trusthell | now listen good and listen straight, you're not the master of your fate

now listen good and listen straight, you're not the master of your fate

[Another week, another murder, another absolute shitshow. Tarrlok kind of just wants to lock himself in his room for a while, but... well, he volunteered. So... it's definitely going to be much later in the day before a note advising everyone to meet up in the bar for some comfort food is slipped under everyone's door.

At least Tarrlok didn't have to take care of everything alone, though; while he spent most of the time cooking by himself, Speedwagon and Yosuke helped take some delicious pork buns up to set them out across the bar so that everyone could drown their sorrows in stuffing their faces. And, you know, alcohol, maybe that too. There's also some vegetarian stir fry for people who don't like pork, too, of course.

There isn't an official bartender to start out with, but there is live entertainment courtesy of Yosuke, who's strumming his guitar over in the corner there.

Hopefully someone will step up, because lord knows everyone in the Vault needs a drink right now.]

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[ The King mostly shows up for... not really knowing what else he should be doing at the moment really. His tears seemed to have run out and/or dried up (for the time-being), and he munches away at some veggies in silence.

Later on when he's finished, he sticks around gazing at the watercolor painting he did of his kingdom that he had brought with him. ... He really wanted to go home. ]

[Hello, friend. Don't mind if Cherryblod sits nearby with a drink in hand.]

Will you be alright, your Majesty?

[ He never minds if it's Cherryblod. But, truth be told: ]

... The King does not know. [ Even if he would eventually move on from this--won't someone just die again next week...? ]

To be honest, I'm not sure either.

[The trials just keep getting harder for him.]

[ The King looks up at Cherryblod sadly, before... getting off his seat, to give him a hug. Apparently he deemed that they both needed one. ]

[The King gets hugged in return, gently because Cherryblod worries about squeezing him too hard.]

Thank you.

... Ch-cherryblod. [ When he pulls back, The King looks at him seriously. ]

Do... you think this will end?

I do.

[He gives his answer without hesitation.]

There's going to be an end to this, somehow.

Ah... you're so strong...

I-- The King... he... He wishes it were over already.

Everyone here wishes that. There's nothing weak about that.

[The King gets lightly petted on the back of the neck. Shhh.]

The King disagreed... isn't The King getting in the way?

He can't do anything to help... He wanted to, but... he can't do anything. [ Looks like the waterworks are back, though the fluffy monarch's still trying to keep them at bay. ]

That's not true. There's more to helping than just direct investigations and trials.

You're keeping Bruce from giving into despair, and we need him or we'd be totally lost. So we need you, too.

... From... despair...

[ Because they're not alone? ]

The King used to be able to take all of those away. He could have made everyone feel happy... [ If only The Kingmaker hadn't taken that way from him. ]

I think it's impossible for all of us to be happy, in a place like this. But we can do our best.

The Shrimp may be right... [ He had already brought it up with someone else previously, there were too many bad memories to even feel comfortable with most places here. ]

The trees, the sky... The King hopes everything is alright outside.

No way of knowing, is there. You'd think it wouldn't be too hard to let us have one window.

Maybe on the next floor.

Could The Shrimp see the night stars from his kingdom? The King would... like that, to spend an evening looking at them.

[ It would have been better outside altogether, but... unfortunately they can't do anything about that. ]

The stars are beautiful from the ocean. There aren't nearly as many artificial lights as in a city, so you can really see everything without the light pollution.

Oh...! The King thinks that sounds splendid. Now he wants to see its beauty even more...

You're welcome to come visit any time you'd like. I'm sure your citizens will be fine with you taking a quick vacation.

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[Oh hey. Mouri just wanted to say something, because...well, Inviting said something ugly and knowing the King's personality Mouri supposed he'd need a little reassurance]

Hey.

Don't pay attention to what...that person said during the trial.

To be honest you weren't the only one who wanted it all to be over.

[ It's not the first time he's dealt with talk of his edible nature but...! Mouri's kindness is infinitely appreciated. ]

Mm... [ The King nodded quietly. ] The King looked around the faces too at the end. The King thought... everyone looked tired.

It was a very tiring ordeal. Nobody expected it'd get so... [disgustingly insane] ...strange.

This wasn't like the other three trials. There was nothing remotely good in Inviting.

Hey.

[Stan doesn't entirely seem like he wants to talk. But he joins the King at his table anyway.]

[Bruce does his best to stick by King as much as possible after what had happened, but he's trying to look out for everyone this time too, so things do leave them separated for a while--

--but once Bruce is more or less done he goes back to the King, settling at his side.]

Hey. [His voice is quiet and soft, not wanting to disturb him.] Are you feeling any better?

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