no one and nothing can break through

[predecir]

[Well! That sure did happen!

Bruno does not organize an afterparty. He's not a party organizer in general - that was Wu. But he knows he was completely useless, if not downright actively unhelpful, during that whole thing, and he already feels guilty enough. He has to be useful somehow. Otherwise, why's he even here? 

So, before everyone can leave the teleportation circle in the dining room and all go their own separate ways, Bruno mumbles something about making food and takes off for the kitchen. He'll be there for a couple of hours, whipping up some quick chicken sancocho, with Olive on rice duty. Azul can be in charge of actually grabbing people and bringing them in - god forbid Bruno do anything like that - but if anyone does happen to be there to take one, he'll make them up a bowl. Otherwise, he's just gonna leave it all warming on the stove. 

There's also some arroz con leche simmering for later, if anybody wants dessert! He'll put cinnamon in it, and then add some hot chocolate to the lineup as well. He's no Julieta, of course, but at least he's made something? It's not enough, but it's...something.]

Comments

[cuttingremark]

The motive or he saw an opportunity and took it.

[ghostsguysgyuudon]

I guess... He showed us that man in his photo, but he didn't say much about him, did he?

[cuttingremark]

Not particularly, no. He acted in a way that implied he was not tempted, but it could have been just that: an act.

[ghostsguysgyuudon]

I wonder what kind of person it was. A lot of people were really upset about theirs, but Bruno-san didn't want to hurt his mother at all, and the people on mine, I -- I wanted to try to be their friend after everything. And with what he did now...

[cuttingremark]

I doubt they'll use the same "reward" twice, so there's little point in what if scenarios.

[Loki places a hand on her shoulder.] You know this is not you're fault? There was nothing you could have done to stop him once his mind is made up.

[ghostsguysgyuudon]

But everybody else was a lot more helpful than I was even in the trial. [She doesn't move away, just stirs the soup and stares into it.] And Jasper-san was in our dorm. I talked to him a lot. It feels like there should've been something.

[cuttingremark]

You are not to blame yourself for what has happened here. [His voice is stern again, but more reminiscent of a concerned parent rather than a tired teacher.] The only one who carries blame in this is dead now.

[ghostsguysgyuudon]

[She winces, but doesn't protest.]

...What if it happens again soon, like Somnus-san said?

[cuttingremark]

We will cross that bridge when we come to it. Where's that optimism, hm?

[ghostsguysgyuudon]

[That makes her wipe her face with the back of her sleeve and slump back in her chair.]

...I think I can try. Everybody who could made it out of this one so far.

[cuttingremark]

There we are.

[A handkerchief appears in Loki's hand and he holds it out to her.]

Eat. It won't make everything better, but it will help a bit.

[ghostsguysgyuudon]

[She hesitates and takes it carefully.]

Okay. Bruno-san and Olive-san worked really hard on it, after all.

[cuttingremark]

They did. We're quite fortunate so many of our companions know how to cook delicious meals. The roast you made the other day was very good. [Is he trying to lift her spirits? Maybe.]

[ghostsguysgyuudon]

You think so? I just happened to know how to use an old wood stove, that's all. [Sniff.] I just hope we can hold together. There were some things in that trial that were a little worrying.

[cuttingremark]

There were many concerning things, but I'm curious what stuck out to you.

[ghostsguysgyuudon]

I mean, first of all, that he built a whole courtroom in the tower. Or was it there before?

[cuttingremark]

It could have been a pre-existing room remodeled to suit his needs. Such things are not hard with magic.

[ghostsguysgyuudon]

I guess you really can do anything with magic...