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[ 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'?
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.]
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.]
Edited 2024-06-11 19:19 (UTC)
[ AAAA THE BOOTHILL VINCENT PARALLELS CONTINUE
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.
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."]
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."]
[ drop this if you want to ty!! if not, i'm putting the words GRAEY NICK CLEMENTINE in black letters on his chest instead of his back. ]
"Last attempt"?
[ boothill looks at her, brows furrowed, and that's when he notices traces of black letters near her wrists. is that boss, or...?
he catches himself before he looks for too long and meets her eye again. hopefully her attention was still trained on that window. ]
Hey, uh... Don't know if you've seen it, but y'got somethin' there on your arm.
[ he points to her wrist, near her bracelets. ]
"Last attempt"?
[ boothill looks at her, brows furrowed, and that's when he notices traces of black letters near her wrists. is that boss, or...?
he catches himself before he looks for too long and meets her eye again. hopefully her attention was still trained on that window. ]
Hey, uh... Don't know if you've seen it, but y'got somethin' there on your arm.
[ he points to her wrist, near her bracelets. ]
[gently picking this up, i'll go as long as you'd like or to completion nat ♥
anyway yes. she's about to say something regarding the last attempt (perhaps an elaboration of what she means, or even asking him for his thoughts, but she seems to sense a change in the atmosphere right before he actually says anything. lucky for him, her attention was on the window, but feeling him look at her she glances back.
hm? she blinks in surprise, though she's registering those names emblazoned on his chest through his clothing as her gaze drifts from his face down to her own arm. the bracelets jingle softly as she takes a look, even if her expression doesn't change much right away. it's not a word she's unfamiliar with. in fact she's pretty sure this can apply to, uh, a lot of things. but she rewards him with a slight smile.]
Looks like we might match. [a gesture to his front.] Guess they wanna be seen no matter what, don't they? [she won't ask right away. it's not fair to pry when he was very polite about bringing up hers, but she will at least gauge how he feels about his own.]
anyway yes. she's about to say something regarding the last attempt (perhaps an elaboration of what she means, or even asking him for his thoughts, but she seems to sense a change in the atmosphere right before he actually says anything. lucky for him, her attention was on the window, but feeling him look at her she glances back.
hm? she blinks in surprise, though she's registering those names emblazoned on his chest through his clothing as her gaze drifts from his face down to her own arm. the bracelets jingle softly as she takes a look, even if her expression doesn't change much right away. it's not a word she's unfamiliar with. in fact she's pretty sure this can apply to, uh, a lot of things. but she rewards him with a slight smile.]
Looks like we might match. [a gesture to his front.] Guess they wanna be seen no matter what, don't they? [she won't ask right away. it's not fair to pry when he was very polite about bringing up hers, but she will at least gauge how he feels about his own.]
[yay i get to tag nat again
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?
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?
[ ty 🥹
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?
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.]
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.]
The one where Geto voted for him ten times? [she sounds a little amused and a little exasperated.] Yeah, I remember that. Why do you ask?
[ he shakes his head and gives a little scoff through his nose, still smiling. ]
Went up to Daan and offered him a drink from a bottle'a hard whiskey I got from Pesto. We got to talkin' in the barn and that's when I learned 'bout them old-fashioneds bein' his favorite. Man knows his drink. He really tell ya' you'd like one?
Went up to Daan and offered him a drink from a bottle'a hard whiskey I got from Pesto. We got to talkin' in the barn and that's when I learned 'bout them old-fashioneds bein' his favorite. Man knows his drink. He really tell ya' you'd like one?
[there's something kind of sweet about that, thinking of the fact that boothill actually took the time to seek daan out. and there's a little fondness in her tone when she speaks.]
Sometimes I think Daan liked to humor me whenever I asked him anything about himself and asked him to share with me. [she can admit that.] But I want to tell him I got to try it the next time I see him. Whenever that may be.
Sometimes I think Daan liked to humor me whenever I asked him anything about himself and asked him to share with me. [she can admit that.] But I want to tell him I got to try it the next time I see him. Whenever that may be.
Heh. Think he'd like that. Guy's as cagey as they come, huh? Only got him to loosen up if I loosened up myself.
