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. ]

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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?

[ He is, but he's—damn it, why can't he look at him without remembering what he said? Up until the end, he'd been ready, he'd successfully carried the memories of his beloved friends, and now—

Now McGillis gets borrowed time, and he doesn't know how to feel about it anymore. ]

Have you put your mask back on?

[ they'd gone so far into this conversation without mentioning that that McGillis had been half-assured it wouldn't be brought up at all. when he'd been bleeding out in that ship he hadn't exactly expected to have to answer to everything he'd said in the afterlife. ]

What do you think? Gaelio.

[ so instead there's a non-answer. ]

[ he lives to surprise you

literally. ]

...how long have you been here?

A few days, at most. Some have been here for decades.

[ Well, that continues to make no sense. His reaction conveys that thought pretty well, with drawn brows and a slight tilt of his head.

But now he's actually leaving. If he continues here, he'll just get angry (which isn't a bad idea, aside from being useless) or he'll probably start crying again. ]

[ he exhales - - very slow, very long, as he watches Gaelio leave for just a few seconds before turning back towards the lake, clenching that bag of Cheetos.

absolutely zero feelings. none whatsoever. who would have those. ]

[ feelings are like muscles

you actually need to use them, asshole ]

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