TDM #4

[apocalypsehowmods]

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➥ Arrival

(cw: potential for severe disorientation/vertigo, claustrophobia, arachnophobia, body horror)

It happens in the blink of an eye. You may have been asleep. You may not have. You may have stepped through a door or turned a corner. You may have seen a flicker of something at the corner of your vision and turned to look. Or maybe you didn't.

It doesn't matter. What matters is that you find yourself somewhere entirely new and entirely unfamiliar. The arrival point is not always the same. (If you're lucky, it might be a canteen or an open office. If you're not, well... you aren't claustrophobic, are you? Or arachnophobic. These ducts do seem to be a bit cobwebby.) There is no one waiting for you but you don’t seem to be alone, either. Even in a janitor’s closet or the bathroom, you’ll find at least one person who seems to be just as out of place as you are.

If characters have arrived in a location devoid of NPCs, they may want to work together to figure out what is going on... or to avoid their 'kidnappers.' If you’ve arrived in the middle of the entry foyer or the gym, there may well be a few people who startle a bit at your arrival and try to approach (or discreetly leave the room... where are they going?). Will you cooperate or fight? Do you even understand what they're saying? You might need to find a translator, if you’re not immediately willing to follow a stranger.

After characters follow their new hosts (or are forcibly taken in) there will be a limited tour and the chance to settle in at the ADI-provided housing. (Do you enjoy living with strangers? Well. It's a new situation to navigate, anyway.)

➥ Toying With You

(cw: creepy toys, possible violence, supernaturally induced emotions)

Weird things happen in Dogtown, everyone knows it. The Apocalypse Disruption Initiative (ADI) is not above taking advantage of that to test out the waters for its newest arrivals. They're not looking to send anyone to their death, though. That's far too much paperwork, you'd been assured with a wink from the employee who'd directed you to the park trailhead. You've been left with another person. Maybe they're a new arrival, as well, or a more seasoned 'veteran.' Either way, you're together for the next while and you've been asked to find and record any paranormal activity in the park. You have your phones and any other equipment you might have brought with you. Those who succeed in documenting anything peculiar will receive a $100 reward to be used as they see fit.

This month...characters who enter the area will eventually stumble upon...a very interesting sight. Take enough confusing, branching paths, and they’ll find a variety of toys abandoned in...a variety of ways.

Some, reminiscent of the happenings of the past month, can be found dangling from branches, or from contraptions of sticks and string staked into the ground. Others might be found arranged in patterns...or simply discarded. Some appear to be tied up. Perhaps surprisingly, there is no evidence of the destruction of these toys. Some may appear to be disintegrating but that’s age, not malice. There are old toys and new toys to be found. Maybe it’s just a prank, or an art installation?

Nothing seems to happen to anyone who ventures to touch the toys. At least...not right away. However, any character who does decide to touch a toy will start to feel like they just don’t have...enough. It might manifest as being particularly possessive over things or people they feel are theirs...or in coveting what they don’t already have (be it material or immaterial). These urges will fade away on their own in time, but who knows what might happen before they do?

➥ Pick a Pocket

(cw: mention of vehicular collisions, supernaturally-induced sleep/fatigue)

There is an ethereal music spreading throughout town. It started in the graveyards last month, but now it's spreading, even as collisions and other accidents continue to pile up. Tourists and locals, alike, will find keeping awake incredibly difficult as October rolls in with a rumble of thunder and a splash of rain. Even caffeine doesn't seem to help much with the problem. The music is only just there, just at the edge of awareness, and it's a song that you know. You can't entirely place it, but it's maddeningly familiar.

The local gangs seem to have taken note of the situation, and have taken to sending out their seemingly more resilient members for some mischief. Specifically, pickpocketing those they might find sleeping or less alert than usual. You might be half-falling asleep on a bus when a hand reaches into your pocket or your bag. You might witness the thief in action, stealing from someone else. Or maybe you're someone keen to take advantage of the situation, yourself. There's money to be made for someone with even moderately light fingers when the target is snoring on a park bench or zoning out while sitting at a cafe.

