EQUIUS: ((Hmm. I was thinking that after the second race, Equius might take a break from Mario Kart, though I'm okay with continuing with it if you want 03:33:37
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((that sounds fair! 03:34:41
((i think that makes sense 03:34:41
((yippee agreemenr 03:34:50
[url=https://imgur.com/a/aradiabot-VEVYWZY][color=#000056]ARADIABOT:[/url][color=#000056] Even without the use of any mechanical features, it was still plain to see that he was pretty thoroughly scared of her hurting him. That was only logical, considering how insanely strong she was in her robot body. But it was good that he seemed to be easily placated by her resting her hand on his head. She had never really been in a position to comfort someone like this before, or at the very least not in a very long, long time. It was good that her efforts seemed to work. [br] [br] She hadn’t really expected him to actually say he not only didn’t mind her company, but even enjoyed it. That certainly felt like a first, especially since she had died. Originally, that is. The best she usually got was that she was simply boring. Her head tilted down a little when he started to pat her head. Part of her wondered if he was just making fun of her, and him ribbiting only added to that. But based on everything else from their discussion, he didn’t seem like the type to do so. Not to mention he would probably be too scared to provoke her. All things considered, if she were capable of it, she may have even blushed.[br] [br] 03:34:50
[color=#000056]Aradia looked back up at him again with her big red eyes. “its a little difficult t0 believe that y0ure being h0nest but ill take y0ur w0rd f0r it” There was that strange sensation in her chest. It reminded her of when she first got her body and it almost made her want to rip her heart out all over again, but she knew it had nothing to do with any implanted chips or anything of the sort. She stood there for a good bit before raising her hands to place them overtop of the hand Kankri had on her head, as if to hold it there. Though, she wasn’t applying any force or actively grabbing hold of his hand. One might even think that looking down at her while she was doing this looked a little cute. There was even a very, very faint little smile on her blue lips. 03:34:50
(Equius starts cheating òvó starts breaking OTHER people's controllers like the GOAT he is 03:35:14
((bone if u'd like to also continue with kurloz i am open to that, or we can pause 03:35:17
[color=#2B0057]GAMZEE: [weeps over his broken controller] 03:35:35
((we can if u want and pretend meulin fell asleep next to them 03:35:46
((kankri finally comes out and kurloz is making out w a karkat 03:36:07
((JSHSHDH 03:36:12
[color=#ff0000]KANKRI: [what in tarnation] 03:36:23
((LMFAO 03:36:29
(*equips CRABSCALIBUR* "EVERYTHIIIIIIIIIIIIING" *whacking Kurloz with a styrofoam sword* 03:37:51
((bruh moment 03:39:20
[color=#2B0057]GAMZEE: "takes practice. or luck, heh. :o)" He is simply goated with the sauce. With Equius taking the game more seriously than he is, let's say that they're on more equal ground since this map is easier for Equius to control on. Less pitfalls, less stress, right? Gamzee's probably busy admiring the artstyle of the mall, leaning forward a lil as he grins and stares at the screen. "look at all these lil guys, heh. theyre motherfuckin cute." 03:39:45
[color=#416600]BOYPETA: [Consuming snacks, nomnom] 03:40:14
((are we just saying roxy didnt end up joining in on the last one 03:47:47
((just to make it easier to work around that 03:47:54
((probably a good idea? 03:49:15
((yeah 03:49:19
[url=https://imgur.com/a/brobot-ZqZl9Bw][color=#b00606]BROBOT:[/url][color=#b00606] It may also very well simply just take programmed capabilities. This particular map was definitely much easier to remain on the road, considering it didn’t just have drop offs like rainbow road. He had picked rainbow road [i]because[/i] it was the most notoriously infuriating track in every mario kart game. He was still not going to take it any easier on the trolls, though. These poor guys never stood a chance. 03:50:26
((brobot making it so easy for equius to want to take a break fr </3 03:50:35
[color=#2B0057]GAMZEE: [wow brobot, ur so good at this game..] 03:51:52
[url=https://imgur.com/a/brobot-ZqZl9Bw][color=#b00606]BROBOT:[/url][color=#b00606] ◥◣◢◤ 03:52:40
((bros just a little cheater 03:53:40
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((hello 03:54:17
((:0 03:54:28
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((oop 03:56:05
((hello 03:56:30
