(( Dave: nevermind party over everyone go the fuck home 07:13:10
(:v... >:v HEY THIS IS MY PARTY, YOU CANT END IT 07:13:23
((read that as evveryone go fuck 07:13:29
(( LMAO 07:13:37
(( Dirk: I'm not leaving until I get some Dirk on Dirk action to feed my wary soul. 07:13:49
(Latula is truly satan u-u why is she doing this to him, he's just a crab in pjs 07:16:19
[url=https://imgur.com/a/roxylalonde-zxvj0][color=#ff6ff2]ROXY:[/url] [color=#ff6ff2] oh she’s being summoned by one of her pals that’s nice, “aight be over in a sec” she’s gonna set her cup of rainbow punch down and walk over to where latula had decided the dance floor was supposed to be. “nice 2 see u tula its been a hot minute its nice 2 see u n aradia also hey kankri so whats goin on rn we just bustin some moves or doin other stuff” she hasn’t decided if she wanted to dance or not yet but we will see what happens. 07:17:01
(( and then everyone died the end 07:38:53
((fr 07:39:05
[url=https://imgur.com/a/IUAxuLk][color=#6e0e2e]Dirk:[/color][/url] [color=#000000]~Roxy never fails to be hilarious. I love that. I should bother her sometime.~[/color] [br] [br] There's a very deep satisfaction in knowing he's making the other Prince blush, even just a little. Dirk makes no move to remove that barrier between them just yet. He also remains close the way he is now. He's raising his brows over the edge of his shades and there's some amusement trickling into his expression soon after. [color=#f2a400]"Later's fine with me. I'm curious to know what you're capable of..."[/color] This Dirk's nodding to what the other's saying, snorting lightly at the line of thought about Hal and such. No no. [br] [br][color=#f2a400]"Well... not necessarily something we're 'supposed' to acquire, actually. It varies. If you've the temperament and mentality to reach ascension once more. And become your Ultimate Self, though, it came with some other caveats on top of bonuses. It has nothing to do with augments and cybernetic enhancements. That happens to be a specialty of mine at least, besides what we usually do. I'm the cornerstone of the technological progress in my timeline."[/color] Dirk's humming softly, tilting his head to the side and wondering just how much he should share. It doesn't seem like this one's at all close to that next phase, so there's no risk here. To impeding growth. At least his soul's pretty looking. On top of the pretty face. 07:39:30
((oomfs are dead 07:39:45
(( Batting my lashes cutely at oomfs. )) 07:46:09
((hehe 07:46:18
[bgcolor=#e61515][color=black]KANKRI:[/color][/bgcolor] What is with the oceanic-blooded, resident 'R4d G1rl'? All her cackling and smiling is [i]ominous[/i]. He looked at Latula with minor suspicion, but ultimately just blepped his tongue back at her in return, letting that restrained demeanor falter to be silly, even if just for a microsecond nefore upholding the status quo. "Very well, I trust y9ur judgement when it c9mes t9 physical activities. Naturally, y9ur expertise in such an area far surpasses my 9wn, just try t9 ease us in t9 anything strenous." Roxy? Where? Where is she? Where, where, where??? He turned toward whichever direction Latula was waving, interest obviously peaked.[br] [br]Yippeeeeee, it's the Lalonde, oh boy oh boy oh boy! So happy! Of course, Kankri is going to maintain his composure, but he is happy to see Roxy again! Then again he is meant to be making his rounds... but everyone seems mostly okay- well, [i]almost[/i] everyone. All Kankri can hope for is that Porrim and that shorter Him relax without the need for external mediations. "Greetings yet again, R9xy. In terms 9f '6usting m9ves', Latula is the 9nly 9ne capa6le 9f d9ing s9 with such great vig9r and c99rdinati9n whilst I am just her sp9tter 9f s9rts. I myself cann9t '6ust' any m9ves, I d9 n9t dance." 07:49:16
(Kankri as Corbin Bleu from Highschool Musical 07:50:39
[color=#000000]Latula, this is a narrator speaking, you have the opportunity to do something so fucking funny right now.[/color] 07:51:00
(( agreed 07:51:50
((theres many opportunities to do a lot of funny things but give me a hint 07:53:08
((🧍♂️ 07:54:56
[color=#000000]Latula. I can't believe I need to spell it out for you. You're a Knight of Mind. You embody the power of peer pressure in the most literal sense. You can weaponize choice, my dear, it's really very simple: Make the crab dance.[/color] 08:01:27
[url=https://imgur.com/a/dirk-strider-xH7DUOV][color=#F2A400]DIRK:[/url][color=#F2A400] Man, getting hit on so directly was already enough to throw him off, but the fact it was coming from a clearly more advanced iteration of himself made it almost dizzying. His experience in the intimacy department was severely lacking, not to say he hadn’t gotten [i]some[/i] action recently, but he wasn’t sure he could say with confidence that he was ‘capable’ of a whole lot. The only real advantage he would have was already knowing his own body's sweet spots, so to speak, but considering they were physically different in appearance, even that was a gamble.[br] [br] 08:01:52
