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2 Commits
Author | SHA1 | Date |
---|---|---|
Jay Logan | af4a832d0d | |
Jay Logan | f9f3f2db3e |
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@ -1,7 +1,9 @@
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body {
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||||
font-size: medium;
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||||
@font-face {
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||||
font-family: "Homestuck-Regular";
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||||
src: url("../Fonts/Homestuck-Regular.otf");
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||||
}
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||||
|
||||
/* defaults */
|
||||
blockquote {
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||||
font-style: italic;
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||||
border-left: 3px solid black;
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||||
|
@ -31,6 +33,96 @@ pre {
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|||
font-size: 75%;
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||||
}
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||||
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||||
/* general hs imported styles */
|
||||
|
||||
body {
|
||||
font-family:adobe-garamond-pro, serif;
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||||
font-weight:normal
|
||||
}
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||||
span.opener {
|
||||
float:left;
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||||
font-family:'Homestuck-Regular', monospace;
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||||
line-height:0.825
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||||
}
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||||
div.chat {
|
||||
margin:15px 0px 15px 25px;
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||||
font-family:"courier-std", courier, monospace
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||||
}
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||||
div.chat p {
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||||
text-indent:0px;
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||||
font-weight:bold
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||||
}
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||||
p.Command {
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||||
text-indent:0px;
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||||
margin:15px 0px 15px 25px;
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||||
font-family:Verdana, sans-serif
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||||
}
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||||
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||||
.type-xxl {
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||||
font-size:74px
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||||
}
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||||
.type-hs-opener-rg {
|
||||
font-size:65px
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||||
}
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||||
.type-xl {
|
||||
font-size:56px
|
||||
}
|
||||
.type-hs-opener-sm {
|
||||
font-size:51px
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||||
}
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||||
.type-lg {
|
||||
font-size:39px
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||||
}
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||||
.type-md {
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||||
font-size:28px
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||||
}
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||||
.type-hs-header {
|
||||
font-size:32px
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||||
}
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||||
.type-hs-copy {
|
||||
font-size:24px
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||||
}
|
||||
.type-rg {
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||||
font-size:20px
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||||
}
|
||||
.type-hs-rg {
|
||||
font-size:18px
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||||
}
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||||
.type-sm {
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||||
font-size:16px
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||||
}
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||||
.type-hs-small {
|
||||
font-size:14px
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||||
}
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||||
.type-bs {
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||||
font-size:12px
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||||
}
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||||
.type-hs-button {
|
||||
font-size:11px
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||||
}
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||||
.type-hs-bottom {
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||||
font-size:10px
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||||
}
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||||
.type-center {
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||||
text-align:center
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||||
}
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||||
.type-left {
|
||||
text-align:left
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||||
}
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||||
.type-right {
|
||||
text-align:right
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||||
}
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||||
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||||
p.no-indent {
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||||
text-indent:0px
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||||
}
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||||
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||||
.weight-bold {
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||||
font-weight:700
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||||
}
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||||
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||||
/* character styles */
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||||
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.aranea {
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||||
color:#005682
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||||
}
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||||
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@ -123,8 +215,3 @@ pre {
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|||
.vriska {
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color:#005682
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}
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||||
p.Command {
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||||
text-indent:0px;
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||||
margin:15px 0px 15px 25px;
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||||
font-family:Verdana, sans-serif
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||||
}
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
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|||
<div id='s1'></div>
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<div>
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<h1>Chapter 1</h1>
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<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
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<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">C</span>andy was
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<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
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<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">C</span>andy was
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definitely the right choice, John thinks, as he munches
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thoughtfully on a strawberry swirl mint. It cracks to splinters
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between his teeth. Incredibly tasty splinters, the consistency of
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|
@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
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|||
fatalistic mood that he’s been walking around with all day seems
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||||
somewhat... melodramatic. Embarrassing, even! Who has time for
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||||
nihilism when it’s such a beautiful day.</p>
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||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
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||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
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||||
<p class="john">JOHN: you know what?</p>
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<p class="roxy">ROXY: ...</p>
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<p class="john">JOHN: maybe i’ll stay after all.</p>
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|
@ -84,7 +84,7 @@
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when he thinks about it. Superficial. And a bit sappy toward his
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||||
friends. So what if he wants to make an insubstantial, superficial,
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||||
and sappy decision?</p>
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||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
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||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
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||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: are you absolUtely sUre aboUt this,
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||||
john?</p>
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||||
</div>
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||||
|
@ -101,7 +101,7 @@
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|||
tree, not to the world, not even to the leaf itself. He flicks the
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||||
delicate green metaphor away with a flourish of disdain, and sudden
|
||||
conviction.</p>
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||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
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||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: yeah. actually, i don’t think i’ve ever been
|
||||
so sure of anything in my life.</p>
|
||||
</div>
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||||
|
@ -110,7 +110,7 @@
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|||
sexist way to describe it. It’s definitely a girly noise, though,
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||||
and not what John was expecting. Without warning, she launches
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||||
herself into his arms.</p>
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||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
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||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
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||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: omg john</p>
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||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: thats...</p>
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||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: AMAZING!</p>
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||||
|
@ -132,7 +132,7 @@
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|||
were just waiting for him to pick up the phone, or to come along
|
||||
and hug them.</p>
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||||
<p>Roxy pulls back and claps excitedly.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
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||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: this is gonna be so effing AWESOME</p>
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||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: yes. i think that yoU have made an
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||||
excellent choice, john!</p>
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||||
|
@ -161,19 +161,19 @@
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|||
makes it so that she dips into shadow. The sharp recesses of her
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||||
skeletal face turn those shadows black. For a moment, her voice
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||||
sounds the way wind does when it howls through a narrow chasm.</p>
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||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
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||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
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||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: yoU mUst free the bard from his
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||||
prison.</p>
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||||
<p class="john">JOHN: ???</p>
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||||
</div>
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||||
<p class="no-indent">Did he hear her right? He can’t imagine she
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||||
could <em>possibly</em> mean...</p>
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||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
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||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
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||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: gamzee.</p>
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||||
</div>
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||||
<p class="no-indent">Calliope puts her hands together and pulls
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||||
back, smiling sweetly. Her voice is sugar-sweet again.</p>
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||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
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||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
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||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: let poor gamzee oUt of the fridge,
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||||
john.</p>
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||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: the time has come. u_u</p>
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||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
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|||
<div id='s10'></div>
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||||
<div>
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||||
<h1>Chapter 10</h1>
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||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
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||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
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||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: WH3R3 3V3N 4R3 YOU</p>
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<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 4ND WHY H4V3N’T YOU SL1C3D M4K4R4 1N H4LF
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||||
Y3T</p>
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||||
|
@ -82,7 +82,7 @@
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|||
contact with him, and Gamzee gives him a thumbs-up. A chill runs
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||||
down John’s spine, so he goes back to his conversation with
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||||
Terezi.</p>
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||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
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||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
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||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 1M W41T1NG</p>
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<p class="terezi">TEREZI: ...</p>
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||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: ...</p>
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||||
|
@ -179,7 +179,7 @@
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|||
looking at him that makes him glad he got out of bed today. It
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||||
makes him, for the first time in years, excited about the idea that
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||||
the future is a thing that exists.</p>
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||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
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||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
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||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: sorry for takin so long had to reapply the
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||||
face u kno how it is</p>
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||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: actually u probably dont but let me tell u
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||||
|
@ -247,7 +247,7 @@
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|||
because they’re sitting so very close. Her lashes look about twice
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||||
as long in the low, pale light. They shadow her eyes so that he
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||||
can’t read her expression.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: ya know i didnt even know any adults when i
|
||||
was a kid</p>
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||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: so i got nothin except the legends of how my
|
||||
|
@ -280,7 +280,7 @@
|
|||
actually humors him. The glasses clink together clumsily, and water
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||||
gets all over the complimentary breadsticks. She starts laughing
|
||||
harder.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: oh john</p>
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||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: why didnt we do this SOONER</p>
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||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: i love spendin time with you</p>
|
||||
|
@ -298,7 +298,7 @@
|
|||
can’t tell what Roxy is thinking. She’s so warm and open and
|
||||
inviting, but when John looks into her eyes... it’s almost like
|
||||
staring into a voi—</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: oh</p>
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||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: wtf look behind you</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -316,7 +316,7 @@
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|||
angles a look at John through the panels of his shades. It looks
|
||||
like he hasn’t slept, but it’s hard to tell with Dave. He’s out of
|
||||
breath.</p>
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||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: hey dude</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: and roxy</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: uh rather...</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s11'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 11</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">D</span>ave grabs
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">D</span>ave grabs
|
||||
the sleeve of John’s tux in his sweaty palm, and the two of them
|
||||
fly to the top of the nearest tower. John glances at him en route,
|
||||
and the look on Dave’s face strikes him as that of a man condemned
|
||||
|
@ -36,7 +36,7 @@
|
|||
even in the middle of the city.</p>
|
||||
<p>Dave cups his hands over his knees and stares straight
|
||||
ahead.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: yo john what do you think about me and
|
||||
karkat</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: um...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -61,7 +61,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Dave says this so neutrally that John has no
|
||||
idea how to read it, despite having years of practice reading
|
||||
Dave’s many neutral tones.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: er... yes.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: that’s exactly what i mean.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: why</p>
|
||||
|
@ -136,7 +136,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Dave makes a couple truly useless hand
|
||||
gestures.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: in the greater fabric of our weird incestuous
|
||||
social group</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: it might be the wrong move i think</p>
|
||||
|
@ -150,14 +150,14 @@
|
|||
developed a bad habit of sometimes approaching delicate social
|
||||
situations with all the grace of an elephant stumbling around in a
|
||||
dark room.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: right.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i almost managed to forget that she was
|
||||
trying to fuck you and karkat.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Dave snaps his head around to stare at John in
|
||||
shock.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: wait you knew about that</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: uh, yeah?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: did you not?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -182,7 +182,7 @@
|
|||
with his elbows crossed over his thighs. The angle he’s at gives
|
||||
John a good look at his eyes, which are boring a deep, miserable
|
||||
hole to the center of the Earth right now.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: thats why i think that i should</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: give it a try i guess</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: give what a try? dating jade?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -204,7 +204,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Dave doesn’t answer. His silence says a lot,
|
||||
John thinks.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: ...are you in love with karkat?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: thats</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: thats a big fucking question</p>
|
||||
|
@ -250,7 +250,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">He tilts his face so that he can give John a
|
||||
look. The corner of his lip quirks ambiguously.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: have you been talking to terezi</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: um...</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: damn i thought she ghosted everyone</p>
|
||||
|
@ -267,7 +267,7 @@
|
|||
catches John’s gaze and makes a rolling gesture with his hand,
|
||||
miming the way a practiced magician would flick a coin over their
|
||||
thumb.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: do you know what a coin flip is</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: like universally i mean in the grand scale of
|
||||
all this time space infinite string theory bullshit were always
|
||||
|
@ -316,7 +316,7 @@
|
|||
is essential, true, and relevant. He remembers those three words,
|
||||
but no other contextual remarks which bind them. That conversation
|
||||
seems so very long ago now.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i mean... it doesn’t sound...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: *canon*?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: ugh not you too</p>
|
||||
|
@ -326,7 +326,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Dave sighs and runs a hand through his
|
||||
hair.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: doing the right thing</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i guess</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: this doesn’t seem hard to me at all,
|
||||
|
@ -349,7 +349,7 @@
|
|||
isn’t easy for him, though. John guesses this is what it means to
|
||||
be a friend. It means being the guy who understands when easy isn’t
|
||||
actually that easy.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i have to... talk to dirk i think</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: uh, ok?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -365,7 +365,7 @@
|
|||
lingers between the two of them. Before John can fill it with some
|
||||
stupid words, he hears Roxy calling up to him from below. He pops
|
||||
his head over the roof and waves at her.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: what’s up?</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: yo boys not to interrupt but we got kicked
|
||||
outta the restaurant for not ordering</p>
|
||||
|
@ -391,14 +391,14 @@
|
|||
more, like this whole conversation was sand running through his
|
||||
fingers. It itches at the back of his head, the idea that he might
|
||||
have just fucked up Dave’s entire life.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i’m... sorry i couldn’t help.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: nah dude its not your fault</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Dave gives him a light bro-punch in the arm
|
||||
and tries to smile.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE:enjoy your date</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: enjoy your date</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s12'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 12</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">J</span>ake wakes
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">J</span>ake wakes
|
||||
up to the unfamiliar feeling of a cheek on his chest and a thigh
|
||||
slung over his stomach.</p>
|
||||
<p>Not that waking up to limbs entwined with some fleeting
|
||||
|
@ -47,7 +47,7 @@
|
|||
worst fears.</p>
|
||||
<p>But his worst fears are confirmed for him without him having to
|
||||
do anything, unfortunately, which seems par for the course.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Good morning.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jane sits up in the bed and stretches her arms
|
||||
|
@ -58,13 +58,13 @@
|
|||
sight of her. It’s not her attractiveness that was ever in
|
||||
question. It’s everything else about this situation which is the
|
||||
problem.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Jane.....</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: What in the blazes happened!?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">She turns to face him, giggling into her
|
||||
hand.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Why Jake, I would imagine that you are
|
||||
practiced enough at sexual congress at this point that I shouldn’t
|
||||
have to explain it to you.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -75,7 +75,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jane blinks and touches a hand to her
|
||||
collarbone, like she doesn’t quite recognize herself.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Oh dear, did you hear what I just said?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Lighten up?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: It’s been quite a while since I’ve thought
|
||||
|
@ -97,7 +97,7 @@
|
|||
Lollipop on his bedside table. It sits, like evidence at a murder
|
||||
scene, beneath an empty bottle of vodka and far more sets of
|
||||
underwear than the number of people accounted for in the room.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Um...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">...Jake says, but Jane shuts him up with a
|
||||
|
@ -108,7 +108,7 @@
|
|||
several objections, but Jane is plucking all his strings quite
|
||||
mercilessly. He feels like a snake about to be necked by a
|
||||
mongoose.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Wh... whats the meaning of the lollipop? I
|
||||
thought we agreed never to use trickster mode when we were...
|
||||
er.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -133,7 +133,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Jane’s expression falls. She’d been feeling
|
||||
quite buoyed after a night of jolly—if inebriated—fun, but Jake
|
||||
does not seem to share her enthusiasm.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Dear me... was that innuendo a bit too much?
|
||||
I’m sorry. I’m not very good at this.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: No its not that. Jane... i...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -147,7 +147,7 @@
|
|||
words leave his mouth. Jane looks absolutely crushed. Devastated.
|
||||
Like Jake just ripped the rug out from underneath her entire
|
||||
universe.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: What?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Are you saying everything we did...</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: It...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -158,11 +158,11 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Jane stares up at him, her eyes so bright
|
||||
they’re practically clear, like tropical water on a sunny day. She
|
||||
looks like girls do right before they’re about to cry.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Jake...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Oh, how could he deny her anything?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: What was i even saying? Im being terribly
|
||||
foolish.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Sure we may have er. Overdone it a bit on the
|
||||
|
@ -179,7 +179,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">It’s not the most rousing speech Jake has ever
|
||||
given, but it seems satisfactory enough for Jane. He releases a
|
||||
tremendously relieved sigh when Jane breaks into a smile.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Oh, Jake!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">He flails when she kisses him. But this time,
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s13'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 13</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">D</span>ave and
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">D</span>ave and
|
||||
Dirk don’t talk that much about the heavy stuff. They don’t need
|
||||
to. Dave can hear his brother’s voice in his head.</p>
|
||||
<p>Not, like, literally. That would be insane. But Dave knows what
|
||||
|
@ -52,7 +52,7 @@
|
|||
<p>Dave knocks on the door, loud, but there’s no answer. Nothing
|
||||
when he calls out Dirk’s name either. Then he tries the knob, and
|
||||
the door swings right open.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: uh</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: hey</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: bro</p>
|
||||
|
@ -61,7 +61,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Still no answer. Dave lets himself in. It’s
|
||||
not like his bro would actually mind. They’re family, after
|
||||
all.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: bro</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: hey</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -69,14 +69,14 @@
|
|||
flitting from room to room, checking for any signs of Dirk.</p>
|
||||
<p>This is strange. The guy doesn’t usually go out to do things,
|
||||
unless those things are actively being televised.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: dude are you like gone i have something i
|
||||
really need to talk to you ab–</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Dave all but jumps out of his skin with a
|
||||
shriek when he turns to find the last individual in the world he
|
||||
ever expected or wanted to see.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: HoNk.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: jesus FUCK</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: HeY wHaTs ShAkInG mY mAn :O)</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s14'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 14</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">Y</span>our name
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">Y</span>our name
|
||||
is Dirk Strider, and you know what you must do.</p>
|
||||
<p>The decision was made the moment John chose his course. This
|
||||
world has been set on a path that you cannot tread.</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s15'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 15</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">T</span>he rain is
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">T</span>he rain is
|
||||
coming down in sheets. It rains just seldom enough on this idyllic
|
||||
world that most of its inhabitants are conditioned to leave their
|
||||
homes without umbrellas, and today they’re paying for it. The press
|
||||
|
@ -46,7 +46,7 @@
|
|||
comes time to set it down in the cathedral, upsets the balance of
|
||||
the whole thing, and sends it careening down so hard that the nose
|
||||
of it crashes right through the stage.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: OoOpS mOtHeRfUcKeRs.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: oops???</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: its fine gamz</p>
|
||||
|
@ -68,7 +68,7 @@
|
|||
inside, past the barrier of reporters. Jane drags Jake off by the
|
||||
wrist to deal with them as Roxy approaches the pulpit, looking
|
||||
miserably ghostlike in her violet mourning clothes.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: um</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: hey thx everyone for joining me today</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -78,7 +78,7 @@
|
|||
back a whole mouthful of snot. The sound is very much in contrast
|
||||
with the delicate, feminine manner with which she tugs a tissue out
|
||||
of her modest cleavage in order to dab at her eyes.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: wow now that im up here its like</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: idk</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: i have no idea what to say</p>
|
||||
|
@ -86,7 +86,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Of course she doesn’t. Dirk was her first BFF,
|
||||
her first love, and at one time, the only other human being left on
|
||||
Earth. She rolls the wet tissue between her fingers.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: and i guess thats cuz there IS nothing to
|
||||
say</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: theres no words to describe how i felt about
|
||||
|
@ -113,7 +113,7 @@
|
|||
on his camera as quietly as possible.</p>
|
||||
<p>It takes Dave a moment to gather himself when he reaches the
|
||||
lectern, but when he speaks his voice is steady and even.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: hey guys</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: wanna apologize in advance cuz this is about
|
||||
to get a lil real</p>
|
||||
|
@ -153,7 +153,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Dave hesitates. His voice might be cracking,
|
||||
but it’s subtle.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: he was just an absolute bastard no offense to
|
||||
the dead</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: yeah ok sure he taught me a ton of shit that
|
||||
|
@ -247,7 +247,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Dave takes a deep, shuddering breath and
|
||||
actually takes off his shades to wipe away the tears that are
|
||||
pooling on his eyelashes.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i guess thats all i got to say about that</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jake is openly weeping by the time the speech
|
||||
|
@ -257,7 +257,7 @@
|
|||
suit. Dave leaves the stage, face turned away from the glare of the
|
||||
camera lights, and Roxy takes her place at the pulpit once
|
||||
again.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: anyone else have a eulogy theyd like to
|
||||
give</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: i think the best way we can honor dirks
|
||||
|
@ -279,7 +279,7 @@
|
|||
room immediately to escape the stench emanating from this smiling
|
||||
clown. Suddenly, his expression distorts, to become something which
|
||||
can only be described as a leer.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: WhAt’S uP oN tHiS mOsT rIgHtEoUs AnD
|
||||
fRoWnY Of DaYs My BiTcHeS. :’o(</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: OH MY GOD</p>
|
||||
|
@ -293,7 +293,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Gamzee clears his throat quite loudly and
|
||||
abruptly, sending ear-shattering echoes throughout the church. It
|
||||
sounds like someone just threw a toilet in a woodchipper.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: NiNjAs AnD gEnTlEhOeS!</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: We GaThEr Up At ThIs ShRiNe Of WoRsHiP tO
|
||||
wHaTeVeR fAlSe IdOlS oR mEsSiAhS tHeSe HoMiEs GeT tHeIr DeVoTiOn On
|
||||
|
@ -334,7 +334,7 @@
|
|||
retrieves a piece of paper, crumpled and soaked from the rain
|
||||
outside, and attempts to smooth it out over the lectern. The wet
|
||||
paper breaks apart immediately beneath his oafish clown paws.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: AwWw, ShIzZ. i GuEsS i’Ve GoT tO uP aNd
|
||||
WiNg It!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -343,7 +343,7 @@
|
|||
Dirk had apparently handed down to Gamzee to be passed on. John
|
||||
can’t seem to find that optimism himself.</p>
|
||||
<p>Gamzee draws a big, fat breath, and begins his speech.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: YoU eVeR wAkE uP aNd SiT dOwN tO dRoP a
|
||||
FaT oNe In ThE lOaD gApEr, BuT yOuR fLeSh BoDy JuSt AiN’t ReAdY tO
|
||||
gO aNd DoOk It OuT yEt?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -352,7 +352,7 @@
|
|||
scans the crowd, silent for a uncomfortable while, as if his
|
||||
question weren’t rhetorical and he were expecting an answer that
|
||||
will never come.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: tHaT’s WhAt LiFe WaS lIkE fOr ThE
|
||||
d-MaN.</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: A mAn BoRn WiTh A pUrPoSe. A pLaN.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -379,7 +379,7 @@
|
|||
or two mercifully concluding remarks. Roxy stands up and begins
|
||||
clapping loudly to bring a heroic end to the elocutionary horror
|
||||
show.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: WOW WASNT THAT GREAT FOLKS!</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: WOW JUST WOW I KNEW THIS GUY WOULDNT LET US
|
||||
DOWN</p>
|
||||
|
@ -393,7 +393,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: hOoOoOoOoOnK.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">She nudges Jake.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: (hey dude can u get up there and say somethin
|
||||
as like...)</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: (a palate cleanser?)</p>
|
||||
|
@ -431,7 +431,7 @@
|
|||
<p>John sneezes.</p>
|
||||
<p>Dave and Karkat jump apart like opposing magnets.</p>
|
||||
<p>Oops.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: uhh, hi guys!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">John waves dopily and hopes that he doesn’t
|
||||
|
@ -439,7 +439,7 @@
|
|||
still staring at each other from the corners of their eyes, warily.
