driftfleet | 004 ↯ audio

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004 ↯ audio

Who: Davesprite and whoever.
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: Indoors, moonside.
When: Now sounds good.

[Someone is done to death with masks and getting accosted by randos on the street. Thus, Davesprite has taken refuge indoors, since that's as good as it gets short of returning to the ships. He'd normally opt for text, but he honestly just wants to talk for a while. Even if his voice is equal parts bored and sullen.]

Sportball ambushes on the street are great and all, [it probably isn't possible for him to sound more sarcastic] but I got to ponder the selection happening in this contaminated stain on the face of space. Like, sure, there are "strategy games" [yes, those are actual, audible air quotes], but where my real battles at. You know, the wordplay variety, where you drop a witticism to a sick beat and slant it to rhyme. Twist that shit into ill verse and cause some deadly delirium not even the most decorated doctor could cure. Dude could be veteran to World War Disease and still find himself stymied by this nasty flow that makes even the gutsiest guerilla fold. Ain't a medic around who can mend my rap battle burns.

[A beat.]

So, yeah, maybe I'm only pissed about moon pollution central 'cause all these hostile idiots keep hailing me out of the blue and yet: not a single fuckin' rap battle. [This is definitely not the only reason he's pissed about moon pollution central, but priorities.] What's a guy got to do, besides deck himself out in a shitty respirator and biohazard costume. A live performance? God, this is stupid.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

What do you mean? Are they fake or something?

[ He's so used to the wings at this point, that imagining Davesprite without them is almost impossible. ]

I mean that's been a great prank.

Uh. Well, you know all that talk about there being multiple versions of us floating around.

[It's weird. Davesprite feels guilty, like he got caught in a lie, and it comes across in the way he doesn't quite look at Isaac.]

The way it works where I'm from—I'm one of the multiples. An offshoot of the real guy.

[He lifts his shoulders and drops them, a little helplessly.]

Real Dave just looks like a normal guy.

So there's a guy that's just Dave, like. Normal, random dude kind of Dave?

[ Isaac does not look impressed to say the least. Maybe he should, though -- Davesprite isn't even the real thing, is basically what his friend is saying, right? ]

I don't know, the wings are pretty cool. [ He shrugs, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. ] So, whatever, you're a realer Dave than that guy. I don't even know him and I already know he's probably boring.

So what you're really saying is you think I'm boring. Thanks.

[It's a weak attempt at a joke; his mock offense isn't living up to the hype right now. But he's silent for a moment, before he starts walking again, too antsy to hold still.]

He's literally me, Isaac. Only better.

[He jams his hands into his pockets, trying to figure out how to explain it.]

I dunno if the concept exists in other realities. It probably does if there really are an infinite number of universes out there like physicists wanna say. In fact, there's probably one where we're some kid's shitty science fair project and he's positing this exact hypothesis to a panel of judges as we speak.

[This is not explaining it. If he's honest, he's not sure Isaac cares. Why should Isaac care? It's not like John did.]

But no matter how many different timelines are, where I'm from there's only one real timeline. The alpha timeline. And that's not my timeline because I let it get fucked up. Ok?

Yeah well, we're not back where you're from, we're on a dumb show in space, so as far as I know, you're the real one. And if that other guy shows up, you're still probably gonna be the real one.

[ Sure, it makes sense, somehow. Isaac doesn't like the way his friend his talking about himself though -- and it's mostly because Isaac has felt like that before. How many times did he think he fucked everything up when he was the one locked in a freezer? How many times did he look at his grades, his achievements, his life and think all of it was his fault? ]

If something was gonna get messed up in your timeline or whatever, though, it was probably gonna happen anyway. Stuff like that always happens that way. [ He shrugs, following his friend, though he doesn't keep pace, just remains a few steps behind. ] So whatever, you're my friend and I don't know that other guy. So you're like, the realest one. If that even matters. I don't think that does.

It always matters.

[It's bitter and there's real hurt in it, buried deep down. So deep it's hard to tell who it's even aimed towards, but it isn't Isaac.]

My best friend died, ok, dude. He straight up told me he was about to somersault assbackwards off the safety train into some fucked up shit and I didn't believe him because I was too busy freaking out over a fucking puppet.

[He's just. Pacing now. They're at the end of the hall, a tiny empty alcove, and Davesprite isn't ready to open the door.]

I was supposed to stop him and I didn't. And because he died, he couldn't help Jade when she needed it. So. She died, too. And you can go ahead and say it was supposed to happen, but it fucking sucks when the inevitable decides to pull a fast one on you and then demand you clean up the mess.

[ When they reach the end of the hall, Isaac leans back against the wall, folding his arms across his chest. Isaac doesn't entirely understand -- he's not sure that he can, but he can tell Davesprite is hurt, distressed, something, and wants to listen closely. ]

Shit.

[ What does he say to that? He understands losing a friend, thinking that you fucked it all up, that there was more that could be done, but this? This is different. ] Well, whether it was meant to happen or not, it still sucks, dude. That's messed up. But it wasn't your fault -- it's not like you knew that was gonna happen. [ If he had known Allison was going to die, would he have acted differently? Would he have stayed at her side instead of trusting her to her arrows? Likely not. ]

I'm not gonna tell you that you can't carry that shit, because I know it happens, but. You can't exactly take all the blame. People mess up all the time.

