Livebloggin @ Court

He’d like to think that was a compliment, and she’s not half-bad if he’s been recommended her blog! He is still relatively young so he’d be hips with the kids! It’s really just work that gets in the way of fun, but isn’t that always the case.

“Haha, a good guy? Well, I like to think I’m one! But really, I just think being a good person is generally better than, well, not being a good person. I try not to judge anyone though since we all come from different circumstances.”

Merlot might be famous but he was raised by a family that knew the most important thing wasn’t to prey upon others and use them but rather help them grow and grow alongside them if possible. Plenty of his staff even consists on people he met at culinary school! He’s not sure if he’s done anything to sound off her alarms but she seems awfully wary of him if that handshake and the cupcake being put on the counter is anything to go by.

“Would… You like me to take care of that for you?”

He asks, pointing at the cupcake before resuming conversation.

“I understand that, but I assure you I have no desires to push people away! I do think the key to success and a good life is having human connections! I just, like to think we all need a friend!”

Man even he sounds embarrassed by saying something as corny as that if the sudden dusting of pink in his cheeks is anything to go by! He quickly recovers and nods though, giving a polite laugh but not really knowing if she’s joking or not… Spooky.

“Ah, well, of course not! Is there anything you’d like as a side-dish? I wouldn’t mind if you want something simple like french fries or more gourmet like Smashed Potatoes with Gouda and Horseradish. Just let me know what your heart desires and I’ll be glad to prepare it for you!”

He nods, enthusiastically, almost as if wanting her to say something just so he can prepare it exclusively for her! Guess he really just loves cooking.

Different circumstances, huh... well, that’s definitely true, isn’t it? Was he born to be famous or did he work for it? Those kinds of ‘circumstances’ definitely determined such a thing. But the way he seemed so genuine, regardless of whether he was or not, bothered her. It was like he was looking down on her somehow. She didn’t do so well with people like this. Too impatient. It’s probably one of the many reasons she preferred being online. Or at least, acting in short bursts. Being in this place, forced to keep this up for so long... annoying. Where was her me time?

“Hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhm.“ She streches that sound out. That thought out. Before flashing another dazzling smile. “Wow, you’re the sort that gives to charity and stuff, right? That is so, so valid. Like, people out there really suffering because of circumstances, it’s so sad.“

He was honestly kind of unrelatable. Pretending to be a good person was one thing, but meeting one in person felt shocking. Almost unbelievable. She flushes when he brings up the cupcake, though. God! Why is he looking at that? She hand-waves it away.

“No, uhm, no, no! I wasn’t hungry anyway. I mean, my friend wasn’t. So I’ll just. Throw that away. It’s gross now, anyway.”

It definitely is. Unhygenic, probably. Sweets as a whole, she shouldn’t be consuming though but she sometimes gets the sugary urge when she’s stressed. Why does it feel like she’s the only one stressed about this? She’s not being a kid about it. Right? Right.

“Connections! You’re totally right there!“

She brightens up. Finally a subject she can relate to.

“It’s nice to be able to bond with people all over the world! I mean. In my case. I like, get to learn so much. So humbling...“

Let’s phrase it like that, anyway.

“Erm... side-dish... huh? I’m not so knowledgeable about food, sorry...“

Well that was a lie. But she has to pick quickly! This is big opportunity. He’s a famous chef and she has to take a picture of it the dish so it has to look appealing, for starters. But it also has to impress him, it has to have a mature edge. How to appeal, how to appeal...

“Creamed... kale carbonara? How about that? Ehehe. I’m starstruck, totally can’t believe this is happening still, sorry...“

The giggling suddenly stops… He’s not exactly sure why but he feels like he just missed the most important quick-time event to unlock Selphie’s friendship… But what she’s saying isn’t entirely true.

“My apologies! I didn’t mean it like that. I have heard about you! I run a blog myself! But it’s mostly one to bring attention to smaller restaurants which I feel deserve to be more in the spotlight! I have received recommendations to view your blog but unfortunately I have a tight schedule so I haven’t had time to really watch your blog and videos, but I do know about you. It’s a pleasure to meet you Selphie!”

There isn’t a single hint of insincerity in his words because, frankly, he’s being entirely honest. She wouldn’t be the first one who’s taken aback by his forthrightness but he really should be starting to notice this more often. If anything he just thinks she’s being humble rather than her purposefully getting her name out there.

