☘️Cobyn!🍀

[Elise and Cobyn hadn't exactly spoken since their last interaction. Cobyn's not the most confrontational man, there's not even much to confront about, really. There's just been space between them, like magnets repelling. Cobyn doesn't know if he truly believes it— that Elise truly rigged something in its favor, but the thought still makes him deeply uncomfortable. The concept of a game like this having a set outcome just doesn't sit right with him.]

[It didn't make sense for him to have any positive feelings towards Elise anyway. They set up a water bucket prank, broke a glass in Cobyn's room as Cobyn tried to help them, and then went on some ramble and left. It didn't make any sense.]

[...But when he walked into the casino room searching for someone and instead found Elise, sniffling and coughing with a cold, that distance and discomfort didn't stop him from approaching.]

"...Elise..? Is everything alright?"

- @creative-gardener

"Everything is perfectly fine."

[He's completely ignoring the claim to be fine.]

"I am NOT asking the bird lady for help."

"Or you either. I said I'm fine."

[He grabs his bag's strap, tilting his head towards the door, gesturing for Elise to follow.]

"Since I woke up this morning."

"Most definitely inconvenient."

{Elise has no idea if it might be poisoned. Getting poisoned by the gardener was literally the last thing on its mind. Surely that wouldn't be of consequence. Right?}

ིྀᨶ႒ᩚ∘˚ ` ` Well, frankly, I'm too miserable to give a fuck. So, think of it as a special exception. ` `

{ The cold isn't even that bad. Elise is just a little bitch who doesn't handle any sort of pain very well. }

"...Was it true, Elise?"

{ Oh. Right. Hmmm. It doesn't necessarily need to keep Cobyn in check right now, but it doesn't hurt to. Well, doesn't hurt Elise to, anyways. }

ིྀᨶ႒ᩚ∘˚ ` ` Oh, that! Yeah, one-hundred-percent! ` `

[Despite the politeness, he doesn't actually wait for an answer before asking.]

ིྀᨶ႒ᩚ∘˚ ` ` That's for me to know and you to guess about! ` `

[He then shakes his head, seeming to disagree..?]

ིྀᨶ႒ᩚ∘˚ ` ` ..no? Can't I just be mysterious for once? ` `

{ Talk about self-centered. It doesn't even care why Cobyn wants to know, just having its own way. }

[He laughed softly at his own joke.]

@lady-cannibal (҂°ロ°)୧ ‧₊˚ 🥩🦴

(please note that onpu will not harm any of the characters in anyway related to her role or obsessive behaviour. this is actually onpu being gentle and trying to be nice to the people of the game. this is in no way shipping onpu with poppy as onpu is an adult in this au. she does, however, love her friends. these are other ocs of mine. anyways-)

Onpu loved her friends. She loved them dearly. Why wouldn't she? They were the only ones who didn't mind her staring. The ones who didn't find her teeth scary and didn't find her interests disgusting. The most soothing voices in her moments of distress and injury. The ones who let her bite them, gently that is. The ones who gave her food when she needed it most. The ones she wanted to consume, to keep in her forever. The ones she wanted all to herself. The ones who loved her. The ones she loved. The ones she loved. The ones she loved. The ones she

…

She loved her friends. She loved her friends dearly.

She also missed her friends. Alot.

Nowadays, they took up more space in her head than usual. Not that she minded too much. They were nice to think about, but it made her feel lonely. And what did Onpu do when she was lonely? 

Think about the people they'd like if they were there with her :D

⋆˚꩜｡

Recently the Lady Cannibal had been quiet lately. Well, even more quiet than she was in general. As if something was occupying her mind. Or someone. Someone very dear to her.

She'd taken to following Cobyn around. Not in a stalker way as she would with others but like a cat just following someone it found interesting.

Cobyn would just be doing his own thing and when he turned around, the woman was right there. It seemed she didn’t understand how creepy she was being. She did leave when Cobyn asked her to though.

Right now, Onpu remained behind him, not close enough to feel like she was breathing down her neck but definitely close enough to know she was drilling holes into the back of his head.

"Hmn…you seem like someone Yu Ge would be interested in"

She mumbled, mostly to herself as she stared blankly at the man. While Yu Ge was definitely not the nicest and would absolutely give backhanded compliments to him, Cobyn's love for plants was definitely similar to Snakey's.