Yeah, maybe, but I'm supposed to know the goddamn difference between what's supposed to happen and what I need to prevent, because if I don't get that much right, I fuck over more than just myself. I fuck over everyone else in the timeline with me.

[He's ranting now, talking because he doesn't know how to stop himself.]

That was my whole purpose, dude, and I failed fucking miserably at it. I couldn't even do the guidebook thing right when I went back to fix it all. Like what the fuck have I actually done to help real Dave or anyone else? I just nearly got skinned alive by a homicidal jackass mutt and talked a denizen into forging a shitty sword because real Dave was too busy to do it himself. Wow. Helpful.

[There's a lull in his pacing and he anxiously ends up running a hand through his hair, unable to hold still.]

I don't even know why I'm still alive. It's not like anyone needs me or like I've got a purpose anymore. I'm extraneous to existence it-fucking-self. Because you know what, you're right, one Dave in the universe is fucking plenty.

That's too much for one person, man.

[ Isaac can't fathom that amount of stress. It was bad enough when the group depended on him to find some of his own missing friends. He can't imagine what it would be like to hold their lives in his hands. He's glad, to say the least, that he has never had that responsibility.

At the lull in Davesprite's pacing, Isaac pushes off the wall and grabs his friend's shoulder firmly. There's almost an air of anger around him, a tiny bit of irritation as his hackles rise. ]

Sorry, you're not just gonna sit and say that shit. [ He gives Davesprite's shoulder a shake if he hasn't ducked away, even moves so he's facing his friend. ] You're on this ship and it may be stupid, but I'd have probably hurt people by now, probably would have been bored to tears if you weren't here, dude. I dunno. [ He shrugs, struggling with words for a moment, making a bunch of stop-start sort of sounds. ]

I just don't trust anyone else here, not really, I guess. But I trust you. So. Yeah. I don't really get that often, and that's important, er. So I'm sorry all that crap happened, but -- I don't know. That's important to me, anyway.

Edited (i rite so gud u r jellis) 2016-05-13 05:18 (UTC)

[Davesprite starts, but stays put and lets Isaac shake him. There's something weirdly grounding about it after his initial fight-or-flight response and the neurotic buzz that kept him pacing abruptly fizzles out.

He deflates and looks at the ground.]

Sorry. [It's embarrassed.] That was kind of shitty of me. I didn't mean to dump all of that on you, but it's just. Been on my mind a lot, I guess.

[More like constantly for years.]

I don't know if that makes it better or worse. [Vague.]

Uh, it's fine. Pretty sure that's how friends are supposed to be, but whatever. If it was on your mind it was probably pretty important.

[ And it was -- Isaac is still processing in a way, but he's glad to see his friend has calmed a little, anyway. Last time he tried to pry information out of Davesprite, they just grumpily ate food and peaced out. ]

It's cool. You can talk about it if you want. I don't really get all of it, but I can listen. [ Sort of. If he's not understanding, he's just hearing him, instead, but that counts for something, right? He drops one hand, and actually gives Davesprite a gangly, one-arm hug instead, then lets go. ]

Better out than in, I guess. That's heavy stuff.

[The hug surprises him. While he's used to them from Jade—expects it, really, by this point—he doesn't see it coming from Isaac.

He inhales and looks away, hands back in his pockets and shoulders hunched.]

I don't know. I mean it sucks, but I should be over it by now. I shouldn't—I'm not supposed to care, you know? It's not like I can do anything to change it. And it's good enough that everyone else got another chance.

[No, it's not. Davesprite ducks his head at the thought with a bitter laugh, and adjusts his sunglasses with the heel of a hand.]

God. Forget it, dude. We were just—what were we doing. Shit.

[ Don't worry, Davesprite, Isaac drops his arm from the hug not too long after, and stuffs his hands into his pockets. This whole thing is a little uncomfortable, mostly because there isn't a lot he can do for his friend, and that sucks. ]

I don't know, that's pretty tough. You don't have to be over anything. [ He's pretty sure the school counselor told him that, when, you know, they thought he had murdered his father. ] I guess it's just gonna take it's time. All the crappy stuff does. It's stupid. But you're here now, and maybe it's not another chance or whatever, but it's something different at least.

[ Isaac hears the bitterness in the laugh, though, a sound that he's not entirely used to hearing from Davesprite. It makes him turn his head, finally, to look at Davesprite. ] Headed back to our rooms, I think. I don't know, we just kind of kept walking I guess. Maybe there are new movies, or weird alien movies from this moon we can make fun of.

Yeah, maybe.

[It's burnt out. And he's tired, so fucking tired, of Sburb, of the multiverse, of himself. Of thinking about how every single right or wrong choice he's made had to happen so real Dave could do what had to be done, that the only reason he fucking exists is as a stepping stone to some guy he doesn't want to be.