|
||||
Something silent and tense passes between them.</p>
|
||||
<p>They make a quick recovery.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: hey</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: I SEE THAT EVEN YOU COULDN’T BEAR
|
||||
GAMZEE’S ASININE, BRUTAL AND 100% NONCONSENSUAL ASSAULT ON YOUR
|
||||
|
@ -456,7 +456,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Dave glances at Karkat again. He... smiles.
|
||||
It’s a sad smile, but it’s there.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: yeah</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: well no</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: but its ok to not be ok about this specific
|
||||
|
@ -478,11 +478,11 @@
|
|||
down at his hands. Now that he’s paused to think a little, what
|
||||
he’s about to offer is a pretty weird way to console a friend after
|
||||
the death of a loved one.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: do you... want me to go back?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Dave quirks an eyebrow.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: go</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: back??</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: with my retcon powers.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -491,7 +491,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Dave says at the same time that Karkat
|
||||
shouts:</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: JOHN!</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: what!</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: DO YOU NOT HAVE AN INCH OF GODDAMN SENSE
|
||||
|
@ -511,7 +511,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Dave makes a wavy hand gesture that implies
|
||||
he’s about to jump into a rant about causality or whatever. John
|
||||
cuts him off.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: but!</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: if i retcon it...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: then it’s like it never even happened!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -533,7 +533,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">John frowns. Dave opens his mouth to say
|
||||
something else, but he’s cut off by Jade poking her head out of the
|
||||
church window.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: dave!!! roxys wondering where you are</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: oh yeah be right there</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: what about you karkat? you coming??</p>
|
||||
|
@ -554,7 +554,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Karkat stomps back toward the church,
|
||||
bickering with Jade his way across the graveyard. Dave adjusts his
|
||||
shades and puts a hand on John’s shoulder.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: john</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i get what you were trying to do</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: but</p>
|
||||
|
@ -575,7 +575,7 @@
|
|||
<p>Do the... retcon thing? He thinks much, much harder than he
|
||||
thought about doing the last thing.</p>
|
||||
<p>Still nothing.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: that’s weird...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: it was working just the other day.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -583,21 +583,21 @@
|
|||
starts to hurt. So hard that he doesn’t hear the footsteps sloshing
|
||||
through the wet grass behind him. When Roxy taps him on the
|
||||
shoulder he yelps and shoots six feet up into the air.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: lmao john its just me</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">John spins around to greet her. He hides his
|
||||
hands behind his back like he was doing something bad with them.
|
||||
Which he guesses he was, kind of. Roxy shields her eyes against the
|
||||
rain and laughs.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: doin ok up there b?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i’m fine!!!</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: wait. b?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">John lands softly, close enough to Roxy that
|
||||
she can slide a hand up his arm.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: yea like short for babe</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: cuz ur my babe b</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: oh, haha. right.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -607,7 +607,7 @@
|
|||
affection in public places like this. He slips a hand into the
|
||||
small of Roxy’s back and feels a pang of guilt about what he saw
|
||||
transpire between Dave and Karkat earlier.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: is dave ok?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: yeah, i guess.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: ...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -617,7 +617,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Her gaze gets distant as she stares at
|
||||
something over John’s shoulder. Whatever she’s thinking about, it
|
||||
tugs a soft smile across her face.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: yea</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: actually</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: im more than ok</p>
|
||||
|
@ -626,12 +626,12 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Roxy starts dancing her fingers up John’s
|
||||
chest.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: about you n me</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: and this</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">She bops him on the nose.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: hey john</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: we should get hitched</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: ummmmmm...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -639,7 +639,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">John stares at where Roxy’s finger is still
|
||||
pressing down on his nose and goes a little cross-eyed as his brain
|
||||
tries to process what she just said.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: um...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: ...what???</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: um what WHAT?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -648,7 +648,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="john">JOHN: like...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">John looks around the graveyard nervously.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: right NOW?</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: lmao totes</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: were already at the church n everything</p>
|
||||
|
@ -660,7 +660,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Roxy starts laughing so hard she has to wipe
|
||||
away a tear. She leans in to give John a quick, chaste kiss on the
|
||||
lips.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: no LOL</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: john u take everything so literally</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: its fuckin adorbs</p>
|
||||
|
@ -689,7 +689,7 @@
|
|||
gut. He goes breathless with shock; adrenaline pumping through him,
|
||||
his blood rushing in his ears. When he speaks, his voice is
|
||||
hoarse.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: you...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: LOVE me??</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: yea john i love you</p>
|
||||
|
@ -722,13 +722,13 @@
|
|||
pirouettes. His hands come up around Roxy’s shoulders, and keep
|
||||
going until he’s cupping her face in both hands. He starts
|
||||
giggling.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: ok.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: ok, let’s... let’s do it!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Roxy waggles her eyebrows.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: ooo u want to do it??</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: yeah!</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: er... i mean...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -743,7 +743,7 @@
|
|||
and laughing against her lips. She kisses him until they’re both
|
||||
breathless, then pulls back so that she can gaze at him with
|
||||
glittering eyes.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: omg</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: were gonna be SO freakin happy!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s16'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 16</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: hey terezi, guess where i am right now?</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: YOUR HUM4N W3DD1NG</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: considering that humans are the only species
|
||||
|
@ -221,8 +221,8 @@
|
|||
<p class="john">JOHN: yeah, ok. take care of yourself terezi.</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 1 4LW4YS DO</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p>—</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small weight-bold">—</div>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: hey terezi, i have something to tell you and
|
||||
you’re not going to believe it!</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 1 4LR34DY H34RD 4BOUT HOW J4N3 1S D4T1NG
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,15 +25,15 @@
|
|||
<div id='s17'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 17</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">T</span>hree
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">T</span>hree
|
||||
months later, John is still thinking about his last conversation
|
||||
with Terezi. It’s kind of impossible not to, when Rose and Kanaya
|
||||
keep saying the name “Vriska” every five minutes. He really thought
|
||||
they were done with hearing about Vriska all the time, but
|
||||
apparently Rose and Kanaya were intent on breathing new life into
|
||||
that tradition.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Vriska, don’t chew on your chair’s dinner
|
||||
tray.</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Darling She Is Only A Grub She Hasnt Yet
|
||||
|
@ -71,7 +71,7 @@
|
|||
sign of movement.</p>
|
||||
<p>She lifts her head to speak. He’s like Houdini with that
|
||||
phone.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: damn i still cant believe dirks gone tho</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Yes, it was so sudden.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: But the best we can do to honor him is simply
|
||||
|
@ -89,7 +89,7 @@
|
|||
cradles Vriska in one arm, and begins to unbutton the top of her
|
||||
shirt with the other. John instinctively finds something else to
|
||||
look at. Anything. His fidgeting hands will do.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Have You Two Thought About What To Name
|
||||
Your Grubs</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: its just one grub lol</p>
|
||||
|
@ -142,7 +142,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Kanaya gives John an inquisitive, wide-eyed
|
||||
look. As if there could be no conceivable reason for someone to ask
|
||||
this question.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Yes Of Course</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Why would we change her name when she’s
|
||||
nearly a year old?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -166,7 +166,7 @@
|
|||
dragging his heels on for months. Back when Roxy first got pregnant
|
||||
it was all they talked about it, but now that she’s so close to the
|
||||
due date, all the subject does is make his pulse go shaky.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: um...</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: harry anderson egbert</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: roxy! we hadn’t...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -178,7 +178,7 @@
|
|||
Roxy didn’t seem to have any suggestions of her own. Rose stops
|
||||
breastfeeding Vriska, and hands her off to Kanaya. She comes to sit
|
||||
beside John, setting a hand on his knee. She speaks kindly.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Wasn’t that the guy from Night Court?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: yeah.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: which was...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -199,13 +199,13 @@
|
|||
the planet turning under his feet. He whips his head up to look at
|
||||
Rose intently. She seems alert. Her gaze is precise. She doesn’t
|
||||
seem ill, or off, or confused at all.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: no she... didn’t?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: vriska didn’t defeat lord english.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Rose doesn’t say anything. No one says
|
||||
anything.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: rose, no one knows what happened to lord
|
||||
english.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Of course we do. Vriska used the juju and her
|
||||
|
@ -242,7 +242,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">John swivels around to point a finger at his
|
||||
wife. It comes across as more accusatory than he means it to
|
||||
be.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: roxy, you and calliope told me that i had a
|
||||
choice!</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: and i MADE my choice, which is why i ended up
|
||||
|
@ -262,7 +262,7 @@
|
|||
big deal at the time, and then suddenly it felt like nothing at
|
||||
all. Why?</p>
|
||||
<p>Roxy leans over and sets a cool hand on John’s forehead.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: u doin ok there babe</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i’m fine!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -271,7 +271,7 @@
|
|||
than he already looks. He brushes Roxy’s hand away and stands
|
||||
abruptly, looking woozy and sweating at the temples. His skin is
|
||||
tight and clammy, too hot and too cold all at once.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i just... need some fresh air.</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: want me to come with u</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: no!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -288,7 +288,7 @@
|
|||
over the treeline and out of the troll suburb that Kanaya and Rose
|
||||
have made their home in. Furiously, he begins typing on his
|
||||
phone.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: terezi. i know that you’ve got important
|
||||
stuff to do out there in paradox space, but i really need to hear
|
||||
from you.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -303,7 +303,7 @@
|
|||
deep breath. The breeze that rattles over the forest seems foul,
|
||||
somehow. Stale, like air that’s been recycled multiple times
|
||||
over.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: they’re not great.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i mean, on the surface everything is
|
||||
fantastic! everyone’s so happy and it finally seems like we’re all
|
||||
|
@ -361,7 +361,7 @@
|
|||
the bottom corner of the screen. It’s an indication that someone is
|
||||
typing.</p>
|
||||
<p>He stops breathing until the text actually appears.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: OK4Y LOS3R, T3LL M3 WH4T H4PP3N3D TH1S
|
||||
T1M3</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s18'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 18</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">J</span>ane may
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">J</span>ane may
|
||||
have stepped away from her pursuit of public office, but it’s
|
||||
important for any educated businesswoman to stay abreast of the
|
||||
political goings-on of her nation.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
|
|||
languorously in front of her television. She remembers her father
|
||||
doing the same all the time. Well, without the luxurious silk robe
|
||||
and eighty-inch TV screen.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: I admit I had second thoughts about calling
|
||||
off my presidential bid after what happened with Dirk, but...</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: You know what, I’m surprised to say that this
|
||||
|
@ -52,7 +52,7 @@
|
|||
the day. When she asks for a fresh pen, he fishes one out of his
|
||||
codpiece and hands it to her, but he looks uncharacteristically
|
||||
disquieted.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GaMzEe: WhOa. ArE yOu ReAlLy AlL uP aNd
|
||||
SuPpOrTiNg ThAt StIcKy ShIzZ, mY wOmAn?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Excuse me? That... what?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -61,7 +61,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jane chuckles at Gamzee’s jape. But the
|
||||
strange expression persists on his clownish face.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: ThIs Be WiCkEd SeRiOuS bOo.</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: YaLl ReAlLy DoWn WiTh SuBjUgGlAtInG mY
|
||||
nInJaS?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -70,7 +70,7 @@
|
|||
hand is that one’s wrist is bound to get a bit sore, and it’s left
|
||||
her short on patience for the tiresome ordeal of explaining the
|
||||
basic functioning of a political system to an ignorant farceur.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Gamzee, please.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: I’m not down with doing anything of the
|
||||
sort.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -105,7 +105,7 @@
|
|||
ShOe It MiGhT bE aLl RiGhT mAnG.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jane has to pause to huff in exasperation.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: No, Gamzee!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Everyone needs shoes that fit the size of
|
||||
their feet!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -187,7 +187,7 @@
|
|||
as willfully loathsome as Makara could be this dense. What’s more
|
||||
likely is he’s attempting to get a rise from her. To get her a
|
||||
little hotter under the collar. To put her in a certain mood.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: I just explained: it’s essential that these
|
||||
regulations remain in place so that the human and troll populations
|
||||
can remain proportionate.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -215,7 +215,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">And just like that, she falls right into his
|
||||
trap. There’s no turning back now. The salacious ritual is
|
||||
imminent.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Excuse me, I’m sorry. “Canceled”?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Are you even hearing yourself?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Who in the world gave a <em>literal
|
||||
|
@ -264,7 +264,7 @@
|
|||
<p>As soon as Jane starts screaming, the baby does too. Jake,
|
||||
sitting approximately six feet away, bounces the infant a little to
|
||||
calm him down.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: I say would you mind keeping it down for
|
||||
tavros?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: He was sleeping and to be honest i think
|
||||
|
@ -274,7 +274,7 @@
|
|||
she’d forgotten that Jake was there at all—she scrambles to cover
|
||||
herself properly the moment his voice cuts through the din of
|
||||
sloppy, moist honking.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Jake! Darling.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Don’t worry. Th-there’s plenty of attention
|
||||
to go around, my love.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -301,14 +301,14 @@
|
|||
<p>Jake’s heart is racing so hard he loses focus. He doesn’t notice
|
||||
that Gamzee is offering him the bottle until Jane’s angry voice
|
||||
wrenches him back to his senses.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Gamzee! That’s been on the ground! Get him a
|
||||
clean one.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Gamzee shrugs, and squirrels away the
|
||||
half-spilled bottle in his codpiece. He walks off and returns with
|
||||
a fresh bottle from the fridge, then hands it over to Jake.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Haha thanks ill just be going now. See
|
||||
ya.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -323,7 +323,7 @@
|
|||
skull like a gunshot.</p>
|
||||
<p>As Jake gently bounces the baby in one arm, he takes out his
|
||||
phone to text an old friend.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Jade are you there?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: yep!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: whats up?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -335,7 +335,7 @@
|
|||
voice. It’s something to focus on besides the—</p>
|
||||
<p>OHHHH! HONK!</p>
|
||||
<p>Jake winces.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: jake!!! its been a while since you
|
||||
called!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: is everything ok?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -351,7 +351,7 @@
|
|||
to stand. So Jake shuts himself into the first empty room he comes
|
||||
across and lets himself slide to the ground against the closed
|
||||
door.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Anyway whats up with you? Hows life with
|
||||
davekat going?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: oh its great! im really glad i just went for
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s19'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 19</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: how cute do you guys think johns baby is
|
||||
going to be</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: like on a scale of 1-11???</p>
|
||||
|
@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
|
|||
Alternian mushrooms that flare up at night with a sick, green
|
||||
bioluminescence, and from above by the soft glow of his social
|
||||
media accounts.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i dunno</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i still havent come to terms with the fact
|
||||
that johns gonna be a dad</p>
|
||||
|
@ -56,7 +56,7 @@
|
|||
Instead, he’s seriously considering Dave’s question. He picks a leg
|
||||
off one of his beetles and flicks it over Jade so that it lands on
|
||||
Dave’s forehead.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: BELOW ME BUT ABOVE YOU.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: yeah exactly</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: now hes all married and pregnant and hes got
|
||||
|
@ -92,7 +92,7 @@
|
|||
immature. Jade doesn’t pick up on the obvious subtext in the
|
||||
conversation, however, because she’s been willfully undermining the
|
||||
subtext in her own personal life for nearly a year now.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: well...</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: ive actually been thinking lately about how
|
||||
since rose and kanaya had a kid and jane and jake had a kid and
|
||||
|
@ -104,7 +104,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Karkat starts laughing. Jade flicks him in the
|
||||
forehead.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: no stupid all three of us!</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: uhhh</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: what??</p>
|
||||
|
@ -144,7 +144,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Dave puts away his phone and rolls up so that
|
||||
he’s braced on his elbow. He meets Karkat’s gaze over the rise of
|
||||
Jade’s chest and smiles at him.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: yeah dude i know</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: youre probably like closet dad of the fuckin
|
||||
year</p>
|
||||
|
@ -195,7 +195,7 @@
|
|||
in the fridge more than once in his life. Jade and Karkat exchange
|
||||
a private look they’ve also given each other more than once in
|
||||
Dave’s presence.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: yeah so anyway im gonna stick to hot pockets
|
||||
i think</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: dave</p>
|
||||
|
@ -238,7 +238,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jade sits up and wraps her arms around her
|
||||
knees. Her ears go flat as she chews her lip.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: ...its not like i dont know that</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: john never shuts up about it</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: i mean, he and jane used to be close back
|
||||
|
@ -291,13 +291,13 @@
|
|||
ringer for her old Witch of Space uniform. Jade touches the body
|
||||
with the toe of her shoe, and then gasps when it rolls over to
|
||||
reveal its face.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: its...</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: ME???</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Karkat and Dave stick their heads over the
|
||||
edge of the pit.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: holy shit</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: WHAT IN THE EVER LIVING FUCK?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: uh</p>
|
||||
|
@ -315,7 +315,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Karkat watches as Jade stands over her own
|
||||
younger corpse. He notices the way her shoulders are slanted. It’s
|
||||
clear even from a distance that she’s shaking.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: JADE?</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT’S GOING ON
|
||||
HERE??</p>
|
||||
|
@ -328,7 +328,7 @@
|
|||
gruesome, yet also... peaceful, somehow.</p>
|
||||
<p>Dave slides down the ridge of the crater and grabs her by the
|
||||
shoulder.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: hey jade you hear us</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jade wipes a hand across her cheek and looks
|
||||
|
@ -336,13 +336,13 @@
|
|||
massless shards from the sky must have nicked her in the face. Her
|
||||
eyes go wide and she feels the breath go out of her for a moment.
