[center]
[hr][img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/dHRmLjEwNi5mZmI2YzEuVG1WcmJ5QkRZWEppWld4c1lRLjA/fairy-mother.regular.webp[/img][/center][right][b][code]The Webb Family Coffee House[/code][/b][/right][hr]


Introductions continued to go around the table. Neko gave Harmony a small nod of appreciation for her support, a nod that stiffened as the woman produced the chip and elicited memories of another woman that Neko did not want to think about. Neko slipped out an involuntarily dirty look, one that hopefully had gone by unnoticed with the arrival of Ophrenia. A nervous smile had wormed its way back onto Neko’s face when a slice of pie was offered her way. She lightly waved it away, mouthing a no thank you and noting that Ophrenia didn’t share how she knew Eleanor—but she had shared more than the silent stranger who’d loudly crashed down into a chair. 

The rest of the group were more forthcoming with their answers. She was thankful that Charlie and Harmony had already established that it was impossible for her Nora to also be their Eleanor or otherwise Neko would’ve leapt the table when Gene mentioned he’d dated Eleanor for six years (Jordan, if he’d been stupid enough to even chime in after, would get his too). Instead, she simply returned the look of sympathy. He was right. He hadn’t lost family or a support system—it sounded like he’d lost both. 

With nearly a dozen people bringing up nearly a dozen different Eleanors, Neko was beginning to have difficulty keeping track. She was tempted to ask Olivia if she could borrow her notes before Jasmine chimed in and succinctly summarized everyone’s relationships. Neko knew she’d still need the notes at some point, but for now didn’t want to embarrass herself in front of the “star” player. Neko attempted to think of a solution to the riddle, her hand idly massaging her temple.

Nothing she came up with worked out with the exception of three thoughts. One: This was an elaborate and cruel prank being played exclusively against her, unfathomable in its meanness and lack of purpose. Two: She was delusional and caught in a terrifying state where she was aware enough to know that such a reality was possible but unable to remove herself from such a thing. Three: Something bad was happening, the kind that sensible adults could never admit outloud to existing, the kind that logic couldn’t explain. A chill ran down her spine despite the hot swamp air flowing in through the open window.

Neko simply had to be missing something. She was thankful when Jen spoke up. Jasmine prodding at their quiet interloper made Neko feel uncomfortable. She gave room for the called out woman to reply before addressing Jen. 

[color=FFB6C1]“I can’t think of anything better. They couldn’t ignore such a big group,”[/color] said Neko, standing up to get a better view of the map. She leaned over and furrowed her brow, jamming her finger at the skull. [color=FFB6C1]“But Jen? I'm sorry, what’s that?”[/color]