There doesn't seem to be an even effect to the music. It impacts some people in the same vicinity more than others with seemingly no rhyme or reason. The one constant that does appear for those digging deeply, is that ADI HQ and the ADI housing complex seem to be less affected by the music. It can still sometimes be heard, but it's not nearly as prominent as it is throughout the rest of the city.

➥ Sleeper's Paradox

(cw: supernaturally-induced sleep/fatigue, mild memory loss)

For as much as everyone seems to be sleeping lately, it does not seem to be restful sleep. In fact, people dozing off regularly will find themselves even more exhausted and irritable than usual. Again, this seems to be far more pronounced for anyone straying too far from ADI's properties for extended periods.

Another feature of this latest round of supernatural irritation is that even those who tend to remember their dreams may have trouble with that. You might remember that the dreams weren't pleasant, but that's about it. The specifics are as elusive as the source of the singing.

Festive planning for the end-of-the-month Halloween Party is in full swing at ADI, and characters may find themselves strong-armed by Pam and other HR personnel, in spite of any grumpiness and exhaustion, into helping with some part of it. Will you be assisting with making decorations? Buying supplies for the kitchens? Helping those who might not understand Halloween to find the perfect costume? Everyone is feeling a little out of sorts, and having trouble focusing, so there's some particular pushing to spread tasks out to everyone possible so it doesn't fall on a single individual. Anyone who helps will be compensated for their time, and they might even get some extra cash to buy their own fancy costume or preferred food for the party.

➥ Mod Notes

• ARRIVAL (Oct 1 - 31): Two people will always arrive in the same general location together. Arrivals occur throughout the early month, not all on the same day or in the same place. Arrivals are not naturally fluent in English/other languages immediately upon arrival. Characters may attempt to evade capture, but they will eventually be snagged before they can leave the building. PC's already in-game are more than welcome to interact with and try to guide new PC's to get them oriented. Please refer to the Arrival page for details regarding the arrival and onboarding process.
  
  
• Toying With You (Oct 1 - 31): Characters who physically interact with abandoned toys will find themselves overwhelmed by feelings of jealousy and/or possessiveness. Depending on how much interaction they have with the toys, these feelings might be stronger or last longer. (Anyone who, for example, removes a toy from Dogtown will probably find themselves helpless NOT to act on the feelings.) Strength of feeling and duration of time is up to player discretion. The source of these feelings could be anything, including the toys themselves. The toys can be destroyed but are not clumped all in one spot. It may take some searching to find them all.
  
  
• Pick a Pocket (Oct 1- 25): Characters are welcome to experience, enact, or stop a crime. You may find yourself victim, hero, or perpetrator. The number of people asleep or having trouble staying awake will increase the closer you get to graveyards and seem to decrease the closer you get to ADI-owned buildings. The decrease in sleepiness around ADI buildings does not extend to anyone living at Bonnie's. Characters may find themselves falling asleep in the middle of trivial or important tasks, perhaps even in the middle of conversation. This is a supernatural sleep, but for the moment, it seems easy enough to wake someone up with a loud noise or a shake. Or, if you're feeling particularly vindictive, a splash of water to the face.
  
  
• Sleeper's Paradox (Oct 1-25): Characters are welcome to take part in whatever party planning they wish to for ADI's Halloween party. Everyone affected by the drowsiness that's taken over the city will find that they cannot remember the specific nature of their dreams; although, they will have the sense that they did have them, and they were unpleasant. The effects of the fatigue may affect other memories or result in increased irritability, and decreased focus and reaction times. Characters may find themselves more prone to error than usual, even those who are typically known for being on-point at all times.
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Comments

[septieme]

Yes, yes. Just give me a moment to put this away, okay?

[Turning her back to him to rinse out and refill his mug with tap water, she then slides it back to him across the counter with a wink before picking up the post-it note Joshua so awkwardly earnestly left behind. Without further ado, she's sauntering towards the back.