[bgcolor=#e61515][color=black]KANKRI:[/color][/bgcolor] Okay! This was going much better than the first time-- not that he did not enjoy his time spent with the first Aradiabot, but he feels as though things took a turn for the worst after [i]he[/i] began ribbiting the first time around, so to see Aradiabot is rather content made it rather clear to him things were somewhat amicable betwixt them. He may be uncertain about what happened with the first, but the current one before him was enough to make him consider that perhaps Aradiabot #1 wasn't all that mad at him. Maybe. Things could very well still change if the trolldroid saw it fit, so Kankri would still be on his best behaviour-- not that he planned to do anything to the contrary, but! It always pays to remind one's self to be good![br] [br]For a moment, Kankri was wondering if the contact was making Aradiabot uncomfortable, he was going to ask, but quickly stopped himself when she had begun to speak, nodding at her sentiments, "I understand. I cann9t und9 anything seeds that may have 6een s9wn in t9 y9u 6y the cruelty 9f 9thers, 6ut I can assure, I will d9 everything I p9ssi6ly can t9 n9t take whatever trust y9u place in me for granted." That's all he can really offer her in the end. Oh! Feeling her hand over his was a lot better now that his hand wasn't extraneously moist with hair water.[br] [br] 04:09:19
It seemed as though Aradiabot was happy(?) to be given some headpats. It was a smidgen difficult to tell given the metal sheep's propensity not to emote far too much, but she is making it seem like it would be okay to continue, so... he guesses he will? How can sheep be so cute? It's truly baffling! Even still, he gently rubs his hand around over her head, "If y9u are feeling rather up t9 it, we can return t9 the party if it w9uld n9t 6e t99 much 9f a hassle up9n y9ur senses- y9u may cl9se t9 me if that w9uld make y9u feel m9st c9mf9rta6le-- that is if y9u decide that y9u [i]d9[/i] wish t9 partake in the festivities." 04:09:21
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EQUIUS: The environment surrounding the track looks like a pretty relaxing place. Or it would be if they were not trying to hurtle through it as fast as the game would allow. The sight of tropical plants and the beach nearby the mall's parking lot could only soothe Equius' frustration so much. While he does have an easier time navigating the track and keeping up with Gamzee, it's clear that trying to beat Brobot is still going to be a challenge. Try as he might, he just couldn't overtake the automaton, no matter what items the game's RNG would bestow upon him when he passed through those boxes with the surprise noodles on them. 04:11:06
[color=#416600]BOYPETA: You dare challenge me??? He was in the middle of grabbing some [i]safe[/i] sweets that were on the snack table when Eridan wound up approaching, and he turned around with a big ol toothy grin. His tail almost seems to flick.. surely it wasn't real? "Hi, Eridan!! :33. These free snacks sure do look good!" At least someone doesn't seem to mind seeing them. 04:12:57
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[color=#2B0057]GAMZEE: After a minute he sits back and lazily chuckles, turning his head to peer at both Equius and Brobot. "i dont think we're gonna WIN this one, bro. that BOT is just too good." He doesn't sound upset though, he's not, he's just pointing out his deduction to the blue-blood. He then turns back to the game while laying back, taking a very casual stance as he just drives along into the RNG blocks.[br][i][/i][br]He seems to be making more mistakes now, slowing down at inopportune moments, crashing.. but was it intentional? Is that more exasperating to Equius? He's trying to give them a win, sharing the love :o). 04:16:27
[url=https://imgur.com/a/brobot-ZqZl9Bw][color=#b00606]BROBOT:[/url][color=#b00606] The distance between first and second place was practically astronomical, considering Brobot just instinctively knew all of the tricks and the shortcuts. It was most certainly unfair, but Brobot wasn’t built to be fair. He was built to give his opponents such a rough time that they would try harder to improve themselves. But he was also just actively showing off. If he had a proper voicebox, he might have more to say in response to them talking, but alas he did not. And he wasn’t willing to show off his ability to repeat the words of others in front of people he didn’t know well. Either way, it didn’t take long for Brobot to finish the race, setting his controller down in front of him as he waited for the rest to finish.[br] [br] Brobot was most certainly not sharing the love. But at the very least, he wasn't actively being hateful, either. Or, if he was, it was hard to tell on account of his lack of expression. His shades blinked a few times before returning to normal. 04:24:19