[color=#F2A400]Enough of that. “I see.” Dirk was never the type to shun the opportunity to become stronger, especially if it meant he would be able to better utilize his abilities and protect his friends. Even if it had some kind of self-sacrifice attached. That’s how he rolled. But with how things were, there wasn’t much time or reason to learn new abilities. “I assume your circumstances would have thrust you into a position where learning these kinds of abilities was paramount. If there is a chance I’ll be able to acquire that same sort of power, I’ll be more than willing to pursue it. But I guess that’s enough about the gap in our abilities.” Dirk set his cup down on a nearby end table after finishing off the last of his drink, returning his attention to the other Dirk. “I guess things must not be too bad in your timeline if multiple people from it are able to come out here and visit this place. That’s nice. Can’t say it’s easy to imagine a timeline where I’m not fighting to keep myself and everyone else safe on a regular basis.” Although, things had been mostly calming down in his own timeline, at the very least. He was trying awfully hard to pretend that they weren’t so precariously close to each other. Dirk didn’t want the whole party to devolve into some kind of self-cest fanfiction. 08:01:53
((Help? 08:01:58
(Don't get sucked off >:v 08:02:30
((maximum succ 08:06:13
(( I am so very hinged. I have NSFW art I'm drawing of him... 08:07:06
(( lmao 08:07:15
(( when its the good hing 08:07:35
((god i need to relearn drawing again so i can do shit like that fr 08:07:42
(meanwhile I cant finish one drawing, you're CHEATING 08:07:51
(( He's on a throne, as he should be. 08:08:02
(( i need to learn how to draw better 08:08:06
(( LMAO?! 08:08:07
(( Is it legal for me to share in the server-- wait no. That's spoilers actually. Nvm. 08:08:39
(( yes and when its not spoilers 08:09:05
((lol??? 08:09:45
((the rock eyebrow 08:09:48
(( Sniles so snevily. 08:10:04
(( picks dirk up shakes him around like a soda 08:14:07
(( dunno why was feeling impulsive 08:15:59
(*smacks belly* :v 08:17:25
(( Which one-- 08:18:26
[url=https://imgur.com/a/latula-pyrope-4d7FJnx][color=#008282]LATULA:[/url][color=#008282] All things considered, Latula was definitely the most athletic of the bunch. In the sense that she actively went out of her way to hone her physical capabilities outside of what would be considered average for her caste. She was pretty hardcore, but she knew when and who to take it easy on. Although, if it were a game or any kind of competition, there was no way that she would be going easy on anyone. “1ll l3t you know onc3 1 g3t th3 whol3 th1ng pl4nn3d! gott4 STR4T3G1Z3 you g3t m3? #no w4lkthroughs #w3r3 go1ng 1n R4W”[br] [br] 08:18:27
[color=#008282]Her attention shifted over to Roxy when she approached, a big grin on her face once again. “h3llz y34h grl! w3 gott4 ch1ll tog3th3r mor3 oft3n!” Latula let her hands fall from her hips, doing a fake yawn. “kks just b31ng bor1ng 1 KNOW h3 could d4nc3 1f h3 r34lly put h1s pump3r 1nto 1t! #gott4 lvl up som3how #g3t thos3 SK1LLZ up” The usual big grin returned to her face as she continued on. “bt-dubz, 1 w4nt3d to g3t th3 thr33 of us tog3th3r for som3 p3rform4nc3 tr41n1ng! yknow g3t 3v3ryon3z st4m1n4 up! not m1n3 though 1v3 n3v3r l3t mys3lf g3t… 3r, out of sh4p3.” Almost said rusty. She gave a side eye towards Kankri, glad she managed to catch herself before saying a classist slur that she knew would have set off most Kankris. “so you 1n?” 08:18:28
(ùvú all the bellies 08:19:47
(( both dirks get a turn getting shaken like a soda 08:22:11
(( were going raw oh lord latula 08:22:38
((u know shes doing it on purpose bro 08:22:56
(( roxy doesnt lmao 08:23:04
((she aint tagging that shit for nothing 08:23:07
(( she's like huh weird but damn ok 08:23:17
((thank god wwere finally going in raww 08:24:07
((god 08:24:09
([color=teal]"we going in raw"[/color] *Kankri who doesnt know what a condom is* "....oooooookaaaaaayyyy?" 08:24:12
(( beating you to death 08:24:16
((i dont think trolls have condoms 08:24:23
(( roxy: why are we talking about raw doggin in public do u need a condom 08:24:40
((putting a condom on your horn 08:24:40
((roxy and kankri: what the heck is a condom 08:24:51
(( bruh 08:25:04
((i mean latula 08:25:12
((not roxy 08:25:13
((im having a stroke 08:25:16
(( yes 08:25:19
((roxy dont be havvin sex 08:25:22
((she could be 08:25:30
((she [i]should[/i] be 08:25:43
(( just because she aint boning doesn't mean she can't be prepared to bone 08:25:48
((troll genitals come out and shes like how do you put on the condom 08:26:05
(( LMAO 08:26:10
(( shes like yall built different idk how to do this 08:26:25
((chat would roxy fuck the clown 08:26:26
((i imagine the ring of the condom basically constricting that shit off 08:26:31
(( probably 08:26:35
((help? 08:26:37
((kurloz cucking kankri 08:26:48
(( idk why but i keep thinking it just falls the fuck off 08:27:31
(( cus slippy 08:27:34
((i mean probably 08:27:41
(( just sticks on and she's like damn ok 08:27:45
(( nvm no wander yall raw dog 08:27:54
((eww 08:27:56
((bringing back the chats pregnancy arc 08:28:02
(( LMAO 08:28:08
((dirk mpreg wwhen 🧍♂️ 08:28:14
((what the fuck 08:28:19
(( beating your ass 08:28:20
(right now. 08:28:21
((YEAH 08:28:24
((HELL YEAH 08:28:27
((bruh 08:28:28
(Bootyleer, take his orifice. 08:28:29
((GUARDS IMPREGNATE THIS MAN 08:28:38
((bro was basically pregnant had to give birth to all the Bloo 08:28:44
(Little did we know, Eridan was just trying to get Roxy laid 08:29:11
(( dude ever finds out roxy is pregnant he's like i'm sorry this happened to you 08:29:21
(( lmao 08:29:24
((yeah he sure wwas 08:29:25
((roxy pregnant with clowncore 08:29:30
(( if she ever did 08:29:31
(( LMAO 08:29:36
(( damn thats fr be hella weird 08:29:50
(( im down lmao 08:29:59
((cant wait for people to see basically tall dark and handsome karkat which is just the sufferer 08:30:01
((based 08:30:07
