drove to Chicago, all things know, all things know

[cherryblooded]

[This is getting so routine.

Cherryblod had thought about napping the rest of the day, like he'd said, but there are people to take care of, people who'd been closer to Aiden and Shirazu than he had been. So after about an hour in his room to decompress, he'd headed to the kitchen and started cooking. At some point Stan and Bruce had both joined him.

Almost everyone seems to want to take care of those who are remaining. Almost everyone.

The food this time is mostly soup and sandwiches - nothing fancy, nobody's in the mood to appreciate it - but it's there set up in the dining room by the time everyone (alive) receives notes under their doors. ...He slips an extra one for Sigrun under Mettaton's door, just in case.]

[name],
If you want to spend this time by yourself, that's fine.
If you'd rather have some company, there's food in the dining room, and you're all welcome there.
If you want to take some food and go, that's fine, too.
Take care of yourself.
-Cherryblod, Stan, Bruce

Comments

[cherryblooded]

When we found Shirazu's body. It takes a moment between when we find the body and the announcement to sound, and while I was listening for it, I was so tense. You weren't there - I'm glad you weren't, the sight was awful, but...

I remember thinking 'please let there only be one'.

That's cruel, isn't it?

[captainobnoxious]

[Well, well, look who gave up.

Her too. She's got them in one arm and her lyre in the other, so she'll take a seat beside him.]

What've you got there?

[cherryblooded]

We have plenty of different kinds. That's just an old favorite of mine.

[sleepingkogoro]

Glad to hear that.

I didn't think I would be playing the flute for as long as I have now. It's almost surreal to me.

[penduli]

[ Cherryblod you're so well-traveled. ]

I hope so. [ ...she seemed happy enough seeing him in them, so he's probably right. ] I think she pulled them off better than I did, too.

...when did you ever wear heels, by the way? That sounds like a fun time.

[garudynamic]

Maybe a little. I probably would have thought the same thing. Hell, I've thought worse.

['Better you then someone else.' More then once- he doesn't have to say that but he has a feeling Cherry understands]

That's just, sorry for the phrase, being human. We all have our Shadows man. You can't beat yourself up over it.

[captainobnoxious]

Well, it definitely fits you! Does it have any words or can I make up some of my own?

[cherryblooded]

Oh, you know. The right sort of party. And the wrong sort of party, depending on your viewpoint.

[...that explained absolutely nothing.]

[penduli]

A letter for a [ friend? leader? mentor? ] for... someone Shirazu knew, in the event that he died here.

[ ... ]

It's not going to be able to reach its intended recipient, so I'm wondering what we can do about it.

[captainobnoxious]

Well, when you've got a teacher like me, it's hard to stay away. I'm great.

[... Definitely in a better mood, though she crosses at the heels.]

Does your daughter play anything?

[cherryblooded]

[He can't not beat himself up a little. Shirazu was a good kid - someone he'd liked, and been sad to see in a state like that.

But he wasn't Yosuke, or Sigrun.]

...We made it through another week.

[cherryblooded]

I'd like to hear what you come up with.

[penduli]

[ ...that didn't explain anything. ]

O...kay? [ ??? Should he just... take that...? ] Was it during your criminal days then?

[ ........mobster cherryblod in heels. ]

[cherryblooded]

I wasn't a spy. Wasn't crossdressing for a disguise. Just for fun.

But a couple of those parties were back then, yes. A couple weren't.

[captainobnoxious]

[...]

We'll find someone who knows him. Either in that other place [which is still left to debate if it's real or not] or I'll... I'll go to his world myself and find that person. Can't say I'll know much of the language though.

[Sigrun in Tokyo Ghoul, though.]

[garudynamic]

[He knows- he told Cherryblod as much once. They were turning into monsters. But maybe that was unavoidable. The shadow wasn't just what you denied, but what you had to do to survive. Your brutal, mean instinctual self that only cared for you and yours. It wasn't pretty, but it was their nature as flawed beings, in the end.

Confession was supposed to be good for the soul though, so he will take it for Cherry.]

Yeah, we did. Damn us for it, huh?

[cherryblooded]

How many more weeks left? If we lose two a week... A month, more or less. Less if someone decides to kill more than one person again.

[They have a time limit. That's simple math.]

[captainobnoxious]

I'll have to think of something for you then. When I wrote a song for bombshell, using a song from by his family's place, I made it all about him. Just the way I thought he'd like it -- and he did.

[... Very much, judging from how her face's has lit up. His immediate reaction wasn't one she had hoped for, but it'd clearly been a Very Good Thing.]

You and your family, maybe? Or I'll just sing the tale of Cherry.

[isafraid]

[Ten out of twenty seven. And somehow, despite all odds, they were still here... he was still here.

It's a small number, and he definitely hopes it won't get any shorter.

For once he wasn't helping with the afterparty, doesn't stop him from showing up to the small gathering though. A sign of support, mostly. He'll try a sandwich, or you might spot him lightly sipping a bowl of soup, his appetite is simply not in this race. He's mostly here to check on everyone else, and his gaze jumps to someone else at the party, every so often.

After that, those that want to see Speedwagon might have to look for his room, where he's retired for a while to... stare at the ceiling mostly. His room's cluttered as usual, but it's an organized mess.

Even later, when most have probably retired to their rooms themselves, Speedwagon's up and out patrolling the halls, checking out most of the rooms on his way up through the vault. Be prepared for startled Speedy if you actually come across him. He's not expecting much tonight.]

[garudynamic]

[He nods]

We can't keep this up. That's assuming we keep managing trials- honestly I wouldn't be surprised if we just turn on each other.

[There were too few of them left not too. Everything was too personal now. Almost any death would be maddening to someone]

[cherryblooded]

Either one. If my captain writes me a song, I'd be honored no matter what it was about.

[...unless it was gross, or something. But she wouldn't do that to him.]

Don't know how to compose a ballad for you, though.

[cherryblooded]

Neither would I. ...I'd like to think otherwise, of course, but...

[If it had been Yosuke dead, his reactions would have been entirely different at that trial.]

[garudynamic]

[Cherry, you are getting a hug. Because you deserve it.

...and so Yosuke can talk right in his ear, low]

We gotta do something extreme. I don't know what yet, but we have to push back.

[cherryblooded]

[Hugs are good and appreciated!

So is secretive whispering.]

You're right. I'll try and come up with something.

[captainobnoxious]

[She wouldn't. Not until she's seen him down a troll.]

That's fine, that's fine! You do more than enough already, you know, think of this as my gift to you. It's the least I can repay you with for the comfort you gave me.

[And now she can comfort him in a way, too. Rather long overdue.]