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[Man, this is going to get really difficult to explain without being cagey as shit about all the other stuff, and he doesn't know... why??? he's hesitating in telling Haru about it. He's not worried that she'd react poorly or anything like that, he just. Found it kind of difficult to talk about his feelings more often than not, which this has completely wrapped itself up in. And the second his romantic life started pushing into his, er, professional life, he owed it to her to be forthright with it.]
It is, kinda. I'm not trying to downplay that or anything. But it's Dave's shadow, and it's got it in its head that the only way to keep me safe in there is to get rid of me... so that nothing else can hurt me.
I think it's linked up to a bunch of moments in his life where he thought he royally effed up everything.
Can't just go in there and steal his heart, since. It just doesn't feel like it's the right thing to do since he can probably work through it with some time out here.
And, especially not if he's my boyfriend
And stuff
It is, kinda. I'm not trying to downplay that or anything. But it's Dave's shadow, and it's got it in its head that the only way to keep me safe in there is to get rid of me... so that nothing else can hurt me.
I think it's linked up to a bunch of moments in his life where he thought he royally effed up everything.
Can't just go in there and steal his heart, since. It just doesn't feel like it's the right thing to do since he can probably work through it with some time out here.
And, especially not if he's my boyfriend
And stuff
[hang on, give him a second to translate that from Gundamese to Striderese. and ā]
What.
[the turns ... they've tabled. Dave's immediate instinct is to start blustering, as he does when someone manages to put an entire viewfinder's worth of mental images in his head that just fluster the fuck out of him, and also as he does when it looks like he's been bested in ... whatever this was. an argument? was this an argument?]
[he's also pretty good at maintaining his cool. and, he does ā but at this moment, the flush of his cheeks also betrays him.]
Dude ... for real? [he casts a sidelong glance at Ryuji, before looking back at Gundam.]
Didn't realize you had that kinda imagination, bro.
What.
[the turns ... they've tabled. Dave's immediate instinct is to start blustering, as he does when someone manages to put an entire viewfinder's worth of mental images in his head that just fluster the fuck out of him, and also as he does when it looks like he's been bested in ... whatever this was. an argument? was this an argument?]
[he's also pretty good at maintaining his cool. and, he does ā but at this moment, the flush of his cheeks also betrays him.]
Dude ... for real? [he casts a sidelong glance at Ryuji, before looking back at Gundam.]
Didn't realize you had that kinda imagination, bro.
[Press F to pay respects to their innocence.
Ryuji just stands there for a moment, jaw slack. He can't actually look at Dave at the moment for some... unknown reason... but he's also not about to stand down from this encounter. This is the dude who went full tilt right down the throat of the metagorical singularity and lived to tell the tale. If you're going through hell, keep going, right?
Except there's probably a point of no return that will end up making both Dave and Ryuji blush out of existence simultaneously. Cruising right up to that point, he figures he knows something that will at least grind Gundam's gears.]
Yeah, you learn this shit back in fiend school, dude. Think it was a 300-level course? But, y'know. Guess it makes sense that a Supreme Overlord of Ice doesn't know diddly squat about the fiery throes of passion.
[Don't... look at Dave... don't... look at Dave.]
Ryuji just stands there for a moment, jaw slack. He can't actually look at Dave at the moment for some... unknown reason... but he's also not about to stand down from this encounter. This is the dude who went full tilt right down the throat of the metagorical singularity and lived to tell the tale. If you're going through hell, keep going, right?
Except there's probably a point of no return that will end up making both Dave and Ryuji blush out of existence simultaneously. Cruising right up to that point, he figures he knows something that will at least grind Gundam's gears.]
Yeah, you learn this shit back in fiend school, dude. Think it was a 300-level course? But, y'know. Guess it makes sense that a Supreme Overlord of Ice doesn't know diddly squat about the fiery throes of passion.
[Don't... look at Dave... don't... look at Dave.]
[no, you know what? i'm putting that image back in.]
Oh my fucking god.
[WHY IS EVERYTHING HAPPENING SO MUCH.]
Do you even know what you mean by that?
Oh my fucking god.
[WHY IS EVERYTHING HAPPENING SO MUCH.]
Do you even know what you mean by that?
hey
gonna have to bear some bad news here bro
simbas a wanted robot
gonna have to bear some bad news here bro
simbas a wanted robot
Of course, now that you put it that way it makes a lot more sense.
Though it is still worrisome that his shadow wants you gone to protect you. Dave won't go in there alone to try and deal with it will he?
[She does get his sentiment though. Haru would never steal Hajime's heart unless he told her to do. Unless he was desperate for a change of heart. There are just some things that are better left to be worked out naturally.]
