some moments last forever, and some flare out with love, love, love [afterparty]

[visiblepattern]

[So that all sucked really bad, huh.

Forrest had meant what he said about going to the clinic immediately after all of this, getting medical supplies ready and set up on hand to prepare to receive people - Dandy is the primary candidate for this, whether he likes it or not - but before he goes he grabs Rossiu for the briefest moment before sending him on his way. Sure enough, when the note comes in a few minutes it isn't in Forrest's flowing, delicate hand but rather something blockier and incredibly neat. If you've seen Rossiu's handwriting, you'll recognize it: ]

We're having a memorial gathering in the ice cream parlor in an hour. Feel free to attend if you'd like, or if you would prefer to not be alone.
[...It seems like as good a place as any.

There are some things set up, though not terribly many; the tables are set out and are perhaps a bit closer than they normally would be, but go ahead and make yourself some sundaes, pull up a chair, talk to one another, ruminate over whether Jason and Hagakure would have liked this (or whether Vholran wouldn't have, either way) - it's your night, to do what you want with.]

Comments

[bootyhunter]

[Dandy is first going to be patched up in the clinic by a very wonderful beeb named Forrest, so if anyone wants to yell at him for being a complete dumbfuck, he is here sulking like an idiot. No matter where he is tonight, that bandaged gash on his arm will be visible.

However, after the damage is patched up, Dandy will be doing his rounds in a white linen shirt and pants to pray for each of the dead today after having showered. His hair is not up, but instead of being a complete flowy mess, he's parted it a little more conservatively to the side. He will be trying to get white flowers from the garden courtesy of Brett, and will have picked up incense from the spa. However, it's clear as he is walking around that he is not necessarily the best person for this job... So he mutters what he remembers of a Buddhist prayer-]

"May I know myself forgiven for all the harm I may have-"

Shoot. Was it "brought" or "thought?"

[Then tilting his head.]

Oh baby, oh baby! I've got no idea what I'm doin'.

Oh no. I've gotta find somebody else to help me or their souls are just gonna be cursed!

[At the very end of the evening, he can be found locked in his room in Suite 4. These threads will be very sad?! Um, warning. If you wanna get into some existential dread, baby... Find him in his room.]

[allatonce]

[From behind him, quietly:]

"May I know myself forgiven for all the harm I may have thought and done."

[While Dandy was getting patched up, she took the opportunity to shower herself, changing into the all-white suit she hasn't worn since arriving. She touches his shoulder.]

Do you want me to do it?

[bootyhunter]

[When Joy responds, somehow with the words that he has been searching for exactly, he inhales sharply.

Joy has been there for him ever since the very first week, every time things have gone to shit. To make matters even more harrowing, he feels as though he has done nothing for her in return. He can't explain to her, how happy he is to have met her, despite their miserable circumstances. For once in his fucking life, all the strange circumstances around his peculiar "gift" have been easier to come to terms with.]

Yeah.

Yeah that'd be great.

[He sits and stews in fear that next week she will be next. She is aching too, constantly fighting the emptiness inside of her, and still forcing herself forward to help the others despite it all.

Dandy, meanwhile, has gone and gotten his arm torn the hell up.]

I'm so sorry, Joy.

Thanks for always cleanin' up after me. I'll, uh. Go with you.

If that'll be easier.

Whatever you think works best.

[allatonce]

We can do it together. For all of them.

[She bumps her shoulder against his good arm, affectionately, but she can't quite manage the smile. Joy's fucking tired, but she swallows it down because... because Dandy is the first time in a long time that she feels seen and that's something.]

You hold the incense, I'll say the prayer.

[bootyhunter]

[He nods at her suggestion.]

I dunno where they're goin', Joy.

[Dandy sounds distraught, but even so, he will lean against her with little resistance.]

And usually, I think I do.

That's the thing.

[It is entirely to her credit that he is somewhat less miserable than he would be without her. Dandy is not without caring friends in this place, or without love, hilariously enough.

But she is the only one who really, truly understands. And if he manages to return back home, she will continue to be just that.

The only one.

And Dandy, knowing that if he's free from this wretched place sometime in the future, will become a Dandy guy in space once more, and forget all about her. He really hopes he doesn't, but he's now frighteningly aware of how his body works. More now than he's ever been. It will be inevitable, and that fucking hurts.]

Clinic

[pairtner]

Aching?

[Oh, Aiba has been hanging out in the clinic, it seems]

[bootyhunter]

...Does it matter?

[He seems determined to be a jackass for the teensiest bit longer, it seems!]

[pairtner]

If I can do something about it, then yes.

[Dandy you're such a jackass, haha]

[bootyhunter]

...Why do you wanna?

I mean, it's sweet that you do, but why?

[He chuckles.]

Can'tcha just let me go lick my wounds all by my lonesome? I mean.

That's what I usually do.

Clinic

[hotpaprika]

[Jonathan feels a little

Weird approaching Dandy, but he feels like he has to say something after everything. He doesn't even know if he's wanted right now, but...]

Evening, Dandy, how are you holding up?

[bootyhunter]

Hey.

[Dandy's shoulders all but slump when he says Jonathan. The poor guy has just been trying his best all day.]

Jonny. Baby!

[He tries to feign a little bit of joy. It's not working, not one bit.]

I'm sorry I've been such an ass, lately.

