do it for love

[penduli]

[ Every week is the same song and dance, but it never really gets easier, or works, or ever seems like it’s going to stop.

There will be time for everyone to rest before Black comes knocking on their doors (a moot point, given the soundproofedness of them) and slipping a note beneath them. He needed the respite too, and they needed to prepare food, and… he still thinks it’s a little weird to have a party after a trial, but he’s starting to really understand why it’s not a bad idea, either. ]

[Name],

Misa would’ve wanted us to keep a smile on our faces, or at least put a smile somewhere. There’s a pancake bar up in the chapel, if you’d like to come by and make a few happen. If you don't want to come, that's fine, too. The offer's open all night.

Ever yours,
Black

[ …the ending is something he’s never quite shaken, unfortunately.

Those that make their way up to the chapel will, indeed, find a pancake bar, courtesy of Yosuke and Stan (because Black never feels that hungry after trials and someone needs to stress bake here). That is, there are pancakes! There are syrups, whipped cream, fruits, berries, candies, etc! Sprinkles! Hot chocolate, ice cream… everything you could want for your build-your-own-pancake masterpiece. It’s all set up on some tables shoved against the chapel’s walls.

…special Stancakes (or pancakes with a hint of Stan in them, aka some of his hair that might’ve gotten in there accidentally, whoops) are also available.

There’s also alcohol—dessert wines mostly, to pair with their overwhelming sugar bias, but there’s some ordinary stuff there too. Pancake bar.

The framed photos are where they’ve always been on the center area, along with their matching stuffed animals. …or most of them; some haven’t been made, some pictures haven’t been put up, you get the idea. ]

Comments

[amygdalae]

...Mister Colress?

[Bruce is... coming over here now, yep. It seems that Colress is lost in something and well... being lost in thought now isn't really good.]

Are you alright?

[pokexplorer]

[Colress looks up at the mention of his name, that blank look not having quite left his face.]

Ah, y...yes, Mr. Banner, I am all right.

[He sounds so unsure himself, but he doesn't know what else to say? Maybe he doesn't want to admit that he isn't.

He looks down at the Pokeball again.]

It is just, well... Klinklang was rather fond of Tarrlok, and...

[He swallows, not sure what to say beyond that. It's clear that this is way beyond what he is used to. He really hates this.]

[amygdalae]

[In a way seeing Colress now reminds Bruce of himself on his very first week here. The fact that he can't believe any of this is happening, that any of this is actually acceptable--

But its happened. Over and over again. Five times now. Five times, and thirteen of them dead.

He glances down at the Pokeball in Colress' hand.]

...I don't think Klinklang would like to have the truth hidden away from him.

[As painful as it is... death has always been inevitable. Here perhaps even more so than ever.]

[pokexplorer]

[Funny how Colress is just now going through it, huh. That's probably what happens when one begins to reconsider their previous viewpoints. Obviously it's proving to be a rough transition for him.

He nods slowly at Bruce, maintaining a steady control of his voice.]

I don't intend to hide it. There is no way I can, really. It will be looking for him, after all.

[He really should have prepared for this. Indeed, this was inevitable.]

...I'll likely do it in the privacy of my room. I simply need to think of how to phrase it carefully.

[amygdalae]

[It's alright Colress, take the time you need. Bruce will be around to help if Colress needs it.

He gives a small nod of agreement.]

I'm not sure what I can do to help, but should you need it...

[From one scientist to another, right?]

[pokexplorer]

[This is definitely a rough time, but he does appreciate Bruce coming over to talk. At many of these afterparties, Colress was happy to sit and simply talk with others who had a rough go of it at the trial. He kind of realizes that maybe he's in the opposite spot now.

So he smiles a little bit, finally, and gently places the Pokeball back in his pocket for now.]

It is quite all right, Mr. Banner. You talking to me now? It does help in its own way. So...thank you.

[amygdalae]

[Its a bit of a surprise, that Colress has this much of a reaction only now after all the times they had done this. Maybe its just what had transpired, or the fact that they were all stuck for a month now... as ill-advised as it is, they have gotten to know each other better. The pain of loss is probably much more stronger now.]

It's the least I can do. [It's a fact that everyone is going through this hard - everyone did like Misa, after all, even Bruce.] Were you close with Miss Misa? Or Mister Tarrlok?

[Since he mentioned that Klinklang was fond of Tarrlok, after all.]

[pokexplorer]

Miss Misa and I weren't close per se, but I did enjoy her company. It was very difficult to dislike her, that is for certain.

Tarrlok, though...

[Colress has to pause there for a moment. This is where things get awkward about both Misa and Tarrlok being involved.]

I did consider him a friend. And I know this may sound strange, but I cannot say I've allowed myself friendships before my time here. To keep my research project running smoothly, it was best for me to not build relationships at all.

