[Well that... sort of puts the kibosh on any plans of making a swift exit Maria may have been considering. She shakes her head.] I was actually wondering if you would join me in watching the fireworks.
[Well, point of no return now. Might as well quantify it even further...] It has been since Dorchacht that we have talked, really. I would like to speak with you further.
[Shush, there's decorum she has to go through for courting, even if she will never admit to that being what it is.
She steps back to let Alex out, and then falls into place next to her while they set out to the town, as usual keeping her long-legged gait from outpacing Alex and her much smaller stance.]
If I stayed inside any longer, I think my problems would start to get worse, rather than better. [She already got waaaay too into her own mind.] We are just walking a bit and watching a show, I think I should be able to manage that much.
[ It felt like it had been so long since the lsat time they hung out, or even walked together. Concerned as she might be, Alex was happy to have Maria's company again. ]
I'm pretty excited. I wonder how big of a show it's going to be.
[ What were fireworks like in this place? Would they be magic too? ]
Did you get to watch fireworks a lot back where you're from?
It's the end of their year. I imagine it will be quite spectacular. [Maria's mostly just glad to be out of the house, but being near Alex has started to become more... pleasant of company than not, so she's glad for that, and the chance for truly fresh air and the freedom to stretch her legs and get back to walking about town. When being cooped up got old, it got old quickly.
She considers the question for a moment, then shakes her head.]
Hmm... I would not say "a lot", though I have seen shows of them before. Nights in Yharnam could be very dangerous, and many times I would be working or studying. Cainhurst found great novelty in them, but they found great novelty in many large, loud, and bombastic things. [She pauses, and then...] Are they frequent in your home?
Hmmm... most of the time I missed it entirely, yes. [It was just another day, whether it be on the Hunt, in Byrgenwerth, or in the research hall. Human perceptions of time were... odd.] Just surviving to see the dawn could be a feat... and an easier one to concentrate on than worrying about a whole year.
[She comes from a violent and depressing place, too, though. The idea of not remembering is a little strange, but she files that away to ask later, because it seems to be something that Alex isn't dwelling on.]
It sounds about as hectic as what I'm used to. I think... I don't miss it. Do you?
Mmm... yes, that would be a reason to want to go back. [Would be, for anyone that isn't Maria. Most of the people she knew and liked... well. Two of them were giant, bloodthirsty beasts, lost to the Nightmare, one disappeared, and the rest... the less she thinks about what became of her patients, the better. It sinks in more every day just how fucked up that whole situation was.
Some days she really does miss a few of them, though. Saint Adeline chiefly among them. But that hurts in a somewhat different way; and she often wonders if Adeline ever did... become something.
She huffs an amused noise that might just be a laugh, and shakes her head.] This place isn't exactly safe, Alex. The Cwyld barks at the gates, and the full moon brings a very familiar set of problems that can be just as deadly as where I come from, if they're allowed. [She very pointedly doesn't actually look at Alex, then.] But yes, it is far less deadly than at home. Furthermore, no one sends me out to dangerous situations, not expecting me to return. Everything I do is entirely by my own choice.
[She wouldn't really wish Yharnam on anyone, anyway. But then, there's also the uncomfortable truth that it doesn't matter what happens...
She has no future.
She has nothing to return to but the eternal sleep of death. The cold soil of a grave and the rotting of her bones; the dust the rest of her corpse turned to, or must be by now. It's been years.]
... Hm... where did you want to view them? Up here, away from the harbor district? [There's a teeny tiny touch of hope to that tone. She doesn't like the harbor district, and being close to the sea makes her... uncomfortable.]
[ Maria did seem to like higher vantage points, and Alex wasn't against it. She figured there would be more people towards the harbor. And maybe there was something in the way Maria said it that made Alex more willing to comply. ]
Sure, I'm fine with that. I'm not picky. I trust your choice.
[ Not like Alex knew what the best spots were herself. ]
[She can't haunt the top of the clocktower like she would like to do, since she can't bring Alex with her up there... not easily, at least, and the woman's proven to be a bit clumsy, so she won't go that route.
Last thing she needs is to get someone killed in pursuit of nothing more than a good seat.
Still, she gently steers them that direction anyway. There's a decent plaza in the area, and hopefully it hasn't filled up.] Then let us go this way. I think I know a spot, if it is not too busy. And... [She lifts the little bag she has with her. That bottle of wine is still right there.] Perhaps I can find some extra glasses.