((i think evveryone should get pregnant 08:30:21
((including the men 08:30:25
((bruh 08:30:27
(( this is not the first or last time one of my roxy 08:30:33
((wwheres the mother grub wwhen you need her 08:30:36
(( has been pregnant 08:30:40
((ill bring dolorosa in shes close enough 08:30:46
((why is roxy getting pregnant consistently 08:30:52
(( one of my roxy's was pregnant with a hal before 08:30:58
((everyone impregnate roxy now 08:31:00
(( look i don't know man 08:31:12
((dolorosa phantom pregnant wwith the entire servvers babies 08:31:15
((yeah 08:31:19
(( people like pregant roxy 08:31:22
((good for them 08:31:27
(( plus sometimes its funy 08:31:35
((pregant 😭 08:31:36
((gregnant 08:31:39
(( gregnant 08:31:41
((yeah 08:31:46
(( pregante 08:31:53
((yknoww wwhat just for that im getting you pregnant 08:31:57
((bruh 08:32:03
((both of you 08:32:07
(( oh 08:32:09
((bruh 08:32:10
((im beaming the baby into you rn 08:32:13
(( Lmao 08:32:17
(( i should reply 08:32:40
((youll givve birth to a homonculous in a wweek trust 08:32:49
(( roxy at the end of the convo tho like why we raw doggin 08:33:12
("raw whatting?" [color=#FF9EEC]*whispers in his ear*[/color] "....LATULA! MY OFFICE! NOW!" 08:35:53
((💀 08:36:01
(( nah she aint gonna whisper she's just gonna straight up say that shit outloud 08:36:21
(everyone getting called in to his office fr "ù-ú you've embarrassed me for the last time. THE BOO BOX." 08:40:19
[url=https://imgur.com/a/roxylalonde-zxvj0][color=#ff6ff2]ROXY:[/url] [color=#ff6ff2] what an interesting conversation she walked into unbeknownst to her all she heard was #raw, what are they talking about she has no clue, she will bring it up in a little bit though catching that end of the conversation was interesting but not yet. “ofc hopefully sooner than later uknow” looking over at kankri when he spoke. “dancin isnt that complicated its just wigglin ur body to the rhythm get into the music an u just dance tho i dont think ur borin bc u never learned 2 dance or somethin” she’d look back at latula “i think we can teach him how 2 dance if we try hard enough” then the conversation topic changed. “fuck yea id love to do a workout sesh though i think i have p good stamina id still love to do that with u guys! Im in for sure” she then would think for just a moment before finally bringing up the last thing on her mind. “so what were u talkin about #raw tbh i at first thought u said raw doggin an i was a little confused bc u know that means fuckin without a condom” no chill roxy just blurting it out for all to hear. 08:43:44
[url=https://imgur.com/a/IUAxuLk][color=#6e0e2e]Dirk:[/color][/url] [color=#000000]~Not to be an absolute cliche, but Dirk, I can show you the world. Shining, shimmering, splendid. Tell me, prince, now when did you last let your Heart decide?~[/color][br] [br]Dirk's smiling again. But this time there's an edge of warmth to it. Something softer around the edges. The younger Dirk's going to notice something peculiar. Color seeps from the man and like watercolor it bleeds around him in a small radius. Pastel pink color. Fondness.[color=#f2a400]"Noble as always, aren't you? I could guide you. And not just in the bedroom,"[/color] he quips this with a little chuckle.[br] [br] [color=#f2a400]"There's preconceptions you'd have to shed, which is what I mean when I say it takes a certain temperament and mentality. As you grow older, you'll find that the lens through which you interact with your Aspect shifts. It becomes malleable. My circumstances didn't require anything- I blinked one day and looked back, only to realize I've self actualized. This might be different for each of us though."[/color][br] [br] He's watching the other Dirk return and the thought Dirk has is something that might just make him laugh again but he'll tone it down to a snort of amusement. [color=#f2a400]"Make no mistake. I still ensure everyone is safe in my timeline. Constantly. There's definite luxury in their ability to show up here. My brother deserves the change of pace even if it's escapism and per 08:44:19
[br]*[color=#f2a400]And perhaps Vriska can learn something important from being here."[/color] 08:46:18
(( the two conversations is so funny next to each other 08:46:24
[url=https://imgur.com/a/IUAxuLk][color=#6e0e2e]Dirk:[/color][/url] [color=#000000]~If this place deigns to cut me off again, I will wage war against the code structure.~[/color] 08:47:28
[url=https://imgur.com/a/Wh9Bi][color=#005682]♏:[/url] [color=#005682] despite being drunk enough, she was still listening to the conversations she could hear over the music. Though some of it is more or less unhinged dialect from the lalonde and the other is from dirk talking about dave and vriska, the marquise started to realize a few things only to end up staring at the new arriving dirk a bit too long in an attempt to figure out if he’s talking about who she thinks he’s talking about. Eavesdropping into conversations is pretty normal for any serket so she sees no issues with it. 08:51:42
(( HELP LMAO "Is he talking a8out my adora8le human and descendant or--" 08:53:16
(( it really be like that right now 08:53:43
(( she isn't sure 08:53:47