|
||||
She looks directly upward. Where did this body come from?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: jade???</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: yes dave i heard you</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Still staring at the body, Jade digs her phone
|
||||
out of her pocket.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: i need to talk to jane</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s2'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 2</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">J</span>ohn zaps
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">J</span>ohn zaps
|
||||
back to the quietest point in the fridge’s impressively storied
|
||||
timeline that he can pinpoint, which is on The Land of Tombs and
|
||||
Krypton, T-minus about half an hour before his final battle against
|
||||
|
@ -61,7 +61,7 @@
|
|||
fridge back to Earth C. He zaps himself and the fridge back to the
|
||||
same picnic grounds he departed from, while cleverly leaving the
|
||||
chains wrapping the fridge behind on LOTAK.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: so uh...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i’m back.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: everyone get ready for THIS fucking guy, i
|
||||
|
@ -74,7 +74,7 @@
|
|||
smelling like socks that have been worn continuously for two weeks
|
||||
straight. John rears back and pinches his nose shut. Calliope
|
||||
shoots John a sharp look, like a stern teacher would.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: HOOOOOOOOOOOONK.</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: cough COUGH cough CHOKE honk CHOKE!</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: wheeeeeeeeeze HONK cough HONK choke
|
||||
|
@ -106,7 +106,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Calliope nods knowingly, and pats him on the
|
||||
back.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: i Up AnD dOnE sOmE mOtHeRfUcKeRs RaW.</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: ThOsE mOtHeRfUcKeRs MoSt Of AlL wHo I
|
||||
cAlLeD aS mY fRiEnDs.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -142,7 +142,7 @@
|
|||
own sobs does she steal a glance at her phone, tipping the fact
|
||||
that she too wouldn’t mind if this redemptive soliloquy could hurry
|
||||
itself along.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: ThEsE rEdEmPtiVe FuCkIn EuReKa
|
||||
ThUnDeRcLaPs AlL bAnGiNg At My ThInK pAn...</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: GeTtInG mE tO gO aLl LiKe, BoO hOo, I’m
|
||||
|
@ -201,7 +201,7 @@
|
|||
tiptoes a few yards away from the group and slips his phone out of
|
||||
his pocket. There’s only one person in the universe who can truly
|
||||
understand what John’s going through right now.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: hey terezi, you around?</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: WH4T DO YOU W4NT</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: you wouldn’t believe what’s happening just
|
||||
|
@ -213,7 +213,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">John discreetly holds his phone over his
|
||||
shoulder and takes a snapchat of Gamzee sobbing in Calliope’s arms.
|
||||
Roxy is beside them, nodding along solemnly.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: HOLY SH1T</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i know, right?</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: H3S CRY1NG L1K3 4 L1TTL3 WR1GGL3R</p>
|
||||
|
@ -293,7 +293,7 @@
|
|||
repentance.</p>
|
||||
<p>Calliope comes to stand with John, her hands folded behind her
|
||||
back and her expression peaceful.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: thank yoU for this, john.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: um...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: you’re welcome?</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s20'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 20</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: WOW, SURE FEELS WEIRD TO JUST BE HANGING
|
||||
OUT WITH ALL THESE ASSHOLES WE WERE TOTALLY GOSSIPING ABOUT JUST
|
||||
TWENTY MINUTES AGO.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Karkat is loudly whispering to Dave, leaning a
|
||||
bit too intimately into the curve of his chest for two dudes who
|
||||
are dating the same girl, but not each other.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i always knew our gossip sins would catch up
|
||||
with us eventually</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: SHH both of you!!!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -68,7 +68,7 @@
|
|||
confusing day.</p>
|
||||
<p>John hangs back with Karkat and Dave while the girls go
|
||||
upstairs.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: uh, hey. how are you guys doing?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: oh you know just enjoying a nice night out
|
||||
with our girlfriend when another teen version of our girlfriend
|
||||
|
@ -115,13 +115,13 @@
|
|||
Makara-Crocker is at her side, serving as her ever-faithful shadow,
|
||||
holding her arm to steady her as she tries to revive teen-Jade’s
|
||||
corpse.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Jake!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Vitriol leaks from every letter of his name.
|
||||
John and Dave exchange a knowing look: who’s supposed to be the
|
||||
kismesis here, again?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Would you take Tavros out of here?
|
||||
Please?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Well golly jane i just thought it would be
|
||||
|
@ -143,7 +143,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jane wipes perspiration off her face and
|
||||
sighs.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: I... I don’t know.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: I’ve just been under a lot of stress lately,
|
||||
trying to run my business, raise a child, and manage the political
|
||||
|
@ -160,13 +160,13 @@
|
|||
go by. Quite sorry blokes, he whispers as he takes his leave.</p>
|
||||
<p>Jane clutches her hands around teen-Jade’s thin shoulders,
|
||||
looking the corpse over with an expression of absolute sorrow.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: I don’t know why, but I’m having an extremely
|
||||
difficult time reviving her.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Where did she even come from?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">The living Jade shakes her head.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: we have no idea</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: its like the sky just opened up!</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Well Obviously She Is From Another
|
||||
|
@ -178,7 +178,7 @@
|
|||
moment to respond. Her fingers close around the neckline of her
|
||||
dress as her gaze sweeps across the room. She looks over each
|
||||
person present, but avoids making eye contact.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: I...</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: I haven’t the faintest clue.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: It could be anything.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -186,7 +186,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">John quirks an eyebrow at her. She doesn’t
|
||||
sound confident. Not like she did a month earlier when she claimed
|
||||
that Vriska had defeated Lord English.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Well, something is blocking my Life
|
||||
powers.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: It’s as if she has... a sort of poison in
|
||||
|
@ -223,7 +223,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Roxy places her hand on Jade’s head and gives
|
||||
her a little scritch between the ears.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: i thiiiink that janey was just bein
|
||||
melodramatic jade</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: its not ur fault</p>
|
||||
|
@ -233,11 +233,11 @@
|
|||
godlike in her abilities, and on the verge of fighting a battle
|
||||
that could change everything. She can’t believe how young she
|
||||
looks.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: what should we do with her?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Roxy claps her hands together.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: well</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: hate to be the one who says what were all
|
||||
thinkin but...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -256,7 +256,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Roxy looks around the room searchingly with a
|
||||
big, bright grin. Karkat snorts from the far corner of the room
|
||||
where he’s been pouting the whole time.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: I’M SORRY, WAS THAT A RHETORICAL FUCKING
|
||||
QUESTION OR WERE YOU GOING SOMEWHERE WITH IT?</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: it was not rhetorical at all</p>
|
||||
|
@ -278,11 +278,11 @@
|
|||
are standing shoulder to shoulder, very much in stable, devoted,
|
||||
interspecies Love. Kanaya catches that gaze, and holds it, for a
|
||||
very long, tense moment.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Um. Roxy...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Kanaya interrupts, tone clipped and dry.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Perhaps We Should Not Talk About That
|
||||
Particular Subject</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: If Your Concern Here Is That We All
|
||||
|
@ -293,7 +293,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: UH, EASY FOR YOU TO FUCKING SAY.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jade interjects, tiredly.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: karkat... lets not ok?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: i mean, not now?</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: LET’S NOT WHAT?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -319,7 +319,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Karkat pushes off from the wall, furious,
|
||||
practically spitting flames. He points at Jane, his whole arm
|
||||
quivering.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: I LISTEN TO THE FUCKING NEWS, YOU KNOW.
|
||||
I’VE HEARD ALL THE ARGUMENTS, THE ONES BASED ON THE POLICY ADVICE
|
||||
YOUR CORPORATE THINK TANK FEEDS THE PRESIDENT.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -335,7 +335,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jane folds her hands in her lap. Her voice is
|
||||
ice-cold, and varnished to a shine.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Is this meant to be a threat of future
|
||||
violence, Mr. Vantas?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: I’m not sure menacing me is making the most
|
||||
|
@ -353,7 +353,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Gamzee steps out from behind Jane, putting
|
||||
himself between her and Karkat. He raises his hands in a calming
|
||||
gesture</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: hEy BrOtHeR cHiLl OuT</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: FUCK OFF GAMZEE.</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: wOaH wOaH, kArKaT mY DUDE wHy ArE yOu AlL
|
||||
|
@ -387,7 +387,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Gamzee gets up from where he had been crawling
|
||||
across the floor in preparation for some righteous attritional toe
|
||||
sucking. He looks positively crestfallen.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: kArKaT... yO tHeRe’S gOtTa Be SoMeThInG i
|
||||
CaN dO.</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: NO.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -413,7 +413,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Karkat points at Jane again, then at Roxy, and
|
||||
then at Gamzee.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: FUCK YOU, AND YOU, AND ESPECIALLY
|
||||
YOU.</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: IN FACT, FUCK ALL OF YOU. I’M
|
||||
|
@ -424,7 +424,7 @@
|
|||
under his gentle grip, hissing. He jabs Dave hard in the clavicle,
|
||||
hard enough that Dave is forced to take a shocked half-step
|
||||
backwards.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: dude</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: WHAT PART OF “ALL OF YOU” DO YOU NOT
|
||||
UNDERSTAND, STRIDER?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -434,7 +434,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Dave folds out of the way, stunned and
|
||||
compliant. Jade gapes at her stunned boyfriend, and the empty space
|
||||
in the doorway left by her other boyfriend.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: dave what the FUCK did you say to him
|
||||
downstairs?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: uh</p>
|
||||
|
@ -451,7 +451,7 @@
|
|||
interrupted by Jake looking all toothsome and fatherly with Tavros
|
||||
asleep in his arms, and a placated Vriska riding his broad
|
||||
shoulders.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: By jove chaps what was all that
|
||||
commotion?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: It was nothing, Jake. Go back to the
|
||||
|
@ -501,7 +501,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jane pushes up her spectacles so that she can
|
||||
pinch the bridge of her nose.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: How is it that no matter how hard I try to
|
||||
keep the foolishness in my life confined exclusively to my romantic
|
||||
partners...</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s21'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 21</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">I</span>t’s
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">I</span>t’s
|
||||
raining again, coming down in a frigid torrent. John is a
|
||||
pallbearer this time around. Teen-Jade is so light, he and Jake
|
||||
alone carry the coffin with ease. Together, they trudge through the
|
||||
|
@ -51,7 +51,7 @@
|
|||
behind her, spreads her arms and begins to speechify. She
|
||||
practically has to shout to be heard over the roar of the rainstorm
|
||||
outside.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: thx everyone for joining us today</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: we are gathered here to honor the memory of
|
||||
alternate universe jade</p>
|
||||
|
@ -79,7 +79,7 @@
|
|||
he waxed his mustache in the mirror. But its better for a man to
|
||||
just let his wife do whatever she wants. I promise youll experience
|
||||
less pain that way old boy.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: pUrple roses traditionally represent
|
||||
love at first sight, however these roses are actUally red roses
|
||||
that we prepared Using a blUe dye.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -107,7 +107,7 @@
|
|||
holds it.</p>
|
||||
<p>John tilts his head and squints at the image in front of him.
|
||||
Hmm.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: woah callie thats a beautiful metaphor</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: aw, thank yoU roxy. u_u</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: dont sound so humble it is v v deep</p>
|
||||
|
@ -123,7 +123,7 @@
|
|||
that paints the walls around her pink and red. Sollux is with her,
|
||||
feeling his way into the church along the grain of the door. He’s
|
||||
soaked head to toe.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: oh no did we miss the entire corpse
|
||||
party</p>
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: i hope not</p>
|
||||
|
@ -134,7 +134,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Karkat jumps to his feet, eyes so wide they’re
|
||||
practically popping out of his head.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: ARADIA?</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: HOLY SHIT... SOLLUX?!</p>
|
||||
<p class="sollux">SOLLUX: hey l0ser. it’s been a l0ng time.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -186,7 +186,7 @@
|
|||
eulogy. Aradia glides to the floor and sets her feet on the stone
|
||||
tiling, elfin and weightless. She sidles up to Gamzee and jostles
|
||||
him in the ribs.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: so i see you managed to get out of the
|
||||
fridge</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: i DiDn’T jUsT gEt OuT oF tHe FrIdGe, I
|
||||
|
@ -223,7 +223,7 @@
|
|||
lecherous ogle. She observes the bored-looking woman who she
|
||||
recognizes to be Jane. Aradia looks her up and down, and arches an
|
||||
eyebrow in approval.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: its so nice that you believe all that
|
||||
gamzee</p>
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: i think i can honestly say</p>
|
||||
|
@ -243,7 +243,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Roxy smacks herself in the forehead, like this
|
||||
is the most obvious thing in the world. Of course, how could she
|
||||
forget the fucking corpse?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: oh lol ur right i cant believe that slipped
|
||||
my mind</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: hey jake a lil help?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -255,7 +255,7 @@
|
|||
He jumps onto the stage and begins unlatching the coffin while
|
||||
Calliope throws more rose petals for some reason. Living-Jade
|
||||
slumps in her seat a bit, beginning to look green.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: ughhh...</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: yo babe its ok</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: easy for you to say! youve got practice with
|
||||
|
@ -293,7 +293,7 @@
|
|||
fashioned her a lovely flower crown. If not for all the blood caked
|
||||
down her front, and her conspicuous impalement, she’d look like she
|
||||
was merely sleeping.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: now this is more like it</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: i cant look...</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: oh</p>
|
||||
|
@ -304,7 +304,7 @@
|
|||
physical contact here for the purpose of getting his cuddle on.
|
||||
Instead of cradling Jade in his arms, he uses his hands to cover
|
||||
her eyes.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: uhh... what... are you doing??</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: emotional support yo</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Dave.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -365,7 +365,7 @@
|
|||
funeral-goers.</p>
|
||||
<p>Slowly, she lowers her arms, staring at her hands in shock. This
|
||||
time, she whispers:</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: please. roxy gathered yoU all here
|
||||
for a reason.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: at least listen Until the end.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -374,7 +374,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Roxy comes back to the pulpit and wraps an arm
|
||||
around Calliope’s shoulders.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: look everyone im not dumb ok even tho i act
|
||||
like it sometimes</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: i know whats goin on here</p>
|
||||
|
@ -431,14 +431,14 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Roxy’s voice starts to crack. She staggers off
|
||||
the podium, clutching her bloated stomach.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: roxy? are yoU okay?</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: of course im not ok i just WENT INTO FREAKING
|
||||
LABOR</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: oh my god!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">John scrambles to his feet.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: oh my god!</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: it’s happening, oh my god!!</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: ...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -452,7 +452,7 @@
|
|||
dutifully standing next to the corpse, who catches Roxy under the
|
||||
armpits when she topples backwards. He passes her off to John, who
|
||||
whips up a cushion of wind for her to recline on.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: doing ok there, sweetheart?</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: ugh whyd i let you put this thing inside
|
||||
me</p>
|
||||
|
@ -469,7 +469,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">John swoops his wife up in his arms and starts
|
||||
scrambling down the aisle.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: wait! i...</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: i woUld like to be there as well!</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: hurry up then!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -483,7 +483,7 @@
|
|||
teen-Jade’s peaceful face.</p>
|
||||
<p>Suddenly, the corpse bolts upright. Calliope yelps and falls on
|
||||
her butt. Adult-Jade screams.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: By jove!</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: jesus fuck</p>
|
||||
|
@ -491,7 +491,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Hair veiling her face, teen-Jade sets her
|
||||
hands on her chest and dissolves the shard bisecting her ribcage.