I feel like being the only one partaking might be yet more pathetic than making a fool out of myself for a lack of balance. [She lowers the bag again. She will figure something out.]
Besides, you weren't there for my recent injury. [She pauses, reaching up to finger at the side of her neck. The healers had gotten to her fast enough the bite scar was gone, at least. She finishes her statement, finally, with the tiniest touch of nonserious petulance to her tone;] I was suffering anemia, on top of being drunk. It has never been that potent a combination before.
I suppose there's nothing like being startled by one, and then losing your balance because of it. [She makes a sound that's... honestly just this side of a chuckle. It's not too far of a walk to the place Maria is thinking of to watch the fireworks, and it is crowded, but not so much that there's not a few places to sit.
She motions toward one as far up the little hillock as possible. It would give them a better view.] But I'd almost insist on at least one drink, hm? [Gods knew she was going to need one before the night was out, just to ask what she wanted to.]
[ Partly a joke, but partly a genuine question. It seemed like there wasn't much that got a reaction out of Maria, other than annoyance. Alex seemed to do pretty well at bringing that out. Were fireworks the kind of thing that would reveal a little more about the hunter? Or would that require a little more than one drink?
Alex follows till they reach the spot, which looks like it would make for a good view of the fireworks display. Not that Alex could be much of a judge for that, but she did trust Maria's judgment. ]
[Without missing a beat, and in a more fond tone than might be expected:] How sharp your tongue can be, at times.
[She's not offended, though she does cock an eyebrow down at Alex, and makes a sort of dramatic roll of her head as she faces back toward the fore.] For a long time, I kept myself alive by being the thing that surprised others. To be on the receiving end could be the end of you. Still, I think my life to this point has warranted that I've become complacent. There can be things which surprise me. Like how short doorframes are, at times.
[Another little jab at herself for the reason she was out of it for so long. She leads them to the spot, and sits down, ensuring there's plenty of room to her side - however close Alex wishes to sit.]
[ Alex sits by her, giving her a comfortable amount of space, but still close enough so that they can hear each other above the noise that was to come.
She sucks her lips, a little bashful, but she still smiles comfortably around her. It felt okay to do so around Maria--so wasn't that Maria's fault for making her feel like she can?
It had to be, because she's the one making jokes about herself. And Alex can't help but laugh at that one. ]
So that's why you're always wearing a hat.
[ She reaches out to help with setting up the drinks. Maria provided, so that least she could do was serve it up. ]
[She's not disappointed by the distance, nor surprised. In fact, it seems closer than it has in a long time, and she'd be just fine if it was closer. While Maria doesn't smile back - not precisely - her look is soft enough, relaxed from the usual pinched glower that typically defined her expression.
She pauses at what she was doing to turn her hands out, palm-up, in something of a helpless shrug.] Part of it. Also, where I come from, most people wear hats; for fashion or otherwise. It is good protection for your head in case something tries to bite it open.
[That always seems to be how it works with Maria, though. Things circle around to some form of violence, and the pragmatic reactions therein. It's pragmatic to protect your head from the jaws of the Beasts. Just as it's stylish.
But her world is very harsh, and violent, and she suspects half the Mirrorbound would not survive a single Hunt to the dawn. Alex probably wouldn't, but the thought of this... gentle woman in such a violent place as Yharnam is unpleasant, and so Maria moves on from it.
Right into the drinks. Alcohol, her old friend. Or rather, an old friend she lost touch with, and now has re-established contact with.] Do you not like my hat?
[Well, she hadn't quite meant to trigger a reaction like that, and she stares with a sort of baffled expression, slowly merging into something quite amused that even tilts the corner of her lips up a little, and then she realizes what's about to happen with the alcohol, and puts her hand over Alex's, gently, to tilt them, and the bottle, back up.
Only a little spills over the edge, and Maria carefully moves her hand to take that one for herself, sipping the edge off the top before she speaks. It burns, but not too much.] Well, I'm glad. It was fairly fashionable where, and when, I came from, and it seems to be only a little behind the times here. I've had several people call my attire some form of archaic, but it fits in just fine, here. So perhaps everyone else is just too ahead of times for their own good.