[bgcolor=#e61515][color=black]KANKRI:[/color][/bgcolor] Was it really that big of a deal that he doesn't know, hasn't tried, nor seems to care to learn how to dance? Sure, what Latula was doing was... something. Nicer than nothing at all, which was what [i]he[/i] was doing- or NOT doing. Roxy made it sound simple, but things are rarely that lax in terms of technicality and finesse, especially when physical movement is concerned. He lighted folded his arms, just idling whilst the two ladies spoke their pieces, not just about his lackluster will to dance ON THE DANCE FLOOR at a PARTY, but also about taking up Latula on that "bootcamp" offer of hers. Funnily enough, it came about during the LAST party held when Kankri introduced Roxy to Latula. The Crab nodded, "Then I supp9se it's decided, whenever Latula's prepared, we'll engage in a nice test 9f endurance." All was going well....[br] [br][i]And then Roxy continued-[/i] "Wha-" WHAT? WHAT IS HAPPENING? WHY DID SHE SAY THAT?? "P-Pard9n me, 6ut that is rather inappr9priate t9 simply 6lurt 9ut 9n whim with9ut a pr9per tagging given then su6ject matter- any num6er 9f pe9ple c9uld 6e listening in 9n what we are, rather 9penly given that this IS a rather mingling-centric setting, discussing! Plus I d9 n9t 6elieve either myself n9r Latula kn9w what this "c9nd9m" item is, which itself needs t9 als9 6e clarified as a #SpeciesDifference, which 6ranches 9ff int9 6eing a #CulturalExchange!" Goddamnit, why is his face all red? 08:59:51
((here comes 3 09:02:01
[url=https://imgur.com/a/dirk-strider-xH7DUOV][color=#F2A400]DIRK:[/url][color=#F2A400] Although Dirk didn’t know what the color was, or the purpose of it, somehow he was able to recognize that it wasn’t something hostile. In fact, something was telling him that it was some kind of positive reaction. He wasn’t sure he would call himself noble, but that thought was cut off by his counterpart’s last couple words. Dirk cleared his throat, doing his best to move past that and allow their conversation to proceed normally.[br] [br] 09:02:09
[color=#F2A400]It made sense for one to acquire a better understanding of their aspect with time, especially alongside learning other things about oneself and their surroundings. “I see. I suppose, for you, it was pretty similar to the initial process of ascending. If your circumstances were the same as mine, that is. There was no conscious effort in figuring out how to proceed, it just sort of happened on its own.” Some things are just meant to happen like that. Dirk knew better than anyone that there are simply some things you can’t control on your own.[br] [br] 09:02:10
[color=#F2A400]“I guess there’s something even being from a different timeline doesn’t change. That’s good to know.” There were plenty of versions of himself that didn’t turn out for the better, and he knew that. It was a shame, but it was just another thing that he always felt he had to acknowledge and take responsibility for. “I don’t think I got much of a chance to speak to either of them directly. I was preoccupied with other obligations when they were around.” That is to say, working on projects, remembering he’s actually alive, and… Learning more about troll history, so to speak. “It’s good that they can afford that luxury, though. That’s definitely something to work for, I think.” 09:02:15
[url=https://imgur.com/a/latula-pyrope-4d7FJnx][color=#008282]LATULA:[/url][color=#008282] “y34h 1 m34n d4nc1ng 1s suppos3d to b3 fun you dont H4V3 to b3 good 4t 1t!” Teaching Kankri to dance was definitely a great idea, but for now she was more invested in plotting out some exercise. Although she certainly wouldn’t mind some more [i]training[/i] with Kankri, it would be nice to actually just hang out and learn more about this new human girl. Of course, when Roxy spoke, Latula’s brows went up over her shades. She didn’t know what Roxy was talking about, but it seemed she had only picked up on part of their conversation. Kankri’s reaction was about right, though.[br] [br] 09:26:23
[color=#008282]“h4h4. 3r. y34h 1 sur3 4s h3llz dont know wh4t 4 condom 1s but cons1d3r1ng th3 cont3xt 1 gu3ss 1t must b3 som3 k1nd of hum4n cop1l4t1on 1nstrum3nt? #>8?” Latula rubbed the back of her neck, clearing her throat. “but w3 w3r3nt 4ctu4lly t4lk1n 4bout 4nyth1ng l1k3 4ll th4t! 1 w4s just th1nk1ng 4bout wh4t k1nd4 4ct1v1t13z 1 could pl4n but 1 4lso w4nt to surpr1s3 y4ll so th4t you c4nt com3 up w1th 4ny ch34tcod3z b3for3h4nd! not much of 4n 3ndur4nc3 ch4ll3ng3 1f you know wh4tz com1ng #c4nt t3st th3 b4s3l1n3 1f you try to tr41n d1ff3r3ntly for som3th1ng sp3c1f1c” 09:26:23
(Latula is plotting, Latula's scheming 09:45:03
[url=https://imgur.com/a/IUAxuLk][color=#6e0e2e]Dirk:[/color][/url] [color=#000000]~Oh but you are noble, Dirk and not out of martyrdom nor hubris. Deep down. But that's okay. You'll learn more about yourself in time. You already seem to understand as much.~[/color][br] [br]The color is a positive one and it lingers for now. [color=#f2a400]"It's so much more than just that. But. You're mostly correct. Your Aspect is a fundamental part of who you are, something that runs deeper than conscious thought. And in the case of us Heartbound, we're finely in tune with something like this on an instinctive level. Which makes us the [i]most likely[/i] to go through this first before anyone else. That's a key way of looking at it too. What is meant to be, shall be. You might just have the capacity to do it then..."[/color] His voice trails, obviously thinking now. Dirk's still young though. His soul isn't nearly so big enough [i]yet[/i] but the body's promising as a vessel like most Dirks.[br] [br][color=#f2a400]"Some things are universal constants. Though, I'm curious, what is it that you do to 'take responsibility' for our other selves that fall short?"[/color] 09:46:38