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((okay i need to go to sleep 04:42:43
(eep it up :V 04:42:53
EQUIUS: "D --> Yes, I suppose he is" He replies through gritted teeth. His hold on the controller subconsciously tightens again, but he eases off a bit when he feels the hand grips strain under his palms. Equius takes notice of Gamzee's flagging performance. Is he doing this on purpose and going easy on him? He doesn't say anything about it, in case Gamzee is just genuinely making mistakes. It would be ridiculous to order him to play better, and it ultimately doesn't matter which one of them takes second place. He just keeps on going toward the finish line, and thankfully he does so without breaking the controller this time. 04:43:01
EQUIUS: ((gn! 04:43:08
((gn!! 04:43:34
((u can pretend brobot pulled his signature move and got all blurry and disappeared after the game 04:43:57
(brobot hacks the controller to autoplay without him present so he can win while absent 04:44:24
((real 04:44:33
((okay ill finish my replies tomorrow gn 04:44:45
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((sleep wel uwu 04:45:30
((alright noww 04:45:44
((i can reply 04:45:47
[color=#2B0057]GAMZEE: The race is over! He wasn't far behind Equius when they cross the finish line, but the blue-blood gets second place this time. He turns his head to them and grins, before offering a high five. "hell yeah, bro. you did it without breaking the controller this time." He's praising them :o). Hopefully his hand doesn't get sent to high heaven lmao. 04:47:48
((okay :0 04:47:52
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[url=https://imgur.com/a/eridan-ampora-n572hKH][color=#6A006A]ERIDAN:[/url][color=#6A006A] Eridan was looking at the table whilst putting his glass down before his eyes shot in the direction of Nepeta? No, this was someone else. He looked puzzled, his mouth moving to form words but nothing coming out, his lips pursing instead as he crossed his arms and placed a hand to his chin. “I wwouldnt say theyre the most appetizing thing to look at but wwhatevver if it suits your needs i guess” He shrugged absentmindedly, his eyes looking over the other. “so wwho are you cause you clearly arent nep” 05:01:09
((mb that took so long holy shit 05:01:18
((friend is vventing in vvr 05:01:24
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((and i had to yell at someone ovver the phone 05:04:04
youre good uwu 05:04:55
((patpat 05:05:01
EQUIUS: "D --> Thank goodness for that. I feel like I'm getting more acclimated to the controls. Hopefully there won't be further incidents the ne%t time I play. For now, I think I'm going to take a break. If you don't mind, highb100d" Equius brings a hand over toward Gamzee's and just sort of gently plaps his damp palm against the clown's. If Gamzee wants a real high five, he's going to have to be the one to finish the job. 05:05:17
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((:0 05:09:18
[color=#416600]BOYPETA: "Hmmmm.~ I guess you're right! It doesn't [i]really[/i] compare to catching your own food.. hehe.~ :33" He giggles and then munches on a totally safe brownie. Then he playfully rolls his eyes at Eridan. "Of course it's me! I guess a guy Nepeta is pretty rare, huh..?" He then does a little sashay from side to side, letting that tail bob. "Furry rare.. that one was a bit of a stretch." Blegh. 05:13:11
[color=#2B0057]GAMZEE: "we can all up and get our chill on, bro. thats cool. a bot winning every time kinda puts a motherfuckin DAMPER on it too." He chuckled and gave Equius back a bit of a firmer high five. "you want me to go find you a fuckin towel before we do somethin else?" He'd offer with a little bit of a drawl, turning more toward them and effectively laying on his side to do so. 05:15:59
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((i gotta say, dreambubble letting me see how many of each character is in search is cool 05:16:26
((dad.... 05:16:28
pipefan413: I RETURN FROM THE HARDWARE STORE. 05:16:56
pipefan413: TODAY WE WILL BE USING PAINT. 05:17:06
((omg 05:19:18
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((i think gamzee already used that paint 05:20:42
((:laugh: 05:21:02
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EQUIUS: "D --> There's no need for you to do that, but thank you for the offer. I already have an adequate supply of towels" Equius immediately decaptchalogues one and... oh wait, that one's already soaked with sweat. He deploys the rest of his towels and, sure enough, there is not a fresh one among them. He sighs. "D --> Never mind, let's go find a towel. And wherever the laundry block is located" 05:25:11
