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]

I wouldn't be surprised. He's clearly egging for more reactions out of us.

[They're nothing but an experiment to him, after all. The Kingmaker had told him as such.]

The longer we stay here, the more chances he'll get to do just that.

[Which means they need to get out here as soon as they can.]

[isafraid]

Just look at what he's already thrown our way! What could get even worse...

[...It's rhetoric, at least that's what Speedwagon's intending. He doesn't need to think about terrible things anymore today.]

...So, figured out any ideas of escape then?

[amygdalae]

We just have to be prepared for anything.

[...there are a few things that Bruce can think of, but he won't voice them aloud. No need to make things worse when they've just been though that shitshow downstairs.

At the next question Bruce shakes his head, then lets out a sharp sigh.]

No. If there's one thing he's at least done well, its to ensure that we're stuck here well.

[isafraid]

[He chuckles dryly.] I'd say that unless we suddenly earn a ton of explosives from that machine, we'll be forced to chip and smash our way out if we need.

[Then again, even that plan would have flaws in it.]

And how are you holding? Suppose I already know, but it's worth asking.

[amygdalae]

That would be something, wouldn't it.

[Even as unlikely as it will ever happen, Bruce manages a small chuckle nonetheless, although it dies down quick at the next question.]

I'm... [He trails off for a bit, as if trying to think of an appropriate word to use, but eventually he shrugs.] ...managing, I guess.

[isafraid]

Well from what I've seen, that's about the most I can hope for.

[Even still, he sounds rather glad about Bruce's answer. Maybe it's because he got an answer in the first place.]

It's fair enough. [As he speaks, speedwagon dries a glass with a nearby cloth. He's really gotten into this role.] I'm glad to see you're about, at least.

[amygdalae]

[Bruce knows he's not the most forthcoming person, and he doesn't want people to unnecessarily worry about him, so... he may never been fully alright, but he can at least be alright enough to help everyone else. Himself can come later.]

With what happened... it reminds me a little how bad being isolated can be to people. [Not that Bruce... is ever going to be Mr Social, but he's been there himself. Being alone with the dark thoughts in your head--it never ends well.]

[isafraid]

... [He nods.] Having folks around you can get to know eases it up a little, but then it just gets worse.

[Speedwagon was more of a people person then Bruce most likely, just that he never expected... to be here this long. Stress and depression added up after a while... not that he'd give up. The alternative just wasn't worth it, was it?]

Plenty of reason to make sure that never happens again.

[amygdalae]

[It's hard to deny the truth of Speedwagon's words. As they get closer with each passing week the reality of what could happen - of thinking somebody they know being able to commit murder - gets harder and harder to fathom. But yet its still happening and... well. It's never going to get easier.

And for Norman... well. The less said of him, the better. Even Bruce finds it hard to wrap what happened around his mind.]

Yeah. [He says, eventually.] More reason to keep an eye out for one another.

[isafraid]

[It's always happening, and it doesn't look like it will stop happening without serious teamwork. Speedwagon wants to believe, desperately even, that they can manage something... but it's hard.]

That's right. Having a few friends looking out for ya never hurt anyone. [Unless you're all criminals I guess?? But]

Anyway, not much we can do for it now. So, drink up, we'll think of something tomorrow when we're able.

[amygdalae]

[It's definitely hard. But they still have to try, somehow, being stopping isn't going to do anybody any good.]

If it's anything like the last few weeks, there's probably going to be another floor. [And... who knows what could be in there. That's what they have to find out.]