Never have I ever made a fool of myself [video, nebula 17]

[monkeyinthewrench]

What's up, party people?

[ And here's a cheerful wave from a man in orange, seated in his room with a mug of...something. ]

If we haven't met yet, my name's Jake. Jake Peralta, your clues guy. I'm down to poke things with sticks and solve mysteries! Sooner we figure out what the train's entire deal is, where we're going and all that, the better, right? But in the meantime, I thought it'd be fun to get to know my new squad!

Anyways, I was wondering if anyone would be down to play a little Earth game called Never Have I Ever. How it works is you say something totally cool, or weird, or boring that you haven't done. And anybody who has done it has to take a drink. Unfortunately, I'm as broke here as I was back home, so I can't supply the booze. And we should probably be setting a good example, right?

So just drink whatever you have! Be that water, juice, milk, coffee...or if you happen to have a proper adult beverage on you, go ahead and drink responsibly. You ready? Great, I'll start: never have I ever gone skydiving!

((ooc: it's a big mingle format! Go ahead and add new 'never have I ever' statements as new toplevels, and threadhop all you want.))

Comments

[flatteries]

[ H-haha, burning bodies? Wow, what a topic, what a topic--

Look at the way this topic can shift super rapidly and totally not suspiciously! ]

...

So what was it like to own a fish? It's not like they.. do much.

[agoodsoul]

[Hmm... that's weird. That's suspicious.

It's okay, Dennis doesn't miss that quick topic change back to fish, but he's also not going to ask about it. Maybe Inigo is just uncomfortable talking about the dead. Or dead people specifically.]

I only ever had a goldfish, but yeah didn't do much. Just kinda swam about in the little bowl I had for em. Pretty boring, but when you're a kid it's exciting to have your first pet.

Sometimes when he would make bubbles, that was uh... a real blast?

[flatteries]

You don't sound so sure about that.

[ You know. Just pointing out. Even though it doesn't take a detective to see as much. ]

Maybe kid you was just very impressionable? [ The kind of kid who gets super excited about fish blowing bubbles.

Apparently. ]

[agoodsoul]

What kid ain't impressionable?

[What about them apples, Inigo?]

Don't matter anyway, he didn't last long. He went to the great porcelain throne beyond.

[flatteries]

Uh, I was a very mature kid.

[ Said with all the world's confidence.

Even though Inigo is still very impressionable.

Even to this day. ]

[agoodsoul]

So you're a nerd? Always studying and with perfect grades?

[Nerd (affectionate).]

[flatteries]

[ Wow, Dennis, how dare you accuse him of being a nerd!

Especially when Inigo looks really confused as he says: ]

.. grades?

[ Welcome to the wonderful medieval world, Dennis. You never have to worry about grades, ever! ]

[agoodsoul]

[Nerd affectionate! That means it's okay!]

... like school and stuff?

[Do they not have school in fantasy dragon land?]

[flatteries]

I.. I mean, I had a tutor, but I never got any.. grades from him.

[ Please, if only Frederick was that merciful. If only!! ]

He just told me what I was doing wrong.

[agoodsoul]

Hopefully ain't the only thing he did.

[Gotta have the positive reinforcement too!]

[flatteries]

[ There's a tortured sigh coming from Inigo.

The kind of sigh that already makes the answer clear before he has to say anything else. ]

I mean, I.. wasn't very good at the things he wanted me to be good at.. Or at the very least, I couldn't reach up to his standard, so I more often got scolded than not.

[agoodsoul]

Sounds like a hard ass.

[Dennis frowns a little, shaking his head.]

The bad thing about school or tutoring is we're expected to learn and be good at everything. S'bullshit. Everyone gonna be real good at some things and fucking shit at other things, no matter how much you bang facts into their heads or make em repeat the same stuff over and over.

[Maybe he really hated school too okay.]

But we all got stuff we're good at. Mean look at you, you're a banger swordsman. Taught me how to look marginally cool with a blade in my hand.

[flatteries]

.. well, that's exactly the thing he thought was lacking about me, actually..

[ It's said with a smile, though there's something pretty awkward in it. Sure, Inigo can get how he seems pretty great to someone who's never had to hold a sword before - but back home he was very well aware of just how bad he was compared to some of his peers. ]

I'm not all that great at it. Just-- passable, really. I'm sure that things you can do that aren't as much of a thing where I come from would easily seem amazing to me as well. Like some of the things you must have done at school. [ Even if Dennis might not have been the best student around either! ]

[agoodsoul]

[Oh.

Dennis gets that awkward uncomfortableness in Inigo's smile. He's felt that back home way too much. Feeling like you're just a let down and not good enough, even when you try. It sucks.

And he knows being all 'oh but you're so good!' yadda yadda won't make Inigo feel any better about it. It just feels like pity. Dennis is quiet for a second, lips pressed in a thin sort of pout.]

Y'know... think I've come to realize, from back home, from being here and having real good people 'round me, ain't so bad just being mediocre. Not being perfect at shit, right?

[That's what teachers and instructors expect and it's just hogwash.]

And if you wanna do better than that then try, failing at the end, just part of the road to making yourself better. Even if people will try to make you feel otherwise.

[Which he knows all to fucking well. He'll clear his throat realizing he kind of went off on a little tangent, time for him to look awkward haha.]

Weren't too terrible in this food prep class I took, but always kinda liked cooking.

[flatteries]

[ Aw. Dennis.

Inigo definitely realises what the other is trying to do here. And while it might not work super well, given Inigo's huge insecurities and inherent lack of self worth, the sentiment behind it still hits Inigo well enough to make him smile a little bit. ]

Are you saying you're offering to make me a meal?

[ Not the main conclusion of all of that - for sure - but Inigo can't help but lightly joke along, trying to keep the mood light, so neither of them gets embarrassed here. ]

[agoodsoul]

[Don't worry, Dennis can handle a little embarrassment for a friend. Still he smiles warmly, turning into a bit of a grin before he speaks.]

Long as you ain't expecting nothing fancy. Might like cooking, but I'm no Gordon Ramsay.

[flatteries]

You could cook me watery soup and I'd like it. Just because I'd be eating it with a friend.

[ How's THAT one for sappy, huh! Even though Inigo doesn't really view it that way. To him, it's just him speaking his true feelings from his heart - nothing more and nothing less than that.

Besides, he ruins the mood soon enough by pausing, before adding: ]

.. also, who?

[ Please, these references are too modern for poor medieval boys. ]

[agoodsoul]

[Is this the sappilympics? As sappy as it is, Dennis knows Inigo means it. He's all heart this one... and gay panic attacks, but he can't judge ever.]

Real famous chef, yells a lot.

[But look that's not important.]

Promise that even if you'd eat it, I'd at least make something that tastes good.