The Nineteenth Trial

[hot_mess_express]

Who: Everyone
When: Day 43, evening
Where: The Mermaid's Beach

Come on, come on heroes...! Come hither!

[ There's a playful giggle and the sound of splashing as the Mermaid's beach appears in the clearing. ]

Let's play a game...!

Comments

[schrodingerscockroach]

At least some of the time.

Though I'm quite the asshole sometimes back home, to the Reds and Blues specifically, so who knows how that all works out, quite the mystery.

[time5kip]

You've mentioned your fear of being a jaded asshole.

[schrodingerscockroach]

Correct. So less aggressive socialization there.

More than likely some presumptuous nonsense.

[Probably getting close to the five minutes for roleplaying now.]

[time5kip]

You, presumptuous? I can't even begin to imagine that. I just see the good in all people and nothing else. You know, like the good fun loving lad I am.

[schrodingerscockroach]

I am a refined gentleman with a discerning eye for character and situations.

[Pretends to adjust a monocle.]

[time5kip]

[ That actually gets him another smile so good job there ]

I'd say I've been a presumptuous asshole myself, and I've been. But, you know. Kind of a natural consequence of being smarter and more capable than most people. I've met my match from time to time, sure, but not often.

Guess that counts as something I like about myself. I can rely on me more than I can rely on anyone else.

[schrodingerscockroach]

[....you know, that might have been why he was an asshole to the Reds and Blues after hearing Five say it like that.]

[Also concerning it's not just self reliance, but more than other people, but that's a thing to work on.]

Being self sufficient is very good.

[Yeah, probably been five minutes now for roleplaying.]

I like having the mental fortitude to do what needs to be done. Let's me keep the people important to me safe.

Or throw my dignity under the bus.

[time5kip]

The more we talk with any degree of sincerity and the more annoyed I get with how similar we are.

[schrodingerscockroach]

I was just thinking the same thing.

Well, not the annoyed part, that's more bemusement.

[time5kip]

You'd be more annoyed if you had your actual memories. Makes it easier to go full self-deprecating when you see yourself on someone else.

[ There's a long pause as he considers his next plan of action and then, eventually ]

I can talk about the most important person in my life and tell you a secret afterwards. They're tied.

[schrodingerscockroach]

...maybe.

[Listen, there is a lot of anger and frustration in his memories, and he's had issues with guilt. It's pretty easy for him to believe it.]

Okay.

[time5kip]

You already know about my family. Obviously they're important — but I've only spent the first thirteen years of my life with them. Everything I know about their adult lives I've read through a book that my sister wrote about how messed up our family is.

Pretty ballsy, by the way. Never though Vanya had it in her.

We didn't have all that much bonding time when I came back to try and save the world, so. There's that.

[ There's a pause and he realizes he's stalling ]

The most important person I've had in my life was Delores. We spent 40 years together in the apocalypse. We had our arguments from time to time, sure, but she's the only one who ever understood me. And she's been by my side through it all.

I've never loved anyone like I love her.

[schrodingerscockroach]

[He nods as he listens.]

It's always the ones you least expect.

[That gets him a pause though. Because didn't Five say he was alone for all that???]

Anyone to help get through that, pretty understandable you would.

[time5kip]

She's a mannequin. I found her under the rubble while I was looking for survivors.

I've been with her ever since.

[schrodingerscockroach]

[W E L L]

.....

[He very much does not say the first thing that pops into his head because that is definitely proof Five went off to crazy town.]

[No, saying anything like that would be terrible and even in his social awkwardness, he knows better.]

[But]

[But....]

[Grief was a funny thing.]

[As was loneliness.]

[And he needed something. If anything, it was proof how much Five could survive through. And how much better he honestly deserved.]

[It takes several long moments for him to talk, but he is sincere.] I'm glad you found her then. [Because who knows what would have happened if he hadn't, but it probably wouldn't have been good.]

[time5kip]

[ He was expecting the silence and the surprise, so he doesn't even blink an eye at that. And while he didn't think Dusk would flat out mock him for it, he didn't exactly expect him to simply take it at face value without questioning any part of it. ]

So am I. I wouldn't have made it without her. It's the loneliness that breaks you, in the end.

[ He pretty much confirms Dusk's thought process right then and there, unsurprisingly. ]

Should have gotten some coffee for myself.

[schrodingerscockroach]

[It's easy to understand. Very easy. He's always been of the opinion going at it alone was bad. Both for results and for a person's own sake. And....]

[The thought of loneliness hurts. It just does in a way he can't really put into words, but it makes it so easy to empathize with it.]

Yeah. Seems like it would. Luckily she was there.

[He wonders if he should say anything else? He's not sure if there is anything he CAN say.]

Should be about five minutes for the petting. Drink break sounds good.

[time5kip]

[ Right. He was pretty much mindlessly going through the motions, so he almost forgot that he was still petting Dusk's hair. Which, honestly? Is embarrassing, because it was almost comfortable. So he's going to pull back ]

I'll get more for you as well. It's shit, but it's better than nothing. Wait here and think of your next one.

[schrodingerscockroach]

[Sometimes going through the motions is easier than]

[Well, thinking all that.]

All right.

[He figures Five may need a minute to himself.]

[time5kip]

[ He absolutely needs to and in fact, takes some time to gather drinks and come back. But by then he's managed to shake off most of it. ]

I need to give one more massage still.

[ Handing over a cup - this time, with no salt in it ]

[schrodingerscockroach]

[Takes the cup and does a test sip. Once he sees its good, he'll take a sane and normal sip.]

Sure. So do I. Just try not to touch the tech on my neck.

[time5kip]

[ He on the other hand is drinking his all in one go. Because that's what normal people do. He's going to move in closer and take a look at his neck, to make sure he won't touch anywhere he's not supposed to ]

I'll keep it in mind for whenever I want to piss you off.

[schrodingerscockroach]

More like I don't know how to feels to have other people touch it.

Or if I have instincts for when people touch the delicate machinery attached to my spine.

[time5kip]

I'd say we could test it, but let's wait until I get my powers back. I'm as fragile as any regular thirteen year old boy and I barely have combat skills. —Which would count as another secret, since I haven't told this to anyone. But I've already taken care of that spot.

[ Putting his hands on his shoulders, and then starting the massage ]

[schrodingerscockroach]

I kind of guessed that when you remembered things.

[But staying still for the massage.]

[....he is hella tense, but that's probably not such a surprise.]