tentacletrainer: (Apologies aren't always enough)
Rose Lalonde ([personal profile] tentacletrainer) wrote2011-03-09 08:12 pm

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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[identity profile] usedwindything.livejournal.com 2011-03-10 08:45 am (UTC)(link)
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.]

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[identity profile] usedtherapy.livejournal.com 2011-03-10 08:53 am (UTC)(link)
[[Now she glances up at the camera, just sort of staring. You're surprising her, John.]]

Alright, you have my attention.

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[identity profile] usedwindything.livejournal.com 2011-03-10 09:17 am (UTC)(link)
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.

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[identity profile] usedtherapy.livejournal.com 2011-03-10 09:25 am (UTC)(link)
[[...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.

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[identity profile] heirconditioner.livejournal.com 2011-03-10 09:59 am (UTC)(link)
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.

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[identity profile] usedtherapy.livejournal.com 2011-03-11 04:00 am (UTC)(link)
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.

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[identity profile] usedwindything.livejournal.com 2011-03-11 04:15 am (UTC)(link)
'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?

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[identity profile] usedtherapy.livejournal.com 2011-03-11 04:19 am (UTC)(link)
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.

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[identity profile] usedwindything.livejournal.com 2011-03-11 04:32 am (UTC)(link)
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.]

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[identity profile] usedtherapy.livejournal.com 2011-03-11 04:34 am (UTC)(link)
[[At the insistence, she glances away with a huff, cheeks barely tinging with color.]]

I assure you, there is nothing else.

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[identity profile] usedwindything.livejournal.com 2011-03-11 04:57 am (UTC)(link)
Okay, if you say so.

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

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[identity profile] usedtherapy.livejournal.com 2011-03-11 04:59 am (UTC)(link)
[[And the look on hers almost pleads him not to inquire further.]]

I promise you it's nothing, okay?

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[identity profile] usedwindything.livejournal.com 2011-03-11 05:03 am (UTC)(link)
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.]

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[identity profile] usedtherapy.livejournal.com 2011-03-11 05:07 am (UTC)(link)
...if we are done, you should likely get more sleep.

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[identity profile] usedwindything.livejournal.com 2011-03-11 05:13 am (UTC)(link)
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.

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[identity profile] usedtherapy.livejournal.com 2011-03-11 05:36 am (UTC)(link)
[[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.]]

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[identity profile] usedwindything.livejournal.com 2011-03-11 06:19 am (UTC)(link)
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.]

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[identity profile] usedtherapy.livejournal.com 2011-03-11 06:27 am (UTC)(link)
[[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.]]