((playing arm chair psychiatrist is so fun 05:25:40
((anywway lemme reply lmfao 05:25:46
((or actually howw are you feeling 05:27:09
((ik its late so i wwant to ask 05:27:18
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((ill be sleeping soon for sure 05:30:34
((prolly ajywhere withinnthe nexy 20-30 mins 05:30:48
((i wwont reply then so hold onto your response and ill reply tomorroww 05:31:05
[color=#2B0057]GAMZEE: "heheheheheh. thats UNLUCKY." He couldn't help but chuckle at the unfortunate sweaty happenstance that was Equius' pile of sweaty towels. He moves to get up with a little smile. "i dont know EVERY motherfuckin room yet, but ill all up and try." He'll wait for Equius to get up before he goes to amble off in pursuit of the laundryblock. He may be high and naked, but he probably didn't have any ulterior motives with this. :o) 05:34:49
((okay uwu 05:35:20
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EQUIUS: Equius collects his nasty towel pile and puts it away back in his sylladex for now. He rises to his feet and sets out toward the nearest doorway with this bare-assed clown by his side. He thinks he's become somewhat desensitized to Gamzee's lack of clothes by now, but he tries to avoid looking at his body too long anyway. He is already sweaty enough as it is. Off they go on a completely normal search for washing and drying utilities. 05:44:31
((equius on the hunt for a wwashing machine lol 05:45:29
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((ough, eepy 05:48:01
((im sorry eq i must pass away 05:48:09
EQUIUS: ((goodnight! 05:48:09
((nighty 05:48:14
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((it seems its that time 05:55:40
((of the night 05:55:43
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((huh 06:21:25
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((rah 14:57:21
((ar ar ar ive changed my color 14:58:23
(( colorchange woosh 14:58:50
((yaaaaaaaa 15:02:14
((the kurloz/karkat thing didnt really move on without you so if you feel like making a post for that, you're welcome to 15:05:36
(( aight 15:06:02
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[url=https://imgur.com/a/WlQUr][color=#416600]MEULIN:[/url] [color=#416600] despite making this a cuddle pile, she did feel kinda bad putting way too much nip into the cookies. Though with how high she is at the moment she’s having a hard time putting words together into sentences… her face scrunches up for a second as she thinks, then when the idea hits her she smiles. As a way to apologize, she’d dream up several icepops tearing one open with her teeth really quick and setting it on his arm. She’s not going to even attempt to feed him the icepop due to how high she is right now, the flavor she gave him was grape. She’d also hand one to kurloz that is also grape and rip open another grape one so she herself may also partake in the grape flavored tube of yum. 15:22:03
(( meulin trying her best 15:22:16
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[color=#4b4b4b]KARKAT: "Mmmrm.." He made a short and incoherent mumble as Kurloz huddled him closer. In his addled state the comfort was very much appreciated; though who knows how horrified he'd be once he's sober? His head was against their shoulder, or perhaps their side, as he weakly nosed into them with a huff. "This... fucking sucks." He feels too [i]off[/i] to even sleep like this, so he'll just try to enjoy their colder bodies as he can.[br][i][/i][br]Meulin offering him something COLD made his eyes finally reopen, his unfocused gaze flicking to her then the grape icepop in his arms. "...Thanks." Then he just kind of puts that opened sleeve-tip in his mouth and chews. His languid hand is pushing up the icepop somewhat, but the plastic is definitely catching some teeth lmao. 15:47:05
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(EVERYTHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIING *blows up the chat* 17:29:44
(( bad 17:30:08
(>:v huh? The greenies are teaming up? 17:30:09
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[color=#416600]BOYPETA: [baps] 17:31:29
(I wont be out done by some CATS *equips pinchers* 17:33:42
(( can't stop us wont stop us 17:36:36
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[color=#416600]BOYPETA: [no.. not the PINCHERS] 17:37:04
(Meulin's gonna get the SNIP SNIP >:U 17:38:23
(( :3 nah 17:39:19
[color=#416600]BOYPETA: [GET DOWN MS. PRESIDENT] 17:40:21
(By the Crab Knight's decree, she shall be imprisoned >:u 17:40:37
[url=https://imgur.com/a/8P8X6aV][color=#e00707]D. Strider: [/color][/url] (( god, im basically writing a fucking little short story at this point for this chuckle fuck 17:48:14
