Twelfth Beat | Am I Better off this Way

[knightime]

Characters: Dave Strider and everyone
Format: Either or
This log is: open
Location: Somewhere in the grass with lots of space; accessible to both schools.
Summary: Dave finally decides that he's going to continue teaching ASL to everyone. Even without the presence of his bucktoothed best friend.
Warnings: Language and possibly a ridiculous amount of cute.

asl
in an hour
heres the location

The grassy area had a few books lying around. There was one opened to the alphabet and a few others were open to some simple, everyday words that were common in everyday use.

Dave was sitting near them, although he was busy flattening his sandwich. It's not like anyone was here yet. Honestly, this was probably a terrible idea. He wasn't cut out to be this people person who helped everyone learn with a smile. That was John's forte. But John wasn't here anymore. Hell, a lot of people weren't here anymore.

But...it was nice. Seeing everyone sign to him. Even if it was a simple hello or the bare minimal. it was nice to see people try to communicate to him. Hell, it looked like they still were trying. Why should he deny them the chance to learn?

Even if it made him nervous.

Because he wasn't used to it. Shit was too personal. This was too much. And it was impossible to read his face. He knew the basics for ASL. Facial expression was important. But he still kept to hiding behind the shades.

He pushed all those thoughts out of his head. Right. Teaching ASL. He can do that. He started eating his sandwich, waiting for people to arrive.

Comments

[fracturedsoul]

"Language is important. Without a way to mutually communicate, we're no better than our animal forebears. Except apes can totally use sign language too so we'd be worse off than them, even." Dirk shrugged back. "Besides, this is hells more useful than half the shit they've got us learning at these so-called schools."

Hm. He considered something for a second. "Why are you the only one teaching? Doesn't your sis know sign language too?"

[knightime]

i guess
but its not like people really wanted to put the effort in to learn
why sign when you can talk?
little davey cant talk??
well sucks to be him he can just listen

Dave wasn't actually all that bitter about it. He just read books or did other things instead. It was only a problem when he started getting picked on for it.

oh
well yeah
i guess she would know for my sake
but its not really her style
i was the one who offered anyways
its not like i was gonna force other people to help me teach
i didnt even consider teaching until egbert mentioned teaching it

[fracturedsoul]

Interesting. Dave didn't seem all that broken up about what he was typing, but Dirk still got the sense that it did bother him.

He also got the sense that, if he was reading Sis right, she wouldn't mind helping Dave with his classes, but he wasn't going to point that out. Her being an older, genderswapped version of Dirk from an alternate universe was still kind of weird -- and he was a heart player, so that was saying a lot.

"The deaf Egbert? Where'd he get to, anyway?"

[knightime]

Striders were stupid okay. He mostly didn't ask Sis because he didn't want to bother her. He could do this himself. Then maybe she wouldn't be as pissed with him for before.

idk
i guess he went home

This is not a conversation he wants to be talking about. Welp.

[fracturedsoul]

"Lucky bastard." Dirk backed off. If that's all Dave had to say, he wouldn't push.

"What skill level are you teaching to? Looks like you'll have a combined class. People you've already taught some alongside complete newbies."

[knightime]

whoever is interested i guess
im probably going to just keep notes of where everyone is at
because continuously asking everyone each time is a pain in the ass

It's weird to consider that he's doing this without any strings attached. But Dave didn't half ass. He kind of acted like he did, but this hit pretty close to home for him. After all, it was basically his language to "speak."