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Hey, everyone. I hope you're all doing alright, despite.. you know, the circumstances. [ The Circumstances™. You all know. Daniel hopes he doesn't have to explain.

Daniel himself looks a little more tired too as he says it. Not concerningly so, and he's definitely trying to cover it up with a smile, but the guy definitely doesn't look unaffected by all the recent revelations. ] Just know I'm always here to lend a listening ear to whoever needs it, so.. just let me know if anyone needs someone to talk to.

Ah, though that isn't the main reason I'm speaking on here. I actually had two things I wanted to make sure everyone knew about. First of all, we have a document at the Welcome Diner with information on everything that's happened in this place so far while we've been here. The problem is that neither of us got involved in what was going on last month. [ Sorry, guys, Daniel isn't about to run into any new suspicious place!! This is for people who did go to the convention center.. ] So I'd be really grateful if anyone could tell what was going on back there. And for anyone who is relatively new or curious, please feel free to come over to the diner to check it all out. It's near the train station everyone shows up at, if you haven't been there before.

Secondly, and perhaps even more importantly.. I'm sure most of you have heard about the tests a group of people are doing on some of the buildings around here. [ There's something in Daniel's face, almost a wince, and then he Gestures. Intensely. ] I want you to know I don't necessarily condone this, but.. [ Another vague gesture. You know. Can't stop these crazy kids, even when you're worried about the plan.. ] So please be careful if you get involved in it. Realise what the possible consequences for yourself could be, especially in a dangerous place like this.

Anyway, since I figured we have to make sure to look out a little bit more for safety, I'd like to ask people who use certain empty buildings or have an important spot somewhere in an empty building to please speak up about it, so that group of people can know to make sure to avoid those spots during their testing.

[ .. He exhales. It's a deep breath, maybe looking even a touch more tired now. ]

I think that's all of it. Everyone, just.. take care, alright?

( ooc: for anyone who would have gone to the diner to check out the document at the diner, you can find it here! )

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[When Loki sees the video from Daniel, the man he’d spoken with at the museum not all that long ago, it appears that the man might be even more tired looking than the last time he saw him. This thought gives Loki the urge to respond.

He turns on the video option on his device as he sits at the small table in his apartment’s kitchen, sipping a cup of tea.]

Good day. I just wanted to say how nice it is to offer such services, but I have to wonder, do you need someone to talk to?

[ .. ah.

The way Daniel must have looked in that broadcast only seems to fully hit him in this moment, a slight wince in his expression when he replies. ]

Do I really look that bad..?

[ Sorry, Loki. He has to ask. Daniel is even prepared to hear a blunt answer, honestly. ]

Enough so that I am worried you have not been sleeping. Unfortunately I am well acquainted with that level of exhaustion.

I am rather new to helping others out, but if you ever would like to talk things through yourself, please feel free to contact me. Perhaps we could vent together over tea sometime.

.. thank you. [ Despite the way he still seems tired, the words sound genuine.

Maybe even a little too genuine, to a point where it nearly sounds sappy. Sorry, Loki, Daniel's got a whole lot of feelings, especially when it comes to other people being kind. ]

It's really nice of you to offer. Unfortunately I'm not sure how good I am at.. you know, the whole talking thing. [ It might just be the most self-aware thing Daniel LaRusso has ever said. ] Besides, I'm fairly sure that nothing of what's bothering me isn't something that's also bothering pretty much everyone here. It's just.. this city, and the things we recently found out about.

[As much as Loki likes to pretend he’s all calm and cool, anyone who really knows Loki knows that he’s an explosive ball of emotion. Prone to yelling and fits of tears as much as an exuberant celebration, he’ll run the gamut so fast your head will spin.

As such, a long with his new found desire to be helpful, he’s actually okay with Daniel being a little emotional, even if he doesn’t really know what to do about it. He was usually over the top himself for that exact reason.]

Just because it is the same thing bothering others does not mean you need to keep quiet. Believe me, I am the poster child for how wrong things can go when you keep things bottled up. However, I understand if you do not wish to speak with me. I would suggest finding someone though. And if you would still like that tea, we do not need to talk. At least not about any of this.

[ There's a slight pause. Something about Daniel seems thoughtful-- thoughtful, and tired.

Then he slowly exhales. ]

No, we.. we can drink tea and talk.

[ Even if Daniel isn't sure how much he can say. It's a coin toss each time, really. Either he clams up completely, or he ends up saying way more than he intended to, like two dumb extremes he can't ever control. ]

Do you want to come to the diner right now, maybe..? If you've got the time.

