[ BOOTHILL IS GOING TO THE CHURCH A LOT LATELY despite being dressed the way he is?? apparently the goat deity accepts this or whatever. he hates it here, but it is the place that tells them the most about the cult itself.
what he's looking for here is anyone's guess, but aerith will see him looking intently at the stained glass windows. whenever aerith sees him, she'll see bright red words printed on his back, where he can't see them:
GRAEY NICK CLEMENTINE
he whips his head to look at aerith, but he seems to relax once he recognizes her. ]
Miss Aerith. [ he nods. ] They got you stayin' here, or you just visitin'?
[honestly she's just glad this man is dressed, especially since it feels slightly familiar?? wild. enjoy this useless image of vincent. anyway boothill is here at the church and looking at the stained glass, and aerith is coming home from who knows where. it means she does get a clear view of his back and she pauses briefly to absorb them.
those are names, and she's already seen a few other tattoos, so now it's a question of "are these fears or regrets?" she's not going to ask him though because he already looks startled by her appearance, but she offers a smile when he greets her. hello.]
Home sweet home. [she waves a hand toward a pew that has a cushion resting on it.] We were already staying here, but guess this place wanted to make it official. [with that said she strides forward, arms folded behind her back as she approaches and settles at his side to look at the windows.]
Have you ever seen anything like these before? [she's been trying to understand the ritual process being depicted here, too, but admittedly it's weird.]
he watches her come to his side before looking back at the windows. hands on hips. ]
All sorts'a strange religious clock-stuckers out there in the cosmos. Can't say I ever seen one formed round some sorta muddle-fudgin', wish-grantin' goat.
[ scratches under his hat. ]
Never had a buncha' strangers be nabbed by 'em for [ finger quotes ] "blood sacrifice" neither.
[okay the thing is also yes, he is correct! there are all sorts religions and belief systems, and aerith herself knows how some people can be when it comes to what they want to believe. but the goat is definitely a new one.]
That makes two of us. [she fold her arms over her chest, head tilted just slightly to examine the glass again. from this angle though, it might be a little easier to see the word "loss" peeking out from under her bracelets.] And it sounds like our four new friends from yesterday don't quite know how it'll all work either. This will be their first one. Kind of makes you wonder if this is more like a last attempt.
[what if they did rituals before and they didn't work so now the cultists are like "surely the god will like blood."]
anyway wild. what a damn day. what a damn week, actually, because all of this really started back on monday and spiraled into a giant mess that got her impaled in a church. so it's possible she's returning to the bar later that day if only to take a few moments to recompose herself. whether boothill's still there or if he's returning in an aimless wander, too, she will look up and give a lil wave.]
Think I'm tapped out on excitement for tonight. Agree?
boothill is there!! his favorite place. he's back behind the bar, his hat lying on the counter; the drinks are more easily accessible this way, and he doesn't get tired from standing. the empty bottle of whiskey currently next to him was definitely full earlier that morning, and he's partway through another.
he had been drinking like the fish the first week he got here. tonight, it seems like he's back to it. at least he's using a glass.
he looks at whoever just walked in and seems genuinely surprised to see aerith. he straightens up from where he was leaning over the bar. he gives her a once-over, his voice low and somber. he got his frustration out earlier. ]
Yeah. Think everyone is.
[ he gestures to the bar in front of him. ]
I was wonderin' if an old-fashioned was somethin' you'd really like. You like the taste'a alcohol at all?
[honest to god that's a mood. she's not going to be the one to tell him no, but she will follow his suggestion and have a seat at the bar so they're closer to talk. she is eyeing the bottle of whiskey curiously rather than judging him. times are rough on all of us.]
Can't say I'm that familiar with it, really. [there's a small smile though, just a hint of sadness to it.] But Daan told me it was his favorite. "Simple, effective, and nobody has a complaint about having one regardless of age, gender, class." I was going to try to ask for the ingredients from one of the overseers to surprise him, but...never quite got around to it. Thought I'd give it a shot anyway.
[and to daan's credit she did not complain! it was just a very alcohol taste she was not expecting.]
[ boothill is where boothill usually is: at heaven's night! sorry about any bar trauma. i can move it elsewhere but this is definitely where he'd be.
he's sitting on customer side of the bar. there are two empty bottles of whiskey next to him and one bottle half-filled. his hat is off and on the counter.
he looks over his shoulder as aerith comes in and then faces forward again. ]
[aerith usually shoves her trauma aside for other people and, uh, she's absolutely looking for boothill right now. so she enters the bar assuming he might be here, and she's not entirely surprised by the empty bottles. she will just mosey on up to the bar and hop up on a seat next to him.]
