Having you around's been a nice experience back. [ His lips pinch, a quick smile. ] You've had a crappy start at life, but-- it would be nice if you could actually have one. That place you're from, it sounds like a mess. I dunno that I'd wanna visit there.
[ Silent Hill? What a mess! But Gorgug looks at her, giving a small nod as- ]
Do you wanna message Aurora, asking her if she'll let me have whatever data she's got on how she's keeping you here? I can go to the hospital, but, it's your data. She shouldn't give it to me without your permission. [ He pauses, realising with a shift in his tone: ] --We can ask her together, here, now.
[ They're already here, sitting together. Would that make Maria feel better? It's gotta be nerve-wrecking, but if she doesn't want privacy, he doesn't mind it.
If you don't feel really guilty then it's a nice little tourist town. If you avoid the religious bullshit. But they don't like tourists so you'd be safe. [and usually people who felt drawn to the town had the desire to be punished due to the guilt. Maria didn't think Gorgug would be in danger from that.
she's smiling, in a better mood, and then ah yes, she has to message Aurora about this.]
I hate talking to her. I always worry I'm going to find out more than I want to. I don't know how you do it. [even before Etraya, Maria had never liked being confronted with things that were a little too real. it was never trying to stay ignorant or be delusional, but it was she didn't need to be reminded again and again about her lot.
she takes his hand without a second thought.] You must think I need to put on my big girl pants and get over it, huh?
[ To that last question, Gorgug shakes his head. Maybe she's joking, but... ]
I don't want to get your hopes up if she doesn't give a good answer. But honestly? I'd be scared shitless. [ Well. ] I'm kinda scared shitless for you anyway.
[ What if she does give them a bad answer? That she can't tell them anything? He doesn't smile at her this time, maybe too honest right now than is necessary, but-- this is about her life. He might be overeager, but Gorgug would bank on thinking about this as much as Maria would be, if they put off contacting Aurora again. ]
[ What do they do? Just thinking about Aurora not allowing them the data doesn't do well in Gorgug's mind: Maria exists because something inside a town brought her into being because it targeted another person. And if Maria's now linking to Etraya, or by some other force (Echo?), how can you test anything without putting Maria's existence in danger?
It makes him quiet, if not unexpressive after she asks it, and he looks down, trying to think, uncomfortable and unsure. Then he looks at her, expression taut. ]
We can ask her if we can pay for it? A way to keep you safe with points? I don't know how... unless I can run some scans on you, and figure out something that way...
[ An identify spell? Some other similar spell? He needs to check on some details, but... ]
[ Gorgug looks at Maria, notices when she becomes distracted, and then blinks at her, trying to see the message from her position. 'You are all tied to me'...? He remembers something about Echo 'giving up' something to bring them to these bubble cities, but Gorgug doesn't know what to make of it, his brows furrowing as he tries to think about it. ]
I don't... know. [ Still thinking, still trying to make sense of it. Well-- ] Do you wanna ask-- what happens if I wasn't tied to her? What happens?
[ He's not a magically made construct. So what does that mean--? ]
[ Did it? He's making a face, features scrunched, trying to think. ]
I don't know if... it changes anything. About everything. But- [ hm ] there was a girl here who disappeared for a time? And Aurora told her she didn't have any records of her disappearing. If we're tied to her, then... wouldn't she notice?
[ It's probably not helpful to the actual topic to think about, but it is weird. He can't help but remember that. ]
He's getting a little sidetracked from what they wanted to accomplish here, and while he glances at her and her earpiece, Gorgug touches at his own to boot up the screen. ]
I want to ask Aurora how-- if she can give us anything on how she makes you... so you can interact with everyone, if normally you can't? If she can help us out. [ His brows furrow, acknowledging: ] I know she won't tell us how she keeps us all here, but, the way she keeps us here... there's got to be different variables.