[For a moment Loki thinks Daniel will turn him down. It wouldn’t be surprising. They don’t know each other very well and Loki is hardly known as the concerned citizen type, but the time he met him in the museum had left an impression on Loki and he really is trying to be a better person.]

Excellent. I am free currently. I shall be there in a few minutes.

[ It helps that Daniel was already in the diner in the first place. It means that the minutes he's got are mostly spent making some tea, just so he's got it ready once the other man comes in.

Which means that - by the time Loki arrives at the diner - Daniel will already have sat down in one of the booths, alongside two mugs with hot water. He's left the box with various flavours of tea on the table, just so Loki can choose whatever he likes best, while Daniel already has a bag of tea steeping inside of his own mug.

The fatigue in his expression is even more obvious in person, if not just since it's harder to obscure it that way, but he still tries to give the other man a slight smile all the same when he spots him. Daniel doesn't want to seem ungrateful, after all. Especially when he doesn't even know Loki all that well, and yet the other is going out of his way to make some time for him. ]

Hey. Thank you for coming.

[It doesn’t take long for Loki to arrive, though he takes his time both to give himself a chance to process what he’s doing and to give Daniel a chance to do whatever he needs to do. Emphasis more on the former there as this being there for someone is well out of his comfort zone, even if he is starting to like it and how it makes him feel.

When Loki enters the diner, he’s dressed casually, and rather underdressed for most considering the winter weather still upon them. He does sport a scarf around the light sweater and simple black slacks, though it’s mostly for style. He smiles as he spots Daniel in one of the booths and goes to join him.]

It is no problem, of course.

[His smile falters slightly as he sees how the tea is being served, but he does his best to hide it, not wanting to be rude. He does wonder if this place doesn’t have a proper kettle or teapot though. Instead he slips into a seat across from him and gives him an appraising look.]

I do hope I can help, even a little bit.

[ The slight smile doesn't fade from his face when the other moves to join him. ]

You're too kind.

[ After all, Loki is going out of his way to help here. It's something that seems more common among the people stuck in this place, thankfully, but Daniel knows that not just anyone would do that.

.. especially given Daniel's track record with men back home. ]

Though I'm really not sure where to start with talking. Really, I'm.. [ His voice trails off, and then he admits, almost a touch shy: ] I'm really not all that good at this.

[ At talking through his problems, he means. Usually Daniel just shoves it all down. ]

I don’t know about that. Kind isn’t something most have associated with me prior to coming here, but I will take the sentiment.

[If he hadn’t been so worried about forgetting everything he has built and learned here, when it comes to other people, Loki might be less wary of accepting such a compliment, but as it is, it seems more likely he’ll either go back to being much disliked or dead. He’s no longer sure which is worse.]

I’m afraid I understand completely. I am very good at talking about everything but my true feelings. My mother used to say I was very good at reading everyone but myself. I’m afraid she was rather correct about that. One thing I can tell you, even if I suspect you already know this, is that if you keep pushing it down, it will come out at the worst time in the worst way.

[At least, that is always how it seems to be for him. If he’d ever really given himself a chance to open up, maybe things would have been different in his life.]

I guess I just mean to say, I understand and I’m afraid I’m not very good at this either. Perhaps we just start off easy. Why don’t you tell me more about yourself, what your life was like, before.

Well, in that case..

[ His voice trails off, and Daniel actually smiles a little bit. It's nothing too big or wide, and maybe there's something sadly nostalgic about it, but it's not fake. ]

I guess my mother told me similar things when I was younger. Told me that.. I'm always listening to other people, yet I never speak up myself. [ It seems to be a fond enough memory, judging by that expression that lingers on his face. ] Aside from that, I guess my world is just.. I don't know, before this place, I'd describe it as normal. There's just humans living there. Nothing about special powers, or inhuman beings, or..

[ He exhales. ]

Anything we'd call supernatural, I guess. Everything was so ordinary that I had no idea any of this could be somewhere out there.

[ It might explain - at least partially - why Daniel seems to be taking all this so badly. ]

[The smile might be small and a little sad, but Loki sees it as something promising. He has a thought suddenly that despite his inexperience, he might actually be able to help this man. He feels a warmth in his chest that is new to him, though not fully unfamiliar at this point.

Well, what do you know? Loki actually likes helping people.]

Ah yes, our mothers do truly seem to know us better than most. [Loki smiles in return, his own slightly sad now as well as he thinks of Frigga. He’s not been the same since her death, that guilt still haunting him on many nights even if he has finally begun to process some of that here.

