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

[ratingspoint]

[Well, yes, but he's usually decidedly more stabby than most of the people here and arguing about Why Murder And Pain Are Absolutely The Solution To Our Current Problem is usually his thing.]

...My dream last weekend wasn't a good one. We should probably start there.

[You know, the one that he said was totally fine and normal.]

[sleepingkogoro]

[Well that is weird]

Wow, that is...

...

...that make sense. Is that why you felt the need to do a funeral? Did...this all remind you too much of what happens back at your home?

[Either that or Pearl and Mettaton were besties. Mouri hasn't seen them really interacting, though]

[cherryblooded]

...As far as we know. There's no proof of some things.

Still hoping that my family's alive, so please forgive me if I don't want to pursue that reasoning too far.

[He needs to keep himself together, after all.]

[bloodisthicker]

...hm. Well, I don't know about anybody else, but I'm feeling pretty hungry for some pork buns. Though, would you be familiar with those?

[On the one hand, Cherryblod seems like a pretty worldly guy. On the other hand... how would he actually get access to pork?]

outside

[prismbloom]

Sigrun?

[ Her voice is soft, a murmur more than anything. She watches her work, then motions to the rune. ]

What is that?

[prismbloom]

[ Of course Aqua's there--she'd seen the way Yosuke had reacted, and she can't blame him. At all. She still hasn't spoken to him since the investigation, not one-on-one, and... ]

Yosuke? What are you writing?

[cherryblooded]

Naturally. I've traveled far enough from the sea to eat anything typical.

...Pork buns do take some time to make, or at least the recipes I know take a few hours to do properly...

[captainobnoxious]

Oh no, I'm positive he was just talking crap to get us in a stabby mood. Because they're definitely still out there.

[... or they're definitely dead, no two ways about it.]

I told Black the same thing too, so. Not like I don't believe myself. [... He's a twin too. She oughta be on the lookout for him.] There's just no way we're all the only survivor of whatever it is.

[captainobnoxious]

[Yeah see that is the thing that gets her. You were alll about the ratings or whatever that brutality gives you and then this??? C'mon bro.

Sigrun's just gonna. Drag him to sit with her on the bed, if that's alright. This feels like a sit down talk already.]

Yeah? What was it about?

[ratingspoint]

That's it, exactly.

[And the usual bouncing enthusiasm that accompanies most of Mettaton's affirmative answers just isn't there; to borrow his cousin's way of wording it - "REALLY NOT FEELIN UP TO IT RIGHT NOW. SORRY."]

It's not as bad as it could have been. And it's not like I mind, or like attacking each other's souls is beneath us at all. It happens sometimes.

It's a little different when it's here, though, for some reason.

[cherryblooded]

[He relaxes a little - he hadn't even realized he tensed up.]

Glad we're in agreement there.

How's he doing? You're the person who talks to him the most, I think.

[captainobnoxious]

Old thing that we kinda picked up on using within the recent generations. It's a rune that's carved here and there.

[She's quiet for a moment, concentrated, then blows off the bits of dust, holding the peice out for Aqua to see.]

It means "defense of that which one loves," so basically it's a rune that's supposed to protect others. I figure that since both of them were pearl people and both of them wanted to have that person they loved so much back I'd just carve something on here for them.

[prismbloom]

[ Aqua's obviously noticed some people missing--so she makes her way around the vault. She's packed a basket of different food and drink; she has to make sure everyone is eating and keeping hydrated.

She spots him in the sewing room, and she can't help but smile slightly. ]

They're cute. I think they'd like them.

[ratingspoint]

...I can, yes. It isn't as though I can do anything to them, but I can see them just fine if I focus on it enough.

[captainobnoxious]

I think he's pretty freaked out that the last two killers have both been twins, since he's got his sister he loves very much and misses dearly too, but I haven't talked to him yet.

He's probably shut himself away somewhere again though. He did it last time too.

[capyper]

Definitely weird. I mean, normally, probably all of you wouldn't even be able to notice or remember me! Not that I'm complaining about that, of course.

[ It would be extremely inconvenient, in a circumstance like this... ]

[cherryblooded]

What color is mine?

[Orange, but he wouldn't know that or what that means.]

[cherryblooded]

Completely understandable. I'll talk to him tomorrow.

[Right now he's running this whole thing and doesn't want to go looking for people who'd rather be left alone.]

[capyper]

[ Guess who's going to eat a cookie in approximately a bite and a half? Yeah, of course it's this guy... honestly, he'd have managed it in one, but the star-shape presents a problem with cramming it in there. ]

These are really good! And cute, too.

mambo no. 5

[penduli]

[ ...um, right.

There's only one bear he's managed to get acceptably done by the end of the night/his time in the sewing room, and--there's a lot of people who'd want to see it, probably, but Sigrun's the one he's on the best terms with. Marginally best terms. He gets the feeling as the days pass more and more she's trusting him less, and that's fine, that's totally fine (he says, with a face that says that it definitely is not fine).

Black almost knocks on her open door to announce his presence, then hesitates and settles for shifting awkwardly on his feet. ]

Miss Sigrun? Are you awake?

[prismbloom]

[ She studies the piece, then nods. It's nice--Aqua's not well-versed in runes at all, but she does know that it's a wonderful sentiment. ]

It's beautiful. Which others will this protect? Us? Or those they loved?

[ratingspoint]

[Huh. That's interesting. Unsurprising, but interesting.]

Orange, actually - it's pretty.

[...AND ALSO CLASHES TERRIBLY WITH THE REST OF YOU, but you know what, that's okay.]

[prismbloom]

Thank you.

[ Usually, when she's complimented on her baking, Aqua beams. It's one of the things she's really proud of, after all. This time, though, she can manage only a small smile. But, it's a start. ]

How are you faring?

[cherryblooded]

Probably doesn't match my hair at all.

[At least they can make light conversation about souls.]

I'm sure yours would be lovely too, if I could see it.

[prismbloom]

[ Oh. Oh, no. Aqua hurries back to the kitchen, returning with a cup of fresh coffee. She approaches Mouri cautiously, offering the cup. She also has a small bag of creamers and sugar, if he needs it. ]

Here, Mouri. Are your arms alright?