Week 6, Saturday

[foundationmods]

[After a tense night and a quiet morning, everyone will get an email at 11 am. The email comes straight from MC.]

Meet me in the studio at noon.

[It's probably best to follow those instructions.

When they get to the studio, they will find that twelve podiums have been arranged in a semi-circle on the stage. Each person can take whichever one they want, they aren't assigned.

There is the box of prinny jurors once more, but this time the twelve prinnies seated there might look familiar. In addition, there is a new spot next to the prinnies where a single stool behind a small table is left empty.

Given that the seat John used previously is taken up by MC, John looks at the group awkwardly before going to sit on that stool.

It's time to begin the final trial.]

VOTE HERE

Comments

[visionem]

If it helps, do not look at it as a debt then. I personally do not consider it as such. [ Which means of course he accepts the return assistance with a small nod.

Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately in a sense), the smile on Alcor's face can be heard as well as seen. He's still not used to all of this and he's been assaulted by feelings by two others today, so he mostly rides the concern without missing a beat. Mostly, because there's still more fluttering of lashes than normal which he makes an attempt at covering up with an all new assured confidence in himself. The non-insubstantial buff he got from contracting with a certain demon helps too. ]

I will as much as I can be. But I promise that I will not forget what you said that night, Sandalphon. [ It would be impossible for him to, as it's likely the greatest knowledge he acquired here, in his entire time in the Foundation even. ]

Ah, but speaking of remembering...

[ They could dwell on feelings that don't come natural to them, or they could pivot to something that sounds like it'll probably be ridiculous. But they already made a prinny tower that exploded on national TV, so what do they have to lose? ]

[merirut]

[There's a hum at the debt comment, but he doesn't say anything outwardly. It wouldn't necessarily be correct to call him honorable or anything, but he does take it seriously when people offer things?? That is to say: he will still want to repay him somehow, even if it becomes increasingly difficult to delineate each deed from each other. Really, he's just stubborn like that.

But there is a satisfied nod at the affirmation, even if his expression shifts into something slightly more bashful at the mention of that night, although he just blinks at the last bit.]

Remembering...? About what?

[For some reason he has a bad feeling about this?? Hm.]

[visionem]

[ Sandalphon when have Alcor's requests ever led to anything bad? Humiliating and ridiculous aren't bad, surely. Mostly here he's riding with an impulse because it's somehow easier than the previous topic. Or it should be? ]

I was thinking back to one of our first weeks at the house, where we both participated in Truth or Dare. We both agreed it was frivolous however...I had not thought of it at the time, but certain physical actions do have a place in particular circumstances I am told. [ He gestures grandiosely to the room where there's couples making out like they just came back from D-Day. ]

I realize this may be imposing too much on you, but I must admit I am curious. Would a hug in this situation be veritably beneficial?

[ Somehow he manages a mischievous albeit slightly wry smile. ]

[merirut]

[Um excuse, humiliating and ridiculous are the absolute worst?? His body can be destroyed repeatedly and regenerate each time but his dignity will never recover!!

Anyways, he follows Alcor's gesture, unable to escape that ominous feeling that hovers in the back of his mind. He decides he doesn't like where this is going and his instinct is more or less confirmed when the question comes out, with his displeasure and exasperation showing loud and clear by the flat look on his face.]

...Are you really asking me for a hug. Again?

[visionem]

Would it help if I called it an embrace instead? [ Probably not but now he's smiling brighter cause there's no going back. A bat of eyelashes for good measure too. ]

But yes, I am. While I am mostly curious, there is the fact that we don't know when we will meet again. Last time the action was in a way, obligatory due to rules of a game but this time it would have actual meaning. As always, you are free to decline...but I feel I would be remiss if I did not ask.

[ Explaining this all probably isn't making it any better but it's just the slightest bit telling that he's still somewhat off balance given their conversation so far. ]

[merirut]

[There is an unimpressed look at Alcor that clearly says, 'No because that's just a synonym for hug' but he'll let that one go otherwise.]

Meaning or not, I don't see why we have to perform such an act out of a sense of sentimentality...

[However, his expression changes to one of contemplation, and after about half a minute's pause, he sighs and looks back up.]

...Well, if you insist.

[visionem]

[ Clearly Alcor's patience (demonstrated with a placement on cyan and an explosion) pays off in spades once Sandy finally answers. Truly, this is what being patient is all about. He almost opens his mouth to say that he wasn't insisting because that's not the type of being he is, but he decides for once to keep his mouth shut. He'll take this victory and just roll with it.

Like before he opts to teleport closer rather than step or float forward (the former would be disastrous even with his prinny training), and wraps his arms around the archangel. He knows what to expect now and hugging armor doesn't particularly make for a great hug experience but that's alright. Notably, though his touch is still light, he does hold the hug for several seconds longer. Maybe he just wants to be thorough about this sentimental thing.

Teleporting back to his usual distance, his smile is dazzling and mischievous. ]

Hmm...

[merirut]

[Asking more than once counts as insisting in his mind!! Or something. But indeed, it's another victory for Alcor because he never thought he'd agree to being hugged again a few weeks later. It almost feels surreal in that sense, considering how much everything around them had changed. Maybe that's also why he's agreeing now.

But just like before, Sandalphon only stands stock still as Alcor initiates the hug, body still tensed up beneath the plates of armor. However, unlike last time, he relaxes slightly after the initial touch, shoulders lowering visibly as he waits out the rest of the hug. It's still a ways away from anything remotely resembling reciprocation, but it's there. And maybe, just for an instant, there is something vaguely wistful about Sandalphon's expression before the moment is over and they're back at a normal speaking distance.

He raises an eyebrow at the smile, mild suspicion coloring his features.]

...And just what is it now? Don't tell me there's something else you want to do.

[visionem]

[ It's a step in the right direction no matter how small, and Alcor knows it. The victory however minute accounts for some of the smile on his face, hand drawn up so only a half crescent is visible. ]

Not right now, no. But I was thinking...I enjoyed the experience more than last time, and I wouldn't mind doing so again. When the situation called for it of course, and perhaps not in a nostalgic setting so I am able to deduce whether that was the deciding factor in my experience.

[merirut]

[How many hugs must he allow before Alcor is satisfied...!? An exasperated sigh escapes his lips as he gives Alcor a sour look, although it's probably easy to tell at this point that Sandalphon's just being his usual grumpy self.]

That makes it sound like you intend on letting this turn into a habit. Besides, what other occasions would warrant such an excessively affectionate gesture?

[visionem]

Rest assured, I would not want these moments between us to become mundane. [ So there's that along with a smile he hopes is sufficient to parry the grump. He grows thoughtful at the rest of Sandalphon's questioning though, his hand sliding under his chin. ]

Is a hug really excessively affectionate?