It's been the weirdest few days I've had in a metaphysical minute. And my life gets pretty dang weird, most of the time!

[hotpaprika]

It's quite alright. I am aware that I was in a state when... when Obi died. I tried to start a fight when Penelope wasn't attacking anyone.

[He sighs at the memory, before looking back at Dandy.]

Would... would you like to talk about it? I understand if you don't, but...

[bootyhunter]

Oh.

[The next thought is genuine.]

You’re so sweet.

The funny thing is, I’m not even sure I know what I can’t or can’t say! The other half of, uh, whatever was goin’ on a little while ago…

Isn’t exactly in a place to stand up for himself.

[In fact he can’t even stand.]

clinic, nsfw

[fuckingguy]

[ Nandor looms in the doorway to the clinic like a huge bat, stepping inside and giving Dandy a look. There is a measured pause, by his standards, before he speaks. ]

Would it cheer you up to ask more of your pervert questions about vampire sex?

[bootyhunter]

[That straightens him out immediately. Thank you, Nandor, for reminding Dandy that he is still horny. And, while he has been stabbed in the arm, there's a slight blessing in all of this...

In that his right hand is still alive and well.]

Come in.

[fuckingguy]

I have been invited into this establishment before, but thank you.

[ And he's just trotting in! ]

Forrest is elsewhere for now, yes?

nsfw; leah i feel like our cr is always the cursed dialogue olympics

[bootyhunter]

Oh hell to the yeah!

Don't worry. I've given him enough heart attacks for one day, so it's safe to say that he's definitely outta here by now.

[Dandy hopes the poor thing is sleeping.]

Which brings us to the very breast of this very important conversation, baby.

So!

I've been wondering.

[you know in fma when the gate opens and shit

this is like that, but worsed, it's a gate of cursed and nsfw information]

Do vampire asses have fangs on 'em too? Y'know! Like one sharp little toothy guy on either side, cheek to cheek.

garden

[daimakaicho]

[ He probably hears her heels clicking against the hard flooring before he hears her talk. ]

Pretty sure it's "thought."

[ She pauses, tilting her head. ]

I'm not sure if it's wise if I help with any kind of prayer, though.

[bootyhunter]

[Sorry, he's depressed as hell, but she still has... hildy ur bobbies-]

That sounds right, though.

[He runs a hand through his oddly... Normal-sized hairdo. Dandy probably looks pretty strange to just about everyone at the moment.]

Today was...

Weird? For me?

What about you?

[daimakaicho]

[ Consider them consolation prizes for the terrible day for him. He gets to take a peek or two, as a treat. ]

I can imagine. That sort of thing isn't easy to go through, especially if it's someone close to you.

[ Like. People don't go apeshit like that for just friends. ]

Me? I'm fine. Admittedly these events aren't quite as emotional for me as they are for others, so it feels a little callous to act as if nothing's wrong.

[ She was definitely feeling Some Type of Way during Hodaka's downspiral, but that's more or less gone now. ]

[bootyhunter]

...I'd say, "You can say that again," but if I'm gonna be honest, I don't wanna hear it, baby.

[He utters that neutrally- It's not meant to be an affront to her. Dandy appreciates that she is trying to connect in whatever way she can. It's strange, but nice, not unlike the many odd encounters he's had and will continue to have throughout the galaxy.]

Man.

I'm just really bummed.

I kept thinkin' the whole time, "Damn it, how's his mom gonna feel?" They were each other's whole planets, basically.

[Despite the immense amount of sorrow Dandy feels after uttering these words, he can't say he relates. He's never had a mother.

But he's always been a motherf-]

Has anybody ever tried to stay with the bodies? Not that I'd recommend it, but I'm not entirely sure what they do 'em.

[There's an uncomfortable silence between them.]

...Other than get rid of them, eventually.

Yeuch.

clinic

[dullshooter]

Hey, loser.

[It’s the same greeting he gives every time, but on this occasion there’s less playful chiding to it. Consider it an effort to be less of an ass.]

Regretting bringing a fist to a sword fight?

[- but not that much less of one.]

[bootyhunter]

Not one booty-slappin' bit, baby.

[Dandy grins despite the pain in his arm, and um, it's pretty fucking terrible. He doesn't get himself in scraps that are quite this degree of severity very often.]

I'd rather go down swingin' with my own pair of grubby oven mitts. All those sword-slinging slugheads are over-compensatin' for their lack of, uh, well-

[He eyes Forrest working away in the corner.]

Let's just say integrity.

I don't care how messed up it got me. It felt good to see that clock that bastard head on right in his stupid face.

cw: amputation mention

[dullshooter]

Never underestimate the cathartic power of a good punch to the face.

[Dandy's commitment to the bare-knuckle brawl is the right kind of stupid for him to respect.]

You're hanging in alright, though? Forrest isn't about to come in and say 'We did all we could, but it's going to have to come off?'

[He's exaggerating. Mostly. Probably. Spin the roulette wheel on how much he understands about human anatomy.]

some body horror imagery i guess

[bootyhunter]

Don't think so.

Either way, the thing I'd rather not have sliced off is here to stay!

[Dandy, please, you have bothered Misfire enough with that body check today...]

Oh baby, oh baby! I'm the luckiest guy in the cosmos.

[said with SUCH a shitton of sarcasm considering

err, everything]

Whoopdee-Doo.