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]

[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.]