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

[bloodisthicker]

[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.]

Comments

[cherryblooded]

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

Thank you.

[neverafters]

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

Do... you think this will end?

[cherryblooded]

I do.

[He gives his answer without hesitation.]

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

[neverafters]

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

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

[cherryblooded]

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

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

[neverafters]

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. ]

[cherryblooded]

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.

[neverafters]

... 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. ]

[cherryblooded]

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

[neverafters]

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.

[cherryblooded]

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.

[neverafters]

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. ]

[cherryblooded]

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.

[neverafters]

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

[cherryblooded]

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.

[neverafters]

[ The King shakes his head sheepishly. ]

But after all this... The King would say he's been gone much too long.

[cherryblooded]

So stay at home for a while, and then give me a call whenever you feel like you want to drop by.

[neverafters]

[ That actually makes him smile; Cherryblod's a great friend. ]

The King will remember that. He will not forget!

[cherryblooded]

Wonderful. You'll have to tell me how all your citizens are doing when you arrive.