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

Vending Machine

[sleepingkogoro]

[Well that was sure a thing.

Mouri hadn't expected Caren to kill anyone. He had thought of her as grouchy and overall a bit of a handful to be around with, but a killer she never thought her as. While there was a dose of self-defense, in the Vault that didn't matter.

Before going to Cherryblod's reunion Mouri went to the Vending Machine. He wanted to say if he could obtain anything to remind him of home. The result...

...was a sledgehammer, just like the one that was used to smash Pearl. That is too much for Mouri]

This has got to be a joke!

[He just shouted it at full volume. Furious, he grabbed the sledgehammer and swung it with unexpected strength against the wall, the impact unable to break the concrete. It made him vibrate, though, and that saps him of his strength for now.

He is just...very frustrated]

[capyper]

... You're gonna get in trouble if you let your temper get the best of you, y'know.

[ Seriously, don't accidentally strain something... ]

[sleepingkogoro]

[Oh, hey there, mister god. Mouri leans on the sledgehammer. At least it seems he won't be raising it again]

After this case the last thing I wanted to see for a while was a sledgehammer. To receive one less than an hour after the debate...

...it made me see red, that is all.

[To say the least]

[capyper]

... Luck is cruel like that sometimes, isn't it.

[ His tone is much colder than it usually is when he says that, but he quickly settles back into his usual, easy-going way of speaking. ]

But if you don't like it, I can take it for ya! Just to keep it out of sight and out of mind and all that. I won't do anything with it, pinky promise.

[sleepingkogoro]

[This person he was having a conversation with other than passing greeting words was asking him to hand over the sledgehammer. Mouri's first thought is a definite 'NO', why would you give Yato a weapon?

Then the rest of himself takes the decision]

Here you go. There's no way I would accept having one in my room for the moment.

[At least now he knows Yato has a sledgehammer. That is good for something, Mouri supposes. Mouri manages to pull the sledgehammer towards Yato, trying to give it to him]

You don't need to promise anything. At this point it's useless to believe anyone won't be tempted to kill.

[Back at home he had to accept that, too. Practically the only people he can't imagine ever killing is himself and his family. Everyone else in the world - or the multiverses - is fair game, as far as he is concerned]

[capyper]

Maybe for you humans, but I'm different! I don't gain anything from killing that I wouldn't get from just waiting it out.

[ He is, after all, well over 1,000 years old, so clearly he doesn't have a problem with waiting. ]

Even if you're gonna be cynical about it, I'll pinky promise you anyway. [ He holds his right hand out, pinky extended. ] Cut it off yourself if I break it! I won't use the hammer for anything, except maybe to prop my door closed at night.

[sleepingkogoro]

[You know what, may as well indulge Yato. Who knows, maybe being in good terms with him will give good luck in gambling once everything is over and he is out of the Vault.

Of course that doesn't go through his mind right now, this is no time for such idle thoughts! It is just something he had thought back at the beginning.

There you go, pinky promise. It is settled!]

I'll remember this promise of you, then.

...I can't believe a god made a pinky promise with me. This Vault is seriously the weirdest place I could ever have been in.

[capyper]

Well, I can tell you one thing earnestly! It's not worse than hell.

[ Hell sucks and the queen of it is definitely worse than the Kingmaker... ]

This place is definitely weirder than hell, though.

[sleepingkogoro]

That is a relief, I suppose. Not that I used to believe on heaven and hell. I'll really have to reconsider that thought.

So this is all weird, even for a god? That sounds a tad hard to believe!

[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... ]

[sleepingkogoro]

I think that's what people usually say about angels, back at my home. I don't really know, I haven't paid attention to those matters that much.

[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?

[sleepingkogoro]

[...huh. You really are very kind, Aqua. Mouri leaves the sledgehammer aside, rubbing her arms now that she mentions that]

I am fine. Pain is something I'm already used to.

[That is what happens when one is an expert in martial arts with a lot of slamming people against mats. Mouri didn't learn that by watching from sidelines, that is for sure. Being slammed against the floor was part of the experience]

Coffee, huh. Thank you, Aqua-san. How are you feeling this time?

[Now that Aqua didn't, well, suggest something that ended catching the killer Mouri is hoping to expect to hear she isn't feeling so bad]

[prismbloom]

You're welcome. And-- Just Aqua is fine, really.

[ Keep calling her -san and Miss and she'll get really embarrassed. ]

Compared to last time, you mean? I wouldn't say I'm fine, but... better.

[sleepingkogoro]

[Well if you are sure, Aqua, then Mouri will drop the honorific]

I don't expect you to be fine. This is the kind of thing one should never get too used to.

But at least I'm glad to hear this time it is more bearable than...last time.

[prismbloom]

Mouri... if you don't mind my asking, even after being a detective for so long, has it gotten at all easier?

[sleepingkogoro]

[Mouri grimances. He definitely expected a question like that come at some point of the stay in the Vault]

In a way, yes, but that is because almost all cases have no personal relation to me.

Those that feature people I know haven't gotten easier in any way, especially if they end being...guilty.

[prismbloom]

[ She nods. Aqua supposes it's easier to distance yourself, when you have no relationship with a victim or killer. Still... it obviously weighs on Mouri.

She won't ask in how many cases he knew those involved. ]

It's admirable, what you do. I have my own responsibilities, but they aren't anything like yours.

[goingdigital]

[What was that sound.]

Oh.

[Oh that was just cruel and unusual.]

Need a moment?

[sleepingkogoro]

[Hm? Oh, it's you. Taichi, was it?]

No, I'm done. Feel free to use the machine.

[He's trying to be as natural as possible, at least not to freak out other people]

[bloodisthicker]

...oh, really?

[...he just kind of mutters that when he sees it, because he doesn't really know where to direct it if he wants to yell at the Kingmaker...]

I see our host's ugly sense of humor has reared its head again. Do you think it'll burn enough to be unusable in the incinerator...?

[sleepingkogoro]

It is worth a try. I'm willing to try anything as long as it gets this thing destroyed.

[bloodisthicker]

Let's get rid of it right now, then. We'll go together so we have some accountability to it, of course.

[Kogoro doesn't strike him as hideously untrustworthy or anything, but this place... uh... yeah. It's almost like it's a game about trust or something.]

[sleepingkogoro]

[Mouri lifts the sledgehammer with ease despite his aching arms. Yep, he is pretty strong and Tarrlok may notice that]

I have heard it takes a long time for the incinerator to be ready. Everything in this damn place is made to be a problem for everyone.

I really can't wait to have the Kingmaker right in front of me.

[No killing, yes to, eh, showing the Kingmaker a firsthand viewing of how good Kogoro Mouri is at judo]

[bloodisthicker]

Oh, well, of course. It just wouldn't be any fun otherwise, now, would it.

I'm sure that we'll need to form some sort of orderly queue to deal with that when we meet him face to face.