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[ caelus is back in his typical clothing, carrying his baseball bat at his side. it no longer conveniently appears and reappears as needed, so now it's an actual object caelus has to tote everywhere. boooo.
he's in the church, seated at a pew, pulling off a remaining entourage of leeches from his time in the swamp. ]
he's in the church, seated at a pew, pulling off a remaining entourage of leeches from his time in the swamp. ]
[ WE ARE BACK BABY. Aventurine is feeling much like himself again in his flashy clothes, and he drops down right beside Caelus on the pew.
He'll help pull off a leech from a sleeve. ]
Did you take a swim, friend? This is more than what I've seen on average.
He'll help pull off a leech from a sleeve. ]
Did you take a swim, friend? This is more than what I've seen on average.
[ is it a bird with its colorful plumage renewed? no, it's aventurine, fluffy collar back in tact.
caelus scooches a pointed couple inches away on the pew. aventurine's trust ranking has not risen since yesterday. ]
I thought I saw something deeper in, but that something turned out to be a lot more leeches. You look...
[ significant pause ]
More yourself.
caelus scooches a pointed couple inches away on the pew. aventurine's trust ranking has not risen since yesterday. ]
I thought I saw something deeper in, but that something turned out to be a lot more leeches. You look...
[ significant pause ]
More yourself.
[ aventurine ekes closer and caelus shuffles another half foot. they're on a slow speed seated-race to the other side of the pew at this rate. ]
Weren't you going to tell me more about why you had to set me up? That 'payoff' I haven't experienced yet?
Weren't you going to tell me more about why you had to set me up? That 'payoff' I haven't experienced yet?
You remembered that?
[ As if he hadn't spoken about it only the night before. He'll stop following Caelus across the pew, expression growing thoughtful as he turns his gaze toward the front of the church. ]
Sure, I'll tell you everything that I know. The Dreamscape that you experienced, Penacony's "Land of the Dreams", hides another layer that you can't enter on your own.
[ Turns his ringed gaze back to Caelus, that perpetual smile still on his face. ]
So I opened up a way.
[ As if he hadn't spoken about it only the night before. He'll stop following Caelus across the pew, expression growing thoughtful as he turns his gaze toward the front of the church. ]
Sure, I'll tell you everything that I know. The Dreamscape that you experienced, Penacony's "Land of the Dreams", hides another layer that you can't enter on your own.
[ Turns his ringed gaze back to Caelus, that perpetual smile still on his face. ]
So I opened up a way.
[ as small and weak and smooth as caelus' brain may be at times, he will never forget when he's promised more lore! get wrecked.
and since the chase is on pause, caelus sits still, tuned into aventurine's words. a smattering of truth for a change. ]
And you couldn't do that without threatening me? Was the showmanship really necessary?
[ the questions may be stressful, but caelus' voice is even, awaiting an actual answer. ]
and since the chase is on pause, caelus sits still, tuned into aventurine's words. a smattering of truth for a change. ]
And you couldn't do that without threatening me? Was the showmanship really necessary?
[ the questions may be stressful, but caelus' voice is even, awaiting an actual answer. ]
[ caelus opens his mouth then shuts it just as quickly. the dialogue tree here is a lot of dots and little useful talk.
could he have done that? aventurine annoyed him by falsely pinning suspicion onto acheron, but he'd also made it rain(!). at no point, up until their confrontation at the theme park, did caelus consider killing the man. batting about, sure, but murder?
he sighs. ]
It's not fair to ask that now that you've already made the choice for me.
could he have done that? aventurine annoyed him by falsely pinning suspicion onto acheron, but he'd also made it rain(!). at no point, up until their confrontation at the theme park, did caelus consider killing the man. batting about, sure, but murder?
he sighs. ]
It's not fair to ask that now that you've already made the choice for me.
[ he leans back, arms folded loose and low over his front. ]
Your 'labor' made me sound like a walking bomb and made sure everyone knew it. A necessary sacrifice, right?
