that's not what we usually mean by 'dance with death'

[cherryblooded]

[That certainly did happen. Cherryblod's not the type of person who will judge one person's value as being more than another's, so he can't say whether it was better or worse than the first week. It came as less of a shock, maybe, but even so...

It's not the kind of thing people usually want to go through alone.

So, after he spends some time in the kitchen preparing (with assistance from Bruce), he'll slip some personalized notes under everyone's doors.]

[Name],
If you'd prefer to spend this time alone, that's fine.
If you'd prefer not to, I've made some food and set it out in the dining hall.
Even if you're just hungry and would rather not talk, feel free to come take some.
But if you'd like the company, we're here for you.
-Cherryblod

[Those arriving in the dining hall will find an assortment of food - a fair number of sandwiches and other, actual meal-like options since most people missed a meal or two, but also a goodly number of desserts. There's tea, as well as coffee for those who favor it.]

Comments

[captainobnoxious]

[Seriously. You didn't even answer if they were robots too.]

That answered nothing, honey. Why aren't you two close anymore?

[ratingspoint]

...Because I knew what I wanted for myself, and they didn't seem to want anything. That's what it comes down to.

[Not that he's bitter or anything.]

Don't get me wrong, they're...important to me. But if they had their way my life and career would have been on hold indefinitely, and that wasn't something I wanted.

I mean, sure, I promised to stay with them after our other cousins left and I went back on that. Fine. But it's not like it's my fault that I got an opportunity to change things for myself and they weren't willing to do the same.

[captainobnoxious]

That's a good reason to leave home, even if it means straining your relations. You've gotta live life while you can.

[Can't force it one way or the other, from the sounds of it. Though Sigrun's not familiar with siblings and all of her cousins are on the same page as her. What's she know?]

I mean, I don't know how safe you guys are in the Underground -- minus the human that's not going so well -- but it's the same kind of thing with my world, you can't just sit by and let things pass you! You've gotta grab it while it can and the second it comes up! That's how I was chosen by my uncle for the mission I'm supposed to do, I showed initiative.

[... That's a nice way to call it.]

And so did you. So you got to be a star. Even if you have a boring life.

[ratingspoint]

My life isn't dull at all now, actually. It's just the sort of thing that I can't imagine you doing.

[It's pretty much performing 24/7, after all.]

I've burned my share of bridges, sure. But it's been worth it - I've never thought that it hasn't been.

[captainobnoxious]

My performances are just different than yours, but what connects them is bloodshed. Everyone loves to hear a good troll hunt story where I'm from and I've got plenty.

[They're not so different after all, Mettaton.

no they're extremely different that just the only similarity]

Next question: Why a snail farm? What's so good about them? Do you eat them or something? Well, not you you, but you know.

[ratingspoint]

Darling, I would have stayed if there was anything good about them. Trust me, snails suck.

But apparently some people eat them. Boss monsters, usually - if anyone else does, I don't know about it.

[captainobnoxious]

What's the difference between a boss monster and everyone else. Are they just stronger or something? Maybe snails are the secret and you just don't realize their sucky, slimy potential.

[Tell her about Homestuck Undertale.]

[neverafters]

If this is going to be regular... The King doesn't want to watch. [ Not that he ever wanted to to begin with, but. ]

[amygdalae]

I think I should be the one asking you that.

[You've been spending a lot of time here, Cherryblod. Let Bruce handle this now.]

[amygdalae]

[He sees you busy writing there, Yosuke, so Bruce will come with some food and drink to set beside him.]

Are you doing alright?

outside the dining hall

[amygdalae]

[Stepping out from the hall for a quick breather, its not hard to see Sigrun there and notice what she's doing.]

Captain Eide?

kitchen

[amygdalae]

[Bruce's busying himself with cleaning up too when he sees Black coming in, and of course he recalls the words they had between each other down there during the whole... thing. It's obvious that he and Black have incredibly different views on several things - which he's more than alright with, of course - but with how he keeps distancing himself after that...]

I can wash that for you, if you'd like.

[It's not much but its the best way Bruce can put across as an apology for now, if Black wants to take that.]

[amygdalae]

[The elevator ride back up is silent, Bruce himself tightly holding onto what is more or less the remains of Pearl. He still doesn't know what happened down there, how she was there when they knew now that it was an impossibility--but that's something to think about later.

Once the elevator arrives everyone gets out, eager to no longer be cramped with one another, and Bruce thinks about what to do. Something needs to be done--maybe something like what Tarrlok and Misa did last week, or--

He stops in his thoughts when Mettaton approaches him, and Bruce focuses on that for now as he manages a small smile.]

Hello, Mettaton.

[amygdalae]

Are you doing alright?

[Bruce has some food with him that he's bringing over now, since it's probably better to eat and drink as opposed to just drinking.]

[amygdalae]

[Bruce is... sticking by the King now after knowing how freaked out the poor bird had been with everything, so hello Tarrlok you get two for two.]

The best I can think of is something that can apparently mimic us in some fashion. But I suppose that's probably obvious enough.

[amygdalae]

[It's clear how hurt Aqua is with the whole thing, and Bruce doesn't really want to leave her alone for long. Eventually once he has the time he comes over to the kitchen and sees her baking, knowing full well that she's only doing it because of what had happened.]

Do you need any help with that?

[cherryblooded]

It's not uncommon, no. Familiars can do a lot of traveling, and even people like me who aren't familiars can get wanderlust now and then.

[cherryblooded]

I'm fine, really.

[No, let him pretend everything is perfectly okay.]

[cherryblooded]

That's something we can manage.

[At least, he thinks he and Sigrun can manage it.

Not sure on the others, but he'd like to believe.]

[amygdalae]

[Cherryblod...]

There's no harm in taking a break. I can handle things for a while.

[ratingspoint]

[Mettaton really doesn't like being aimless like this; he's...sort of like Bruce in that there's maybe one thing that he can think to do, though in some ways it's decidedly less productive in general, except maybe on a personal level.

But then, he's always been a bit self-centered like that.]

Bruce, hi.

[It's not exactly awkward, but it's more subdued than it usually is; he's got that framed photograph from the courtroom held close against him.]

I wanted to ask for a favor.

[amygdalae]

[Seeing the way Mettaton holds onto Pearl's photo like that has Bruce making a few guesses, but nothing that he wants to assume.]

Certainly. [He responds without missing a beat.] What can I do for you?

[ratingspoint]

There are a few things we do in the Underground when people die; they're not something we can do for humans, but Pearl is...different.

[What with the rock and everything.]

So I was wondering if I could have...her. To do all that.

You can watch if you want, it's not like I'm going to desecrate anything.

[amygdalae]

...no, I trust you.

[Underneath everything Mettaton is a decent person... well, robot. But then again, is he just a robot when he has a soul? This really isn't the time or place for a question like that.

Mettaton lives and thinks of his own volition. That's good enough for him.]

Here. [He steps forward and hands the ziploc bag of... Pearl's remains to Mettaton without a fuss.] Do with it however you like. I think she'll appreciate it.

[cherryblooded]

...Well, if you insist on being so kind, it'd be rude of me not to accept.