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For pokexplorer.

[Cherryblod did not intend to kill anyone. He had no interest in this week's motive, and certainly even less interest in causing the deaths of those he considered friends and family.

But he wasn't so optimistic to think that someone else wouldn't move this Thursday night - and it seems he was right.

The battle of a vampire versus a Pokemon would have been interesting to watch, had a dear friend's life not been at stake. But Cherryblod wasn't exactly willing to sit around and see how Kamui vs. Klinklang turned out.

Vampires are hard to kill, but they will react to a sword pierced through their back and straight into their heart like everyone else does: by dying.

He's smiling when Kamui collapses to the ground. It's not at all a nice smile.]

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Then that's alright.

[Cherryblod stops petting Klinklang and turns his soft smile on Colress. ]

Shouldn't stay out so late. May I walk you back to your room? Wouldn't want something worse to happen.

[ Of course he'd prefer to live, but if he has to be executed as a culprit - if it protected Colress, there are worse things.

Why wouldn't he be composed? ]

[Cherryblod's words don't seem to be registering correctly with Colress at the moment. He just can't understand. "That's alright"? No, no it isn't. "Wouldn't want something worse to happen", like anything than what's coming could be worse.

It was incredibly difficult to process the crushing knowledge of waking up to find one of those he had grown close to dead, and in a lot of ways he still hasn't fully processed it. And now this...]

I... Y-Yes.

[He finally manages to respond, but his tone is hollow, like he isn't fully there. His movements are almost robotic as he slowly rises to his feet.

He still can't bear to look at Cherryblod. Not because of what he did, but... It's something he can't quite explain. Emotions were never his strong suit. But he feels like something inside of him might break.]

[Cherryblod sets a gentle hand on Colress' back.

His smile is a little softer than normal, but just as genuine. Things will be alright, even if that doesn't include him being alive.]

Steady enough to walk?

[Cherryblod will feel trembling beneath his touch. It's pretty clear that everything that just transpired—Kamui's attack, fearing a losing battle, and Cherryblod's intervention—have shaken up the usually composed scientist quite badly.

Despite this he tips his head in Cherryblod's direction and nods, then looks for his Pokemon.]

Klinklang- come along, please.

[As if Klinklang was going to stay behind, but the Pokemon seems to be understanding if not concerned about the circumstances. It doesn't yet fully understand the gravity of what's going to happen in the near future. Still, it steadily follows as the two men start heading for the dorms.]

[Cherryblod feels that trembling, and the smile on his face turns a touch more sad as he leads Colress back down to the dormitories. He's quiet on the way there.

When he stops in front of Colress' door is when he speaks up again.]

If you're not in the mood to sleep just yet, I wouldn't mind staying up talking to you. Especially since we won't have many opportunities to speak after this.

[Because he's going to die. It's something he accepted the moment he saw Kamui and Colress in that lab, even before he pierced Kamui's heart.]

[It's at this time that Colress finally faces Cherryblod, a pleading expression plainly visible on his face.]

Don't say things like that.

[The response is bordering on curt, but he can't help it. He knows that Cherryblod is right, but he doesn't want to hear it put so plainly. He's very clearly not ready to accept this.]

Please- [He has to briefly stop himself, to bite back some of the desperation in his voice.] I...doubt I will sleep at all tonight, so I would like for you to stay. I believe we both would.

[He's referring to Klinklang of course. He's sure Klinklang would also like to spend some time with Cherryblod, as limited as that time may be.]

[Of course Colress knows what's going to happen, but he isn't ready to hear it. Cherryblod can't lie to him, but he can't push it either. He can only smile a pained smile.]

Of course. I'll stay as long as you'll have me.

[Until the morning comes, and a body is discovered.]

[If that's as long as Cherryblod will stay, Colress would want it that way. However, as the three of them enter and Colress closes the door behind them...]

What do you plan to do in the morning...?

[As much as he doesn't want to talk about it, this part at least really does need to be addressed.]

Confess.

[There isn't much to do but that.]

At the very least, it would be better that no one stumbles upon the body who isn't prepared to see it. And the investigation and trial can go smoothly. No extra fuss.

[No fuss, except for the part where people will be upset to have to sentence him to death. He knows that.]

[There's a very definite cringe from Colress the moment Cherryblod says "confess".

Logically, everything Cherryblod's saying makes sense. He knows Cherryblod wouldn't be someone who would drag a trial out, especially considering the circumstances. The messy circumstances... He killed to protect, and completing rule #7 would completely contradict that action. He respects Cherryblod's stance there.

Emotionally, though... Well. Colress doesn't even know what his mind is doing on this end. He can't think straight when he considers how he himself feels. He wants to apologize for being out late and getting attacked, for needing to be protected. Even though it's illogical, he wants to beg Cherryblod to let him help right this, to let him try to get out of here because he doesn't want Cherryblod to die for this. It's a lot of objectively selfish thoughts fueled by the onset of grief, but he can't help it. It's just...it's too much.

He doesn't say anything for now. He simply nods and sinks onto his bed.]

[Logically, Cherryblod can't allow anyone else to be harmed for his own sake. There isn't any alternative at this point - he killed a person, so either he dies or everyone else here that he cares about dies, and he won't even consider sacrificing his loved ones for himself.

But even if it's logical to do it this way, Cherryblod hates to see Colress cringe like this.

And so he joins Colress on his bed and throws his arms around his shoulders in a tight hug.]

...I'm sorry that I can't do anything else.

[Colress is slow to react, but it doesn't take too long for him to reciprocate that hug. His shaky grip tightens as he once again trembles under Cherryblod. This seems to be what tips him over the breaking point.]

Please don't apologize. [His tone is in a low whisper, probably because he's very obviously attempting (and failing) to force back tears.] You've done so much already, I- I should be the one apologizing.

[Letting out tears might be better in the long run, but that doesn't make it any easier, especially for someone who's worked only on a logical level for so long. Cherryblod won't rush him.

He'll just keep holding him like this, speaking with a gentle voice.]

Didn't do anything wrong. Nothing to be sorry for.

[The tears come despite Colress' efforts, and every so often his breathing hitches- a reflexive motion from crying.]

I promise you that I am grateful for what you have done. I just- [He gives Cherryblod a slight squeeze.] I know it's illogical, but I just can't shake the necessity to apologize because of what will happen tomorrow.

[Cherryblod rubs Colress' back gently. It's alright. Let it out.]

Natural to be emotional, in this kind of situation. Illogical isn't the same as wrong.

[That Colress can cry is a good thing. That Colress has to cry... he wishes it turned out a different way.]

I...I suppose.

[He murmurs that before trailing off, unsure of what to even say while he's in this state. He just...settles for trying to get this out of his system for now.]

[After a bit of silence, Cherryblod speaks up again.]

I'm glad I met you. You're very dear to me, and if I had the choice, I would rather go out protecting someone I care for than just as a victim.

[Better to die than to be killed, they say.]

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