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

[spitessier]

[You're so appreciated, Nuadha]

I'd have preferred not to have this battle in the first place. This could have been avoided if I had done more to protect Wu.

[Not really, Jasper probably would have targeted someone else. A murder probably was unavoidable -- but it doesn't stop Katsuya from feeling dejected]

[rikonstructed]

And then someone else would likely be dead. You're too quick to take responsibility on yourself. What would you have done differently? Concretely.

[Nuadha might know he's not in much position to talk, but that's never stopped him before. Despite the fact that his words are as blunt as ever, his voice is a little gentler for a change.]

[spitessier]

I'd have gotten him to stay with me in the same dormitory, for one. I should have told him I wouldn't be out there in the early morning. I probably should have come up with warning signs he should have paid attention to.

[Katsuya really gets dejected when he feels he's at fault or when his advice is spurned -- and this is the former, that's for sure. What he says isn't the most realistic answer he could have given]

[rikonstructed]

[He takes a moment to consider that as he gets the door to Conjuration open and shepherds Katsuya along. If nothing else, he really looks like he needs to be off his feet.]

...You knew him better than I did. But he did not strike me as an overly cautious man. I'm sure you're aware that it's likely none of that would have worked.

[Or if it had, Jasper could have just overpowered him outright. But for once in his life Nuadha doesn't see the need to be quite that direct.]

[spitessier]

......

[Katsuya sits down on his bed, burying his face in his hands for a moment, before removing them and just...]

You're not wrong. Sooner or later perhaps he'd have made a mortal mistake. Even if it hadn't been this week, at some other time he'd have done something that'd have led to his death.

[Which sucks to think, if he has to be completely honest. Last thing he wants to do right now is think negatively of Wu, but there are things that can't be denied]

[rikonstructed]

[Nuadha leans himself against the wall, making at least a moderate effort not to loom while Katsuya is sitting.]

I think it's likely as well. Stella's outburst was... an understandable emotional reaction. But unfounded. There are simply limitations on what anyone could have done. Yourself, or even her.

[Despite the fact that he's still more than a little angry about her loss of control this morning, there's a thread of grudging sympathy in his voice.]

[spitessier]

I hardly can blame her for how she reacted...

[In a way Katsuya wishes he could have reacted the same way, but he had a job to do]

Have you seen her tonight? Is she holding up well?

[rikonstructed]

I haven't seen her. And we're not on the terms to ask, if I had.

[He gives a quiet sigh. It's not like he can't understand Katsuya's concern, although he's not feeling quite as generous himself yet. It'll take a day or two more for him to come down from the morning's incident.]

...I scarcely remember being that age. But I imagine she wants to be alone rather than worrying about saving face in front of others. [Or you're just projecting, Nuadha.] If you want to talk to her, I think it would be better to do it tomorrow.

[spitessier]

I doubt she'll want to see me for a long while. She blames me for Wu's death, after all.

[Although it's not like Katsuya doesn't blame himself too, but that's beside the point]

[rikonstructed]

She needs someone to blame at the moment. And you're cooperating.

[It's not said particularly sharply, for all that. This genuinely represents concern in its most awkwardly expressed form.]

I know very little about your world. But I'm aware... this is likely jarring for you. ...My condolences.

[spitessier]

Thanks. Also, I appreciate you took the time to help me come here.

[He really does. It's not often he can rely on someone else, admittedly]

[rikonstructed]

It was nothing. You should rest.

[Nuadha tilts his head slightly, making it into an uninflected question. He's not averse to talking. But he knows he's not especially comforting.]