[yeah she's REALLY unhappy about all the kids having to deal with a murder cult.]
She didn't see any bodies, so that's - one good fucking thing about all of this. [just the one.] I'm with you, though.
[he's right, this is the thing she can do. she can't protect the dead, she can't follow through on her promise, but she can make sure that the teenagers around here don't see any more violence than necessary.]
I won't let anything happen to the littles. [firmly.] Whatever the fuck it is that got Aventurine and Death --
[she falters slightly there, but keeps going.]
-- they'll have to go through me before they get their hands on them. I promised I'd look out for them.
[ the littles. he half-smiles at that—it's hard for him not to, but the mood isn't there for that yet. the air is still dense with magic and the knowledge that they're down two people, with no explanation for why or how. ]
You 'n me both.
[ also firmly.
he can't help but think it here: their time is limited in more ways than one. if they're hellbent on leaving here, and if that flame is only stoked now, that means that his time with this particular company is just as limited too. does he pull back, or...?
boothill reaches for karlach's warm hand, if she lets him hold it. he squeezes tight. ]
I'm sure you don't need any old gunslinger's help, but s'long as we're here, I won't let nothin' get to you neither.
[she believes it. she believes him - thinks about what he told her before, about the little girl that just learned to walk, about the family that took a chance. her metal heart chugs away quietly in her chest. it hurts to think about. maybe it's a good thing that it does - it means she's not dead yet.
he takes her hand, and funnily enough, she's not expecting him to say what he does, somehow. for a moment there's something rough that crawls up her throat, something that almost makes her want to cry. and then she just - laughs, despite herself, tired and maybe a little relieved. none of that melancholy bullshit, she thinks to herself. you take the things you care about and you hold onto them, no matter how long you've had them, no matter how long you will have them.
karlach squeezes his hand back, and keeps holding it.]
Maybe I might not need it, but I want it. [that's what makes things worth it. being connected. supported.] It's mutual, soldier, we're in this together. I've got your back, too.
[deep breath, and then:]
I'm so glad you're alright. I was worried, last night.
All of us thought it was some stupid prank, mostly. I kept that going. Didn't want all of them to panic, you know?
[she gives him a little smile back. LYING LIAR or not, she's comforted in this moment - feels a little trusted, even, which she likes almost more than anything.]
I'm surprised I couldn't hear you all. Not that far from the cabin, but... maybe the fog made it quiet.
... Not even sure what to do now, everybody's in shock.
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She didn't see any bodies, so that's - one good fucking thing about all of this. [just the one.] I'm with you, though.
[he's right, this is the thing she can do. she can't protect the dead, she can't follow through on her promise, but she can make sure that the teenagers around here don't see any more violence than necessary.]
I won't let anything happen to the littles. [firmly.] Whatever the fuck it is that got Aventurine and Death --
[she falters slightly there, but keeps going.]
-- they'll have to go through me before they get their hands on them. I promised I'd look out for them.
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You 'n me both.
[ also firmly.
he can't help but think it here: their time is limited in more ways than one. if they're hellbent on leaving here, and if that flame is only stoked now, that means that his time with this particular company is just as limited too. does he pull back, or...?
boothill reaches for karlach's warm hand, if she lets him hold it. he squeezes tight. ]
I'm sure you don't need any old gunslinger's help, but s'long as we're here, I won't let nothin' get to you neither.
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he takes her hand, and funnily enough, she's not expecting him to say what he does, somehow. for a moment there's something rough that crawls up her throat, something that almost makes her want to cry. and then she just - laughs, despite herself, tired and maybe a little relieved. none of that melancholy bullshit, she thinks to herself. you take the things you care about and you hold onto them, no matter how long you've had them, no matter how long you will have them.
karlach squeezes his hand back, and keeps holding it.]
Maybe I might not need it, but I want it. [that's what makes things worth it. being connected. supported.] It's mutual, soldier, we're in this together. I've got your back, too.
[deep breath, and then:]
I'm so glad you're alright. I was worried, last night.
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she laughs to cope, sometimes. he's learning that about her. he smiles at her. ]
Shucks. I worried over you too, but I think I knew you'd be all right. [ maybe he was just thinking of her in general. ]
'Least now we know why that whole fudgin' thing happened. You shoulda' heard the ruckus we made tryna' get those forkin' windows 'n doors open.
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[she gives him a little smile back. LYING LIAR or not, she's comforted in this moment - feels a little trusted, even, which she likes almost more than anything.]
I'm surprised I couldn't hear you all. Not that far from the cabin, but... maybe the fog made it quiet.
... Not even sure what to do now, everybody's in shock.
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Now I know you're okay, I got some others I wanna check up on. Bettin' they're not doin' as well.
[ he leans up on his toes and kisses her cheek. then he lets go and jogs back into his heela. he nods at her. ]
You stay sharp, Partner. You need me, you call for me. I'll come runnin'.
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[the kiss on the cheek makes her tail go wacky inflatable tube guy. a beat, and then she nods, taking a deep breath.]
Same for me. Just a shout away, and I'll be at your side. Be careful out there.
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he gives her a two-fingered salute and heads off! ]