Tristan (
angelcage) wrote in
hauntstart2025-07-12 11:35 pm
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UP AND OUT.
[Beyond the stranger cemetery, you can see the city of Lockcentre. On two sides stretch mountains, with a plateau edge visible above the town, a great waterfall plunging into a river that wends its course through the city, then down terraced edges as the city carefully steps its way down to the sea.
Now what? ]
Now what? ]
Re: 2/2
[ trails off. makes a vague noise.
eventually, ]
Why did you do it?
Re: 2/2
The king ordered me to execute you, and I had to choose who's will to follow forever.
[ there's an implication there; no matter what path he took, his vows must be shattered. he was tossed from the ship and swam to the port he could consider home. ]
Re: 2/2
inhales. ]
You know, I- and I acknowledge I do a lot to not necessarily give this impression, appearances-wise, but-
In my head, I'm just some guy. I've never thought of myself as that important.
I'm not asking if you're sure you're okay with me or anything like that. I understand your conviction. I'm just...
Well, I already tripped at the starting line, didn't I?
Re: 2/2
You've made yourself that important.
[ has no idea what a guy is either. ]
Re: 2/2
So... I better shape up, I guess.
Re: 2/2
You're already a fine shape, Eric. [ NO IDEA WHAT SHAPE UP MEANS, BUT IT SOUNDS VAGUELY SAD? ] I wouldn't have chosen you if I had no faith.
Re: 2/2
Oh, you know I'm a fine shape.
[ flourishes a hand, then pats Marius on the shoulder. more seriously ]
I know. I'm just talking to myself. I don't have time to spare for another maudlin, drowning my sorrows in booze arc right now. Right? I'll... believe in the you who believes in me, as the saying goes.
Re: 2/2
it feels like Marius just complimented him, accidentally, while trying to compliment him, purposefully. ]
Who said that?
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It's a traditional mantra of my people.
[ taps Marius's chest ]
Never mind that. I do have something I need from you, as my...
[ ... ]
I'm still not sure what to call this.
Re: 2/2
Number one fan.
1/2
2/2
Re: 2/2
it also feels right, though. ]
I'm open to suggestions.
Re: 2/2
That might really be true. I'll take it.
[ who could possibly be a bigger fan of him than a guy who betrayed his king to swear a blood oath to him. honestly. he wanted to say something serious but now he's totally derailed, still snicker-giggling a little ]
Re: 2/2
anyhow, he's rolling his eyes and turning away. ]
Re: 2/2
[ grasps his shirt collar, just to keep him from turning. eye contact ]
I need something from you.
Re: 2/2
What is it?
Re: 2/2
Don't die for me. Don't die after me.
[ easing off his collar ]
The goal is for both of us to live. The goal is for all of us to live. Got it?
Re: 2/2
there it is, though. the steering that he craved—no, more than that. needed. Marius nods. ]
Yes. We'll leave this world together.
[ alongside anyone else the Cobra gathers up, as he tends to do. ]
Re: 2/2
Good. I'll get us a room.
[ over to book with the hostel front desk, now ]
Re: 2/2
Marius doesn't want to just stand there like a tree, so he's coming to hover over his shoulder, some curiosity peeking through. there are inns in eyam, of course. he's probably been in... one or two. but it's still different, and he feels the need to catch up to Eric in this regard. ]