Doki Doki After Party Club

[myliteratureclub]

[Later into the evening, everyone will find familiar handwritten notes on their doors. It's pretty obvious who it's from:]

"Please come to the cafeteria if you don't want to be alone or talk some things out. Emiya (Shirou) will be preparing food. You're also welcome to bring your notebooks if you'd rather just write with company."

---Monika
[Those who decide to come will find nothing has really changed in the cafeteria, but Monika sitting at one of the tables while Shirou cooks in the kitchen. She has a new stack of notebooks and pens with her in case someone needs it. Monika does her best to greet everyone with a smile. The only real comfort though is the smell of good food.]

Comments

[throwabookatit]

[ After the invitations go out, Rebecca doesn't turn up to Monika and Shirou's gathering. It's not that she doesn't appreciate what they're doing. No, she just needs to have some space. Some time to think, and--

Well, honestly, she's not very hungry. The sound of the blood, even when she didn't see it, brought back some unpleasant memories.

But, eventually, she...wanders in, looking tired, not touching the food, and just...grabbing a notebook to stare at and not-quite write in. ]

[preconstruction]

[ connor wanders over to sit next to her. he'd been worried about her during the trial, and he was still worried now. ]

How are you doing?

[throwabookatit]

[ An empty page before her. What does she even...? ]

Hello, Connor. I... Well, it's been a long day.

[ that's not an answer ]

[preconstruction]

I know. But that isn't an answer.

[throwabookatit]

[ She sighs heavily. When she speaks, she doesn't sound annoyed, just a little...frustrated. ]

I can get nothing past you, can I? What answer do you think is right, hm?

[preconstruction]

There's not a "right" answer, I just...

[ hm. ]

I know it was a difficult day for you.

[throwabookatit]

It was a difficult day for everyone, Connor. Are you asking this of all them, too?

[ The page is blank. Nothing. Even as she grips the pen, nothing. ]

[preconstruction]

No. I am asking you, because I had to stop you from hurting him.

[ at least he's honest? ]

[throwabookatit]

[ Ah... ]

...He still would've deserved it. But I- I set a...poor example for the younger ones, didn't I?

[preconstruction]

That wasn't the extent of my concern, but that's true as well.

[throwabookatit]

What will they think, after seeing an adult react like that?

[ She rubs her temples. Sometimes...she hates being the responsible one. ]

[curseoclock]

[Henry's not so sure about going over to Rebecca. It might be wiser to leave her alone, he thinks? He knows she doesn't like him much. And it's not like he's that great at checking up on people, but...

...He feels like he might as well ask, anyway.]

You feeling... [he hesitates, not sure about the word choice he should go with] ...okay?

Okay-ish?

[throwabookatit]

[ To list what feels off about this encounter would take too long. Henry's appearance actually draws her out of her lost thoughts, though it's right into confusion. ]

I feel like I should be the one, asking you that.

[curseoclock]

Really? 'Cause it seemed like you were having a bunch of trouble in there.

Besides, it's not like you like me very much or anything.

[throwabookatit]

You're right, I don't like you. But, you did...lose your friend. That's- ...I know how hard that can be.

[curseoclock]

What, and just 'cause of that, you're concerned?

[It doesn't sound judgey or anything like that, he just sounds... confused.]

[throwabookatit]

Yes? That's...what any normal person would do.

[curseoclock]

I don't really know a lot about normal people, so I wouldn't know. I don't tend to care much about what people I don't like get up to or how they're feeling.

But... thanks for worrying?

[The sentiment does sound sincere enough, but at the same time he's a little careful and hesitant. Because he's not sure if he's doing this right.]

[throwabookatit]

At least you're not like the clown, saying you can't help it- but...then, wait, why are you asking me how I feel?

[curseoclock]

Because I don't dislike you? It's not all that complicated.

[throwabookatit]

...Color me surprised. Even after I've openly said I do dislike you?

[curseoclock]

Oh, sure. Do you know how many people have said that about me? Because I've lost count!

I mean, you seem kinda intense and angry, but you seem smart and nice, too.

[throwabookatit]

[ She doesn't understand Henry. At all. She's not going to say that but her confusion is evident on her face. ]

How can you be so...cheerful about all of this? Are you just cheerful about everything?

[curseoclock]

Yeah, pretty much! I like it better than being down about everything, y'know?

[throwabookatit]

So instead of getting sad you just.......don't.