(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

not really here!! unless someone wants to apprehend a ghost ig

[userunfriendly]

[ Michel has had enough of gatherings for the next ten years, thank you. And when he pokes his head in the entrance well after the party is underway, the sheer waves of cheerful teenage energy radiating from the room push him back a good few steps like a vampire being repelled by holy water.

However. He is a man on a mission. With the intention of speaking to no one, he will make a direct path to the kitchen to deposit Freesia Soft Serve and Tres Miel in... whatever manner of fridge or freezer they have. Then he's going to try to make his escape as inconspicuously as possible. It would be very polite to ignore how obvious this is in the closed cafe space. ]

[rebelles]

[ Haru is in hostess mode, making sure each table has ingredients and greeting everyone. That includes one ghost trying to slip by unnoticed. ]

Winter, are you leaving so soon?

[userunfriendly]

[ Ah. He should never have doubted the hostess instincts of a girl with her kind of bearing.

Michel pivots slowly on one heel, his guilt all over his face. ]

Noir. ...Yes. [ God, he hasn't had to come up with an excuse to leave a party in... ever. What were the usual lines? ] ...I just happened to take a wrong turn. But I believe I know where my guild is from here.

[rebelles]

Is that so...

[ Why did she see him striding into the kitchen earlier like he was here with a purpose, hmm? She won't mention it, though. Winter must have his reasons. ]

You should at least take some food with you.

[ She's giving him the kind of smile that says 'please, I insist.' ]

[userunfriendly]

There's really no need...

[ But, that expression is... hm. He has an inkling that it's going to turn into a back and forth if he refuses. And delivering a firm rebuke to a helpful teenager feels a little excessive.

He glances between her and food. And then reaches over far enough to apprehend one (1) cabbage leaf. Michel the turtle is now duly equipped. ]

[rebelles]

Let me find you a bowl.

[ Goodness. Tylor had mentioned there were people forgetting to eat. She would have thought it hyperbole, but now she's scrutinizing Winter as if he might be one of them.

Haru's quick to take a pair of chopsticks to the ingredients, and of course she's going to cook them first in the broth, so he'll just have to be patient about his getaway. ]

Tell me if there's anything you don't eat.

[userunfriendly]

[ Reflexively, before he even has a chance to think about it: ]

Parsnips, but—

[ There was a time, not long ago at all, when her state of preoccupation would have seemed like the perfect opportunity to make his escape. He's still weighing whether that's true. He glances wistfully towards the door, surreptitiously towards Oria and Sinclair, guiltily towards her.

However he calculates the odds, they aren't in his favor. ]

...You'll miss your chance to eat if you get distracted like this. I-I should be going.

[rebelles]

I don't think we'll run out of food anytime soon, don't worry.

[ She waves off his concern airily, dropping an assortment of meat and vegetables into the soup, but no parsnips. At some point, Haru does get distracted greeting another guest, so if he's determined to leave, that would be his chance. ]

[userunfriendly]

Clearly, you aren't very acquainted with Oriade...

[ Unfortunately in the meantime he's apprehended, so there's no escape for Michel. He'll just be slouched in a seat, half meek and half awkward. ]

[rebelles]

[ By the time Haru comes around again to finish packing his food, she finds he's settled in. She looks delighted and will hand him the utensils instead. ]

I see what you mean now. Oh, wow...

[ She passed by Oriade's table on the way here. ]

[userunfriendly]

You see? Brave of you to include him.

[ Hopefully those utensils don't include chopsticks... He might need to learn for the in-laws, but he doesn't know yet. He accepts the bowl with a sheepish nod of thanks. ]

[insinning]

[EXCUSE...LEO IS NOT A TEENAGER??

Get back here Michel]

[userunfriendly]

[ Why is he being looked at like this... why does his little brother hinder his escape. ]

...Yes?

[insinning]

You're not staying?

[Hopeful, shining eyes ]

[userunfriendly]

[ It is an absolute shame that Sinclair is both impossible and inadvisable to lie to, because it's hard to make an easy excuse.

It's also very difficult to shoot down that look. ]

I only came by in case you were in need of more food. [ A little glance towards Oria for that! ] I think... having someone my age hovering will only bring down the mood.

[insinning]

...isn't Leo older than you?

[Looking over at the other corner, where Leo was visibly relaxed and at ease]

[userunfriendly]

[ Also looking over in bemusement... he has no idea how old Leo is, actually. ]

...Possibly. [ ... ] That isn't the same.

[insinning]

Why not?

[Would you say no to this face, Michel?]

Have you tried shabu shabu before?

[userunfriendly]

[ Because Leo knows how to be part of a party... ]

...I have not. But it's like fondue bourguignonne, isn't it? [ Or so he's gathering. ] I don't have much of an appetite.

[insinning]

Not even for a small bowl?

[Sorry Michel. Combined force of Sinclair and Haru means there is no escape]

[userunfriendly]

[ Why do the children only use their powers for evil?? ]

You won't let me escape until I agree to that much, will you?

(not here but over there!)

[bleatingedge]

[Seeing Sinclair looking over at him, Leo grins and gives him a silly wave.]

[insinning]

[Yep, definitely older. Waving back.]

SUPER BELATED

[tinged]

[ don't worry because they are not a teenager, so he is safe! with them!

they pop out from behind him like a kokeshi doll; one moment he's alone, the next...! ]

Is this a secret?

LIFTS THEM UP AND STUFFS THEM IN MY MOUTH

[userunfriendly]

[ Michel startles, barely managing not to collide with the wall when he lurches in surprise.

Safe, nothing. ]

Where did you come from?!