tentacletrainer | Chapter 14; Voice for John

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Current Location: Violet City Hotel

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Chapter 14; Voice for John

[[It's 3am, again, when she calls up John. Lots of things on her mind, and a good majority that she'd like to talk to someone about. And really, she'd ask Karkat, if it didn't involve good things about Dave. So John, Dave's best friend, is the next best thing.

When the message machine plays, she sighs and waits for the beep.]]

John? I realize it is awfully late, but if you could return this call, I would be much obliged.

[[And she will just leave it at that, curling up in hopes he does indeed call back.]]

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[He's just sitting there, listening to silence...oh wait did she hang up? Did he say something wrong? Where di-- oh there she is!]

Okay, since I don't know what he said I can only take my best guess. And I'm guessing it was something insensitive and obviously pretty hurtful. But I really don't think that one conversation should be enough to end a friendship that's lasted...what? How many years, now?

It's not just that one, John. It is more like that is the metaphorical cherry on top of an ice cream sundae of things he's said or done, and I am simply to sick to try and finish it.

He has always irritated me. And yes, I haven't always minded it. Sometimes it is actually a little fun, our witty banter. But other times, he is simply unbearable. And with the way things have been going lately between us...

[[Another sigh.]] I am unsure of what to think of him at this point, John.

[He's absent-mindedly scratching Casey's head now, trying to think of a response.]

I don't know what to tell you, Rose. I'm not the one who's good at all this psycho-babblery stuff. [~~Who psychoanalyzes the psychoanalyzer?~~]

[A pause, he's putting some real thought into this. Hmmm...]

But...I guess you just think the same thing of him that you always have. I'm not sure what exactly that is, but obviously it can't have been too negative. Otherwise you never would have been his friend in the first place, right? He's your friend, he's your brother, he's got his good points, and he's got his bad points. It's just who he is.

[[More silence, and then the call ends. A few moments later, however, he's receiving a request for a video call, and if he accepts it he'll be greeted by an almost ragged looking Rose, curled up on a couch with one arm wrapped around a pillow, the other obviously holding the Pokegear, for once not wearing that purple kitty hat. It's obvious she's been mulling over this a while.]]

Good points?

[Okay this time she definitely hung up on him. Oh jeez now she was mad at him too! This was just horrible-- oh, what video call? ~~Gosh, Rose you're just like your moirail! Give a guy some warning before you just abruptly hang up to switch formats!~~]

[Okay, he guesses they are doing the video thing. It's probably pretty hard to see him since he's sitting in the dark and the only light is from the tiny screen of the 'gear that's laying on the coffee table in front of him. Yup, he's sitting on the couch too. Because...he sleeps on the couch. ~~They're getting a double bedroom in Azalea goshdarnit!~~ But maybe you can make out his rather tired looking face and messier-than-usual-hair. Casey's sitting in his lap, waving excitedly at the camera once she realizes who's on the other end.]

Yeah good points. [Rubbing his left eye, pushing his glasses up into an awkward crooked position across his face.] Everyone's got at least one. Sometimes it's just hard to see Dave's because he's always trying to act cool and cover up the fact that he's actually a perfectly tolerable, decent human being.

[[Despite her mood, she offers the buneary a soft smile and wave, feeling slightly bad for calling at the sight of how tired John looked. Listening, she sighs and buries her face into the pillow in frustration. She lifts it again to avoid her words being muffled, however.]]

It is hard to tell if it is an act or reality, sometimes.

[Casey is so happy! SO HAPPY! But now she's going to calm down a bit and just wiggle excitedly in John's lap as he resumes petting her head. She is TRYING to restrain herself, so she's just going to smile happily at the camera and enjoy the head-scratchies.]

It's an act, trust me.

Well he could certainly use to make that more obvious.

[[Frustrated noise and throwing the pillow to the other side of the couch, she turns away from the camera - which she has now propped up on the arm of the couch - and hunches up a little. This whole thing was incredibly stupid and absolutely infuriating, and she was regretting calling John now as she didn't want anyone else viewing her in what she felt were moments of weakness.

Dave was enough, and who knows what he was doing with that information.]]

Well yeah, that'd be nice buuuut I don't see it happening. At least not anytime soon.

[He quirks an eyebrow at Rose's...was this a hissy fit? Seriously what was he witnessing here? ~~Girls are strange, strange creatures~~]

Is something else bothering you?

I am simply...frustrated. Something I do not really wish to delve into.

With...Dave still? Or am I missing something?

[How's he supposed to help if you're not going to tell him what's wrong? :T]

Yes, with Dave still.

[[Her snort surely makes it obvious she's rolling here eyes, and she simply curls up further.]]

Okay, okay, sorry! I just wanted to make sure I was on the same page as you.

[He's tired and it's stupid o'clock and basically his brain's not working at full capacity right now, Rose. Cut him some slack. ~~You can hear that whine though, right? The whine of a freshly-kicked puppy?~~]

[[There is a sigh, and she's kind of peeking over her shoulder at you now.]]

I'm sorry for snapping.

It's fine.

[And now it's his turn to sigh, rubbing at his eyes with his index fingers.]

I really don't know what else you want me to tell you though, Rose. I wish there was some way I could convince you but...I really just don't know how else to put it.

