[network] @featherydouche; night 160; deep snow and hella death [open]

[mrcreamsicles]

[It's near midnight when this post appears on the network. There are no words—it's not even video—but instead, a series of pictures. They've been drawn in pen on a drawing pad, laid on a floor and photographed by tablet camera. The lighting is not the best, considering the hour, but surely that is half the charm.]




















[After that godawful narrative, there are a set of linked files: pictures of all the bodies from the police station morgue. The file names are keysmashed gibberish, and the pictures themselves are distorted, but each displays an identifiable face taken through the observation windows on the body drawers. Tim's stands out, having a second photo that better displays the outside of his drawer, which has a large red X in a circle - Ⓧ - and a mask drawn in charcoal.]

Comments

[redrooms]

I'll call you Davesprite, then. Do you want us to come get you?

[mrcreamsicles]

[Come get him? Weren't they off to the east of where he was to begin with? He's checked the mouth since reviving to know he's down to the south from there. They would have to meet half way, and pick up food along the way, and who knows how long traveling would take...]

[But does he want to?]

[He has Jade to worry over already, left without him, and he wonders what she has to think of him for this. She didn't hear his cascade of existential jackassery, and part of him is glad for it, but that's the kind of trouble on his mind that led him to break up with her alternate self. But he doesn't trust Brian, and surely he's the one with her.]

[Clint and Natasha, though... Would they even want to? Should they have to put up with him? He lifts a hand palm up, combined with the uncertain set of his mouth, for as much a question as he can ask without words to shape it. Why?]

[redrooms]

[Natasha tilts her head slightly.]

Because we're worried about you, and we know how difficult dying and coming back can be. You shouldn't be alone.

[mrcreamsicles]

[Worried. There's... there's that whole thing again. He knows he owes Clint an explanation and an apology, and some of that might be easier in person, or more personal than text. But it's a long way, and it's hard to shake the mortification he feels for just dumping out his issues in the first place. That was about as antithetical to his usual modus operandi as it gets. Patently unStriderian. He draws his fingers through his hair, then holds one up to the camera, a 'hold on', then cuts the feed.]

[It resumes not too long after. He holds up one drawing, then flips to the next. "It's a long way; talk to Hawkeye," is what he wants to convey.]

[redrooms]

[That one is pretty obvious. Natasha smiles a little.]

I'll talk to Clint, but I have a sneaking suspicion he won't mind.

[mrcreamsicles]

[He makes a neutral mm type noise. He can't pretend enthusiasm this fresh after his mistakes, but it's alright enough for now. He takes a moment to add an arrow to the first drawing, then displays it again for her: he'll head up north. He ought to go that way anyhow since Jade was up that direction.]

[redrooms]

[She doesn't really want to pressure him if he doesn't want to meet up with them, but she really is worried.]

Alright. If you need anything, you know you can contact us.

[There's a little pause, and then:]

I'm sorry, Davesprite. I'm sorry you're here and you have to deal with this.

[mrcreamsicles]

[He doesn't remotely know what he wants yet, and that's the whole problem. For now he has the sense of owing people better and whatever that will bring.]

[The sympathy doesn't hurt, though. He points back at the camera: her, too. They're all dealing with this shit, and it sucks.]

[redrooms]

It's alright. We've dealt with worse. Have you spoken with Clint at all?

[mrcreamsicles]

[More like been spoken at while gesturing and using pictorial reference. He nods, though, and his expression is too blank to read much else from it.]

[He has a lot he should really say to Clint, but can't yet. The best he can manage is to act apologetic and try not to be a douche again, username notwithstanding.]

[redrooms]

Good. Keep in touch, alright? I know it isn't easy to hold a conversation right now, but it will make Clint feel better.

[mrcreamsicles]

[He gives her the most stonefaced thumbs up a weird bird teenager who hasn't come to terms with his own unreality-fueled death can give, which is pretty damn stonefaced. It's a talent. He'll keep in touch as well as he can; he feels like he owes that much.]

[redrooms]

[She returns that thumbs up with a little smile.]

Stay safe.