(( lmao 17:48:40
[url=https://imgur.com/a/8P8X6aV][color=#e00707]D. Strider: [/color][/url] (( literally 90% of this will be exposition because im fucking awful and i love this dude 17:48:56
(( fair enough 17:49:32
((woe, the wage cage claims me once more 17:50:00
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(( mindfang surely gonna be confused as fuck lmoa 17:51:15
(( but hell yea love the striders 17:52:29
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(The more Daves that enter, the more Crab Cooties I have to spread :v 17:54:21
(( killing you 17:54:33
(>:v silence, CAT, you've drugged a krab for the LAST TIME 17:55:37
(( i'd do it again 17:56:01
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("MY PARTY- MY SNACKIES- [i]MY KARKAT, OH MY GOD-"[/i] 17:59:50
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(*thugshaker* 18:19:05
[url=https://imgur.com/a/8P8X6aV][color=#e00707]D. Strider: [/color][/url] (( . . . lmfao i dont know if i can post this massive fucking wall 18:33:36
[url=https://imgur.com/a/8P8X6aV][color=#e00707]D. Strider: [/color][/url] (( kinda want to though i cooked 18:33:44
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[url=https://imgur.com/a/8P8X6aV][color=#e00707]D. Strider: [/color][/url] (( but i also cant fucking commit to interaction JUST YET either cuz i gotta disappear in a few hours 18:34:14
[url=https://imgur.com/a/8P8X6aV][color=#e00707]D. Strider: [/color][/url] (( but TRUST that i cooked... 18:34:29
(( fair enough 18:34:30
(( i trust you 18:34:34
(>:v hours? If you don't po- *blows up* 18:34:43
(( also gonna have to ask bones if he wants me to repost for him but damn alpha bro about to walk into a shit show 18:35:14
((just how striders like it 18:35:43
[url=https://imgur.com/a/8P8X6aV][color=#e00707]D. Strider: [/color][/url] (( i dont have him spawning into the manor or outside it-- hes off in the forest though a ways away. but he can see the manor itself in the distance 18:38:34
(( fair 18:38:56
[url=https://imgur.com/a/8P8X6aV][color=#e00707]D. Strider: [/color][/url] (( OUGH... fuck it what if i post my fucking WALL anyhow? 18:40:46
[url=https://imgur.com/a/8P8X6aV][color=#e00707]D. Strider: [/color][/url] (( itll be like that scene from attack on titan 18:41:03
[url=https://imgur.com/a/8P8X6aV][color=#e00707]D. Strider: [/color][/url] (( where the armored titan or whatever fucking spawns in to fuck up wall maria 18:41:19
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(Gay*with reverb* do it :V 18:42:20
[url=https://imgur.com/a/8P8X6aV][color=#e00707]D. Strider: [/color][/url] (( shi... alright then 18:42:28
[url=https://imgur.com/a/8P8X6aV][color=#e00707]D. Strider: [/color][/url] (( MEGA POST INCOMING 18:42:36
(*reverb fart* 18:43:53
[url=https://imgur.com/a/8P8X6aV][color=#e00707]D. Strider: [/color][/url] (( okay this is like in six chunks 18:45:53
[url=https://imgur.com/a/8P8X6aV][color=#e00707]D. Strider: [/color][/url] (( :U 18:45:58
[url=https://imgur.com/a/8P8X6aV][color=#e00707]D. Strider: [/color][/url] (( posting now 18:46:02
[url=https://imgur.com/a/8P8X6aV][color=#e00707]D. Strider: [/color][/url] In the final hours of your life you and Rose met up. We'd both long accepted what was going to happen. Regrets and final words made into spoken truths that no one but us would know and take to the grave. Our lives are over, not that we got to live them entirely the way we wanted to. Just living off of the hope that our descendants will survive. God, what I'd give to see them. Just once. Fighting HIC was our last grand stand. While my sheer martial prowess is unmatched by any other human and her arcane arts setting her into a different class of her own, we both knew this was it.[br] [br]We'd stood our ground for as long as we could. Rose was dealt a fatal blow to her abdomen. And would not move from where she lay on the ground. I knew this would happen. Rose knew. I still feel enraged regardless. The alien's [i]cackling[/i], angular teeth glinting in the light and her gaze is cruel. Cold, when it settles on me. All of our lives to fodder. All of [i]humanity[/i] and for what? Destroying our home for hers as if she has every right. She [i]doesn't.[/i][br] [br]It's pretty obvious what happened next. 18:51:14