[br]A charged question, he's aware- the older Dirk wants to make a test of this. He'll take one last drag from his cig before it hits the filter. And proceed to disappear the filter entirely while exhaling. Once again, away from Dirk. [color=#f2a400]"You'll meet them at some point, I'm sure. But it's true. I think it's worth it. They can rest easy and focus on their more lingering, mental and physical concerns."[/color] 09:46:41
[url=https://imgur.com/a/roxylalonde-zxvj0][color=#ff6ff2]ROXY:[/url] [color=#ff6ff2] “yea with the dancin its for fun only some people dance for professionals but i am not trynna be a pro at dancin just havin fun an i think u will probably have fun 2 if u try it tho i wont force u to do that” they can always teach him how to dance later as stated before, if he wants to practice or do it for fun thats up to him but for now roxy is happy with just suggesting it to kankri.[br] [br]to be perfectly fair hearing the word #raw only means so many things, however that doesn’t mean she’s going to assume the other things as the lalonde tends to blurt out the most weird shit she can sometimes accurately or not doesn’t matter it happens a little less often than when she was a teen but shit slips out. Looking over at kankri, who turned tomato soup red at just the mention despite his uncomfortable stance on the matter, Roxy has no reason to filter herself well until kankri told her that it would make everyone feel better if she hashtagged it, oh no what have you done kankri. “aight i can try taggin it but im not very good at taggin in general” that isn’t what he meant roxy. Her attention turned to latula after even though it was a misunderstanding, you cannot stop the lalonde once she started, oh well. [br] [br] 10:09:38
[color=#ff6ff2]“ik u said it was a misunderstandin an all tula an also id love to plan out activities but also i wanna let u know its not actually that its like prevention an like protection against disease or somethin also #condoms” she just uncaptchalogues a box of condoms why does she just have that, because why the fuck not. Pulling out a pack and tearing one of them off and putting the rest back into captchalogue. Holding up the wrapper covered condom to share with the dance floor class, only to open it and dream up the dreaded banana. “tbh apparently they used to do this all the time in schools or some shit for human kids 2 learn or somethin so close enough for u guys i guess it was to prevent pregnancy an stds n all that stupid junk u just roll it on and ur done #std #pregnancy? #banana” she does exactly as she said, it was not a hard thing to do pun intended because i’m a heathen. “oh one other thing they can sorta act like stupid balloons.” she pulled another one out of her captchaluge unwrapping it and blowing it up and tying it off, she’d just eventually throw it after. “im done now we can finish this convo or save it for another time” 10:09:40
(( done 10:09:44
("im breaking up with you." 10:12:09
(( LMAO-- 10:14:07
("no no, we're quite alright-" [color=#ff9cee]*1980s PSA CRT Filter* "So. Your bulge is harder than titanium and you're ready to lay that meaty pipe on that sweet honey you got cuddled up to you in your car--"[/color] [i]"GIRL WHAT THE FU-"[/i] 10:16:13
((3 coming 10:18:03
[url=https://imgur.com/a/dirk-strider-xH7DUOV][color=#F2A400]DIRK:[/url][color=#F2A400] One of his strengths was that he was pretty open-minded and willing to learn about new things. Especially if they were of interest to, or directly related to, himself. He had spent a long time pissed off about his own mistakes, and he still has a pretty substantial amount of self-loathing to get over, but his awareness of all of his mistakes was one of the things that drove him to work towards something better. “I’m capable of waiting until the time is right. Those are the basics. I have a feeling I’ll recognize it when there’s something I’ll need to do.” 10:18:10
[color=#F2A400]Anything to do with whatever was going on internally for Dirk was pretty loaded to comment on. He paused for a moment, adjusting one of his gloves as he tried to connect the words in his head. It was kind of a lot. A big part of it was that every splinter of himself was connected to him, even the ones he wasn’t aware of. It was like most of them were just his shitty qualities haunting him. His eyes closed behind his shades as he recalled a certain conversation, letting out a sigh. How he felt about his relation to his splinters still remained more-or-less the same. “I’m not really sure there’s anything I actually [i]do[/i] to take responsibility. It’s more like I’m willing to learn about what those other versions of me might have done. And even if I wasn’t the same exact Dirk who did whatever shitty thing he did, I still feel like I’m guilty for all those other Dirk’s actions.”[br] [br] 10:18:12
[color=#F2A400]His pensive attitude was interrupted when he felt his ‘Lalonde Silly Meter’ going off. Dirk turned his head a little to look towards the dance floor, watching Roxy pull out a box of condoms and give some kind of demonstration before blowing up a condom balloon and just letting it go. He hoped those weren't lubricated. “[sub]What the…[/sub]” You know what? That’s none of his business. Roxy is a grown woman and she can handle herself. As long as she wasn’t putting herself or others in danger, he was just going to let her do whatever she was doing. 10:18:19
((forgot the breaks on the first one but its fine 10:18:32
(( LMAO 10:21:53
(( oh my god-- 10:38:52
(( i told you 10:42:22