Another thing that is rather new for Loki is feeling empathy, and he’s sure that’s what he’s feeling right now as he listens to Daniel. It’s been a long time since something or somewhere truly surprised him, but Loki is familiar with what Daniel is describing. That moment when you realize your far from home and you don’t know if you’ll ever see anything truly familiar again. It can really mess you up.]

It is rather difficult when one discovers the existence of such things. Even harder when pulled for your home at the same time. I am truly sorry this has been done to you. Is this why you have chosen to run this diner? It seems very traditionally Midgardian. Does it feel familiar in other ways as well?

[ The man nods his head a little. ]

We had a lot of places like this where I come from too. [ Which is - clearly - a very different place than Loki himself comes from. Daniel isn't even sure whether he's ever heard the term Midgardian. (Especially since he's not really a Norse mythology kind of guy.) But he's got the idea that their worlds are very, very different. ]

These places were all about bringing people together. About creating community. I just..

[ His voice trails off for a moment, and something tugs at his lips.

Daniel drags one of the mugs over towards himself, wrapping his hands around it. Part an idle gesture, part him attempting to gain some warmth. ]

I guess I just wanted to make sure no one would have to feel alone here.

[Ah yes, that does make a lot of sense. There have been times in Loki’s life where he would’ve given anything to have even a sliver of home. Even when he wasn’t sure what home really was. The immense sense of loss as he realized he may never see any of his family again had burned through him even as his rage had blazed on.

Needless to say, it had been a very confusing time for him and though he sees no sign of anger in Daniel, he has to assume the confusion is there. And the fear. Loki has rarely felt fear like he did when he first fell from the Bifrost.]

I would say if that is the purpose of this place, then you have done a find job of fulfilling that purpose. Everyone likes coming here. [Of course Loki himself has only been a handful of times, but that is mostly because he’s still not really sure how to act around people anymore. He’s fine when there’s a bit party, something the city is throwing and he can put up his social mask and dance the night away, but this setting feels more personal and there are only a few people here he feels that kind of comfort with.]

That is a rather noble thing to do. You must be quite valued back in your world.

[ He ducks his head a little - specifically when Loki mentions that last part. It looks a little shy, or perhaps flustered. Even if the other is presenting it like some sort of logical conclusion, it doesn't feel that way to Daniel, not when he doesn't think of himself that way at all. ]

You might be surprised. [ There's some of that fluster in his tone too, but another edge to it too. It makes it sound a little like Daniel is trying to turn this into a joke, to play it off lightly. ]

Would you believe me if I told you that people actually tend to hate me the moment they meet me?

[ Look, it just happened way too many times back home for Daniel to find it a coincidence, okay!! He doesn't know what it is about him, but there's got to be something that causes that, whether it's something about his personality or just general bad luck. ]

I don't know if a lot happened at the convention centre, other than I was in a costume, or put in one when I got there.

I don't remember it getting scary like other things have though.

A costume?

[ Daniel pauses for a moment, eyebrows drawing together into a frown as he seems to think. ]

You mean like what happened back at the Halloween.. erm, "party"? [ Granted, he's hesitant to call it a party for obvious reasons. Not much partying about almost getting murdered by your friends! ]

Kinda? I think it was supposed to be like cosplay, or something like that.

[He hasn't been to a lot of cons, but he's more than familiar with his tutor's version of it.]

I was dressed up as my ancestor.

[ Please, Tsuna. Do you think Daniel knows what cosplay is? Sure, he's a slightly nerdy dad, but not that nerdy!

Granted, he's skipping right over that to instead be a little befuddled by: ]

.. your ancestor?

[ Sheesh, Tsuna seems a little young to really be interested in that sort of stuff at his age.. ]

Do you know that much about your family history?

It seems that the convention center remained harmless, despite the costumes that we found ourselves wearing temporarily affecting our behavior. The merchandise available there included items that featured familiar people and creatures. These also appear to be harmless.

.. so it was like a more harmless version of what happened back during Halloween?

[ It kind of sounds that way. The costumes, especially, since that sticks out in Daniel's memory about what happened back in October.. ]

That's a little odd.. [ Though, more importantly-- ] Were you able to take the merchandise back out of there with you? Have you tried?

Correct. For example, an individual wearing a maid costume must have felt compelled to clean and tidy his surroundings. I suppose it followed the usual pattern, thus far. As for the merchandise...

[ Yesod colors a little, given some of the items that he came across and took home with him, ostensibly to test what might happen and to keep a close eye on them. ]

Yes. None of it has changed or disappeared.

[ There's a slight hum on the man's end. ]

I guess that means this city doesn't mind us having it. [ Which means it was likely purposefully put there at the convention - like some of the hallucinations they were shown here before.

