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

[amygdalae]

[The elevator ride back up is silent, Bruce himself tightly holding onto what is more or less the remains of Pearl. He still doesn't know what happened down there, how she was there when they knew now that it was an impossibility--but that's something to think about later.

Once the elevator arrives everyone gets out, eager to no longer be cramped with one another, and Bruce thinks about what to do. Something needs to be done--maybe something like what Tarrlok and Misa did last week, or--

He stops in his thoughts when Mettaton approaches him, and Bruce focuses on that for now as he manages a small smile.]

Hello, Mettaton.

[ratingspoint]

[Mettaton really doesn't like being aimless like this; he's...sort of like Bruce in that there's maybe one thing that he can think to do, though in some ways it's decidedly less productive in general, except maybe on a personal level.

But then, he's always been a bit self-centered like that.]

Bruce, hi.

[It's not exactly awkward, but it's more subdued than it usually is; he's got that framed photograph from the courtroom held close against him.]

I wanted to ask for a favor.

[amygdalae]

[Seeing the way Mettaton holds onto Pearl's photo like that has Bruce making a few guesses, but nothing that he wants to assume.]

Certainly. [He responds without missing a beat.] What can I do for you?

[ratingspoint]

There are a few things we do in the Underground when people die; they're not something we can do for humans, but Pearl is...different.

[What with the rock and everything.]

So I was wondering if I could have...her. To do all that.

You can watch if you want, it's not like I'm going to desecrate anything.

[amygdalae]

...no, I trust you.

[Underneath everything Mettaton is a decent person... well, robot. But then again, is he just a robot when he has a soul? This really isn't the time or place for a question like that.

Mettaton lives and thinks of his own volition. That's good enough for him.]

Here. [He steps forward and hands the ziploc bag of... Pearl's remains to Mettaton without a fuss.] Do with it however you like. I think she'll appreciate it.

[ratingspoint]

[He'll accept that, then; he's...not altogether sure what to do with that latter part of what Bruce is saying, but it draws a smile out of him anyway.]

It's a bit of a shame that I don't have Caren's, but I'll work with what I have. Of course, she probably wouldn't have wanted me touching hers, anyway.

[He and Caren made no secret of the fact that they didn't really like each other, after all.]

[amygdalae]

It's alright, I'm sure we'll think of a way eventually.

[As brief as they knew both Caren and Pearl - plus Zagi and Kamui - they should all be remembered. Not for what they did, but just for who they were; victims to this game of the Kingmaker's.]

But this alone is already incredibly thoughtful. Thank you for doing this.

[ratingspoint]

Don't mention it, sweetheart. It's something we prefer to do back home if we're given the chance.

[amygdalae]

[Even if its something Mettaton only does because of where he comes from, its still a thoughtful gesture nonetheless - many others perhaps would want to forget this, to put this behind... but of course they can't. Not when they're probably going to be reminded of this every single day, even if they do get out of here.]

Will you be alright on your own, or do you need my help?

[He's pretty sure Mettaton will be fine on his own, but it never hurts to ask.]