[network] Event: Long & Lost [NIGHT 217]

[snowblindmods]

it's been so long between the words we spoke
will you be there up on the shore, I hope

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Comments

[quadrangle]

That's okay. Other people can handle that shit. It's too much for any one person anyway.

[devoutish]

Teaching those of us who don't understand would be a waste of time. Not necessary.

Trying is worth it. Yes. But I still feel failure.

[quadrangle]

Yeah, it's... we have to use our resources wherever they'd do the most good. Even if it sucks.

And I know what you mean. Just... it's too early to give up.

Oops pretend that said fear not feel

[devoutish]

Mm.

These motivational words, they don't do much for me.

no never

[quadrangle]

[Another sigh, this one slightly more exasperated.]

I know, right? Just, I don't know, it sucks seeing everyone so miserable.

[Or, specifically, people he actually sort of likes, i.e., Alfie. Shut up.]

GOSH

[devoutish]

Mm.

[But he doesn't sound annoyed. He minds Karkat's approach less than he minds Al's, even though they're very similar and have pretty much the same point.]

Yeah. But that's not much avoidable here, is it? Not something that can be worked around. And I feared that, when I first came here, because I looked around me and saw that it was inevitable.

[quadrangle]

[... Welp.]

"Inevitable" isn't the same thing as "permanent," is it?

[It might have been more forced motivational blather, might have been a genuine question. Who knows.]

[devoutish]

[No matter how it's meant, Alfie takes it as a question.]

Nah. Not yet. There's still some hope. I've still got some myself, even with them gone.

[quadrangle]

[Oh, good.]

Okay. That's all I wanted. To make sure you knew that, I mean.

[Even if he's usually more the "have a catastrophic meltdown where everyone can see it and make fun of him" type. Extenuating circumstances and all that.]

[devoutish]

Mm.

It'll get harder to know the longer you're here.

[quadrangle]

... Yeah. I don't doubt it.

[devoutish]

Stick with the people that you've got, for as long as you can.

[quadrangle]

... Because they'll probably vanish, right?

[He doesn't want to say it, and yet.]

[devoutish]

Because while they're here, they'll do you good.

[quadrangle]

[Only a wiggler would be reassured by some trite bullshit like that, but... well, he's kind of reassured. Goddammit, Alfie.]

... Yeah. I guess you're right.

[devoutish]

And if they do disappear, you'll find more friends; you won't be on your own. You're less cantankerous than me.

[quadrangle]

[... HE'S STRANGELY INSULTED.]

Uh, no? You just think that because I haven't been as big an asshole to you. I mean, you're a fucking adult. And a gangster, but it's mostly the adult thing. I'm just scared I'll say or do something to piss you off even if you've already said it'd have to be something major for you to retaliate.

[devoutish]

I never said you weren't cantankerous at all, did I.

[quadrangle]

No, but it's the principle of the thing. And you haven't seemed all that cantankerous to me? I mean, maybe a little when we first spoke, but not much since then.

[devoutish]

Mm, yeah. That's something that'll depend on who you're asking, I suppose.

[quadrangle]

Yeah, and there's plenty of people I don't want to ask. Still, you get what I mean.

[devoutish]

Do they really think you're all that bad, where you come from?