[This is the second time he's brought this up to someone, and it's still awkward to do so. But...he hopes Bruce will at least humor him on it.]

Obviously, being here...well, things changed.

[amygdalae]

[Bruce will be more than happy to listen... even if he is a bit surprised. He didn't think Colress was that kind of person to be honest - he seemed a lot more well-adjusted than Bruce is.

Then again, what really was 'normal' around here? From... King to Sigrun and everyone else, it seemed that everyone's standard of normal was very different. Although it is probably because they're all from different worlds.]

Why would something like that hinder your projects? [He's not going to say if its bad or whatever, but he is genuinely curious. Even for him there had been Betty.]

[pokexplorer]

[The More You Know™.

Colress sighs as he considers his words, fidgeting his fingers against the glass of his drink.]

This is going to involve Pokemon, so please bear with me...

[Apparently this is a thing now, disclaimers for Pokemon-related logic.]

I am looking to answer a question, and the question is essentially "what is the best way to draw out a Pokemon's natural strength?" There are two methods I am focusing on: the bonds between a Trainer and their Pokemon, and a more scientific approach. Does a Trainer bring out the most power from their Pokemon by building strong friendships and loving them? Or must one use artificial means, such as a machine, to bring it out?

Since I am looking at both of them as viable options, I keep an entirely neutral approach so I do not contaminate my research. Hence, I tend to keep my relationships professional...including with my own Pokemon.

[With that out in the open, he waits for Bruce's response. He...won't blame Bruce if he thinks it's ridiculous. It wouldn't be the first time he's heard it.]

[amygdalae]

[Bruce appreciates the disclaimer at least, since it gives him a moment to prepare for whatever it is that Colress is about to say.

...most of which is kind of flying over his head, to be honest, but Bruce thinks he gets the gist of it.]

How does one or the other affect the... Pokemon? [Brief pause.] With 'natural strength', I assume its simply something that can naturally be drawn out with time.

[Not that he's calling Colress experiments ridiculous, but he wants to know the logic behind it.]

[pokexplorer]

[Colress nods slowly. For the most part, Bruce has it.]

Indeed. It is their latent strength, the strength that they have the ability to put to use, but for the most part it lies dormant unless it can be brought out through the means I described to you. When one is able to draw out this natural strength, the Pokemon is using the maximum amount of power it possesses.

[amygdalae]

And you're trying to see if it can be done artificially?

[Yes, he gets Colress comparing it between man and machine, but to Bruce it seems like this is what it basically boils down to.]

[pokexplorer]

I am looking into it, yes. But it doesn't need to be the prevailing method. I simply aim to see which is more effective.

[When he goes neutral, he goes aggressively neutral...or so he likes to think.]

[amygdalae]

[It's not easy being neutral, Colress, trust him. He's tried.]

...if you don't mind me asking, how are you able to compare your results, then?

[Since if he's staying neutral even with his Pokemon, then he needs somebody else who doesn't do that.]

[pokexplorer]

[He's already said this much, might as well continue.]

I've spent quite a long time traveling all over Unova, battling Trainers to test the bonding approach. I have worked with Pokemon enough to tell when their latent power is being drawn out.

That said...in all of my travels, very few Trainers have been able to truly demonstrate this approach to me.

[amygdalae]

[...Bruce can't say he's surprised by the method. Especially after everything else he knows about Pokemon now.]

So the natural approach doesn't work?

[pokexplorer]

I didn't say that. I am merely saying that my research is currently inconclusive.

[And that is all he really wants to say on the matter. It's...a rough night.]

[amygdalae]

[A nod. He can tell that Colress doesn't want to talk about it any further, so Bruce will drop it. Another time, perhaps.]

I hope you'll get to find some better results eventually, then.

[pokexplorer]

[That gets Colress to smile again. Bruce is too nice, what the heck man.]

I sincerely appreciate that, Mr. Banner. Perhaps one day I will be able to tell you that I have.

[...]

And there you have it, I suppose. As I said, I know my methods may seem strange, but they were working, at least. Being here, though...those methods were much more difficult to keep up, I'll say that much.

[amygdalae]

[He's a generally decent person when he isn't busy being an emotional disaster.]

Well, what we're dealing with here right now is very different from the norm even for most of us.

[...that is to say, it probably makes sense that his 'methods' didn't work here. They're all in here in such a tense and extreme situation with nobody else but themselves. It's natural for things to be different.]

[pokexplorer]

Oh, that I know. I've certainly learned the hard way. We all have.

[This place hasn't been kind to any of them, has it. They have each other of course, but...

The pain is just really hard.]

[amygdalae]

[It is very, very hard. Bruce isn't a stranger to death and loss but even for him this had all been just... so very cruel.]

More or less. [Says with a small, probably ineffective smile.] But we're all doing our best in return too.

[Trying to keep each other going, continuing to band together... everyday they all still live is their way of fighting back against the Kingmater.]