[url=https://imgur.com/a/kurloz-makara-Btjpd][color=#2B0057]KURLOZ:[/url][color=#2B0057] He was watching. Mostly whatever cultural exchange was happening between Roxy and the other trolls, but watching nevertheless. There was no need for him to get involved. #:o) 10:55:22
Kankri MK III: Sanbyōshi [] joined chat. ~~ 794 ~~ 10:59:30
(( God okay. Big posting time. 11:11:15
[url=https://imgur.com/a/IUAxuLk][color=#6e0e2e]Dirk:[/color][/url] [color=#000000]~Getting over that self-loathing is a rather integral part of fully understanding the Self. Reaching a consciousness freed from the world. But even as I listen to his most innermost thoughts, I see the possibility in him to be so much more than the sum of his many parts.~[/color] [br] [br]He says nothing more while he waits for Dirk to respond verbally. And when he does, the elder counterpart's listening. Watching the young, alternate version of himself break down what is most definitely complex. When he speaks, his voice grows softer to match his smile. The pastel colors make gentle curls in the space around him. He's pleased. [br] [br][color=#f2a400]"... that's more than most of us will ever admit. Where other Dirks might harden, abstract, or detach... you instead open yourself to the vulnerability of understanding and reflection. And that's, partially, where our strength lives. You're feeling it already. The weight. The guilt. The pull of everything you could have been, should have been, and weren't."[/color] 11:12:06
[br]He gestures, idly in the air, with his hand. There's a trace of pink that follows, like thread, wisping in the wake of his movement. It shimmers, otherworldly, a manifestation of Concept and Aspect brought to a physical, visible form before it disappears. [color=#f2a400]"When I ask what you do, I'm not testing for action. I'm listening for recognition. Though, don't allow yourself to be swallowed up by guilt, Dirk. And self-loathing. Because it easily poisons. Consumes. I'm aware, it's easier said than done. But I've done it. And you can too."[/color] 11:13:04
[br]There's so much more he'd like to say, [i]so much[/i], but Roxy's on her antics mode and, unfortunately, he is NOT immune to Roxy Propaganda- he turns his head to watch her for a moment. The fucking immaturity of it all. And, fuck, he laughs. Yes yes, she's grown, but her joy and whimsy is wonderfully the same. Even if this Roxy seems to have some weight on her soul. She can still crack a joke. Dirk's shoving his shades up- appalling, disgusting I know, in public no less- but he's wiping a tear from his eye. And the other Dirk would be able to see that this one's eyes have an orange glow to them. And moreso, his pupils are slits. Like a cat. Or troll. His shades soon get situated back in place though. 11:13:12
[bgcolor=#e61515][color=black]KANKRI:[/color][/bgcolor] Kankri could not believe what he was hearing-- no, scratch that, he COULD believe the words that were coming from Roxy's mouth: she was a human, so, naturally, she would have far greater knowledge upon specified topics as it pertained to her own species. What Kankri really COULD NOT FATHOM despite taking place before his very pupiless eyes and unabashedly violating his hearing ducts, was that Roxy- Roxy Lalonde- THE Roxy Lalonde- [i]THE VERY SAME ROXY LALONDE THAT HE WAS HAPLESSLY AND SOMEWHAT CONCERNINGLY AND MAYBE EVEN A LITTLE SICKENINGLY IN LOVE WITH, MOST LIKELY WAXING THE MOST PASTEL OF PALE INTENTIONS THAT IS NOT TOTALLY SURE OF IF THEY ARE ON THE SAME PAGE ON WHEN IT COMES TO LITERALLY ANY OF THAT STUFF, BUT HE DIGRESSES—[/i][u]THE VERY SAME[/u] Roxy Lalonde, was essentially giving, not just HIM, but also LATULA, an on-the-fly crash course of how humans enacted safety measures for their copulation. THIS was how they informed their younglings on how to participate in, not only intimate engagements, but how to do so with least amount of risks to their bodies? With a fruit and a weird piece of- of- god, what even IS that? That stretchy, taffy looking piece of latex was a condom?[br] [br] 11:21:56
He was gobsmacked. Stupefied. Astonished. Flabbergasted. Some other synonym meant to denote just how stunned into silence Kankri was as the demonstration went on. Kankri had no idea where to start; the overt sensual content of this lesson, the fact that Roxy—while she was definitely trying her hardest and somwhere in the static-riddled recesses of his stalling pan, he can appreciate the effort—was still tagging so adhorrently incorrectly given her taggings were coming AFTER already talking about the sensitive subject matter at hand... it was all a rollercoaster of cohesively direct explanations for sensuality, minor injections of prop humor, and an overall abrupt deviation from all prior conversation. Kankri was just an unwitting rider on this hellish confusioncoaster. He couldn't HOPE to respond to what was just forcefully injected into his auditory perception and shoved through his visual receptors.[br] [br]He stood there, silently, not judging- far too violated mentally from what Roxy has imparted upon them to actually be judging her or her explanation. Just. Existing before them in his crab-print onesie, arms lightly folded, staring blankly at the human with raised brows and a face dyed scarlet. Kankri can't even feel the heat in his face, he's just that shocked. 11:21:59