And just as her figure disappears, the door to the shop is opening once more. This time a woman with curly hair in her mid twenties chewing gum and wearing earbuds is entering, and she doesn't spare a single glance to Abel as she makes straight for the side counter door leading to the employees area, soon disappearing to the back as well.

...Ciel DID mention her shift was finishing soon, it's about that time, isn't it? 🤔 Will he behave patiently wait...]

[inutilis]

[ Abel is taking his glass of water to patiently re-seat himself at the table to Wait. he knows this trick!!! STAY, right?? wow haha yes he can do it, just look at him go!! ...or NOT go, in this case, since the order was stay. not go. he is staying. obediently.

his eyes curiously follow the new arrival, though-- and he is opening his mouth to offer some kind of greeting when the woman just brushes right on by him and toward the back. o-oh... right, then. the next shift? Ciel must be getting ready to leave, in that case. well-- that's a relief... he isn't sure what in God's name he would've done if the next patron of this fine establishment had been even more awkward than the last, honestly...... ]

[septieme]

[Putting something away shouldn't take longer than a minute, heck even a minute may be TOO long. Alas, it'll be a minute, then two, then three... There IS an old-fashioned clock with hands mounted on one of the walls, and it'd have been closer to five minutes, when Ciel finally emerges by herself from the back once more.

...She looks a bit frazzled (maybe even nervous?), but keeps her chin up as she makes her way back to the cash register. A few presses of buttons and a turn of keys later, and she's taking out the cash drawer while offering him a sheepish smile.]

Can you please go wait outside, Fa... er, mister? It'll be about... 15 minutes, I think!

[It'd be nice if he could bring over his mug but w/e, she'll just have to go pick that one up herself before leaving. Shouldn't take long either way, yeah!]

[inutilis]

[ Abel was beginning to wonder if something had Happened, and upon catching a glimpse at Ciel's expression when she makes her reappearance, that thought only seems to grow??? hm,

he is getting to his feet none-the-less, and not wanting to be more of a nuisance than he's already been, nods obligingly. ]

R-right! Right, I can wait outside. Um-- is everything okay?

[ j-just checking... does she, like. need help or anything...... ]

[septieme]

[Ciel just nods along with her sheepish smile...]

Yes! Please and thank you!

[She's then disappearing to the back once more along with the cash drawer she took out, and a few seconds later, the same woman he saw before is reappearing to the front. Donned in the pink and white apron of the shop with her curly hair tied up in a high ponytail, she's carrying a cash drawer of her own to place into the empty cash register. Definitely a veteran, this one: she's sporting a clear nameplate with "Hannah" printed on it.

Is he still lingering, or has he already made his way out the door? Because she will be looking around the store once she's locked in her cash drawer, and if their gazes cross, hers is one that clearly says "why is there a loser dude dressed in a super fancy cassock/some priest cosplayer or something loitering in the shop??"

'Hannah' won't verbally say a word, however. Just... look very judgmental. Also the music in the shop has changed in the meanwhile to some modern rock and pop, replacing the quiet silence of before. Someone has radio privilege, it would seem! It's currently playing some song about numbers and calling, and he may just be leaving Duncan's Donuts with that as the backdrop. What a coincidence considering the last customer that surely Hannah could NOT have known about, right?? H-haha...

So is Abel risking more hideous NPC local encounters, or will he be a GOOD BOY and wait outside as asked...]

[inutilis]

[ sometimes? Abel is like an unruly child and seem absolutely tasked with the desire to do the opposite of what he's told to do at any given instant. but others, he is a surprisingly obedient dog man who heeds the requests of others with great thoughtfulness and care not to make life more difficult for them!!! wow, so fortunate Ciel is on the receiving end of one of his Obedient moods, today. (the hot chocolate probably helped a great deal.)

thus, he is almost right away trotting to mill outside of the café, hands buried in his pockets and whistling a cheery tune to himself as he waits for his newfound friend...

