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

[hoperaider]

[Well, Jake's not terribly perceptive consciously speaking. So his subconscious is picking it up and it bothers him a little.

Still, at this point he knows better than to push. Dirk will keep denying and avoiding it until he's ready to share, if ever. Maybe one more question after the fight, and if it doesn't supply anything...well, he'll let the matter drop in that case.

For now, it's time to kill a couple goblins. As usual, he's going to shoot at them. Jake is definitely moving if they switch from Dirk to him, of course.]

[splinterself]

[And they fought.

It was a pretty epic battle, bro. Goddamn heroic. All sorts of crazy shit happened. Like, they should pose at some point as shit got real. Hell, they could invite Rose along later to be their surrogate Rikku later, be all JRD...except not really as that's stupid and that acronym is stupid and if they actually articulated real emotion they wouldn't have so many problems.

In fact, that description is so stupid that? That we're gonna skip the rest of it and cut to the finish. Strife over.

Dirk, having taken enough accumulated damage that he was feeling it (though not enough that his entrails were about to fall upon the floor) took a look at the drink and then, eh, knocked it back. And then regretted it.]

Man, what the fuck. That was nastier than I expected.

[hoperaider]

I haven't known a medicine to taste decent, but I think those health drinks take the cake as far as nasty goes.

[See, if Dirk had stayed in the room when Jake took his, he'd have at least a head's up that it was way biz nasty. But no, he just goes all Hulk Hogan on the breakables.

Jake hesitates for a moment before he gets it off his chest.]

Dirk? Are you...mm...still upset with me over the small fib earlier?

[splinterself]

[...god damn. It's a lot easier to brush off his concern when they're not in real time, FYI. He's going to parry with a question of his own]

Why would I be?

[hoperaider]

[Well, you know what? Jake is going to pull a Dirk and ignore his question.]

I thought it would have caused too much of a distraction for you. The last thing I wanted was for you to get hurt because of my carelessness and mistakes. I apologize for lying like that.

[He really is sorry.]

[splinterself]

...it's no big deal. [And here he pauses, because this is really hard to do in real time.] Come on, dude, really, I'm fine. Now. We should probably get back to adventuring. [Was that 'I'm fine now' or 'Now we should'? ~It's a mystery.~

On that note, the exit is...west or north, why not. Pick a direction.]

[hoperaider]

[He's quiet for a moment before shrugging, quickly hugging Dirk with another apology, and then goes off with a cheerful smile tooooooo...the north.

Because he feels like it.]

[splinterself]

[Did he jus-




...okay, following. Next stop: a very large and very empty room. There's some large objects in the middle: pillars, furniture, shit of that nature. It's almost eerily silent. It's not quite oppressively large, but (considering the setting) it skirts upon that. Exits are in all directions.]

[hoperaider]

[Yes he did and he regrets nothing.

Jake scratches his head as he looks at all the possible directions they can go.]

Which way do you think we should go, Dirk?

[splinterself]

North? Seems to be working pretty well so far. Just as good as any, really.

[...and after a pause he breaks the nearest breakable object, though this time it's less of a dramatic swing and more like an idle kick as he notices that it's right there, right next to his feet, and why not.]

[hoperaider]

North it is, then!

[No comment. If there's something in it, Dirk can pick it up, but Jake's so heading north. Adventure time, bitches!!!]

[splinterself]

[Nada. He's following.

(Actually, you know, breaking random things is kind of addicting.)

North leads them to a long corridor. It's a long way from point A (the almost oppressively large room) to point B. What is that point B? Is it stairs to another level or is it a room filled with treasure? What lies ahead?

It's a question that has yet to be answered because god damn this is a long corridor.]

Dude.

[hoperaider]

[....]

Is there even an end to this frigging hallway? Good gracious, we could probably play the entirety of a Dream Theater album before we get to the end!

[splinterself]

I'd say let's play a game to kill the time, but... [The hell would they play?]

You want to turn around?

[hoperaider]

The only thing I can think of is a word game. [Shrug!

He thinks about it.]

Well, why don't we give it a couple more minutes before turning back? It's possible this is actually a huge loop back to where we started or something.

[splinterself]

And I'd win one of those. [Said as a statement of fact. He makes a little bit of a grimace at the...suggestion.]

Don't say that, English. [Little does he realize that Jake was wrongish. The next room was a small one with three goblins. Almost claustrophobic!

The one after that was the one which would complete the loop.]

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong that they went to the room. ~w~

[hoperaider]

Of course, since you are the master of words. [He's teasing, naturally.

Well, at least Jake's only mildly claustrophobic instead of full-blown. Otherwise, this wouldn't be the best fight in the world, although it's clear that he's a tad uncomfortable in such tight quarters.]

If you don't want to get shot, I think I'll have to hang back and let you handle this. Is that alright?

[splinterself]

On it. Just chill for a bit, it's cool. [Has no problems with tight quarters.

It's too bad that their inventory was likely depleted when they entered the game, else Jake could go unload some comics and chill for a bit while the fight goes on.]

[hoperaider]

[Hell, he could even do with just having an iPod right about now.

Jake is going to lean against the wall and watch Dirk fight. His weapon is still on hand in case his friend finds himself in a spot of trouble. Chilling is definitely happening so far.]

[splinterself]

[Stab stab ker-stab thrust ow parry thrust thrust parry dodge thrust stab slash ow slash.

Business as usual, bro.

...what. We fast forwarded through one fight, we can't skip them all. Experience doesn't work that way.]

[hoperaider]

[Wow, fine, jeeeeeeeeez! Jake's pretty much twiddling his thumbs while humming random songs over here.

[splinterself]

[What? Take some god damn responsibility. You wanted a Stridertastic fight scene, now the magic's unfolding. Sit down and take a load off, he's on it. He's got this shit under control, and it's going to be thoroughly wrecked.

...shortly.]

Hey Jake.

[hoperaider]

[He stops humming.]

Yes?

[splinterself]

If-

[SLASH SLASH SLASH KICK please don't hit him STAB KER-STAB KER-SLASH KER-THRUST BOOGIE SLASH

Two down.]

- this ends up with us having gone a full circle I'm going to be pissed.

[hoperaider]

Oh? And how would you like for me to handle that situation?

[Jake can always give him cleansing, affectionate hugs to soothe his anger away.]