week one afterparty ★ where is this warmth going? when it's tomorrow, it'll vanish

[excavated]

The day had ended on a rather solemn note, with not just one innocent dead, but two.

Both the Great Detective, Erika Furudo and the magical girl known as Cure Aqua, Karen Minazuki were killed in cold blood, and all that was left behind was a pool of blood that acknowledged their deaths. And yet, in spite of that, they had to move forward... 🗈

Of course, in spite of the lingering feeling that hung in the air, the possible suspicion that would probably stick through them for the rest of their stay here, if not for the rest of their lives.

Being used to death, he knew very well the sting of having blood on your own hands. He understood too well the consequences. But he didn't want people to simply just blame themselves for something that wasn't entirely their fault.

Which is why after a while, he goes on ahead to search people out to tell them that if they would prefer not to be alone, they can come to the dining room and that there will be food. For those who stay in their rooms, however, they'll find a neatly handwritten letter:

To the one who might read this:

We're dealing with a difficult time and I know that because of this turn of events, that people might start to distrust one another and even make the decision to not face the future. But I don't want to hide and run away from our present; I want all of us to face the reality and change the future so that it isn't a sad one. I'm certain that the two that we lost would not want that from us, either.

Feel free to meet me in the dining room if you wish to mourn, or if you'd wish to not face all of this alone. Nobody deserves to be alone on a day like this. Food will be provided. Don't force yourself to come, though.

- Syaoran

Set up in the dining area are a lot of various comfort foods - a lot of soup based dishes, kebabs, hot pots, you name it. Even if the times are difficult, especially with the results, at the very least there's a small glimmer hope, right...?

Comments

Investigation?

[goldenmaniac]

[Takumi doesn't come to eat right away, he feels he'd be sick if he did. But he knows if he goes to his room he will fall right back into that 'not really here' state.

So he, almost manic, goes outside. To the Chapel. ]

"Those that seek the truth are blessed.
You who would seek it, travel to the holy land."

[He looks around and spots the angel statues. Including the strange ones. He has the entire epitaph written down on his digivice, so when he gets 'before' the angels he lays down, putting his head as close to the ground as possible]

"As you travel, you will see the guardians.

Offer your fervent prayers to them with your head to the ground and reach out.
Only then you will be allowed into the way of the truth..."

[foundationmods]

[....

he sees a small hole at the bottom of the statues.]

[aleph_armed]

[Gebura does in fact pop in for a little while. At the very least, she stays long enough to grab a bowl of spicy ramen, and gulp the entire thing down.

...How is she eating it? That is a question that won't be answered while her cognition filter is up, at least.]

[foundfate]

[That is a good question indeed, and Watanuki actually watches for a moment before realizing he won't find out. But by then he's staring, and once he realizes that he quickly looks away.

So obvious.]

[anonnomnomnom]

Geburaaa!

[He hails her as though they weren't just fighting over life and death a couple hours ago??

As far as he's concerned, that just makes them better acquaintances! Something!]

I didn't know you could eat, where is it all going?

[beguiledcard]

[ He's here and he's going to immediately be looking for Syaoran, aiming to approach him right away. There's a very tired smile that doesn't reach his eyes, but he holds the letter up. ]

Agreed.

[ There's a quiet sigh. ]

Thanks. Is there anything left to do that I can help with?

[ Later on, Akira will be sitting quietly for most of this, spending a lot of time looking for anyone who looks to be in need of maybe... someone to just sit next to them, quietly? Because he will be doing that for some folks.

Later still, he will wind up outside, away from the party; he can be found sitting on the beach. He just needs a moment. He does eventually head back inside, but he's going to be heading for the place now dubbed the PT's Room. ]

[excavated]

It's no problem.

[ He smiles as well, something a little sad that also doesn't entirely reach his eyes, but there's something determined about his gaze, too. ]

You can help set the table. Would that be alright?

[foundfate]

[Watanuki is sitting and poking at his food while looking distant. Maybe come talk to him?]