[ She opens her mouth to apologize for overfilling the glass, but at this point, it feels like she's said enough. She shrinks back sheepishly, but grateful that Maria isn't commenting on her mistake. ]
I think you fit in pretty well. Not that I really get the fashion here myself, so I don't think i can say anything about that...But that's a good thing, right? To fit in?
[ It's certainly different from what she's accustomed too. On one hand, covering up is nice in a different way, and on the other, it can feel a little suffocating. ]
You've bought or worn clothes from here, surely. Anything you buy here will be considered modern fashion to them. [And that means fitting in.] You fit in more than you think. It's probably far less conspicuous than I am in some ways... it's not the fashion here that gets attention. Most people that don't know can't decide if I'm a Monster or not.
[It's far less useful than it seems; she'd mind it a little less (though not much, as it rankles some of her Hunter pride) if there was some way that being mistaken for a Monster could be beneficial. She sips more of the alcohol, until there's only about two-thirds left, and looks at the sky.]
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[Well, point of no return now. Might as well quantify it even further...] It has been since Dorchacht that we have talked, really. I would like to speak with you further.
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[ Well, that sure was convenient! Though really, Maria, you could just say you wanted to hang out. ]
Of course. I'd like that.
[ Alex steps out, closing the door behind her. ]
Are you sure you're feeling well enough to be out?
[ If she has too, she will call Kaede for back up in bringing Maria in. ]
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She steps back to let Alex out, and then falls into place next to her while they set out to the town, as usual keeping her long-legged gait from outpacing Alex and her much smaller stance.]
If I stayed inside any longer, I think my problems would start to get worse, rather than better. [She already got waaaay too into her own mind.] We are just walking a bit and watching a show, I think I should be able to manage that much.
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I'm pretty excited. I wonder how big of a show it's going to be.
[ What were fireworks like in this place? Would they be magic too? ]
Did you get to watch fireworks a lot back where you're from?
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She considers the question for a moment, then shakes her head.]
Hmm... I would not say "a lot", though I have seen shows of them before. Nights in Yharnam could be very dangerous, and many times I would be working or studying. Cainhurst found great novelty in them, but they found great novelty in many large, loud, and bombastic things. [She pauses, and then...] Are they frequent in your home?
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[ That sounded a little lonely. ]
Mm...Not really. Not that I remember...
[ She turns to Maria, giving her a shrug in attempts to lightening things up. ]
Things were always going off, but not the fun kind.
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[She comes from a violent and depressing place, too, though. The idea of not remembering is a little strange, but she files that away to ask later, because it seems to be something that Alex isn't dwelling on.]
It sounds about as hectic as what I'm used to. I think... I don't miss it. Do you?
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But... ]
The people. Some of them, yeah...I miss them.
[ It was rather sad that Maria had nothing to miss about her home though. ]
At least you don't have to worry about surviving to see these ones?
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Some days she really does miss a few of them, though. Saint Adeline chiefly among them. But that hurts in a somewhat different way; and she often wonders if Adeline ever did... become something.
She huffs an amused noise that might just be a laugh, and shakes her head.] This place isn't exactly safe, Alex. The Cwyld barks at the gates, and the full moon brings a very familiar set of problems that can be just as deadly as where I come from, if they're allowed. [She very pointedly doesn't actually look at Alex, then.] But yes, it is far less deadly than at home. Furthermore, no one sends me out to dangerous situations, not expecting me to return. Everything I do is entirely by my own choice.
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I know..I just mean, it's not all that bad...I guess.
[ Or maybe it didn't feel as bad because of the people that were also here. ]
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[She wouldn't really wish Yharnam on anyone, anyway. But then, there's also the uncomfortable truth that it doesn't matter what happens...
She has no future.
She has nothing to return to but the eternal sleep of death. The cold soil of a grave and the rotting of her bones; the dust the rest of her corpse turned to, or must be by now. It's been years.]
... Hm... where did you want to view them? Up here, away from the harbor district? [There's a teeny tiny touch of hope to that tone. She doesn't like the harbor district, and being close to the sea makes her... uncomfortable.]
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Sure, I'm fine with that. I'm not picky. I trust your choice.
[ Not like Alex knew what the best spots were herself. ]
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Last thing she needs is to get someone killed in pursuit of nothing more than a good seat.
Still, she gently steers them that direction anyway. There's a decent plaza in the area, and hopefully it hasn't filled up.] Then let us go this way. I think I know a spot, if it is not too busy. And... [She lifts the little bag she has with her. That bottle of wine is still right there.] Perhaps I can find some extra glasses.
