"Viral... It's nothing against you that you're finding this difficult. It's your first party, it's normal to be confused or uneasy." Ikura didn't want the Beastman getting the wrong idea, or feel guilty that he might now be showing proper appreciation. It was understood the man didn't quite know how to show gratitude as most people might, at least among his inner circle. Hopefully the other attendees picked up on that and didn't label him as ungrateful. "How about try taking things at face value? Everyone around you is happy, they're all doing this to enjoy themselves. Rather than question every piece just dive right in and worry about the details later. If you don't think on it so much perhaps you can enjoy yourself more." Easier said than done of course, you couldn't simply switch off negative thoughts, it didn't work like that. Smiling thoughtfully Ikura moved a little food around his plate, looking at Viral out of the corner of his eye, a mischievous twinkle in his stare. "If I asked each individual guest to speak to you... Would that dispel any doubts that they're here simply because it's a nicety? And make you more at ease?"

Ah, he was taking food now, that was a good change of pace. Not exactly what Ikura had wanted but it was a start to recovery. Having some food in him would improve his mood a little, and maybe once he was eating he'd become more open to conversation. Using the pause to take a few bites of his own meal the doctor wondered just how he'd help Viral after he left. Leaving Earth wasn't in the books for him, there were people on this planet who needed his help, he couldn't leave them for an arguably selfish purpose as this, much as he might like. "Talk to them at your own pace Viral, there's no rush. My suggestion was only a jest," Ikura said, wiping at his mouth, "But I certainly agree, you should. I feel you'll find that quite a few of these visitors are just as worried about you as the rest of us, even if they don't truly understand your situation. As we said, those who are here, from the guests to the servants, everyone has agreed to come here to see you happy. So I'm sure being able to talk to you, and having the chance to be that one who cheers you up, why... It would be an honor for most." Shaking his head dismissively the old man smiled, "I always have room to visit you. I may be busy, but there are others every bit as capable as myself. I do like to be around in person for things, but I have priorities. And my priority so long as you're here, is you."

Takeshi's eyebrow gave a little twitch of annoyance, getting teased like that by Shu. He was enjoying this, little smarty-pants. "You are good at something, but it's not flying fast," the older boy pressed, stabbing a fork of food and stuffing it in his mouth. Hmph, he'd teach Shu how to fly just to prove to him he wasn't quicker, then he'd drop it. Stuffing away another bite and chasing it down with a drink the Saiyan sighed, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand. "Ah... Yeah, eating. Enjoy the food, talk to someone." he added, "We'll have cake when Viral says it's time for cake. I don't even know what kind of cake it is, probably not fruit though." Chuckling Takeshi reached across the table, stabbing up another piece of steak and dropping it onto his plate, pouring on a fair bit of a wasabi mix for flavor. It had been a long, long while since he'd had hot food. He wondered how it would taste. Hm... Or, he wondered how Shu would like it. Suppressing a mischievous grin Takeshi cut off a small slice of the beef, offering it over to Shu innocently. "Want to try a little? I didn't see you have any earlier."