text / anonymous (before the last day of the party)

[heartstopping]

[Rolo's not generally bothered by what anyone thinks, but somehow this feels like an extremely embarrassing thing to have to ask, so he sticks with posting anonymously like he has been so far.]

How does one go about "forming bonds" with people on purpose?

[ don't laugh please he has literally only ever stumbled into this by accident ]

Comments

[heartstopping]

[It's not quite that he's intimidated. All things considered, there aren't many people he'd really consider a threat to him, at least in a physical sense. But there's definitely wariness as he looks the guy over, like he's looking for the other shoe that's about to drop. It still seems strange to him that any complete stranger would be so eager to come hang out with him, let alone this grown-ass man.]

Rolo.

[He keeps his hands to himself, no attempt at a handshake or wave or whatever. He doesn't know what to do with them, honestly, and settles for fiddling with his old cell phone in his pocket as he glances around the arcade.]

I've, uh...never tried games like these before.

[Or any at all, really.]

[heartstopping]

Helpful.

[But it's fine, because he recognizes the name attached to this one thanks to Jerry.]

Are you Yu Narukami? I was advised to ask you about the penalties for failing to carry out the sentencing.

[heartofsalvation]

Have we managed to confirm that's what has happened to people who have completed their rehabilitation? In many cases, I've heard people have just gotten new crimes assigned to them even if they had supposedly cleared the first one. Plus, some of those who have left may not have completed theirs; it's yet unclear why they're gone.

Not that it's a reason to trust unquestioningly in them, but I don't think they mean us genuine harm, at any rate. I'll be happy to eat my words later if things turn out otherwise, but for now, what can we do but wait and make inquiries?

[heartstopping]

[One way of putting it, but Rolo seems pretty content to be "Anon-san" given he just nods without any attempt to properly introduce himself.]

Coordinator-san, then...

[The title feels a little less awkward. A bit more distant, maybe. Which might be counterproductive given his sentencing, but, well...baby steps.

He moves to take a seat on the sofa, a little stiff.]

Tea is fine.

[heartstopping]

I managed to have a conversation with Jerry about it. He didn't seem malicious, but that doesn't mean their actions are harmless. He acted like they hadn't even considered that anyone might not want to go back home if it meant being dead.

[heartofsalvation]

I can trust that they don't act out of malice, yes, but that they haven't considered the feelings of those they deal with is unsurprising to me. Gaolers typically do not give a thought for those they keep locked up, do they? Whether they are sent for rehabilitation or sent for execution, as it were.

I don't know what punishments they have in store for ignoring one's task, but I cannot imagine earning their favor will hurt in the future. That's the way I've been thinking of it, not that I feel they're completely guiltless in this. After all, I doubt anyone thinks of the Council as pure enough to be hanging out judgments the way they do.

[fieldtrip]

Okay... so what is? Getting them to like you back?

[ spoken with the blithe incomprehension of a natural extrovert ]

Text; Charm

[conflictresolution]

Loyalty. Forming bonds usually starts with a common goal or an exchange of currency for services that grows into loyalty to assist one another with overarching personal goal that they share.

Bonding can also occur over shared life experiences.

[izanagis]

That's just what you do with friends, I think.

[... ... ...

Oh my god Jerry what a dick move--]

So this is tied to sentencing.
I refused to do it a few months ago. They retaliated by sealing my powers at a time when I really needed them.

text;

[entreats]

Don't bother.

It's often not worth it.

[laserguy]

Still need more tips? Alright, because I'm feeling generous today.

Grab a sandwich together.

[coordinatroll]

Okay~ Just give me a minute!

[ She disappears into the back of the shop for a moment, seemingly content with letting him remain at least semi-anonymous even now. There's no point in pushing his boundaries too much when he's clearly already out of his element, and even just from their short interaction so far, she figures it's best to take things slow. Just the fact he's come here is probably quite an accomplishment already!

A moment later she reappears, carrying a teapot and two cups in her hands. She sets them on the table before her guest, humming to herself, before running off again, only to return with a plate full of different kinds of cookies. Clients or guests, she prides herself on outstanding hospitality, no matter the circumstances. ]

Go ahead, help yourself!

[ She takes a sit across him, pouring them both tea. Might as well try and ease him into a conversation before moving on to the main subject. ]

[earnedmystripes]

[Kotetsu's always had a soft spot for kids, and Rolo in particular doesn't look very much older than his daughter. If he was at all apprehensive about the idea in the first place--which he wasn't very, frankly, considering the person was looking to learn about how to make friends--he certainly wasn't now.

Rolo doesn't wave back or shake his hand, but that's fine. He's perfectly willing to be enthusiastic enough for the both of them until the kid gets comfortable.]

They're pretty fun! I remember playing a lot of similar ones with my kid when she was little.

[Just casually slipping that in there. You can trust him, see. Look how super subtle he is. Wow.]

[breakin_ur_lore]

[ITS OK ROLO WE WILL GET THERE! BELIEVE IN MED'AN WHO BELIEVES IN YOU!

Actually, the words sort of remind Med'an of his mother. She'd had an incredibly rough childhood, raised by cultists and warmongers. He knows she's awkward around people now, and doesn't have a lot of friends. He wonders if she's ever realized that she didn't have any hobbies, either...

:( ]

Finding out what you like to do for fun is a good way to make friends. We can start with reading if you want. I've got books I can recommend.

Or maybe something physical, like a game or a sport? I like climbing trees. [That totally counts as a sport, right...]

[heartstopping]

It is. What was your sentencing? Why did you refuse to do it?

[heartstopping]

Reading is probably better.

[Not that he's generally in bad shape or poor health outside of when using his Geass, but maybe it's wiser not to tempt fate when he sorta kinda has a heart condition.]

[heartstopping]

More or less.

[ toph he isn't exactly getting the sense that people generally find you super likable either... ]

[heartstopping]

Why a sandwich?

[heartstopping]

I've heard of two different kinds of punishments, including the one they threatened me with. That suggests it might be different for everyone.

[heartstopping]

It's for sentencing, so I don't have a choice at the moment.

[Not that he agrees in general anyway – he doesn't regret his bond with Lelouch, even after how everything went – but he's not inclined to open up about that shit to anyone here.]

[heartstopping]

[This is the first response he's gotten that's felt like it rings true with the one relationship he does have. But it's unfortunately also probably the hardest thing is deliberately replicate.]

I don't know if I have time to wait for organically shared experiences or finding some mutual goal with someone.

[heartstopping]

[The enthusiasm is a lot. If not for his time spent in the student council enduring Milly, he might have been a little overwhelmed. Well, a little more overwhelmed.]

...You have a kid?

[That mostly just makes him feel like this is an even weirder potential friendship. This person could literally be his father.]

[heartofsalvation]

That would make sense... If I may ask, what did they tell you of yours if you do not do as they ask?

[conflictresolution]

What is it you believe in?

[Clearly someone was committed and needed to 'repent' for their misdeeds. What a pathetic punishment.]

[heartstopping]

It's not a what, it's a who.

[Which is also why he has to do this. He's not particularly concerned with the morality of anything he's done, but threatening to take away the one person that matters is a decent way to get him to cooperate.]