[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/h5xf31C.png[/img][/center][hr][i][b]//Night 0 | Location:[/b] Nameless Forest - Clearing[/i]
[sub][@Vertigo][/sub]
The meat stank in the way that only poorly-handled wild meat could. The fat-to-muscle ratio was almost all muscle, the lack of seasoning made it taste like boiled chicken breast, and the texture was the closest Duncan had gotten to chewing on a shoe. Even Kumi didn’t seem able to work her magic here, and she must have decided to err on the side of well-done rather than risk any parasites, resulting in a slice of meat that was awful.

And yet, for Duncan? It was [i]delicious[/i]. He found himself hardly chewing, his teeth tearing great chunks out before swallowing them. He felt famished, and every bite he took felt like the first bite of food he had ever had. It was almost incredible how hungry he was, in truth. Had it been because his stomach was emptied out in all the wrong ways? Had it been because his body had eaten itself up to recover? Or maybe there was just something about this steak in particular…

Regardless, the sensation of something sliding down his throat and then broiling inside the digestive juices of his stomach answer the question of his guts at least. As for the rest?

[b]“Asahi’s up and about,”[/b] Daisuke said, jabbing a thumb over at where the pink-haired Student Council member was. There was a flicker of hesitation, before he powered through. [b]“And Yuki’s alive. Just recovering.”[/b]

The snapping of a lighter sounded, followed by the sizzling of embers. Haruko handed over a lit cigarette. [b]“Seven left,”[/b] she said, matter-of-factly. [b]“Most of them got squished up.”[/b] By his guts and blood and wolfbear fur, was what was left unsaid. [b]“But really, Duncan. How are you feeling?”

“And more importantly, is that your cheat ability or something?”[/b] Maki squatted down, peering closely at the absolute nothing that was covering his fully-healed stomach. [b]“Like, regenerating from all of that?”[/b]

[sub][@baraquiel][/sub]

Sasuke didn’t turn when Asahi approached, but he didn’t shift to the side either when Asahi sat down. His gaze, as steady as the ocean before the storm, remained towards the darkness, towards the moonlit shadows and the inscrutable brushery. Was it the whisper of the wind, or the howl of the beasts? If one focused, it was easy to pick out the sounds of nature from the sounds of chatter, and nature was [i]alive[/i].

No, for Asahi, he didn’t even need to really focus to hear it. He could hear the heartbeats of those around him, some faster, some louder. He could hear the distant howling of beasts, the rustling of leaves or branches as unseen birds flitted between shadow and light. He could hear pained grunts, gasped in fitful unconsciousness. He could hear Sasuke’s breathing, deep and rhythmic, matching the tempo of his heartbeat. He could hear the mountain and the cave, the dirge and the blade, keening with a ferocity that sought t-

[b]“I’m fine.”[/b]

Asahi’s senses retracted. Sasuke’s words were weighty, meaningful. Even when they sounded so rote.

[b]“Thanks for asking. Are you?”[/b]

Before a response could be made, however, the smell of grilled rice wafted into Asahi’s nostrils. “H-heyo!” Kumi said, looking a touch too frantic. [b]“I figured since the rice was cold I’d grill em up into uh, balls! You two, try them! Tell me how they are, please!”[/b]

Beside the fire, Masami narrowed her eyes, doing the mental strategizations on how to smoothly insert herself into that trio, while Tsubasa looked away, hiding a wry smile while hoping the second-hand embarrassment doesn't obliterate all three of them.

[sub][@Nakushita][/sub]

Fujita’s silent plea was not answered, so he just did his best to keep quiet and eat. This too, will hopefully pass. Just keep one’s eyes on the food, and…

[b]“Fujita, [i]aaaaaah~[/i]”[/b]

Lord God spare him.

While the lovers were showing off, Ayane shifted off to the side to give Ayana some space to sit, favoring her with a raised eyebrow. [b]“Figured you’d have no one else to eat with. Suppose it’s too late to play at being sisters, but, well, we can still be classmates.”[/b]

She managed a smile.

[b]“I’m more impressed that you’re still in good health, Ayana. Outside of your hair. That’s a disaster that’d require a stylist to fix.”[/b]