58 - Phone

[ceasetoexist]

I lived through it. All of it.

I guess when I first got here I would have said that to brag, but now I guess I want to say....I dunno. That if that's their worst? It can still be beaten.

God. I don't know. I suck at being all "blah blah hope blah blah it'll be fine" since it's usually bullcrap. But I guess I'm just saying. What happened sucked, but it's not like...the most hopeless thing ever.

They're scared. That's what I think. It's why they went this far. I dunno if we're on to something but we must have done something right to make them do something that drastic.

Because you know what I think? They're demanding we be thankful? They need us to. I don't know why yet, but it's necessary for whatever system they've got going on. Think about it. The demand for conformity, the droning to what's desired if we don't. They need us to be here and act a specific way, because if we don't....well, I dunno. I think that it's that if we exist here for long enough, not doing what they want? We compromise their system. They need us to behave a certain way or something doesn't stick, or the stability of this place'll start going off, or something.

That's what I think.

Hey. Idiots. And I'm pretty sure you know which ones I'm talking to? Not that I care or anything, but call me if you can, y'know, manage to use the phone.

Comments

[echidna]

[ Have a very tired sounding Jade calling you back. ]

Hey.

[godisachild.livejournal.com]

Hey.

Tired?

[Wow. That was a stupid question.]

[echidna]

Yeah. Really tired.

[ She isn't even trying to sound cheerful, which for her is really saying something. ]

[godisachild.livejournal.com]

[Yeah, it really is. He's bothered by that, but he has no clue on how to approach it.]

You should get some rest then.

[Which is really all he can think of saying.]

[hispalette.livejournal.com]

[it's weird; emotionally drained Red isn't much different from the usual Red. maybe a little more quieter, though.]

It's funny.

[godisachild.livejournal.com]

[Pokey can't tell the difference. Not yet. He's better at empathy then he had been, but that isn't saying much.]

Yeah, it is, in a sick, stupid way.

You get through it?

[hispalette.livejournal.com]

I wasn't talking about the town.

[a soft expel of air - mhm.] I think. I was in that diner all day. I remember my nose bleeding, but not much else.

[and feeling sick. but he's not going to tell Pokey that. he's pretty sure that the town reverted itself back to normal before his body wore out.]

[change-seasons.livejournal.com]

Very well put.

There is power in system. There is power in praise.

If we do not feed their need, they'll act more desperate or eventually fade away. If this is all true.

[godisachild.livejournal.com]

That's what I'm thinking, at least in part.

I don't know what they're using it for, but there has to be a reason to it beyond "we want you to praise us, PRAISE US". They have to need it for some reason that they're getting more and more drastic in demanding it.

[change-seasons.livejournal.com]

I have seen such desperation. If praise is needed, they gain strength from it.

Or, it is mad man with complex.

Either way, without it they may implode.

[timetables.livejournal.com]

Blah blah hope blah blah it'll be fine.

More inspiring words have never been spoken.

[godisachild.livejournal.com]

Yeah it must be really easy to judge from over there.

Here I am inspiring the troops, and you're just sitting in the sidelines, judging like an unbearable tool.

[timetables.livejournal.com]

Judge, jury, and executioner. I got my black robe and frilly wig thing on just pounding away with my gavel dishing out judgments like burgers hot off the grill. Get 'em while they're hot.

Anyway so observation made. Now what?

[strike-you-out.livejournal.com]

[Slugger quietly considers the entire message before speaking.]

...Hey, loser.

[godisachild.livejournal.com]

[There's a pause on his end. Is he composing himself at the sound of hearing you alive and well again?

The world may never know.]

Hey ugly.

I'm coming over.

[strike-you-out.livejournal.com]

See you there.

[It's as if he was hoping you'd say that. He'll be there whenever Pokey arrives, sitting on the steps outside.]

phone

[redtogold.livejournal.com]

[Gash is fairly serious, his tone sharper than normal. Earlier, he felt worthless, afraid, and so very small. Even so, he can't- won't dwell on it. He almost regrets acting that way. After all, there is always hope, no matter what.]

If that is what we have to do. I... I don't want this place to control anyone any longer.

phone

[godisachild.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Pretty much.

We've gotta keep playing keep away with what they want. ...I dunno if things can get worse or if that's all they had, but it's worth a shot.

[redtogold.livejournal.com]

If things are bad, I-

I promise to be stronger this time. I will.

[bread_goes_bip]

I'm glad you got through all of that.

[godisachild.livejournal.com]

Yeah.

I don't think we met before the lair. I'm Pokey.

[bread_goes_bip]

Good to hear from you under a bit better circumstances. I'm Death. You can call me Didi if that's easier.

[cullscuttlefish]

You're right. It sucked. It was beyond shitty, even. But you know, you've got a point. A really good point. If they're desperate enough to do something that bad...

I just...I wanted to thank you, too. For what you said, walking over to the pillar. And for even going over there at all. You're a really strong person, I think, Pokey. And I appreciate it.

[godisachild.livejournal.com]

[Wow. You kind of caught him off guard with that Feferi. Strong. No one has ever called him that, aside from his little brother. Hell, he sure doesn't think he's strong.

He gives a little snorting laugh.]

Yeah yeah. I'm not strong. Just stubborn.

You get through the last two days?

[cullscuttlefish]

Who says they can't be part of the same thing?

[She grins, letting out a little laugh of her own.]

I...no. Not the last day. Eridan and I got attacked late at night on the second day, and between that, lack of sleep, lack of food, we got sick. I didn't make it through the day.

But I'm okay now.