[br]You went down, slumped to the ground with your entire arm severed from a barely dodged psionic blast. And with her trident. She pierces straight through your chest. As blood fills your lungs and throat... the last thing you see-- the last thing you [i]want[/i] to see in your vision is Rose. So you turn your head. And you stare at her. The only other person who understood. Inexplicably gravitated towards one another since the day you met. That's what flashes through your mind. In your last, broken breaths.[br] [br]Sometime in the summer of 1988. [i][u]WELCOME FOSTER CHILDREN OF AMERICA[/u][/i] a banner read on the front of an old, brick building. You were both around five or so. Susan Smith. Michael Johnson. That's what the marker-written nametags said. She was under a tree, reading a book. Dracula, you think, and she'd incredulously eyed the nametag on my chest. And I to hers. You don't exactly remember the exchange the two of you had from the beginning but... it was something along the lines of... 18:51:27
[br][i][color=#e00707]"who would you be, if you could be anybody?"[/color][/i] And her genuinely contemplative look. One that read as though she were older beyond her years in how she mentally searched before responding. Touching the tips of her fingers together, book long closed and neatly poised on her lap, [color=#b536da]"... I think I'd be someone mysterious. Dramatic. Like... Carlotta. Mia... Charlotte... Rose."[/color] That'd made her stop. Firmly repeating it like something had clicked in place. [color=#b536da]"Rose."[/color] You couldn't imagine a better name for her. She laughs, 18:51:35
[br][color=#b536da]"But. This is very silly, why so much fuss over a name? I've always been Susan."[/color][br] [br][color=#e00707]"no. you've always been [i]you[/i], like, susan is a sticker they put on you that holds who they say you are together but- it... it isn't [i]you.[/i]"[/color][br] [br]You didn't quite know where that came from. Someplace weird and deep that you couldn't stop pulling nonsense from. [color=#e00707]"im sorry, i bet you had really nice parents who died who gave you that name... i was a surrender baby."[/color] At the time, you didn't know what that meant, exactly- just that there had never been parents. You figured it out down the line though.[br] [br][color=#e00707]"like... they just took the most common name registered that month and stuck it on me. so, i don't like it..."[/color] Because it was a label you wore. A daily reminder that there had never been a day in your life where someone actually wanted you. She stood up suddenly, book under her arm. You thought she'd retaliate. Maybe toss you into the dirt, but she holds out a hand to you instead. You remember feeling surprised. Then relieved. [color=#b536da]"... I want company while I perform this act of perjury. You convinced me. But, we'll have to corroborate our stories if we're to spend the next month together as Rose Lalonde and... well... you. What about you? Who are you if not Michael?"[/color] 18:51:48
[br]You'd gone through a mental checklist of names the moment they put the tag on you. Hell, it's been something you'd thought about for a while even before this and... well. There's only one that really stood out. Slipped in like a puzzle piece. One you'd been rolling around in your mind the entire time. With confidence. With certainty you say, [color=#e00707]"dave strider."[/color] Rose gives you a broad, radiant kind of smile. One you never thought you'd come to miss.[color=#b536da]"Dave, then."[/color] And your hands join to shake on it. For the first time, something feels... right. You didn't know it in that moment. But in your tattered clothes that make the worst first impressing and for once, a genuine smile on your face, you'd made a lifelong friend. Counterpart. Confidant. The one person who could ever truly know you. And now? 18:52:00
[br]You both lay still. Having played out your roles to the crossed T and dotted I- there's nothing left to go on doing. That you'd be [i]able[/i] to go on doing. No, now? Now the two of you can finally rest. You slip into that forever sleep you were never allowed to take earlier in life no matter how many times you'd attempted and failed. Be it at your own hands or someone intervening. Only to, cruelly, wake up with a gasp for air without the taste of metal on your tongue. Scrambling to your feet the first thing you do is look for Rose and- and... she's not here.[br] [br]Your hands tremble. Your palms slip up into your dyed, platinum blonde locks and tug at the strands. A chill settles into your bones as you take it all in. This place isn't Earth. It's completely alien. And you're standing in a forest of trees that almost don't seem real. And, in the distance, a mansion that's wholly unfamiliar to you. There's no sign of Lalonde at all. The grief that overcomes you is like a riptide you can't fight back. You break. You cry. For the first time in years where you'd done nothing but survive and stuff down every emotion. Now it's careening out of you harder than with Rose before the fight.[br] [br]Because [i]now[/i]... you're utterly alone again. 18:52:08