In the meantime... we can make a game plan to take Akechi's palace down. But... you realize this means we are going to have to do it without his permission. Without his knowledge.
I just want to reiterate that part.
Though it is still worrisome that his shadow wants you gone to protect you. Dave won't go in there alone to try and deal with it will he?
[She does get his sentiment though. Haru would never steal Hajime's heart unless he told her to do. Unless he was desperate for a change of heart. There are just some things that are better left to be worked out naturally.]
In the meantime... we can make a game plan to take Akechi's palace down. But... you realize this means we are going to have to do it without his permission. Without his knowledge.
I just want to reiterate that part.
[So... Dave and Hajime are both on his mind, since both of them are having some of the same issues in totally, completely tangential sorts of ways, but Ryuji had promised both he wouldn't go in there and just tinker with their hearts. He didn't want to, to either of them anyway.]
I dunno. I mean, on one hand maybe he could like. Learn something from talking with him. But it's also dangerous, and it's not like I can go in there without getting attacked. Not sure what I'd do if something were to happen to him in there.
This shit followed us all the way here. I know it ain't OUR FAULT or nothing but like. It was probably lured by our personas, or it's just... like. Because we're here, so is the Metaverse. Is that a dumb thought?
Anyway, as for Dave's shadow I don't think it's trying to actively "save" anyone but me.
And yeah.
Makes me a total hypocrite to sit here and bitch about heart stealing and then be all effin' for takin' Akechi's. But... it's different, right? There's no other way. This is the sorta stuff that I wish Akira was here for. He'd be able to talk us through it. I just ain't got the DNA to wonder if it's the right thing to do. But Akechi and Dave, and even to some extent, Hajime- they're different. I gotta believe that. Someone who has a palace has GOTTA be seriously, seriously messed up. It's just... uh, is the existence of one enough to warrant needing to fix it. Hard to tell.
I wanna say yeah. Akechi's hurting himself the longer this goes on. So I'm in.
But we got a few things we gotta figure out.
1. Dave's shadow wants to get me out of the metaverse every time I step in there.
2. Hajime doesn't believe in himself enough to even be able to form a gun. He's gotta learn to accept himself or we're gonna be a man short
3. We need a leader. Minato... right? He's a thief now, and it seems kinda right, I dunno
4. We need a navigator. You can bet your ass we shouldn't go in there without one. This is Akechi's mind we're talkin' about. Hear me out on this one, but... you've met Erika, right? Do you think it's worth it to try to bring her in?
I dunno. I mean, on one hand maybe he could like. Learn something from talking with him. But it's also dangerous, and it's not like I can go in there without getting attacked. Not sure what I'd do if something were to happen to him in there.
This shit followed us all the way here. I know it ain't OUR FAULT or nothing but like. It was probably lured by our personas, or it's just... like. Because we're here, so is the Metaverse. Is that a dumb thought?
Anyway, as for Dave's shadow I don't think it's trying to actively "save" anyone but me.
And yeah.
Makes me a total hypocrite to sit here and bitch about heart stealing and then be all effin' for takin' Akechi's. But... it's different, right? There's no other way. This is the sorta stuff that I wish Akira was here for. He'd be able to talk us through it. I just ain't got the DNA to wonder if it's the right thing to do. But Akechi and Dave, and even to some extent, Hajime- they're different. I gotta believe that. Someone who has a palace has GOTTA be seriously, seriously messed up. It's just... uh, is the existence of one enough to warrant needing to fix it. Hard to tell.
I wanna say yeah. Akechi's hurting himself the longer this goes on. So I'm in.
But we got a few things we gotta figure out.
1. Dave's shadow wants to get me out of the metaverse every time I step in there.
2. Hajime doesn't believe in himself enough to even be able to form a gun. He's gotta learn to accept himself or we're gonna be a man short
3. We need a leader. Minato... right? He's a thief now, and it seems kinda right, I dunno
4. We need a navigator. You can bet your ass we shouldn't go in there without one. This is Akechi's mind we're talkin' about. Hear me out on this one, but... you've met Erika, right? Do you think it's worth it to try to bring her in?
[Ryuji will get a picture after a few minutes. it was taken from in the pool, at an angle that shows Simba, out of the water at the edge, looming ominously. it was a crime of opportunity: attempted second-degree murder.]
[no, look, sometimes you just wanna stand there and chill by the pool for a few minutes, reminiscing over that one time a bunch of people almost got zapped to death, without realizing that you're standing in the pool roomba's path until it scares the shit out of you with a light bump.]
