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

[prismbloom]

[ Aqua enters the dining room--but she doesn't stop. No, instead, she retreats into the kitchen. She'd needed time for herself, needed to think about things. She'd made a promise to Caren, after all.

It still hurts. The Wayfinder's tucked into her pocket, like always, but as she bakes, the shape becomes familiar to anyone she's close to. They're cookies in the familiar star shape, cookies of all different flavors. Aqua's stress baking--again--but, who can really blame her?

Anyway, once she's done, she'll start carrying the baked goods out, setting them with the other items. ]

[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.

[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?

[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]

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.

[capyper]

Yeah... I understand what you mean. We have to keep going, for their sake too.

[ Otherwise, it feels like they're gone for no reason... but anyway, Yato's reminded of something. ]

Earlier this week, I saw Caren making some aprons for all the people baking! Did you use one of them...?

[prismbloom]

I did. I didn't want them to go unused--and they're made well.

[capyper]

Right? She picked up on how to do it really fast! ... It's nice that everybody's making stuff for each other, isn't it.

[prismbloom]

[ She nods, thinking about it. Really... they all have been doing that, haven't they? ]

I wonder if there's something else I could make for everyone.

[capyper]

Ooh, I have an idea! Why don't we get everybody together for a group meal, you know, the kind where everybody brings things!

[ ... and it'd be nice to have a group dinner that isn't precipitated by death... ]

[prismbloom]

That's a wonderful idea--like a potluck. I'll put up an announcement this week, some time.

[capyper]

[ THUMBS-UP!! ]

I'll help too! I can make a poster or something, it'll be really colorful and eyecatching!

[ .... she might want to supervise or else it's going to be, like, a cartoon of all of them eating/food fighting with this in fancy calligraphy: COME TO THE POTLUCK! IF YOU DON'T, YOU'LL REGRET IT. IF YOU DON'T BRING A CONTRIBUTION, YOU'RE THE SCUM OF SOCIETY YOU FREELOADER YOU.

Even though he's a freeloading god, which is probably worse than a freeloading human. ]

[ignorantly]

[ Shirazu grabs two cookies and shoves them both in his mouth at the same time, chewing them up contentedly. ]

These are delicious, Aqua-san.

[prismbloom]

[ boys, honestly. ]

Thank you. Don't eat too many at once--you may choke.

[ignorantly]

...Right. Sorry. [ He'll just... grab a single cookie next time. ]

How're you holdin' up?

[prismbloom]

It's alright.

[ Hm. ]

More than anything, I'm even more determined to make sure we all get out of here.

[amygdalae]

[It's clear how hurt Aqua is with the whole thing, and Bruce doesn't really want to leave her alone for long. Eventually once he has the time he comes over to the kitchen and sees her baking, knowing full well that she's only doing it because of what had happened.]

Do you need any help with that?

[prismbloom]

[ He really knows her that well, huh? Aqua's thankful to have him as a friend, and usually, she'd say no, but... ]

Please.

[amygdalae]

Of course.

[He lends his help to her without another word, going around to help bring the other ingredients that she needs for her baking so that she can concentrate on the actual baking herself.]

Here you go - if you need anything else, feel free to ask.

[prismbloom]

[ As she bakes, she occasionally requests things of him--a cup of sugar here, some vanilla, a new flavor (whatever he would like, really, she's leaving it up to him). Aqua's not the type to be loud, so to speak, but she's unusually quiet even for her.

It's when she takes out a sheet of cookies that she looks to him. ]

... Thank you, Bruce. For everything.

[ She feels like she doesn't thank him--or anyone else--enough. ]

[amygdalae]

[And Bruce, of course, is more than glad to fulfill her requests, bringing over whatever she requires and answering her inquiries to the best of his abilities. She's quieter, yes, but he doesn't pry and just stays as a constant presence, to let her know that he is here if she needs somebody to talk to.

When she does finally speak to him - in order to thank him - Bruce's only response is to smile and wave it off.]

It's nothing. I'm just glad you're alright.

[prismbloom]

[ "Alright" is a bit of a stretch... but he's right, isn't he? Compared to last week, anyway. ]

I could be better--but this takes my mind off of it. At least, for a little while.

[amygdalae]

That's good. Dwelling on things won't help anybody.

[Least of all yourself. Bruce knows that for a fact.

(Of course, he's totally ignoring the fact that he is dwelling on it too, but he's always been better at hiding things where it counts.)]

Take all the time that you need. Nobody can blame you for what happened.

[prismbloom]

I have to admit that I keep thinking about the what-ifs...

[ ... ]

You're right. No one here is to blame for what's happened.

[amygdalae]

We've all done whatever we can [lies; clearly he isn't doing enough if this is happening again] so just... don't dwell on it. As much as we'd all like to, we have to keep moving on.