[url=https://imgur.com/a/dirk-strider-xH7DUOV][color=#F2A400]DIRK:[/url][color=#F2A400] There was a strange sense of comfort in being told that he was doing things right. At least, for the most part. Especially with it coming from a more advanced iteration of himself. His gaze followed the other Dirk’s gestures carefully, clearly absorbed in what he was saying. There wasn’t much he could do other than listen, but it was obvious that he was appreciative of the opportunity to learn.[br] [br] 12:02:20
[color=#F2A400]It was certainly easier said than done, but sometimes just hearing that is enough to start the journey. There was a moment of silence before his lips finally parted to speak. “Thanks.” That was all he really could say before the whole room’s attention went to Roxy’s sex-ed class.[br] [br] 12:02:21
[color=#F2A400]He was still flabbergasted by her doing all of that, but his focus was broken when he heard the other Dirk start to laugh. Really laugh. Without the cool-guy layering to tone it down, and without the internalized dread to stifle it. Really, the fact that a version of himself was capable of that was almost more shocking than seeing the state of his eyes. It was strange, but Sburb did enough strange things to all of them to stop him from questioning how or why something like that would happen. Instead, he was simply staring up at himself. Although his own expression had barely shifted, it was obvious that he was, in a way, in awe. There was a twisted sensation in his chest. The amazement that someone like him could ever seem to feel so free, and the fear of the vulnerability that could come with that. It was hard to understand how someone like him could find the willingness to be like that. 12:02:27
[url=https://imgur.com/a/latula-pyrope-4d7FJnx][color=#008282]LATULA:[/url][color=#008282] Although seemed kind of bizarre to be talking about out in the open, she had listened to plenty of Aranea’s stories. Latula was pretty desensitized to talking about the sexual traits of other races, thanks to that. Or at the very least, hearing about them. Actually, the demonstration proved to make her more curious. Curious enough to completely forgo the thought of tiptoeing around words to make things more comfortable any audience.[br] [br][color=#008282]“yo c4n 1 4sk qu3st1onz?” She didn’t really wait for an answer, since she planned on asking regardless. “how do hum4ns… k33p 1t str41ght 3nough to do th4t? 4nd do you guyz c4rry your 3ggs yours3lv3z?” The thought of carrying the eggs for the next generation herself sounded bizarre and inconvenient. “wh4t 4bout your moth3r grubz? 1 m34n 1f you guyz c4n do 1t yours3lf th3n do you just t4k3 th3 grubz to th3 c4v3rnz 4ft3r or wh4t? l1k3 1 gu3ss 1 dunno too much 4bout th4t b1zn4sty 4NYHOW but…” What do you do with a grub? There was no way that they’d be raising them theirselves… Right? 12:17:08
[url=https://imgur.com/a/Wh9Bi][color=#005682]♏:[/url] [color=#005682] She’s been standing there trying to drunkenly compare her dave with the new arriving dirk to see if they are from the same timeline, it’s been kinda hard for her due to the alcohol she consumed prior, though her head would turn the moment the lalonde decided to make a demonstration about human condoms or whatever the fuck she said, she’s actually not drunk enough for that especially after that display. Then latula asked the question on how it worked, which mindfang already knows about due to her talk with dave and the anatomy lesson, turning her head back to look at both the dirks silently yet again. She’s really hoping she’s right despite being drunk, she will ask after what may seem to be an important conversation is over. In fact the older dirk might already know and just hasn’t said anything about it for whatever reason. 12:20:58
[url=https://imgur.com/a/roxylalonde-zxvj0][color=#ff6ff2]ROXY:[/url] [color=#ff6ff2] her intention wasn’t to cause kankri to go speechless or cause him to actively turn a new shade of red, it was more or less just how she can be sometimes. “ r u ok kankri u seem to be uhhh idk redder than usual do u need help?” she would wait a moment, then latula asked a weird question. Oh thats right they have the whole system for eggs n grubs. “ok so like i see where ur coming from bc u only know troll biology so basically humans dont have eggs like that so ill just do a brief anatomy lesson bc different things so humans are mammals and because we dont go into season or heat cycles or whatever we can have them whenever we want when we are old enough” shes thinking about how to put the next part without it sounding weird, what would be considered a mammal to a troll. [br] [br] 12:37:23
[color=#ff6ff2]“so u know some lusus if im sayin it right they dont come out of eggs n stuff well they have to have babies so usually dependin on the animal they need a male an a female so for humans its the same we need a male an female to have kids but the weird part for us is its the human females who basically do a lot of the work we are basically the grub mother an one of the caregivers for the rest of the babies life until its like an adult i have never had a kid so im not very honed in on that but it kinda sucks bc females get a thing called periods and every month they just bleed out their crotch and experience pain and shit because apparently if we dont the babies or they dont come out healthy idk why tbh it just sucks also the guys are the ones who basically give us the genetic material for the eggs in the girls instead of having two giving it separately its wild af if u have any more questions i will try to answer better tbh dave is better at explainin it than i am but i try my best” 12:37:25
(( done 12:37:27
