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

[goodforsomething]

Just kept at 'im. They don't call me "Charismatic" for nothin'!

[He sets down his glass and then carefully lowers himself down to the ground next to her to fill a second.]

...I ain't allowed to flirt with him anymore, but it was worth it.

[captainobnoxious]

[What a joy this is, don't mind if she just takes that straight down.

Oooooh boy.]

Worth it indeed. Ah, this really hits the spot! Especially after-- all that. [She waves her hand.] I'll toast to them and their hopeful good afterlife.

[Because gods know they'll need it. Absolutely dead, huh, that's what the Kingmaker told her -- and as far as she knows it is the truth. So are they just... ghosts or something? Mages handle ghosts. Not her.]

[goodforsomething]

To them.

[Sure, Stan can toast to that too. That works.]

Yeah, that sure was somethin'. We oughta just start checkin' for fairy-tale creatures right outta the gate. Might save some time.

[captainobnoxious]

If only we had an expert on it. One of the older folks might have something in their long lives, but I've gotta say, outside the mermaid, I don't know many of them at all. Is a werewolf one?

[Please teach her about mythical creatures.]

[goodforsomething]

Yeah, that's one! They're people who turn into giant, ferocious wolves every full moon. They roam the forests lookin' for prey, and if they bite you, you'll become a werewolf too - if you live.

[He may have dropped into spooky-story mode for a moment there, though he returns to the present for a moment to add:]

Dunno if they have to see the moon. We might be safe from those.

[captainobnoxious]

[Talk about an orator, she's hooked.]

Yeah? What kinda things aren't we safe from, can you think of any?

[goodforsomething]

Well, it kinda seems like we might have a zombie problem. Or just a shape-shiftin' one. Last time I heard of zombies, they were a little more shamblin'...and drippy.

[He shudders vaguely. Gross things, zombies. Nasty to clean up after.]

[captainobnoxious]

[Yeaaaaaah.......]

Zombies sounds like trolls, and they definitely weren't trolls. Probably a shape-shifting problem. Maybe he's got some kind of pet that can do that?

[goodforsomething]

Colress says he knows of some kinda...pokey-man thingy that can.

[He doesn't entirely sound like he trusts Colress's opinions, but hey, it's a thing.]

[captainobnoxious]

[Oh, same. Pokey-man are so weird.]

Yeah, sure, like there's just gonna happen to be a monster only he knows about here. That guy's as weird as his haircut.

[goodforsomething]

He acts like it's totally normal!

[LET'S THROW SHADE]

[captainobnoxious]

[HELL YEAH]

And then he goes on and on and on about things no one cares about! And says all kind of big words that mean nothing to anyone who's not him! I mean, I don't believe half of what he says just because of that, you know? What's his deal!

[goodforsomething]

He's a science nerd. They all think they're better than everybody else. Not like his science even makes a damn lick of sense - goin' on about Zorro Arks or whatever the hell. Those aren't even real monsters!

[captainobnoxious]

I think he's making stuff up. Have any of us even seen the things he talks about before? He's got like, a billion of those monsters "where he's from" [look at that mocking tone] but he just so happens not to have any of them here? Yeah, right! He's just trying to make us look like fools!

[goodforsomething]

Like you could ever trust a guy who wears his hair like that on purpose. Where's he even gettin' the gel now?

[captainobnoxious]

Maybe he's just using glue at this point.

[goodforsomething]

Are we sure it's real hair?

[captainobnoxious]

I thought it might be a weapon, but it turns out he's too lame for that. It's just a useless piece of bouncy hair.

[Which sucks??? Imagine having a blade in your face.]

[goodforsomething]

Geez, it's gonna look even worse once his roots start comin' in.

[captainobnoxious]

... You mean it's not natural? I mean, we have a fair share of weird haired people, but I can't imagine how they'd turn their hair that color. [the fuck is dye]

[goodforsomething]

I figure it's probably just dye.

[captainobnoxious]

Like for clothing?

[goodforsomething]

Yeah, but for your hair. It's different stuff.

I think.

[captainobnoxious]

Weird. So what do you think his hair's like under that? Do you think he's a natural blond?

[goodforsomething]

I guess? No way the tentacle's natural.