[Cobyn didn't commonly ask her to leave. Mainly if he had to have a conversation with someone else, he'd ask rather politely, but he didn't mind too much. He found it confusing, though. He wasn't exactly interesting, and if she was following him around for any info that could be useful to her game-wise, she wouldn't find much. He'd jump here and there when noticing her, but less so as of late. He was calm.]

"He adores plants."

She replied gently.

"Especially poisonous ones, in fact he used to lace my tea with belladonna or foxglove~. I'd always have a bottle of antidote on me every time I went over to his for tea~."

The lady said with a slight giggle to her tone, as if recalling something funny. Yu Ge was her closest friend. Her best friend that. The first one to not fear her.

[He seems oddly calm about the poisoning too?]

"It's not the most polite, but it seems like you don't mind."

[Elise and Cobyn hadn't exactly spoken since their last interaction. Cobyn's not the most confrontational man, there's not even much to confront about, really. There's just been space between them, like magnets repelling. Cobyn doesn't know if he truly believes it— that Elise truly rigged something in its favor, but the thought still makes him deeply uncomfortable. The concept of a game like this having a set outcome just doesn't sit right with him.]

[It didn't make sense for him to have any positive feelings towards Elise anyway. They set up a water bucket prank, broke a glass in Cobyn's room as Cobyn tried to help them, and then went on some ramble and left. It didn't make any sense.]

[...But when he walked into the casino room searching for someone and instead found Elise, sniffling and coughing with a cold, that distance and discomfort didn't stop him from approaching.]

"...Elise..? Is everything alright?"

- @creative-gardener

"Everything is perfectly fine."

[He's completely ignoring the claim to be fine.]

"I am NOT asking the bird lady for help."

"Or you either. I said I'm fine."

[He grabs his bag's strap, tilting his head towards the door, gesturing for Elise to follow.]

"Since I woke up this morning."

"Most definitely inconvenient."

{Elise has no idea if it might be poisoned. Getting poisoned by the gardener was literally the last thing on its mind. Surely that wouldn't be of consequence. Right?}

ིྀᨶ႒ᩚ∘˚ ` ` Well, frankly, I'm too miserable to give a fuck. So, think of it as a special exception. ` `

{ The cold isn't even that bad. Elise is just a little bitch who doesn't handle any sort of pain very well. }

"...Was it true, Elise?"

{ Oh. Right. Hmmm. It doesn't necessarily need to keep Cobyn in check right now, but it doesn't hurt to. Well, doesn't hurt Elise to, anyways. }

ིྀᨶ႒ᩚ∘˚ ` ` Oh, that! Yeah, one-hundred-percent! ` `

[Despite the politeness, he doesn't actually wait for an answer before asking.]

ིྀᨶ႒ᩚ∘˚ ` ` That's for me to know and you to guess about! ` `

[He then shakes his head, seeming to disagree..?]

- @creative-gardener

Sandbag opens it's door, expecting to see sailor, as he's pretty much the only one who stops by its room. He was a bit taken aback and mildly confused when he saw Cobyn standing in the hallway with a bouquet of flowers. Sandbag doesn't really know this "creative gardener" guy very well, so he assumes they just knocked on the wrong door.

[He chuckled, tapping his foot anxiously. He slowly brought a nail along one of the flower stems, about to scratch at it as a fidget, but he stopped, not wanting to harm it. His hand got tense as he did.]

"But I was given these to give to you!.. Unsure why they didn't just give them to you directly, but this is fun I suppose! Buttercups- they're buttercups."

"Oh- er- thanks!-..."

Sandbag is a bit confused and skeptical about the gesture, but accepts the flowers. He's never been that great at receiving gifts anyways.

"Doing a fair bit better now thanks to the pain meds in the first aid kit-"

Sandbag isn't very good at small talk, but Cobyn seems pretty nice, so that makes things a bit easier.

"...What's aloe vera?-"

[He pauses, looking at the flowers. He then awkwardly holds them out to Sandbag.]

[He begins leading him down the hall. He's rather excited to get an excuse to talk about plants, as per usual, but he's a bit tense. Sandbag is new to him. With everyone else, he got at least a small idea of what they're like with him in particular, he spoke to everyone at least a little, but due to its stunt in the first little bit, he hasn't gotten the chance to. But he trusts him, even trusts him enough to immediately turn his back to him as he walks down the hall. Sandbag seems loyal, above all else. A trait Cobyn respects."

"Fun fact, it used to be planted on graves! It would encourage peacefulness before reincarnation! Not sure if I believe in reincarnation, but it's a fun thought! It's name roughly means 'shining bitter substance', or at least comes from a name that meant that! Associated with immortality, very protective too!"

