we're all living under loaded gun

[amygdalae]

[Every week was bad, but this one? This one most likely has hit them all the hardest.

All well, almost all of them. Bruce certainly can't speak for everyone here... not that there's a lot of them left now.

Anyway.

Working with Speedwagon in the kitchen the two of them whip up a decent, simple fare of food just so that their stomachs won't go empty - Bruce knows that a lot of them won't have much of an appetite at all after what happened, and he can't blame them. He doesn't have much of one himself even after the food is done.

Once everything is set up in the dining hall a couple of hours later after everything that happened downstairs Bruce goes around to slip a notice to every body's room. (Everyone that is still alive, that is.)]

I know what happened was hard to take in. I feel the same as well.
If you wish to be alone I understand, but if you need company, or somebody to talk to... there is food in the dining hall made by Speedwagon and I.

I sincerely hope to see you there.

- B. Banner

[For Sigrun and Cherryblod respectively, he'll have the note along with a plate of some food from the gathering by their door.

As mentioned earlier, there's a small fare of simple, light food and snacks for everyone to eat if they have the stomach for it. For better or for worse there's alcohol too, although Bruce certainly isn't going anywhere near it. But if anybody needs that drink after what happened, he can't blame them for the need for it, either.]

Comments

[isafraid]

[Even with all this food, Speedwagon isn't feeling too up for eating, even if he made it. Plenty of alcohol too, but... that's for later. Too bad the numbness was already here.

He didn't want to think about the case anymore, it was so long and nagging, and Mettaton went to his death all the same. Did he hate the robot? To a degree. He liked Aqua, and she certainly didn't need to be killed for no reason besides that the Kingmaker wanted them gone.

But what that meant, he wasn't sure. And his thoughts would be spinning for the rest of the night. The gathering sees Speedwagon going around at a steady pace, offering food, making a bit more of it, then taking a seat off to the side where he steals a few more looks at that 'H' locket, a look of consternation edging onto his face.

Even later Speedwagon's left the party, but not for anywhere specific. He's... patrolling, checking out the dark corners of the floor and moving up to the next one. A chunk of the night patrol was gone, which didn't do. And, as somber as he looks, and how his shoulders slump, he still keeps walking.]

[uro_cyon]

[ At this point, Aiden has little interest in the after parties. He does spot Speedwagon though when he's out patrolling and he waves him down.]

We keep meeting like this. [ He's also walking around, not really wanting to sit still.]

[isafraid]

[Speedwagon's glad for the company. One-on-one is a bit easier to handle after the chaos of the day.]

Seems we do. [He nods curtly towards Aiden as he approaches... a level look on his face.] Don't suppose you're planning anything, are you? Wouldn't do to have a trial right after that one.


[He's half-joking. But he just sounds tired.]

[uro_cyon]

If I was, do you really think I'd tell you just like that? [ May or may not be his idea of a joke in return.]

[isafraid]

....God, you're right. [Aiden actually has a pretty good point there....]

Please, don't just kill me right now. Can't say I'd like everyone else to have to deal with that.

[uro_cyon]

[ He chuckles.] You got it.

Did you know Mettaton well?

[isafraid]

[Whew. That's a bit of a load off of Speedwagon's shoulders. He chuckles back.]

...Not as well as some. [He shakes his head, pausing to glance back down the hall. No Cherryblod, No Sigrun. Alright.] Guess I thought I knew him well enough though... then it turned out we were all being fooled by him. Made the trial stretch on longer then ever.

[It was a little annoying, you must admit.]

[uro_cyon]

It was a circus after a certain point. [ Which aggravated him a lot truth be told, but he wasn't about to paint a target on his back by calling Mettaton out on his dramatics.]

I don't think anyone truly knows anyone here.

[isafraid]

Felt a bit like it was never going to end for a while there. [As though it was going on for hours...]

....Don't suppose I can ask why that is?

[uro_cyon]

You can. [ He tilts his head.]

We've been for here for almost seven weeks now. I've worked with people for years and I wouldn't say I know them completely. Their basics sure, but there are a lot of factors that go into actions and thoughts.

[amygdalae]

Thanks for helping out, Mister Speedwagon.

[Bruce approaches him with that thanks as the gathering slowly starts to peter out. He's got some remaining food and tea with him, if Speedwagon is up for a bite.]

[isafraid]

[Seeing as the party was just starting to drain out, it looks like maybe the whole idea was as good a cause as he hoped.

His gaze levels with Bruce, flickering briefly to the snacks and tea.]

You're quite welcome, doctor. [He says with an automatic smile. He'll take... the tea, at least.] Someone has to keep these parties happening.

[amygdalae]

I'd loathe to handle all of this by myself. [A tiny smile, and Bruce takes some tea for himself too.] ...and in a way, its easier to handle what happened when there are others to share the burden.

[isafraid]

Pull up a chair, if you'd like. There's plenty. [Plenty of empty seats to go around now.]

...It's always nice to have a couple of people around to help shoulder the burden. Granted, now it's getting less easy by the week.

[amygdalae]

[Bruce does pull up a chair, at least, and he settles down with his tea which he takes a much needed drink of.]

This one was probably the hardest yet.

[Everyone knew Mettaton to some degree. Which probably made this all the more terrible.]

[isafraid]

Felt like it might never end. [He takes a sip. There should probably be more tea and less booze in their bodies. No sense in getting drunk every single time someone's life is lost or that could lead to even worse decisions.]

...What do you think? We're we pressing the blighter too much?

[amygdalae]

It did seem to go on for quite a while.

[At least it wasn't nine whole hours.

At the question Bruce pauses for a moment, thinking about it - but eventually the best he can come up with is a shrug.]

Maybe. We can't say for sure, but... [Clearly something had happened, or else he wouldn't have gotten Mettaton to... well. Do what he did.]

[isafraid]

It started out well enough with the "peroxide" or what have it, then seeing the pressing kept going and...

[They got a quiz show on their hands.]

You look like you'd know; can someone just control a robot and get it to kill someone?

[amygdalae]

Logically speaking, yes, but Mettaton always has been his own person.

[He was far too... himself to really be just a mere robot with incredible AI. In his way, he too was alive.]

I doubt the Kingmaker was doing any control behind the scenes. What Mettaton did was of his own free will.

[garudynamic]

[Seeing Speedwagon, Yosuke sits next to him, peering at the locket.]

Spot any secrets?

[isafraid]

[Come and join the party, Yosuke. We're all smiles and fun times here.

He gives Yosuke a quick look at the interior, and the gear design.]

Just trying to fathom what this design could mean. Have to admit, I'm rather stuck.

[garudynamic]

I kinda assumed they were just to be pretty... though they probably at least mean something to 'H'. They don't move though, I tried that at the meeting. Too bad, that'd be kinda cool.

[isafraid]

....Just being clear on it, 'H' wouldn't be connected to you in any fashion, would it?

[garudynamic]

Me?

[He blinks, then realization hits]

Oh! Cuz Ha-na-mur-ah, right?

[The way he drags out his name is a little awkward- like what he's saying isn't translating 100%]

Nope, nothing to do with me. It probably wouldn't be a letter if it was.

[isafraid]

Right, things of that sort. You're the only one here with that letter in your name. [In... English at least? He doesn't know Japanese...]

That's good to hear. What would it be then, if you mind me asking?