[online/open]

[fracturedsoul]

I may have met with an untimely defeat in the tournament, but I'm not ready to call it quits just yet. Any other Players interested in taking me on? I promise to make it worth your while.

On another note, I've come into possession of a few pieces of highly influential media from my world. We're gonna be having us a movie night this Saturday, seven PM at the city library. Attendance is mandatory.

[ Private to Jake English and Jane Crocker: ]

I fucked up.

Sorry.

I have something for you.


((Again, replies will be in orange unless you'd rather not.))

Comments

[action]

[fracturedsoul]

[ This would be Dirk poking up onto the roof to see if Dave is there. ]

[action]

[knightime]

[The PDA is actually lying on the floor uselessly far away from Dave.

He's got his backturned to the door to the roof, his head tilted up, camera in hand. The pair of aviators are sitting at the top of his head as he seems to be preoccupied with taking a photo of the sky.]

[action]

[fracturedsoul]

[ Dirk picks the PDA up to carry it over to Dave, stopping short when he notices what Dave is up to. Clearly it's some sort of coping mechanism to avoid having to think about what was undoubtedly a traumatic event Dirk had dredged up, but that doesn't mean he's not interested.

He just watches. ]

[action]

[knightime]

[The small clicks are the only sounds as Dave focuses before the sound of the shutter goes off as he takes a photo. He sets the camera down against his chest, the band around his neck, but still cradling the camera protectively.]

[action]

[fracturedsoul]

Just a hobby of yours?

[knightime]

[Holy motherfucking shit where did you come from and when and why and-

Dave jolted...okay he literally jumped. Holy crap dude.]

[fracturedsoul]

[ Oops. Maybe Dirk should be a bit less sneaky. ]

Chill, bro, it's me. You vanished pretty suddenly, had to see what was up.

[knightime]

[Dave just stands there, staring at him like a deer in headlights. Oh right, his shades fell to the floor. You...also have his PDA. Signing to you would be a pretty stupid idea huh.]

[fracturedsoul]

[ Ah. Right. Kid can't talk. Dirk holds the PDA out for Dave to take. ]

[knightime]

[He takes the PDA from Dirk. You probably feel a buzzing from your own a few seconds after.]

sup

[After that, Dave quickly retrieves his shades, placing them back on his face.]

[fracturedsoul]

[ He'd gotten his out as soon as he handed Dave's over. ]

Was it that bad? From what I hear, life goes on around here even if you die.

[knightime]

idk what youre talking about
im used to it

[Well no. He distinctly remembers how it feels to lose all the air in your lungs. To sink in freezing cold water. To feel your lungs fill up with water as you try to claw up to the surface again but can't.

He also remembers how quick and painless dying feels in SBURB. But usually he just gets his throat slit or a stab. Or something.

Wow, that's kind of depressing to think about. Oh well.]

[fracturedsoul]

Which is why you went completely silent on me.

[knightime]

the sky was calling my name
cant distract an artist from his work

[Because that's so convincing right?]

[fracturedsoul]

If you say so. [ SHRUG. ] Still, the offer stands. If you want to learn how to swim, I've been doing that shit my whole life.

[knightime]

naw i got it covered

[He can't let you see how uncool he is at swimming. You almost saw how uncool he was last time. Welp.]

[fracturedsoul]

Ah. [ Slightly disappointing. Even if it's not the same Dave, Dirk wanted to be of some help to him. ] So you don't want anything as thanks for the ASL lessons?

[knightime]

naw
i was teaching everyone else too
so its not like it was some special vip treatment or anything
everyone still seems to want to learn
and i guess it makes it easier to communicate with me
weh
dave and his special needs or whatever

[He kind of misses John. At least John understood why. Okay, he just misses the other in general.]

[fracturedsoul]

Okay, then. [ :c ]

Everyone's got special needs, not your fault you can't talk. Anyone gives you shit about that, point me at 'em.

[knightime]

no one here
surprisingly enough
i cant really say the same back home
school wasnt exactly my favorite place
i can handle it though
im a big boy
got my big boy panties on and everything

[All the fights he got into. Oops.]

[fracturedsoul]

I didn't expect otherwise. [ Except the fact that Dave goes that far in his answer kind of hints just the opposite. Dirk's learned to read you, Bro. ]

Anyway, just thought I'd make sure.

[knightime]

[Shush. He has no problems with being mute. Just everyone else does. Like his eyes.]

everything is chill here
i mean its fucking freezing on this roof
shits cool
everything is fine
nothing relevant has been lost

[fracturedsoul]

...Dave, get your ass inside. I won't bring the swimming thing up again.

[knightime]

im not even bothered by the swimming thing
holy shit
why do you keep bringing it up
maybe i just wanted to stare at the clouds all day
find the bunny shaped puffs of dirt and water or whatever

[fracturedsoul]

[ Not impressed. He speaks slowly for Dave's benefit. ]

And that is why I said. I would not bring it up again. You're doing a pretty shit job of convincing me you're not bothered.