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

[cherryblooded]

Thank you.

[For what it's worth, Cherryblod doesn't know what he needs right now either, so that makes two of them.]

[amygdalae]

[...

Okay you know what? Cherryblod likes hugs, right? And Bruce knows that hugs are comforting, and Cherryblod is clearly in a lot of distress right now, so--

Bruce just steps closer and after some hesitation, pulls in Cherryblod for what is probably The Most Awkward Hug Ever. Like on the zero to Voldermort hug scale it'd probably be damn near a Voldemort hug.]

[cherryblooded]

[It's awkward, but it's appreciated, and Cherryblod trembles a little but does not cry.]

Sorry... I'm sorry.

[amygdalae]

[Bruce at least doesn't keep the hug going for long - soon enough he pulls back, and tries to give a smile which doesn't quite work out.]

You don't need to apologize. You or captain Eide.

[Mettaton did this knowing exactly what would happen. It's neither of their faults for doing what they did.]

[cherryblooded]

...She'll have it even worse than I do, I'm sure.

[Cherryblod was able to put personal feelings to the side, sort of. More like halfway shunted out of the way and creeping back in at inopportune moments.

Sigrun wasn't able to do that.]

[amygdalae]

[Bruce was only more successful if only because it was Aqua's death that was motivating him. Even though he liked Mettaton, too, but he couldn't just let Aqua's death slide. Not like what he had to do with King.]

Losing somebody who had been so close to you... [Bruce hadn't really realized how close they were until then, honestly, but now... he supposes it doesn't matter.] It never gets easier, despite whatever circumstances.

[Speaking, of course, from experience.]

[cherryblooded]

It doesn't.

[He might be in the same position with Doloz. He might not. The uncertainty is the worst part.]

[amygdalae]

[...yeah, probably a bad line of conversation. But again: Bruce has never been good in these things.]

...I don't want to keep you. I'm sure you must be tired.

[cherryblooded]

Not so tired I'll fall asleep, but... if you want to fuss over the others, you should.

[amygdalae]

I probably won't do it as well as you can, but I'll try my best.

[cherryblooded]

You'll do better than I could right now, and that's what's important.

[amygdalae]

I can only do so much. Everyone here still needs you more.

[cherryblooded]

...Maybe if I ever recover.

[amygdalae]

[...maybe Cherryblod will recover. Maybe he won't. Bruce has never really recovered from any of his losses, but its all he can do to keep going forward. Because he at least owes these people the attempt to find a way out as long as he's still alive.]

...all I can say is not to push yourself. [A small smile.] And if you need to talk, you know there will be people around willing to listen.

[cherryblooded]

I know. Thank you.

[That's the one thing he still has - support. He recognizes that, even if he doesn't take advantage of it as much as he should for fear of being a pain.]

[amygdalae]

[That's something Bruce can relate to very, very well. Maybe far too well.]

...I know you don't want to be a burden, but-- [Just a brief moment of hesitation here.] --you've been caring for all of us all this time. Let us try to return the favor for once.

[cherryblooded]

Hate to impose, but... maybe. I'll try, anyway.

[He might not succeed. He might not do anything but hide in his room. Who knows, really?]

[amygdalae]

[It's alright, Cherryblod. As long as you don't entirely shut yourself out (look who's talking, hahahaha), they'll be alright. He understands the need for space and won't push it.]

All of us will be around, no matter what.

[cherryblooded]

[Until they die, too. But there's no helping that, so he won't bring it up.]

Thank you.

[amygdalae]

[All the more reason to try their best to not die.]

I'll go and check up on the others now. [Brief pause.] Make sure to get some rest, and I'll see you tomorrow.

[cherryblooded]

Mm. Take care.

[He'll sleep, eventually.]