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

[neverafters]

If this is going to be regular... The King doesn't want to watch. [ Not that he ever wanted to to begin with, but. ]

[amygdalae]

[Bruce is... sticking by the King now after knowing how freaked out the poor bird had been with everything, so hello Tarrlok you get two for two.]

The best I can think of is something that can apparently mimic us in some fashion. But I suppose that's probably obvious enough.

[bloodisthicker]

My thoughts exactly. But... is it the same entity every time, or are there different ones mimicking different people?

...I guess there's only one way to find out, but...

[...ehhhhhhhhhn nah don't feel like dying.]

[amygdalae]

[Bruce has no qualms about dying himself, but he has a... responsibility, of sorts, to the people here now. So for them, he'll keep himself going.]

Honestly, I'd rather hope that we won't see it - them - again. [Since the only time they'll see it/them is when... well.

Yeah.]

[neverafters]

... The King hopes so too.

It makes it seem like they can't rest in peace. [ ... Not that they probably could, after those types of circumstances... ]

[bloodisthicker]

...Hope can only get us so far, Bruce, as much as I hate to say it. I don't know what else we can do to take action, though...

[amygdalae]

We'll just need to try to think of any plausible options. ...its probably the best we can do, right now.

[bloodisthicker]

...maybe if someone doesn't die one of these weeks we'll make something resembling progress.

[amygdalae]

That would be nice.

[It would be really nice.]

[bloodisthicker]

...just a little bit too much to ask for, though, I'd image.

[amygdalae]

Who knows? Maybe something will change.

[It seems like anything is still possible at this point.]

[bloodisthicker]

...you don't have to watch it, I'm sure. Just... turn away when it happens.

[...should he suggest the King toughen up, actually... man, he doesn't know.]

[neverafters]

The King thought to do that but...

The King also felt sorry for how they must say goodbye to the world. It feels... both right and not right to turn away.