finer food, but no music

[promittere]

[Well that was...unpleasant, to say the least. Two more deaths, but this time there's the matter of whatever's happening to Seteth as well.

Ignis is trying not to think about it, which means he's thinking about it a lot, which means he spends a few moments pacing and trying to figure out what to do. He thinks back to the party - for as much as you could call it that - that Olivert hosted, and, well... He's not sure how much morale can be boosted, but it's worth a shot, isn't it?

The decorations of the opera house are much simpler this time around, but the food is noticeably better, between the actual operational kitchen and the fact Ignis is much more skilled than Olivert. The food is well made and it even looks delicious from where it's set up, and there's a sign outside the opera house that reads:]

A not as grand feast, for all of us to enjoy.
Attendance is not mandatory, but it might be better than staying alone.

Catered by Ignis Scientia.

[At least there are less rose petals this time.]

Comments

[pr159]

[ Are you sick of Rideaux today? Too bad, he's here anyway.

If it helps, he's a little less gleefully smug now that the trial and execution are over. He's just going to be sitting by himself with some food and a glass of water. (Which, thankfully, he doesn't need so much this time, now that he's not choking to death on barely edible food. Thank you, Ignis.) ]

[puperoni]

[ Pizza is pizza, and even though their banter at trial wasn't the friendliest, he can't help but notice when someone's alone. Time to be awkward. ]

Why aren't you eating with anyone else?

[pr159]

[ Wow, stuff just rolls off your back, huh... ]

Because I'm perfectly capable of eating food without assistance.

[ LIKE... NEVER MIND THAT REAN HAD TO BRING HIM WATER LAST WEEK BECAUSE HE WAS DYING FROM SPICES... ]

[puperoni]

[ He's like a Pizza roll. ]

I didn't say you needed help, but it's always better to eat with someone. Oh, are you waiting for someone to show up?

[pr159]

No, I'm not.

[ Is this what Julius used to feel like when Rideaux bothered him at lunch when they were kids and initiated unrequested food trades... ]

You know, we all just spent seven hours locked in a room together, I don't think anyone is exactly starved for human interaction right now.

[puperoni]

This is different! And you don't need to talk while you eat with someone, it's kind of hard to anyway. [ Guess that settles it, he's plopping down right next to Rideaux with his food. His plate is full of whatever sweet stuff he could find + Ignis version of pasta because who knows if spaghetti exists in FFland. ]

[pr159]

[ Well, this is kind of annoying, but whatever. As long as he doesn't have to listen to any stupid ramblings.

He sighs and turns his attention back to his food. ]

I suppose if you're that set on doing this, I won't bother stopping you.

[puperoni]

Thanks! [ You know for letting him pizzaroll as he tends to do. For at least a few minutes he's quiet as he eats, but silence never lasts long when he's involved. ]

Are you enjoying your food? [ Peek, peek what is it. ]

[pr159]

[ god damn it

He closes his eyes for a moment, and exhales. ]

It's fine. Infinitely better than last week's offerings, in any case.

[ idfk what food is here, let's say it's some kind of spam schnitzel or something... though i'm laughing that "moist tomato cake" is apparently an ffxv recipe ]

[puperoni]

What happened last week? [ He was having a case of feelings so he didn't witness that calamity.

Moist tomato cake tho... ]

[pr159]

The person doing the cooking had no business putting himself in that position is what. I hear there were some things that were passable, but the dish I had certainly wasn't one of them.

I suspect the reason someone else jumped on the chance to handle the cooking today was specifically to prevent the same person from trying it a second time.

[puperoni]

Was it really that bad? Maybe they got the salt and the sugar mixed up... [ Playing with his food innocently. ]

[pr159]

...Well, that's strangely specific, and possible, but hardly the only issue. It was like he just dumped all these dry spices on top at the very end rather than actually cooking with them, so you'd just end up inhaling this cloud of dust.

[notbymyside]

[It's interesting how edible food changes everything, right?

But anyway, Ango is going to come over with a paper to share.]

I wanted a second set of eyes to see this. Does this all look correct to you so far?

[pr159]

[ It sure is!

He looks over the paper and nods. ]

Seems right.

[ Glances over at Ignis... ]

I don't recall that one answering, but I don't recall hearing an objection from him, either. Might be worth seeing if he'll still cop to it now that the pressure's off. He seems less... difficult than the others.

[notbymyside]

He does, but pushing the point tonight may not be wise. Giving people a day or two to sit on it would be helpful.

...you weren't wrong, to be suspicious of those who wouldn't answer. But I think that might have made you a couple enemies.

[pr159]

Well, I'll leave it to you.

[ At the second part, he shrugs. ]

I'm pretty sure most of the ones who had that much of a problem with it didn't like me in the first place, so it's no skin off my nose.

[ Except for like, Dist, but he seems like he could be easily won over again with a few bullshit compliments if it seems necessary. ]

[notbymyside]

I will try to patch things up, then. We really do need to work together here, as difficult as it might be to get along with some people.

[he's giving Rideaux a pointed look. Hint hint]

[pr159]

Yes, yes, I know.

[ Look, outside of this trial, he's actually done a pretty good job of Not Starting Shit compared to those people, so spare him the "play nice" lecture. ]

Though given the results I think there's also something to be said for our little "good cop, bad cop" routine.

[ I mean. Look at that list. ]

[notbymyside]

[Interestingly enough, that comment draws a genuine smile out of Ango.]

Aaah, that. Odasaku and Dazai were fond of that one.

I suppose we could refine it into something to use. Maybe with enough practice, we could use it on the real targets here.

[pr159]

Oh?

[ Huh, that is interesting. (Also he fucking hopes he's not the one being compared to Dazai here.) ]

That sounds like a plan to me.

[notbymyside]

[He absolutely fukken is, Odasaku was the good cop.]

We'll need someone to test it on. Preferably someone who won't stab us. Any ideas?

[pr159]

[ gdi ]

Hm.

[ Glancing at the list again... ]

What do you think of Erik? I haven't interacted with him very much, but my impression is that he's impulsive, but more in a stupid way than a drawing-a-knife way.

[ The fucking mail chute... ]

[notbymyside]

[That mail chute tho.]

If we do, then I suspect I should 'come across' you two after you two are already speaking. If we walk up at the same time, he might not take the efforts as genuine.

[pr159]

Fair. Shall we hold off until whatever meeting ends up being scheduled for this week, since that seems to be a thing now? That would probably also be more subtle than approaching out of the blue, and then it makes sense for you to be there to overhear anyway.