[ boothill goes behind the counter and picks out a few things. ginger ale. grenadine he brought in from the ben 'n jerry's knockoff. a splash of vodka (!). ]
Was tellin' Iwatooshi out there... Much as I'd like to see 'im, I hope they keep Daan there as long as they can. Alfyn too.
[ boothill goes behind the counter and picks out a few things. ginger ale. grenadine he brought in from the ben 'n jerry's knockoff. a splash of vodka (!). ]
Was tellin' Iwatooshi out there... Much as I'd like to see 'im, I hope they keep Daan there as long as they can. Alfyn too.
Mmhm. But that's what makes him more endearing, don't you think? I always thought it was kind of an accomplishment if I ever got him to tell me what he was really thinking. I...learned a lot about him this week. I miss him, but they need him over there. As long as he has people there when he needs them, too.
[she's watching him go to work, eyes following his movements to see what he's doing.]
Alfyn, too. I'm still a little mad about what happened to him last week with the fog, but I could say the same about everyone. And everyone this week, too. There's a lot of them I hope make it through. [and by a lot she means literally everyone. there's a little pause...but she thinks maybe he'd understand more than anybody.]
And Karlach's another. I didn't want to leave her like this.
[she's watching him go to work, eyes following his movements to see what he's doing.]
Alfyn, too. I'm still a little mad about what happened to him last week with the fog, but I could say the same about everyone. And everyone this week, too. There's a lot of them I hope make it through. [and by a lot she means literally everyone. there's a little pause...but she thinks maybe he'd understand more than anybody.]
And Karlach's another. I didn't want to leave her like this.
[ boothill is nodding, humming in affirmation. by the time he finishes his little creation for aerith—a shirley temple, cherry-less and only slightly alcoholic—she's bringing up karlach.
his other words die away quickly, but he was also braced for this to come up eventually. he sets the drink on the counter. ]
Give this a shot and tell me what you think. You don't like it, I'll finish it for ya'. [ he slides it towards her, but he doesn't meet her eye. he works the words he wants to say in his head, dislodging them from wherever he'd tucked them away. he hasn't talked about karlach since he arrived here. ]
That big, golden heart'a hers... I know she's hurtin' fiercely. What I'd give to tell her it ain't the end when one of us gets sent here. Give her some real peace. Just a bit.
[ he shakes his head and sips his whiskey. ]
his other words die away quickly, but he was also braced for this to come up eventually. he sets the drink on the counter. ]
Give this a shot and tell me what you think. You don't like it, I'll finish it for ya'. [ he slides it towards her, but he doesn't meet her eye. he works the words he wants to say in his head, dislodging them from wherever he'd tucked them away. he hasn't talked about karlach since he arrived here. ]
That big, golden heart'a hers... I know she's hurtin' fiercely. What I'd give to tell her it ain't the end when one of us gets sent here. Give her some real peace. Just a bit.
[ he shakes his head and sips his whiskey. ]
[first of all, she's very much interested in the fact it's pink because she does like colors so she's taking the glass with a little nod of thanks. second of all, yes, sorry she immediately barged into the graveyard to ask about his het feelings.
mostly because...it's hard not to think of how they deeply affected each other already despite only knowing each other for a short amount of time. maybe it's something she understands a little more than she'd like. or maybe it's because she's had enough conversations with karlach to imagine how deeply she's going to be hurting with so many of them lost.]
I know she's going to do everything she can to be there for the others. And like with Daan, I hope there are people for her when she needs it, too. She can't keep supporting everyone on her own without grieving herself, too. [...] I tried to tell her that myself. That death isn't the end of everything. I know it's something she wanted to believe in, so I kind of hope she'll keep remembering. We'll meet again someday.
[but someday isn't now, and she knows that. she does take a drink though since it's there, and she seems to like this better.]
Sweeter. I think I like this one better, no offense to Daan.
mostly because...it's hard not to think of how they deeply affected each other already despite only knowing each other for a short amount of time. maybe it's something she understands a little more than she'd like. or maybe it's because she's had enough conversations with karlach to imagine how deeply she's going to be hurting with so many of them lost.]
