(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

[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. ]

[rebelles]

[ Winter gets chopsticks because all the forks have been taken. You gotta get here faster, sir. ]

Have you had shabu shabu before?

[userunfriendly]

[ Ah... taking the chopsticks in one sad fist. Either his cousin-in-law-to-be will save him, or he'll simply starve. ]

No. I was telling S— Vogel that it looked similar to fondue bourguignonne, but...

[ Does he seem like he's had that either? Meals that practically require outings, or sharing with other people? ]

[rebelles]

Oh yes, it's like fondue, only it's a broth instead of a dip.

[ She knows fondue, even if she hasn't heard of that particular kind. Seeing his grip, Haru demonstrates with her own chopsticks. There will be no one starving at her party! ]

You hold them like this.

[userunfriendly]

H-hm. Is this something you do often?

[ Her faith in him is bracing, if deeply misplaced. He frowns and studies her hands before trying to replicate the grip.

One chopstick atarts to slide from his hand and he has to scramble to catch it. This is going to take a few tries. ]

[rebelles]

Not at home. Shabu shabu is better with more people, and since it's just me and my father when he's not busy... [ She usually eats alone. ] Actually, I mentioned it to Vogel because I thought it would be a nice change.

[ And it really is nice! She's having a lot of fun. Haru reaches over and with a small 'May I?', she adjusts his grip slightly. ]

[userunfriendly]

You have enough people to do it properly here. I didn't realize we had another guild this large.

[ And it's nice to see all the teenagers relaxing and acting their age, for once.

He blinks at the adjustment, very tentatively testing his new hold on the chopsticks once she's done. That's... less precarious. With a sheepish little cough: ]

...Thank you. I must be the only person here who isn't used to using these.

[rebelles]

The more the merrier! It would feel lonely in the guild otherwise.

[ Crowded and lively is better than large and empty. She's delighted to have everyone here, and Winter is no exception. Haru tilts her head to the side curiously. ]

Where are you from, Winter? If you don't mind me asking.

[userunfriendly]

[ He makes a noncommittal noise despite himself. He's not accustomed to such rowdy environments anymore himself... but it's true that the place has felt strangely empty, considering how many of them are trapped here. ]

I suppose it's not much of a secret now. Paris, originally.

[ Although that's been a while. Vestiges of internet safety habits remain, perhaps. ]

...And you?

[rebelles]

Japan, so you could say I'm used to using chopsticks.

[ But Paris, huh? ]

I've never been to Paris. I always imagined it a romantic kind of place.

[userunfriendly]

It's... like any large city, I imagine.

[ Not that he's seen very many. All of three now. If he had to pick a romantic one, well... ]

Japan seems... [ His gaze flicks to Justy, then to Hani, and his brow furrows. Hm. ] ...like an interesting place.

[rebelles]

I suppose we have our own unique culture. What do you find interesting?

[userunfriendly]

I don't know very much about it. However much Hani's guild is representative of it, I suppose.

[ The... decor? Now he knows a little about the food. Chopsticks. He moves the pair in his hand, tentatively, succeeding in not dropping them.

Doubtful he can pick anything up. But he's not stabbing food with them while he has a witness. ]

...I thought it was known for being more structured and traditional. But the only Japanese players I know couldn't be called that.