|
||||
The wound does not heal, but it doesn’t bleed either.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: jade! yoU...</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: yoU’re alive!</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: or, Um,</p>
|
||||
|
@ -500,7 +500,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">It takes the corpse a while to reply. Everyone
|
||||
waits for her to speak. When the words leave her mouth, they send a
|
||||
chill through the cathedral air.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: i am not jade.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Slowly, Jade raises her head. The stage makeup
|
||||
|
@ -511,7 +511,7 @@
|
|||
infinite expanse. Meeting her gaze is like peering into a realm
|
||||
where light goes to die. Calliope finds the sensation disturbingly
|
||||
familiar.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: then who...</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: who are yoU?</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: you know who i am, calliope.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -529,7 +529,7 @@
|
|||
growing quieter as she recedes into the distance.</p>
|
||||
<p>Kanaya adjusts the buttons on her very fashionable mourning
|
||||
gloves and sighs.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: This Certainly Is A Turn Of Events</p>
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: ill say</p>
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: at first i was underwhelmed with the
|
||||
|
@ -548,7 +548,7 @@
|
|||
has seen in years. It’s as if her glare is passing through the roof
|
||||
of the church and continuing unimpeded through the partitions of
|
||||
this very plane of reality itself.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: you’re undoubtedly surprised.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: but these events were not
|
||||
unpredictable at all.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -557,7 +557,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">She spreads her arms and speaks in a voice as
|
||||
deep and dark as the void.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: and while i cannot say the same
|
||||
thing for the rest of you,</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: i, at least, am exactly where i am
|
||||
|
@ -565,7 +565,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jake meekly raises his hand, now treating the
|
||||
botched funeral as something closer to a classroom setting.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Hey uh.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Not to come off as a total idiot here
|
||||
but...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -576,7 +576,7 @@
|
|||
radiating a sense of disdain for what may very well be the greatest
|
||||
living source of ignorance she has ever encountered in her many
|
||||
eons of existence.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: my name is calliope.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: i am the muse of space.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: and i have entered this body to
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s22'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 22</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: H3Y JOHN</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: T1M3 FOR YOUR R3GUL4R CH3CKUP H3H3H3</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: oh. hey.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -121,8 +121,8 @@
|
|||
M1NUT3S</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: whew. THANK you!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p>—</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small weight-bold">—</div>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: OK 1TS F1V3 M1NUT3S L4T3R</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: DONT T3LL M3 4NOTH3R TWO SW33PS H4V3
|
||||
P4SS3D</p>
|
||||
|
@ -136,8 +136,8 @@
|
|||
wild.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: here wait, let me take a picture.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p>-- <span class="john">JOHN EGBERT</span> sent <span class="terezi">TEREZI PYROPE</span> the photo “ghostrain.jpg” --</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small weight-bold">-- <span class="john">JOHN EGBERT</span> sent <span class="terezi">TEREZI PYROPE</span> the photo “ghostrain.jpg” -- </div>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: WH4T TH3 4CTU4L FUCK</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: it started a few days ago. the sky above the
|
||||
capital of the troll kingdom just cracked open and ghosts began
|
||||
|
@ -232,8 +232,8 @@
|
|||
<p class="john">JOHN: holy shit, hang on. i gotta take another
|
||||
picture.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p>-- <span class="john">JOHN EGBERT</span> sent <span class="terezi">TEREZI PYROPE</span> the photo “PBandJ.jpg” --</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small weight-bold">-- <span class="john">JOHN EGBERT</span> sent <span class="terezi">TEREZI PYROPE</span> the photo “PBandJ.jpg” -- </div>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: ...</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: WH4T TH3 FUCK 1S TH1S?!</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: heheheheh.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -367,7 +367,7 @@
|
|||
“redeemed” acolytes.</p>
|
||||
<p>John’s eye wanders toward the center of the crowd’s focus. Looks
|
||||
like a conversion is taking place right now.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: NoW We wElCoMe iNtO ThE DoPe aRmS Of
|
||||
mOtHeR ReDeMpTiOn tHiS lOwLy PeNiTeNt WhO’s AlL kInDs Of SoRrY
|
||||
aBoUt HiS pAsT dEeDs.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -403,7 +403,7 @@
|
|||
covering them both with little drops of milk, as clergy does with
|
||||
holy water. He then takes a swig from the bottle himself before
|
||||
returning it to his codpiece.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: NoW...</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: kIsS, mY mOtHeRfUcKeRs.</p>
|
||||
<p class="feferi">FEFERI: Ummmm...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -426,12 +426,12 @@
|
|||
would have been transfixed by the spectacle for longer if his phone
|
||||
didn’t start buzzing in his pocket again. He fumbles it out of his
|
||||
coat and checks.</p>
|
||||
<p>-- <span class="terezi">TEREZI PYROPE</span> sent <span class="john">JOHN EGBERT</span> the photo “H3R3.JPG” --</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small weight-bold">-- <span class="terezi">TEREZI PYROPE</span> sent <span class="john">JOHN EGBERT</span> the photo “H3R3.JPG” -- </div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">He looks around, then presses “accept,”
|
||||
embarrassed to realize how fast his heart is beating. Before he can
|
||||
look at the photo, a familiar voice breaks through the din of the
|
||||
crowd.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: yo john</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: over here hon!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -451,7 +451,7 @@
|
|||
horrible sight crawling across the sky above them. Calliope clasps
|
||||
her hands together and stares at the ship with a terse
|
||||
expression.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: it’s getting less and less UnUsUal to
|
||||
see those in the troll kingdom, isn’t it?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: yeah.</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s23'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 23</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: honey u ready to go?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: yeah, sweetheart... give me a second!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -89,14 +89,14 @@
|
|||
screwdriver, molding plaster... John’s so focused on finding places
|
||||
in his coat to hide all these things that he doesn’t hear footsteps
|
||||
behind him.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="harry">HARRY ANDERSON: dad... what are you doing?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">John spins around, startled. It’s just his
|
||||
kid, though, already looking uncomfortable in his tweed jacket and
|
||||
knee socks. John kicks the closet door closed. He already has
|
||||
everything he needs anyway.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: just getting your gifts, harry anderson! it’s
|
||||
your birthday after all.</p>
|
||||
<p class="harry">HARRY ANDERSON: ...but i already opened all the
|
||||
|
@ -109,13 +109,13 @@
|
|||
good father wouldn’t need to keep any secrets from his son. No, a
|
||||
good dad will always let his son in on the joke, no matter how much
|
||||
trouble he might be about to get himself in.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: harry anderson, don’t tell your mother
|
||||
but...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: we’re getting a new addition to the family
|
||||
today!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p>—</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small weight-bold">—</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">It’s little Tavros Crocker who opens the door
|
||||
to Jane’s opulent mansion. He’s still so short that he has to stand
|
||||
up on his toes to reach the knob. He stares up at his visitors with
|
||||
|
@ -123,9 +123,9 @@
|
|||
the size of his pupils so that they look like big, wet, depressing
|
||||
sinkholes. John’s heart wrenches at the sight of him. He’s so
|
||||
young, but he always looks so somber and sad.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Oh,,, hallo folks,</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: You’re a mite early don’t you think?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Oh,,, hallo folks,</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: You’re a mite early don’t you think?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: um, nope!</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: actually</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -133,7 +133,7 @@
|
|||
in a pressed red suit, she in a glittering Space dress. They’re
|
||||
both holding gifts wrapped in spare printer paper. Dave adjusts his
|
||||
sunglasses and smirks at Harry Anderson.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: you were exactly thirty seconds and like
|
||||
sixty eight nanoseconds early</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: oh eff off dave</p>
|
||||
|
@ -165,7 +165,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="dave">DAVE: anyway john roxy you heard the lady can we
|
||||
buy your kid</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: no! he’s not for sale.</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Um,,, do you all want to come in or
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Um,,, do you all want to come in or
|
||||
not,,,?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Tavros has been waiting patiently for the
|
||||
|
@ -173,16 +173,16 @@
|
|||
leads everyone inside with a stoic countenance more befitting of a
|
||||
footman than the firstborn son of the planet’s wealthiest
|
||||
family.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: sooo</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: wheres ur mom and dad</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: They’re still in,,, uh,,, auspistice
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: They’re still in,,, uh,,, auspistice
|
||||
counselling,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: W, with,,, uncle gamzee,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: W, with,,, uncle gamzee,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: oh woof</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: woof is right</p>
|
||||
<p class="harry">HARRY ANDERSON: hey tavros! is vriska here?</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Er,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Er,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: unfortunately, harry anderson, rose and
|
||||
kanaya aren’t on speaking terms with your aunt jane and uncle jake
|
||||
anymore.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -190,11 +190,11 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Roxy sighs loudly through her nose. She hates
|
||||
talking about this shit.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: cuz of the political situation</p>
|
||||
<p class="harry">HARRY ANDERSON: what’s... a political
|
||||
situation?</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Mother has been advising the human
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Mother has been advising the human
|
||||
government that they should do their best to,,, uh,,, exclude
|
||||
trolls from the seats of power in all branches of public service
|
||||
and,,, uh,,, aunts rose and kanaya don’t like it because some of
|
||||
|
@ -207,13 +207,13 @@
|
|||
than a little jarring that this five-year-old kid seems so well
|
||||
educated on the intricacies of xenophobic political policy. But
|
||||
then again, this is Jane’s son, they remind themselves.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Anyway,,, wh, why would you WANT vriska
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Anyway,,, wh, why would you WANT vriska
|
||||
to be here,,,?</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Why ruin a nice birthday party?</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Why ruin a nice birthday party?</p>
|
||||
<p class="harry">HARRY ANDERSON: um duh... cause she’s super
|
||||
fun!</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: She’s not fun,,, she’s mean,,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: She’s not fun,,, she’s mean,,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="harry">HARRY ANDERSON: yeah, to you, cause you’re a
|
||||
wuss.</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: harry anderson egbert!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -243,7 +243,7 @@
|
|||
be ordered around. Harry Anderson is opening his gifts from Jade
|
||||
and Dave when a door upstairs slams open so hard it rattles all the
|
||||
crystal glasses arranged on the nearby table.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: You are such an unbelievable dunce, Jake
|
||||
English!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: I can’t believe that I work so hard and have
|
||||
|
@ -255,7 +255,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Jake’s side of the conversation is too far
|
||||
away to hear, but Gamzee’s unmistakable mush-mouthed voice floats
|
||||
down the hallway between the sharp edges of Jane’s shrieks.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: And you’re not even... you’re not even
|
||||
proficient in bed anymore!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: What is even the POINT of you if...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -265,8 +265,8 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Tavros stares at his feet, wearing a strained
|
||||
expression.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: It’s fine,,, my parents are kismeses
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: It’s fine,,, my parents are kismeses
|
||||
after all,,,</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jane storms downstairs. Her guests are
|
||||
|
@ -277,18 +277,18 @@
|
|||
smiles, looking cordial and perfectly pleasant, fluttering her
|
||||
lashes like there’s nothing in the world more important to her than
|
||||
being an excellent host.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Oh. Hello everyone.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: I’m sorry that I was not able to greet you at
|
||||
the door. I had some pre-appointed business to attend to.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: I trust that Tavros led you all inside
|
||||
without trouble?</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Yes ma’am,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Yes ma’am,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Good boy.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jane pats him on the head as she goes by,
|
||||
patronizingly, like you’d pet a dog. Or Gamzee.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Harry Anderson, my dear!</p>
|
||||
<p class="harry">HARRY ANDERSON: auntie jane!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -299,7 +299,7 @@
|
|||
sees the queasy face he’s making. Jane is, unfortunately, Harry
|
||||
Anderson’s favorite aunt. She gained his affection the same way she
|
||||
gains everyone’s affection: she fucking bought it.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Look at you! You’ve gotten so big and strong
|
||||
since I last saw you!</p>
|
||||
<p class="harry">HARRY ANDERSON: i grew a whole three inches!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -321,7 +321,7 @@
|
|||
one of those drone thingies for my son.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jane rises to her feet, huffing.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: And if I did, John, what would be the problem
|
||||
with that?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: um...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -337,7 +337,7 @@
|
|||
her husband. Dave and Jade have also developed a profound interest
|
||||
in the patterns woven into the expensive carpet under their
|
||||
feet.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: er</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: well i cant say im comfy with it but</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: but???</p>
|
||||
|
@ -355,7 +355,7 @@
|
|||
birthday. John has to pinch his nose and practice controlled
|
||||
breathing to keep himself from getting mad for real. Getting in an
|
||||
argument right now would totally fuck up all his plans.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: ok. fine. you know what?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i don’t care.</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: rly</p>
|
||||
|
@ -407,7 +407,7 @@
|
|||
all about your dad’s glory days?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Tavros blinks up at John in surprise.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Oh, I can take you there, John.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: NO!</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i mean... no, that’s fine.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -430,7 +430,7 @@
|
|||
free to unknow it now sweetie</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: oh yeah</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: thats totally it</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Um,,,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Um,,,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: hey tavros.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: let’s go, buddy!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -438,31 +438,31 @@
|
|||
him out of the room. When they’re upstairs together, far enough
|
||||
away from the party, Tavros wrenches his hands together and
|
||||
asks:</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Uncle john,,, what’s the real reason
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Uncle john,,, what’s the real reason
|
||||
we’re up here,,,?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: oh. i could see that you were getting
|
||||
uncomfortable.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: you don’t like being around big crowds like
|
||||
that, do you?</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: ,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: ,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: but you don’t like to be alone, either?</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: ,,,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: ,,,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: well, not in this house at least. i wouldn’t
|
||||
want to be alone here either. it’s not a very nice place to live,
|
||||
is it?</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: I’m,,,, uh,,,, not sure i understand your
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: I’m,,,, uh,,,, not sure i understand your
|
||||
meaning, uncle john.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: here, come with me.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">John grabs Tavros by his chubby wrist and
|
||||
begins dragging him around a corner, from one featureless white
|
||||
hallway into another.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: This isn’t the right way,</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: This isn’t the right way,</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i know. hey tavros, why don’t we just go to
|
||||
your room for a minute?</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Oh,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Oh,,,</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Tavros tugs on John’s hand and leads him back
|
||||
a few steps. With his free hand, he pushes a door open, revealing a
|
||||
|
@ -477,25 +477,25 @@
|
|||
he expecting from this situation, having been led away to a
|
||||
secluded part of the house by an adult? What has he been taught to
|
||||
expect?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: tavros...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: is everything ok?</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: ,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Yes, uncle john,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Why do you ask?</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: ,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Yes, uncle john,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Why do you ask?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: you just seem...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i don’t know.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: sad?</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: I feel okay,</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: It is a happy day, after all,,, it’s
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: I feel okay,</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: It is a happy day, after all,,, it’s
|
||||
harry anderson’s birthday,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: There is good reason to be happy,</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: There is good reason to be happy,</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: yeah.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: but what about YOU.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: are you ACTUALLY happy about it?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: about... everything going on here?</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: I suppose,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: My mother tends to get displeased when
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: I suppose,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: My mother tends to get displeased when
|
||||
i’m unhappy, so,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: sigh.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -507,84 +507,84 @@
|
|||
of his shoe. The floor is sticky here, like the floor of a movie
|
||||
theater. He bends down to touch it, and give it a sniff. Just as he
|
||||
thought. Faygo.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: tavros... does gamzee ever come into your
|
||||
room?</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Possibly,,,?</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: He so often is found to be in,,, so many
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Possibly,,,?</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: He so often is found to be in,,, so many
|
||||
places,,,</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">John glances under the bed, then sees it. A
|
||||
half-finished bottle of Faygo.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: isn’t that his faygo there??</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Oh,,, my, no,</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Please, uncle john,,, don’t tell my
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Oh,,, my, no,</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Please, uncle john,,, don’t tell my
|
||||
mother,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: tell her what??</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: The faygo is mine,,, my uncle gives it to
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: The faygo is mine,,, my uncle gives it to
|
||||
me sometimes,,, my mother strictly forbids it, of course,,,,,</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">John nervously ponders this response, and
|
||||
everything about the boy’s life it could be implying. He takes a
|
||||
deep breath, and becomes very serious. He places a hand on Tavros’
|
||||
shoulder, and looks him directly in the eye.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: tavros, listen to me.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: are you... getting... bad touched by your
|
||||
uncle gamzee?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Tavros seems taken aback by the question. Then
|
||||
appears thoughtful.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Oh,,, uh,,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: No??</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: But, yes,,, i can gather how you might
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Oh,,, uh,,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: No??</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: But, yes,,, i can gather how you might
|
||||
draw that conclusion,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: you can?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: why?</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: It just seems like a thing that would
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: It just seems like a thing that would
|
||||
eventually happen to me, does it not?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">A look of sadness washes over John’s face. A
|
||||
sadness deeper than either kind he could summon for the previous
|
||||
two funerals he’s attended.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: what would make you say that?</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Well, i think,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: For the same reason that led you yourself
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Well, i think,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: For the same reason that led you yourself
|
||||
to wonder, uncle john?</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: He is a very,,, very bad clown uncle,,,
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: He is a very,,, very bad clown uncle,,,
|
||||
but i think i am not allowed to say or think such a thing,,,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: why not?</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Because,,, uncle gamzee has undertaken
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Because,,, uncle gamzee has undertaken
|
||||
his redemption arc,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: With a spirit of great sincerity, i’ve
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: With a spirit of great sincerity, i’ve
|
||||
been told,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: So,,,,, the truth is, no matter how i may
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: So,,,,, the truth is, no matter how i may
|
||||
feel about him,</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Mother tells me that he is not actually
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Mother tells me that he is not actually
|
||||
bad,</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: And therefore,,, anything he does cannot
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: And therefore,,, anything he does cannot
|
||||
truly be considered bad either,</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Otherwise, we are not respecting his
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Otherwise, we are not respecting his
|
||||
repentance,</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Or the others he has saved,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Or the others he has saved,,,</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Tavros sighs again. John makes no effort to
|
||||
disguise his look of grave disapproval and sorrow.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: I don’t want you to worry,,, too much,
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: I don’t want you to worry,,, too much,
|
||||
though,</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: His occasional sojourns in my room are
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: His occasional sojourns in my room are
|
||||
not of any especially ill intent,,, i don’t think,</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: He has told me in confidence that his
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: He has told me in confidence that his
|
||||
intention is to train me,,,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: TRAIN you???</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Yes,</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: In matters of combat,,, philosophy,,,
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Yes,</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: In matters of combat,,, philosophy,,,
|
||||
life,,, love,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: I suppose to behave the way a mentor
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: I suppose to behave the way a mentor
|
||||
does, as he sees it,,,</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Anger wells up in John anew. He gets to his
|
||||
|
@ -593,16 +593,16 @@
|
|||
arranged stack of papers off the desk. They flutter through the
|
||||
room like dead leaves caught in an autumn storm. Soon the room is
|
||||
howling with his sustained winds.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: that’s IT!!!!!</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: tavros, start packing right now.</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Packing,,,?</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Packing,,,?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: yeah. one bag with some of your clothes, your
|
||||
favorite toys and books, that kind of thing.</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: I don’t understand,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: I don’t understand,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: tavros. i have to get you out of here.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: *NOW*.</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Uh,,, what?</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Uh,,, what?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i’m going to take you away so that you can
|
||||
live with me, harry anderson, and your aunt roxy.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: you wouldn’t have to live here anymore. no
|
||||
|
@ -610,19 +610,19 @@
|
|||
<p class="john">JOHN: no more weird troll maids, or listening to
|
||||
your parents fight...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: and no more “uncle” fucking GAMZEE.</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: That does sound jolly good uncle
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: That does sound jolly good uncle
|
||||
john,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: then what are you waiting for? start
|
||||
packing!</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Well,,, i would, except that we can’t go
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Well,,, i would, except that we can’t go
|
||||
out without tripping the security,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Mother has taken great precautions to
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Mother has taken great precautions to
|
||||
make sure i never,,,,,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: don’t worry, kid. i came prepared.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">John produces his screwdriver and a length of
|
||||
wire from the inside pocket of his suit jacket.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: we’re leaving through that window, one way or
|
||||
another.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -660,7 +660,7 @@
|
|||
She looks like a shadow with her dark hair hiding her face. John
|
||||
can’t tell what kind of expression she’s making under there. She
|
||||
speaks softly.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: john...... what are you doing?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: um...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: nothing!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -670,7 +670,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">She twitches her dog-ears and raises her face.
