It...seemed like a good idea at the time.

[splinterself]

[So after getting the "Where is this, who are you, what is going on?" out of his system, Dirk Strider was purposefully and boldly exploring Mac Anu and was...kind of bemused by the fact that the city wasn't done up in purple and black.

...just saying.

He had ended up at the harbor and there he paused in his wan- purposeful exploring, as...you know what's incredibly distracting? Actually only having one self (at least for the time being) that he was aware of. Also the clothes. Also the fact that he still had no idea what the hell was going on, and, more importantly, what was happening with Roxy.

There was a certain irony in him spacing out just as badly as he did when he had multiple selves to juggle, one which was lost on the guy as he was spacing out, brooding.]

...

[Yeah, this was getting him nowhere. (And shit, the lack of purple really was throwing him off.) That was when he shook his head slightly, turned to the nearest person, and said:]

Hey.

[So verbose.]

Comments

[splinterself]

Damn. [Bro, dude, he loves you, respect to your elders, but...dude.] She really was prepared.

[hoperaider]

She had a way with plants and animals, really. I can't say that I boast the same capabilities. Perhaps the only thing I share with her is a familiarity with machinery!

[Even if he has no idea what the fuck the doodads in the ruins actually DO.]

[splinterself]

Dude, you thought building a robot was a big deal. [Just saying.]

[hoperaider]

Of course it's a big to-do! I certainly can't create anything you or my grandma can. The best I can do is repair it, but the spark of creating something fantastic is completely lost on me.

[splinterself]

...you didn't do a bad job with the rabbit, at least from what I could tell.

[hoperaider]

I had a base for it to work off of. I don't think I could do nearly as good of a job at creating something like Brobot from scratch like you can.

[splinterself]

That's nothing big. I had four hundred years of technological development helping me out. Seriously, dude, it's like I told you.

[hoperaider]

Dirk, nothing you say is going to make me think you any less than brilliant.

[splinterself]

Flattery's not going to get you that far, English.

[hoperaider]

It's simply the truth! You are an intelligent and clever young man, even if you don't think so yourself.

[splinterself]

Right. [Eyes: are rolled.

...shades: are present. Effect: kind of lost.] Don't you think you're laying it on a bit thick now?

[hoperaider]

Huh?

[splinterself]

The flattery, English. God damn.

[hoperaider]

How am I laying it on thick if I'm just stating facts about you?

[splinterself]

Look it at this way, English. [Brace yourself. Are you braced? I want to see some goddamn bracing.]

[hoperaider]

[He's learning to be suspicious when Dirk says things like this. :|]

[splinterself]

[Good! He's learning to be a little bit more skeptical. Decent bracing. It's acceptable.

Anyway. Strike a pose, as shit is about to get real.]

You are a guy who doesn't even try to apply critical reasoning to shit and Pollyanna swan dives with eyes shut and arms wide open into the nearest pool if anybody tells you that there's gold at the bottom, but that's what I like about you. Unlike myself and Roxy, you aren't a goddamn cynic. You trust people. You telling me that you trusted me about being from the future meant a lot, dude.

[This is said with tones of deepest sincerity.

Wait, sorry, typo. Insincerity. Continue y/n?]

[hoperaider]

[Jake is surprised, but the mouse is going to click on that y option.]

[splinterself]

[Y it is. He declaims further, gently nibbling on the scenery.]

I mean, there I was, thinking you were probably going to blow me off like-...and I was ready to play it up as a joke. But no, man, there you were, pulling on your swim drunks - unless you swim naked? And going, "Yeah, hey, I'm here for you, I believe you, you got a pool you need me to swan dive into?" You're the earnest one among us, the stalwart guy who embraces everything that comes at you with an open heart and goodwill.

And your callipygian assets are pretty nice to have around. [It's like so utterly sincere in terms of delivery. Continue y/n?]

[hoperaider]

[His subconscious says that there will probably be a terrible punchline if he doesn't stop Dirk now, but fuck it. He clicks on that y again.]

[splinterself]

[No survival instincts, huh.]

[hoperaider]

[None whatsoever. Unless someone's trying to sneak up from behind. Then they get a gun in their face.]

[splinterself]

[God dammit, Jake. He needs to get a toddler harness.

Anyway, he's gnawing gently on the scenery as metaphorical pigs are turned into metaphorical delicious food products in the background. I hope you like ham.]

I mean, damn. If we're talking about things callipygian, you'd easily make it to my top five list. It's like you deserve a crown for that, and I'm sure other people would damned well agree with me that those two things are your most notable traits.

[hoperaider]

[It's a good thing he already ate his ice cream or it might be on his face. He's blushing enough that he needs to cover it.]

[splinterself]

[And he takes one look at Jake's face and makes a noise.

It may be a snicker. It might even venture into chuckle territory. Or it might just be the sound of a Twin Blade getting shanked.

Continue, y/n?]