...you know, inconspicuous """fake?""" priest, nothing to see here, folks,

.......he definitely doesn't all but have his nose nosily pressed up against the glass while he waits to see some sign of Ciel coming, n-no, who would do that, ]

[septieme]

[The quickest way to a man's heart is really thru his ribcage stomach, huh... smh

THAT IS! Hannah is very much giving Abel the stink eye from inside the shop, but only a few times before her attention is diverted back to stuff inside the store. As long as Abel and his lanky ass don't get in the way of customers, she probably won't have to come outside or call the cops. ...And there WILL be a teenager couple looking all lovey-dovey coming in before Ciel is seen again, the girl giggling like the literal high school girl she is and the guy dropping corny lines about his "sugar baby" while they've got their arms linked like newlyweds. They're happy to act as if Abel doesn't exist, as long as he's not obstructing the way to the entrance...

...

But yes. After closer to 20 minutes, Ciel is finally stepping out in casual clothes that would have her easily blend in with any other group of college or university students in town: a gray hoodie, knee-length skirt, black leggings, and ankle-length brown boots. She's got a messenger bag slung on one shoulder, while hugging onto a doggy paper DUNCAN'S DONUT bag in her other arm.

--Oh, and she's also wearing glasses now. That makes two of them!]

--Thank you for waiting! We shouldn't hold up the entrance, let's go?

[Delivered chipper and bright as if the awkwardness back inside never happened, she's totally not rushed either, nah. Will he follow along as she starts walking away, or does he need his hand literally held...?]

[inutilis]

[ o-oh... so, she's undergone some sort of transformation sequence in the back room, is that it...? Abel is, at the very least, well and ready for her by the time she appears-- even holding the door ajar for her when she makes her exit. composed, now... hm. quite curious~! ]

Of course...! R-right.

[ it seems this dog priest is used to being led around by the nose, because he is diligently trotting to keep up with Ciel in the next beat; he is long and lanky and it doesn't take much to fall into step beside her. ]

Um-- Miss Ciel... is everything alright? You were looking a bit... um... well, that's...

[ HMMMmmm... he isn't quite sure what to call it, precisely-- so he merely tilts his head inquiringly and waits to see if, perhaps, she's caught on despite it. ]

[septieme]

[No she's just blending IN, dummy, yanno the thing he's NOT doing? Still wearing his professional master class cosplay tier cassock and the Large and In Charge rosary that could absolutely kill more than just A Man, smh. It's 2021 grandpa, get on with the times!

She gives him a placating smile, slightly sheepish but unmarred otherwise.]

Hannah is apparently strict and doesn't have much patience, so getting out of her hair as soon as possible was best for both of us. [The polite way of saying "I-don't-wanna-get-in-shit-for-harbouring-a-hobo-fake-priest-and-letting-him-loiter-around-too-long-which-might've-chased-away-customers", but details.]

Anyway, I would ask if you had somewhere else to be now, Father, but I don't think you would have offered to wait for me if you did. [Something also tells her he's waiting more for what she has in her arms, but treats can come later after more pressing matters are seen to.] If you have no plans, then shall we get on to finding you more suitable clothing for these times first?

[inutilis]

...Oh? Oh... --Oh.

[ Abel just went through several different phases of realization, there; the last one ends on concern and a bit of an admonished look. ]

I didn't get you in trouble, did I...? I mean-- I can buy something, next time~! I'll be your best customer...! Miss Hannah won't have any room for complaint if that's the case, right? I'll buy fifty eclairs~!

[ sighs heavily he just wants to buy fattydingdong things.

at least he is moving on as she does, clearing his throat as he keeps step with her away from the cafe and into the streets of Gloucester. ]

But... hey, Ciel... is it really alright for you to be doing this kind of thing? I mean, if you've got something else to do, I understand-- of course. It's, ah... a bit rude of me to hog up your free time after work, and yes... that revelation might be coming to be a bit belatedly, but please forgive me my trespasses... Sometimes I get a bit carried away, that's all! I'm not really used to being able to loiter as I please, so...