[ this is close to caelus admitting he shouldn't have expected any better. ]
And now we're both here instead of the 'other side' of the Dreamscape.
[ although, if they were, that would make more sense than the chaos of their actual situation. ]
Your 'labor' made me sound like a walking bomb and made sure everyone knew it. A necessary sacrifice, right?
[ this is close to caelus admitting he shouldn't have expected any better. ]
And now we're both here instead of the 'other side' of the Dreamscape.
[ although, if they were, that would make more sense than the chaos of their actual situation. ]
I'm sure the Family will be dealing with the fallout of my actions, including my little broadcast to the people of the Dreamscape.
[ Nothing to worry about! But Aventurine does turn curious eyes toward Caelus. ]
I haven't met anyone else from the Astral Express here, but I did come across that singer, Robin, and a Galaxy Ranger.
[ Nothing to worry about! But Aventurine does turn curious eyes toward Caelus. ]
I haven't met anyone else from the Astral Express here, but I did come across that singer, Robin, and a Galaxy Ranger.
Do you mean Boothill? I met with both of them, too.
[ it's hard to be sure what aventurine is getting at. he's simultaneously sneaky and overly giving with whatever information he wants caelus fed. that, or this is nothing, simple chitchat to fill the space after some awkward back and forth. ahhhh!! it could be any! a real roll of the dice. ]
It sounds like we're all friends in the future I don't remember.
[ meeting aventurine's gaze directly ]
Are you going to tell me that's not true?
[ it's hard to be sure what aventurine is getting at. he's simultaneously sneaky and overly giving with whatever information he wants caelus fed. that, or this is nothing, simple chitchat to fill the space after some awkward back and forth. ahhhh!! it could be any! a real roll of the dice. ]
It sounds like we're all friends in the future I don't remember.
[ meeting aventurine's gaze directly ]
Are you going to tell me that's not true?
[ LOOKS LIKE WE ARE ROOMIES, CAELUS.
Aventurine is checking out the new digs in the barn, a hand on his hip as he surveys this... situation. He can't say he's happy about it, but he keeps his smile on his face as he turns to Caelus. ]
Well, it's no suite, but it'll have to do.
[ HE HATES IT HERE. Also, the number 35 is floating around on his cheek. ]
Aventurine is checking out the new digs in the barn, a hand on his hip as he surveys this... situation. He can't say he's happy about it, but he keeps his smile on his face as he turns to Caelus. ]
Well, it's no suite, but it'll have to do.
[ HE HATES IT HERE. Also, the number 35 is floating around on his cheek. ]
[ how. how did this happen.
why also
why and how.
give caelus but a moment to synthesize the new information as it's presented. aventurine and himself have both been chosen by the barn. others, too, thank the trailblaze, or it would start to feel almost manufactured that they'd end up in the same space time and again.
when he turns, aventurine will see receptacle in bold print on caelus' bare neck. we're all having a good time today. ]
Are you going to be okay rooming with Boothill?
why also
why and how.
give caelus but a moment to synthesize the new information as it's presented. aventurine and himself have both been chosen by the barn. others, too, thank the trailblaze, or it would start to feel almost manufactured that they'd end up in the same space time and again.
when he turns, aventurine will see receptacle in bold print on caelus' bare neck. we're all having a good time today. ]
Are you going to be okay rooming with Boothill?
Edited (sorry veering course slightly i'm done i promise alsfdahj) 2024-06-10 23:09 (UTC)
I'm not left with much of a choice, am I?
[ Story of his whole life. Aventurine does look rather put upon though, some visible concern behind his ringed eyes as he thinks about it. ]
... No matter. I'm sure that Ranger and I will know to steer clear of each other as well as we can.
[ Story of his whole life. Aventurine does look rather put upon though, some visible concern behind his ringed eyes as he thinks about it. ]
... No matter. I'm sure that Ranger and I will know to steer clear of each other as well as we can.