[He paused in front of a seemingly random potted plant, the leaves sprouting up in an almost unsettling way, reaching, stiff. Cobyn lightly lifts a leaf as he speaks, crouching next to it.]

"Wow- that's a lot of symbolism.."

He pauses, leaning down a bit to look at the plant as well.

[He very carefully removes one of the leaves and splits it open, handing it to Sandbag.]

"Put this on the burn! It should help."

"...Not exactly, but close! Here, let me help."

"..Thanks."

"Uh- A bit better, thanks-"

Gosh, Sandbag doesn't even know this guy's name. Does he even know its name either?

"I did think the role sounded a bit rude compared to others... It's nice to meet you, though! I'm Cobyn."

"Uh- no. I guess I didn't."

Then again, Sandbag doesn't really know anyone here all that well. The only person it knows remotely anything about is Sailor, and it still knows practically nothing about him. So, he hesitantly nods.

"I think I remember Sailor telling me about that. Not too fond of him gambling, but theres not much I can do to stop him."

[Cobyn smiles at the concern for Sailor. It's sweet. He seems to be a bit calmer than before, a pinch less tense. He's getting a better idea of who Sandbag is, and he's trusting him more because of it.]

"Just hoping it doesn't leave a long-term impact on him or anything. I know a lotta guys with gambling problems, and thats the last thing I want for 'em."

He's so fretful for Sailor that he's forgetting they're in a death game. He probably won't even make it out in the first place. It was a rather morbid thought, but a true one. Might be best as to not remind it. Sandbag seems to have enough on his plate to dread and worry about.

He doesn't want to spend this whole tour just talking to Cobyn about another person. So, Sandbag awkwardly changes the subject while they show it around.

[He's so excited to talk about plants, he's not even thinking about talking about the location all that much as they enter the casino. Bright, flashy, and he's still talking.]

"Wow- that's actually quite wholesome- I doubt I'm the most 'radiant' typpa guy, but it's a nice gesture otherwise.."

[He grabs his bag's strap, fidgeting with it a little.]

"...Gladiolus?"

[He says it like Sandbag would know anything about what that means, and maybe he's testing if he can get away with not elaborating on the meaning.]

"They have carnival food here! Which worries me a little because I don't think we've seen any places to get food besides here and maybe the bar, but that's just being hopeful."

"Looks like everything on the menu has at least a pound of sugar in it-"

Sandbag is more interested is hearing about what Cobyn associates it with than the food. It's only natural he's curious.

"...Usually people aren't this interested in what I have to say about plants! Should we keep walking around? You don't seem all that curious about the casino."

Sandbag is basically just following him around. He doesn't really know the layout of this place at all, and he doesn't like wandering aimlessly. So, its just relying on Cobyn to lead this time around. Begrudgingly, of course. It has trust issues.

"Gladiolus focuses a lot on strength."

"That's cool."

Despite its awkward tone, Sandbag actually likes the association quite a bit.

"Although, my gramps always said I had room for improvement on the strength factor."

[He appreciates it.]

Hopefully that didn't sound dismissive or anything. Sandbag continues following Cobyn through the main foyer.

{Sandbag seems very passionate about proving sharks aren't the ferocious beasts you see in JAWS.}

"It really sucks that they're so rare nowadays- I'd love to be able to see more of them when I'm out at sea... which is a lot"

[He thought for a moment.]

"...I don't think I've ever been on a boat."

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` Well, I've only been in a car about three times in total, so I guess I don't have much room to speak- ` `

{Sandbag clears his throat.}

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` They're a lot like... ` `

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` ...boats. ` `

{The description was very lackluster, but how does one properly explain what a boat is like?}

[He hums, thinking.]

"Maybe when this is all over, you could show me what it's like!"

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` That'd be nice- ` `

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` Although, I don't think my gramps would ever let me take the ship out for non-work-related reasons. I swear he has more emotional attachment to that thing than he does to me- ` `

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` It'd be fun, though- Would definitely like to show you at some point. ` `

{Sandbag's response was near instant. It was guarded and defensive. Seems it really doesn't like the idea of Cobyn experiencing what it does. Although, he knows absolutely nothing about what they've been through and done. So maybe he's overreacting a bit.}

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` Well, uh-... ` `

{Sandbag turns his attention to the bar. The whole reason they were going around was to scout things out, so doing just that wasn't too suspicious. Right? It gestures to one of the decorative nooses.}

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` ... that's definitely a waste of rope. ` `

"Maybe there's a way to take it down? In case you need any for whatever reason."