[ boothill's brain is just static noises. he takes a sip of his whiskey, which he is thankfully just sipping now instead of taking swigs from the bottle. ]
Don't sleep.
[ he just charges... like an iphone..... ]
Reckon I wouldn't if I could, though. These things never get easier. [ he glances at her. ] Not even from this side.
[can't blame him for that. i keep forgetting he has a port, god.]
I'd be surprised. [she's propping her elbows up on the counter, chin propped up into her hand.] You'd think that things would be easier here where we have the answers, but...I dunno. It might actually be worse because there's nothing we can do but wait and see if they draw the conclusions themselves. Watching people we love as they struggle.
[ i guess he is visiting her room when somehow cloud isn't there? maybe he's taking care of the chocobo? wherever she's going to be, boothill is probably going to visit either late in the evening thursday or morning on friday, since. karlach.
he walks in with just a small bouquet from middle summer island. he's sure other people have been doing so, but aerith talked about liking them before where he could hear it. at least he found a little vase for them in the costco. (he had to bust open an 8 pack of them but whatever.
the vibes are pure concern and sorrow and guilt. ]
[this is so funny. me and zia both like "ig cloud is just out, maybe with baby" and then your starter came in. so yes.
she is at her apartment! cloud is out doing cloud things (probably checking on the baby chocobo or grabbing things for her) but it means that he can knock on the door and find that it's easy to open! welcome. here isthe general view, though the bed is obviously bigger and there are a few more bookshelves filled with crystals and books and plants. there's also what looks like a large cozy sitting chair and a small table.
all of that aside, she's awake! she's curled up on the bed, and her wounds look closed so all of her blood is now inside blood. however she also looks unnaturally pale, and when she looks at him her eyes are glowing a little. she's also keeping her eyes only halfway open. light sensitive...of note, boothill might also notice that she's wearing a new cute black choker! little bit of gold on it...circuit-like detailing. there's also a preserved black flower in a small vase on the windowsill by the bed.
there are a few vibes going on here. there's a faint feeling of being touched he thought to bring flowers because, well, he has a karlach to take care of and that's extremely important! there's also worry almost immediately, and a little anxiety. for the most part though she's relieved to see him and tries to open her eyes wider and sit up taller.]
Boothill. Are you okay? How's Karlach? I don't...I don't know what happened to her after she left. [and she'd been mostly unconscious and out of her mind upon the return so she's really like friends?? FRIENDS???]
wah gets transported back to playing ff7r all over again... dates with aerith... :flushed: also i'm glad her blood is inside now! he does notice the very strange and very specific black objects in the room and makes note of them for now. he's just focused on aerith, how her eyes seem to glow and she seems similarly pale to how cloud seemed after he used the spring. is this a specific spring effect or something having to do with mako. either way boothill won't seem too bothered by it, but he's aware.
he does have a karlach to take care of, but he sort of did abandon everyone else after handing them off to daan. he's also the only way karlach gets to hear about how everyone else is doing. he's also aerith's friend and is worried ): ]
It's all right. [ raises his hand and waves it like settle down and don't sit up please ] I hauled her over to the springs fast as I could after Daan took care of her. Everyone else is all right too, far as I know.
[ watch me retcon this later after i actually post-cyoa thread with flurry ]
You worry about yourself for now. She'd probably want you to do the same.
[he lifts a hand and she pauses a little like "are you sure it's fine" but she does drop back down to be more horizontal on her bed.]
Good. That's...really good. I don't think any of us walked out of that in great condition, but it was a long couple of days. [she seems to be thinking that over.] And I know the three of them were busy going out at night. She's probably gonna feel bad the more she remembers, so you gotta make sure she knows it wasn't her fault.
[the way she seems very certain that karlach is going to feel a certain way, but it's likely because she's seen it from someone else before.]
...I think I'm okay? [debatable.] But it was probably better it was me instead.
[whoa...she's staring up at him for a moment because boothill is very tall? also at this age she's never seen anything like him. there isn't fear, but a certain kind of wary-curiosity as she gives him a onceover.]
I'm looking for my mom. We were together, but I don't know where she went. And the door was open...
[likely what happened is regular aerith was on her way to explore and even got as far as opening the door before she was baby'd and now has a brand new narrative.]
Your mama, huh? [ your mom is not here babygirl ): ] You thought she might be in here? We can take a look around, if ya' want, but it's dangerous to be walkin' around alone.