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Had she known, she would have brought along some extra glasses from her home. Not that she had any wine glasses though. ]
It’s fine, I don’t need to drink.
[ If Maria had intended to drink that bottle on her own to begin with, Alex wasn’t going to take away from that. ]
So long as you’re not going to fall over again.
[ A drunk Maria was quite the sight. ]
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Besides, you weren't there for my recent injury. [She pauses, reaching up to finger at the side of her neck. The healers had gotten to her fast enough the bite scar was gone, at least. She finishes her statement, finally, with the tiniest touch of nonserious petulance to her tone;] I was suffering anemia, on top of being drunk. It has never been that potent a combination before.
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[ Alex wan't big on drinking all that much anyway. It just tasted nice sometimes. ]
It'd be hard to appreciate the fireworks otherwise.
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She motions toward one as far up the little hillock as possible. It would give them a better view.] But I'd almost insist on at least one drink, hm? [Gods knew she was going to need one before the night was out, just to ask what she wanted to.]
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[ Partly a joke, but partly a genuine question. It seemed like there wasn't much that got a reaction out of Maria, other than annoyance. Alex seemed to do pretty well at bringing that out. Were fireworks the kind of thing that would reveal a little more about the hunter? Or would that require a little more than one drink?
Alex follows till they reach the spot, which looks like it would make for a good view of the fireworks display. Not that Alex could be much of a judge for that, but she did trust Maria's judgment. ]
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[She's not offended, though she does cock an eyebrow down at Alex, and makes a sort of dramatic roll of her head as she faces back toward the fore.] For a long time, I kept myself alive by being the thing that surprised others. To be on the receiving end could be the end of you. Still, I think my life to this point has warranted that I've become complacent. There can be things which surprise me. Like how short doorframes are, at times.
[Another little jab at herself for the reason she was out of it for so long. She leads them to the spot, and sits down, ensuring there's plenty of room to her side - however close Alex wishes to sit.]
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She sucks her lips, a little bashful, but she still smiles comfortably around her. It felt okay to do so around Maria--so wasn't that Maria's fault for making her feel like she can?
It had to be, because she's the one making jokes about herself. And Alex can't help but laugh at that one. ]
So that's why you're always wearing a hat.
[ She reaches out to help with setting up the drinks. Maria provided, so that least she could do was serve it up. ]
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She pauses at what she was doing to turn her hands out, palm-up, in something of a helpless shrug.] Part of it. Also, where I come from, most people wear hats; for fashion or otherwise. It is good protection for your head in case something tries to bite it open.
[That always seems to be how it works with Maria, though. Things circle around to some form of violence, and the pragmatic reactions therein. It's pragmatic to protect your head from the jaws of the Beasts. Just as it's stylish.
But her world is very harsh, and violent, and she suspects half the Mirrorbound would not survive a single Hunt to the dawn. Alex probably wouldn't, but the thought of this... gentle woman in such a violent place as Yharnam is unpleasant, and so Maria moves on from it.
Right into the drinks. Alcohol, her old friend. Or rather, an old friend she lost touch with, and now has re-established contact with.] Do you not like my hat?
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Oh--Oh no, not at all! I mean! Not that I don't like it at all--I meant that I don't not like it--
[ She's so engrossed in trying to take back what she said she fails to notice the alcohol reaching the top of the glass. ]
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Only a little spills over the edge, and Maria carefully moves her hand to take that one for herself, sipping the edge off the top before she speaks. It burns, but not too much.] Well, I'm glad. It was fairly fashionable where, and when, I came from, and it seems to be only a little behind the times here. I've had several people call my attire some form of archaic, but it fits in just fine, here. So perhaps everyone else is just too ahead of times for their own good.
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I think you fit in pretty well. Not that I really get the fashion here myself, so I don't think i can say anything about that...But that's a good thing, right? To fit in?
[ It's certainly different from what she's accustomed too. On one hand, covering up is nice in a different way, and on the other, it can feel a little suffocating. ]
I don't think any of my clothes would pass.
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[It's far less useful than it seems; she'd mind it a little less (though not much, as it rankles some of her Hunter pride) if there was some way that being mistaken for a Monster could be beneficial. She sips more of the alcohol, until there's only about two-thirds left, and looks at the sky.]
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