[ And he isn't sure exactly how to have Maria ask when even he doesn't know how to ask it himself. ]
I probably won't try to get you killed. Feels like kind of a slap in the face to a friend trying to help me out, right? [and that isn't a very normal thing to do!]
But you might as well send a message to her, too. If she doesn't get annoyed with us.
[ It's one of those things said as he turns to focus on his earpiece, trailing into a mutter, but Maria can probably understand. Even if they find her scary for different reasons, even if, too, Gorgug does like Aurora.
She's still scary.
But he sends off a message, and even tilts his screen to share it with Maria, sheepishly admitting: ]
See-- I'm not really good at asking for this.
[ He's just trying to say words and hope to get results. :( ]
[Gorgug, you're just like her for real. this has been Maria's way of handling things too. does she ever have any idea what she's doing when she talks to someone? no. but she's been told she's good at talking so there's that.]
She is scary. [it's a relief to hear him say it. makes her feel less alone.] But I think you worded that even better than I could.
[ He tugs at his lips, something grateful, and then waits for a message to come through--which does, and Gorgug's doing that thing with his brows before he starts to relay it. ]
She said... she doesn't think she can give any data, since she can make everyone see you, but... you probably don't have a real body? [ Which. He does look at Maria, knows she feels real, but--that's the trick with magic, or any form of supernatural power. Things can seem plenty real. Bleed plenty real.
... and he decide sneak Aurora a magic, just because-- well....!!!
[Maria reads over the message and she sighs.] It makes sense. I mean, nobody else can see me. Only James. But here, I guess...she gave me a real body?
Geesh, you'd think she'd just help a girl back in her world. [it's a joke because if she doesn't laugh then what else does she do?] I figured there would be nothing she can do for me there. That's just how it goes. If I could just stay here and know I won't disappear...
[ Gorgug isn't sure she gave her a real body, but... hey, what is the meaning of real, anyway? Maybe they don't even need to focus on getting Maria a body!
(Especially when Aurora sends back that they can't get her an organic body. Shit.)
But at least there is something Gorgug knows--not a long term solution (can they grow a body??), but about staying or going-- ]
Aurora's said that people can stay here if they want to. Instead of going back? I asked because a couple of people I met said they came here as they were about to pop their clogs. Power plant explosion, a drop from a building...
[ Kinda weird times to be picking up people tbh!! ]
She's said it a lot. I hope she does. [ He's never sure how it would work, but-- maybe one day they'll find out. It's not a situation he thinks has happened yet, but--how would they know? What would it look like?
Even so, Gorgug pauses for a bit. ]
We can still look for a way to make you whole. If you interact with us now, and you do the same things everyone else do, I don't-- I don't know how anyone would tell you're different as long as people could see you? Where you come from?
[ Is there anything he isn't considering right now? As long as Maria can touch people and interact with the world, eat and drink and all that kind of stuff, what else would she be missing out on? Would anything make her stick out?
[Maria tries to think of anything that was different. back in Silent Hill, she had never had to eat; coming here had changed that. what was it like, being a normal human? who knew! Maria simply knew she wasn't one.]
We can try to cut me and see if I bleed, make sure I'm the same inside. [she smiles.] I'm kidding.
[ It's a good thing that she added that 'I'm kidding' considering-- ]
Y-yeah, uh-- I don't know that-- [ It wouldn't make a difference, surely! Not that he was making a face like he was eager to do that, just-- a little curious about where her thinking was going!!
A-anyway! ]
If you're meant to be human, you might have all of the-- [ He's waving his hand a little, but he cuts himself off again as he reconsiders what he's saying, thinks. ] ...did you ever get hurt? You get-- out of breath, things like that?
Here or back in my world? Back in my world, I've been impaled at least twice. I felt that. [it fucking hurts, to put it delicately.] But well, that might not mean much. My body could probably just do what James needed it to. [which was what she always assumed.]