He looks around. There are two doors, one leading to a staircase and another to the main area of the floor. He doesn't even want to deal with the choice involved with that or turning back around, not right now. Kind of hard to want to deal with it when his choices have only ever felt like dead ends, just facsimiles of something real.

He drops his hand.]

Whatever, I hope Atroma got a good laugh out of that if they're really pushing the reality TV angle. [The thought makes him feel sick, whether it's anger or helplessness or the candy he ate earlier. He's putting his bets on the candy.] Fuckers.

Fuck them.

[ He doesn't swear like that much -- doesn't really see a need with his already limited vocabulary. But Isaac is angry for Davesprite -- of course all of this is gonna be aired to whatever weird space folk are watching their weird TV show.

Isaac is just as tired of this place, in a weird way. He doesn't quite know if he's ready to go back home and face a new place, or if he's ready to stay here, either. He hadn't given it much thought before, but being on the moon has made him more antsy than normal, has made his whole body and mind feel just left of center and it's wearing him down. Isaac starts them toward the open floor -- there will be shops there, at least. May as well get some candy while they're here. That is what they came for, right? (Someone totally did not get the threads mixed up). ]

I'm not very good at this stuff, but if there was a way to get you off this ship I'd figure it out. But I'm pretty sure there isn't yet. We're gonna have to sit on our hands and wait t his out, whether we like it or not. May as well raise hell while we're here. Better than sitting here and letting them pick at us, I guess.

[ Isaac shrugs, looking over his shoulder at Davesprite. ] So it just fucking sucks, all of it, and I don't really get what happened back at your home world or whatever. I hardly get what's happening in mine, but I dunno. You're pretty cool, Bird Dave. Er. Davesprite, right? That just sounds weird. But Dave is that weird normal asshole right? Fuck that guy, too.

[ Isaac is weirdly tired, too, like he didn't register the lowkey fatigue he's been fighting off the whole time here. The irritation shows through, though, rearing its head in every instance of the word 'fuck'. What a great way to expel anger in four letters and one syllable. ]

Edited (too many words makes for forgetting icons) 2016-05-15 23:03 (UTC)

Jesus, Isaac.

[Davesprite appreciates it, he really does, but he still balks at how easily Isaac commiserates with him. He's pretty sure he doesn't deserve it.]

You've got your own problems, dude. I'll be fine; it's nothing that's going to kill me. Not here, anyway.

[It just makes him wish he were dead. That's all.]

And don't worry about it. I don't really care what anyone calls me.

Yeah but whatever, we're all stuck in a weird TV show space ship, I'm pretty sure we all have problems.

[ He frowns, clenching his hands into fists in his pockets. It's much easier to get angry here, to feel the weird swell in his chest, the way his mind does a little flip flop between human and rage-wolf. Yeah, not a good time to get pissed. So he takes a deep breath or two, calming down a little.

God, he hates his place. ]

Really? You don't care? [ Isaac looks at Davesprite incredulously. Challenge accepted, dude. ]

[Davesprite totally misses that he fucked up and just rolls a shoulder in a shrug.]

Can't be worse than anything I've been called.

[Are you ready to challenge John Egbert to a mean nicknames competition, Isaac.]

Edited 2016-05-17 00:45 (UTC)

Well that's just happy.

[ Though if they're really gonna do this he'll have to brainstorm. He's not very good at making up names (or anything) on the spot, okay? ]

But I guess you're safe for now. I don't feel like making any up. It'd be too easy -- there are too many good ones.

[Davesprite rolls his eyes. Or his head, really, since his eyes are hidden.]

Smooth, dude. I don't care if you keep calling me what you already call me, alright. I'm not even sure what I'm supposed to call myself. Future Dave? Orange Dave? Those were all candidates at one point or another, even if none of them are accurate besides Bird Dave no more.

Whatever you say. S'your name, dude.

[ Isaac doesn't really care either way. He's not even sure he uses Davesprite's name enough for it to matter all that much to him, anyway. It's usually a text message or banging on the wall that Isaac uses to get his friend's attention. ]

Maybe I'll call you Space Bird. Because you're a bird dude in space. [ He worked pretty hard for that, okay. ]

Not really.

[But Isaac's attempted nickname gets a slight, fairly good-natured eye roll out of him, something more akin to his usual behavior.]

You had a reference to Space Ghost Coast to Coast floating right in front of you, inches from your face, and you still blew it. You can't take that one back, dude.

I mean it is, so. You better pick wisely one day or I'm just gonna call you Feather Ass instead.

[ Isaac makes a face at Davesprite. ] Seriously, I'm not gonna call you Space Ghost. I don't want to find you bald and wearing spandex or something okay, that'd be weird. I don't need anymore nightmares, thanks.

It's feathery asshole. Formerly orange feathery asshole, if you want to get caught up on semantics. Get it right, dude.

[Really, he gives Isaac his friendship and this is what he gets in return?]

But you're in luck, 'cause I never wanted to be a superhero, anyway.

You seriously want to be called feather asshole? I worry about you, dude.

[ Isaac shakes his head, and pulls his hands out of his pockets to stretch. He didn't realize how tense he'd become. ] You're a bad liar, you totally want a cape. Rapping Super Bird.

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