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]

[ 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. ]

[prismbloom]

I'd like to help with that, if you don't mind? I'm sure we could come up with something incredibly creative with the two of us.

[ SHE KNOWS HOW BOYS ARE even if they're literal gods ]

[capyper]

Yeah, let's do it! ... Maybe in a few days, then? [ People are probably still bummed out over the trial, after all. ] I'll have to think up something to make, too.

[prismbloom]

How about Wednesday, if that works for you?

[capyper]

Perfect! If the same thing happens on Tuesday as happened last week... well, it'll be a timely pick-up for everybody.

[prismbloom]

... I agree. We'll have to go above and beyond, in that case.

[capyper]

I'll be sure to bother everybody into coming! With even more effort than I usually put into it, even.

[prismbloom]

I'll be counting on you. Do you have any suggestions for what the two of us should make?

[capyper]

Well, I can cook pretty much whatever, but maybe I'll make one of those fancy fruit platters. You know, the ones with the really cool designs! So the fruits look like flowers!

[prismbloom]

That would be wonderful. Just don't make them too pretty to eat.