it only hurts for a moment - you get used to it quickly

[swordsinternally]

[ After everything's said and done, Shirou's going to go ahead and set things up for today. It's the same as always; nothing has changed-- but he still wants to believe that there's something worth in doing this, so he'll at least go ahead and do that once he's given out notes (or told a person verbally, one on one) under their door, a small neat note stating: ]

For those who don't want to be alone today:

I know it's been a hard month. And I know it's probably going to get even more difficult from here. But I don't want anyone to give up just yet. If you'd like, there'll be food and drinks in the simulation room.

- E.

[ And for those who decide to make the trip to the simulation room, they'll find themselves walking into what seems to be a karaoke bar! Shirou's made it pretty spacious and there is, in fact, a table set up with some food for everyone to take - primarily burgers and ramen (hell, there's a bit of ramen burgers, too, the Biggest Cancer) - that he's made the decision to make, so feel free to take it, and he's willing to even get drinks for everyone, too.

This includes virtual drinks, as he actually has some experience working at a bar, even if it was more menial tasks and less bartending. But hey, there's a first time for everything, yeah?

And there's also the option to sing your heart out-- although that might not be the most appropriate, given the last execution, but he's. He's trying, anyway. ]

Comments

Thinking of doing something, AMA

[whatsmytalentagain]

[It takes Rantaro a little bit to get to the simulation room. He made a quick stop at the student store to pick up a shoulder bag, a pack of mechanical pencils, and a multi-subject notebook.

Why he got these objects... Well. He could explain if you found him at the store, but when he gets to the simulation room he takes out the notebook and starts jotting down an open note for anyone to see.]

I may be taking a vow of silence until we figure a way out of this mess

This might seem weird, but I think I got a little too used to not speaking during the motive. Kind of helped me clear my head a bit. Maybe it might help me a bit if I kept it up. Plus, it'd be harder for them to spy on me if I'm not saying anything.

That being said, I'm not going to be that strict about it. I'll still speak if I have to, like during the trials or if I have to get someone's attention. This whole thing's still a bit up in the air, so I'm open for questions and advice.

Thanks for understanding.

- Amami Rantaro

[He'll have this out in front of him most of the time.]

[buriedearth]

Are you sure? They still have cameras.

[ He's not going to wildly protest against it or anything, but... ]

[sendintheclown]

You should really opt for miming, in my opinion.

[devotingly]

Well, I don't think that anyone's going to stop you but... alright. [ although he still looks really confused ] Just make sure to exercise your voice every once in a while, so you don't become hoarse.

[blackcatintheruemorgue]

It's your decision Amami-san. If it helps.... then do it.

[He can understand coping mechanisms.]

[covertizer]

[ Akira shows up a little later, in what looks like a pretty large sized hoodie from the school store. It may have a little Fayflower logo on it, but it's huge and cosy and that's kind of what he needs right now.

He's not putting himself forwards for conversation, but he's not going to push anyone away if they want to talk.

Getting close to him will reveal two things - he's slowly working his way through a burger, bit by bit; and he's got a book from the library in his hands. It looks like a beginner's guide to teaching yourself how to play the guitar. ]

[swordsinternally]

... hey.

[ At some point when he's not being busy, he's definitely going to go ahead and find a place next to Akira with a glass of virtual alcohol in his hand; he's not going to be drinking too much, since he's aware of his tolerance level but it's whatever. He could honestly care less right about now. ]

Is that burger okay, by the way? I don't usually cook those.

[buriedearth]

Hey, Akira.

[ Terra was sure he was about to ask him something, but he notices the guide in his hands, and it makes him forget almost immediately what he was going to previously inquire about. Instead, another question comes to mind. ]

...Can I ask what made you decide to pick up guitar lessons?

[ ...Was it what happened with 2D? ]

[sendintheclown]

[If singing your heart out isn't the most appropriate, Gogol's definitely doing it. He gets incredibly into the song he chooses, dancing along as he sings, even attempting to coax others into joining in with him. Whether he's had a few drinks or not is...hard to tell, really. He's just like this.]

[lovedanime]

[Mitarai is extremely uncomfortably, amidst intense intimidation, bobbing his head along to all this.]

[devotingly]

[ waver seems to be...huddled in one of the corners, not consuming anything but a cup of black tea.

other than that, he's...pretty much not doing anything. not even reading. he's just staring at his cup, blank. ]

[pathofconquest]

[Well there’s no point beating around it now, is there?

While Waver is staring ahead blankly, Alexander comes to sit next to him and wrap an arm around his waist. It’s okay to say nothing. In this way he can just say that he’s here for you Waver and he’s not going anywhere.]

[sendintheclown]

[With his excellent clown vision, Gogol spies Waver sitting out.

He changes the song, and sidles up to him as the intro begins.

Then, he sings.]

Chiquitia, tell me what's wrong...

[lovedanime]

[Oh thank god Alex is near him too so he only has to do this once. Over half an hour into the party Mitarai manages to wallflower his way over to Waver.]

I'd like to apologize... for suspecting you [plural] of horrible crimes... Please forgive me... [It's a formalism not a literal statement but, gosh, being forgiven is always so great.]

[blackcatintheruemorgue]

Waver.....

[This is worrying behavior. So.. Poe's just... going to awkwardly sit next to him in the corner.]