[He chuckled.]

"I'm just glad they have some flora around, the plants were a nice touch."

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` I probably could. I dunno if you can untie a noose, though- ` `

{He keeps his volume down as well when speaking before picking back up the plant discussion. Y'know, just so they didn't look suspicious.}

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` I suppose it is a bit nice to have plants sprinkled about- Makes it feel less like a prison. Even though that's what this place is supposed to be in the first place- ` `

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` Good to know, I suppose- ` `

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` ...any specific reasonyou know that-? ` `

{Well that was blunt. He's still desperately attempting to keep the conversation on the down low. Although, the bartender has probably heard most of the conversation anyways.}

[...Yeah that's odd.]

"Oh, by the way,"

[So now he understands lowering his voice.]

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` Hopefully they aren't chummy with their coworkers about things they overhear, either. ` `

{Sandbag does a scan over the room. It takes note of the little booth, the pool table, decorative plants, help wanted sign, and such. You have to squint to see some details in the corners and edges of the room due to the low lighting. It was for aesthetic purposes, but might come in handy later if he did indeed need to snag some rope.}

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` Are the drinks any good-? ` `

{It's not much of a drinker, but what else do you discuss in a bar?}

"...Oh! The one I had was terrible, but there's definitely some that sound good!"

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` Yikes. I might just not drink while I'm here- Doesn't sound worth it. ` `

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` Usually the ones that sound the best are the most disgusting. Well at least from my experience, they are- ` `

{Geez, was that a strong breeze or what? Wait... how would a breeze get down here anyways?}

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` Jesus fucking christ it's cold- ` `

[He chuckled.]

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` Uh- sure. ` `

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` Eh, the weather's usually pretty warm -sometimes humid where I work- I think it was something about being closer to the equator that makes it warmer. Plus I usually wear something warmer when it gets cold out. ` `

{If he's learned anything about Cobyn's character so far, its that he's very nice to strangers for seemingly no reason. Sandbag included, of course. It's an odd thing considering (excluding staff) they're all criminals.}

[He paused for a while, thinking about it. His smile fades, only briefly.]

"I think if I don't make it out of here, not being on the ocean as much as I could've would be something I regret. But oh well."

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` Well, I mean, being out on the ocean isn't that exciting- ` `

{...}

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` ...well it kinda is. ` `

{Its attempt at reassuring Cobyn that he isn't missing out on much isn't very effective. Even if it doesn't hurt anyone, Sandbag can't lie about how 'boring' the sea life is. He has too much attachment to that lifestyle to say its boring. Even though its just a personal opinion thing.}

[He asks with a rather calm smile, choosing to ignore how much he's missing out on. He'd prefer to see how Sandbag answers.]

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` ...I wouldn't regret that time I 'accidentally' cut the nets on that whale shark my gramps caught- I was about eight, and got a good whack across the face for it, but still worth it. Would rather that than just watching as it suffocates helplessly. You? ` `

"I know this sounds odd, but in a way, how little I did at times. I was relaxed quite often, and happy too. It was nice."

[They're nearing Sandbag's room by now. It's clear Cobyn's hesitant to keep talking, but he does.]

{ Maybe that's what earned it the 'underdog' title. Y'know, the fact he has ZERO friends. what a loser }

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` ... You got anything you'd regret? ` `

"Would you like to warm up on your own and get some rest, or-..?"

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` Yeah- Uh- Thanks.. For uh, well, helping me with the burn and showing me around and stuff- Means a lot. ` `

[Elise and Cobyn hadn't exactly spoken since their last interaction. Cobyn's not the most confrontational man, there's not even much to confront about, really. There's just been space between them, like magnets repelling. Cobyn doesn't know if he truly believes it— that Elise truly rigged something in its favor, but the thought still makes him deeply uncomfortable. The concept of a game like this having a set outcome just doesn't sit right with him.]

[It didn't make sense for him to have any positive feelings towards Elise anyway. They set up a water bucket prank, broke a glass in Cobyn's room as Cobyn tried to help them, and then went on some ramble and left. It didn't make any sense.]

[...But when he walked into the casino room searching for someone and instead found Elise, sniffling and coughing with a cold, that distance and discomfort didn't stop him from approaching.]

"...Elise..? Is everything alright?"

- @creative-gardener

"Everything is perfectly fine."