|
||||
Her mouth is a neutral line, but her eyes are burning
|
||||
furiously.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: i heard everything</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">The two of them stare at each other for a long
|
||||
|
@ -679,13 +679,13 @@
|
|||
she’s passed him by, just like the rest of the world. Tavros is
|
||||
cowering in his closet, fiddling with the strap on his
|
||||
backpack.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: so, what are you going to do?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: tell jane?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jade flinches like she’s been hit. She flicks
|
||||
her tail, breaks eye contact.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: john...</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: i wouldnt do that to you</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: youd probably end up on jakes stupid
|
||||
|
@ -693,7 +693,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="john">JOHN: then are you gonna help me?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">She shakes her head.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: i cant do that either</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: you know that this is just going to make
|
||||
everything worse right???</p>
|
||||
|
@ -705,7 +705,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="jade">JADE: i know...</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: but all youre going to do by kidnapping him
|
||||
is piss everyone off</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Excuse me dearest aunt but,,, is it
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Excuse me dearest aunt but,,, is it
|
||||
kidnapping if i badly would like to go?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: see!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: siiiiiigh</p>
|
||||
|
@ -720,7 +720,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jade sighs in frustration and pushes back her
|
||||
bangs.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: john, jane is one of the most POWERFUL people
|
||||
on the ENTIRE PLANET!!!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: do you REALLY think that you can keep him
|
||||
|
@ -737,7 +737,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">A gust of wind blasts in through the window
|
||||
and blows back Jade’s hair, leaving it all mussed over her
|
||||
shoulders. John points at her.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: if there was another way we would have found
|
||||
it by now!!!</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: but there isn’t one, because everyone’s been
|
||||
|
@ -749,11 +749,11 @@
|
|||
<p class="john">JOHN: i’m the only one who ever seems to realize
|
||||
that something...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: that something’s WRONG!</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: I would really be chuffed if the two of
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: I would really be chuffed if the two of
|
||||
you,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: even you, jade!</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: you’re not listening to me right now!</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: ,,,would stop quarreling and listen to me
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: ,,,would stop quarreling and listen to me
|
||||
for a spell,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: that’s why karkat left!</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: because you didn’t listen to him!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -788,7 +788,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">The wind in the room picks up. It skates
|
||||
against the walls, dislodges books from the shelf, gets under the
|
||||
bedsheets and balloons them off the mattress.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: the jade i used to know was caring and
|
||||
selfless! all you ever wanted was for your friends to be safe!</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: you weren’t this... this SELFISH!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -803,18 +803,18 @@
|
|||
<p class="jade">JADE: well!!!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: i can certainly say the same for you right
|
||||
now!!!!!</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Aunt jade,,, uncle john,,, you should
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Aunt jade,,, uncle john,,, you should
|
||||
really, uh,,,,,,</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">John and Jade stop. There is another shadow
|
||||
cast in the doorway. A much darker one.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Excuse me.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">She says in a sugar-sweet voice.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: But what the FUCK is going on in here?!</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Oh,,, no,,,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Oh,,, no,,,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: jane!! haha!!!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: we were just</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Hollering at each other so loudly that
|
||||
|
@ -835,7 +835,7 @@
|
|||
including Jake Crocker himself. They’ve all come upstairs to
|
||||
investigate the noise. Tavros flinches when a book slams against
|
||||
the closet door, two inches from his face.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: wats going on</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: oh shit</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i don’t know, jane. i feel like if i really
|
||||
|
@ -897,7 +897,7 @@
|
|||
the debris spinning in every direction, smashing against the walls
|
||||
and bedposts. John doesn’t seem to notice, encased in his own
|
||||
cyclonic armor.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: oh my god i am so sick of all this domestic
|
||||
relationship shit every fucking day</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: can we talk about something else for once</p>
|
||||
|
@ -952,13 +952,13 @@
|
|||
edge of the door. Everyone else is clustered around the doorway.
|
||||
Jade stares at John with a dark expression. After a beat of
|
||||
silence, Harry Anderson starts crying.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i... i...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Roxy won’t meet his eyes. Dave won’t either.
|
||||
John turns to Tavros, opens his mouth to apologize, but the kid
|
||||
just ducks deeper into the closet, trembling.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i’m sor—</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: No one wants to hear it, John.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -986,7 +986,7 @@
|
|||
frosting in the air as he looks at the screen. The color of the
|
||||
text sends a jolt through his blood. With shaking fingers, he
|
||||
answers the text.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: JOHN</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 4R3 YOU TH3R3</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 1 R34LLY N33D TO T4LK TO SOM3ON3 R1GHT
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s24'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 24</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: the timelines are interacting
|
||||
again.</p>
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: ooh do you hear anything interesting</p>
|
||||
|
@ -53,7 +53,7 @@
|
|||
to reinstate her corporeal presence, couldn’t care less about her
|
||||
host’s appearance. It is simply serving as a functional vessel for
|
||||
the crucial role she now must play.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: what would you classify as
|
||||
interesting?</p>
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: oh the usual</p>
|
||||
|
@ -66,8 +66,8 @@
|
|||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: very well.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: let’s see.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p>—</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small weight-bold">—</div>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: H4H4H4 1 TH1NK 1M DY1NG</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: oh no!</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: what happened?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -140,11 +140,11 @@
|
|||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 1M SUR3</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: ...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p>—</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small weight-bold">—</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Aradia leans over and sticks her nose in
|
||||
dead-Jade’s face. She watches how her eyebrows wrinkle at the
|
||||
center, just a little bit.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: so</p>
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: what do you see</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: nothing i would describe as
|
||||
|
@ -163,8 +163,8 @@
|
|||
visi0ns.</p>
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: ok im sorry im just really curious!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p>—</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small weight-bold">—</div>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: no sign of her yet?</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: NO</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: terezi, seriously. it’s been years here.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -196,13 +196,13 @@
|
|||
<p class="john">JOHN: so why are you still trying so hard?</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: ...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p>—</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small weight-bold">—</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Aradia stretches her arms over her head and
|
||||
yawns. She launches from her perch at the edge of the meteor
|
||||
facility with a little somersault, coasting through the air so that
|
||||
she’s level with Sollux’s face. She gives one of his horns a light
|
||||
tap, to affirm her proximity.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: she talks in five word sentences so even
|
||||
im still in the dark about what it is shes really trying to
|
||||
accomplish</p>
|
||||
|
@ -239,13 +239,13 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Calliope lets out a long, thin sigh from
|
||||
between the teeth of Jade’s corpse. It’s more for effect than
|
||||
anything, as corpses don’t actually need to breathe.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: we are the ones fortunate enough to
|
||||
live in a reality that is beyond the influence of the prince.</p>
|
||||
<p class="sollux">SOLLUX: wh0 the fuck is the prince?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p>—</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small weight-bold">—</div>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 1V3 N3V3R TOLD 4NYON3 TH1S B3FOR3</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: W3LL</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: NOT 4NYON3 WHO C4R3D 3NOUGH TO L1ST3N 4T
|
||||
|
@ -349,10 +349,10 @@
|
|||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 1 JUST W4NT3D TO G1V3 YOU TH3 COURT3SY OF
|
||||
CLOSUR3</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p>—</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small weight-bold">—</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Dead-Jade’s eyes slowly flutter open. She gets
|
||||
to her feet and brushes down her skirt.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: are you done working for the day</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: the work is never finished.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: not until i am able to deal with the
|
||||
|
@ -362,7 +362,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">The meteor is passing beyond the fall of
|
||||
night. Dead-Jade, standing half in light, half in darkness, looks
|
||||
up at the sky.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: not soon enough.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s25'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 25</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: SWIFER</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: SWIFER CAN YOU...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -47,16 +47,16 @@
|
|||
get used to, living hand-to-mouth inside a cave. It’s that
|
||||
persistent fucking leak directly above his desk that is driving him
|
||||
to distraction.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: SWIFER!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Swifer Eggmop pokes her head into the
|
||||
chamber.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">SWIFER: Aye aye Commander! What’s up?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Karkat pinches the bridge of his nose.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: FOR THE LAST TIME, DON’T CALL ME
|
||||
THAT.</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">SWIFER: Why not, Commander? Yer the Commander,
|
||||
|
@ -92,7 +92,7 @@
|
|||
the jaunty beat and struggling to knock his knees together with the
|
||||
required vigor. The fact that he is shackled at the wrists doesn’t
|
||||
seem to be helping.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">SWIFER: Poor Cliper.</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">SWIFER: He could record a stat like nobody’s
|
||||
business but no one ever taught the boy how to dance.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -113,7 +113,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Swifer frowns and tugs at the kerchief around
|
||||
her neck.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">SWIFER: Golly. Look Commander. That’s a big
|
||||
question that I think you gotta take up with someone more in the
|
||||
know than myself.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -125,7 +125,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Karkat throws both hands in the air
|
||||
melodramatically. A drop of stale water plops off one of his nubby
|
||||
little horns.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: YOU KNOW, RIGHT ABOVE THE PLACE WHERE WE
|
||||
KEEP ALL OF OUR FRAGILE LOGISTICS EQUIPMENT?</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: DIDN’T I TELL YOU TO FIX THAT A FUCKING
|
||||
|
@ -146,7 +146,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Karkat gapes at her, open-mouthed. She grins
|
||||
back, unaware of any mistake on her part. The only thing he can do
|
||||
is bury his face in his palms.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: UGH.</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: YOU KNOW WHAT?</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: I’M GOING TO GET SOME FRESH AIR.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -173,7 +173,7 @@
|
|||
<p>As he stomps through the winding tunnels, thinking very hard
|
||||
about this incredibly tragic thing, his speaker crab crackles to
|
||||
life.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Well</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: That Was A Lot</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: OH SHIT.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -262,7 +262,7 @@
|
|||
takes two steps out of her crater before falling flat on her face
|
||||
again. Karkat runs to help her, putting her arm over his shoulders
|
||||
and dragging her out of the dust cloud from the impact.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: MEENAH??</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING HERE?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -270,7 +270,7 @@
|
|||
that seem different to him somehow, but he can’t put his finger on
|
||||
it. He has to admit, it’s been a long time since he saw her. She
|
||||
seems singed, woozy, but mostly undamaged.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="feferi">MEENAH: woah shouty mcnubs that you</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: UH, THAT’S STILL NOT MY NAME. BUT
|
||||
YEAH.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -287,7 +287,7 @@
|
|||
his eye. A gold ring on her finger. He glances back up to look in
|
||||
her eyes. They aren’t blank, like all the other fallen ghosts’ eyes
|
||||
are.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: WAIT A MINUTE.</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: ARE YOU...</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: ALIVE???</p>
|
||||
|
@ -319,7 +319,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Karkat side-eyes the revived heiress,
|
||||
flinching only slightly at that last pun, before offering a
|
||||
reluctant nod.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="feferi">MEENAH: what are you up to?</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: WELL...</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: THAT’S LIKE, A WHOLE FUCKING
|
||||
|
@ -335,7 +335,7 @@
|
|||
in this older, battle-hardened version of Karkat impresses her. She
|
||||
starts laughing, big and bright. She slaps him so hard on the
|
||||
shoulder that he nearly falls down.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: ACK.</p>
|
||||
<p class="feferi">MEENAH: now thats what im TALKIN about</p>
|
||||
<p class="feferi">MEENAH: yeah i could use a new seacond in
|
||||
|
@ -387,7 +387,7 @@
|
|||
has turned into a grimace.</p>
|
||||
<p>Above them, the sky tears open again, and again. A new wave of
|
||||
ghosts pours in from Meenah’s doomed assault.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="feferi">MEENAH: well here comes the caviarlry</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: THE WHAT?</p>
|
||||
<p class="feferi">MEENAH: the cavia—</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s26'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 26</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">J</span>ohn stares
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">J</span>ohn stares
|
||||
at his phone for a while, thumb pressed to the space just below the
|
||||
“send message” button. He realizes he’s not dwelling so much on the
|
||||
content he’s hesitating to send—which now that he’s looking at it,
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s27'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 27</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">T</span>en years
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">T</span>en years
|
||||
have gone by.</p>
|
||||
<p>Two minutes before midnight, a teenage boy crosses beneath the
|
||||
neon lights of the Trollish slums, stepping quick and sure-footed
|
||||
|
@ -49,7 +49,7 @@
|
|||
Anderson and Vriska part, both wet-mouthed and short of breath.
|
||||
Harry Anderson wipes a bit of blood off of his bottom lip. Vriska
|
||||
pokes him in the chest and hisses.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: What took you so long????????</p>
|
||||
<p class="harry">HARRY ANDERSON: hey, give me a break here vris. my
|
||||
auntie has guards breathing down my neck day and night.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -60,7 +60,7 @@
|
|||
parents’ genes, all things considered. He’s got his father’s
|
||||
infectious grin, his mother’s long eyelashes, and his “auntie’s”
|
||||
unusually blue eyes.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="harry">HARRY ANDERSON: fucking gamzee.</p>
|
||||
<p class="harry">HARRY ANDERSON: he was all like:</p>
|
||||
<p class="harry">HARRY ANDERSON: Yo HaRrY mY dAwG, yOu Go OuT aNd
|
||||
|
@ -73,7 +73,7 @@
|
|||
and vaguely lewd posture. Harry Anderson starts giggling too. He
|
||||
can’t help it. She’s so pretty and her laugh is both cruel and
|
||||
infectious.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="harry">HARRY ANDERSON: god! he always makes sure to point
|
||||
out that he’s politically neutral in literally every sentence that
|
||||
comes out of his mouth, even though he’s *definitely* still fucking
|
||||
|
@ -88,7 +88,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Vriska hooks two fingers under the hem of
|
||||
Harry Anderson’s shirt and reels him in close.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: In thaaaaaaaat case...</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: Why don’t we run aw8y and join the
|
||||
rebellion together, Harry Anderson? Wouldn’t that be Terribly
|
||||
|
@ -118,7 +118,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Vriska shoves Harry Anderson. Not playfully.
|
||||
He hits the bricks behind him with a soft ‘oof,’ then keeps
|
||||
laughing.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="harry">HARRY ANDERON: oh my god, vriska, you always talk
|
||||
so big but you’re not any more of a rebel than i am!</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: Oh shuuuuuuuut up. You don’t know shit,
|
||||
|
@ -139,19 +139,19 @@
|
|||
over it.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Vriska snorts at him condescendingly.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: Don’t be ridiculous Harry.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">She pushes him up against the wall again and
|
||||
kisses him hard.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: If we really do end up absconding from
|
||||
our mediocre Hot Teen Lives to become rebels, then OBVI8USLY I’m
|
||||
going to be the one with the Extremely Dashing And Sexy eyepatch.
|
||||
H8h8h8h8h8h8h8h8!!!!!!!!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p>—</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small weight-bold">—</div>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: hmm its getting pretty bad down there</p>
|
||||
<p class="sollux">SOLLUX: wh0 cares.</p>
|
||||
<p class="sollux">SOLLUX: this is 0fficially s0mething we d0n’t
|
||||
|
@ -170,7 +170,7 @@
|
|||
looked like from the sky as well? Aradia lived far from the city,
|
||||
and that all seems so long ago anyway. Sollux comes to stand by
|
||||
her, popping open a can of fizzy drink.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: karkats really going to fight that war
|
||||
isnt he</p>
|
||||
<p class="sollux">SOLLUX: yeah.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -199,7 +199,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Sollux tosses Aradia a can of fizzy drink. She
|
||||
catches it without looking, cracks it open and takes a long,
|
||||
refreshing sip of the hissing liquid.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: hm</p>
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: in that case i guess we should keep
|
||||
watching</p>
|
||||
|
@ -266,7 +266,7 @@
|
|||
horns and distinctive shoulder-hunch. Of course.</p>
|
||||
<p>John snorts back his tears and jaunts forward with a jolly
|
||||
wave.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: hi, karkat!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Karkat blinks and looks up, startled out of
|
||||
|
@ -275,14 +275,14 @@
|
|||
bitchin’ eyepatch, he looks almost imposing. Kind of dashing,
|
||||
actually. When he opens his mouth, however, he’s just the same old
|
||||
Karkat.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: HI AGAIN IDIOT.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: what are you doing standing out here alone
|
||||
like a creep?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Karkat’s frown gets deeper, and he picks at
|
||||
the red cording that runs down the breastplate of his uniform.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: I REALLY SHOULDN’T BE HERE.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: why not? you were on the guest list.</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: OH, HMM, I DON’T KNOW. MAYBE THINK ABOUT
|
||||
|
@ -290,7 +290,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">John chews his lip and thinks about it for ten
|
||||
seconds.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i guess this would probably be pretty hard to
|
||||
watch if you were still, you know, all heartbroken about it.</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: I WOULDN’T SAY THAT I WAS STILL “ALL
|
||||
|
@ -301,7 +301,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">John joins him at railing and bumps his
|
||||
shoulder. Karkat groans and runs a hand down his face, obviously
|
||||
still a little “all heartbroken” about it.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: IT’S JUST THAT BREAK UPS ARE HARD, AND
|
||||
OFTEN HAVE UNEXPECTED CONSEQUENCES THAT CAN LINGER FOR YEARS.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: you’re telling me. when my wife left me, she
|
||||
|
@ -353,7 +353,7 @@
|
|||
stroke of light over the water, like a blade descending from the
|
||||
night sky to shear the harbor in half. He takes a despondent sip of
|
||||
his champagne and sighs.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i dunno. it doesn’t seem responsible,
|
||||
really... to dedicate my life to something so important when i’m in
|
||||
a place where i can’t even find the energy to think that getting
|
||||
|
@ -375,7 +375,7 @@
|
|||
reflecting the light from the party. He opens his mouth to say
|
||||
something, but is distracted by movement from inside the
|
||||
ballroom.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: OH SHIT.</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: HERE COMES DAVE. I HAVE TO GET THE FUCK
|
||||
OUT OF HERE.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -386,7 +386,7 @@
|
|||
elegant bound. John watches him rappel down the cliffside until he
|
||||
disappears beneath the precipice shadows. Wow. Karkat grew up to be
|
||||
kind of cool. Who would have guessed?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: no john dont do it</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">John spins on his heel to see Dave in the
|
||||
|
@ -396,7 +396,7 @@
|
|||
this guy’s almost forty. Jesus Christ, are they seriously almost
|
||||
forty? Yes, they’re technically immortal—that doesn’t mean the
|
||||
encroaching milestone isn’t making him feel dizzy nonetheless.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: huh? don’t do what?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: oh you looked pretty bummed when you left the
|
||||
reception and then i find you staring at the ocean like you just
|
||||
|
@ -423,7 +423,7 @@
|
|||
mention what he was actually doing. And definitely not to mention
|
||||
who just rappelled off the balcony with alarming stealth and
|
||||
grace.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: ...appreciating how pretty the view is.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: hm yeah i love the sight of the military
|
||||
industrial complex destroying the landscape in the evening</p>
|
||||
|
@ -436,7 +436,7 @@
|
|||
empty glass, looking for another shot of sparkling social
|
||||
lubricant. Dave tops him off before taking a long swig off the
|
||||
bottle himself.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: you okay, dude?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: eh</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: having been married once before, i gotta
|
||||
|
@ -447,7 +447,7 @@
|
|||
this all just feels like</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Dave shrugs.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: whatever</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i was sort of hoping that</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i mean considering that were working together
|
||||
|
@ -457,7 +457,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">John looks down and twirls the stem of his
|
||||
glass between two fingers.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: so you’re still not... um, over that?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: the whole karkat thing?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i mean will i ever be over it??</p>
|
||||
|
@ -475,7 +475,7 @@
|
|||
picture is still in his wallet: faded, dog-eared, marred by ragged
|
||||
white lines down the center from being folded and unfolded so many
|
||||
times, deep enough to be called valleys at this point.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: right.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: right</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -483,7 +483,7 @@
|
|||
atmosphere, sipping their booze, contemplating the suckiness of
|
||||
being an adult. Dave lets out a soft laugh and slaps John on the
|
||||
back. John swallows his champagne wrong and starts coughing.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: yo dude thanks for being my best man</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: *cough* oh. th-thanks, man. no problem!</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: cuz you are</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s28'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 28</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">T</span>hat being
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">T</span>hat being
|
||||
said, it’s very rude, all things considered, for Karkat to start a
|
||||
war on Harry Anderson’s birthday.</p>
|
||||
<p>John’s floating above the outskirts of the Human Capital,
|
||||
|
@ -63,19 +63,19 @@
|
|||
crater and peers through the smoke.</p>
|
||||
<p>He recognizes the ghost immediately, because he sees a younger
|
||||
version of her almost every day.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: vriska?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Vriska’s face snaps up, eyes blazing. Eyes.
|
||||
Actual eyes, with expression, color, pupils, and everything.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: wait. you’re...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: alive??</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">John skids down the side of the crater and
|
||||
helps her sit up. He wasn’t imagining it. She’s extremely alive.
