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

[howveryglib]

…

I will allow it tonight and only tonight.

[he sounds so tired.]

…in any case, while I did understand your actions, make an attempt to control your emotions in the future. I was concerned that I may not have gotten there in time, and I doubt anyone living or dead would have been pleased to see you gutted.

[bootyhunter]

That's real nice of you to say, Thigh Baby!

[DANDY!!!! He's just being a piece of shit, look, he's got a limited time to make use of this stupid nickname, okay.]

But... If we're gonna get real down n' dirty about it, [he means honest] I'll shoot straight with ya- I don't think that's the whole truth.

Whoever tried to poison the other big guy never got caught. Which, y'know? May not necessarily be a bad thing? Nobody actually got gotten, and there's a chance that seein' the error of their ways convinced them that the Mayor's plan is bogus.

Or, it just means that they're bidin' their time and sharpening their metaphorical blades! I'm not a heady guy, I'm all heart! Which makes me less help at the trials.

[Dandy runs a hand through his hair all of a sudden.]

I'm also not a big beefy dude. I'm not gonna go down without a fight, mind you, but that puts me firmly in the middle.

Which means, statistically speakin', if you were the practical sort? I'd probably be an easy target, and... On a philosophical note, it'd be a lot easier to muck up n' merc me over one of the kids.

[It should be noted that Dandy sounds upset about... Literally none of this. All he's got is an analytical breakdown, which may seem surprising, coming from a guy who usually presents as goofy.]

Did you... Know Goob all that well?

[he means hagakure, hagakure -> hakagooby -> shortened to goob, it is all very stupid.]

He was real friendly. An idiot! But definitely one of the sweetest ones around, so I wouldn't be surprised.

[howveryglib]

[....sighggghghghghghghghghghghghghh okay. okay. we're talking about something kinda important right now so he'll just. ignore. it.]

That concerns me as well--the fact that we have not identified the poisoner. I rather doubt it was Vholran, given that it certainly does not seem to be his style whatsoever... I will admit that I am not particularly giving much consideration as to whether people count as easy targets on an individual basis, as I feel as though the majority of instances have had more to do with opportunity than anything.

...

So I will ask that you do not give anyone the opportunity.

[...but that aside.]

...I did not know him particularly well, but he did inform me how precisely to... play these things.

ran this is cursed???? if this is too cursed i can edit, nsfw

[bootyhunter]

Whoever did the poison thing either wanted the job to be easy, unidentifiable, or both! I don't think it'd be one of the fancy fencin' types. They're too proud of their murder skills to stoop that low.

I'm the same as you on that one, though- I've got no idea who it was supposed to be.

[Dandy shrugs at Gaius' words of caution.

He's made up his mind already, although there is time between now and Thursday. Things could still change.]

Really? He had some pretty shit aim.

[Dandy may or may not be talking about video games at this point, exactly... GROSS!!!]

But then again, so do I.

Thanks for honorin' his memory.

friendo I can handle all sorts of cursed

[howveryglib]

It is very concerning. I have known people who would likely be able to find out who did it rather easily, but unfortunately they are home rather than here.

[or is that fortunately… nah definitely unfortunately. for all of Nero’s eccentricities he’d be extremely helpful here.]

…

I… am not going to ask about the context to which you seem to be referring, but he was not. Particularly bad at the game itself.

[bootyhunter]

Well, he did know how to handle a few weapons pretty good.

[DISGUSTING, DISGUSTING?!?!??!]

Can I say that? Shit. Does that count as dishonorin' the dead?

[YES IT DOES...!]

So you don't have any leads on that one either, huh?

[howveryglib]

…

[he isn’t going to dignify that with a response beyond a tired sigh.]

No. I do not have any leads. All I know is that Tommy left his food unattended, which seems to be a terrible idea in this sort of situation.

[bootyhunter]

Yeah, it's pretty much settin' yourself up for disaster, huh.

Not that I'm blamin' it on the guy- It doesn't seem like he's got much experience bar hoppin'.

[Without, um, murder or some shit. Look, just because you're a big guy, it doesn't make you a hired hand! But um... Dandy's getting some serious hired hand vibes from a guy with that body type and so many scars.]

Say, I gotta ask ya somethin', 'cause I feel like it's been eatin' away atcha too.

[howveryglib]

It is a difficult situation to become accustomed to, to be sure. Plus it is not that difficult to become distracted for whatever reason.

[...and we all just kind of eat food at meetings and stuff but you know what...]