[url=https://imgur.com/a/IUAxuLk][color=#6e0e2e]Dirk:[/color][/url] He can understand the sense of comfort derived from something like that. It's as if the trajectory you're on feels like it's been given solidity rather than uncertainty. There's direction now, in a way, along with acknowledgement. Dirk's appeased. That his young counterpart's taking this all in. The 'thanks' is met with a faint smile. Before their attentions are drawn away by Roxy. And Dirk laughs.[br] [br][color=#000000]~Dirk, love, you have no idea what you can truly be, if you'd let yourself.~[/color][br] [br]Dirk turns his head back slowly. The remnants of amusement don't fade entirely- there's still a glint in his expression. A softness lingering at the edge of his smirk. Something gentle. And oh so horrifically real. He's looking towards Dirk and he recognizes the look on his face. And knows the feelings that simmer just under the surface. Dirks outward and inner self he displays. That this Dirk can hear. Feel. Touch. Taste, if he so desired. There's something unnervingly heavy in the way he approaches Dirk now. Maintaining that same smirk. But the air about him is elevated. Self-possessed, he is [i]sure[/i] of himself. And with that certainty comes the ability to truly embody the force of nature that he [i]really is.[/i] [br] [br][color=#000000]~All changes of spiritual consciousness depend upon the Heart, after all. I'm merely a facilitator of this.~[/color] 12:38:35
[br]He stops just short of being perhaps only a foot away from the other. He lets his shades slip down his nose with his head tilting toward Dirk to make direct eye contact. The younger Prince can [i]definitely[/i] feel like his alternate self sees [i]RIGHT THROUGH[/i] those shades. And straight at his eyes. To the door of the soul, one might say. He speaks low, almost sweetly at Dirk, oozing a sort of unfettered warmth to his words. [br] [br][color=#f2a400]"[i](Isn't it terrifying, the weight of this openness? Just how free you can be? To see what you might become, if you let go. If you stopped holding your breath. If you let the idea of control die in your hands.)[/i]"[/color] 12:38:59
[br][color=#000000]Mindfang would hear a voice ring inside her thinkpan. One that only SHE can hear. It's this Dirk however. ~To answer your burning curiosity, Serket, I am related to him. Same Dave. Thank you for treating him so well, by the way.~ 12:43:04
[url=https://imgur.com/a/Wh9Bi][color=#005682]♏:[/url] [color=#005682] Suddenly she hears an unfamiliar voice in her think pan and it isn’t her own thoughts, her first instinct is to go into a defensive stance, the moment she realized it was dirks voice telling her what she not only wanted to know and hear that he was appreciative of her. Her body language shifting from the defensive stance to more relaxed state yet again, with the only thing ringing in her think pan after that was ‘is that how it feels when i enter other trolls minds or is it different’ her next course of action, was to see if she could do it right back to him. Which was odd due to the fact he seemed unaffected, which soon caused even more confusion for the marquise. She’d try once more only to fail, she is going to for now assume it’s because she is actively drunk and not due to other reasons. Well she should probably at least give him some sort of recognition, giving the older dirk a nod for now. Especially now that she has no reason to stare at them, she decided to turn her attention back to the shit show that is the dance floor. However she can still see both dirks from the corner of her eye and has them both in her peripheral vision. 12:58:59
[url=https://imgur.com/a/dirk-strider-xH7DUOV][color=#F2A400]DIRK:[/url][color=#F2A400] The amount of confidence radiating off of this other Dirk felt so foreign. It was genuine, something Dirk struggled with. The thought of wearing his heart out in the open just felt… Off. Something about it seemed impossible, but this other Dirk was proof that it wasn’t. And perhaps his reassurance stirred something within him.[br] [br] [color=#F2A400]It wasn’t often that another person could make him feel so nervous. Although, the anxiety inside him didn’t feel all negative. There was dread, but there was anticipation. A sort of longing. Something to aim for. The feeling of having someone see right through him after having spent so long behind an unbreakable facade was jarring, but even his words made it clear that part of that tingling sensation was a faint taste of freedom. The freedom to let go, to stop hiding, to just… Exist. No pressure, no obligations. It was… A lot.[br] [br] 13:25:44
[color=#F2A400]Dirk stood up to get some space, taking a deep breath. Change was scary. To let go of all of that planning and hiding to keep things under control. To just let some degree of chaos take over. It scared him. And that fear was something he had a hard time admitting to anyone. He let out a sharp exhale through his nose in a more silent laugh, his hand moving up to readjust his shades. “That all sounds… Like a lot.” A lot to even imagine doing. Maybe with time, sure, but the thought of just simply letting go of the controls was horrifying. The fears of letting everyone down. The fears of failing because he lost focus. All of it. “But, uh. Wow. Just… How did it take you?” 13:25:46
((*How long did it take you? 13:27:37
((cant believe i stroked out so hard in the final sentence gn 13:27:48
(( Eats this Dirk whole. 13:27:59
(( I'm afraid my Dirk is being incredibly gay. 13:46:42
((as he should 13:48:07