[ w-whoops 🥲 look, he's just making sure she isn't too nice to say 'go lay down, boy, shoo' or something...... ]

[septieme]

[She's holding onto the paper bag in both her arms now, her pace a brisk gait him and his longer and lanky af legs very much won't have any trouble in keeping up with.]

Do you even have acceptable currency, if you've only been here for two or three days? ADI pays us with prepaid debit cards, for the record, yet if I didn't know any better, I could've sworn you were digging through your pockets for loose change or something...

[Totally not dodging his question of whether or not this gross stray hobo priest got her in trouble, motoring right on--]

Hm? How would it not be? We've all been rather suddenly transferred to new jobs here, and upended from our previous routines, that should give everyone more free time if anything, as you're already correctly surmised. [Hobo priest loiterer...] I'm surprised to hear you ask, though. Judging by your earlier entrance, you didn't seem like the sort that would become preoccupied by the convenience and availability of other people. What brought on the change of heart, Father?

[Is she calling him obnoxious with no regard to others' personal space or comfort, but politely? She may be doing just that, maybe,]

[inutilis]

[ mention of 'currency' has Abel digging into his pockets again; he is pulling out a few small dinars, jingling them in his palm demonstratively. ]

Old habits die hard, I suppose? As it turns out, these don't get me all too far in America, you're right, Ciel! [ sheepish though his smile may be as he re-pockets his 'change,' Abel may just be looking at her with a vague sense that he is Thinking.......

HMMM...

...but whatever it is, he is seemingly tucking it away with the rest of his secret note-taking to humor her motoring ons, ]

W-well, I guess what I'm trying to get at is that I've taken up quite a good bit of your time, and... ah, you know-- I'm giving you a polite out of babysitting me any further for the day! You know, if you've suddenly remembered some pressing business you have to attend to, I won't be offended~!

[ contrary to popular belief, Abel is actually a self-aware obnoxious creature.......... ]

Maybe I'm simply in a good mood? Or maybe the little angel on my shoulder has finally managed to gain ground over the little devil, Miss Ciel? We all have our demons-- as a woman who seems so well-versed in the teaching of our Lord and savior, certainly you're acquainted with the subject... Have you inspired me to conquer mine...? Ah, food for thought, perhaps!

[septieme]

[She glances over curiously. Are those dinars anything like the 21st century ones in circulation in the Middle East near the Mediterranean Sea? Might or might not recognize them otherwise... But he's free of her peanut gallery commentary on the state of his BROKE ASS, at least for the time being.]

I'll have to do some grocery later and make dinner, then do a deliver at Bonnie's Flophouse. There's still daylight out and the stores near the apartment complex close late, an hour before building curfew, so I'm not in a rush. [A beat after that, she's raising a hand to stifle a yawn. Hm, not quite immune to whatever's been going around...] More importantly, it would have been pointless for me to accost you and make you wait, if I don't at the very least see you through getting some more setting appropriate clothes so that you would stick out less like a sore thumb, Father. Speaking of which, how much have you accepted from their "out-of-town hire starter package"? If we go along with everything we're told, we're given some money to cover basic necessities and offered housing at the designated apartment complex. I've heard that some turn it down and choose to live at Bonnie's, but less is provided there and an everyday living is not quite as convenient.

[Wouldn't be surprising if this hobo went to Bonnie's, but at the same time can he really afford to (no)... Also noticing him calling her out for her religious shenanigans earlier, feel free to notice or NOT notice her sidestep that comment entirely in favor of focusing on HIS situation,]

[inutilis]

My~! Aren't you a busy little bee? Deliveries, Ciel? On top of working at-- ah, you know, places [ he leans in to whisper this, oh so discreetly ] and the café? No wonder you're yawning; do you ever sleep?

[ dodging the Religion card, is she... they really are playing a game of "don't step on a crack and break your mother's back" except the crack is acknowledging any of the potential pitfalls in this conversation, wow,

...nudging at his glasses with a slightly contemplative look, Abel is 'hmmm'-ing softly for but a moment before he nods his head as if suddenly recalling some vague detail... ]

Oh! Right...! The apartment building for, um, 'new employees?' Yes, yes-- I've got a place there and all, but...