...and what is it, exactly?

[bootyhunter]

Doesn't it bother you?

[Dandy winces. He's smiling, but the way one would if they had their finger caught between a door and a hard surface.]

All these people who've barely lived their lives, kids even...

Havin' it all end so soon.

I don't like that this is happenin' to anybody!

But every week it's been really hard to watch, for me.

This last one felt like the nail being hammered into a coffin that smells like shit.

[howveryglib]

...

I... will not lie and say I am unaffected. But it is something one becomes accustomed to in my line of work. I suppose it is unusual to see so many young people die like this, but I have lost many people I have known for far longer stretches of time over the years. If I let it weigh on me, I would not be able to accomplish much of anything, so I simply attempt to move past and continue on.

[bootyhunter]

See, that's the thing...

I've usually got no trouble movin' on.

[Dandy's voice loses it's trademark boisterousness, making way for something more.

Well, let's just say cosmically doomed.]

Then again, I don't usually remember much of anything.

It all just gets... Lost to time? After a while? 'Specially if ain't danglin' right in front of me, like one big, juicy carrot, baby!

I...

This is different.

[This is so much worse.]

[howveryglib]

…

[okay he’s at least finished the session so he can put things down and devote his attention to Serious Conversation…!]

You did find someone for whom you clearly cared deeply here, and furthermore… I would imagine your profession allows you to avoid constant reminders of what you have lost. As you say, it is far easier to move on when you can simply leave things behind.

[bootyhunter]

Yeah.

[This is oddly helpful. Sorry Gaius, he didn't mean for the conversation to go the Therapy Route.]

And now I'm stuck.

[howveryglib]

[it’s cool. he’s doing his best.]

I do believe that so long as we at least make an attempt to correct the course, there is a chance we will be able to get out of here and leave all this behind. It is just a matter of holding together until then.

[bootyhunter]

[Gaius' words, surprisingly, are doing a lot for this typically happy-go-lucky spaceman. He utters a joke in response, although the punchline lacks his signature kooky enthusiasm.]

Holdin' together, huh? What if I just want somebody to be holdin' onto me, baby?

[He laughs to himself.

It's been hard as of late.]

I think I get what you're sayin'- Thanks.

You'll do your best to keep the others safe, right? That's what I'm gonna try to do. Don't know if I'm actually cut out for it, though!

But I've always been one dumb bastard, so. I'll find a way! I'll find my own.

You take care of yourself too, you hear me? Just 'cause you're an a geezer doesn't mean you're doin' good!

[howveryglib]

...If you can, I suppose you ought to consider it. I will, however, remind you of who required a trip to the clinic after the trial today and who did not.

[sure it's maybe a little condescending, but at the same time... y...eah...]

But yes, I certainly will take care of myself.

[bootyhunter]

[He's right. That dig cuts sharply, just a tad, because it's a reminder that Dandy isn't as strong as he'd like to be. He certainly wasn't strong enough to fulfill Yasuhiro's wish.

He never managed to save the poor fellow.]

Does that ever get any easier?

The "by yourself," part.

[howveryglib]

You end up somewhat numb to it eventually, if that counts.

[...it does to him!!!]

[bootyhunter]

[Dandy shoots Gaius a sensitive look, wondering if he should say the next bit.]

Don't think so, pal. But...

Thanks anyway.

[Not everyone has the luxury of leading a charmed Dandy life! Or multiple Dandy lives.

He's starting to realize that now- Just how lucky he is, or was.]

It's good that you still care, though. Even if it's only a teensy-weensy bit.

That means despite everything that's eaten away at what ya used to be, there's still some good left in there... After all this time.

[howveryglib]

…It would be far easier if I was able to simply stop caring, truly. But that simply is not an option, and I doubt I would want it to be.

[that is how you end up an even worse war criminal!!]

[bootyhunter]

I happen to think that it's worth all the hurt.

[At the very least, it was nice to love somebody and know that he himself could still be loved.

Even if that somebody was a big honkin' idiot.]

But what do I know? I'm no love doctor.

I'm just a regular ol' alien hunter.

[*a very bad one]

[howveryglib]

They do say that it is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all, and I believe that is true regardless of the type of love being discussed.

…of course, I am no expert either. I have simply spent far too much time stumbling into things.

ran, once again... i am sorry

[bootyhunter]

...Was at least one of those things a boobie?

[howveryglib]

…

[long suffering sigh…]

That is irrelevant to this discussion.