[ they aren't directly forbidden from leaving their assigned housing, but it doesn't sit right in the gut, does it? ]
I'm not going to stop you two from arguing, but I'll break up a real fight.
[ eying the 35 ]
More than that, I want to start the gamble this time.
[ his arms cross over his chest and along either bare forearm, mister (left) and stellaron (right) appear. ]
I'm going to tell you my affinity.
I'm not going to stop you two from arguing, but I'll break up a real fight.
[ eying the 35 ]
More than that, I want to start the gamble this time.
[ his arms cross over his chest and along either bare forearm, mister (left) and stellaron (right) appear. ]
I'm going to tell you my affinity.
Edited 2024-06-11 03:35 (UTC)
[ Oh? Aventurine's gaze falls upon the words written across Caelus' forearms, but his focus there doesn't last long. He looks the Trailblazer in the eyes, his brows raising in surprise at first, before they draw together in thought. ]
Are you sure that's a good idea?
[ While he's never been one to refuse a gamble, the thought of potentially tying his life with that of someone else does give him pause. ]
Are you sure that's a good idea?
[ While he's never been one to refuse a gamble, the thought of potentially tying his life with that of someone else does give him pause. ]
[ is it a good idea? ]
You don't have to tell me yours unless we match. My gamble is we might be partners.
[ ignore that there are 38 options besides aventurine, we're operating based on individual coin flips. either you are or you aren't his monster match. ]
If I'm right, we get the power upgrade, but if anything happens, we could end up worse off from being tied together. If I'm wrong, no upgrade, but you'll know my affinity.
[ the following silence cues aventurine's opportunity to opt in or out ]
You don't have to tell me yours unless we match. My gamble is we might be partners.
[ ignore that there are 38 options besides aventurine, we're operating based on individual coin flips. either you are or you aren't his monster match. ]
If I'm right, we get the power upgrade, but if anything happens, we could end up worse off from being tied together. If I'm wrong, no upgrade, but you'll know my affinity.
[ the following silence cues aventurine's opportunity to opt in or out ]
[ There's a moment's pause as Aventurine closes his eyes, allowing this information sink in as he mulls it over. This time, it's not the risk of losing that he fears. It's taking someone down with him that has his left hand tightening into a fist behind his back.
But if this is the gamble that Caelus wants to take, if this is the length Aventurine has to go to in order to mend their broken trust, then there's no question about it.
When he reopens his eyes, there's a sharp gleam to the myriad of colors there. ]
Make your wager.
But if this is the gamble that Caelus wants to take, if this is the length Aventurine has to go to in order to mend their broken trust, then there's no question about it.
When he reopens his eyes, there's a sharp gleam to the myriad of colors there. ]
Make your wager.
[ caelus exhibits rare patience during the moment it takes aventurine to make up his mind. he waits without swaying or fidgeting. his gaze doesn't wander nor does his mind. the furthest his thoughts travel are whether the 35 is a fear or an unwilling confession.
he's prepared to meet aventurine's gaze when his eyes open once more. first, a firm nod.
here it comes. ]
My affinity is the Gumiho.
he's prepared to meet aventurine's gaze when his eyes open once more. first, a firm nod.
here it comes. ]
My affinity is the Gumiho.
[ a pause, then a nod. caelus releases a breath, but relief is not necessarily the complete feeling flooding through.
one down. ]
It would have been too convenient.
one down. ]
It would have been too convenient.
[ All the people around him die, Caelus. This was so stressful. ]
Yes, it would have. But I don't want to leave you with nothing after that exchange, so I'll tell you my affinity as well.
[ Look at him... Trying to mend their little trust bridge. ]
Mine is called the Koromodako.
Yes, it would have. But I don't want to leave you with nothing after that exchange, so I'll tell you my affinity as well.
[ Look at him... Trying to mend their little trust bridge. ]
Mine is called the Koromodako.
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