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

kitchen

[amygdalae]

[Bruce's busying himself with cleaning up too when he sees Black coming in, and of course he recalls the words they had between each other down there during the whole... thing. It's obvious that he and Black have incredibly different views on several things - which he's more than alright with, of course - but with how he keeps distancing himself after that...]

I can wash that for you, if you'd like.

[It's not much but its the best way Bruce can put across as an apology for now, if Black wants to take that.]

[penduli]

[ Last week was just because of his upset stomach--this week is because this is twice it's been a twin for the sake of their twin, and... look, he's a twin. He hasn't hidden that at all.

And he hasn't really hidden the fact that he'd do anything to keep White safe a secret either.

It's logical for him to think that the others might start being wary of him, and obviously the best way to make sure that doesn't happen is... spending time by himself, because that's not suspicious as fuck. (Really, he just doesn't want to see their looks. He's not ashamed of the lengths he'd go for White, but he's never liked being looked at, either.) ]

Oh-- [ The offer catches him off-guard; he hesitates, but holds out the plate anyway. ] Thank you. I appreciate the offer, Mr. Banner.

[ Even if they don't generally get along in the courtroom--not that Black gets along with anyone down there, really. ]

...I'm sorry about earlier, down there. [ He means what he said and he's sticking to his values, but--being on good terms with everyone is important too. ] We just can't seem to agree on anything when we get to our podiums, can we?

[amygdalae]

[Bruce smiles as he takes the plate from Black, putting it with the sink with the others. He's content to let the silence hang between them, but then Black apologizes.]

It's perfectly alright. [He glances over to the other and gives him a small smile, and one that is hopefully reassuring.] All of us have our own experiences and reasons to believe what we believe. There's nothing wrong with that.

[And Bruce is well aware of how different his experiences really are - so using them to try and justify anything would be unfair.]

[penduli]

[ Black returns the small smile, feeling a little better. ]

It's what make this place so lively to stay in, isn't it. [ ...it reminds him of home, sort of. There's a thought he hadn't thought he'd ever have. ] I hope we can find a better compromise than "agree to disagree" at some point though, even if that's not a bad middle ground for the moment.

[amygdalae]

Everyone has their own values and beliefs. That isn't going to change, despite the situation. [And it would be foolish to try and force anybody to change against their will - Bruce knows this well.]

Maybe we will find a better compromise, or perhaps we won't; what's more important is that we can all try our best to keep an open mind no matter what.

[To understand each other despite their differences... that's the real thing.]