This is fine. It's fine. We're fine.

[sharpasanarrow]

[Well that was.

Something.

Underneath everyone’s door they’ll find a slip of paper, in shaky calligraphy, that reads:

INVITATION

Meet in the Dining Room.

Do not bring alcohol of any sort.

Upon arrival into the Dining Room it’s clear that this is very much...not a party.

The center of the room is cleared of all tables, and instead has all the chairs arranged in a circle, facing inwards. On the tables pushed to the side are jugs of water, cups, plates of saltines, and several hastily-made pamplets that read on the front ”How to cope with Child homicide” that contains an advisory list:

1. Try not to think about it.
2. Do not get hysterical.
3. Crying is permitted, but keep it within a reasonable volume. (For the consideration of fellow mourners)
4. Maintain civility
5. Do not plunder the belongings of the deceased.
6. No drinking or gambling your sorrows away. Set an example.

Standing in front of one of the chairs already is Mr.Arrow. He clears his throat as people start to slowly come in.]

I gathered you all here because I believed it would be conductive to group morale if we all worked through our feelings regarding recent events. Talk about your feelings with one another, but not with me.

[He steps back a little, out of the circle of chairs, in what seems to be an invitation for people to sit down and discuss with one another.]

Comments

2/2

[psychopinesis]

[And...]

Wait...you're watching us?! How? [WHERE ARE THE CAMERAS? Are he and Hiro right about it being a reality television show?]

[lusito]

I believe your... host thought it would be amusing if some of us could see our friends and family going through the same thing we had to deal with in their last game.

[And yes, he assumes that Neku will understand the implications there too.]

[psychopinesis]

[Sorry Josh, he's hung up for a bit on the possibility of people watching most everything they do.]

It's...it's not! It's creepy!

[Please don't tell him you've watched him sleep or shower. He might start screaming and not stop.]

...So you were in one of these games too.

[lusito]

[oh my god no, he didn't watch you do any of that, he has some standards!!

namely that they don't show any of that, thank God, but still--]

Not too long ago. In fact, I wonder if I can get Hiro to tell me any stories about his brother so that I can embarrass Tadashi with more material sometime.

[Josh you are the worst friend]

Casually threadjacks own thread

[tadaishi]

[From somewhere behind Joshua:]

Joshua, don't you dare!

[lusito]

[oh right you're still in the room]

Tadashi, dear, how long have we known each other? [... Like only a few months Josh--] Surely you can tell by now when I'm joking right? At least in regards to the embarrassment part, because I'm always serious when it comes to wanting to learn more about you.

[Josh can you not]

[psychopinesis]

I thought his brother was-- [Dead, but apparently that's him yelling in the background. Maybe he'll ask Hiro about that later.]

I don't know. Ask Hiro about that.

[lusito]

I certainly will sometime, when I have a chance to speak with him.

[Which is probably "never" now, at the rate Joshua is going with annoying Tadashi here--]

Until then, do try to stay alive: it would be a hassle having to change plans and come get you from the Underworld if you end up dying on me here.

[psychopinesis]

...Right, got it. 'Try not to die'. Go hang out with your...whatever he is back there and I'll catch you later.

[Sorry not sorry Tadashi.]

[lusito]

[There's a pause, and then--]

There's no need to be jealous, Neku: as my closest friend, there's still a spot in my heart just for you, dear.

[... Please just hang up on him before your so-called "best friend" embarrasses you further.]

[darnsitall]

👀

[psychopinesis]

OKAY...I'm just leaving. Right now.

[And to Beast:] How do you hang this up? Turn it off? Whatever. [And to Joshua:] Bye, my turn's over, someone else can go.

[lusito]

[Hee Hee]

See you later, partner.