Here? Haven't been hurt seriously. Not that seriously anyway. We'll give it some time. [she smiles like it's a joke but again, not a funny joke!!] But I do get out of breath. I don't know. I'm "normal" here, I guess. I assume?
[ Impaled? Yeowch. Gorgug winces at that, knowing how that feels. It's not a good time, and he wonders especially how much worse it must've been for Maria. He knows he's more durable than most people. ]
I guess-- if you didn't get out of breath in the other place, maybe there's changes? If you're connected to Aurora now. I don't know. [ That's...really not his expertise, and his I don't know is said in the tone equivalent of shrugging.
But after it, he tugs the side of his mouth into his cheek, his expression sympathetic. ] I'm sorry you got impaled. Did you-- die?
[ Is it okay to ask? It just seems like something she might die from. Temporarily. ]
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[ Silent Hill? What a mess! But Gorgug looks at her, giving a small nod as- ]
Do you wanna message Aurora, asking her if she'll let me have whatever data she's got on how she's keeping you here? I can go to the hospital, but, it's your data. She shouldn't give it to me without your permission. [ He pauses, realising with a shift in his tone: ] --We can ask her together, here, now.
[ They're already here, sitting together. Would that make Maria feel better? It's gotta be nerve-wrecking, but if she doesn't want privacy, he doesn't mind it.
He'll even offer, sincerely, holding up a hand. ]
You can hold my hand if you're nervous.
[ Truly trying to be nice...! ]
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she's smiling, in a better mood, and then ah yes, she has to message Aurora about this.]
I hate talking to her. I always worry I'm going to find out more than I want to. I don't know how you do it. [even before Etraya, Maria had never liked being confronted with things that were a little too real. it was never trying to stay ignorant or be delusional, but it was she didn't need to be reminded again and again about her lot.
she takes his hand without a second thought.] You must think I need to put on my big girl pants and get over it, huh?
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I don't want to get your hopes up if she doesn't give a good answer. But honestly? I'd be scared shitless. [ Well. ] I'm kinda scared shitless for you anyway.
[ What if she does give them a bad answer? That she can't tell them anything? He doesn't smile at her this time, maybe too honest right now than is necessary, but-- this is about her life. He might be overeager, but Gorgug would bank on thinking about this as much as Maria would be, if they put off contacting Aurora again. ]
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[but with Gorgug here, she fires off the text to Aurora.]
If she says she can't then what do we do?
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It makes him quiet, if not unexpressive after she asks it, and he looks down, trying to think, uncomfortable and unsure. Then he looks at her, expression taut. ]
We can ask her if we can pay for it? A way to keep you safe with points? I don't know how... unless I can run some scans on you, and figure out something that way...
[ An identify spell? Some other similar spell? He needs to check on some details, but... ]
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but when Aurora messages her back, saying that she's tied to Aurora, that everybody is; Maria frowns.]
What do you think that means? I guess that she's taking care of all of us...? [when it came to stuff like this, Maria didn't know much.]
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I don't... know. [ Still thinking, still trying to make sense of it. Well-- ] Do you wanna ask-- what happens if I wasn't tied to her? What happens?
[ He's not a magically made construct. So what does that mean--? ]
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Did we open a can of worms or something?
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I don't know if... it changes anything. About everything. But- [ hm ] there was a girl here who disappeared for a time? And Aurora told her she didn't have any records of her disappearing. If we're tied to her, then... wouldn't she notice?
[ It's probably not helpful to the actual topic to think about, but it is weird. He can't help but remember that. ]
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I wonder what it means. For someone like me...
[though what she really wondered was if she was even real.]
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He's getting a little sidetracked from what they wanted to accomplish here, and while he glances at her and her earpiece, Gorgug touches at his own to boot up the screen. ]
I want to ask Aurora how-- if she can give us anything on how she makes you... so you can interact with everyone, if normally you can't? If she can help us out. [ His brows furrow, acknowledging: ] I know she won't tell us how she keeps us all here, but, the way she keeps us here... there's got to be different variables.