[it's monday morning and yet aerith is at bop to the top and behind the bar. she appears to have several bottles and empty glasses in front of her, along with a giant mixology book that she's studying.
the thought bubble above her head is very animal crossing thinking emoji...]
[ SO MUCH HAPPENED and now they are gonna be at bop to the top again. all of that work and he's still going to put aerith's mixology skills to the test. ]
You all right with whippin' me up somethin' for the road? Don't wanna tire you out more, so just say the word if you're not feelin' it.
[honestly she seems flattered he's asking, so she's not that bothered. in fact, she brightens immediately and claps her hands together.]
I'd be honored! I think I know exactly what I want you to try anyway. [behind the bar she goes, and she's pulling out a few things including another bottle of whiskey. as she's going along though...] You doing okay after all of that? I think it was rough on all of us for a while.
Doin' all right. Aventurine, Robin, Ash, and I had a lil' trouble gettin' to that beacon, but we made it out all right, of course. How 'bout yourselves?
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week 0, monday, church
what he's looking for here is anyone's guess, but aerith will see him looking intently at the stained glass windows. whenever aerith sees him, she'll see bright red words printed on his back, where he can't see them:
GRAEY NICK CLEMENTINE
he whips his head to look at aerith, but he seems to relax once he recognizes her. ]
Miss Aerith. [ he nods. ] They got you stayin' here, or you just visitin'?
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those are names, and she's already seen a few other tattoos, so now it's a question of "are these fears or regrets?" she's not going to ask him though because he already looks startled by her appearance, but she offers a smile when he greets her. hello.]
Home sweet home. [she waves a hand toward a pew that has a cushion resting on it.] We were already staying here, but guess this place wanted to make it official. [with that said she strides forward, arms folded behind her back as she approaches and settles at his side to look at the windows.]
Have you ever seen anything like these before? [she's been trying to understand the ritual process being depicted here, too, but admittedly it's weird.]
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he watches her come to his side before looking back at the windows. hands on hips. ]
All sorts'a strange religious clock-stuckers out there in the cosmos. Can't say I ever seen one formed round some sorta muddle-fudgin', wish-grantin' goat.
[ scratches under his hat. ]
Never had a buncha' strangers be nabbed by 'em for [ finger quotes ] "blood sacrifice" neither.
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That makes two of us. [she fold her arms over her chest, head tilted just slightly to examine the glass again. from this angle though, it might be a little easier to see the word "loss" peeking out from under her bracelets.] And it sounds like our four new friends from yesterday don't quite know how it'll all work either. This will be their first one. Kind of makes you wonder if this is more like a last attempt.
[what if they did rituals before and they didn't work so now the cultists are like "surely the god will like blood."]
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w2 saturday
anyway wild. what a damn day. what a damn week, actually, because all of this really started back on monday and spiraled into a giant mess that got her impaled in a church. so it's possible she's returning to the bar later that day if only to take a few moments to recompose herself. whether boothill's still there or if he's returning in an aimless wander, too, she will look up and give a lil wave.]
Think I'm tapped out on excitement for tonight. Agree?
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boothill is there!! his favorite place. he's back behind the bar, his hat lying on the counter; the drinks are more easily accessible this way, and he doesn't get tired from standing. the empty bottle of whiskey currently next to him was definitely full earlier that morning, and he's partway through another.
he had been drinking like the fish the first week he got here. tonight, it seems like he's back to it. at least he's using a glass.
he looks at whoever just walked in and seems genuinely surprised to see aerith. he straightens up from where he was leaning over the bar. he gives her a once-over, his voice low and somber. he got his frustration out earlier. ]
Yeah. Think everyone is.
[ he gestures to the bar in front of him. ]
I was wonderin' if an old-fashioned was somethin' you'd really like. You like the taste'a alcohol at all?
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Can't say I'm that familiar with it, really. [there's a small smile though, just a hint of sadness to it.] But Daan told me it was his favorite. "Simple, effective, and nobody has a complaint about having one regardless of age, gender, class." I was going to try to ask for the ingredients from one of the overseers to surprise him, but...never quite got around to it. Thought I'd give it a shot anyway.
[and to daan's credit she did not complain! it was just a very alcohol taste she was not expecting.]
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Yeah... I thought it was Daan. Told me the same thing. You remember when that sad guy contest happened while back?
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week 4, saturday
he's sitting on customer side of the bar. there are two empty bottles of whiskey next to him and one bottle half-filled. his hat is off and on the counter.
he looks over his shoulder as aerith comes in and then faces forward again. ]
Evenin'.
