One day we'll reach to emotions: unexplored, unprecedented

[matchbreaker]

[ Sometime shortly after the trial small notes will be folded underneath the doors of everyone still alive, and also posted to the staircase leading up to the upper floors. Not many of you have probably seen Elda's penmanship yet unless you checked that Penmanship check a while back, but it's impossibly impeccable fancy cursive script, to match with her old timey appearance. ... She also writes a lot more proper than she talks. ]

To My Fellows,

The half of you who didn't assist me in this are cordially invited to a celebration of our continued living, and to the memories of those who aren't. We are a mismatched group,
but it has become increasingly clear that we are together in this. Do not allow yourself to be alone.

We will be congregating in the ballroom for the rest of the night.

Better chefs than I will be providing food.

Sincerely,
Elda Marker

[ she's being somewhat facetious about half the group, but the fact does remain that she got more offers than she expected, when she set out to do this. She had expected that Sayaka would help, and indeed both her and Alex provide cookies and curry for the tables. Elda herself sets up the tables, dotting one longer central one made of smaller ones in the ballroom for things to sit on. The bulk of the food's provided by Tarrlok of all people, Chinese food by any other name. Susan, bless her, provides alcohol. Hibki, once she was clean, decided to run backup on preparing the food.

And then perhaps fittingly, Aligula provided the decorations. Steamers line the room, and little cut outs hang around. At Elda's instruction, it's a mix of cats, snakes, and bats. The majority of them have little faces on them. And finally, as and afterthought more than anything else, Elda makes some tea.

... Said tea is black tea and is impossibly dark and bitter because she can't taste it, but maybe that's what you want on a night like this. Who knows. ]

Comments

[hesperos]

Yeah yeah, whatever.

[ He'll move right along; he noted Sayaka dodged his question and he doesn't want to talk about this. It's annoying but he'll get through it, and he's sure other people are doing worse off anyway. ]

I have no clue how matcha tastes, actually. So I guess I'm going to find out if I actually like it or not.

[ He picks up one and pops it into his mouth.

... He says something immediately afterwards, that might've been 'that's good', but it didn't quite come out that way because his mouth is full. Just give him a moment. ]

[destage]

[Ah, feelings parkour, her favorite game. She'll drop it, though, and...snicker a bit at him talking with his mouth full, goddammit Yuri--]

I'm sorry, I don't suppose I could get a translation for that? I certainly hope that's an approval over there!

[She seems pleased, though, so it isn't smug or derisive. It's kind of hilarious.]

[hesperos]

[ He has the best table manners!!

Once he's done chewing though... ]

Depends. I might be the kind of guy who can't be too bothered to give out translations.

[ Because being silly is definitely the right way to approach this (it definitely is.) ]

[destage]

[Oh, that--that gets a small huff, but she's still smiling? This is clearly the proper way to approach it.]

Whaaat? How could you be so mean? Not even if I said please?

[This is fun, this is getting her mind off this stupid shit, let's fuckin' go.]

[hesperos]

Alright, alright.

[ He'll smile a little. ]

I admitted it wasn't half-bad. Stuff's pretty good.

[destage]

[Sayaka puffs up a bit with pride--it's one of those things that she really does take pride in, but she seems genuinely pleased.]

Well, of course! As if I'd give you something that tastes bad--I'd have to turn in my cook card if I got these wrong, honestly! They're pretty simple to make, but just wait until the tea's done--it'll really bring out the flavor!

[...Okay, she'll giggle after that.]

But really, thank you. I'm glad you like them.

[hesperos]

[ Looks like that's one good thing there. ]

Guess you would. That said, I'm holding you to what you said about the tea.

[ ... ]

Hey, it's no problem. Gotta give compliments where it's due, right?

[destage]

Then I'll just have to make sure I don't disappoint.

[The tea seems to be boiling well, at least--should just be a few more minutes before it gets to the perfect point.]

It's nice to hear it from someone who won't sugarcoat it, honestly. Not that I doubt the people here, but it's good to know what kind of stuff people like, you know?

[hesperos]

Heh, yeah it is. I guess it helps that I can be pretty bad at sugarcoating things. Sometimes you just gotta get straight to the point.

[ ... ]

Just ask Estelle, she'd probably tell you all about it.

[ Along with 948576 things, but Yuri's used to it by now. ]

[destage]

I get you, honestly. And...I'm learning that it's nice to have people around who don't do that sort of thing. It's kind of better than having people who smile and nod and pretend to accept things as they are.

[Looks like it's time to take the tea off! She'll get that prepared, but...him mentioning Estelle actually gets Sayaka's look to soften a bit, though it seems concerned.]

Hey, how is she holding up? I...didn't have the chance to talk to her this week. Last I spoke, she didn't...seem too good.

[hesperos]

[ Yeah... Yuri's not about accepting things when they're shitty, so he is also with Sayaka on that, giving a nod of his own. ]

She's been having a rough time.

[ Like that's so obvious he may as well not lie about it. ]

But she's gonna be back on her own two feet just fine eventually. Estelle's resilient, especially when she has the support she needs. So she'll be alright.

Though if you're still worried about her, I don't think she'd mind having another person hanging around her and checking up on her too.

[destage]

...I think I will, yeah. Sometimes this week, at least--I'm...not sure what my memories are going to bring, since they haven't...

[...Sayaka trails off there, finishing the preparations--have some green tea with those bad boys now, Yuri!]

Here, this should make those even better. But I'll definitely talk to her. She does seem like a resilient girl, even if she feels daunted. That's honestly admirable, you know? That she can keep going, even if it seems like the world and more is against her...I hope it'll stop, at some point.

[hesperos]

...Finished coming together?

[ Yuri will finish for her, and then move right along, even taking the green tea. He's going to try the tea first and then pop in another one of those dango.

He's actually appreciative she'd go out of her way to chat her up too. ]

I think it'll stop soon. I don't think something like that's going to last forever. Oh and thanks for the food and everything else too. The tea's tastes pretty good.

[destage]

[...She's thankful he moves right along, but...you know, she peers up after he's done thanking her with a smile.]

Oh, it's no trouble at all. That's good to hear, though...I hope for the best for her.

[...]

If it's...okay, though, I'd be willing to explain it more on Monday, if you have the time. It's a bit of a long story.

[hesperos]

Yeah, same.

[ He's sure it'll work out, though. ]

Sure, I guess I can make a quick stop by or something?

[destage]

I'd appreciate that a lot...thank you, Yuri-san. I'll see you then.