[The man is unremarkable. A tone placid and calm in the swell of excitable noises around them, clinks of classes removed from tables, the sharp contact of sticks hitting resin. A place that's a third home to him, outside of Jazz Jin only a short walk down the road.
Threat. There's a threat. He glances around to see why the flicker of a sensation rushes through his body in a nauseating wave. But-
It's there. It's gone. Pacified by a glance around the boisterous room - being safe is prudent. He is safe.]
I taught most of my friends to play, so you're in good hands.
[With the confirmation he's welcome, his claim is lain on the table nearby with his school bag. Assignments inside on the off chance he had to wait, so the time wasn't wasted. His arms stretch in front of him - catlike and relaxed before he plucks a single dart from the table-
To stab into his own neck, pull the blunted tip across his veins and-
Press it right into Maruki's eye. Don't relent. Hit again and again and-
His eyes are dry, from the intensity of how he's bore them into Maruki's face for-
How long? He doesn't know. Can't remember. Didn't notice. It was weird and-
A small laugh - he waves off the bizarre moment.]
My apologies. We'll play a practice game to learn the rules - simple as they are, it seems to resonate better that way. I'm sure you're familiar with the concept in general - throw the dart to hit specific points on the board. Most people think you're supposed to hit the bullseye every time. That's not the case.
[He stands by the board to reset it - the easiest mode [301] - flashes in bright, obnoxious font.]
Sometimes winning requires you to bide your time and play to your teammate's weakness, as opposed to hitting as many points as possible. That's the reason this can be so challenging as a multiplayer game. It requires a great deal of teamwork.
[He motions towards the array of darts on the table - briefly spells out the quadrants, their point value, and the goal of getting the score to zero as a combined effort.
A phone buzzes from his pocket - it's 50/50 on whether it's an obscene message in the group chat, one that's permanently muted on his phone unless pinged repeatedly, or an actual important message.
This time it is. The phone angled to where Maruki can likely see - it's not like he has any secrets. His mom sent him a picture of Hegel, eyes wild and with one of the previously hidden treats in his mouth. A comment of '(◞‸◟；) he negotiated well. can you pick up more on your way home? we also need -'
A rope. A chair. A sturdy beam in a dimly lit apartment coated in mold and-
He sends back an 'Of course' and repockets it.]
Apologies again. That was my mother - would you like to go first or shall I demonstrate?
HRUMMMMMMMMMMMMWRHIRIRHIRH cw: mentions of self harm, murder thoughts, suicide mention!!!
Threat. There's a threat. He glances around to see why the flicker of a sensation rushes through his body in a nauseating wave. But-
It's there. It's gone. Pacified by a glance around the boisterous room - being safe is prudent. He is safe.]
I taught most of my friends to play, so you're in good hands.
[With the confirmation he's welcome, his claim is lain on the table nearby with his school bag. Assignments inside on the off chance he had to wait, so the time wasn't wasted. His arms stretch in front of him - catlike and relaxed before he plucks a single dart from the table-
To stab into his own neck, pull the blunted tip across his veins and-
Press it right into Maruki's eye. Don't relent. Hit again and again and-
His eyes are dry, from the intensity of how he's bore them into Maruki's face for-
How long? He doesn't know. Can't remember. Didn't notice. It was weird and-
A small laugh - he waves off the bizarre moment.]
My apologies. We'll play a practice game to learn the rules - simple as they are, it seems to resonate better that way. I'm sure you're familiar with the concept in general - throw the dart to hit specific points on the board. Most people think you're supposed to hit the bullseye every time. That's not the case.
[He stands by the board to reset it - the easiest mode [301] - flashes in bright, obnoxious font.]
Sometimes winning requires you to bide your time and play to your teammate's weakness, as opposed to hitting as many points as possible. That's the reason this can be so challenging as a multiplayer game. It requires a great deal of teamwork.
[He motions towards the array of darts on the table - briefly spells out the quadrants, their point value, and the goal of getting the score to zero as a combined effort.
A phone buzzes from his pocket - it's 50/50 on whether it's an obscene message in the group chat, one that's permanently muted on his phone unless pinged repeatedly, or an actual important message.
This time it is. The phone angled to where Maruki can likely see - it's not like he has any secrets. His mom sent him a picture of Hegel, eyes wild and with one of the previously hidden treats in his mouth. A comment of '(◞‸◟；) he negotiated well. can you pick up more on your way home? we also need -'
A rope. A chair. A sturdy beam in a dimly lit apartment coated in mold and-
He sends back an 'Of course' and repockets it.]
Apologies again. That was my mother - would you like to go first or shall I demonstrate?