[ closed ] you see a man

[banworthy]

WHO: Vincent Smith (banworthy) + CLOSED starters.
WHEN: July.
WHERE: Various places.
WHAT: People actually want to spend time with Vincent (he's surprised and suspicious, too).
NOTES\WARNINGS: Silent Hill 3 spoilers, cult indoctrination.

Comments

[banworthy]

That would be very nice to see.

[ However -- ]

The same situation, yes? A minute and my hearing will return?

[ Let's just check on that, hmmm. ]

[aimsforknees]

Unless your hearing changed drastically in the past few minutes, yes.

[ Which John is fairly sure it didn't. ]

[banworthy]

A willing sacrifice, then.

[ He holds the box towards him as he is heading toward the edge of the roof so that he could do the gentle toss up to the sky. ]

All right, are you ready? It will be very embarrassing if not.

[aimsforknees]

[ John joins him at the edge of the roof and takes the gun out of the back of his pants where he'd been keeping it. The safety is clicked off, and holds it with both hands. He's taking it seriously this time, and just gives a nod to Vincent. ]

[banworthy]

[ If Vincent knew the phrase "locked in," he wouldn't say it because he would find it irritating and annoying. But anyway -- he adjusts how he is standing so that he can do a gentle toss up of the food brought as was suggested.

He is already clapping his hands over his ears again, however, even though he's found that doesn't work. His face also might be scrunching up in pain due to knowing what's to come. But oh, well, he's getting what he wants so -- he accepts these sacrifices. ]

[aimsforknees]

[ The first shot lands just as the food reaches the top of the arc, and there's two more as it goes down. In the end there's a very torn apart box on the ground, with a spray of noodles in the area.

Good work.

John puts the safety back on and gives Vincent a satisfied look, not bothering to say anything since it's doubtful Vincent can hear much right now. ]

[banworthy]

[ One eye is partially closed and he can't help but he doesn't flinch when the gun goes off three times. Breathing out, he adjusts his glasses. His eyes close as he hears the familiar high-pitch hum.

Pausing, he looks to John.

He opens his hands like he is attempting to go a "tah dah" but starts slowly slapping them together in an applause. ]

I'll acquire those bullets for you soon! [ He says cupping his hand around his mouth and screaming at him. ]

[aimsforknees]

[ Honestly, he didn't really expect Vincent to follow through on that. He speaks loud enough that Vincent can hear. ]

I appreciate the effort you put into this.

[ He even... had fun. A welcome break in the monotony of Etraya. ]

[banworthy]

Yes, well, give me a thank you when my hearing comes back!

[ He crosses his arms and tilts his head, waiting for the humming sound to go away. ]

Also, how are we getting off this roof?!

[aimsforknees]

Back the way we came.

[ Getting down is the easy part. He doesn't trust Vincent to jump from the top of the building, he'd probably hurt himself in the process, but it's a short drop onto the dumpster, and another one down to the ground. ]

[banworthy]

[ His arms immediately fling out in front of him and above his head. He doesn't say anything else as he pulls down on his vest a second time as he walks toward where they came up on the roof.

Vincent peers down to where the dumpster is. He crouches down, lays down on his side, and somewhat slithers himself over the edge. His hands gripping onto the ledge before he lets his body slide off the side.

There's a beat before a loud thunk of him landing on the dumpster.

Success? ]

[aimsforknees]

[ Vincent truly does have a flair for the dramatic. And it's rather amusing to watch him fumble his way over the edge of the roof. John goes to the edge and peers over. ]

You're almost there.

[banworthy]

[ At least hopping off the dumpster is easier than climbing on it, he's on the ground and lightly patting the side of his head. ]

Hearing's back.

[ And he's doing what he can to adjust his clothes to make sure that he looks presentable, or better than he looked sliding off a roof and landing on a dumpster. The bar is on the floor. ]

[aimsforknees]

[ John jumps easily from the roof to the dumpster and then to the ground. It's a natural movement for him, and he makes it look easy. ]

This was fun.

[ And he genuinely means it. ]

[banworthy]

Yes, yes, we all had a good time.

[ His tone dismissive, but he supposes it was fine for what it was, at least. ]

Expensive time but it seems like no matter what fun is had with numbers and what can be acquired with numbers.

[aimsforknees]

[ John is not going to offer to return the favor. ]

They certainly hold a lot back here. Any food you're missing from home?

[ He is curious what Vincent actually eats. Is he a sandwiches guy? He kind of seems like he'd just eat something simple like that, not that there's anything wrong with a sandwich. ]

[banworthy]

Such is how life is.

[ Everything has a cost. ]

No. [ His face scrunches up at the very idea. ] Unlike some people, I don't cling to such comforts so there is very little, if anything, I miss.

[aimsforknees]

[ Surely everyone has some creature comforts, though he doesn't seem willing to admit them. John doesn't think he's telling the whole truth. ]

Really, there's nothing you miss? Etraya is better in all ways?

[banworthy]

No, I hate it here.

[ What? ]

[aimsforknees]

[ What. ]

You don't miss home but you hate it here? I'd tell you to find something you like when you go home, but you won't remember it by the time you get there.

[banworthy]

Oh.

[ He turns his head to make a huh sound. ]

You don't know. [ A thoughtful frown. ] I'm dead.

[aimsforknees]

[ Oh, indeed. ]

Aurora says we can stay here after we're done with our duty.

[ He's not going out outright admit that he's dead too, it's still... fresh. He'll say it if he has to. ]

[banworthy]

Why would I want that?

[ Vincent can't help but give him a bewildered expression at what is being offered. ]

I don't want to be here and I can't go back home. [ He starts rolling his wrist in small circles. ] Clinging to my life is not going to change the fact I'm dead.

[ Besides, if he can solve his issue back home; he may very well be able to have a better afterlife. But that's it's own issue that he has no desire to discuss with John. ]

[aimsforknees]

[ John can see the logic behind that. If there's no reason to hang on, why do so? If he were the type to shrug, he would. ]

Then I hope you rest easy when it's all done.

[ It seems like the right thing to say, though John has never particularly believed in the afterlife. But what should he say? He has no clue. He doesn't want his own life to be over, he wants to have more. He wasn't ready for it to be done. But without Harold here would he feel the same way?

Probably not. ]

[banworthy]

We'll see, I suppose.

[ A dismissive response since he hasn't even fully explained his motivations to Heather. Perhaps, the only person that would understand why he's doing anything will be Claudia. As it stands, he doesn't believe anyone else can comprehend the level of sacrifice that he's willing to go through -- and he doesn't need them to, either. ]

You don't have to force yourself, by the way. I've already gotten over my death.