“Please don’t mind my clothes much! I believe meeting people and getting to know them and form friendships with them is far more important than just fabric.”

He smiles and continues to expect the handshake… Man he really is modest, but his expression quickly shifts to one of surprise the moment she mentions it’s weird to meet him, but rather than react with shock he instead softly chuckles.

“Heh, is it that weird? Maybe I can make it up to you! Would you like to eat something with me? I’d love to have a conversational partner over a nice meal!”

Well that’s a generous offer.

Wait, so he has heard about her? That’s... she’s not sure if that’s an honour or not. It should be... right? This is someone with real fame acknowledging her, after all. But somehow that ‘in my busy schedule’ sort of talk irks her. Like you’re too good for me, type of thing... but, well, it’s not like she can refute that. It’s just her petty pride.

“Mmmhm... you’re a good guy like that. Umm. Pleasure’s all mine though! Super cool to meet you!”

Even she’s not quite sure if she’s sincere about those words or not. He really does seem like a good person. But that’s all the more reason to doubt him. Any second now she could be milkshake duck-ed.

Oh gawd, he’s humble too. How can someone be this famous and this nice? There’s no way. Yeah, there’s absolutely no way, there’s some catch to this and she’s going to be on guard around him. It’s only a matter of time before Merlot Riesling is cancelled.

She, with caution, accepts the handshake but not before putting the nibbled cupcake down on a counter. She’d probably have to throw it away. It’d probably be easier that way.

“You’re more approachable than I thought... no offense! Of course! Just like, usually famous people keep others away, you know? I’m kinda shy in person, I guess. It’s easier with 200 characters.“

Well... it is easier, but she’s by no means shy. Her eyes widen at the offer. Distrustful or not, she’d be an IDIOT to pass up an opportunity like this. It’d be good to brag about AND it’d be good food...

“Sure! I mean... only if you don’t poison me! Haha!”

The Food Court in this place was certainly amazing! While it’s true that it paled in comparison to the beauty of his pride and joy, the Beau Paradis, as a chef he respects the amount of effort that was put into making this place! Today was a bit of a long day… Not only did they meet someone else who had been kidnapped but they were also given an ultimatum… Of sorts? Murder someone and you’ll be able to speak to the dead… Surely they must be joking! But still Merlot didn’t exactly feel comfortable by thinking about the motive or even entertaining the idea!

Thus he has retreated into the kitchen itself. He wanted to try and make himself something quick and easy but… If the others saw him preparing his favorite meal, what would they think? No, it was way too risky! So instead he’s going to prepare himself a simple Bœuf Bourguignon! A classic and traditional French dish! But he soon realized he had some other more… Intimate and personal urgent matters to attend so he went ahead and left the kitchen and the Food Court area for a couple of minutes. When he returned he spotted something, or rather, someone nibbling at a cupcake from the dessert area of the buffet!

Merlot only stares as she fumbles with her cupcake only to try and hide it behind her. Despite the blatantly obvious lie though he gives the girl a gentle and warm smile. It seems he’s more amused than really judging her!

“Really now? Well you must be quite a caring friend to come all the way here to look after someone’s cupcake! I believe… We haven’t introduced ourselves though! A pleasure, I’m Merlot Riesling! Do you mind telling me your name?”

He offers his hand… What will you do Selphie… Will you shake it and risk the cupcake being seen? Or will you refuse the handshake.

He seems nice... but that’s all the more reason to be suspicious of him. Gentle smile, soft voice, famous chef, it’s almost a little too perfect. And a guy like this probably has a ton of motivation to kill. How does she know he’s not going to kill to talk to Taggart Burger or something? He’s probably real. Whatever. Selphie eyes the hand and offers a tense smile in return.

“Oh, yeah... supes considerate! You know me!“

She giggles in turn and then the giggle stops. No, he actually... does not know. Well, that’s a pain, isn’t it? Acting like she’s super important won’t work when he’s super important. She might as well play it humble.

