Summer 16 - Dreary Day Mingle

[kollomods]

[ It's another calm, quiet day on the island. Swedish summers are like this, from time to time. Cloudy, too cold to spend outside but not so cold that you can really cosy up under a blanket. Another gray, endless summer day, the kind school children dread. Even the birds are quiet.

The Community Center lies mostly abandoned, the only sign of activity being the steaming pots of coffee and hot water set out on the counter, alongside a small assortment of cinnamon buns and shortbread cookies. The locals are busy elsewhere. Come, sit. Spend some time together. ]

Comments

[burntviolet]

No, I don't... I'm not sure that'd be a-any of my business.

[ And really, paying attention to people around her is one of her least favourite activities in general. Even if she's starting to learn. ]

[sparkandburn]

[ He turns his attention to her then, brow cocked. ] You're not curious who cooks your food?

[burntviolet]

... No?

[ A tense shake of her head, while drawing the book towards herself like she's trying to protect it. ]

They're probably townspeople. It's hardly s-something I'd be curious about.

[sparkandburn]

Alright... but have you ever seen anyone here?

[ Wow, there really is so little to do here, huh? Chasing the smallest mystery. ]

[burntviolet]

[ That makes her stall before giving another negative answer. He's hinting at something that stirs something in Hanako as she remembers that strange sensation from a couple weeks ago, when she walked through a wooded area at night.

After a moment, she shakes her head again. ]

No, actually... I haven't noticed anyone p-passing by.

[sparkandburn]

That's weird, innit? Always hot breakfast on the table, but you never see anyone at the cooker.

There's something going on at this place, I'm telling you.

[burntviolet]

[ Hanako lowers the book, a crease appearing over her brows. She doesn't want to start thinking ill of her hosts over such a small detail, but it easily taps into her anxiety. ]

If the staff is not actually using the kitchen, th-then who...?

[sparkandburn]

Ghosts, maybe. Who knows what they could get up to when we're not looking.

[ He's not trying to scare her, but... well. He's naturally good at it. ]

[burntviolet]

[ Yeah, she's... not taking this greatly. Then again, almost nothing would unsettle her more than the idea of real living people existing within her range. Let's see if ghosts will top that. ]

But if they make f-food for us, maybe they're not that bad? This is only a guess, but could it be that we're not being informed of their p-presence because our hosts know that would be uncomfortable for some of us?

[sparkandburn]

Wouldn't be the strangest thing, I suppose. [ He shrugs, giving up on this great cupboard expedition. ] Would fit right in with this place, now that you mention it. Bloody considerate as they are.

[burntviolet]

It doesn't seem harmful e-either way, although... [ She casts her eyes down and lets out a tired sigh. ]

Although I would appreciate some transparency. But we don't even k-know if they're actually ghosts.

[sparkandburn]

Ghosts, goblins... witches. All the same in the end, really.

[ Bored with this game, Spike turns his attention to the fridge. ]

[burntviolet]

[ That statement puts her at loss and she's not going to argue about it. So, going straight to the point: ]

There's no way to f-find out what they are, is there? I think going on an investigation m-might break a rule.

[sparkandburn]

Have you seen any rules posted about? [ Genuinely. ] Besides, sometimes rules are made to be broken.

[burntviolet]

[ ... First point is taken, but the second one is kind of. Not. ]

I wouldn't like to make o-our hosts unhappy. Though...

[ Though I'm a little curious. She trails off before saying that, not wanting to sound like she'd be a delinquent for such selfish reasons. ]

[sparkandburn]

[ He raises a brow at that. In all honesty this started as just snooping around but now that he's got her hooked, this could be more permanent fun. ]

It's curious, right? Couldn't hurt to have a look around. We're not doing anything wrong.

[burntviolet]

[ Hanako takes a deep breath and then sighs, shoulders sagging.

Though she strongly doubt they're doing nothing wrong, the decision is made as questions keep drilling in her head. It will bother her all day if she doesn't scratch that small but annoying itch.

So he wins. Hanako pushes the book into her bag and stands up. ]

I'll come along... j-just to look around, alright?

[sparkandburn]

[ He closes the fridge door with a grin when she agrees to go with him. That worked out better than expected. ] Of course! We'll just take a look. No harm in looking.

So... where should we look first?

[burntviolet]

[ ... As much as she hates being appointed the duty of choosing the location, she slings the bag over her shoulder in resignation. ]

Since the kitchen s-seems to have part of the issue... we could start from there?

[sparkandburn]

[ Hey, he needs to know that she's on board with all this! ]

Alright. Let's continue our snooping then, shall we? Maybe set up a trap of our own, see if we can catch something.

[burntviolet]

For now, l-let's stick with the snooping part only.

[ Really, she doesn't want to end up hurting... whatever creature might scurry around these parts. She'd feel pretty bad about it.

Whenever Spike gets to moving, she will follow. ]

[sparkandburn]

Alright, alright... [ He rolls his eyes but lets her be. ] Kitchen, then. See if we can find any more traces of shenanigans.

Unless you have a different idea of where to look?

[burntviolet]

I have none. I'm r-ready.

[ She just wants to look around, see if they find something, then leave. As quick as possible. ]

fade out?

[sparkandburn]

Alright. You take that side, then. I'll continue over here.

Oh- and watch out for cans.

okay!

[burntviolet]

[ WHY CANS? She... won't ask. Just nod along, Hanako, it's fine.

Except it's not so fine. Welp. ]

A-... Alright.

[ And off they go on a super exciting adventure! ]