[this is a really fucking weird way of asking if Ryuji's got an extra towel, Dave. also, he's not really all that mad? he might be when he remembers what chlorine does to his hair, though.]
look i dont want him to go to robojail either
but i figured you should know
[no, look, sometimes you just wanna stand there and chill by the pool for a few minutes, reminiscing over that one time a bunch of people almost got zapped to death, without realizing that you're standing in the pool roomba's path until it scares the shit out of you with a light bump.]
[this is a really fucking weird way of asking if Ryuji's got an extra towel, Dave. also, he's not really all that mad? he might be when he remembers what chlorine does to his hair, though.]
look i dont want him to go to robojail either
but i figured you should know
[That really was some amazing teamwork, wasn't it?
But that's not what crosses his mind when Ryuji notices:
a.) Simba-chan looks absolutely fine
b.) Huh, what's with the angle?
c.) Oh.
d.) lol dave
Look, Simba, everything the water touches is our kingdom. A king's time as ruler rises and falls like the tides. One day, Simba, you will scare a giant doofus enough to tilt backward into the pool, and the water level will rise with you as the new king.]
I can't believe you let a poolmba bully you
Is he being sent to the principal's office
Do I gotta come pick him up
[He has 4 towels, to be exact. Do you need one, Dave? Do you?]
But that's not what crosses his mind when Ryuji notices:
a.) Simba-chan looks absolutely fine
b.) Huh, what's with the angle?
c.) Oh.
d.) lol dave
Look, Simba, everything the water touches is our kingdom. A king's time as ruler rises and falls like the tides. One day, Simba, you will scare a giant doofus enough to tilt backward into the pool, and the water level will rise with you as the new king.]
I can't believe you let a poolmba bully you
Is he being sent to the principal's office
Do I gotta come pick him up
[He has 4 towels, to be exact. Do you need one, Dave? Do you?]
[wow. WOW????]
[nah, Dave knows this was largely self-inflicted. he could have just wandered sopping wet down the hall back to his room, but that presents the problem of having to wander sopping wet down a hall that's still slightly toilet paper'd.]
[which presents its own set of problems. they're still self-inflicted problems, but.]
dude
i cant believe youre brushing off this fuckin scar maneuver the guy just pulled
body slammed me right into a stampede
hes not following the plot correctly at all here
havent you given him the spiel on how this is supposed to go
[yes. that is Davespeak for please bring him a towel.]
[nah, Dave knows this was largely self-inflicted. he could have just wandered sopping wet down the hall back to his room, but that presents the problem of having to wander sopping wet down a hall that's still slightly toilet paper'd.]
[which presents its own set of problems. they're still self-inflicted problems, but.]
dude
i cant believe youre brushing off this fuckin scar maneuver the guy just pulled
body slammed me right into a stampede
hes not following the plot correctly at all here
havent you given him the spiel on how this is supposed to go
[yes. that is Davespeak for please bring him a towel.]
It's super goddamn selfish of me but I wish I could take you back to my Tokyo. I dunno, maybe I just don't wanna think about what life would be like without you around at this point. Too sappy? Way too damn sappy. I'll cut back on the levels of maple syrup drip that's currently stickin' all over my hands right now.
But also, I think it's gotta be said that like
I ain't really great at all this hero shit to begin with
[He's really not that great of a person, Hajime... he knows that. When it comes down to it, he'll use those powers to stop people from being hurt, their choice to do it or not. He said last resort, but the last resort option has been the same path that he's had to take almost every step of the way.
If Hajime had a palace, this would be a very different discussion. But that's not the case here, the things that are holding him back are problems of his own devices. And in this case, protecting Hajime is the same as making sure nothing touches his heart in the Metaverse. It's all about perspective, which is why the Phantom Thieves operate in a pocket that represents an avenger's understanding of justice. He just... doesn't know how to convey that to Hajime the right way.]
But also, I think it's gotta be said that like
I ain't really great at all this hero shit to begin with
[He's really not that great of a person, Hajime... he knows that. When it comes down to it, he'll use those powers to stop people from being hurt, their choice to do it or not. He said last resort, but the last resort option has been the same path that he's had to take almost every step of the way.
If Hajime had a palace, this would be a very different discussion. But that's not the case here, the things that are holding him back are problems of his own devices. And in this case, protecting Hajime is the same as making sure nothing touches his heart in the Metaverse. It's all about perspective, which is why the Phantom Thieves operate in a pocket that represents an avenger's understanding of justice. He just... doesn't know how to convey that to Hajime the right way.]
