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]

It's already happened twice. Considering everything, its hard to write it off as anything but deliberate.

[And honestly... Bruce doesn't know what to make of that. Or rather, of what the Kingmaker thinks or even his reason for employing this method of doing the deed.]

But to be honest, I'd rather not see it for a third time.

[captainobnoxious]

Want to or not, I'll bet it'll happen again. Especially if he starts offering stuff like he did before, which, seeing how great that went, is probably something that'll happen again too. And the next person'll think they've got it this time.

[... Probably.]

I'd hope not too, because I'm really starting to like all of you, but if it happens it happens.

[amygdalae]

[Its not hard to see at all where Sigrun is coming from - and Bruce won't say he will be surprised if this does occur again - but he certainly doesn't hope so either.

Two was already enough. Four now is much worse. He really doesn't want it to be six.]

...we'll just have to be prepared for whatever the Kingmaker might want to throw at us next. [And just mentally be ready, and understand the full consequences of whatever they might think of doing or saying.]

[captainobnoxious]

[hey this time it might be just one]

And be prepared to take out another of our own if they decide that they're worth the risk. We're pretty lucky that the world's pretty black and white in here, huh?

[amygdalae]

For some, I suppose.

[Black and white's never been what Bruce has seen. It's impossible to, honestly, when he's just as guilty himself.]

[captainobnoxious]

For most. What's your problem?

[amygdalae]

[Bruce just kind of... shrugs here.]

I've simply seen a lot, that's all.