Imeeji: IC Continuations

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Previous:
Speed Dating [Day 32]
Mistletoe Game [Day 71]
Social Bingo [Day 101]

Includes:
B's Fancy Dance [Day 102]
Kissing Game [Day 124]
Mistletoe 2 [Day 187]
Objective Game [Day 223]
Tokyo-F Stamp Rally (Age Up and Age Down Event) [Day 245]

Comments

[we_meet_again]

[The combination of barely-contained panic, frustration, gratitude, shame, and the bright rush of wonderful, excellent game feelings on top of everything is frankly a little overwhelming. He swallows, and it feels tight... and despite his best efforts not to cry, his mouth twists into a sharp, wobbling frown and he draws in on himself.

It's pretty contained, all things considered. His eyes are still hidden behind his hands and there's nothing much to see. The only indication is a couple deep, hitching breaths, and the way his shoulders shake... and then it's gone. Blink and you'd miss it.

He sniffs and wipes his face off, a little forcefully, like he's frustrated. But he sighs and gets to his feet.

He still looks stressed out, but mostly he just looks exhausted. When he speaks, his voice is rough.]


Okay. We got the points. Let's get out of here.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Cobalt, please.

Perhaps you should have chosen a better trauma partner because 75% of these cues are just gonna go straight over his head.

All he knows is that something is wrong.]

You wouldn't be here if it was just the points you were looking after.

[we_meet_again]

[I dunno, Intensity not noticing seems like the ideal situation, honestly? We don't need to unpack ALL of this.

He starts slowly leading the way back to the game tower, looking back to make sure Intensity is following.]

Yeah.

[He rubs his eye]

I've been working on this for a while. I know it's hard to tell, but this is still better than before.

Check it out: this is the first time I've managed to do that without Cloud Nine, and I didn't even barf. Normally I do. Nearly every time.

[I mean, he did cry, but,]

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[He is following, less closely since it's seems they are heading back out of the park]

And this applies to all plants?

[we_meet_again]

[they are, indeed. fuck this shit]

Just ones with forking branches, these days. Flowers are okay. Bushes are thin ice.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Maybe if you pruned the bushes into art pieces, they'd be less offensive.

Also probably on brand for pep.

[we_meet_again]

Hah! Generous of you to believe I have any artistic ability whatsoever.

Ideally I'll get to the point where this all just gets easier to manage. I've been practicing on my own, and I even got a friend on Bad End to change the memory so I can't recall it as well.

Weirdly, talking about it helps a lot, too. So, thanks for listening. Even though I know it's probably uncomfortable to have to hear about it.

...But at least you got a point for it, right?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[There is a long pause at that, where it looks like Intensity is considering and discarding multiple responses.]

. . .

Is that how you're justifying this?

Because you can help people win the producers' game of the week? ... You realize the chances of a wider audience viewing this rises when you do this kind of shit in a game.

[we_meet_again]

Please don't misunderstand — I'm not doing this for anyone's sake but mine. And I don't mean winning the game, either.

They can't use this to hurt me if it stops hurting.

[Back at the game tower now — he's much faster coming back than going out in the first place, how can that be.]

I don't suppose you get points for drinking with someone, do you?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Then don't misunderstand me.

I would have done this without the game points.

[we_meet_again]

[he pulls up short, halfway through opening the door of the tower.]





Yeah.

I know.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Then no.

I don't have a drinking objective. But if you're amendable to it regardless...

[we_meet_again]

[Holding the door open for him]

What are you in the mood for?

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

Nothing that tastes like sugar water.

[So. You know, the usual]

[we_meet_again]

[Pacing directly over to the alcohol table this game has so graciously provided, he starts picking through bottles until he produces the strongest whiskey he can find. He pours a generous amount into some plastic cups and offers one to Intensity.]

For you.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Turns his nose up at the plastic cup, but whatever. The producers are cheap. In more ways than one.

Raises his glass.]

Cheers.

[we_meet_again]

[He raises his plastic cup—]

Cheers.

[—and chugs the whole thing, not bothering to taste it. Judging by the amount of swallows, he put quite a lot of whisky in there, actually.

He slams the plastic cup back on the table with an unsatisfying clack.]

I'm going home.

[bluescreenwhitedragon]

[Only takes a zip of his, watching Cobalt above the rim of the plastic]

Need a designated driver. It's a long way back.

[Like a whole five minutes!]

[we_meet_again]

[He rubs his face]

I think I'll be okay, but thank you. I'm feeling kind of overwhelmed and I think I could use a minute by myself.

I appreciate the offer, though.