“Or... not... right? Haha... whoops, duh, hello! I’m Selphie. Selphie Stickland. I’m, uh, just a normal girl who likes to blog a bit! Really! And I’d to-tally take the handshake but, uh, big oof, I’ve got a kinda messy hand, so, y’know. I’d haaate to get you dirty, you’re wearing such nice clothes and all!“

Was he? Maybe... she couldn’t tell. Some normal shirts could be super expensive. She could just assume it.

“You’re that big chef I hear about, right? It’s kinda. Weird to see you in person.”

She thought he’d be more grand, honestly. Somehow it’s surreal to see him talk to her in person. Geez... it’s one thing to @ a celebrity online but to talk to them in person?

..

...

Sure, eating away the stress wasn’t exactly the best course of action but Selphie felt she’d been pretty composed so far. So what if she thought everyone was out to kill her and that this new medium was in on the whole thing? It’s not like she’d gotten on top of the counter and screamed about it. God, could you imagine? She’d be a social disaster. Actually, any overblown reaction would destroy her completely. That’s why, surely a little binging here and there was surely fine… just… an extra serving here and there and maybe a little extra cupcake… when no one was looking, of course! Unless, it was a super expensive cupcake, anyway.

Speaking of such a cupcake, she gingerly took one of the premade ones and nibbled at it like a squirrel, careful to not be seen. You couldn’t just let everyone know you ate… like a normal person. That’d be awful! You’d seem so… so approachable! Can you imagine a world where Miss Pretty and Expensive was just like you? No, you’re only supposed to seem a tiny bit relatable! There’s still supposed to be a huge gulf there.

Her peace is shot when she hears someone behind her and she almost drops what she’s holding.

“Ah, ah, ah! Oh my g–”

Selphie fumbles with the nibbled cupcake and only barely catches it. She’s quick to hide it behind her back. It’s… well, it’s Mr. Hollywood Chef. Of course he’d be here in the foodatorium, geez. Could her timing be worse? She eyed the cupcake behind her and then scowled.

“I’m… holding it for someone else, okay?”

Ugh, what now?

She had honestly figured someone might’ve pulled something the second the situation was clear to them but the hours, days that passed… were oddly peaceful. And Selphie allowed herself to fall into a sense of strained regularity. At the very least, she wasn’t as afraid, even if she did insist on keeping at least some kind of a weapon on her at all times. But nothing had changed; she still had to leave, and fast. Every second she wasn’t online, every second she was missing a big event, not posting… she was losing a follower. Going back to a dead account… she didn’t even want to think about that.

Thankfully, perhaps, she ahd something else to think about as someone new joins the fray. A… medium. No wait, seriously? A medium? Is this really happening?

Selphie resists the primal urge to scoff.

Why was everyone being so… nice to her? She didn’t get pizza from a famous chef when she woke up. She didn’t have anyone asking how she was or if she was okay. Wasn’t that… yeah, wasn’t that unfair? Why was she getting so much special treatment all of a sudden, when they were all in the same position? She was even being weirdly snarky to people… and… it was only maybe in the same position, anyway. This was way fishy. Her just… appearing like that, some new ‘motivation’. Who knew if that collar even worked? It could just be some prop. Taiho-kun was going on and on about 'us’ and 'everyone’, right? So it’s not like the pipsqueak was alone in this.

God… she wasn’t even that cute. Sure, maybe Selphie wasn’t celebrity-tier but she’d seen Rouge. And Katia, from afar. Even Charlotte was pretty adorable, crappy attitude notwithstanding. But no, it’s this chick who gets the royal treatment?

That’s not fair.

But Selphie knew people and she knew the game of life well. If she brings up that the Fey girl’s kiiinda suspect, she’ll just get white knights like four-eyes on her case. You go against the grain, you become an enemy of the crowd.

Just go with the flow, Selphie. Nobody wants to hear that.

She takes a deep breath in and exhales. Right. Faking her feelings… that’s nothing new, after all. Selphie smiles a reassuing smile at the medium.

“… Don’t worry! We’re all in this together. Nobody wants to hurt you or anything.”

Walking around the place had been… illuminating. In some rights, anyway. So far she’d discovered a whole array of weirdos, creeps and annoyances that just rubbed her the wrong way. Honestly, it wasn’t much different from her initial assessment. So, when those chimes sounded, it was a huge relief. Get details on this case, do her duty as a good citizen and then get the hell out of here. Sounded like a good plan. If she spent too much time with these guys, she’d just lose it.