He's definitely thinking about the mall, even though it's quite some time ago by now. ]

.. and that it likes to often remind us of familiar people.

Are you okay, Mr. LaRusso?

[ Sure, he's been a little more honest about this lately, but.. still, she's just young enough that he can't help but still want to sweep his emotional state under the rug a little, no matter how obvious it is. ]

I'll be fine. I just need to get some more sleep.

[ As if that will fix it. Daniel knows it won't. ]

If anything-- Shouldn't I be asking you that? I don't even know if you've got an adult looking out for you here, making sure you're getting enough sleep.

[It's kind of him to show concern, and she side-steps the inquiry about having an adult looking out for her.]

I've been doing okay. Better since I started working on the recent plans. I miss my family a ton, but at least knowing I'm doing something helps a lot, you know?

[She pauses for a moment, realizing he probably doesn't want someone young enough to be his kid to press him too much about his health, but still wanting to help.]

What sorts of things do you usually do to de-stress or cheer yourself up?

[ Daniel can understand the sentiment she's expressing. He figures it's probably the way everyone here wants to feel - like they're at least doing something. It's what he's been desperately striving for too, after all, and he's had several of the kids here express that to him as well.

Bulla's like them. Maybe it's just something inherent especially to the teens here, he thinks.

Not that he voices any of it. Instead he quietly seems to contemplate her question, before-- ]

Me? [ He exhales. ] Well, usually I do kata. It's--

[ Hm. How to explain it to someone who likely comes from another world entirely. A whole lot of worlds out there don't even seem to have the concept of karate.. ]

It's like a form of meditation. I'll do some later.

[ Even though he's done plenty of kata and - for once - it's not really helping to clear his mind, like the problems weighing down on him are just a little bit too heavy for it.

But he's not going to share that part with a kid. It's easier to instead try to reassure her. ]

There was some... oddness involving costumes, but other than that I personally found the convention center to be an enjoyable experience. Though I may or may not have brought back a few too many items with me afterward.

[He pauses, hesitating as he examines Daniel's appearance, wondering if he should say anything. It may be better to just encourage the poor man to rest and wait until the morrow.

But no. No. Something should be said]

...By the by, are we allowed to add to the document in the diner, or is it recommended to meet with others first?

Oh. Uh..

[ His response time seems a little slow, especially given the fact it's not like the other asked Daniel a really complicated question - and yet the man looks like he definitely has to think about it for a moment.

Definitely seeming tired over here. ]

I think it should be fine, but you might want to speak with Robby first, if you haven't met him yet. He's been doing a lot of the documenting-- not to mention he's a smart kid. He likes talking about the stuff that goes on here.

I can help with what happened last month.

Ah, thanks.

[ Even though the man still looks tired, there's definitely something a little genuinely grateful in his tone as he says that. ]

That would help a lot. Did you get caught up in everything that happened..?

I don't know for sure that I saw everything? But I did go to the convention.

[ He lets out a small hum. It's good enough to Daniel, really-- especially since he hadn't gone there at all, so anything the other knows has to be more than Daniel does right now. ]

Sure, let me know about what you did see then. I'm sure other people must have gone too, so hearing various perspectives will help me put it together a little easier.

I don't remember a lot of what was being talked about?

[Though surely there would have had to be something, right?]

But there were a number of artworks an other objects for purchase that had individuals or creatures from people's homes. Ones that are not otherwise present here.

I.. guess that makes sense. [ Daniel says, slowly taking this information in. ] It wouldn't be the first time that this place has made things we remember from our world appear here. Sometimes it's as if it's somehow projecting our very thoughts and memories into this world..

[ His voice trails off, unsure whether he wants to think about that too hard. It's bound to lead down to some very depressing and potentially existential thoughts, and Daniel knows it. ]

Did you see anything you recognized? [ That's an easier question to address right now, he figures. ]

[Depressing indeed, though the overall feeling is one Jullus has more than his fair share of experience with. Still, he's perfectly glad to continue answering questions instead of looking too hard at the idea of their thoughts and memories being projected.]

Yes. Pictures of people I know-- knew.

.. from back home?

[ His voice is a touch more gentle as he asks that.

After all, that's what the 'knew' could mean, but.. that past tense could also be because the other already lost those people back home. Hence the gentleness - he doesn't want to dig up any bad memories too forcefully here, even if it's for the sake of information. People are more important than said information. ]

Yes.

[People who have since died, though the gentler tone is definitely noticed.]

None of whom I had spoken of significantly, prior to that. Not enough for someone to create a picture of them.

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