals could be for everyone until recently, so maybe it's more impressive that we've all had as many things in common as we did...

[Multiverse theory Sure Is A Time. He contemplates the drorse for a little longer and then sets it down to start dealing cards again.]

I can keep it, yes? This place is awfully void of decoration or color.

[ideismo]

You can, though I wouldn't say that it's void of much by comparison to how it usually is.

[He shrugs it off a bit, though.]

I find I can't complain about being on this side of the bars, at any rate, given that I was nearly over there last week.