09: He wants to talk to people [video]

[paladaddy]

[At first, his voice sounds very tired, and he looks more drained than usual. Sleep has been playing hard to get for the last few days.]

It's almost April, isn't it? The kids would be starting school soon, back home.

[Even though he's saying that, whatever is weighing so heavily on his mind isn't directly related to school.

But a moment later, his tone lightens a bit, like he thought of something humorous.]

It's a little too quiet around here, with the kids on their camping trip. We should throw a party. Maybe a 'hooray we survived another curse' party.

Comments

Voice

[has_too_many_moles]

Well...Most of the kids, I couldn't go. I still have to work for the clinic in the mornings.

Dad? When I get off work tonight do you mind if I talk to you about something?

Voice

[paladaddy]

Ahh, the life of an adult, having to take responsibility over fun~

But yes, I'll wait up for you.

Re: Voice

[has_too_many_moles]

Thank you... Oh! On the way home is there anything you want me to pick up for dinner since Rin is gone?

Voice

[paladaddy]

Anything that's edible and isn't ramen. Preferably already-cooked, you know how well I can cook.

[ video ]

[beauchevalier]

[Finally someone who wants some excitement.]

I'm always up for a party, have a time and place where you're having it?

[ video ]

[paladaddy]

Not yet, I should be nice and discuss it with my roommates first.

[ video ]

[beauchevalier]

Well count me in for when it occurs, I'll bring the drinks.

[ video ]

[paladaddy]

Perfect~

[yes, the mention of booze cheered him up a bit.]

What's your name? So I know who to contact when the party is arranged.

[Video]

[wavesofjade]

[At first she just studies him. She's used to humans now, but reading them is sometimes difficult. Not so much, this time. She can see the lines of tiredness on his face and hear it in his voice and despite how his tone changes, it's enough for her to know something's wrong.

Her head tilts, and she smiles at him.]

Regular occurrences of such parties would be quite exhausting, do you not think, with the frequency of the curses in this world. [She hesitates, then clears her throat.] Though this one did seem unusually.. intense. [Another pause, before she speaks the question that she actually wants to ask.] Shiro.. are you alright?

[Video]

[paladaddy]

[That gets a chuckle out of him.]

True enough, I couldn't imagine hosting a party every month. Maybe everyone could take turns hosting.

[But at the second part, his expression softens a little. He really should be used to the Dolorosa reading him so easily, but somehow it still surprises him.]

Ah...Just been having trouble sleeping, that's all. Bad dreams, mostly.

[Even moreso than usual!]

[Video]

[wavesofjade]

Perhaps a talk would help?

[It's a thinly disguised invitation to spend some time together - she does enjoy his company, after all.]

Worries are often easier to bear if shared.

[Video]

[paladaddy]

I seem to remember saying that the next time we spoke would be less depressing.

[But yes, that would be nice. Dolorosa has dealt with death so she can at least understand his problems.]

[action]

[circumsutus]

[Stein doesn't have to be a soul theory genius (though he is) to pick up on Shiro's current mood.

A party.

He'll just be in the kitchen, making toast. Because he's a mature adult and a doctor and he's used to subsiding on toast and instant ramen.]

What kind of party?

[action]

[paladaddy]

[Toast is alright, but ramen is the food of the devil.

No really, Mephisto loves that shit.]

Maybe something flashy and obnoxious?

[action]

[circumsutus]

[It's cheap and easy.]

You'll need a chaperone.

[action]

[paladaddy]

[like your mom No matter how cheap it is, it's still gross.]

Nah, I won't drink that much. A good host only gets tipsy.

video;

[diehardreaper]

[ Magic words! ]

A party, eh? Been ages since we've had cause for celebration. I'm all for it!

video;

[paladaddy]

Someone else is bringing the booze, what are you bringing?

More booze is an acceptable answer, by the way.

video;

[diehardreaper]

Mister Fujimoto, s'like you forget where I work! Course bringing more booze is an absolute possibility.

[video]

[spacecase]

Really? You think it's quiet?

[...Well...]

I guess not having Kid around bitching about every little thing can make it seem extra quiet.

[video]

[paladaddy]

And Rin, too. They're both loudmouths.

[There's more to it than that, though.]

But it's always been a little quieter here. I ran a home for boys back in my world, and even when we didn't have that many kids there were four other priests who helped me run the home, plus Rin and Yukio.

[video]

[spacecase]

[At least Rin's nicer.

She says without actually saying, judging by that brief eyeroll.]

Home for boys? What's that?

video;

[goodlifechoices]

[ There's a great deal of background noise, and the camera is securely focused on half of a laundry room in a basket.

If Shiro's feeling particularly sharp-eyed, he might recognize that room is in the Villa. Or not, either way, she's too busy doing her laundry to use the SFC right.

She speaks off to the side: ]

That must be a very popular activity lately. It seems like I can't turn around without hearing about children off on a camping trip today.

video;

[paladaddy]

[Oh, it's SFC-in-boobs lady.]

It might all be the same group. One of the kids who's going is my son, which is how I know about it.

[He considers her for a second before he speaks again.]

You're...Marie, right?

[It's more that he recognizes her voice, and Stein had talked to him about Marie staying with them.]

video;

[goodlifechoices]

Oh, yes, I am. That means...

[ She pauses to pick up the SFC and holds it up properly. ]

You must be one of Stein's friends. Hello there.