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

[amygdalae]

It's not a problem. You know I'm always around, if you need to talk it out.

[cherryblooded]

Not much to say. They just took a hammer to nearly all my buttons at once, that's all.

[amygdalae]

[A small nod.]

Talking still helps, but I won't force you. Even if you just need to vent, its good to let it out instead of bottling it up.

[cherryblooded]

...I told Aqua earlier that torture was the one thing I couldn't forgive being spoken of lightly, but it's one of two things. The other is people who take their desire for someone else and twist it into doing things like that.

I lost my head a bit.

[amygdalae]

[When Cherryblod explains it it does become a lot more clear now, and Bruce nods again.]

I... well. [You know, besides the joke of Bruce disliking himself on the profiles, abuse is another thing listed there too, so.] It would be a lie to say that I was in the best state myself.

[cherryblooded]

If you were vividly imagining ripping their head off, you were doing a much better job of hiding it than I was.

[amygdalae]

...it takes a lot more than this for me to want to picture that to anybody.

[A small, wry smile.]

Its easy to want something like that, but... [A pause, and Bruce sighs before he shakes his head.] Nobody really wins, honestly.

[cherryblooded]

No, not really. But I might have felt better, before I got executed for murder.

Not worth it.

[amygdalae]

Violence begets violence - or in this case, another execution for the Kingmaker.

[...which is probably want he wants anyway, let's be honest.]

[cherryblooded]

Can't get executed yet. I have my sons to look after, and all of you.

[amygdalae]

We still need our expert caretaker.

[Says with a small smile.]

[cherryblooded]

You're really too kind. Just doing my best.

[If he was doing better... maybe they wouldn't be a third down.]

[amygdalae]

The best is what we can ask of you - and its honestly more than enough.

[It sucks that so many of them are gone but... they still have to move on, despite it all.]

[cherryblooded]

Mm. I'll remember that.

[amygdalae]

And if you forget, I'll remind you.

[cherryblooded]

Might need to be reminded, now and again.

[amygdalae]

I won't forget.

[Tiny smile.]

It's an agreement, then.

[cherryblooded]

[A smile in return.]

I'll hold you to it until we get out of here.

[amygdalae]

Of course.

[Wouldn't have it any other way, really.]

[cherryblooded]

Means you have to look after yourself too, you know.

[amygdalae]

...I know.

[Pause.]

I'll do my best, on that account.

[He doesn't want to lie and promise anything too unrealistic, but he will try. It's the best he can offer now, after... everything.]

[cherryblooded]

That's the most any of us can ask of you.

[If he does his best - that's enough for Cherryblod, really.]

[amygdalae]

I appreciate it.

[Yeah, that's... that's good. It's a good start.]

[cherryblooded]

...I'll check up on the others later. You don't have to do all the worrying yourself, even when I'm like this.

[amygdalae]

Don't force yourself if you can't. You need breaks of your own, too.