quietmounds | (no subject)

(no subject)

WHAT IN PERSON, YA FOOLS
WHERE anywhere
WHEN Day 8, evening

[ it's beginning to be summer -- or something like that, sort of. late spring? the weather has been warming up is the point and in the twilight of, well, now, the fireflies have also come out.

twinkling little stars that are actually bugs. Rather, slightly larger than the normal firefly -- in fact, perhaps they seem more like will o' the wisp sized.

But still, a lovely summer. If you follow one they may lead you (crashing into) the path of someone else.

Or the lake.

Definitely also the lake. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ he drops his hands, putting them behind his back, more composed but setting his lips. ]

That, I have no answer for. I certainly didn't choose to be here.

[ Things Gaelio should do: ask him where they are, how long he's been there.

Things Gaelio is not doing: either of those. ]

You... [ Actually, he's not sure what to do, so he's falling back on just being angry. ] I killed you!

Do you think I have forgotten that so soon? Gaelio.

[ it almost sounds as if he's chiding him, above those silly things like emotions. again he opens his arm wide. ]

You're free to try again here. But you won't succeed.

[ HE SAW THAT TINY BABY TEAR ON YOUR DEAD FACE YOU SHITLORD. ]

McGillis— [ He didn't think that far, actually. ] Don't give me another reason to.

[ sounds like FAKE NEWS Gaelio!! he laughs, short, humorless. ]

Then you'll allow my presence here for the moment?

[ He's making a sharp tch noise. ]

I don't know why you're alive, or why we're here. I've spent years waiting, before. I can do it again.

[ Really, it's just that he doesn't want to deal with killing a guy in public.

And not at all because of how McGillis managed to break his defenses. Nope. ]

[ sure. suuure.

he shrugs expansively, looking back towards town. ]

Regardless... As I've already told you, it'd be impossible to kill me no matter how long you waited, here. No one can die.

You weren't just being cocky?

I've been thoroughly convinced of my own mortality outside of this place, thank you.

[ ... that shouldn't make him feel a little bad. It should just be satisfying. ]

That's right. You've been given extra time, apparently, but my fate is still tied to you.

Is that what brought you here, I wonder ... ?

[ it's more musing out loud than anything. ]

I don't know the logic this place seems to operate on.

[ Gaelio is sure opting to ask someone else about the mechanics here. ]

If it was anything else, I'm not aware of it.

I've met others who can't recall how they arrived... so you're the same way.

[ he tips his head a bit, looking at him curiously. ]

Have you been told the basics of this place at all? Or did you just arrive?

[ He's got a semi-permanent scowl on his face, and now he's approaching.

And shoving the Cheetos at McGillis. He can't look pissy while holding them. ]

No. I was helpfully given these.

[ He doesn't sound very impressed.

But also, confused. ]

Ah.

[ he takes a second ... then takes the Cheetos?? was he being offered them? ]

I had sunglasses when I arrived. I'm not certain which I'd prefer.

I can tell you what I have been told, if you'd like.

[ and not like, tackle the circumstances of his death, or any of the revelations that came before that, that's not important. ]

[ sunglasses at least suit a char aznable... ]

Don't bother. I'm going to figure it out myself, and then drag you back home.

[ He's a strong Gali now.

Even if he cries and freaks out at the word friend. ]

[ there's a flicker of something -- like fondness, before he quickly looks back towards the town again. ]

I'd like to see you try that. But I've heard all paths out of here simply lead back to this town; it's as impossible to leave as it is to die.

This place seems determined to remain unchanging, beyond its new arrivals.

[ He absolutely has to ignore that. For a long time, he thought his resolve was tight enough.

Very recently, that proved to be false. ]

Or you're telling me this because you don't want to leave.

I don't know what would happen if I did leave. What if I am only kept alive while I am here ... ?

Would you be content dragging back a corpse?

I have to be.

[ aaaaahhhhhh good question, McGillis. ]

Why? You are not content with me being dead, you need to bring back the proof of it if you do leave?

[ he's more than just a little curious. ]

[ He's stepping right up into his personal space. Which, funny enough, had never been a problem for Gaelio. Just now instead of leaning on him, he's in his face. ]

Because if you're still alive, my own reason for living is to hold you accountable for what you've done!

[ he stands his ground -- not due the comfortable sort of familiarity they may have had before, but not wanting to back down. mcgillis was always bad at the not backing down thing.

he raises his chin, just a little. ]

And when will you be satisfied? You have already killed me, after all.

I don't know. A few minutes ago, I still thought this was over.

[ He really just doesn't know what to do with all of this weird information, weird feelings, weird memories. ]

But I'm not leaving you here.

[ it's an understandable sentiment. McGillis hardly knows what to do with this himself; things were much simpler in this place before he had to confront any of this.

Galeio means he's not leaving him here dead or alive, of course, but -- there's an ache at the words regardless, at the thought of returning. ]

... We -- you cannot leave at all. It is as simple as that.