[ .........looking slightly more awkward, and less contemplative by the second, ]

Y-you know, I may have been experimenting with the little card thingy they give you? You know, the money-card? It's quite a novel idea, isn't it~? How is all your money on one tiny little card?! I was so certain it was a hoax, you see, so I had to test it for myself. A-and, so, I may have... you know... t-tested it a little too vigorously, and...

[ ...............he may have blown his initial stipend on honey buns. but to be perfectly fair, it was money well spent tbh, ]

[septieme]

Yes. Are you going to ask what my errand is about, too? You did say you were curious, but maybe nosy is the better word for it? And of course I sleep. The building curfew is at 11PM, what else would I be doing in my room by then if I wasn't resting? This unnatural bout of sleepiness has been going around, surely you already noticed with the man who originally ordered the éclair you sent to an early grave just today. Keeping busy helps me focus, I'll sleep when it's time.

[...

......

.........]

Just say it plainly please, Father. How much do you have left on your prepaid debit card, a stipend that was supposed to go to clothing?

[inutilis]

[ 'nosy' she says,

.....and is absolutely correct!!! he doesn't look put-off at being called out, however, nor does he seem to think that the curfew would stop her from Doing Things if she were so inclined. listen... when as a curfew ever stopped the determined?!?! ...he hopes she isn't lying, however, and does get some rest. that sleepiness is... well. it's getting a bit harder to ignore each day, isn't it? Abel isn't sure if it's a relief he isn't alone in that experience. ]

Hm.

[ HMM. ] Well, if you wanted to share your errand with me, Ciel, you could just come out and say it... I'm a very good listener, for your information~! Unburden yourself as much as you need...!

[ yes, that is his takeaway from all this. but on the next point-- ]

Hm? Hmmm...? [ HMMMM. ] Ah. That's a good question; the card doesn't seem to change no matter how many times I swipe it... isn't that strange? Is it supposed to deplete when I'm out of money?

[septieme]

["Hm", he says.]

I could, but I wonder if I should be worried about your potential reaction. You're the freeloader type, after all. Isn't that right?

[Said casually without sparing him a glance! They're just walking.

...]

How were you expecting it to change, exactly? Your attempts to pay with it will simply be declined, once there is no longer enough funds to cover whatever you're trying to buy.

[a beat.]

So credit cards aren't used, in the future you come from? That's interesting...

[Interesting, indeed...]

[inutilis]

Freeloader!! I resent the implication, thank you...! [ yet 'resent' the implication and 'dispute' the implication are two very different things, aren't they, ]

...L-listen, I don't know-- maybe it makes a... noise? O... or, ah. A message appears! Yes, that might make sense?

[ no. it doesn't, does it. ]

Anyway, how are you supposed to tell what's on it? Magic...? ...You know, this does have me thinking. Is this the year you're from, Ciel? All of this has come very naturally to you, hasn't it?

[septieme]

Well then, would you feel resentful, if I told you that my errand is to deliver dinner to a friend living at Bonnie's Flophouse?

[...Smiling...

...]

There's an app you can install on your phone that can help you check, the mobile device we're all issued after orientation. Everyone who came to the café today had their own too, except Ms. Williams. [teenagers and cell phones, name a more iconic duo tbh-- that is, she will proceed to pull hers out of her coat pocket, flashing it to him briefly. A black sleek standard modern cellphone... She misses the flip covers personally, tbh,]

Hm? I'm from two decades back of our current year here, actually. What about you, Father of a Distant Future? [...wow, that sounded way cornier out loud than it did in her head. But he wouldn't mind, right??]