|
||||
And extremely wounded. And above all, extremely Vriska.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: oh my god. you’re not just “vriska”...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: you’re *actually* vriska!</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: you’re like, literal, for real, actual
|
||||
|
@ -86,7 +86,7 @@
|
|||
her chest. It appears to be the same material as whatever was
|
||||
piercing the center of teen-Jade’s corpse. She’s bleeding bright
|
||||
blue all down her side, but her expression is wild.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: What the F8CK are you t8lking a8out?</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: Where am I????????</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: I c8n’t 8e here! I h8ve to go
|
||||
|
@ -102,7 +102,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">She whirls around and grabs John by the
|
||||
shoulders. She starts shaking him, voice cracking with crazed
|
||||
desperation.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: I need to go 8ack!</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: I need to SEE!!!!!!!!</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: I NEED TO SEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s29'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 29</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: i see him.</p>
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: ooh is it the prince</p>
|
||||
<p class="sollux">SOLLUX: fucking finally.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
|
|||
here, and rouses it from perfect, corpse-like stillness. Dead-Jade
|
||||
unfolds from her meditation pose and pushes to her feet in an
|
||||
elegant sweep.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: it is the one i have been waiting
|
||||
for all these years.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: we have run along parallel lines for
|
||||
|
@ -53,7 +53,7 @@
|
|||
Jade’s body out into the open air. She casts her pitch-black eyes
|
||||
down to watch the dark clouds of battle beginning to form above the
|
||||
Human Capital below. Sollux frowns.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="sollux">SOLLUX: are y0u sure y0u want t0 g0 d0wn there?
|
||||
it seems like it’s ab0ut t0 get wild.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: yes. more than you can possibly
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s3'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 3</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">Y</span>es,
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">Y</span>es,
|
||||
something feels <em>very</em> different.</p>
|
||||
<p>Dirk’s hands begin to shake, so violently that he drops his
|
||||
screwdriver into the chassis of the battle bot he’s working on. It
|
||||
|
@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
|
|||
them. He nearly drops his phone while attempting to dramatically
|
||||
autodial Jane’s number through the haze of his trembling, sudorific
|
||||
stupor.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Hey, Jane. Bad news.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Cancel everything.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Excuse me, what?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -61,7 +61,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jane gasps loudly, without a hint of
|
||||
irony.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: I don’t understand.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Don’t worry about it.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Just do what I say.</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s30'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 30</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">A</span>s Jake
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">A</span>s Jake
|
||||
traverses the length of Jane’s ship, he suspects he has never
|
||||
carried more dread in his heart than he does in this moment.</p>
|
||||
<p>The burden of the call he just received weighs so heavily upon
|
||||
|
@ -53,7 +53,7 @@
|
|||
approaches. He has to conspicuously clear his throat before Jane
|
||||
turns her attention away from Gamzee, and even then she only
|
||||
dignifies Jake’s appearance with a fleeting glance.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Do you need something?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Well... i have some terrible news i’m
|
||||
afraid.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -74,7 +74,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Jane’s face twists in annoyance. She is quite
|
||||
a bit shorter than Jake now, but the way she looks down on him
|
||||
makes her seem like she towers ten feet above him.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: My <em>goodness</em>, Jake! What do you want?
|
||||
Can’t you see I’m right in the middle of something?! Just spit it
|
||||
out already!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -87,7 +87,7 @@
|
|||
<p>Jake swallows like he’s in a cartoon. It’s a big, loud gulp. A
|
||||
sound that instantly rachets up Jane’s annoyance—like most of
|
||||
Jake’s actions seem to, these days.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: I...</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Well you see...</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: I guess ill come right out and say it
|
||||
|
@ -102,7 +102,7 @@
|
|||
the statement strikes her, sending a jolt of shock through her
|
||||
chest.</p>
|
||||
<p>It passes quickly, though. She’d almost forgotten.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: An unfortunate incident, but it’s no
|
||||
matter.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: I’ll simply revive him, and then make sure
|
||||
|
@ -114,7 +114,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Theres no body for you to revive at all.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jane’s eyes widen in disbelief.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: What?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: What... what happened?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: It... word from the secret service is that it
|
||||
|
@ -143,7 +143,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jake’s gaze falls to the floor. Jane’s hand
|
||||
clutches at the front of her suit in an unsteady fist.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: P... please tell me you’re joking.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Jake, tell me this is just a prank.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Im... im afraid not jane.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -155,7 +155,7 @@
|
|||
now. She’s come so far.</p>
|
||||
<p>Jane sniffles and swipes at her eyes with the back of her hand.
|
||||
She won’t cry. But she can be angry instead.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: UGH!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: That... that fool!!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: I can’t believe that he would do this!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -171,7 +171,7 @@
|
|||
a wounded animal—pulls her into a hug.</p>
|
||||
<p>Jane is too dazed to protest. She limply stares past Jake, eyes
|
||||
unfocused.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: I don’t... no...</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Shhhh. Shhhh. Everythings going to be ok.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: God. I can’t believe he...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -195,7 +195,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Gamzee turns to the bridge crew and gestures
|
||||
magnificently with his arms. Rivulets of milk are running down his
|
||||
chin.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: hOnK iF yOu LoVe ThIs BiG tItTy
|
||||
BiZzNaTcH!</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: WhOoP wHoOp!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -213,7 +213,7 @@
|
|||
to the bridge and takes a forward step, stumbling slightly in her
|
||||
heels. But she catches her balance, fixes her posture, and slips
|
||||
back on a stony mask.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: All right.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Jake! Get the president on the phone.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: It’s clear to me now that it’s past time for
|
||||
|
@ -240,7 +240,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jane is blazing with fury. She marches to the
|
||||
center of the bridge.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: ALL OF YOU, RETURN TO YOUR STATIONS! WE ARE
|
||||
CHANGING COURSE!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: WE WILL BE GOING DIRECTLY TO MEET WITH THE
|
||||
|
@ -253,7 +253,7 @@
|
|||
navigator adjusts the ship’s destination coordinates, and the comms
|
||||
officer opens a line with the government’s seat of command. Only
|
||||
one man in the room is brave enough to take a stand.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: hEy.</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: Do YoU tHiNk ThAt MiGhT bE a BiT
|
||||
mOtHeRfUcKinG xEnOpHoBiC?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -261,7 +261,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Jane spins on her heel like a whirlwind, her
|
||||
face twisted into a hideous snarl. She rounds on Gamzee with all
|
||||
the hatred she can muster.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: XENOPHOBIC?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: I am not fucking xenophobic!</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: i’M jUsT sAyInG mY mOsT bOdAcIoUs Of
|
||||
|
@ -290,7 +290,7 @@
|
|||
silent.</p>
|
||||
<p>Gamzee smiles vacantly down at Jane, unaware of his misstep.
|
||||
When Jane next speaks, it is in a controlled, steady voice.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Security.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Escort this troll off of my ship. Now.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -299,7 +299,7 @@
|
|||
swarm, grabbing him by his arms. The baby bottle tumbles out of his
|
||||
grasp, busting open when it falls. The remaining milk spills out,
|
||||
pooling in the recessed lighting of the floor.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: wHoA wHoA wHoA, hOlD uP!</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: YoU cAn’T jUsT gO aNd ThRoW mE oFf BoArD,
|
||||
mY mIlKy MaMi.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -308,7 +308,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">The security officers begin to pull Gamzee
|
||||
away, but he makes one final desperate play.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: wAiT!! jUsT hEaR mE oUt!!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: What?</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: iF yOu ThRoW mE oUt I’lL bE aLl LoSt AnD
|
||||
|
@ -321,7 +321,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: It’S aBoUt YoU.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jane stops.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: What...?</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: i NeEd YoU...</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Are you saying that y—</p>
|
||||
|
@ -337,7 +337,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jane sneers. She has no idea why she thought
|
||||
for even a moment that he might have meant anything else.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: I am so...</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Ugh. Forget it.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: You are despicable.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -350,7 +350,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Jane’s eyes rake up and down Gamzee’s body,
|
||||
like she’s carefully considering her response. Her face is
|
||||
expressionless when she answers.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Begone, clown.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jane turns, and waves the security away. The
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s31'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 31</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: John, I need to see!</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: How do I get 8ack!?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
|
|||
flying overhead. Aside from the encroaching fleet, the blue sky is
|
||||
seamless and calm. The hole that Vriska came through has already
|
||||
sealed up.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: um.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i don’t think you *can* go back.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i have no idea what the exact scientific
|
||||
|
@ -46,7 +46,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Vriska releases her vice grip on John’s arms
|
||||
so that she can cradle her head between her hands.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: Oh my god!</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: This is the worst thing that could h8ve
|
||||
possibly h8ppened to me.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -57,7 +57,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Vriska gestures wordlessly at John’s entire
|
||||
body. Then she leans in closer to study his face, squinting with
|
||||
suspicion.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: John, are you old?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: um. a little, i guess.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i mean, i’m going to live forever apparently,
|
||||
|
@ -67,7 +67,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Vriska runs both hands down her face, leaving
|
||||
long, dark streaks of blood.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: I can’t 8e here.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: vriska...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: wait, actually, i guess i shouldn’t call you
|
||||
|
@ -105,7 +105,7 @@
|
|||
flinch at the sound of a sonic cannon blasting off behind her. She
|
||||
slowly peels her hands from her face and glares at John as one of
|
||||
her eyes twitches at the corner.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): ...</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): ...</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): That’s...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -126,13 +126,13 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">(Vriska) paws at her head wound, fingers numb
|
||||
and vision blurry.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): Wh8tever the fuck it was that hit me in
|
||||
the head!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">She sways on her feet. John tries to steady
|
||||
her, but she slaps his hands away.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: do you wanna see a doctor for that or
|
||||
something?</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): No!!!!!!!!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -184,7 +184,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">John sighs and sweeps an arm across the
|
||||
landscape. The sky darkens as the first of the troll fleet roars
|
||||
onto the frontline.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i don’t know, really.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: rose explained it all to me once, but i
|
||||
pretty much forgot what she said. i didn’t actually think it was
|
||||
|
@ -242,7 +242,7 @@
|
|||
expletive. Around her, the ground begins to shake as the human
|
||||
fleet of batterpanzers roll out from the edge of the city and take
|
||||
position.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: um, so we should probably get out of here
|
||||
soon.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: or not. we’re both god tier, so as long as we
|
||||
|
@ -277,7 +277,7 @@
|
|||
a8out this! Were you in love with her or something?!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">John laughs sadly.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: well... i don’t know.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: what does it even matter!</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: like everything else, it was just some more
|
||||
|
@ -293,7 +293,7 @@
|
|||
than Jane’s, most of them having been scavenged, patchworked, and
|
||||
jury-rigged. But they’re numerous enough to blot out the sun when
|
||||
they coast overhead.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): I don’t c8re a8out wh8tever the FUCK
|
||||
“c8non” is supposed to 8e!</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): I don’t a8out your dum8, unrequited
|
||||
|
@ -312,7 +312,7 @@
|
|||
spaghetti western mouthing a cigar. He tugs the rubber nipple out
|
||||
of his mouth with a pop. The chalky, viscous milk forms a goatee of
|
||||
spittle on his chin.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: VrIsKa My MaIn BiTcH, lOnG tImE nO
|
||||
sEe.</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: YoU SeEm aLl dIsCoMbObUlAtEd tHeRe,
|
||||
|
@ -342,7 +342,7 @@
|
|||
her with the complacency of a man perfectly oblivious to the
|
||||
one-way ticket to the world of shit his big mouth just bought for
|
||||
him.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): Wh8t the F8CK did you just s8y to
|
||||
me?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,11 +25,11 @@
|
|||
<div id='s32'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 32</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">(V</span>riska)
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">(V</span>riska)
|
||||
grabs Gamzee by the front of his shirt and yanks him down, her hot,
|
||||
furious breath brushing his disgusting face.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: I sAiD tO yOu YoU gOtTa ChIlL, yO.</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: It’S hIgH tImE yOu GoT yOuR rEdEmPtIoN
|
||||
oN.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -51,7 +51,7 @@
|
|||
malevolence, and then it finally happens.</p>
|
||||
<p>She just. Plain. Fucking.</p>
|
||||
<p>SNAPS.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): Don’t you daaaaaaaare</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">(Vriska) clenches her fists together and slams
|
||||
|
@ -59,7 +59,7 @@
|
|||
hook. His nose makes a crunching sound like someone just stepped on
|
||||
a pile of crackers. He stumbles backward, cupping his palms over
|
||||
his face to catch the gush of blood.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): FUCK8NG touch me</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">(Vriska) grabs him under the armpit and
|
||||
|
@ -67,14 +67,14 @@
|
|||
a wheezy, guttered honk. It comes out slowly, mournfully, like a
|
||||
broken bike horn getting backed over by the rear wheel of a
|
||||
hearse.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): EVVVVVVVVER</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">She spins out from under his flailing arm and
|
||||
does a full 360-degree pirouette off the fucking handle to deliver
|
||||
a ruthless Knife Chop straight to the cartilage at the center of
|
||||
his chest, like a veteran butcher getting down to business.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): AG88888888IN!!!!!!!!</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: :o(</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -99,7 +99,7 @@
|
|||
shirt. With an impressive maneuver, hard for the eye to follow
|
||||
unless you’re a trained wrestler, she adroitly twists a hand in his
|
||||
hair and Reverse Hangmans him against the tree branch.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: HONK!!!!</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): WHY WON’T YOU JUST</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -107,7 +107,7 @@
|
|||
and again. Each time he lets out a sound like a damaged squeeze
|
||||
toy, his bloated, slimy tongue unspooling like a frog’s as all the
|
||||
air is crushed out of his esophagus.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): D8EEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Shouting like a berserker, (Vriska)
|
||||
|
@ -156,7 +156,7 @@
|
|||
<p>Mercifully, John’s attention is caught by someone calling his
|
||||
name from above. He has never felt so grateful for an excuse to
|
||||
look away from anything in his life.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: John, up here!</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: I need to speak with you!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s33'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 33</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">J</span>ohn looks
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">J</span>ohn looks
|
||||
up to see Rose waving at him while hanging out the hatch of a troll
|
||||
cruiser. John tries to smile at her, but all he can muster is a
|
||||
weird, queasy expression. Rose looks glad to see him anyway. She
|
||||
|
@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
|
|||
lack of desire for any physical contact to be made between them),
|
||||
but instead uses his momentum to spin her all the way around so
|
||||
that her back is facing the cursed shrubbery in the distance.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: Whoa! Hey, Old Man.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: hey vriska, hey rose. nice to see you
|
||||
both!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -49,7 +49,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">John and Rose appear equally surprised
|
||||
themselves when Vriska hauls him in to seal the deal with a
|
||||
crushing hug of her own.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: haha. geez! hi vriska!</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: Hi John!</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: this is great. just great. hey, why don’t we
|
||||
|
@ -60,7 +60,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Rose cocks an eyebrow at him. Behind her, the
|
||||
bush releases a strangled, lusty honk.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Was that...</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Nevermind.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Vriska, why don’t you go and help your mother
|
||||
|
@ -80,7 +80,7 @@
|
|||
luminescent cording that matches their blood colors. Rose is
|
||||
wearing it too, John notices, in black and lavender. He gives her a
|
||||
concerned look up and down, then holds out his hands, palms up.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: so... i guess this war is really
|
||||
happening?</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Yes.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -100,7 +100,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="john">JOHN: the circle of stupidity is complete?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Rose laughs.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Don’t be ridiculous John. Nothing is
|
||||
complete.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: There is no true ending or beginning in this
|
||||
|
@ -123,7 +123,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">John strokes his chin and thinks very hard on
|
||||
this. Maybe too long, because Rose sighs and taps the bridge of his
|
||||
spectacles.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: “No” is a perfectly valid answer to that
|
||||
question, John.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i just didn’t want to make it look like i
|
||||
|
@ -151,7 +151,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Contemplating the vastness of that statement
|
||||
makes John feel suddenly very small and sad. He shuts his eyes and
|
||||
runs a hand through his hair.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: oh my god, rose. it’s too early in the day
|
||||
for this.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: I agree.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -164,7 +164,7 @@
|
|||
and pulls him gently toward her. He cracks his eyes open to see her
|
||||
face glimmering in the late morning sun. Her eyes are glossy and
|
||||
bright in the gleaming light.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: I want to thank you.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: for... for what?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: didn’t i fuck everything up by not going to
|
||||
|
@ -186,7 +186,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Rose pauses meaningfully, as if the
|
||||
realization is falling into place as she says it.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: I never thought I would actually get to be
|
||||
happy.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: rose... you weren’t happy before?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -203,11 +203,11 @@
|
|||
her and raises her head to look at the perfectly blue sky with its
|
||||
perfect sun and its perfect clouds, unmarred by the dark storm
|
||||
brewing on the planet below.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: In Complacency of th—</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">She corrects herself.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: In the silly wizard story I wrote when I was
|
||||
a child,</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: The realm most comparable to heaven existed
|
||||
|
@ -228,7 +228,7 @@
|
|||
then after. There are things that he can’t forget. That he won’t
|
||||
forget. Is this the reason he’s felt like this for so many
|
||||
years?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: But that isn’t me anymore.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: I am blind against the veil of this
|
||||
world.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -248,7 +248,7 @@
|
|||
and honest. Her eyes are perfectly clear. There is no other word
|
||||
that could possibly do justice to her expression. She looks
|
||||
happy.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Thank you.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">She comes forward to give him a kiss on the
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s34'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 34</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: Hey, Harry Anderson, guess where I
|
||||
am!</p>
|
||||
<p class="harry">HARRY ANDERSON: what???</p>
|
||||
|
@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Vriska cups her hand around the receiver of
|
||||
her phone and shouts over the artillery barrage.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: It’s ME, idiot! The HOT 8A8E you’re lucky
|
||||
enough to h8ve gotten to second 8ase with!</p>
|
||||
<p class="harry">HARRY ANDERSON: oh hi vriska!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -134,7 +134,7 @@
|
|||
above the post-bombing silence. It’s a sound that she knows from
|
||||
hard-won experience can mean only one thing.</p>
|
||||
<p>There’s a clown nearby.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: I think I hear...</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: GAMZEE??</p>
|
||||
<p class="harry">HARRY ANDERSON: gamzee? my auntie jane’s
|
||||
|
@ -157,7 +157,7 @@
|
|||
attention to bear on this curious rhythm of noises coming from
|
||||
nearby, beckoning from the underbrush. She pushes toward it through
|
||||
the thorny shrubbery.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: There’s a bounty out for his arrest!