Are you alright?

cw: unintentional self-harm, alcohol use (Closed to Hank)

[ososoi]

[ ...Osomatsu doesn't come to the simulation room. ]

[ Instead, Osomatsu's in the classroom, staring at the wall. There's also a broken wine bottle in the corner. It's obvious all the wine was drunk before the bottle broke so yeah, Osomatsu's pretty wasted as well. But this time, being drunk isn't making him feel remotely better. ]

[ He continues staring blearily at the wall... and then he starts punching it with his left hand. Hard. Several times. Screaming expletives and hateful words at the wall, at himself. ]

FUCK YOU! FUCK! YOU! YOU FUCKING! USELESS! PIECE OF!! SHIT!!

[ And wow, this is not helping him. It only takes a few punches to realize this was a bad idea before he falls to his knees, clutching his hand in pain. And yep, that's bleeding. It's not as bad as what he did to his right hand on Sunday, but it's still not good; he's broke some of his skin around the knuckles and there's signs of bruising as well. ]

[ He used to be more durable than this. And now he can't even punch a wall without hurting himself. ]

[ And to think that... Maya would... 2-D would... ]

[ ... ]

FUUUCK!!

[ He drunkenly slams his head against the wall. Unsurprisingly, that was a bad idea too, so now his nose is bleeding pretty badly. ]

[ He doesn't know how to handle this. ]

[ He's a gag anime character. He wasn't supposed to deal with this kind of stuff. ]

[ So now he's just kneeling on the floor in pain, in a drunken daze, blood dribbling down his nose and blood spilling from his fucked up left hand. ]

[ The wall doesn't even have a dent in it. ]

[ And sitting on one of the desks, fortunately spared from Osomatsu's wrath, is the magatama and his tablet. The photo app has been opened up. To a picture of Osomatsu and Maya. ]

[donotlick]

[ Hank can't say he's surprised, given what he saw-- what everyone saw at the trial.

He's not surprised. And he's not impressed, either, when he walks in on this scene. ]

Hey! [ He's loud and stern, his voice cutting through with no room for argument. Dad mode fully activated, needless to say. ] The fuck do you think you're doing, kid?

[lovedanime]

[Mitarai is just here, with his ramen. Gosh, it's so hot when the simulated container isn't a cup. Emiya seemed to have everything covered with the food, so he's not sure what to contribute now. But... it's a karaoke party where most of the singing has been Gogol so far... and Kurusu seems to think studying guitar is what 2D would have wanted... so... eventually... after enough songs get suggested...]

I actually... know this one, if that's alright...

[disclaimer, don't take this as a hard fourth wall puncture for any Eva characters who ever end up apping in there. he's nervous enough he only starts on the second line]

Young man, rise up and become a legend—! 🎶

[He knows all the words. But he's bad. He's very nervous and totally ready to be told he should just stop singing for any number of social reasons.]

[buriedearth]

[ Mitarai, what are you even doing...?

Terra didn't expect anyone except for the clown to try to get people to sing -- or sing at all, for that matter. So, when he hears the blond start to do so, his attention has turned over to him right now.

He should tell him to stop.

Instead, he lets him finish.

Does he...clap. Is he supposed to clap now...? Yeah, he'll just clap. Awkwardly. Even if it was terrible. ]

[throwabookatit]

[ Rebecca's... Well, she's here. She's brought her own alcohol, and she's staying away from the karaoke stage. She's mellowed out since the trial, but more in a downtrodden sort of unhappy way. She's just not completely furious.

She's got a book from the library. She can read it, but-- god, something about it... She looks sick. ]

[swordsinternally]

Sensei...

[ Shirou seems to be a little concerned when he sees that she looks sick and it shows in his voice. ]

What... are you reading, exactly?

[destroythefuture]

[The Bowler Hat Guy is still missing his hat.

Even though he's rather worried and shaken by the recent trial -- he's never going to get used to people dying in front of him -- he comes to the afterparty. The simulation room, huh. May as well check what that's supposed to be about.

He didn't expect such a realistic simulation. It's a bar of some sort! And karaoke over there. The hatless guy stays away from the karaoke machines, instead going to the counter with the food. He stares at it]

Is this real food?

[This is a simulation room, therefore it wouldn't be surprising if the food is fake too.

Later, the hatless guy steps out of the simulation room, frustrated. The fear still hasn't gone away, and he's starting to grow desperate about it. He approaches the first person he sees around and demands an answer:]

How can you be so calm about everything? Tell me! Is there a trick to that?

[swordsinternally]

The food's real, don't worry. I made it all myself.

[blackcatintheruemorgue]

[Oh god why is there karaoke??? Poe hates karaoke... he doesn't like the pressure of being dragged up on stage like that. So... he'll be hanging around the bar trying to look busy writing in his notebook. He's gotten himself a drink from the bar and is just doing his best to wallflower and avoid the karaoke stage like the plague.]

[swordsinternally]

Hey. What are you writing?

[ Shirou also has a glass of alcohol, but it's not like he's filled it up to the brim and it's something light, anyway. ]

[preconstruction]

[ it's nice that shirou set something like this up. connor has no intention of singing, but it's nice to mingle with the humans and make sure they're all okay. the simulation room itself is pretty interesting, too, it'd be rad to look at it's code some day.

but, ah...those are thoughts for another time.

if someone walks past him: ]

Are you doing alright?

[whatsmytalentagain]

Huh?

[He glances up at Connor for a second...

... Oh. It looks like he got a new notebook to write in. A thicker one.]

Not sure. Managing.

More concerned about you.

[unhalting]

[Orga will be leaning on a wall off in the periphery of the room, more people-watching than actually participating in everything that's happening here. At the very least, he seems to have fetched a burger, even if he's not... really eating it at the moment. If anyone passes by particularly close to him, he'll actually say something.]

You holdin' up?

[blackcatintheruemorgue]

More or less... and you?

[its only polite to ask back.]