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

[capyper]

I guess this is probably pretty cold of me, but... I'm sad, but not really distraught or anything. I've seen a lot of people come and go already, so...

[ He's inured to loss, pretty much. It comes with being, like, a thousand years old. ]

I'm more worried about the rest of you. How are you doing?

[prismbloom]

[ Aqua holds up a hand--this one is passing. ]

Don't drink too much.

[ It's not stern, though; more weary and worried than anything. ]

[ratingspoint]

[He doesn't mind that; he'll join her on the bed without any sort of complaint, anyway.]

...You remember how I told you that our bodies work differently? That when we die, we just leave dust behind? That's because monsters' bodies are composed entirely of our souls. Once that's gone, that's it.

Because of the whole soul thing, we're also a lot weaker than humans are in physical combat. Our ability to fight is directly tied to both how much we're willing to fight - if we don't really want to, we can't - and...also to how much someone wants to fight us. If a human wants to kill us, they can do it in one hit. Just because they want to. Because their souls are stronger than ours, and because they hate us enough to do it.

[He laughs a little, the sound dry.]

There's a human in the Underground. It's not going well.

[penduli]

[ ....thanks, Yato, now he's lifting the Kamukuma Kamuibear he's working on to squint at it. ]

Thanks? [ Back to work...! Zagibear is finished, mostly. It needs more finishing touches. ...Mermaid Care Bear Carenbear and Pearlbear are looking pretty sorry right now, not even stuffed!!

god the clothes are the only nice looking things on them. ] I've never made one before tonight in my life, so I think I have to take that as a compliment.

[prismbloom]

I don't think it's cold. We all handle grief differently--and from your profile, you've seen more death than most of us have.

[ She pauses, considering the question. ]

A bit better than I was after that trial. [ .... ] I lost two dear friends. But now, I want more than ever to leave this place for them, and everyone else.

[prismbloom]

[ Aqua watches quietly for a moment, then knocks before stepping in. Courtesy, and all that. ]

It's a beautiful ceremony. I'm sure they'll find their way to a safe resting place.

[captainobnoxious]

Good idea. I'm sure he could use the reassurance that just because he's a twin too it's not like we're gonna suspect him of anything. Not that I'd blame him anyway.

[She would herself, but honestly she has no idea where he is....... And he was mad with her earlier too.]

[pokexplorer]

Would you like some company, Miss Misa?

[Colress couldn't help but notice that the normally peppy idol is much more subdued than usual.]

[captainobnoxious]

Yup, couldn't be more awake.

[She'll sit up, crossing her legs.]

How're you feeling?

[cherryblooded]

That would be a silly reason to suspect someone of murder. We're all smarter than that here.

...Probably.

[ratingspoint]

Colorless, remember?

[He seems pleased by it anyway, though. Flattery works.]

Maybe I'll let you see it one day. If you're curious.

[cherryblooded]

Even colorless things can be beautiful. Especially if they're part of you.

[Oh good, then he'll keep up with the flattery.]

[penduli]

[ ...you know he sort of came into the sewing room with hopes that no one'd want to go looking for people, but he's actually sort of happy to see Aqua. Mostly because earlier in the week, he'd been thinking about asking for her help on the whole stuffed animal making thing.

Even if he... didn't really think he'd get sought out. He should know better. ]

You don't need to be nice, I know they're not the best. [ A for Effort though, clearly. ]

[ratingspoint]

[Oh...hello, darling- ]

It's not anything I'm good at; I've never had to do one before. If I were doing it properly, I would have something she liked...but photographs can work if there isn't anything else.

It's supposed to keep their essence alive somehow.

[ratingspoint]

Aren't you feeling charming tonight.

[He's absolutely not complaining.]

[cherryblooded]

Only especially fond of my favorite robot star.

[Also the only robot star he knows.]

[penduli]

Fine. [ A very quick answer! ...um.

He unzips his bag and shuffles through it for a bit, pulling out a... okay, it looks vaguely like a bear that he made an attempt to give it a metal-looking arm. (That part has glitter on it because metal shines.) It sort of resembles Zagi, if you look at it the right way.

...the colors match up and so does that hair-part and the faux-metal arm. ]

I finished this one and I thought you'd like to have it? Or at least look at it or something.

[pokexplorer]

[Possibly unexpectedly, Colress seems to agree somewhat.]

It's not entirely out of the realm of possibility. I've certainly heard of some Pokemon masquerading as humans. Or...humanoids, in Pearl's case.

However, I haven't a clue if there are even any Pokemon present in this place.

[captainobnoxious]

[Back to finishing it, then.]

It's a wish for their loved ones to be protected, but keeping it around could help us too.

[Not that she's sure if the gods can see them here. They'd probably enjoy the glory of the fights, but kin against kin (so to speak) might not be their stein of mead.]

I mean... If the Kingmaker's not lying when he says they're definitely dead, then they're, what? Ghosts? Ghosts can't touch people. You can't even see them unless you're a Mage.

[prismbloom]

It's still a wonderful sentiment. I know they'd be grateful for it.

[ She kneels down, closing her eyes and murmuring a few words. Words of goodbye, how much she had appreciated their friendship, and how she'll keep her promise. At least, she'll try her hardest to. They all deserve to leave here, alive. When she's done, she looks back up at Mettaton. ]

Where did you learn about it? A tradition from back home?

[ratingspoint]

I know what you're doing, you know.

[...]

It's working, don't get me wrong.

[goingdigital]

[What was that sound.]

Oh.

[Oh that was just cruel and unusual.]

Need a moment?

[cherryblooded]

Please tell me what I'm doing, because from my perspective this is completely normal for me.

[prismbloom]

I'm even more confused than last week. We hadn't found a body--Caren had said that pearl housed Pearl's soul. How, then? Can he create copies of us, somehow? That seems impossible, even for the Kingmaker.

[ignorantly]

[ Shirazu considers just... staying in his room for the rest of the day, but eventually he gravitates to the sewing room so he can aggressively make those bunnies. It'll give his hands something to do, and it's better than just staring at the ceiling for the next few hours. ]

'Sup, Black. What're you makin'?