[He's completely ignoring the claim to be fine.]

"I am NOT asking the bird lady for help."

"Or you either. I said I'm fine."

[He grabs his bag's strap, tilting his head towards the door, gesturing for Elise to follow.]

"Since I woke up this morning."

"Most definitely inconvenient."

{Elise has no idea if it might be poisoned. Getting poisoned by the gardener was literally the last thing on its mind. Surely that wouldn't be of consequence. Right?}

ིྀᨶ႒ᩚ∘˚ ` ` Well, frankly, I'm too miserable to give a fuck. So, think of it as a special exception. ` `

{ The cold isn't even that bad. Elise is just a little bitch who doesn't handle any sort of pain very well. }

"...Was it true, Elise?"

{ Oh. Right. Hmmm. It doesn't necessarily need to keep Cobyn in check right now, but it doesn't hurt to. Well, doesn't hurt Elise to, anyways. }

ིྀᨶ႒ᩚ∘˚ ` ` Oh, that! Yeah, one-hundred-percent! ` `

[Despite the politeness, he doesn't actually wait for an answer before asking.]

- @creative-gardener

Sandbag opens it's door, expecting to see sailor, as he's pretty much the only one who stops by its room. He was a bit taken aback and mildly confused when he saw Cobyn standing in the hallway with a bouquet of flowers. Sandbag doesn't really know this "creative gardener" guy very well, so he assumes they just knocked on the wrong door.

[He chuckled, tapping his foot anxiously. He slowly brought a nail along one of the flower stems, about to scratch at it as a fidget, but he stopped, not wanting to harm it. His hand got tense as he did.]

"But I was given these to give to you!.. Unsure why they didn't just give them to you directly, but this is fun I suppose! Buttercups- they're buttercups."

"Oh- er- thanks!-..."

Sandbag is a bit confused and skeptical about the gesture, but accepts the flowers. He's never been that great at receiving gifts anyways.

"Doing a fair bit better now thanks to the pain meds in the first aid kit-"

Sandbag isn't very good at small talk, but Cobyn seems pretty nice, so that makes things a bit easier.

"...What's aloe vera?-"

[He pauses, looking at the flowers. He then awkwardly holds them out to Sandbag.]

[He begins leading him down the hall. He's rather excited to get an excuse to talk about plants, as per usual, but he's a bit tense. Sandbag is new to him. With everyone else, he got at least a small idea of what they're like with him in particular, he spoke to everyone at least a little, but due to its stunt in the first little bit, he hasn't gotten the chance to. But he trusts him, even trusts him enough to immediately turn his back to him as he walks down the hall. Sandbag seems loyal, above all else. A trait Cobyn respects."

"Fun fact, it used to be planted on graves! It would encourage peacefulness before reincarnation! Not sure if I believe in reincarnation, but it's a fun thought! It's name roughly means 'shining bitter substance', or at least comes from a name that meant that! Associated with immortality, very protective too!"

[He paused in front of a seemingly random potted plant, the leaves sprouting up in an almost unsettling way, reaching, stiff. Cobyn lightly lifts a leaf as he speaks, crouching next to it.]

"Wow- that's a lot of symbolism.."

He pauses, leaning down a bit to look at the plant as well.

[He very carefully removes one of the leaves and splits it open, handing it to Sandbag.]

"Put this on the burn! It should help."

"...Not exactly, but close! Here, let me help."

"..Thanks."

"Uh- A bit better, thanks-"

Gosh, Sandbag doesn't even know this guy's name. Does he even know its name either?

"I did think the role sounded a bit rude compared to others... It's nice to meet you, though! I'm Cobyn."

"Uh- no. I guess I didn't."

Then again, Sandbag doesn't really know anyone here all that well. The only person it knows remotely anything about is Sailor, and it still knows practically nothing about him. So, he hesitantly nods.

"I think I remember Sailor telling me about that. Not too fond of him gambling, but theres not much I can do to stop him."

[Cobyn smiles at the concern for Sailor. It's sweet. He seems to be a bit calmer than before, a pinch less tense. He's getting a better idea of who Sandbag is, and he's trusting him more because of it.]

"Just hoping it doesn't leave a long-term impact on him or anything. I know a lotta guys with gambling problems, and thats the last thing I want for 'em."

He's so fretful for Sailor that he's forgetting they're in a death game. He probably won't even make it out in the first place. It was a rather morbid thought, but a true one. Might be best as to not remind it. Sandbag seems to have enough on his plate to dread and worry about.

