For pokexplorer.

[cherryblooded]

[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.]

Comments

[pokexplorer]

[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.]

[cherryblooded]

[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.

[pokexplorer]

[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.

[cherryblooded]

[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.

[pokexplorer]

[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.

[cherryblooded]

[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.]

[pokexplorer]

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.]

[cherryblooded]

[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.]