(Catch all) Ominous October Threads

[insinning]

Who: Sinclair and You.
What: Dungeon runs, trauma bonding etc
When: All throughout October.
Warnings: Gore, Emeto, Psychological horror in one thread, NSFW stuff in another

“I see now that the path I choose through the maze makes me what I am. I am not only a thing, but also a way of being—one of many ways—and knowing the paths I have followed and the ones left to take will help me understand what I am becoming.”

Comments

[rebelles]

Make yourselves at home.

[ Haru welcomes the guests inside, pointing them to the table, the beverages, showing them how to cook if they haven't had hot pot before. She's all smiles at the party. She usually eats dinner alone what with her father being busy with work, so being able to share a meal with others, isn't it so nice?

If you see her tearing up a bit during dinner, don't worry. They're happy tears. ]

[deto]

[ t-tears???

passing her a bunch of napkins ]

Is it the food?

[rebelles]

Oh, thank you.

[ She hides beneath the brim of her hat and and dabs at her eyes, looking up again when she's composed herself. ]

No, it's...I'm glad we were able to gather like this. [ It's not home, but— ] This is what home is supposed to feel like, isn't it?

[deto]

People eating together? Yeah, I’d say it’s a must.

[ … maybe it’s rude to ask but ]

Did you not have this back, uh, in the real world?

[rebelles]

Not often. My father's busy with work, so I usually dine alone.

[ And she's friendly with her classmates, but she doesn't have many she would consider close friends. To get emotional over a simple thing is strange, isn't it? She doesn't fault him for being curious. ]

[deto]

Oh.

[ … ]

Well, let’s hang out more then. Eating alone sucks.

[rebelles]

[ That makes her brighten up! ]

Yes, let's. You're welcome to stop by the garden or guild anytime, Updeto.

[insinning]

[AAAH. Handkerchief. Handkerchief!! Handing that over to Noir without a word]

[rebelles]

[ She accepts the handkerchief though it only makes her more emotional because it's Sinclair, Sinclair who threw such a nice dinner for her. She feels warm and at home and when was the last time home had felt this way? She says to him quietly. ]

Thank you, Emil-kun. For the party.

[insinning]

[ Ordinarily, Sinclair would demur and say it was nothing. But looking at the joy on Haru's face, he gives a tiny nod. He understands after all. He had remembered how lonely Haru had been in that memory, and if nothing else, he knows how important meal times with his family were. So]

Of course. We're friends after all, Haru.

[rebelles]

[ Her smile brightens. Her heart feels full, fuller than it's been when she was at home. ]

I don't regret playing the game. I'm glad I met you and many others.

[insinning]

Me too. If I hadn't played...

[Sinclair shakes his head. They don't need to think about the very dark places he's been in]

...that's why it's important for us to do these things, right? So we can keep smiling, no matter what.

[rebelles]

You're right. No matter what happens, we have to hold onto hope.

[ No more death and tears. A game where everyone can play smiling. She doesn't know how to accomplish it just yet, but this is a beginning and not an end. ]

Next time, let's have a party like this in the real world.

[tylorific]

Wow, you're a great hostess, Noir.

[ Tylor says it beaming at her until he sees the tears. His expression softens, but he's still smiling. ]

Oh, do you like shabu shabu that much?

[rebelles]

I just want everyone to feel comfortable.

[ Besides, hosting is the easy part. She couldn't have pulled it off without Tylor's help preparing the ingredients just right. ]

Shabu Shabu is delicious, but what I like is how it's about sharing a meal with friends.

[ It's that cozy feeling of sitting around a pot together. She might have grown up in a fancy house eating fancy food, but all the riches in the world couldn't fill the loneliness in her heart. ]

[tylorific]

Just as expected from such a considerate young lady.

[ Tylor takes a bite of his own food as she says the rest, swallowing just in time to respond. ]

I see. You're right, that's the best part. It's wonderful seeing everyone enjoying something together, isn't it?

And it helps everyone remember to eat!

[rebelles]

Yes, especially with how stressful things have been, it's good to see everyone's smiling faces.

[ She tilts her head at that last statement. ]

Is there someone among us who is forgetting to eat?

[ Should she be concerned... ]

[tylorific]

Well, Morgan of course. Don't worry though, Bear's taking good care of him.

[ Tylor says it lightly, moving on-- ]

But it's easy to forget to take care of yourself when you're stressed. And stress isn't good for you, you know? You'll get wrinkles.

[rebelles]

[ She does not know who Morgan is, but she's glad to hear Bear is taking care of him. And any Morgans she runs into from now on will be extended an invite to tea. ]

True, but it's not always easy to relax. Though you always seem to be smiling, Tylor.

[bleatingedge]

Thanks for putting this little shindig together with Vogel!

[From directly across the table, Leo watches the tears form on Haru's face. Hm. She doesn't seem particularly upset? So he won't directly allude to it for now.]

[rebelles]

It's really Vogel you should thank. I mentioned I'd like to eat shabu shabu, and he and Tylor made it happen.

[ Which is why she's a little emotional. Things have been stressful, but this warmth she's feeling is one to be treasured. ]

I don't believe we've met. I'm Noir.

[bleatingedge]

I'll keep that in mind!

[Leo mentally makes a note to thank Vogel specifically at a later time.]

Nice to meet ya, Noir! I'm Faunus, or Leo. Feel free to use either, it doesn't bother me~

[rebelles]

[ Back to hostess mode and smiling— ]

Have you had shabu shabu before, Leo?

[bleatingedge]

I don't think so? But I've had something similar to it before... Maybe it's just named something else?

[rebelles]

It's a Japanese dish, but I wouldn't be surprised if there are similar ones around the world.