[anonnomnomnom]

[At the beach, he'll run into Anon -- or rather, he'll spot Anon at the end of the dock, doing a long stretch and then staring out into the sea. Now that he's back to his person-shaped self, his long hair is whipping in the breeze and he looks totally thoughtful and dramatic there.

Until he looks back and blinks at seeing Akira there. Quirks a bit of a grin.]

Did you get tired of being all cooped up in there, too? It was pretty exciting, but getting stuck in a courtroom for so many hours really made me want to get moving!

[Not to mention he was literally so big that he didn't have as much room to move as he'd liked.]

[foundfate]

[At first Watanuki is tempted to hide away and not go see anyone, but Syaoran's note is what changes his mind. He can't say no to his dumb kinda!twin.

So he's in the dining area, poking around at some rice and miso. He's not really eating it, though, and he seems lost in thought.]

[excavated]

[ HE LOVES YOU TOO, WATANUKI ]

[fullbodied]

Hi.

[she's just sitting down next to him.]

... Can we talk?

[chaoscontrol]

[Shadow doesn't plan on staying.

He comes to the dining area, no longer wearing any gloves and one hand wrapped in bandages. He ignores everyone and makes a beeline for the liquor cabinet]

[youkaiwatch]

[ Emi's plan is similar; she doesn't expect to be warmly received at this party since she's probably everyone's prime suspect after how that trial ended. She's just going to pour herself a glass of whiskey and leave.

But Shadow beats her there, so she'll just stand back and wait. Her eyes wander to his bandaged hand, but if he looks in her direction she'll look back and smile. ]

[anonnomnomnom]

[He'll be watching to see if Shadow decides to just straight up climb into the liquor cabinet. He seems like he'd fit.]

[anonnomnomnom]

[Anon is here, because of course he's here, because Syaoran makes amazing duck or whatever and his player also wants to eat goddamn duck now. Anyway, the important thing is: he's here for the cooking and totally ignoring any doom or gloom or awkwardness that might be in the air, or any missing people who might be on an ill-advised holy land adventure!

He's mostly munching away and definitely not looking like someone's died. After a few moments, if anyone's nearby, he'll shove some random dish at them.]

Syaoran really is the best cook!

[youkaiwatch]

[ okay fine

Emi will pass by with her drink on the way out once she's got it, and give Anon a small smile as she does.

She kind of misses his other form... but seeing it again would probably require another trial and another murder, so. She's okay with this version. ]

[fullbodied]

I'm glad you can still eat.

[kagamiimagak]

[The offered plate makes her lower the book. ]

I see. I bet you wish you hadn't changed back, then you'd have a bigger stomach to accommodate it.

Post Chapel adventure

[goldenmaniac]

[Takumi wants to sleep, but he knows he won't yet. So he's trying to nibble at food and sip the tea Akira made]

[excavated]

. . . are you okay?

[fullbodied]

[she's going to immediately look him over to make sure he's okay.]

I can't believe today. Any burns? I can probably go find some ointment.

[byanyother_name]

[Kurama shows up, at least? He's quiet, though, eyes dark and distant. Angry, maybe.

Death is far from new to him, but he doesn't like what happened to Karen.

Still, he sits and he eats and he watches.]

[kagamiimagak]

[Kagami is here. She's not eating though, preferring to stand in a corner against a wall and read.

She didn't look upset, but the normal cheer was gone for the time being. Still, was probably the best word for her current state.

This is why she doesn't get involved.]

SUNDAY BEACH PARTY

[fullbodied]

[while you were all being depressed, Ann sucked it up and asked the goats for help with getting together the food she'd need for a proper beach party. After all, everything sucks but... there's something to bonding. There's something to not letting yourself get down.

And so she's put up signs, knocked on doors, and dragged people out as necessary for a beach party.

If you don't want to have been dragged out personally, you can easily see the sign:

Come out to the beach! There's food, and it's a nice day. Let's relax for a little while, before we all go insane.

Don't worry about food, I got you covered. (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧ ~Ann

True to her word, there's a pretty decent setup. What are you gonna do?]

[kiddatheart]

Great minds think alike!

[ he says as he brings a towel out to the beach ]