[inutilis]

Ah~! Do you enjoy cooking, Ciel...? Making dinner for someone and delivery, how nice~! [ so this is more personal a favor? she's made a friend here already, huh? or someone she was previously acquainted with...? ABEL IS NOSY now he has even more questions-- ]

...Oh, the phone. [ said like a boomer who is about to say something like, BACK IN MY DAY, PHONES WERE HUNG UP ON THE WALL AND WE DIDN'T HAVE NO FANCY APP TO TELL US HOW TO TURN RIGHT AND BLAH BLAH, ] Yes, yes, that tiny computer that does it all if I'm to believe what I hear~! --Wait, are you saying it can tell me how much money is on my card? How does it know...?!

[ he is glad he left it at home. STRANGE DEVICE....... SPYING... more like he can the battery dead and forgot to charge it last night, ]

Ah, so you're from around this time period? Just a bit behind, is it... I see! I see, I guess it wasn't a leap to adjust to the changes in technology since then? Or are they still difficult to get used to? [ maybe she's just one of those youngins who adapts really well? considering how much she seems to have (willingly) loaded onto her plate... maybe that is closer to the truth. ] Um, I mean-- you're not wrong...! 'Distant Future' sounds about right. Sounds kind of like the 'Ghost of Christmas Future' when you put it like that, though, doesn't it...

[septieme]

It's nice to make what you like, of course. Cooking is a good skill to hone too, given our situation now. [Wow he isn't asking for a portion nor what she's making, this fake hobo priest really has "selectively nosy" down to an exact science, doesn't he?]

Yes. And if you're curious, you can look that information up on your own time. Manuals and online sources would explain it far better than me, so I won't bore you with the details. Are you not carrying yours?

[...This guy. She hasn't missed how he's yet to give her any specific numbers, so finally, she's putting her phone back into her pocket before shifting to open the closed paper bag she's been holding onto since leaving the store.

...And draws out a single double chocolate chip cookie,]

Technology has really improved, but I've been managing without trouble. What year are you from, Father?

[...munch,]

[inutilis]

[ ....hmph. HMPH, HMPH-- he is lifting his chin to Peer as she removes

A COOKIE,

and everything else has abruptly fallen to the wayside. he is Watching it as a man stranded in the desert might observe an oasis..... o-oh. that looks... good, ]

Ah. That's good; no trouble, good, good. [ ah. ] What? ...Pardon? Oh-- the year? [ ... ] This might sound strange, but... the coo-- um, calendar is a bit different where I'm from? [ cookie, ] I've had to do the math, so-- it is a little rough around the edges, but it is something like 3064 AD. Um-- is that double chocolate chip...?

[septieme]

[munch, munch, swallow so that she's not talking with her mouth full--]

Goodness. 3064 AD? That is quite the distant future!

[That much said, since she only took one bite out of her cookie so far and it's still preserving its round and decidedly cookie shape, she'll simply hang onto it by her teeth, which frees up her hand to

Simply take out another one and offer it to him, without a single word to acknowledge his (barely coherent) response/commentary/question (???).

Is the dog he gonna take it or is he gonna stare all day? GOOD BOYS get treats when they behave or do the tricks they're told, after all, and he DID finally answer the question she wanted to know about. Only natural to offer him a REWARD, right?

...The cookie is somewhat burnt, for the record, but it's 100% double chocolate chip, and more than edible! Just. A bit of a charcoal-ish aftertaste, but only picky eaters ought to complain, probably?]

1/2

[inutilis]

[ o... oh. is this-- ]

For me?

[ Abel looks. touched?? as if Ciel has just held out the holy grail, the ticket to his salvation, the most delicious baked good he has ever laid his eyes on... taking it delicately, as if it were made of glass. ]

Ah, Ciel, you truly are some kind of saint, aren't you...?! First the hot chocolate, and now...

[inutilis]

[ ...well, who is he to look a gift horse in the mouth?? (slightly)burnt or not, Abel is taking a bite and his face is lighting up in a perfect delight-- it doesn't seem to sour his enjoyment in the least~! wowwww thanks Ciiiiellll...

ez 2 plz..... ]

It's good~! My very tastebuds are all coming alive again... what is it about chocolate that makes everything extra tasty, hm~?