artisticliberty | [imeeji

[nods]

Joker was... ah... I ran into him several times. Once, before the madness took me. Twice, afterwards.

What happened?

At first, we were all still ourselves--myself, Joker, Mars, and Prim. We traveled together for a while, avoiding conflict and keeping ourselves safe. By the end of the session, we were struggling, but we were still able to comfort one another.

The second time... I encountered Mars, and he led me on a chase through the house, and somewhere in there I fell prey to the ghost. I became... obsessed with the pursuit of bloody ecstasy, and that is when Joker came upon us. We ganged up on Mars. It was...

[shudders]

We did horrible things to him. Once he had stopped giving us a real fight, I stepped back to watch Joker finish it. That bloody sight... I was mesmerized by it. And then, once he was done, in his moment of vulnerability I swooped in and... tore open his throat with my teeth. I drank his blood until he was still.

[lets out a long breath like he was holding it in for a while, shoulders slumping]

[quiet for a moment]

Have you talked to Mars since then?

I saw him once we had all been released. He... forgave me, somehow. I'm truly in awe of him, sometimes.

Mars understands. Anyone who went mad in that house will understand.

... does that include yourself?

I should hope so, considering I killed nearly all of you in there.

Does that mean I do not need to ask your forgiveness?

[blinks]

Is that was all this was about? You don't need to do anything like that.

[he does look relieved, letting out a long sigh]

Thank you.

Of course.

[finally takes a sip of his tea, after it has surely gone cold by now, and makes a face.

why does vore have to ruin food :(]

Have you been eating?

... not particularly. I no longer have an appetite. And when I do manage to eat, it all tastes like...

Even if it's unpleasant, you need to eat. If nothing else, pick up some CalorieMate or a protein shake.

... that would be better than trying to subsist on tea and willpower, yes.

I have never felt this way before. Growing up with Sens--with Madarame, I felt like I was always hungry. I never left anything behind during meals, even things I disliked. Now it feels like a trial just to finish a single onigiri. I hate how this place has changed me.

[that's very sad and he has no idea what to say]

I'm sorry.

Ah... forgive me, I did not mean to bring the mood down.

[on the one hand: when does fox ever acknowledge the mood? this might be a first.

on the other hand: the mood was already pretty down before that...]

[chuckles]

Don't worry, the mood didn't have any lower to go.

I am trying to think of something that will raise it but I am out of ideas...

You don't need to do anything. I'm grateful that you invited me.

I am grateful that you came.

Ah, would you perhaps like to see the koi pond?

[pouncing on the opportunity to do something less sad and awkward]

Yes, thank you.

Follow me.

[he gets up and leads to A to jardin du taisho, and i'm just going to c&p from the official description: "Through a sliding door in the living room of Taisho’s dorm is a large outdoor Japanese-style landscape garden, centered around a rocky, two level koi pond. Upon going through the door, one will find oneself on a long overhanging walkway attached to the dorm-side wall of the garden. The walkway itself is wooden and painted red with a slanted roof which is adorned with hanging metal lanterns. Wooden chairs are located here, and the walkway itself is bordered by sturdy railing one can lean on to view the garden and relax. A gap in the railing makes way for willow-shaded steps that lead down into the garden proper, where a stony path leads to the pond. The pond itself has a few large decorative stones for it, as well as a short waterfall that drops from its second level. The primary feature of the pond is a large sakura tree which sweeps low over it and is seemingly always in bloom, despite also always dropping its petals. Pebble walkways (beside which is the occasional standing temple lantern) provide paths around the pond and up to its second tier, where a variety of roses grow. The rest of the garden’s flora is largely wild grasses, mosses, hedges, and small bonsai shrubs. A large rocky outcropping rings the garden, preventing anyone from wandering too far. Aside from the sakura, there are also several magnolia trees throughout the area, as well as patches of chrysanthemum scattered throughout."

there's also a private open-air onsen bath, as if we weren't fancy enough]

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