He doesn't want to spend this whole tour just talking to Cobyn about another person. So, Sandbag awkwardly changes the subject while they show it around.

[He's so excited to talk about plants, he's not even thinking about talking about the location all that much as they enter the casino. Bright, flashy, and he's still talking.]

"Wow- that's actually quite wholesome- I doubt I'm the most 'radiant' typpa guy, but it's a nice gesture otherwise.."

[He grabs his bag's strap, fidgeting with it a little.]

"...Gladiolus?"

[He says it like Sandbag would know anything about what that means, and maybe he's testing if he can get away with not elaborating on the meaning.]

"They have carnival food here! Which worries me a little because I don't think we've seen any places to get food besides here and maybe the bar, but that's just being hopeful."

"Looks like everything on the menu has at least a pound of sugar in it-"

Sandbag is more interested is hearing about what Cobyn associates it with than the food. It's only natural he's curious.

"...Usually people aren't this interested in what I have to say about plants! Should we keep walking around? You don't seem all that curious about the casino."

Sandbag is basically just following him around. He doesn't really know the layout of this place at all, and he doesn't like wandering aimlessly. So, its just relying on Cobyn to lead this time around. Begrudgingly, of course. It has trust issues.

"Gladiolus focuses a lot on strength."

"That's cool."

Despite its awkward tone, Sandbag actually likes the association quite a bit.

"Although, my gramps always said I had room for improvement on the strength factor."

[He appreciates it.]

Hopefully that didn't sound dismissive or anything. Sandbag continues following Cobyn through the main foyer.

{Sandbag seems very passionate about proving sharks aren't the ferocious beasts you see in JAWS.}

"It really sucks that they're so rare nowadays- I'd love to be able to see more of them when I'm out at sea... which is a lot"

[He thought for a moment.]

"...I don't think I've ever been on a boat."

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` Well, I've only been in a car about three times in total, so I guess I don't have much room to speak- ` `

{Sandbag clears his throat.}

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` They're a lot like... ` `

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` ...boats. ` `

{The description was very lackluster, but how does one properly explain what a boat is like?}

[He hums, thinking.]

"Maybe when this is all over, you could show me what it's like!"

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` That'd be nice- ` `

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` Although, I don't think my gramps would ever let me take the ship out for non-work-related reasons. I swear he has more emotional attachment to that thing than he does to me- ` `

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` It'd be fun, though- Would definitely like to show you at some point. ` `

{Sandbag's response was near instant. It was guarded and defensive. Seems it really doesn't like the idea of Cobyn experiencing what it does. Although, he knows absolutely nothing about what they've been through and done. So maybe he's overreacting a bit.}

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` Well, uh-... ` `

{Sandbag turns his attention to the bar. The whole reason they were going around was to scout things out, so doing just that wasn't too suspicious. Right? It gestures to one of the decorative nooses.}

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` ... that's definitely a waste of rope. ` `

"Maybe there's a way to take it down? In case you need any for whatever reason."

[He chuckled.]

"I'm just glad they have some flora around, the plants were a nice touch."

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` I probably could. I dunno if you can untie a noose, though- ` `

{He keeps his volume down as well when speaking before picking back up the plant discussion. Y'know, just so they didn't look suspicious.}

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` I suppose it is a bit nice to have plants sprinkled about- Makes it feel less like a prison. Even though that's what this place is supposed to be in the first place- ` `

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` Good to know, I suppose- ` `

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` ...any specific reasonyou know that-? ` `

{Well that was blunt. He's still desperately attempting to keep the conversation on the down low. Although, the bartender has probably heard most of the conversation anyways.}

[...Yeah that's odd.]

"Oh, by the way,"

[So now he understands lowering his voice.]

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` Hopefully they aren't chummy with their coworkers about things they overhear, either. ` `

{Sandbag does a scan over the room. It takes note of the little booth, the pool table, decorative plants, help wanted sign, and such. You have to squint to see some details in the corners and edges of the room due to the low lighting. It was for aesthetic purposes, but might come in handy later if he did indeed need to snag some rope.}

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` Are the drinks any good-? ` `

{It's not much of a drinker, but what else do you discuss in a bar?}

"...Oh! The one I had was terrible, but there's definitely some that sound good!"

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` Yikes. I might just not drink while I'm here- Doesn't sound worth it. ` `

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` Usually the ones that sound the best are the most disgusting. Well at least from my experience, they are- ` `

{Geez, was that a strong breeze or what? Wait... how would a breeze get down here anyways?}

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` Jesus fucking christ it's cold- ` `

[He chuckled.]