[Because nobody is going to question wet wads of TP just chilling around the fourth floor, draping the entire place and turning their usual haunt locale into... everywhere, basically.]
Yeah but he's Simba-chan and you're Dave-chan
And he's just like his old man I'd dunk you right into the blessed rains down in Africa
[Notice the lack of punctuation and run-on sentence structure that autocorrect couldn't touch? That means he's already on his way. Hurry, boy, he's waiting there for you, and all.
And your eventually green hair.
This is going to be beautiful.]
Yeah but he's Simba-chan and you're Dave-chan
And he's just like his old man I'd dunk you right into the blessed rains down in Africa
[Notice the lack of punctuation and run-on sentence structure that autocorrect couldn't touch? That means he's already on his way. Hurry, boy, he's waiting there for you, and all.
And your eventually green hair.
This is going to be beautiful.]
Edited 2018-09-12 15:52 (UTC)
asshole
[if there ever was a text to properly convey their usual, weirdly fond cadence, there it is. and, they're both just going to have to live with hair that's a different color than their normal for a while, it sounds like.]
[but Dave's managed to escape the water (buffalo?) stampede by the time Ryuji gets there, standing VERY POINTEDLY far away from Simba, grumbling and wringing out the bottom hem of his trademark raglan shirt. that's gonna be a pain in the ass to wash, too. his bangs are slicked to his forehead, and the shades are currently latched on to the collar of his shirt, because he has no means of drying off the lenses yet.]
[if there ever was a text to properly convey their usual, weirdly fond cadence, there it is. and, they're both just going to have to live with hair that's a different color than their normal for a while, it sounds like.]
[but Dave's managed to escape the water (buffalo?) stampede by the time Ryuji gets there, standing VERY POINTEDLY far away from Simba, grumbling and wringing out the bottom hem of his trademark raglan shirt. that's gonna be a pain in the ass to wash, too. his bangs are slicked to his forehead, and the shades are currently latched on to the collar of his shirt, because he has no means of drying off the lenses yet.]
Um... Should I know what any of those are?
I guess if it's an inside joke, even explaining it won't help much...
I guess if it's an inside joke, even explaining it won't help much...
[He's not wrong about that, though. If Dave's gonna call him an asshole, he's gonna proudly live up to it. Hell, he doesn't even know if the sleep deprivation joke is a Too Soon sort of reference, but, whatever, he dropped it there and let it sit for a while in their chat box.
Poking his head into the gym, he sees Dave trying to dry himself off, and he pulls out just to take a moment in this active time event to make a few quick adjustments, sigh to himself, and just... drop the towel he was carrying right outside its door.
Coming, empty handed, he crosses his arms and clears his throat. Takes a good look at his soaking wet boyfriend, and then shakes his head, turning to Simba to survey any structural damages.]
You alright?
[Thank god his back his turned to him, because the obnoxious grin on his face is almost palpable. Probably in his voice, too.]
This ain't how you make friends, little dude.
Poking his head into the gym, he sees Dave trying to dry himself off, and he pulls out just to take a moment in this active time event to make a few quick adjustments, sigh to himself, and just... drop the towel he was carrying right outside its door.
Coming, empty handed, he crosses his arms and clears his throat. Takes a good look at his soaking wet boyfriend, and then shakes his head, turning to Simba to survey any structural damages.]
You alright?
[Thank god his back his turned to him, because the obnoxious grin on his face is almost palpable. Probably in his voice, too.]
This ain't how you make friends, little dude.
[honestly, the song's probably stuck in his head now, and they're up to what. quadruple decker revenge at this point? Dave's kind of lost count, as well as any ideas he had in mind to get back at Ryuji in the first place.]
[so Ryuji's earlier assumption that the threat of revenge had no actual teeth to it was the correct one.]
[but the most effective way to get a stubborn song out of your head is, weirdly enough, listening to it. which .... yeah, he'd rather just live with Toto at this point.]
You asking me or the first robot to turn in the uprising? [yeah, he hears that obnoxious grin, buddy. and he has half a mind to retaliate by tossing him in the pool next.]
[so Ryuji's earlier assumption that the threat of revenge had no actual teeth to it was the correct one.]
[but the most effective way to get a stubborn song out of your head is, weirdly enough, listening to it. which .... yeah, he'd rather just live with Toto at this point.]
You asking me or the first robot to turn in the uprising? [yeah, he hears that obnoxious grin, buddy. and he has half a mind to retaliate by tossing him in the pool next.]
He, uh. Don't be too harsh on 'em, okay? He's a great guy.
