tentacletrainer | Chapter 21; Action for Karkat

[[Really, she was glad Karkat had asked to go back to their room. Not just because it would give them a more comfortable place to talk where no trouble-causing ears could hear, but because she could give Soul the go-ahead to take care of Eridan as needed, which she did on the way to the hotel room.

Rose held the door open for Karkat, and closed it behind him once he was in. Letting him do as he pleased, sit where he wanted, she sets her things down and gives the excited Guile, the content Loke and the 'oh my gosh I am so glad you are home why did you leave again never leave again mommy ;A;' Nartac pets to their heads.

Returning all but the Glameow to their Pokeballs, she picks the purple cat-Pokemon up, letting it cocoon into her hair as he usually does. Guile might be let back out later, since the little Eevee seemed fairly talented in giving Karkat cuddles, but for now she had a feeling that wouldn't be the best of ideas.

She's doing what she can to both give Karkat time to settle, and to properly sort out the questions she had to ask.]]

Whenever you're ready, Karkat.

((OOC: Backdated to 4/4, just after 7pm))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

But I half-feel like giving up, Rose.

[His head lowers, focusing on Guile for lack of something better.]

I mean sure, I want him to hate me and everything, but that's the whole damn problem. How the fuck do I do it? I've been trying to troll him and shit, but he says it just amuses him most of the time. And the rest, he fucking calls me desperate. I don't want to be like that douche Eridan.

[[Guile certainly doesn't mind this, obviously trying to converse with him too!]]

Karkat, you have to remember whom you are dealing with. Simply because Dave Strider calls you desperate certainly doesn't mean you are becoming like Eridan, especially if you let it show that it bothers you. That would simply encourage him to inform you of how 'desperate' you are further.

[Karkat absently scritches Guile behind the ears.]

Yeah, I know, but...

No, maybe I don't know.

[His hand goes back up to rub at his forehead.]

It's just frustrating. And fucking stupid! I had all that with him, and then the whole fucking thing just got taken away, and now there's this and I don't even know what the hell I'm doing anymore.

[[Ear scritches! Just going to settle right down and make all sorts of happy noises about that.]]

...Have you ever, perhaps, considered playing 'hard to get'?

[[Is she really suggesting this to Karkat? She can't quite believe herself.]]

... Huh?

Well, rather than chasing him, perhaps you should try being indifferent towards him. Trolling him is one thing, but if you let him troll you in return it doesn't work. He simply finds it humorous, which is opposite of what you're trying to accomplish.

So, instead, try being the 'cool kid' yourself.

But you know I can't control my temper. And if I just hang up or something, he'd probably call back and keep pissing me off.

Well then we obviously have more reason to work on that.

[[Chuckling, she wiggles her Pokegear a little.]]

And that is also the beauty of text. If you can get enough of of a grip on your temper, you can think about what you write before sending it. Much easier than video or voice, where your responses are barked out on impulse.

No shit text is easier. And he prefers it anyway, with his stupid ass coolkid facade.

[He turns his attention back to his food now, though not away from the conversation.]

[[Sigh.]]

Okay. Here is a very good chance to work on that temper.

His coolkid facade is entirely frustrating, yes. Infuriating sometimes. However, instead of making comment on that, focus on what brought that up.

He prefers it. That's a good thing. A positive thing to focus on.

[[Oh yeah, they had dinner, didn't they? Just taking a bite of her own food now.]]

What do you mean, 'what brought that up'? And isn't focusing on what he wants counterproductive?

[He's not really getting it, being of the 'rage first, ask questions possibly later' mindset.]

Well, if you hadn't been thinking about the fact that he only uses text, you would not have thought about why he prefers it. The fact he prefers text brought up why he does - that being his facade. So, focus on what brought that up. The text.

And it depends on the situation. In this case, it's a good thing. He prefers using text, meaning you are able to use text with him without it being questioned, giving you more chances to think first before you say anything.

[Karkat is a pessimist, man. At least he is in this case. He looks at Rose, dubious still.]

Text is what I've been using so far, and it's done about nothing to make shit go better.

That's because you still answer on impulse, I'm sure. Either that, or you simply don't consider your replies first. I said it gives you opportunities, not that it will automatically fix everything.

[He snorts, munching on some more of his food as he considers her advice.]

So you're saying I should pretend I'm not pissed off when I am, and do the coolkid thing to him? Even though I'll probably hate every minute of it and just get pissed off all the more because of it?

Exactly.

[[That is apparently all there is to say on the matter as she returns to her dinner.]]

God, the effort I go to for his stupid ass.

[He lets out a frustrated sigh.]

This better fucking work, or I'm going to take it out on you when it doesn't.

If there's no effort put forth, it's not nearly as satisfying in the end. And I am well aware I will be to blame.

So. What do you know about the 'coolkid facade'? Is there anything you've picked up on after speaking with Dave for so long? ...and Soul, for that matter.

I just hope I actually get some fucking return for it.

[He peers at her next, then looks away.]

Can we not talk about Soul? I'm not looking forward to whatever sort of conversation we're going to have after that mess earlier.

Anyway. Coolkid facade, uh... Er... Lineface a lot and wear shades? Make dick jokes? I don't know.

Chapter 21; Action for Karkat

[ACTION]

[ACTION]

[ACTION]

[ACTION]

[ACTION]

[ACTION]

[ACTION]

[ACTION]

[ACTION]

[ACTION]

[ACTION]

[ACTION]

[ACTION] Nevermind that PM I sent last night; sleepiness kept my brain from working.

[ACTION] That's okay. <3

[ACTION]

[ACTION]

[ACTION]

[ACTION]

[ACTION]