I know she's going to do everything she can to be there for the others. And like with Daan, I hope there are people for her when she needs it, too. She can't keep supporting everyone on her own without grieving herself, too. [...] I tried to tell her that myself. That death isn't the end of everything. I know it's something she wanted to believe in, so I kind of hope she'll keep remembering. We'll meet again someday.
[but someday isn't now, and she knows that. she does take a drink though since it's there, and she seems to like this better.]
Sweeter. I think I like this one better, no offense to Daan.
[ pink drink for pink girl 🥺 also don't be sorry i'm so happy even if boothill isn't.... kills pride month
he listens carefully, his gaze flickering to hers intermittently but mostly staying trained on the bar or the drink in his hand. when she tries her drink, he finally offers a weak smile. ]
I had a feelin'. Bourbon's more of an acquired taste. This seemed like more'a your speed.
[ his smile falls. ]
I do hope whoever's left can get that in her head. I hate seein' her so worn down. ...Worry I just made it all worse, if I'm bein' honest with ya'.
he listens carefully, his gaze flickering to hers intermittently but mostly staying trained on the bar or the drink in his hand. when she tries her drink, he finally offers a weak smile. ]
I had a feelin'. Bourbon's more of an acquired taste. This seemed like more'a your speed.
[ his smile falls. ]
I do hope whoever's left can get that in her head. I hate seein' her so worn down. ...Worry I just made it all worse, if I'm bein' honest with ya'.
[happy july...
but yes. this is more her speed and given she's taking another sip with an "mmhm!", she agrees, thank you boothill. we will try again with bourbon later. for now...she watches him carefully, as if she's trying to get a read on what he says and the emotions in it.]
...you think so? [she understands why he'd say that (and can't entirely disagree because yeah, get that, too), but she's curious to hear his thoughts.] What makes you say that?
but yes. this is more her speed and given she's taking another sip with an "mmhm!", she agrees, thank you boothill. we will try again with bourbon later. for now...she watches him carefully, as if she's trying to get a read on what he says and the emotions in it.]
...you think so? [she understands why he'd say that (and can't entirely disagree because yeah, get that, too), but she's curious to hear his thoughts.] What makes you say that?
Them sparks flew real fast when we got around each other. I was the one who made the first real move, but it ain't like she wasn't obvious. Didn't know a lick about what was comin' next, or that she'd be the one to lay me low in the ground. I won't ever forget those faces she made at me in that graveyard, like I'd done split her heart wide open.
[ he passes a hand in his hair and runs it down the back of his neck. this hurts. ]
You just get to thinkin' that maybe if you held back, she wouldn't'a suffered so much. You'd just be some forkin' cowboy beast she had to pummel to death. Just couldn't keep my dadgum mouth shut.
[ he passes a hand in his hair and runs it down the back of his neck. this hurts. ]
You just get to thinkin' that maybe if you held back, she wouldn't'a suffered so much. You'd just be some forkin' cowboy beast she had to pummel to death. Just couldn't keep my dadgum mouth shut.
[this is. actually so sad, oh no. she's hanging on to every word he says, but her expression is soft and understanding as he explains.
of course that's what you always wonder. that's the thing that always sits in the back of your head. when you're the one who leaves in the end, you're always going to think "was it worth this for them?"
"sparks flew real fast when we got around each other."
"maybe if you held back, she wouldn't'a suffered so much."
"i'll always cherish what you've given me."
"but whatever happens, you can't fall in love with me."
she looks away, staring into her glass for a moment.]
Death may not be the end, but it's almost always harder on the people left behind than the ones who leave. And even though I know it hurt her a lot to have to do this, I don't think she regrets knowing you or caring about you more than you probably know. Do you?
[regret it, she means. she's pretty sure she can guess his answer, but she's mostly giving him the space to talk and process.]
of course that's what you always wonder. that's the thing that always sits in the back of your head. when you're the one who leaves in the end, you're always going to think "was it worth this for them?"
"sparks flew real fast when we got around each other."
"maybe if you held back, she wouldn't'a suffered so much."
"i'll always cherish what you've given me."
"but whatever happens, you can't fall in love with me."
she looks away, staring into her glass for a moment.]
Death may not be the end, but it's almost always harder on the people left behind than the ones who leave. And even though I know it hurt her a lot to have to do this, I don't think she regrets knowing you or caring about you more than you probably know. Do you?
