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

[ 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.

[ But Gaelio is very stubborn, you see. He's quiet for a long moment, then steps away. There's a subtle shake in his hands, but he flexes it out. ]

I can't believe you.

[ Not "don't" or even "won't." And it's not even being said incredulously—he's simply not allowing himself to. ]

You're free to try. I won't stop you.

[ he can't stop him, more like, but that implication should be clear enough already. as well as the implication he'd be perfectly fine with him leaving if he did manage to make it out. ]

[ A nod; it's the closest thing he's getting to an answer that satisfies him. And then he begins to walk away, fully intending to just leave him there with the ducks/fish.

But he stops, and looks back at him over his shoulder. He's not saying anything, but he's certainly wondering why he almost feels relieved. There's a few reasons, but the McGillis shaped ones are the most confusing of all. ]

[ he can handle Gaelio walking away but he doesn't expect him to turn around and look back at him - - he doesn't know what Gaelio's expecting, and he doesn't know what to say. ]

You're leaving, aren't you?