But going to the courtroom as requested only served to worsen the situation. It started with an innocent delay and rolled straight into a hellish one-man puppet show. Oh, with some grisly intentions. Her fault? She’d do something bad? There was no way she had. She was living her life the best she could, why did she have to be judged by some weirdo judge? That wasn’t fair! She didn’t sign up for that at all.

She desperately checked her phone. There was obviously still no signal but maybe if she just stared long enough, maybe if she willed it to have one, then…

No. There was no way that was going to happen.

The cold sense of desperation began to claw her throat and chill her skin as her knees lost their power and set her to the floor like a puppet with some srtings missing. Her knuckles began to shake with a weak force. She wasn’t… very strong. If one of these wise guys got an idea into their head, would they go for her? Because millenials were the problem children of this society or something? That wasn’t fair. None of this was fair. She was convinced there was no way she deserved it. So why? Why was it happening? Who could she turn to?

… Herself. Surely. That was all she had.

Selphie brought her phone to her heart. She may have been separated from her followers but she still had it in her hands. That was something. It was, perhaps, her hope.

“I’m… not going to die here… there’s no way I'lll accept that…”

With her phone clawed to her chest, she backs away from everyone and immediately goes for the door. As far as she’s concerned, they’re all a threat. Big muscles. Height. Experience. They each had a way and method they could kill her. They would jealously, spitefully target her, just like all those losers she’d blocked.

But she wasn’t going to die here. She’d find some way to survive. To go back to where she was…

“…” 

Charlotte stares blankly, filling the tense silence with only a few blinks. She tilts her head, as if studying the girl, but her face is clear of her earlier anger and indignation. 

“Being illiterate on jury duty might put you at a bit of a disadvantage. Don’t expect me to read all those documents for you or anything…” 

Her completely deadpan delivery made it difficult to tell whether that was a comeback or a genuine concern of Charlotte’s. Without giving Selphie time to process that herself, though, she points harshly at the bizarre nameplate on the door and enunciates her name slowly as if she were introducing herself to a toddler. 

“There, now that introductions are out of the way… what do you say to never speaking to one another again?”

She’s not illiterate, she just doesn’t like long, ugly books and... hey, that’s besides the point. Is this Charlotte’s power move or is this some kind of genuine worry or concern? ... Well, maybe not those words but that kind of implication, anyway. There was something about Charlotte that made her hard to read. It was a kind of neutral bitterness. Like she hated everything in the world at all times, but passively.

The slow enunciation was a pain. Maybe she’d have to try some new subtle way to irritate Charlotte. Some way where it wouldn’t blow back in her face and... wait, never speaking to each other again?

Wow! Ideal!

Selphie’s whole demeanour does a 180 as she produces a rather genuine grin at not dealing with this rose-tinted waitress again. The girl probably worked a shitty shift and had little offer in terms of connections nor goods. It was a win-win situation and Selphie hardly wanted these proceedings to go any longer than necessary, anyway.

“Finally, a good opinion. Great. I’ll be glad to never see your face again.”

Dorms? As in, they’re expected to stay here? Longer than just a few hours? It dawned on Charlotte in the moment that she lacked extra clothes aside from her new uniform, but at least Merlot would get to see her in it after all. It was awfully cute, after all. And it was almost as if her excursion to the new restaurant wasn’t interrupted at all!

Except it was. And now she has a roommate… of all things. 

Charlotte walked down the hallway, examining the bizarre drawings and memorizing the names, amusing herself slightly by attempting to guess who the unfamiliar ones belonged to. 

The amusement lasted a solid 2 minutes before boredom and disinterest overcame Charlotte once more. May as well see what the rooms are like, in any case, if they’re truly stuck here. She made her back to Room 3 and reached out her the handle, taking no notice of the girl who had walked up at the same time and evidently had the same idea. 

When their hands brushed against one another, Charlotte jumped back and glared at the girl. As if to assert her dominance, she lunged forward and put all her force on the door handle, determined to get in first. Unfortunately, it was very much locked and all Charlotte succeeded in doing was pushing down on the handle with nearly enough force to break it off.

“Ugh. Seriously??”