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...long night ahead, I take it. [i'm so sorry.]
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Don't sleep.
[ he just charges... like an iphone..... ]
Reckon I wouldn't if I could, though. These things never get easier. [ he glances at her. ] Not even from this side.
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I'd be surprised. [she's propping her elbows up on the counter, chin propped up into her hand.] You'd think that things would be easier here where we have the answers, but...I dunno. It might actually be worse because there's nothing we can do but wait and see if they draw the conclusions themselves. Watching people we love as they struggle.
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w5 thursday/friday
he walks in with just a small bouquet from middle summer island. he's sure other people have been doing so, but aerith talked about liking them before where he could hear it. at least he found a little vase for them in the costco. (he had to bust open an 8 pack of them but whatever.
the vibes are pure concern and sorrow and guilt. ]
Miss Aerith.
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she is at her apartment! cloud is out doing cloud things (probably checking on the baby chocobo or grabbing things for her) but it means that he can knock on the door and find that it's easy to open! welcome. here is the general view, though the bed is obviously bigger and there are a few more bookshelves filled with crystals and books and plants. there's also what looks like a large cozy sitting chair and a small table.
all of that aside, she's awake! she's curled up on the bed, and her wounds look closed so all of her blood is now inside blood. however she also looks unnaturally pale, and when she looks at him her eyes are glowing a little. she's also keeping her eyes only halfway open. light sensitive...of note, boothill might also notice that she's wearing a new cute black choker! little bit of gold on it...circuit-like detailing. there's also a preserved black flower in a small vase on the windowsill by the bed.
there are a few vibes going on here. there's a faint feeling of being touched he thought to bring flowers because, well, he has a karlach to take care of and that's extremely important! there's also worry almost immediately, and a little anxiety. for the most part though she's relieved to see him and tries to open her eyes wider and sit up taller.]
Boothill. Are you okay? How's Karlach? I don't...I don't know what happened to her after she left. [and she'd been mostly unconscious and out of her mind upon the return so she's really like friends?? FRIENDS???]
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wah gets transported back to playing ff7r all over again... dates with aerith... :flushed: also i'm glad her blood is inside now! he does notice the very strange and very specific black objects in the room and makes note of them for now. he's just focused on aerith, how her eyes seem to glow and she seems similarly pale to how cloud seemed after he used the spring. is this a specific spring effect or something having to do with mako. either way boothill won't seem too bothered by it, but he's aware.
he does have a karlach to take care of, but he sort of did abandon everyone else after handing them off to daan. he's also the only way karlach gets to hear about how everyone else is doing. he's also aerith's friend and is worried ): ]
It's all right. [ raises his hand and waves it like settle down and don't sit up please ] I hauled her over to the springs fast as I could after Daan took care of her. Everyone else is all right too, far as I know.
[ watch me retcon this later after i actually post-cyoa thread with flurry ]
You worry about yourself for now. She'd probably want you to do the same.
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Good. That's...really good. I don't think any of us walked out of that in great condition, but it was a long couple of days. [she seems to be thinking that over.] And I know the three of them were busy going out at night. She's probably gonna feel bad the more she remembers, so you gotta make sure she knows it wasn't her fault.
[the way she seems very certain that karlach is going to feel a certain way, but it's likely because she's seen it from someone else before.]
...I think I'm okay? [debatable.] But it was probably better it was me instead.
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w6 monday
This house ain't mine, young lady. You lookin' for somethin'?
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I'm looking for my mom. We were together, but I don't know where she went. And the door was open...
[likely what happened is regular aerith was on her way to explore and even got as far as opening the door before she was baby'd and now has a brand new narrative.]
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Your mama, huh? [ your mom is not here babygirl ): ] You thought she might be in here? We can take a look around, if ya' want, but it's dangerous to be walkin' around alone.
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w7 monday
the thought bubble above her head is very animal crossing thinking emoji...]
This is a lot of measurements...
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bald. he's baldhill.
he's man standing. looking at aerith like a deer in the headlights. ]
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Now why is this the second Monday one of you has shown up bald right away? [WHO DID THIS. she does not even know about bucas yet...]
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w7 saturday
You all right with whippin' me up somethin' for the road? Don't wanna tire you out more, so just say the word if you're not feelin' it.
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I'd be honored! I think I know exactly what I want you to try anyway. [behind the bar she goes, and she's pulling out a few things including another bottle of whiskey. as she's going along though...] You doing okay after all of that? I think it was rough on all of us for a while.
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