07 - the final week

[afflictionmods]

FINAL WEEK

You returned safely from the island, with fresh fruit and plenty of seafood, and your Saturday comes to an end. There was much less betrayal, much less turmoil, this past lesson… but does that mean you’ll have time to relax?

The fog has pulled back, revealing the rest of the university’s campus. ... Actually, the fog is completely gone. Interesting, that. You'll also notice that at night, there are no orbs to be found. It looks like Lorelei was true to her word regarding Saturday's activity being the final orb.

There are also, occasionally, other figures that come into view when you look around. Other figures that look like...people. People you haven't seen before, roaming the streets. Some of them look like they're seeing Estelline for the first time in a long while. Others look like they're exhausted and seem to be making their way towards the Residential Area, presumably to rest. There aren't many of them, come Sunday...but they're here.

The end is finally near – and Lorelei confirms that with another 8am announcement on Sunday. She is also, notably, wearing a more visible set of earrings.

"Good morning, students. I would like to formally congratulate you on surviving these last few weeks. This week should be your last, and I will be dedicating it to your evaluations. I'm aware that you know the nature of this "course" by now, but you will be able to return home soon. Regardless, I thank you for your participation.

You are free to contact me through the phone booth for the next few days. Thank you."



SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY

FLORENCE / LORELEI

FULL NAV

(CODE)

Comments

[selfconcept]

Yeah. I'm usually the bad guy in many scenarios.

[ He doesn't seem so bothered with it either. Hien antagonized some people while he was here anyway, so he's definitely used to it. ]

In a way, I do care about what people think of me, so that I can behave accordingly and get what I want from them.

[partymagician]

[ Hm. It makes sense (and also sheds more light on Hien’s talent of manipulation outside of his dog form) with his age, so that outlook doesn’t bother Fai much.

He’s a little curious though… ]

What did you want from me?

[selfconcept]

At first, I didn't expect to want anything from you. I didn't expect anything from anyone when I got here.

[ For reasons that Fai knows by now. ]

Now, I just want my feelings returned. And hugs. I don't need manipulation to do that.

[partymagician]

[ Fai was the same. Well… he did expect to stay relatively distant from everyone.

That definitely did not happen. ]

Just hugs?

[selfconcept]

Cuddling is the best.

[ As... Fai has seen every time they sleep on the same bed together. ]

What about you? What did you want from me? ... Other than stop getting hurt because of the link.

[partymagician]

[ Fai has never been a cuddler, but he’s realizing he doesn’t mind it so much. ]

I wanted to bother you so much that you’d give up on the idea of getting to know me. That’s also why I refused to use your name. I wanted to do whatever I could to push you away.

[ Who would have thought that employing the same tactics he used against Kurogane would (once again) backfire? ]

[selfconcept]

The best way to not incur interest is to avoid interaction, subtly if possible. Of course you're gonna get close to people if you interact with them. You're a softie.

[partymagician]

[ He lightly pinches Hien’s side. ]

I’m well aware of that now!

[ Anyway. ]

At some point, I just wanted you to like me. I think… I felt that way after that first Saturday, and even more so after we went to the bar.

[selfconcept]

[ Hien squirms a little with the pinch. How dare he. He huffs. ]

That's why you were okay with that after coming back to the dorm?

closes eyes also cw alcohol mention

[partymagician]

Well… I was attracted to you, so of course I’d be okay with it.

[ Even if he didn’t actively want Hien to like him. ]

I wasn’t doing that because I wanted you to like me. I was drunk and didn’t think of the potential consequences. I really only cared about one or two things at that moment.

cw alcohol mention

[selfconcept]

[ Hien stays quiet for a moment before sitting up straight. The fingers through his hair was nice, but no more of that... for now. ]

We still have leftover bottles back at the dorm.

[partymagician]

[ Now it’s Fai’s turn to stare at Hien. ]

I’d say that would be a bad idea, but I suppose it doesn’t really matter anymore.

[ He lets go of Hien completely and shimmies out of his hold so he can start finally getting the tea together. ]

So, why not? Let’s do that.

[selfconcept]

If it's still too early for you, you can do stuff before you come in the room.

[ Yeah. Now that Fai feels better, he thinks it would make him more friendly to approach others if he wants to talk to them. ]

[partymagician]

Alright. Go do things too.

[ But don’t wait for him like a puppy. ]

Want some tea before you go?

[selfconcept]

I'm fine. Thanks though.

[ He will drink the classic water. ]

[partymagician]

[ He leans forward to give Hien a kiss on the cheek. ]

I’ll see you later, then. Get some snacks for us.

cw alcohol

[selfconcept]

I'll get good ones...

[ Ones that don't expire after two months. Fai better be prepared for junk food galore. ]

Later.

[ They part and time passes. Hien is in the dorm room first with several bottles of wine on the desk and lounging on the bed. He didn't have anything in particular to do, so he's here early... ]

[partymagician]

[ Fai putters around the rest of the afternoon before finally making his way back to their dorm. He has a couple of boxes in his arms and he deposits them onto Hien's bed. ]

I brought some activities for us to do.

[ It looks like he's got this world's versions of Sorry! and... Hungry Hungry Hippos. ]

[selfconcept]

Board games...?

[ He looks at the boxes dumped on his bed after sitting up. ]

Isn't this the game where you spam press a button to make it eat everything?

[ Eating. His favorite thing to do. ]

[partymagician]

That's right. We fight each other.

[ A dramatic pause. ]

To the death.

cw alcohol

[selfconcept]

[ ... ]

You didn't drink anything yet. You good?

[partymagician]

[ He makes a face at Hien. ]

I'm in a good mood because I get to spend an evening with you. Is that so odd?

[ They might spend most evenings together at this point, but still. ]

[selfconcept]

Most of your evenings were spent with me.

[ What?? Hien makes a face back at him. ]

Weirdo. Pick one and let's play.

cw alcohol

[partymagician]

This one!

[ He holds up the box with Sorry! in it. ]

I'll need to read the rules, but it looks like fun.

[ Fai moves to set the game on the floor, grabbing a bottle of wine before he sits down. He wastes no time in opening up the bottle and taking a swig. ]

cw alcohol

[selfconcept]

I haven't played this in forever... do you want me to read the rules out to you?

[ He assumes it's in Estelline language. Hien hops down on the ground and gets a cup for himself. Aw yeah. Let's go. ]