( week 4 afterparty ) and if you're still bleeding, you're the lucky ones

[respring]

The trial was certainly to bring about despair for the ones remaining, if not confusion. After such a loss, Nirrti took the last of Syaoran's execution for herself, saving Watanuki from the pain. What motive did she have? Did anyone's words manage to reach her? 🗈

Well, that all was suitably horrific! Honestly, Sakura kind of just wants to ball up in her room and not come back out, but when she thinks about doing that, she remembers the last words she exchanged with Syaoran. Not just Watanuki, not just Nirrti, not just herself...there were too many people here who knew what loneliness felt like, and after something like that, they were liable to feel even more cripplingly alone.

So, against the grain of her usual behavior, Sakura will seek out anyone who looks like they might feel better having some company, and ask them to come to the dining room. She set out the breakfast foods she'd made the day before, reheated but no less delicious.

Please, don't go through this alone.

Comments

[goldenmaniac]

[Takumi disappears into Erhard's room with him for a bit, but he comes back out eventually. He certainly looks like Death warmed over and has clearly been crying but... honestly, it's expected.

He doesn't go to the dining room though. You might find him in the second-floor library again, staring at the computer, with his digivice goggles in hand, looking unsteady and breathing heavily.

He also heads to Syaoran's room to save what can be before the goats take it all away.

Eventually, he probably sits with everyone, if just to hear the sounds of human voices.]

Second floor library

[improbablenotimpossible]

Takumi...?

[His voice was quiet, as he approaches the young man, ready to leave him be if he indicated that's what he prefers]

[goldenmaniac]

[He looks up helplessly]

I need to... update AIBA-kun...

[He looks very conflicted about it though]

[respring]

[ Sakura is in the dining room herself, waiting for anyone to show up. She'll get them food if they want it, but otherwise is spending her time reading a book: knockoff Treasure Island. ]

[cryosurgeon]

[For once, Erhard actually shows himself at the afterparty once Takumi leaves, though it feels a bit morbid to think of the gathering that way. He knows most people are likely to avoid him, but it's fine. He's used to it. Mainly he's there to eat, but he'll answer questions if approached.

Later, he'll be found in another new place: the kitchen. He's staring at ingredients for a while before he starts an attempt on one of the few things he knows how to make that isn't instant.

When he's done cooking (and taking a portion for himself and one other person), he makes his way to the library to look for Shadow.]

kitchen

[improbablenotimpossible]

[Holmes was in there, pacing restlessly as he waits for a kettle to whistle, tapping his fingers on the counter, the steadiness of the taps was enough for an attentive or musically-trained ear to realize he was keeping time that way. Once he realizes Erhard had came, he nods in greeting]

What are you preparing?

[youkaiwatch]

[ Sits down nearby with some tea. ]

That's different than your usual genre, isn't it?

[respring]

Ah--yes.

[ Sakura smiles a little. Aww, she remembered. ]

I wasn't too in the mood to read something scary after today.

[cryosurgeon]

Rouladen. It's a German dish, the only one I know.

[He takes out a large piece of beef round and starts cutting quarter-inch thick slices with all the skill one would expect from a surgeon.]

You're not running away from me.

[improbablenotimpossible]

Why should I? German food isn't that terrible.

[He arches a brow, speaking in a complete deadpan]

[chaoscontrol]

[Shadow is actually there! He seems to be... dozing in one of the chairs? His eyes are closed and his head is resting in one hand, anyway. His wolf is missing, though he's probably off harassing Gebura's new friends]

[cryosurgeon]

[Erhard stares back blankly. Was that a joke?]

You're welcome to some when I finish, then. Unless you believe I'm going to poison it.

[cryosurgeon]

[Erhard makes his way over, pulling up another chair close to Shadow for the covered plates. With the hedgehog's reflexes, touching him is probably a bad idea. So instead, the doctor says his name softly.]

Shadow?

kitchen

[fullbodied]

Mm. Hi, Erhard.

[she sets herself near him.

she looks... drained. but she's focused on him.]

[improbablenotimpossible]

[His expression is sphinx-like, but there is an impression that he is aware the joke did not quite land]

Thank you, I appreciate the offer. I'd suggest tea, but I am not sure if I am going to make this pot right.

[cryosurgeon]

Hello, Ann.

[He's perfectly calm, not even in that slightly shaky way that shows it's forced. He does sound a little sad, though?

Is the fact that he's holding a very sharp knife and cutting up raw beef disturbing?]

I'm surprised you're not avoiding me.

[fullbodied]

[ann comes out with... a coffee set, and sits near Sakura.]

Hi, Sakura-chan. What are you reading?

[chaoscontrol]

[Wise! Because when Shadow wakes, it's with a start -- he's immediately alert and on edge. But then he sees who it is and there's that transient look of hurt again before his expression settles into something neutral]

Mmmmmgh. Doctor Muller. Sorry, I must have dozed off.

[fullbodied]

And why would I do that...?

[cryosurgeon]

You're not used to brewing your own?

[He seasons the beef, then starts spreading mustard on one side of each slice. Leaving that to rest, he gets out some thick-cut bacon and begins frying that up.]

[cryosurgeon]

You're allowed to. I think everyone's exhausted.

[He gestures to one of the plates, a peace offering.]

I don't know if you're hungry, but....

[improbablenotimpossible]

Generally someone else is brewing, either Watson or my Landlady when alive... or Archer either in Chaldea, and someone always had it or coffee brewing at the Foundation. I find any kind of cooking terribly dull and tend to lose focus.

[cryosurgeon]

I had people concerned earlier.

[For someone who's never been in the kitchen in all these weeks, he looks relatively comfortable with what he's doing, working smoothly without pause to season meat, fry bacon, and slice onions and pickles.]

[chaoscontrol]

I usually don't get so tired, but I think keeping that wolf materialized takes more out of me than I think.

[Shadow leans forward and looks at the food, sniffing it a bit. It smells really good, actually -- hearty]

Did... you cook this?

[fullbodied]

[she's watching with some interest, but then she smiles a little bit.]

... Isn't that as good a reason as any to not avoid you?

You lost someone important to you. I don't... expect anyone's finest hour.