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` Uh- sure. ` `

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` Eh, the weather's usually pretty warm -sometimes humid where I work- I think it was something about being closer to the equator that makes it warmer. Plus I usually wear something warmer when it gets cold out. ` `

{If he's learned anything about Cobyn's character so far, its that he's very nice to strangers for seemingly no reason. Sandbag included, of course. It's an odd thing considering (excluding staff) they're all criminals.}

[He paused for a while, thinking about it. His smile fades, only briefly.]

"I think if I don't make it out of here, not being on the ocean as much as I could've would be something I regret. But oh well."

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` Well, I mean, being out on the ocean isn't that exciting- ` `

{...}

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` ...well it kinda is. ` `

{Its attempt at reassuring Cobyn that he isn't missing out on much isn't very effective. Even if it doesn't hurt anyone, Sandbag can't lie about how 'boring' the sea life is. He has too much attachment to that lifestyle to say its boring. Even though its just a personal opinion thing.}

[He asks with a rather calm smile, choosing to ignore how much he's missing out on. He'd prefer to see how Sandbag answers.]

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` ...I wouldn't regret that time I 'accidentally' cut the nets on that whale shark my gramps caught- I was about eight, and got a good whack across the face for it, but still worth it. Would rather that than just watching as it suffocates helplessly. You? ` `

"I know this sounds odd, but in a way, how little I did at times. I was relaxed quite often, and happy too. It was nice."

[They're nearing Sandbag's room by now. It's clear Cobyn's hesitant to keep talking, but he does.]

{ Maybe that's what earned it the 'underdog' title. Y'know, the fact he has ZERO friends. what a loser }

✛ᬊ ོ∘ ` ` ... You got anything you'd regret? ` `

"Would you like to warm up on your own and get some rest, or-..?"

Even though Vega made sure to keep the curtains tightly shut, the reddish light from the main part of the bar still seeped in through the small part that couldn’t be covered. Which annoyed her. Because even though people usually wouldn’t come in, it would still be obvious to tell that she had been crying and panicking over something worthless.

The worst part was, the light was covered by a shadow—showing that someone had been standing right infront of the crack in the curtain. Vega covered her mouth to try to stifle her gasping breaths and occasional whines. She didn’t want Cobyn to catch her crying in a situation like this. Especially because he had just dealt with the glass and it wasn’t his job to help her.

-🔭@paran0idcosmol0gist

[Cobyn wasn't much of a drinker himself, but with the cut on his hand from earlier, he thought getting a small shot of alcohol to make sure it's not infected might be for the best. He wasn't going to bother Cecilia again for medical supplies, so he thought this would work well enough.]

[...But the curtains are never fully shut without reason. From the almost silence of the room, he was curious, and from what sound there was, he was worried. He wasn't sure what he'd see, but he was ready for anything. He lightly tugged the curtain aside, peeking in.]

"...If me being here will make things worse, I will. But I don't know if I should go."

"That's reasonable, things have been a lot lately."

[He paused again, and it looked like for a moment, maybe he would leave.]

"I don't want to leave you alone."

[He glanced toward his hand, just a small flick of his eyes before deciding he doesn't need to mention it. Vega will probably shift focus onto it.]

"Just wandering! Things get rather boring when not exploring with you-"

[He smiled, but it slowly faded with the still tense air.]

"Right- uh... Apologies...."

[He paused for a while. He didn't want to ask much, as Vega might not be comfortable with that, and if he asks what he can do to help Vega might just tell him to leave, so he's not sure what to do... That is, until he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small flower he found, that he knows for a fact will not be helpful but might just help at least lift the tension a little..?]

"Yarrows focus a lot on healing and courage, sometimes specifically on healing a broken heart, but I'm not sure if that's exactly what you have. I sure hope not! It's also highly connected to the story of Achilles!"

"...In some versions it was said that the yarrows helped in making Achilles invincible..? His body, at least."

[He brought one leg up onto the seat, so he could turn and face Vega a bit better, leaning against the back wall.]

She murmured starting to roll the plant in between her fingers. She didn’t mind listening to Cobyn talk about all of the things that yarrow could represent, but she didn’t know how to reply.

[He thought about it for a long time, despite it being a question he considers a lot. He never quite has an answer prepared.]

[It fades slowly, as there's another odd pause in conversation.]

