hashtagafreakingghost

Huh. So- even before your game started, you had them just...messenging you out of the blue, and for them it was...a shorter amount of time? Just a bunch of angry alien trolls sending you angry trolling IMs?

Pretty much, yeah. I think they only knew about us for...a day, from their perspective? You'll have to ask Karkat, I spent so long running around hopping on I-beams and cheating the stock market that I'm not actually clear on the time frames for other people.

I'll...make sure to. Er- that won't be...weird for him, right? I think we accidentally kept skirting on some pretty strange subjects when we talked befor- you know, not important right now, never mind.

So, they started helping you. Over the course of a day?

[Dave opens his mouth for a moment to ask, then thinks back on the conversation that he totally was not just sitting there eavesdropping on and decides to let it be.]

I think so. I mean, it's not like they had to stick with us every second, so they could scroll around to whenever it seemed like we needed a hand. Terezi--Terezi was good at that, at keeping things more or less linear with me, especially given I could be running as many as thirteen time loops at once.

Karkat, though. Jesus. That idiot tried trolling John backwards through time. What an utterly magnificent tool.

[Don't ask about all the uncomfortable moments Dave please don't]

He- th- Dave, this sounds ridiculous. Is that what you meant about Jade making him have passwords...? So she could do things in order? Ugh, even if this wasn't a...horrible trick of a game, that would just- it sounds so frustrating!

[So just like Karkat. She's somewhat fond.]

Yeah, it was horseshit. It worked out for him and John in a weird way, though, because when he started trying to hassle John at the end, John was already friends with him and knew Karkat was just being Karkat, and when he got back to when John was just starting out, he was actually kind of understanding and helpful. John has that effect on people.

Really does sound like Chris... Alright, so- you're all trying to...to make a universe with aliens alternatingly helping you and annoying you, and somehow along the way you become friends. I'm understanding this right?

Pretty much, yeah. That seems like an accurate summary for the part before things went totally shithive bananas. You pick things up quick.

I've always been afraid of scary things like monsters or ghosts, but- A few months ago, I started getting really into reading about- the supernatural, or the occult. Silly me, right? If it's strange or weird, I digest it fast. Comes with being a...recent convert and all.

[She offers a weak smile.]

And I mean... You said it was like a video game. If I think of it like a story...I can conceptualize.

Mm, yeah, I think I get that. It's sort of the same for me, I visualize things best like a movie. Or with video game terms, probably for obvious reasons.

You know, I could go over more of the mechanics stuff with you if you find that interesting? Like I said, I'm not good at the plot stuff, but the Class and Aspect system kind of has that fantasy magic personality quiz thing going for it, it's probably fun from an outside point of view.

Class and Aspect...? Like- warrior and mage and... Ohhh... I- yes, I would. I'd love to, but- probably when it's light out. ...Or I've got a roof over my head. I can just see that as something that'll take a lot of time and questions and...maybe a conference call with your friends.

I...wanna get to sleep eventually, I hope- oh. [Her beanie slides down and almost covers her eyes; it's her Munna's fault, he's pushing down.] I know, I know...

Haha. Cute.

[Pokémon are cute.]

Don't let me stop you from getting some shut-eye. Christ knows I'll be around whenever for the rest of the story or to chat or whatever.

[Her smile pulls tight.]

Oh, that's easier said than done...but when I feel like it, this guy'll help me out. [She shoves her beanie back up and jerks a thumb to her head.] Morpheus here...he eats nightmares, which as you can probably imagine, I've...had some trouble with.

[Dave blinks a couple times behind his shades. Somehow, he's managed not to hear about this magical pink moon creature.]

Oh. Huh. That's...that seems. Handy. ...What is that like?

It's... It takes some getting used to. [She shrugs lightly.] He just kind of...blanks me out. Sometimes right before I fall asleep, sometimes if I'm...you know. It doesn't get rid of everything, and I...don't usually have good dreams either? Just this empty space, which is weird. Not great, but-

[The blanket goes a little tighter.]

I don't wake up with...those things screeching in my ears, or...other stuff. So it's...better.

That's right. Every Haibane has a set of rules they have to follow.
The one I told him about was about how Haibane aren't allowed to buy things. We can only take second hand what Humans used.

you can't BUY anything?
why? is there a reason?

um. Yeah.
We can buy things, too, don't worry! We have these little books that substitute for it, or we can leave a feather instead as exchange. We just can't take anything new like clothes or plates. It all has to be used.
It's a rule that was there since... before I showed up. I still don't know exactly why

[But she'd be lying if she didn't think up a theory or two.]

...Huh.

[That sounds vaguely unsettling, but also...]

That's kind of cool. Damn, is there anything Pokémon can't do?

what happens if you disobey? are you able to?

Well, it's the only way I get some rest, so it's also kiiind of necessary.

[She half-smiles.] When we- ...Chris and, um...J-Josh, they played a little when we were kids. All... [She gestures around her; Pokémon.] I never, but...

It's not so bad here. [A Shinx nuzzles her hand, near the bottom of the screen.] With the right...help.

...Yeah. I know what you mean.

[He's thinking about people, not Pokémon (though of course Missy Elliott is a great hot water bottle and a wonderful friend), but it's true: He can't imagine what state he'd be in if Jade weren't here, or Penny, and thank Christ Karkat's here now, too.]

Sleep well, yeah? I'll look for more music to send you for the road.

..I don't know, I never tried.
I guess... maybe you'll get a punishment?

You too. Tell me more next time, okay?

[...]

And um, Dave? Thanks. For...you know, not... Just, thanks.

'Course. See you around.

;IC CONTACT

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