headmt | PC: BEAU + CALEB

It wasn't based on lying, it was based on getting apologies. I did the lying for fun.

[Beau also didn't apologize, wow, so, she ruined his extra credit. That he already finished.]

Ah-- ... Right. Sure. I've got six now. Chad mentioned a sword would cost five each, but I was thinking something slightly different.

[the last time she apologized he looked at her like she'd grown another head so

anyway, she glances at caleb, almost nervously, before digging around in her pockets.] I had seven. I have four now because I spent three on a phone. That was discounted because I talked to Viola, I guess? She just said discount but I didn't ask about it.

That's expensive, for a little messaging device. [No it's not, Caleb. But he thinks it is.] Good thing to have it back, though.

I have six, also. Mollymauk and I were talking about pooling them together. My thinking then was if it came to a fight, Mollymauk with a sword is a little more useful than me with only a cantrip. But I'm second guessing this plan, since the fight we'd get into is more likely to be one on one.

[Him with a cantrip is better than him with nothing.]

Still, we may as well use our numbers and talk about what we can buy that helps us most.

You get a discount if you buy through your Dorm Head. Chad said a sword would cost nine from another. I think they also upcharge if they don't like you.

[So Viola probably likes Beau?]

Should probably get you a cantrip in that case. [He taps his chin.] I was thinking I get my ... ice blood back. Then I don't need a sword at all. Or at least, not a real one.

It's a relief having it again, yeah.

[incredible that viola maybe likes her considering beau has yelled at her SEVERAL times. she tilts her head back, thinking.]

Pooling together is fine. I'll have more this upcoming week, too. I have a feeling I know what stuff I did to get as many as I have, so it should be easy. [...] Cantrip is a good idea. I think both me and Molly can do pretty good on our own just grabbing whatever off the floor. Me more than you.

[gestures at molly.] So we can focus in that order. You need your magic though. What were you thinking?

I'd like something better than a cantrip - Polymorph or Web of Fire would be my pick - but considering I'll need components too, the cost may be too high. Firebolt or Control Flames and a few matches could at least keep me safe, and I may be able to afford it this week.

Soooooo. We'll need to ask about prices. I suppose. And then reconvene.

[you guys i can't believe we're doing a fucking shopping episode]

[stares into the distance]

I'll ask and see. I'm not gonna bother much for shit for me, though. I don't think they'll give me back anything useful enough.

... Maybe the ability to punch the truth out of someone.

That would definitely make trials a lot easier.

[Whatever, he'll ask around.]

[Punch the truth out of someone????]

I-- Yeah, that would helpful.

[Imagine though.

Anyway. He clears his throat. And then gestures to the back of his neck.]

Beauregard showed me her tattoo. The one like mine.

[surprise!

she shoves her hands in her pockets, and then looks between the two of them.]

Yeah. I figured hiding it was more trouble than it's worth. [...] How much do we want to get into, here.

I'll leave that decision to Mollymauk. Suffice to say we've been hiding some things that may concern you, that you may not like hearing about.

[He seems pretty calm, though.]

[He seems very genuinely conflicted on how much he wants to dig. Pausing to look at his own hand, flipping it over to look at the back and palm, pressing a thumb into the eye. History and the Dream.]

You know the-- The thing about the truth is that it always wants you to pay something for it. The truth is an expensive thing.

[she nods a little.]

You ask for the truth and you can't ever undo it. Sometimes it's worth it. Sometimes it's not.

[. . .]

We don't want lies anymore. But that doesn't mean you have to know everything. You can decide for yourself.

[Sure. He's alright with the difference between lies and Not Asking. Not Asking is what he's done his whole life.]

. . . Is Yasha alright?

Yeah. She's doing really good, actually. She had a rough patch, but - well, I don't know how much you want to know.

She's doing good. Her hair is growing in white again.

[A small smile to himself at that.]

She is safe and with her friends.

[The simultaneous sense of relief and sickening, rapidly rising fear is enough to make him nauseated. Is it fear, when you already know that it's something to be afraid of? That's just inevitability. This was always going to be a horror. But at least it's not Yasha. Her hair is white, and she is safe and with her friends.

He has his hand on the doorknob and his mind is pleading for him to put it down. Drop it. Walk away. Run, if you can. Nothing you've heard so far necessarily contradicts what's already been said. He swallows, and shifts so the coat covers the wound on his chest again, just nodding.]

Alright. Good.

[she's quiet for a moment, and then she just very, very carefully leans over to press her shoulder to molly's. just bracing, for a moment.]

Yeah. [she says quietly. that's all. she's not going to press, not this time.]

[He sort of watches awkwardly, while Beau tries to actually do some comforting. Because yes, it doesn't make sense, there aren't very good explanations for anything. He both does and doesn't understand Molly's desire to run away from knowing upsetting things. He is a dweller through and through, but he is also a miserable person and Mollymauk has always struck him as mostly happy, so who the fuck is he to criticize it.

Just waiting, along with Beau, to see if there are follow up questions.]

[Well, he isn't entirely stupid.

You don't get tattoos matching people you've had a silly, meaningless falling out with.

When Beau leans against his shoulder he just turns, flashing her a smile, though it isn't the world's most convincing expression. He doesn't pull away or anything.]

Maybe tomorrow.

[she doesn't quite believe the smile, but. that's okay. she just nods, with a small one of her own. glances at caleb, trying to see where he's at.]

We're here whenever. Regardless. [if he ever wants to know, if he never does at all, she's not going anywhere, at least.]

[It's hard to see where he's at exactly except for vague discomfort, but he mostly thinks this went fairly well. It's hard to see Mollymauk clearly sad and afraid, but it isn't as though the truth would have been less difficult.]

You can ask whatever you want to know about, any time. About you, about the Mighty Nein, about me. Or don't, it's up to you.

[Where Molly's at, on the other hand, is mostly who the fuck are these supportive and understanding people. Could be a part of it is he knows whatever it is, it's going to hurt, and breaking down in front of these (mostly) competent strangers feels a little too vulnerable. Soft underbelly and all.

The smile gets a little more real though, ducking his head.]

You two are odd ducks, you know that?

Edited 2021-06-14 15:15 (UTC)

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