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

[pokexplorer]

[From his spot, Colress just smiles a little bit.]

Your company, perhaps?

[He...feels like he should probably say something about the trial. He did come off as a little suspicious.]

[cherryblooded]

Ah - [his eyes widen the tiniest bit] - I can do that.

...For starters, I really need to apologize for implying your Pokemon might be accessory to murder.

[Like who does that.]

[pokexplorer]

[It'll only be hours later until he realizes how forward that sounded.]

Oh no, you have no need to apologize! It was a fair hypothesis. And, well, this murder was quite scientific.

[cherryblooded]

[Colress is not hitting on him, probably...]

Even so. It's bad enough that we're suspecting each other every week without bringing Klinklang into it.

[pokexplorer]

[It wasn't his intention at all...!]

That is true, but we do still have to try every angle that we can. We...don't have a choice in the matter, unfortunately.

[cherryblooded]

That's true, but... Still. I'm glad it wasn't able to hear me say that.

...It wasn't, right?

[pokexplorer]

No, of course not. Klinklang cannot hear you from its Pokeball- your friendship is spared.

[All said with a smile. Now he's just being mean.]

[cherryblooded]

[Indeed he is.]

--Well, good. I'd like it to have to deal with as little murder fallout as possible.

[pokexplorer]

[Ah...

Colress nods, his expression turning a little solemn at that.]

That is exactly why I have kept it in its Pokeball every Friday morning. Beheeyem as well. I will only inform them if it truly affects them.

[He's really glad that they have been spared the last few weeks.]

[cherryblooded]

I'd do the same.

[...He figures he knows which death hit them the hardest.]

Did you want my company for any reason in particular?

[pokexplorer]

[Haha...ha...

Let's just say he's happy to move on.]

Ah! Right. I...mostly wanted to apologize for making you suspect me in the first place, I suppose! I realize I may have come off as a bit suspicious even without the science-based evidence.

[cherryblooded]

It's alright. You can't help your interests.

[Sometimes those interests are chemicals and explosions.]

[pokexplorer]

I appreciate your understanding.

[At this point, he's scribbling a little something in his notepad for Cherryblod's eyes only. If he happens to be looking at what Colress is writing, anyway.

I was working in the chemistry lab that night. It would have been a bit awkward to bring that up, you know?]

[cherryblooded]

[Cherryblod gives a short nod. Yeah, that would have made him only more suspicious, given everything.]

You know me. Always trying to give people a fair chance.

[pokexplorer]

[Phew, glad he gets it.]

Of course.

[Since they've got that cleared up...]

And how are you faring? If you'd like, I can bring Klinklang out for you to visit with. ...No explanations necessary, of course.

[cherryblooded]

I've had worse trials.

[Much much worse.]

But I wouldn't say no to visiting a friend.