[Ryuji begins cajoling Simba, because clearly!!! this was some sort of mistake. Simba probably just wanted to greet him, but was nervous to do so, got overenthusiastic and managed to creep up on him. He doesn't have a mouth, so it's not like he could've announced his presence or anything like that.
Approaching and leaning down, though, he does check to make sure the filter isn't completely trashed, as he's been cleaning it by hand ever since Simba sprung into existence after all that weird shit went down. It looks good; he doesn't even have to take it apart to get a better examination of it. It's only been a few days, anyway.
That settled, he stands up. As much fun as it is to mess with Dave, he doesn't really want him standing there completely drenched. That's probably how people catch space flus and Ryuji seriously, seriously never wants that to ever happen again.]
Dude, I woulda gone swimming with you if you asked. [Yeah, he deserves all that revenge.]
[Ryuji begins cajoling Simba, because clearly!!! this was some sort of mistake. Simba probably just wanted to greet him, but was nervous to do so, got overenthusiastic and managed to creep up on him. He doesn't have a mouth, so it's not like he could've announced his presence or anything like that.
Approaching and leaning down, though, he does check to make sure the filter isn't completely trashed, as he's been cleaning it by hand ever since Simba sprung into existence after all that weird shit went down. It looks good; he doesn't even have to take it apart to get a better examination of it. It's only been a few days, anyway.
That settled, he stands up. As much fun as it is to mess with Dave, he doesn't really want him standing there completely drenched. That's probably how people catch space flus and Ryuji seriously, seriously never wants that to ever happen again.]
Dude, I woulda gone swimming with you if you asked. [Yeah, he deserves all that revenge.]
I don't... uh. I dunno, happy endings are kinda hard to believe in. Most times things just end up okay, and okay is a pretty good thing to shoot for. Probably. Does that make sense?
[Because there have been so many times on this station where things looked like they were getting better, only to have something slam into them and try to break their hopes. He'd had a few conversations with people where the concept of being okay with not being okay isn't necessarily a bad thing at all.
That virus was a pretty harrowing experience, and... yeah, he wants to live with the feeling that everything that happens should be done with two feet forward. Who knows what the last minute will really be like. All Ryuji knows is that he doesn't want it to be curled up against the observation deck window, alone and filled with the regrets of all the things he never got to do.
Like piloting a spaceship.
And then the concept of being somewhere where they could figure out a new life? Not exactly ideal under normal circumstances, but he can guess there are a few great fucking people on board that could figure it out.]
Hm... You think we could pull off the hunter gatherer lifestyle down there?
[Because there have been so many times on this station where things looked like they were getting better, only to have something slam into them and try to break their hopes. He'd had a few conversations with people where the concept of being okay with not being okay isn't necessarily a bad thing at all.
That virus was a pretty harrowing experience, and... yeah, he wants to live with the feeling that everything that happens should be done with two feet forward. Who knows what the last minute will really be like. All Ryuji knows is that he doesn't want it to be curled up against the observation deck window, alone and filled with the regrets of all the things he never got to do.
Like piloting a spaceship.
And then the concept of being somewhere where they could figure out a new life? Not exactly ideal under normal circumstances, but he can guess there are a few great fucking people on board that could figure it out.]
Hm... You think we could pull off the hunter gatherer lifestyle down there?
[From context clues he's very sure he wants it to stay very much unexplained-- besides the Devas are present. It would be unwise to sully their perception of mankind any further.]
I believe sufficient retribution has been wrought. Perhaps you shall think twice before challenging me in the art of conjuring nightmarish afflictions upon the mortal mind. You understand now... our difference in status.
More importantly, I must go for there is much left that I must prepare. With he who shall hence forth be known as Dave's offerings, the commencement of creation of the unholy passages of darkness shall begin.
Come my Devas! [Gundam splays his free hand out wide, beckoning his hamsters to his side.] A new pathway to hell awaits you all!
[This is gonna be the best toilet paper roll maze ever.]
I believe sufficient retribution has been wrought. Perhaps you shall think twice before challenging me in the art of conjuring nightmarish afflictions upon the mortal mind. You understand now... our difference in status.
More importantly, I must go for there is much left that I must prepare. With he who shall hence forth be known as Dave's offerings, the commencement of creation of the unholy passages of darkness shall begin.
Come my Devas! [Gundam splays his free hand out wide, beckoning his hamsters to his side.] A new pathway to hell awaits you all!
[This is gonna be the best toilet paper roll maze ever.]
Edited (/seventeen edits later) 2018-09-12 23:16 (UTC)
[.......................]
Iām taking the next pathway the hell back to bed.
Iām taking the next pathway the hell back to bed.
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