Charlotte snapped her hand back aggressively. Then, as if suddenly remembering the other girl was even there, her expression blanked and she addressed her with all the interest of seeing a slice of soggy bread on the sidewalk. 

“You’re Selphie, then.”

Not a question so much as a statement. 

The idea she had to share anything with anyone was a huge pain. Yeah, sure, she’d be up for a collaboration on social media but that was different; she was discerning with who she picked out. And it was absolutely, always on her terms and no one else’s. Was this really how jury duty worked? It was way more annoying than she ever thought. No, a creepy jury duty...? Ugh, whatever, she’s too frustrated to think about it for too long.

Frustrated heels click against the floor as she speeds to her room. At the very least, she can be the first one there and set some ground rules as soon as her partner arrives.

Selphie reaches for the handle only to collide with another hand. She jumps back and glares at the person as they go for the door. Well, fine. If they wanted to open it for her, that was fine. She shouldn’t have to do drudge work, anyway. But... wait a second... what was this? The person... this girl... she was kinda cute. Not as cute as she was, though. Probably, right? In any case, she probably didn’t know how to light herself perfectly when the sun went down, angling orange light sharply to cascade amber hues on her cheeks and...

WHY WASN’T THE DOOR OPEN?

Ugh, couldn’t she even open a door?

Selphie folds her arms in some sort of defiance to nothing at all, surveying the other girl with judging eyes. She couldn’t even recognize her face? Didn’t she go online...?

She wasn’t going to be defeated here, no way.

“Uh-huh. And you must be...”

Her eyes go to the door. Ah, yes. Time for a power move. Intentionally getting the name wrong.

Do you ever just walk into a building and then like, almost vanish right out of existence into an inky black hellscape bracing yourself for death itself? God. Mood.

Selphie’s head is muddled upon waking. Her hands immediately find her hair and she automatically sweeps it into place without even thinking. Really, her hair wasn’t even her priority, the weirdness, as it were, was, but she couldn’t help it. If she was going to take on this mystery, she might as well look good doing it. There were a lot of words going back and forth. Some humorous (huh, everyone’s a comedian these days…), some optimistic (how could you be happy about this?) and some dismayed or shocked (god, shut up! Everyone’s in the same position, OKAY?) but they all went in one ear and right out the other. As soon as the grogginess faded, Selphie immediately clawed for her phone and whipped it out. With trained social media fingers, she immediately began writing a post. Thankfully, she always kept a page up. You never knew when you needed to say something. Aqua nails tick against number pads at a frightening pace.

“ummm just woke up in a weird room p sure this is not how a court is run lollllll jury duty is y i k e s”

Annnd… send!

… Send.

Send?

Hey, why isn’t it sending?!

It took her a few frustrated seconds to realize there was no connection. When that dawned on her, her frustration grew exponentially. What gives? Drugged, put in a chair and on top of all that, there’s not even a connection in this dump? Who the hell is running this joint, like, hello! Apparently some weirdo was talking over the intercom but who cared what they had to say. Blah, blah, go look around, bleat, bleat. Whatever! That didn’t help her now, did it?

Even if she had her phone, she couldn’t tell anyone about what was happening… this was a such a missed opportunity. Imagine the hits she could get if she liveblogged this! Pretty internet sensation triumphs against the corrupt government - the ones that no doubt drugged her to… well… she… well, the details didn’t matter. What mattered was that there was a story here and if she managed to tell it, god, she’d be set for life! Everyone would know the name Selphie Stickland. She’d just have to try and find some sort of connection…

In the meantime, she flipped the phone over and took a quick picture for reference. She flashed a big smile and… snap! If she was going to talk about this later, she’d better have pics. And she wasn’t about to look morose in them, either! If you’re going ot be sad, at least be aesthetically pleasing and sad.

It’s only after all of this that Selphie decides to have a look around the table at who else is here. There’s… a whole bunch of weirdos. BDSM Frenchman. Someone dining on a hat burger. Professor Flower Power and a whole pack of goths. What, did they travel in herds or what? A murder of goths?

Whatever. Idiots.

She gracefully swept herself out of the chair and walked as calmly and quickly as she could to a door out of here. If she could help it, she didn’t want to talk with anyone of them right now. As soon as she was out of there, she let her shoulders sag and heaved a hugh sigh.