|
||||
D8mn, they’ll probably put him in front of a tribunal if we can get
|
||||
our hands on him!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -181,7 +181,7 @@
|
|||
exhibition of unexpected and deeply profane lust. Now that the
|
||||
battle has stilled, he can overhear the vile melody of the
|
||||
blasphemous union.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: There’s that noise again.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: I knew I wasn’t imagining it.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: oh no.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -197,7 +197,7 @@
|
|||
tangled black hair, and stunned faces, her expression begins to
|
||||
slowly melt. It then drifts quickly, from phase to phase, to one of
|
||||
wonder, then anguish, and finally, abject horror.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: oh god.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Vriska and (Vriska) both start shrieking at a
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s35'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 35</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">W</span>hile John
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">W</span>hile John
|
||||
dealt with the sight by immediately turning and walking away, and
|
||||
the Earth Vriska dove into a nearby bush for safety, Vriska is
|
||||
contending with her predicament through willful denial. She’s
|
||||
|
@ -65,7 +65,7 @@
|
|||
stuck her tongue in the heinous mouth of that frisky, unwashed
|
||||
jester, she began jackhammering through the stubborn concrete of
|
||||
rock bottom like she was digging up the corpse of a mob snitch.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: HeY (vRiSkA) mY bOoTyLiCiOuS bAbY
|
||||
bItCh.</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: YoUr BaD bOnE dAdDy Is GeTtIn To Be A
|
||||
|
@ -86,7 +86,7 @@
|
|||
paradise planet might look like to certain individuals. The small
|
||||
sob she’s been stifling finally comes out. Tears cut through the
|
||||
oily, shining mask of blue, purple, and mud on her face.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: HeY bEaUtIfUl. :O)</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: iS sOmEtHiNg MoThEr FuCkIn ThE
|
||||
mAtTeR?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -100,7 +100,7 @@
|
|||
smearing the blood around. She looks at her hands, notices the
|
||||
blood, and continues cleaning her face, using her tears as a
|
||||
solvent and wiping the blood on her shirt.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): Gamzee...</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): Can you just</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): Not talk?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -119,7 +119,7 @@
|
|||
insubordination of a raunchy clown. It’s almost like a smelling
|
||||
salt. She sneers, revealing a fang, and spins on her heel to face
|
||||
him.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): Did you hear what I F8CKING
|
||||
said????????</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -143,14 +143,14 @@
|
|||
distant row of trees. The rubber nipple remains stuck in his
|
||||
clenched teeth, his face now coated with a good portion of the
|
||||
punted bottle’s milk.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: Aw MoThEr FuCk SuGaRpUsS. :o(</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: mY nAnNa NeCtAr!!!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">(Vriska) presses her foot down on his chest
|
||||
and pins his back flush against the grass. He exhales with a
|
||||
startled wheeze at the sudden force.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): You 8etter fucking listen up,
|
||||
Makara.</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): I don’t know what you may have
|
||||
|
@ -171,7 +171,7 @@
|
|||
on his face, slightly lightening the tint of the purple.</p>
|
||||
<p>She hears a faint digital clicking somewhere. What is that? It
|
||||
seems to be coming from just behind her. She turns around.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): What the fuck do you think you’re
|
||||
doing????????</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -183,7 +183,7 @@
|
|||
long. Somehow this makes her even more pissed off about it than if
|
||||
he were just broadcasting their snogging fiasco without the use of
|
||||
a typing quirk.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: I gOtS tO fUcKiN tElL mY nUmBeR oNe
|
||||
InVeRtEbRoThEr AbOuT aLl WhAt JuSt GoT dId.</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: hE aNd I aReN’t As TiGhT aS tHe BoYs We
|
||||
|
@ -210,7 +210,7 @@
|
|||
it from either side, and breaks it in half. She then spikes both
|
||||
pieces down at him, missing, but causing him to flinch
|
||||
nonetheless.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): No selfies, no texts, no N8THING!</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): Which fucking part of “you’re not
|
||||
telling anyone” is so hard to understand?!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -237,7 +237,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Gamzee’s expression changes slightly. He
|
||||
retains his unfortunate aura of amorous placidity, but there’s now
|
||||
a hint of sadness.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: I dOn’T kNoW aBoUt AlL tHe BuSiNeSs YoU
|
||||
sAiD, hOnEyNiPs.</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: i’Ve GoT tO fEeLiNg ThAt WoNdEr In My
|
||||
|
@ -250,7 +250,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: I gOt ThE aDvAnTaGe TaKeN oF mE.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">(Vriska)’s face contorts with rage.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): You son of a 8itch.</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): This was C8NSENSUAL!</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): If ANYONE didn’t consent to this horror
|
||||
|
@ -292,7 +292,7 @@
|
|||
puts her shaking hands around his neck and grips tight. She
|
||||
positions her face inches from his, hissing hot breath through her
|
||||
clenched teeth.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): NO ONE IS GOING TO FIND OUT A8OUT THIS
|
||||
YOU FUCKING 8ASTARD.</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW, SO HELP ME
|
||||
|
@ -315,7 +315,7 @@
|
|||
backs up a few steps, studying the corpse. If her body language
|
||||
signals any remorse or sadness, the witness in the bushes certainly
|
||||
can’t tell.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">Vriska: (Eep!)</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Oh shit. (Vriska) had already forgotten about
|
||||
|
@ -323,7 +323,7 @@
|
|||
witnessed not only the original feat of debauchery, but all the
|
||||
compromising activity which followed as well. (Vriska) would
|
||||
probably need to have a few words with her.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">Vriska: Um...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Vriska stands up slowly from the bush,
|
||||
|
@ -333,7 +333,7 @@
|
|||
given up. (Vriska) doesn’t blame her. She can’t imagine there being
|
||||
anything in anybody’s life that could adequately prepare them to
|
||||
have a snappy response ready for a situation like this.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md" stylw="margin-bottom:0">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small" stylw="margin-bottom:0">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">Vriska: Hey.</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(Vriska): Sup.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s36'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 36</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">T</span>he moment
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">T</span>he moment
|
||||
John caught a proper glance of (Vriska) and Gamzee going at it in
|
||||
the bushes, he was done. He simply had no further capacity to deal
|
||||
with any of it. He just fucked off.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -82,7 +82,7 @@
|
|||
dozes off to a lullaby of distant sonic booms.</p>
|
||||
<p>When next he’s jostled awake, it’s by a figure that looks
|
||||
uncomfortably like—</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: dad?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">As John blinks away the sleep from his eyes,
|
||||
|
@ -91,7 +91,7 @@
|
|||
esoterically bullshit way than the man who used to fill this study
|
||||
with pipes and black licorice. John sits up straight in the chair
|
||||
and rubs at his eyes.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: jake?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: what are you doing here?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: wh–</p>
|
||||
|
@ -105,36 +105,36 @@
|
|||
Harry Anderson does when he’s lying. Across the room, Tavros
|
||||
Crocker fumbles his grasp on a particularly hideous fanciful
|
||||
harlequin. One of its pointy shoes snaps off.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: Cripes,,, sorry, uncle john,</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: I’ll replace it,,,</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: Cripes,,, sorry, uncle john,</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: I’ll replace it,,,</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: it’s fine. that’s actually just a piece of
|
||||
garbage.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">John thinks he might still be dreaming. Though
|
||||
if his subconscious were controlling the scene, there would be a
|
||||
few alterations.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: aren’t you cold?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: I am in fact!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: These old duds...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jake snaps the elastic on his pair of red
|
||||
underpants. It’s the only thing he’s wearing.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Well you see janey bought all my other
|
||||
clothes.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: She had a certain way she liked me kipped out
|
||||
and well, i didnt want to bring anything that belonged to her when
|
||||
i left. Nothing she er, might miss.</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: You took me,</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: You took me,</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jake winces.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">TAVROS: And,,, you took you,</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="tavros-kid">TAVROS: And,,, you took you,</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jake’s wince deepens.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Then i daresay i made the right choice not
|
||||
rustling the bushes in the making off with inanimate belongings
|
||||
department.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -147,7 +147,7 @@
|
|||
disappeared up under his bangs, but he doesn’t say anything. He has
|
||||
the air of a boy who has spent all of his life not saying
|
||||
anything.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: okay, so, uh...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i guess i’m just gonna move past the fact
|
||||
you’re 90% naked in my house.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -169,7 +169,7 @@
|
|||
drink. Or at least a pair of pants. But all this is is another
|
||||
reminder of how inescapably preposterous every aspect of this
|
||||
reality has become.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: so i guess this is the thing that’s currently
|
||||
happening now.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: what exactly do you want me to do?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -178,7 +178,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="john">JOHN: help you out?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">John produces a dry laugh.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: that’s pretty funny.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i remember trying to help you for years, and
|
||||
you never seemed that interested back then.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -192,7 +192,7 @@
|
|||
function of the absurdity of this contorted reality? It’s hard to
|
||||
be sure. Are Jake’s “struggles” worth any more of John’s guilt and
|
||||
emotional energy than a Sim stuck in a pool without a ladder?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Look here chap sometimes not everything is so
|
||||
simple!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: It isnt as if i couldve just walked out the
|
||||
|
@ -223,7 +223,7 @@
|
|||
fault, too? Did his reckless decision really author a
|
||||
<em>child</em>, just for it to suffer?</p>
|
||||
<p>John finds himself feeling a little sick.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: are you guys... i don’t know, hungry, or
|
||||
whatever?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i think i have a frozen pizza.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -241,7 +241,7 @@
|
|||
cabinet. Tavros takes one look at the bottle in his father’s hand
|
||||
and heads upstairs. Maybe that’s for the best—it’s getting hard for
|
||||
John to look straight at him.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i’m sorry for being... i don’t know. a
|
||||
bitch.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: it’s just been kind of a rough forever.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -254,14 +254,14 @@
|
|||
alcohol tastes just as harsh and bitter as he remembers it. Jake
|
||||
swirls the rocks in his glass, looking queasy despite his
|
||||
proclamation of tolerance.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: John.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Do you think im a bad person?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">That’s certainly not a question John ever
|
||||
expected to hear come out of Jake’s mouth. He hadn’t thought him
|
||||
capable of that degree of introspection.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: wait. what?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Do you think ive ruined my whole entire life
|
||||
and all of my relationships and especially the most important
|
||||
|
@ -289,7 +289,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jake grimaces. In the dim kitchen light his
|
||||
five o’clock shadow looks like a bruise.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: I wish i could tell you hearing that was a
|
||||
load off my mind john.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: The me of yesteryear probably would have
|
||||
|
@ -330,7 +330,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">The two of them share a moment of obligatory
|
||||
silence for someone long dead and gone.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: In a way i think i found all that
|
||||
comforting.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Havent you ever wanted to let someone make
|
||||
|
@ -346,7 +346,7 @@
|
|||
influence he might have had over the metaphysical shape of reality
|
||||
just a way to brush off his simpler failures as a man and a
|
||||
father?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: maybe. yeah. i dunno.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Im starting to think ive been a bit of a fool
|
||||
about it all though.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -363,7 +363,7 @@
|
|||
wouldn’t do much good to say it, though. It’s not like John wants
|
||||
to torture the guy, whatever the status of his realness
|
||||
attribute.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: jake, i guess i actually don’t know you that
|
||||
well, but i think there’s a difference between making excuses and
|
||||
just giving reasons.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -386,7 +386,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">John’s mouth open and closes dumbly. That’s
|
||||
it?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: thought it would be harder to convince
|
||||
you?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -400,7 +400,7 @@
|
|||
just forget all his fears and regrets, and forge forward with the
|
||||
honest, dumb conviction that if he just <em>tries hard enough</em>
|
||||
all his problems can be chased away.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Golly john, i–</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Gee willikers, do you hear that?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -411,7 +411,7 @@
|
|||
tapping his fingertips on the kitchen countertop, his aura of hope
|
||||
pulsing brighter. Then, with a dignified flourish, he raises an
|
||||
arm.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: John.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: yeah?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Take my hand.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -420,7 +420,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Jake snatches John’s hand and pulls him in,
|
||||
catching him off guard. John floats, an instinctive reaction to
|
||||
when he’s knocked off balance.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Dance with me!</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: oh, jesus christ.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -434,7 +434,7 @@
|
|||
do end up stepping on each other’s feet, gamboling around like
|
||||
newborn giraffes, who cares? What’s the harm in a little
|
||||
dancing?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Im excited, john! I havent been excited in
|
||||
such a long time.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Its just so great to be out on my own! Here
|
||||
|
@ -456,7 +456,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Jake launches into a real doozy of a spin,
|
||||
which John supposes may well have knocked the last of his sense out
|
||||
of him.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: sure. why the hell not.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jake gives John a twirl, which sends him
|
||||
|
@ -467,14 +467,14 @@
|
|||
like being dashed with a bucket of ice water, though. All of John’s
|
||||
gloom and malaise surges back to the fore like air filling a
|
||||
vacuum. He feels hungover.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: oof...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">John lies immobile on the floor tile. Jake
|
||||
draws up to look down at him in confusion, striking a pose that is
|
||||
both dazzlingly modelesque and doubtlessly completely
|
||||
unintentional.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Eh? What are you looking so glum for there
|
||||
chap?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: oh, you know. the usual.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -501,7 +501,7 @@
|
|||
the living room. Jake follows, but John now ensures that’s there’s
|
||||
a healthy enough physical distance between himself and Jake’s black
|
||||
hole of psychic optimism.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: You cant rightly go and blame the woman for
|
||||
all your troubles john.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i’m not!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -510,7 +510,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">John sighs and drops down onto the couch. He
|
||||
stretches out so Jake can’t take the seat beside him.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: that even if i COULD talk to her and try to
|
||||
set things straight...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: why bother?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -558,7 +558,7 @@
|
|||
what he knows is true. The allure of the denial—of the anaesthetic
|
||||
hope radiating from Jake’s epically sculpted body—is difficult to
|
||||
turn away from.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: My word john. Are you... crying?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: haha...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: jake, do you have roxy’s number?</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s37'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 37</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">B</span>ecause
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">B</span>ecause
|
||||
(Vriska) only spent a few minutes on Prospit before her dream self
|
||||
was whisked away to the Battlefield the moment she ascended to her
|
||||
god tier form, she never exactly got to enjoy Prospit life as much
|
||||
|
@ -47,7 +47,7 @@
|
|||
really required is a willingness to let yourself waste the time. A
|
||||
willingness she only just discovered minutes ago, since wringing
|
||||
the life from a libidinous harlequin.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): I think that one is...</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): A sort of snake?</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): A snake with a strangely 8ig head.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -101,7 +101,7 @@
|
|||
entered high school. She shrugs and turns her attention back to the
|
||||
sky. Another nimbus cloud wanders lazily into view, and catches
|
||||
(Vriska)’s eye due to its peculiar shape.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): That one there.</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): That’s... some sort of squat, can-like
|
||||
8uilding, right?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -148,7 +148,7 @@
|
|||
her ability to recognize the shapes is beginning to fade. They
|
||||
start to resemble fluffy, amorphous blobs. Was it all just in her
|
||||
imagination?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): May8e this is just crazy nonsense,
|
||||
actually.</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): Seeing shapes in clouds, I mean.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -206,7 +206,7 @@
|
|||
feels right, natural even, as if he was never meant to serve any
|
||||
purpose other than that of a deceased, soft vehicle for head and
|
||||
neck support between two blossoming friends.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: Hey, can I just ask...</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: Why were you making out with this
|
||||
Ridiculous Shithead?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -347,7 +347,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">(Vriska) thinks for a while on her next
|
||||
statement. She needs the time to let a thought she’d never had
|
||||
before arrange itself into words.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): May8e that’s why I h8’d my ghost self
|
||||
so much?</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: Why?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -409,7 +409,7 @@
|
|||
near-duplicate of herself who’s easy to confide in, maybe she’s
|
||||
said too much already. Maybe she’s even admitted too much to
|
||||
herself. Moments pass in silence.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: I’m pretty sure Harry’s Dad used to talk
|
||||
to her a lot.</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): What?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -439,7 +439,7 @@
|
|||
decades of use. This is not the device of a man who frequently
|
||||
upgrades his technology. There’s no password to unlock it. (Vriska)
|
||||
scrolls upward on a text exchange for quite some time.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): How far 8ack does this go??</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: Not sure. 8efore I was hatched, at
|
||||
least.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -457,7 +457,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">(Vriska) clicks on the reply field. Her thumbs
|
||||
hover over the digital keys.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): What would I even say?</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: Tell her you Love Her.</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): Oh, shut the fuck up.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -473,7 +473,7 @@
|
|||
while studying the cloud shapes again, providing (Vriska) with a
|
||||
wide berth for this critical rumination.</p>
|
||||
<p>Finally, (Vriska) stops pacing, and begins typing.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): Hey Terezi.</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): This isn’t John.</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">(VRISKA): It’s Vriska.</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s38'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 38</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">R</span>oxy tugs
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">R</span>oxy tugs
|
||||
at a piece of hair behind her ear with one hand as she checks the
|
||||
time on her phone with the other.</p>
|
||||
<p>John’s not late, but Roxy’s run out of things to do except wait
|
||||
|
@ -57,7 +57,7 @@
|
|||
contrition, and she can only handle so many self-absorbed attempts
|
||||
at communicating remorse before her head starts feeling like it’ll
|
||||
float away from her body.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: sup john</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: long time no see</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -68,7 +68,7 @@
|
|||
would be handy, because that’s really the best angle she’s got.</p>
|
||||
<p>She mirrors the movement with her own hand and steps aside for
|
||||
him to come in.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: well alright then pal</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: i do believe u know the way to the living
|
||||
room</p>
|
||||
|
@ -82,7 +82,7 @@
|
|||
her that John always said was “weirdly sexual, for them.” He looks
|
||||
at it now like it’s something from an almost forgotten dream. Roxy
|
||||
sighs.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: sorry for staring like an idiot.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: it’s...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i just got done with a whole week of feeling
|
||||
|
@ -96,7 +96,7 @@
|
|||
couch a polite distance away. He looks past her, almost through
|
||||
her, like he usually does. She knows him well enough to know what
|
||||
he’s politely not asking.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: harry andersons out if u were wonderin</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: hell scoot back home later so if you make it
|
||||
thru round 1 of awkward ex-family convos im happy to say you can be
|
||||
|
@ -116,7 +116,7 @@
|
|||
for real—but she knows by now that it’s not her job to make him
|
||||
happy. That was something she gave up on years ago. But wanting to?
|
||||
That feeling is still as fresh as it always was.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: sounds like a plan.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: so, uh.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i’ve been doing a lot of thinking
|
||||
|
@ -147,7 +147,7 @@
|
|||
isn’t the worst person she could talk to about it. If he’s truly
|
||||
about to be real with her for the first time in forever, she might
|
||||
as well try to meet him halfway.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: janey n me havent been super tight of
|
||||
late</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: ah.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -241,7 +241,7 @@
|
|||
doesn’t need to hear it. She’s not a kid anymore, and she doesn’t
|
||||
have to pretend someone else is right just to keep the peace if she
|
||||
doesn’t want to.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: im sorry john ilu but this is some hot
|
||||
steamin horseshit</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: what?!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -250,7 +250,7 @@
|
|||
her face for maybe the first time since he showed up on her
|
||||
doorstep. Goosebumps trail down her shoulders, but she doesn’t let
|
||||
the closeness of it distract her from her frustration.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: its some real jerkoff emoji stuff is all im
|
||||
sayin!!</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: you think you choice mattered so much that no
|
||||
|
@ -284,7 +284,7 @@
|
|||
He blinks a few times, slow, but he’s still focused completely on
|
||||
her. The corners of his still-open mouth pull themselves up
|
||||
helplessly into a smile.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: uh</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: wat r u lookin at me like that for?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: no, i’m sorry.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -335,7 +335,7 @@
|
|||
life. But she doesn’t want to twist the knife of blame further into
|
||||
him than it needs to go. So she shrugs, looks her ex-husband in the
|
||||
eyes, and tells him the truth.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: i mean i felt... somethin i guess</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: but its not just you</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: youve never been the only player in this game
|
||||
|
@ -366,7 +366,7 @@
|
|||
<p>When she sits back down next to John, he takes the glass
|
||||
wordlessly. After a minute of reflective sipping, which she is
|
||||
grateful for, he speaks.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i just kept wanting to find ways to make
|
||||
everything make sense, you know?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: but maybe it just fucking doesn’t.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -393,7 +393,7 @@
|
|||
discovered in the back of the closet is comfortable. Smells mostly
|
||||
musty, but still enough like home to knock you right on your
|
||||
ass.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i’m sorry. it’s just so hard to not feel like
|
||||
a total asshole.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: maybe i’m not some grand vizier of destroying
|
||||
|
@ -425,7 +425,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Roxy wrinkles her nose. Thinking about all the
|
||||
lives she could have led makes her feel dizzy.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: nah dont say that</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: i mean i accept ur apology this time but</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: theres obvs all kinds of ways shit coulda
|
||||
|
@ -487,7 +487,7 @@
|
|||
choice that hang just outside her periphery, and the vertigo grows.
