[ GRAVEYARD ]

[sheriffexe]

GRAVEYARD

So, you're dead. Shame, that. But on the other hand, it's actually kind of nice. When you "wake" in some odd version of it, you'll find yourself lying on a rather plush bed. It's cozy and warm and just soft enough to tempt anyone back into sleep. The room is equally nice, if small, and when you turn and open the curtains to look out the window, you will see... wait, is that the town? It is, actually. The town is laid out quite simply across the window and no matter how many times you may bang or wave through the window, no one seems to notice you. If you're smart enough to give up the venture and leave the small bedroom, you will notice that, of course, you are on the train. The train that, is actually pretty fancy. Moving through it, past the sleeping cabins and through to the main carts, you will find a dining car with fine dishware and meals of all kinds made at a push of a button or a request given to the air. They'll appear, freshly made and ready to eat at the table of your choice with any drink you could want. There truly doesn't seem to be any limits when it comes to the luxury of the meal. There is also a bathhouse car with private bathrooms and saunas to fit up to four. Even one rather large room containing a small pool/hot tub of sorts is available for just about anyone to take a dip. It's kind of outlandish, honestly. Then the lounge car, with its library and plush armchairs and couches. A pool table, a darts board, even a small area dedicated to painting. There's a bar too, fully stocked and ready for anyone who needs a drink. All it would require is a request from the bartender who... looks surprisingly familiar? The Sheriff is there, much cleaner cut than his counterpart outside of the train. He looks up mildly at any arrivals, giving them a nod of greeting before going back to organizing bottles or setting cigars out for a smoke. He doesn't seem to be surprised at all by anyone who appears. Just... ready to serve them, whatever they may wish. It all sort of seems okay for a moment, until you realize you're just here to wait for the game to end. Awkward.

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Comments

[tightly]

[ As he speaks, she leans back, giving herself some space to better gauge his expression. Regrets and apologies are so unlike him. It twists at her to hear and to know that, in some partial way, she contributed to this bleak, pensive mindset he's stuck in. Her hands slide down to find both of his, fingers lacing through and holding fast to his. After the past two days, after seeing him kill for her and then seeing him die, she doesn't want to let go.

Of course she intends to give him a second chance. To Chane, it wasn't even a question. She had promised him her forever, swore her vows with every iota of integrity within her. She chose him then, and continues to choose him every day.

So, if Claire's words leave her briefly looking puzzled, it quickly gives way to affection. On her toes, she brings her forehead to rest against his.

Three short words hover in her thoughts, close and clear and true. ]

[generously]

[ DOKIS!!! ]

I love you, too.

[ It's said with his usual sense of undeniable conviction. Because it's true, and he'll never stop proving it. ]

...Can you tell me what you've been doing? I wanna know everything!

[ Now that part is said in a way that's... proud of her?? She lied and killed for weeks and would've gotten away with it if not for that meddling Sheriff. He's not necessarily demanding if she doesn't want to share anything, however, but he was the guardian of her secrets long before Hannibal or Will and that won't change. He will never betray her. ]

[tightly]

[ He had, at the near beginning, given her wholehearted permission to keep her secrets and, just as importantly, forgiven her of them. That doesn't mean it had been easy, or what she had even wanted. Claire will never need her protection, no -- but that doesn't mean she'll ever stop doing what she feels is necessary to keep him safe. Chane's hands tighten against his, holding fast and almost desperately squeezing, before releasing somewhat. Yes, she'll tell him everything.

Letting go of one of his hands - only one! - Chane leads him over to a table.

Sit, honey. She has some writing to do. It's going to take a few minutes. ]

[generously]

[ He figured it was worth asking now that they no longer have to play the game, but he would have understood just as much if the time wasn't right. Thankfully, she complies and he looks entirely pleased to properly share their lives again. Chane's hardships as well as happiness are his own, and as it turns out, she seems to have done quite a few things for his sake, too. Even if her part wasn't necessary, it gives him butterflies in his stomach.

He sits.




...and kisses her occupied hand!! ]

[tightly]

[ Well, it's a good thing she can write with one hand! Eventually, a single page is given to him from across the table. ]

[generously]

[ He nods as he reads it quietly, as if he's hearing the entire thing read in her cute French voice that he will never know of. ]

I see... I see... so that's how it is...

[ Then he suddenly scrunches the piece of paper! ]

Aaagh! I'm so jealous! It should have been me helping you!

[ Somehow he views what Chane had done with the other murdercouple as something like quality bonding time. ... Which, let's be real, that's what it turned out to be. ]

[tightly]

[ From Chane's perspective, both of them acting in concert would have only made things more complicated. Suspicion was routinely thrown on them even without him being in the know. Ash, in particular, took the single fact of their marriage to be a sure sign of some guilt.

Still, she can't help but feel a smidgen of that now. This isn't the honeymoon she wanted to have with the person she loves.

Expression falling somewhat, she tries to figure out how to communicate that. ... ]

[generously]

[ Or they could have killed Ash together and made out over his corpse. Since when does man's thoughts threaten their world? Will and Hannibal made it work and they're stronger for it.

But there are no do-overs, so best not dwell on it. Claire thinks of it as the first of many tests their marriage will face, and strangely it makes him smile. What's life and love without challenges? It's exciting this way. ]

... La vie est drôle.

[tightly]

[ Hearing her milk tongue startles her into raising her head once more. Once she sees Claire is smiling, something in her decides to reset: these past weeks had been rough, yes, but no matter how much of that she brought on herself, she still has him. Simply knowing that is enough to suffuse her with a calmness, a gladness, a sense of lassitude that sends her heart beating a quicker pitch.

Smiling in return, she rises from her seat and holds out a hand for him.

Come on, handsome. Let's go ... somewhere else. ]