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[bluescreenwhitedragon]

"This is Intensity. Leave a message."

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[puzzlekeeper]

[ ... Fuck.

For a moment he looks both furious and vindicated, but it's shoved back under the mask almost immediately. Then he just looks tired. ]

...

I see.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

We were hit 9 times. Which means unless units died in round 1 and round 2, it was impossible for us not to die.

Does that better answer your question?

[puzzlekeeper]

Completely, yes.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Good. Is that enough to assuage whatever strange guilt complex you're having right now?

[puzzlekeeper]

You really think that's why I'm asking?

If that were the case I'd have a lot more rounds to make.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

So it's not guilt. What then? Data collecting for another "community project" that is going to die before it gets off the ground.

You could have just texted your question then.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ BUDDY IF YOU THINK HE'LL EVER LOOK AT A COMMUNITY PROJECT AGAIN,,, ]

I've been doing a substantial amount of compromising and conceding on my team's behalf, in the interest of keeping them from falling on their own swords or making decisions they would find difficult.

So in the near future, when we have our conversation about why I'm losing my willingness to do so, I intend to have good arguments ready.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

And are you going to be able to deal with their tears and inevitable hurt feelings when it comes down to that?

[puzzlekeeper]

We'll find out, won't we?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

I guess you will.

Anything else, Your Excellency?

[puzzlekeeper]

...

Nothing you wouldn't call me a sentimental fool for.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

I thought you weren't ashamed of that title.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ There's a familiar, defiant tilt of his head ]

Not at all.

It's your tolerance I'm watching out for.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

I'm not the one having an emotional outburst.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ A scoff ]

Outburst? Really?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

What then? Hiccup?

Just hold your breath. It'll be over soon.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ EXASPERATED ]

You're insufferable.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

And self-sufficient.

No need to fret, Your Excellency. If the producers give us even the slightest option to avoid it, I'm not going to let my unit die anymore than it already has.

1/2

[puzzlekeeper]

[ A better person than him should probably argue against playing hard, but



y'know ]

Good.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ And then, almost like a pissy afterthought, ]

And I'll "fret" [ he doesn't actually do finger quotes but it's strongly implied regardless ] as much as I please.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

If that what makes you happy, Your Excellency.

[puzzlekeeper]

[ JUST

SIGHS

And motions for Intensity to come closer. ]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[There is only a slight hesitation before he acquiesces to that request.

Look! Progress]

[puzzlekeeper]

[ Look! Progress!

But Intensity may or may not regret it when King grabs his wrist in a vice grip and yanks him down and forward, one leg kicking Intensity's feet out from under him as he catches him by the waist.

Thanks prom for giving him plenty of practice seamlessly dipping people taller than him!!

One they're just about nose to nose: ]

Know what would actually make me happy?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Wait what. He's doing what now?

One second Intensity is looking down at King (like you do) and then the scenery lurches and--- King is close. So very close. And Intensity is definitely in the more compromised position between the two.

The urge to fight and yell and attempt to drag King down to the ground is only tempered by the fact that he doesn't want to give King the satisfaction. (Yes surely. Surely that must be it.)

Glaring back at him and lifting his head in a haughty gesture]

And what would that be?