[He just KNOWS.]

...thank you for trying, I suppose.

[[Laying down, she quietly murrs in discontent.]]

You should likely go back to bed. You seem awfully tired, and I really shouldn't have woken you.

I said it was fine, remember? I'm not going back to sleep till you're at least slightly less angry at Dave than you were at the start of this conversation. I'll just...sleep in tomorrow.

[This is his stubborn face. He has put his foot down on the matter and there is no changing his mind now.]

I'll just...have to try harder. Give me a minute...I'll think of something.

[[She replies without looking up at the camera.]]

Were you not the one to tell me that sleep is important?

Yeah but, this is important too! And right now this is more important! I can't stand the thought of you and Dave just...not being friends anymore! Especially since I should be able to do something about this. I mean, you called me instead of just talking to Karkat, so clearly you thought I'd be able to help with this.

[He's just rambling now. He's not even sure what he's talking about anymore. He just doesn't want to let his friends down.]

[[Now she glances up at the camera, just sort of staring. You're surprising her, John.]]

Alright, you have my attention.

Um...right. Err...

[Well, what was he supposed to say now?]

Okay. When you're close to somebody, you're bound to get on their nerves at some point, right? I mean, I'm sure there are things about me and Jade and everybody else that annoys you sometimes. With you and Dave though...okay, now don't take this the wrong way. But in some ways you and Dave are a lot alike. You're both I guess...strong-willed? I think that's the word I'm looking for, I'm not really sure. But in any case, you butt heads.

[In case this wasn't clear, he demonstrates by knocking his fists together.]

Plus you're siblings and that's kind of what siblings are supposed to do. I mean you weren't raised as siblings but ectobiologically speaking, you are. You'd be disobeying some kind of cosmic law of siblinghood if you didn't pick at each other occasionally.

[[...was he....]]

...are you attempting to be psychoanalytical of the situation, John?

[[Still though, she takes in what he said. And processes it, and lets it sink in.]]

...I suppose I will have to consider the situation more, before deciding anything. Though to be fair, nothing had been decided on before hand.

No. Honestly, I'm just saying the first thing that pops into my mind.

[Rubbing the back of his head and smiling like a derp. He doesn't even know what he's on about here.]

What's there to consider? Don't overthink this, Rose. It'll just make things harder.

There are a plethora of things to consider. Both of my own opinions on him, and of what you've said.

[[Sitting up now, she turns to face the camera once more.]]

Thank you. I at least feel calmer now.

'Kay...just...try to forgive him, please?

[He grins as she turns around.]

You're welcome. Glad I could help. Anything else on your mind?

I make no promises, but I will attempt to.

[[And she gives him a little smile in return.]]

Not particularly, no. I am glad you are willing to talk to me at such ridiculous hours, though. I have been having a hard time sleeping as of late.

That's good enough for me! And it's no problem, next time I'll try and actually get to the phone in time.

...Are you sure nothing else is bothering you though?

[Why else would you be having trouble sleeping? Clearly something is wrong.]

[[At the insistence, she glances away with a huff, cheeks barely tinging with color.]]

I assure you, there is nothing else.

Okay, if you say so.

[The look on his face says that he doesn't believe you.]

[[And the look on hers almost pleads him not to inquire further.]]

I promise you it's nothing, okay?

Alright.

[He falls silent, idly scratching Casey behind the ears. There's really nothing else to say on the matter, but at the same time he just doesn't want to hang up.]

...if we are done, you should likely get more sleep.

Oh! Right. Yeah. That would...that would be good.

You should too. Or at least try to.

[He still makes no effort to hang up, though.]

...Good night, Rose.

[[And she makes little effort either.]]

Good night John.

[[Okay, finally reaching to turn off the feed. Though she pauses, and then smiles a little once more.]]

And sweet dreams.

[[And nope, you get no chance to reply without calling back, because off the feed goes.]]

Yeah, you...too...

[Yup, he just said that to a blank screen. A blank screen which he continues to stare at for a good minute after the call ended.]

[He sighs and flips the 'gear closed, pulling off his glasses and then putting them both down on the coffee table. He lays back down on the couch, rolling over onto his back and staring up at the ceiling. Casey crawls onto his chest, and after some "Eskimo kisses," she is fast asleep.]

[Sleep does not come as easily to John. It is not until after five in the morning, after being completely lost in his own thoughts for two hours, that sleep finally finds him again.]

[[And Rose found herself staring as well, cradling the Pokegear in her hand for quite a good time afterward. She really needed to stop calling him like that, both for the sake of his health...and for the sake of her slumber.

Truth be told, she didn't get back to sleep herself. She tried, laying on the couch and staring at the wall for hours, but eventually admitted she just wasn't going to let herself drift off, wary of her dreams.

And so, five in the morning rolls around, and she's found sipping idly at a glass of coffee, reading a book she's surely read a few times now. Guile curled up nearby was at least a mild comfort. And while she really should have been focused on Dave, and why she needed to forgive him - or punch him, as both were justified at that point - her mind was on someone completely different.

This was quickly becoming a thing, and she wasn't exactly pleased with it happening.]]

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Chapter 14; Voice for John

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