[MINGLE] chocolate and roses

[vrdr_mods]

It's Valentine's Day, and that means just one thing for the inhabitants of the Velvet Room: chaos.

And chocolate, possibly. Or even something else? Or perhaps you're spending the holiday entirely by yourself?

[[ooc: just a quick catchall post for any toplevels or threads people might want to make for the holiday! Feel free to make inbox or journal posts as well.]]

Comments

[wipingallout]

"You can help and also be helped. That's what a real human connection is about - both of you being there for each other," Hamuko explained, gesturing between herself and Morning. "So if you ever want my help - not just need, but want it - I'll be there for you."

[paradisefraught]

"Real...human connection?" Blink, blink. "Everyone deserves to have that!"

[wipingallout]

"Exactly! It's the kind of thing we can only get by being our authentic selves with someone," Hamuko nodded. "Sharing ourselves, helping each other... those are the things that make life worth living."

[paradisefraught]

Yes, yes! "Everyone's gonna get that, too! I'm gonna make sure of that...it's my reason to be alive!"

[wipingallout]

"Hmmm... how are you going to do that for everyone, Morning?"

[paradisefraught]

"With my dad! We're gonna make a great world. No more pain or suffering!" He's happy, chirping. He's proud of his work!

[wipingallout]

"How so?"

[paradisefraught]

"Cognition!"

[wipingallout]

"Cognition? ...Like the dungeons in Inaba? Oh-- you might have trouble remembering that," Hamuko hummed in thought.

"What techniques are you studying to affect cognition?"

[paradisefraught]

"Uh." Morning has to think about that one.

"We study how our perceptions shape our reality!"

[wipingallout]

Hamuko doesn't blow it off, doesn't assume he's talking nonsense - she nods, contemplates what it might mean. "Okay... kind of like how our perspective might change how we view an event?"

[paradisefraught]

"Like the placebo effect!"

[wipingallout]

"Like the placebo effect, right-- I remember that from one of my classes," Hamuko nodded tapping her bottom lip in thought. "So... you are working to find a way to change the way people see the world?"

[paradisefraught]

"It's more the other way around. We're gonna change the world so that everyone gets what they want and need!"

[wipingallout]

"Okay, now I'm lost! How is studying cognition going to change the world so people get what they need?"

[paradisefraught]

"Uhm." He looks at the ground and scuffs his shoes. "Dad doesn't let me share those details."

[wipingallout]

"...Why not? Wouldn't it help if he had more people helping his research?"

But that's probably not what it is - the glib notes reading things like brainwashmaxing come to her mind pretty quickly.

[paradisefraught]

"Oh, no! It's because I don't fully understand them..."Dad doesn't let me share those details" just sounded cooler in my head..."

[wipingallout]

"Hah! I see, I see - it makes him sound like a villain from Featherman," she joked, striking a dramatic pose with her hand half-gripping her face, "My father doesn't let me share the details..."

[paradisefraught]

"And I'm the funny henchman!" He grins, popping his collar and doing his best "silly villain" impression. "Mwehehehehe!"

[wipingallout]

"Aww, don't sell yourself short!! You'll either be the miniboss or the antihero dramatically rebelling against dad - 'Father, you've lost your way...!!! Your powers made you forget what your dream REALLY was all about...!!!'" she dramatically voiced, imitating that expected angsty antihero character.

[paradisefraught]

"Dad...being bad?" The thought flies right over his fuzzy, empty head.

[wipingallout]

Hamuko hesitated for a moment, before settling a hand on her hip and looking Morning over closely. "Well... yeah! Adults can lose their way sometimes. Your dad might need your help to set him straight someday, right?"

[paradisefraught]

"Dad...need my help..."

He's stopped walking. He's staring blankly into the distance.

[wipingallout]

Ah... this must be the shutting down she's heard about. Hamuko steps in front of him, looking into that foggy expression.

"That's right. Your father is only human, after all."