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

[garudynamic]

Nothing much. Just... trying to get my thoughts together.

Hey... uhm, was it just me or was the ex-

[He almost says 'execution', which is the right word. But he can't bring himself to finish it]

-the thing at the end... wasn't it kinda weird?

[cherryblooded]

For a lot of reasons. [Where to even begin.]

First of all - we had Pearl's body right there, at her podium. But her gemstone looked completely whole in the pit.

That can't have been her.

[garudynamic]

Yeah! That's what I was thinking. Plus, I dunno if it worked the same way as Kamui and Caren being able to transform or if it's more like some of our other abilities but... she pulled a weapon out of nowhere. If it IS a fake it can still mimic powers?

[cherryblooded]

Couldn't say. If that's something she wasn't able to do while alive here, then it's definitely a fake.

[garudynamic]

A lot of us can't do all the things we could back home. So there's no way to know if it's something she could do before or something the Kingmaker set up. Either way... it's something.

[ 'Something'. It's info with no context. Frustrating]

[cherryblooded]

...We'll put together the pieces. It might take a little time, but the more we learn, the closer we are to leaving here.

[He sounds like he really believes it, too.]

[garudynamic]

[He smiles and nods]

Yeah, we will. It's all here, we just gotta figure it out.

[cherryblooded]

That's what I like to hear from you.

[...sorry, he's gonna try and ruffle Yosuke's hair now.]

[garudynamic]

[Yosuke doesn't stop him, though he looks a little embarrassed. His dad does the same thing.

But this close and with his usually very carefully brushed hair tousled, he can't hide the tiniest bit of dark brown hair near his scalp]

Though if we get another floor tomorrow I might scream.

[cherryblooded]

[Oh his roots are coming in. He'll have to keep his eyes out for hair dye for him.]

So will I.

...unless there's a pool, but I doubt that there will be on the third floor.

[garudynamic]

Oh man, but the idea of having a pool above us is kinda scary-!

[cherryblooded]

Probably, we'd have leaks. It's just wishful thinking on my part.

[He misses home.]

[garudynamic]

[Aw, now he feels bad]

...well, as long as it wouldn't fall on us all it'd be okay.

[cherryblooded]

Kind of you. But really, I can live without one.

[He's made it this many weeks already.]

[garudynamic]

Well yeah, but just cuz you can doesn't mean you should have to.

[cherryblooded]

There are people going without much more than a few reminders of home here.

[garudynamic]

[He nods. Cherryblod isn't wrong]

Yeah. And you're one of those people. It's okay to be a little greedy sometimes. Plus I don't think you're the only one that like a swim.

[cherryblooded]

I suppose...

[It's hard for him to not be concerned about other people first, though, which is pretty obvious in his subject change-]

What would you like? Assuming we do get another floor.

[garudynamic]

A pool.

[He says it deadpan as can be... but can't hold it and snickers]

Sorry, kidding. Uhm... I guess some games would be nice. It gets so boring in here some times...

[cherryblooded]

If we do get some, I'll challenge you to any game you like.

[garudynamic]

Be careful, I'm pretty good at poker~

[Don't let him lie, his poker face is awful]

[cherryblooded]

Poker it is. I'll take you on.

[Cherryblod's is pretty good.]

[garudynamic]

But what can we bet with?

[cherryblooded]

Chips, probably. I have a running bet with Mettaton, but favors don't work as well for poker...

...We're not playing strip poker anywhere people can walk in. Let's just rule that out now.

[garudynamic]

Whoa, yeah no way. And don't say that too loud or Misa might think it's a good idea for the whole group or something!