piteous | HOMOPHONIC 🌺 YLFA SNORGELSSON

We'll find out, won't we?

[she hasn't decided yet.]

It depends where they're coming from.

Yeah, we will.

Got any scenarios in mind? Like if they were a big villain, you'd try to take them down there and then? Or if they're sympathetic, chained to their position... What would you do?

...I'm a little reckless, but not that reckless. If I try to take them down without a plan, I'm not going to be much use. Besides, I'm better, uh, drawing the attention to me while someone else deals the big damage.

[she's a tank not dps.]

Anyway, I have a bit of sympathy for this situation, I think. So more likely, I guess I'll see if there's any part of them that wants a different outcome and might be willing to be an ally. Or if not, well, there's still no reason not to be friendly until I figure out what to do.

That's a really important role for someone your age. I hope that isn't the reason why you're her, not like any of us remember how we died.

[ FLOOR TANK? ]

I was kind of thinking the same thing. Until there's a reason, I don't see why we can't get along.

[ He says, while also sending her back the $1 she sent him with 💸💸💸. ]

...Well. If it's the reason I died, I've got bigger problems. Since if I died, and Gerard died, the others might not be doing so well.

[tiny girl tank]

Making snap judgments about who can be trusted and who can't doesn't always work out.

That... Does not sound good! [ SWEATY. ] But Gerard's your buddy? It's kind of nice having a familiar face here, despite the circumstances. I know some people here, too.

Wished they weren't here because, y'know, circumstances.

[ A nod of approval, then a shrug. ]

We'll need to make some snap judgments for teams, though. Interviewed anyone recently?

He's my big froggy buddy, yep! I wish he didn't die but it is kind of nice to know I'm not alone.

[her ears perk a little.]

I think Gerard is asking around. Who do you know here?

It sounds like both of our pals are working hard out on the field.

[ The ears are so cute, but he (arthurfist) restrains himself. ]

Wolfwood and Livio. I think you've met the priest?

Met both of 'em. Guess that makes sense.

[he could ask for pets if he really wanted to. that's not weird, to pet a little girl.]

[ NO IT IS DEFINITELY WEIRD VASH THINKS IT'S WEIRD YOU DON'T JUST PET LITTLE GIRLS ]

What makes sense?

All of you seem like you would be very serious but actually you're all pretty weird.

... Hearing this from a furry kid who has a middle-aged frog friend is a lot to digest.

I definitely never claimed not to be weird myself.

... You're so in tune with yourself. How do you do that? Can you adopt me?

[ What the hell??? ]

You're right that we're a band of freaks. They're good guys, though.

[this actually gets her to blush a little; it's a compliment she can accept.]

Well. That's kind of more of a recent thing. I haven't always been so okay with all of [gesturing at herself.] this.

But meeting other people who are weird but still good helps a lot. Like my middle aged frog friend.

[ There's soft laughter as he thinks about this more seriously. ]

Hyping up your friend, huh? Now I have to meet him. [ ... ] What's your story, anyway?

Oh, he hypes himself up well enough on his own.

[he does not. he keeps putting himself on blast.]

...I didn't know you knew. Little Red Riding Hood. What's yours?

Self-confidence is an attractive trait.

[ it could save marriage, but uh— ]

... Knew... About what? [ Oh. It's a kind of familiar story. ] It was a figure of speech?!

...Oops. Maybe not. I don't want to bring up any existentially horrifying concepts or anything.

I'm kind of a walking death wish, so I don't think anything could really scare me, but... That sounds like some deep stuff for a kid your age to deal with?

[ Existentially horrifying concepts is HELLA LOADED. ]

You all right?

[oh she nods.]

...You'd be surprised. But it's okay, I've had a little time to sit with it. Besides, my story is about things that have already happened to me, which makes it a little easier.

[ honestly, he wishes he was actually surprised. He also wishes less bad stuff happened to kids, but... It is what it is. ]

I'm curious, but... I'm not going to force you to tell me if you're not up for it. Horrifying concepts is something to talk over ice cream, which we're deprived of.

Oh. That's nice of you. I haven't ever had ice cream before, so I am pretty curious to try it, once they get that machine fixed.

[her ears twitch a little.]

It's okay...just, you know. It does a number on a girl's self-esteem to realize her story usually turns out a lot differently. But I don't even think I want that, really.

We could always get a cinnamon roll? Those are good! Warms the stomach and the heart.

[ It isn't the same, but sugary comforts. ]

If I remember correctly, little red riding hood and her grandmother live happily ever after thanks to the huntsman? That's... Not something you want?

I wouldn't say no to a cinnamon roll.

[anyway, she laughs a little at that, uncomfortable.]

In most versions, that seems to be the case. Or at least if we die, we both die, and I stick with granny either way. It's not that I don't want that, but...

It's complicated. That version of Little Red Riding Hood couldn't do the things I can do. I'm not sure she does anything at all. It's a story about how you might get devoured if you disobey your parents, but you might get lucky and the woodsman shows up. I don't think I can be okay with that anymore.

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piteous - 2023-06-14 20:07 (UTC) - Expand

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