"...You can see the stars really well from my farm..?"

[He paused again.]

[He hesitated. It seems to be a reoccurring thing with Cobyn, his pauses and breaks and thinking about his words when the topic becomes more personal.]

[...It wasn't about Vega in the slightest.]

"I'm sure there was good to him, but being that distant isn't good, and typically stems from other problems as well."

[It was an actively pro Vega statement.]

"Ha, stems from- Just-..."

[He did a sharper sigh this time to get himself back on track.]

“It also isn’t his fault though — I was also at university a lot so it was kind of my fault too..”

× 、: ☆・" I just want to move on so I won’t think of him when I’m with Maneki and Bones.. or I won’t have to go because I still miss him.. and I don’t want to accuse them of something they didn’t do but he did. "

"...Well, you don't have to jump straight to accusations! If they're doing something odd or something that reminds you of a bad thing he did, communicate that! Calmly explaining one's feelings and thought process can really help relationships, I don't know why people don't do it more often."

[Does that-... Make more sense? He's nodding like it does.]

"Those are always odd!"

[Has Cobyn of all people been in one before?]

"I hope you three have fun!"

He probably didn’t think that saying it was a situationship was any better than a relationship. But when it came to Vega, she’d say anything to get out of things that could be used against her, even though she was open to talking with Cobyn in the first place, she still had her regrets.

"Started from the glass- it- part of it is from the glass"

[He wraps it in the apron corner as if that'll get rid of it.]

[He chuckles.]

× 、: ☆・" I didn’t think that anyone saw that… "

Her murmured response sounded more like she was guilty after being accused of something. Even though it was really just a simple rhetorical question used as an example.

[He smiled quite a bit, which was odd regarding how tense he still was.]

× 、: ☆・" sure. "

"Lovely! Let's get going then."

[He chuckles awkwardly.]

"Right, yeah! My apron!"

[...But he still recognizes the behavior as odd.]

"I don't stare!"

[He laughed a little, and it was hard to tell how forced it was. Surely not entirely forced, he wouldn't do that, but there's no way it was all that genuine either.]

"I just noticed you were being odd about the dressing room, I got worried."

[He started walking, and it was unclear if it was in any particular direction, or simply walking for the sake of it.]

"...You are fine, right?"

[Elise and Cobyn hadn't exactly spoken since their last interaction. Cobyn's not the most confrontational man, there's not even much to confront about, really. There's just been space between them, like magnets repelling. Cobyn doesn't know if he truly believes it— that Elise truly rigged something in its favor, but the thought still makes him deeply uncomfortable. The concept of a game like this having a set outcome just doesn't sit right with him.]

[It didn't make sense for him to have any positive feelings towards Elise anyway. They set up a water bucket prank, broke a glass in Cobyn's room as Cobyn tried to help them, and then went on some ramble and left. It didn't make any sense.]

[...But when he walked into the casino room searching for someone and instead found Elise, sniffling and coughing with a cold, that distance and discomfort didn't stop him from approaching.]

"...Elise..? Is everything alright?"

- @creative-gardener

"Everything is perfectly fine."

[He's completely ignoring the claim to be fine.]

"I am NOT asking the bird lady for help."

"Or you either. I said I'm fine."

[He grabs his bag's strap, tilting his head towards the door, gesturing for Elise to follow.]

"Since I woke up this morning."

"Most definitely inconvenient."

{Elise has no idea if it might be poisoned. Getting poisoned by the gardener was literally the last thing on its mind. Surely that wouldn't be of consequence. Right?}

ིྀᨶ႒ᩚ∘˚ ` ` Well, frankly, I'm too miserable to give a fuck. So, think of it as a special exception. ` `

{ The cold isn't even that bad. Elise is just a little bitch who doesn't handle any sort of pain very well. }

"...Was it true, Elise?"

- @creative-gardener

Sandbag opens it's door, expecting to see sailor, as he's pretty much the only one who stops by its room. He was a bit taken aback and mildly confused when he saw Cobyn standing in the hallway with a bouquet of flowers. Sandbag doesn't really know this "creative gardener" guy very well, so he assumes they just knocked on the wrong door.

[He chuckled, tapping his foot anxiously. He slowly brought a nail along one of the flower stems, about to scratch at it as a fidget, but he stopped, not wanting to harm it. His hand got tense as he did.]

"But I was given these to give to you!.. Unsure why they didn't just give them to you directly, but this is fun I suppose! Buttercups- they're buttercups."