w3 afterparty

[selfconcept]

Everyone passed! That's great! But Wei Wuxian is gone and you keep getting a weird feeling. Maybe it's the adrenaline that's dying down. Maybe you saw something strange because you're tired? It'll all be uncovered on Sunday. Why not take a breather for now? If you're injured, ask Florence for some medical aid. (can be handwaved) It's around 10 PM when you're released.

Comments

[catarou]

[ All of that was extremely unpleasant, wasn't it? Gentaro's revealed more than he'd wanted or expected here, and now, he's just tired.

After going to his room to change into clothes that are a bit more comfortable, he's in the common room. His usual notebook and pen are close by, but for once, he's not writing. Rather, it looks like he's deep in thought. Sometimes, he catches a note or two of a song that sounds familiar, but it fades before Gentaro can be sure.

He has a cup of tea within reach, too, but he hasn't taken even a sip. At this rate, it'll be stone cold before he drinks it... ]

[festiverogue]

[Madara is waiting for Shizuku to get done doing whatever she needs to do in the room, so he's wandering the dorms a bit aimlessly. The second he sees someone in the common room, he avoids it, but... After a few paces up and down the hall he realizes that Gentaro hasn't moved.

He enters, and takes a seat.]

Hey. Rough night?

[catarou]

[ Gentaro offers a thin smile. Rough night... an understatement. ]

Mm. I imagine we've all had a difficult time today.

[festiverogue]

Yeah. [A breath of a laugh.] I feel like some people got more out of it than others. If you know what I mean.

[Pointing to the tea.]

How long's that been sitting there? I can get you a fresh cup.

[catarou]

I believe I do know what you mean.

[ Gentaro looks to his teacup, then back to him. ]

I appreciate it, but there is no need, truly. I wouldn't want to trouble you after a taxing... "lesson."

[festiverogue]

No, I'm kind of restless. Let me get it for you. I insist!

[He reaches for the cup, and he'll go make some green tea from his personal stash and bring it back hot and fresh for Gentaro.]

[catarou]

Ah-- Very well, then.

[ Gentaro won't pretend he understands him, but he does understand the need to take care of someone, particularly when they're struggling.

When he returns, he gives him a smile that's openly grateful. ]

Thank you.

[selfconcept]

[ Hien is so tired that he misses his room, drags his feet into the common area like a zombie and then plops next to Gentaro whether that's a chair or sofa--he's not very picky. ]

Ichiro... you good?

[catarou]

I could be much better.

[ Ah, Hien. Yeah, he doesn't blame or judge him at all. ]

And you?

[selfconcept]

Mm. Yeah. Same.

[ He's exhausted, but he musters enough effort to sit up when trying to have a conversation with Gentaro. ]

I'm kinda glad... that we didn't get to do each other's.

[catarou]

[ He manages the slightest smile. ]

So am I. What a terrible lesson, hm?

[selfconcept]

I did learn something from the lesson though.

[ Honestly, there's a lot, so Hien thinks of the very first thing he can think of. ]

No matter how much I'm prone to being violent, punching people I'm fond of never feels good.

[sicklysweet]

[well well well]

You seem distracted.

[Owen approaches! But he doesn't sit by Gentaro, instead choosing to sit at the harpsichord he's left in the common room.]

[catarou]

Oh, not at all. In fact, this is the most focused I have ever been. You have simply caught me at an unfortunate time.

[ His discomfort might be obvious, considering earlier. ]

[sicklysweet]

[Yeah! It's pretty obvious!]

Has there ever been a single fortunate time in this school?

[catarou]

Of course not.

[ Don't perceive him! ]

With each passing day, I become more and more convinced that we've been taken directly to hell.

[sicklysweet]

I would think there'd be more hellhounds in hell, but I haven't seen a single one yet.

[p e r c e i v e s]

[partymagician]

[ Just like the other day, Fai finds Gentaro with a notebook and pen in the common room. And just like that day, he sidles up to him and sits down.

Only this time, the mood is completely different. ]

How are you doing, Gentaro?

[catarou]

[ He glances to Fai, pulled out of his thoughts. ]

Not nearly as well as I would like. [ But he gives him the barest hint of a smile. ] And yourself?

[partymagician]

Ah, I think I'm in the same boat as you.

[ He laughs a little, his exhaustion evident. ]

I knew things were going to get more difficult from here on out, but...

[ What a doozy! ]

[catarou]

Well, at the very least, we're prepared.

[ Prepared, uh huh, sure. ]

I wonder what else we will be subjected to. [ a pause. ] ... It's unsettling, how strongly some of us responded to it all.

I certainly did, anyway.

[partymagician]

...I did too.

[ He looks down at his lap. ]

You know, I thought I'd be strong enough to keep myself together during some of our more stressful lessons. I was proven wrong today.

[cheerfuldays]

( oh... trying to distract himself and nothing will work, it looks like. she's been there before. quietly, shizuku takes a seat nearby. )

Penny for your thoughts?

[catarou]

[ As caught up in his thoughts as he is, he manages the smallest smile for her. ]

Hmm... perhaps a couple. [ He hums. ] An equal exchange is appropriate here, isn't it?

[ Read: He's here to listen. ]

[cheerfuldays]

If you want.

( shizuku hums a little, thinking. ... she'll start for you, gentaro. )

... I keep thinking about the doubles of us all. Were they created for this purpose...?