[regret it, she means. she's pretty sure she can guess his answer, but she's mostly giving him the space to talk and process.]
[ he looks at his own glass too, but he does spare her a glance as she pauses. she's thinking carefully about this. is it only for his sake, or is she drawing what she says next from her own experiences?
aerith talks about the afterlife a lot, he thinks. (laudna voice) what the fuck is up with that?
anyway. he thinks it through carefully, letting his own sadness finally sink into his shoulders. ]
Nah. I never would'a regretted meetin' her. Not for a million years. Sure she'd say so too.
[ he shakes his head and takes a sip. ]
It ain't ever a good feelin', knowin' you made good people out there suffer. Karlach... feels like she's as good as they come.
aerith talks about the afterlife a lot, he thinks. (laudna voice) what the fuck is up with that?
anyway. he thinks it through carefully, letting his own sadness finally sink into his shoulders. ]
Nah. I never would'a regretted meetin' her. Not for a million years. Sure she'd say so too.
[ he shakes his head and takes a sip. ]
It ain't ever a good feelin', knowin' you made good people out there suffer. Karlach... feels like she's as good as they come.
[what is the fuck up with that...he just might notice that she seems a little more relaxed now that they're alone when it comes to talking about these things, like she's more free to discuss it without worrying someone will overhear. there's a brief heaviness around her intermingled with that understanding, but not enough to fully express what else she might be thinking beyond that.]
She would. She keeps the figurine you made for her on her all the time. [a constant reminder, probably.] She's a great person. She cares a lot about everyone around her despite the things that have happened to her and the losses she's faced. It takes a pretty strong person to hold it together for others when there are still problems they have to face, too. [...] It feels bad, but at the same time I think it says just how much you care about a person. Like...the hurt and guilt only exists because you came to love them. But at the same time that hurt was worth it because of that same love for them.
[she pauses a little because maybe she's making assumptions based on observations, but she shakes her head.]
I don't know if that made any sense.
She would. She keeps the figurine you made for her on her all the time. [a constant reminder, probably.] She's a great person. She cares a lot about everyone around her despite the things that have happened to her and the losses she's faced. It takes a pretty strong person to hold it together for others when there are still problems they have to face, too. [...] It feels bad, but at the same time I think it says just how much you care about a person. Like...the hurt and guilt only exists because you came to love them. But at the same time that hurt was worth it because of that same love for them.
[she pauses a little because maybe she's making assumptions based on observations, but she shakes her head.]
I don't know if that made any sense.
[ as he listens, boothill stares somewhere far off in the corner of the room, taking intermittent sips of his own drink. ]
Nah. [ he smiles back at aerith. ] It did. The only one who can really decide if it was all worth it would be Miss Karlach. Ain't no use feelin' so guilty over it myself. I know that.
[ he looks at the bar counter and smiles ruefully. ]
I saw that figurine every time y'all did your checks. Felt selfish bein' so glad about it. ...I miss her somethin' fierce.
Nah. [ he smiles back at aerith. ] It did. The only one who can really decide if it was all worth it would be Miss Karlach. Ain't no use feelin' so guilty over it myself. I know that.
[ he looks at the bar counter and smiles ruefully. ]
I saw that figurine every time y'all did your checks. Felt selfish bein' so glad about it. ...I miss her somethin' fierce.
I think you can't always help how you feel, Boothill. But you're right. It's Karlach's decision, and I think you and I both know which one she'd take. Her actions kinda say it all.
[she can't comment on feeling selfish about being happy because...she would, too. everyone wants to be remembered by the people they love, don't they?]
I know it's not the same, but...if you can't talk to her right now, maybe you could write her a letter? Things you'd like to tell her someday, or even updates about what's happening here. It's a suggestion I made to some people while we were in the town, and sometimes it can help when you miss them so much.
[she can't comment on feeling selfish about being happy because...she would, too. everyone wants to be remembered by the people they love, don't they?]
I know it's not the same, but...if you can't talk to her right now, maybe you could write her a letter? Things you'd like to tell her someday, or even updates about what's happening here. It's a suggestion I made to some people while we were in the town, and sometimes it can help when you miss them so much.
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