[ And he isn't sure exactly how to have Maria ask when even he doesn't know how to ask it himself. ]
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[Maria had tried in her own way, asking if they were all somehow the same. but no, that hadn't been exact enough, had it?]
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You haven't even sent anything to kill me yet.
[ So she's not being very good trouble.
Still, he's not moving to send any message or do anything with his earpiece -- that much is clear. He's still waiting on her go ahead first. ]
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But you might as well send a message to her, too. If she doesn't get annoyed with us.
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[ It's one of those things said as he turns to focus on his earpiece, trailing into a mutter, but Maria can probably understand. Even if they find her scary for different reasons, even if, too, Gorgug does like Aurora.
She's still scary.
But he sends off a message, and even tilts his screen to share it with Maria, sheepishly admitting: ]
See-- I'm not really good at asking for this.
[ He's just trying to say words and hope to get results. :( ]
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She is scary. [it's a relief to hear him say it. makes her feel less alone.] But I think you worded that even better than I could.
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She said... she doesn't think she can give any data, since she can make everyone see you, but... you probably don't have a real body? [ Which. He does look at Maria, knows she feels real, but--that's the trick with magic, or any form of supernatural power. Things can seem plenty real. Bleed plenty real.
... and he decide sneak Aurora a magic, just because-- well....!!!
Can they buy a body??? ]
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Geesh, you'd think she'd just help a girl back in her world. [it's a joke because if she doesn't laugh then what else does she do?] I figured there would be nothing she can do for me there. That's just how it goes. If I could just stay here and know I won't disappear...
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(Especially when Aurora sends back that they can't get her an organic body. Shit.)
But at least there is something Gorgug knows--not a long term solution (can they grow a body??), but about staying or going-- ]
Aurora's said that people can stay here if they want to. Instead of going back? I asked because a couple of people I met said they came here as they were about to pop their clogs. Power plant explosion, a drop from a building...
[ Kinda weird times to be picking up people tbh!! ]
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They have a thing for dying people, don't they? [or hopeless people.]
Mm. I'll still fight for my universe. There are people there that matter. But it would be nice to stay here. If she really will allow it.
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Even so, Gorgug pauses for a bit. ]
We can still look for a way to make you whole. If you interact with us now, and you do the same things everyone else do, I don't-- I don't know how anyone would tell you're different as long as people could see you? Where you come from?
[ Is there anything he isn't considering right now? As long as Maria can touch people and interact with the world, eat and drink and all that kind of stuff, what else would she be missing out on? Would anything make her stick out?
(Maybe never ageing, for one, Gorgug.) ]
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We can try to cut me and see if I bleed, make sure I'm the same inside. [she smiles.] I'm kidding.
[that's a bad joke, Maria.]
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Y-yeah, uh-- I don't know that-- [ It wouldn't make a difference, surely! Not that he was making a face like he was eager to do that, just-- a little curious about where her thinking was going!!
A-anyway! ]
If you're meant to be human, you might have all of the-- [ He's waving his hand a little, but he cuts himself off again as he reconsiders what he's saying, thinks. ] ...did you ever get hurt? You get-- out of breath, things like that?
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Here? Haven't been hurt seriously. Not that seriously anyway. We'll give it some time. [she smiles like it's a joke but again, not a funny joke!!] But I do get out of breath. I don't know. I'm "normal" here, I guess. I assume?
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I guess-- if you didn't get out of breath in the other place, maybe there's changes? If you're connected to Aurora now. I don't know. [ That's...really not his expertise, and his I don't know is said in the tone equivalent of shrugging.
But after it, he tugs the side of his mouth into his cheek, his expression sympathetic. ] I'm sorry you got impaled. Did you-- die?
[ Is it okay to ask? It just seems like something she might die from. Temporarily. ]
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