week 4 afterparty

[odasaku]

[ well, that was definitely A Trial.

however, oda understands that everyone must be feeling a little heavy, considering the death of someone like jughead and whatever bullshit dazai said earlier.

so, at everyone's door is a note that says the following:

If you don't want to be alone, come to the diner.

There's food.

oda himself is at the diner, although there's no food on his table, nor is he being a very good host of a party. he's just sitting alone at a table next to a window, staring out of it in deep thought. ]

Comments

[quickpersuader]

[Kino is very tired.

She's been awake since early yesterday and hasn't slept much since - only the few hours between the investigation and dawn.

Still, she goes to the diner at the invitation, settling into a seat and ordering a cheeseburger. If others approach, they'll find her slowly eating her way through that and a side of fries.]

[relieable]

[the fact that Kino is eating a burger right now is... ironic. Osomatsu passes by with his own food, and pauses. he should know better than to make a joke right here and now, but, hey, those two older folks made jokes of themselves]

...There isn’t any brie on there, right?

[quickpersuader]

No, none.

[And Kino gives a small smile.]

I just asked for the same type of burger he'd eat.

[At least it was intentional?]

[relieable]

[ah, she did it on purpose. interesting. Osomatsu doesn’t know much about Kino, but they’ve paired up sometimes, made a good team. maybe it’s about time they became friends. or, at least, better acquaintances]

Were you two close?

[quickpersuader]

[Kino takes another bite, chewing it thoughtfully as she considers his question.]

I don't know if I'd call him a "friend." [Kino making friends is a rare thing in and of itself, with the self-imposed three day rule.] But he told me that if we ever find a way to travel to other worlds, I should drop by his town, Riverdale.

If that were something possible... I still think I'd like to go, someday.

[relieable]

[Osomatsu nods and takes a seat across from her, since they are going to talk. as far as food goes for him, he’s just got a shake and some fries]

I think it’d be really nice to travel to everyone’s worlds. [he sighs, leaning back in the chair] Sarge knows how to do it, so it must be possible.

[quickpersuader]

[Kino nods, smile widening.]

Being able to travel to even different worlds... It sounds so amazing, I can hardly imagine it. I think if we were able to do that, it would be a dream come true.

[The world alone is already full of so many wonderful sights. What would Kino see, she wonders, if she could see other worlds as well?]

[relieable]

[ah, look at that smile! it makes Osomatsu’s smile bigger, too]

Yeah, think of all the fun things you could do! I’ll bet there are worlds out there made of candy and ice cream, or worlds where technology is so advanced that no one gets sick.

[quickpersuader]

I've actually been to a country where no one gets sick, once.

[Of course she has.]

Although... It wasn't because of their technology. It also came at a cost.

[relieable]

[oh... this is going to take the conversation south, isn’t it?]

Really? What happened?

[quickpersuader]

Parasites.

[Yup.]

There were certain parasites that could make them immune for fifty years. But they would die after exactly fifty years as a result - the same lifespan as the parasite.

[relieable]

[oh........? YUCK?????]

Did... the people know about the parasites? Like, was it a mutual understanding that they just... gave themselves to these, uh... [what even are parasites?] things?

[quickpersuader]

[Another nod.]

They knew. They would purposely infect their children so that everyone was guaranteed to have fifty years of life.

They as a society decided that was for the best.

[relieable]

[that’s... that’s... HM.

Osomatsu stares at his fries, then looks back up to Kino]

Too bad they didn’t infect Rose. [because she would have been dead before she could make such a dumb decision]

[quickpersuader]

If they had, she would have been guaranteed to live until... 105, right?

[Too bad indeed. Kino takes another bite.]

[relieable]

Only if she was frozen. [sure, let’s just make awful jokes about what a mess this all was.

to a kid. Osomatsu almost forgets. he clears his throat]

But, uh. You like to travel, right? What are some of the most memorable places you’ve been to?

[quickpersuader]

[Don't worry Osomatsu, Kino's seen much worse.]

Hmm... I think the most memorable place I've been to was...

[...Ah. There's still a smile, but her eyes are somewhat distant.]

...There was a country that was in the shadow of a large mountain. The people there are the kindest I've ever met in my travels.

[relieable]

[there, that’s better! they need some positivity up in here]

That sounds nice. I bet it must be hard living in the shadow of a mountain.

[quickpersuader]

Mm, it could be.

[Particularly if that mountain is a volcano. But we won't get to that here and now.]

They were very excited to see a traveler. They told me all about their history, and I was even allowed to attend a wedding right before I left.

[relieable]

[OH DEAR]

Man! I wish I could travel. I don’t have the money, but I’d love to go everywhere, and meet people, and stuff. [maybe not the parasite place though]

[quickpersuader]

[Farewell Sakura, you were a wonderful tour guide...]

I enjoy it. [Stating the obvious there, Kino.] But it can be very dangerous, too. I don't think it's for everyone, but I think the people who can are able to see all kinds of amazing, unforgettable sights because of it.

[relieable]

[yeah, danger... that is another thing that holds Osomatsu back. he’s been spoiled his whole life, and he’d hate to leave his family for long periods of time. but! if they could all travel together, that would be something else...]

...What made you decide to travel?

[quickpersuader]

Hmm... There were a few different reasons. But I suppose...

It's mostly because of the stories Master told me.

[relieable]

[hmm!]

“Master?”

[quickpersuader]

Yeah. She took me in when I was twelve and taught me a lot. I would always ask her to tell me about her travels, so I heard a lot of them while I stayed with her.