Homecoming

"...Okay, then, I guess... I'll ask the others about it," Astarte replied after a long pause. "When would you expect me?"
"I will be in all day tomorrow," Grimm answered. "You can come by whenever is best for you."
"Alright..." Astarte said. Grimm gave her the church number and hung up. Astarte went back to sitting on the couch with Sidon.
"Who was that?"
"Just a friend."

"Oh, hey," Hector waved back.

Monu:<This is going to sound really odd, but could I get Astarte's phone number? It's for Cameron.>

"I like vegetarian food though. If I know I'm cooking for you I'm going to want what you're having anyway because it'll be in my head," Sab said.

"Um, maybe," Hector was slightly surprised. "I could give it to you, but now isn't really the best time to be asking her out or anything. She's not in good condition."

Cameron and Monu's phone rang.

OOC: Cameo!

*She frowns.*

"But then you're not going to have the chance to eat any meat. I just worry that you'll start limiting your diet, because of me."
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"Yes, well, I have to build up the muscle I've lost."
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<So what causes reports about strange things in the black forest? Here to answer that is an expert on Mass Delusion, Dr. Bob Tennet.>

"Of course not. If I want a steak I'll make myself one," Sab said, "I just don't want steak that often."

Taiyo: "Yes, of course. So what's on the agenda for us tonight?"

"I don't know, exactly. I figured you'd be hungry, & I'm starving. But beyond that, I don't really have anything planned."
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"Well...okay, if you say so."

Taiyo: "That's a good start."

Taiyo begins to leave, holding Euryale's hand.

"So, why did you start eating vegetarian food anyway?" Sab asked, "Was it a medical thing, or did you not enjoy the taste of meat?"

*The Tantus family take a tax back to the campus, where Eve hugs her parents goodbye and heads for her dorm room*
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*Cameron groans and answers*

<Hello?>
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*Tirea continues to watch eager to see what they were going to say*
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*Monu nods*

<I know, but it'd be nice just to have. We should also exchange numbers.>

"It's been about as long as I can remember. I guess my parents were told to put me on a vegetarian diet so that I'd eat enough. I went through a short experimental phase in middle school where I tried to eat hamburgers, chicken, and the like, but I never liked any of it, so I gave up. It did sometimes make me feel a little sick, but I don't think I was allergic, or anything like that."

*She laughs, holding up an imaginary burger, & removing an imaginary patty from it.*

"I remember taking the patty out of the burger & just eating it like that. The other kids thought it was gross. I guess it was missing some texture."
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"So what are you in the mood for?"
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<It's not uncommon for delusions of threats to society to spread rapidly from rumors and fear. The most notable example is the Salem Witch Trials. In 1944, the US States of Virginia and Illinois complained of serial assaults by a man spraying toxic gas. In all reports, no chemicals were ever found. Another example is the Spring-Heeled Jack, a demonic, fire-breathing monster that was reported in Great Britain from 1837 all the way to 1986! He was blamed mostly for frightened women who fainted at night. So, what I'm saying is that people who are highly suggestible and share a common environment of fear--such as a group of students lost in the forest--may externalize those fears into a conscious threat that does not really exist. But it is important that we do not let this hysteria spread to the rest of the community. The damages in terms of stress-related illnesses & false reports are far more dangerous than any Mad Gasser of Matoon or Halifax Slasher could ever be.>

*Eve enters her dorm room and starts on homework*
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<That's impossible. There's no way we imagined it.>

Sab giggled a bit, "Kind of a weird sandwich, if you ask me, but only because that seems like a lot of bread."

"Well, okay then," Hector retrieved his phone from his pocket and gave Monu both his and Astarte's numbers.

"Hello, is this Monudon Aakin speaking?" Grimm asked.

Taiyo: "What's nearby?"

"Anything, really."
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"Yeah. So, did you eat a lot of veggies before you met me, or have I corrupted you?"
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<In terms of the weather, still scattered thunderstorms throughout most of the night, continuing into tomorrow. Should clear up after that.>

Taiyo: "Doesn't matter then. Anywhere's fine."

"I've actually always liked my greens," Sab said, "My mom can't eat certain meats, that was why I asked if it was a medical reason, so I just kinda of ate a bunch of greens as a kid. I mean, I'm not going to say no to what my mom cooked. My dad used to grill though, so I also had a taste for meat, just on more rare occasions."

"Oh no, you're not putting that decision on me. There's a nice general restaurant on the corner. We'll go there."

*A few water drops begin to follow.*

"We should hurry, unless you want to get rained on."
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"Oh, I hope I wasn't making assumptions. Most people assume I'm going to give them some long lecture about the evils of killing animals for food."

*She spears some of her salad, & chews it.*

"I mean, don't get me wrong, I don't like the notion that the venison in the supermarket is chunks of Bambi's mom, but that's nature."

Taiyo: "Well, I do like the rain, but all right."

"I try not to think of them as cute little animals," Sab said, "I'd probably have a hard time eating certain things if they came from pretty flowers or bushes too. Luckily things come in packages at stores."

"Then we'll have to be sure to get a window seat."

*When it's safe to cross, she takes Taiyo past the church, to a small, nondescript restaurant on the other side. There's a neon sign spelling out its name, but it's currently blown out.*
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"Well, one advantage to eating vegetables is that you rarely kill the plant. Unless, of course, you're eating a root, like a potato or a carrot. I suppose a tomato is like eating its embryo, or something."

*She laughs.*

"I'm sorry, that analogy was just so ridiculous."

Taiyo: "I actually like being in the rain."

She looks up at the sign. A good indicator the place is probably a dive.

Taiyo: "What kind of place is this?"

Sab giggled, "Some unfortunate implications about having an egg and tomatoe sandwich now."