|
||||
She rolls the word “regret” around in her brain; she feels it on
|
||||
her tongue. John waits.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: i dont think i can regret anything</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: theres not only one right way to be me
|
||||
imo</p>
|
||||
|
@ -524,7 +524,7 @@
|
|||
convoluted and personal and she isn’t sure she can do the
|
||||
overwhelming goodness of it justice. But then, Harry Anderson is
|
||||
his, too, so she knows she has to try.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: idk this life ive been livin gave me harry
|
||||
anderson</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: that kinda outweighs anything else just for
|
||||
|
@ -539,7 +539,7 @@
|
|||
with words feels bigger than she expected, and tears prick at the
|
||||
backs of her eyes. She shakes her head and laughs before John can
|
||||
start crying, too.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: but lmao john were just adults</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: were not dead!</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: idk i mean were only what... barely middle
|
||||
|
@ -578,7 +578,7 @@
|
|||
pressure makes it so, but she doesn’t question it too closely. She
|
||||
doesn’t want to go back to where she’d been with him, but knowing
|
||||
they’d both been there, together, feels like enough.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: thank you for trusting me with this personal
|
||||
stuff.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i know partly you were telling me all that to
|
||||
|
@ -620,14 +620,14 @@
|
|||
self-imposed suffering and blame loop. Something about the last
|
||||
hour must have done the trick, though. John stands up, brushes his
|
||||
hands on his jeans, and walks, back straight, toward his son.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: hey harry anderson.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: it’s really, really good to see you.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: do you wanna go for a drive?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">The muscle in Harry Anderson’s jaw clenches a
|
||||
few more times, but when he smiles, it is genuine.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="harry">HARRY ANDERSON: yeah, dad.</p>
|
||||
<p class="harry">HARRY ANDERSON: that could be cool.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s39'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 39</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">O</span>n the
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">O</span>n the
|
||||
other side of the continent, somewhere along the border between the
|
||||
Human and Troll Kingdoms, Dave and Jade navigate a densely jungled
|
||||
region. Though they’re high-ranking members of the resistance, they
|
||||
|
@ -49,7 +49,7 @@
|
|||
Liberties.</p>
|
||||
<p>They fly side by side just above the thick jungle canopy,
|
||||
sweeping the horizon with sharp eyes.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: i think i see another one!</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: oh snap</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -57,7 +57,7 @@
|
|||
to be a large, rusted arm holding a torch, blurred by JPEG
|
||||
artifacts and covered in vines, poking out just above the canopy.
|
||||
It’s two or three miles off to the west.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: youre right</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: another shitty liberty</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: good eye jade</p>
|
||||
|
@ -101,7 +101,7 @@
|
|||
perhaps? No, this structure is different, more compact. More likely
|
||||
a ruined building from an ancient Earth city. It seems to call to
|
||||
him.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: yo jade</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: why dont you go ahead and rig that liberty
|
||||
ill be right there</p>
|
||||
|
@ -170,7 +170,7 @@
|
|||
tall man. The radiance of the holographic image diminishes to
|
||||
reveal a man in a suit, with a strikingly recognizable face. Dave
|
||||
draws in a sharp breath and clutches at his chest.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="obama">OBAMA: Hello, Mr. Strider.</p>
|
||||
<p class="obama">OBAMA: I’ve been waiting a long time for you to
|
||||
show up.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -178,13 +178,13 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Dave’s jaw hangs open. The legends have been
|
||||
confirmed. As well as several key headcanons of his. Without
|
||||
thinking, he drops to one knee and bows his head.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: m... mr president</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: its an honor sir</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">President Obama laughs amiably and gestures
|
||||
with one hand for Dave to rise.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="obama">OBAMA: Come on now, Dave. We can’t be having
|
||||
that.</p>
|
||||
<p class="obama">OBAMA: I’m nobody’s king. I’m a democratically
|
||||
|
@ -197,7 +197,7 @@
|
|||
respond to such soft-spoken words of wisdom and humility. He idles
|
||||
for a moment, seemingly waiting for Obama to follow through with
|
||||
his promised act of deference.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="obama">OBAMA: Hahaha, I’m not gonna bow, man. I was just
|
||||
pulling your leg.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: oh ok</p>
|
||||
|
@ -223,7 +223,7 @@
|
|||
adjusting the cuffs of his holographic suit with the casual manner
|
||||
of a skilled statesman. It’s the body language of a man getting
|
||||
down to business.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="obama">OBAMA: Now, you probably weren’t aware of this.
|
||||
But I’m familiar with the work you’ve done for your country in the
|
||||
past. For the whole planet, actually.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -269,7 +269,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Dave pauses, pensively fiddling with the
|
||||
pockets of his camo pants. He has so many questions for the
|
||||
ex-president. He braces himself, and presses ahead.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: if you dont mind my asking sir</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i thought you died?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: well i mean i KNOW you did where im from with
|
||||
|
@ -306,7 +306,7 @@
|
|||
are times when he feels relieved by the lifestyle decision he made
|
||||
as a kid to wear a pair of aviator sunglasses at all times, no
|
||||
matter what.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: no</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: but like</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: thats all good and totally inspiring and all
|
||||
|
@ -355,7 +355,7 @@
|
|||
too, with more thoughts than he can keep track of. Thoughts of
|
||||
affirmation, exhilaration. i knew it... i knew it! his brain
|
||||
repeats to itself. The sense of vindication is indescribable.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="obama">OBAMA: Others were there. Kids my age. I made
|
||||
friends that lasted a lifetime.</p>
|
||||
<p class="obama">OBAMA: Over the years, I would return there now
|
||||
|
@ -386,7 +386,7 @@
|
|||
crosses his arms. But on his exhale, a small, choked sob escapes.
|
||||
He seals his lips tight, but his mouth quivers and puckers under
|
||||
the impossible pressures of restraint.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="obama">OBAMA: I know what you’re going through. There’s a
|
||||
lot to be emotional about in these trying times.</p>
|
||||
<p class="obama">OBAMA: Hey, why don’t we take a walk. You’ll have
|
||||
|
@ -400,7 +400,7 @@
|
|||
solid feet making audible footsteps that echo far ahead into the
|
||||
darkness. The light from Obama himself serves as Dave’s torch.
|
||||
Soon, he feels calm enough to continue the conversation.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: mr president</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: you said...</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i reminded you of the adult dave from your
|
||||
|
@ -435,7 +435,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Obama nods solemnly at this clarification. His
|
||||
expression makes it clear that this is the type of executive
|
||||
decision he understands all too well.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: but compared to that guy i apparently turned
|
||||
out to be</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i dunno</p>
|
||||
|
@ -492,7 +492,7 @@
|
|||
flickering hand on his shoulder. Dave feels the dense light of the
|
||||
hologram buzzing through the fabric of his clothes, grazing his
|
||||
skin. It tingles, like mild static electricity.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: my bro died a long time ago</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: fuckin hung himself for some damn reason</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: for a little while i had a bro</p>
|
||||
|
@ -520,7 +520,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Dave falls to his knees. He slides his open
|
||||
palms up beneath his shades and covers his face. He weeps quietly
|
||||
as Obama looks down on him, smiling patiently, understandingly.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i think i messed up</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i didnt do the right thing a long time ago
|
||||
and now</p>
|
||||
|
@ -536,7 +536,7 @@
|
|||
He has to calm down. This is no way to behave in front of a
|
||||
president. He collects himself, starts breathing steadily, and
|
||||
looks up.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: mr president</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: can you keep a secret</p>
|
||||
<p class="obama">OBAMA: Yes I can, Dave.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -546,7 +546,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">He runs a hand through his hair, and looks
|
||||
back down.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i think im gay</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Obama purses his lips in that trademark way of
|
||||
|
@ -554,7 +554,7 @@
|
|||
silence grow, as if considering precisely how to deliver the most
|
||||
perfect arrangement of words any man has uttered in human
|
||||
history.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="obama">OBAMA: Over the course of our lives, we all tend
|
||||
to believe we’re a lot of different things.</p>
|
||||
<p class="obama">OBAMA: One year, you’re this. Another, you’re
|
||||
|
@ -572,7 +572,7 @@
|
|||
eyebrows high above his shades. They stare at each other, and in
|
||||
the look they exchange, they seem to say all that needs to be said
|
||||
between two grown men on the matter.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="obama">OBAMA: Identity, sexuality, gender, all that stuff
|
||||
is about as illusory as I am, standing before you here.</p>
|
||||
<p class="obama">OBAMA: Is this the real me? Who can really
|
||||
|
@ -603,7 +603,7 @@
|
|||
The only thing he knows is he needs to listen carefully to every
|
||||
precious syllable. To listen with his ears, his heart, his entire
|
||||
being.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="obama">OBAMA: The truth of oneself can be very specific,
|
||||
if one wills it to be.</p>
|
||||
<p class="obama">OBAMA: Statements such as, I am gay, I am
|
||||
|
@ -631,7 +631,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="obama">OBAMA: Oh... we’ve met on a few occasions.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Dave blinks.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: thats</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: how is that possible</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: he killed himself</p>
|
||||
|
@ -657,7 +657,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Obama winks again. Dave has actually lost
|
||||
track of how many times he’s winked so far.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: right right</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: so... somehow he met you and uh</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: trained you and stuff</p>
|
||||
|
@ -689,7 +689,7 @@
|
|||
gleaming, polished silver replica of Dave, but without shades. It
|
||||
stands totally still, unpowered. Dave struggles to make sense of
|
||||
what he’s looking at.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="obama">OBAMA: Now, look.</p>
|
||||
<p class="obama">OBAMA: A human body, even one that’s been elevated
|
||||
to god tier status, cannot withstand the stresses put on it by the
|
||||
|
@ -718,7 +718,7 @@
|
|||
of decision. He understands now that the decision was already made
|
||||
the second he first laid eyes on the former president. He pauses
|
||||
only to savor this perfect moment.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: yes</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: absolutely</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i have never been more ready for anything in
|
||||
|
@ -766,7 +766,7 @@
|
|||
confusion, the insecurities of the man lying here all died along
|
||||
with his body. Davebot smoothly reaches down, lifts the shades off
|
||||
the corpse, and puts them on his face.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVEBOT: its about fuckin time</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s4'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 4</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">R</span>ose’s eyes
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">R</span>ose’s eyes
|
||||
flutter open to the sound of a heart monitor and the sight of a
|
||||
featureless white ceiling. Fluorescent lights, diaphanous curtains,
|
||||
everything crisp and clean.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -34,13 +34,13 @@
|
|||
<p>Wait, this doesn’t seem right, she thinks. When she closed her
|
||||
eyes, she was dramatically lingering about her bedroom at home.
|
||||
She’d just taken a handful of pills, and said goodbye to...</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: John!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">She shoots up in bed, tugging the IV taped
|
||||
under her elbow. Kanaya is sitting at her bedside, hemming a
|
||||
sundress. She thins her lips and gives Rose a half-lidded look.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: “John”</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: I See</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Is There Something I Should Know</p>
|
||||
|
@ -51,14 +51,14 @@
|
|||
plunging into a stagnant pond.</p>
|
||||
<p>Instinctively, Rose raises her hand to her forehead, but there’s
|
||||
no pain there. Her head is the clearest it’s been in months.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Kanaya, what...</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: What happened?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Kanaya throws her sewing project aside and
|
||||
sweeps in close, wrapping a cool palm around Rose’s arm. Her voice
|
||||
quakes but retains most of its porcelain decorum.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: I Came Home And Found You Passed Out In
|
||||
Front Of The Load Gaper</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Your Skin Was Freezing And You Were
|
||||
|
@ -75,18 +75,18 @@
|
|||
fixed on the window at the other end of the room. The night is
|
||||
dying behind the thin, pale curtain. She can barely see the
|
||||
moon.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: I feel...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">She looks back to Kanaya, eyes wide and
|
||||
bright.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Kanaya, I feel... fine.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">It’s been such a long time since she’s felt
|
||||
anywhere in the same ballpark as “fine” that it’s almost an
|
||||
out-of-body experience to say the word. She feels giddy.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: No Headaches</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: No headaches, no visions. Nothing at all.
|
||||
I...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -125,7 +125,7 @@
|
|||
today, for the first time in ages?</p>
|
||||
<p>When the nurse leaves, Kanaya puts a hand over the wrist that
|
||||
she is so preoccupied with.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Is Something Wrong</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: It just seems like all of this is happening
|
||||
so quickly.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -141,7 +141,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Kanaya tips her face away from the light to
|
||||
hide it in the curve of her shoulder. Rose reaches out and takes
|
||||
her wife’s hands in her own. They’re colder than she remembers.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Are you crying?</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Since When Have I Been Known To Cry</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Quite often, actually. But usually because
|
||||
|
@ -164,7 +164,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Kanaya’s lips twitch into a smile and she
|
||||
laughs, sadly. Her laughter forces the tears out. They drip down
|
||||
her perfectly made-up face in thick trails.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: I Really Did Think I Had Lost You</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Its Not That I Thought You Would Die</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: It Was That You Felt So Far Away</p>
|
||||
|
@ -194,7 +194,7 @@
|
|||
shape.</p>
|
||||
<p>Rose uses the hem of her hospital gown to wipe the tears off
|
||||
Kanaya’s face.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: It really is. Honestly, Kanaya, I’ve never
|
||||
heard such a ridiculous thing in my life.</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: You Are Talking To Me As If I Am A Pupa
|
||||
|
@ -218,7 +218,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Kanaya presses a snotty, uncharacteristically
|
||||
imperfect kiss to the back of Rose’s hand, right beneath where she
|
||||
wears her wedding ring.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: If You Would Have Me Forever</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Who else?</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: There’s no one who understands me like you,
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s40'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 40</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">F</span>rom atop
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">F</span>rom atop
|
||||
the tallest bell tower in the Carapace Kingdom, the sky looks like
|
||||
something painted by a crazy person. The fierce lights of war on
|
||||
the horizon stain the sunset in unnatural hues: ultraviolet
|
||||
|
@ -39,14 +39,14 @@
|
|||
<p>Aradia glides up to meet her, having left Sollux on the balcony.
|
||||
Above, in the sky, a hole has opened up. One so big it fills the
|
||||
entire radius of her vision.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: oh thats very dramatic</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">The dead cherub says nothing. Aradia flits in
|
||||
front of her face and looks into her eyes. They’re the same black
|
||||
as the vortex above, so absolutely dark that they reflect no
|
||||
light.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: i think i understand whats going on
|
||||
now</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: do you?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -82,7 +82,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Aradia pinches her thumb and forefinger
|
||||
together.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: off about this place</p>
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: just a little bit</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: yes, you would think so.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -177,7 +177,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">The cherub makes a rare physical gesture with
|
||||
her hands to begin framing her next statements. Aradia notes this
|
||||
and strives to listen more closely.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: physical destruction is one
|
||||
thing.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: obliteration of the entire canvas
|
||||
|
@ -254,7 +254,7 @@
|
|||
but change the way i say it very slightly.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: listen again carefully.</p>
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: ...</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: <span class="calliope-dead-story type-rg type-sm--md">a martyr died and said
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: <span class="calliope-dead-story type-rg type-sm">a martyr died and said
|
||||
fuck.</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: hmm</p>
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: yes that was a little different</p>
|
||||
|
@ -273,7 +273,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: yes i think youre right</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: but now imagine that i told your
|
||||
story in exactly that way. that i said,</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: <span class="calliope-dead-story type-rg type-sm--md">a martyr died and said
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: <span class="calliope-dead-story type-rg type-sm">a martyr died and said
|
||||
fuck.</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: but it was the first time you ever
|
||||
heard that story.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -330,7 +330,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: again, i’d like you to imagine this
|
||||
is the only way you’ve ever known this story.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: but then it continues...</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: <span class="calliope-dead-story type-rg type-sm--md">a martyr died and said
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: <span class="calliope-dead-story type-rg type-sm">a martyr died and said
|
||||
fuck.</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE:</p>
|
||||
<p>his final howl of profanity reverberated through the ages.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -346,7 +346,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE:</p>
|
||||
<p>and though his death was gruesome, it opened the world to a
|
||||
feeling of hope.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: <span class="calliope-dead-story type-rg type-sm--md">this hope echoed through
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: <span class="calliope-dead-story type-rg type-sm">this hope echoed through
|
||||
the ages.</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE:</p>
|
||||
<p>it gave his disciples the strength to persist as they perished
|
||||
|
@ -357,7 +357,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE:</p>
|
||||
<p>and if you are one so devoted to his teachings, who sees truth
|
||||
in his words,</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: <span class="calliope-dead-story type-rg type-sm--md">it may be said with great
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: <span class="calliope-dead-story type-rg type-sm">it may be said with great
|
||||
authority that</span> you are wrong.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: you are foolish to believe his lies.
|
||||
his martyrdom is false, his sacrifice hollow.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -436,7 +436,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">The cherub falls silent. Aradia takes this to
|
||||
mean this lesson of sorts has ended. She ruminates on it all for a
|
||||
while before speaking again.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: thats all pretty neat i guess</p>
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: so...</p>
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: does this stuff have anything to do with
|
||||
|
@ -448,7 +448,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Aradia starts giggling. Above, the sky yawns
|
||||
open a little wider. Aradia waits, but gets no response.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: even now when youre being
|
||||
uncharacteristically forthcoming youre still impossible to talk
|
||||
to</p>
|
||||
|
@ -476,14 +476,14 @@
|
|||
black on the rim of a dying galaxy. Aradia follows behind the
|
||||
cherub, unable to pull her eyes away from the eerie phenomena
|
||||
overhead.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: what will you do when he comes</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">The cherub is focused on something very small
|
||||
falling from above. The bright object flutters down from the broken
|
||||
sky and lands in her host body’s outstretched hand. It’s a feather,
|
||||
burnt at the edges, flickering orange and green.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: consume his body.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: absorb his essence.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">JADE: and then using this host, i will
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s41'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Postscript</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">E</span>lsewhere,
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">E</span>lsewhere,
|
||||
beyond the horizon...</p>
|
||||
<p>A spaceship tears across a starfield at warp speed. Each dot of
|
||||
distant light stretches to become a spear, hurtling in the opposite
|
||||
|
@ -132,19 +132,19 @@
|
|||
<p>She holds her thoughts. They can wait, and there’s much to
|
||||
discuss. She taps a button, and lowers her head a little closer to
|
||||
a mic on the panel.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSEBOT: Dirk.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">She supplies a courtesy pause, as if waiting
|
||||
for him to reply. He usually doesn’t.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSEBOT: You’re going to want to come see this.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Enough time goes by that she begins to wonder
|
||||
if he’s asleep. But no. It’s just the irritated silence of a man
|
||||
who knows he isn’t currently dressed well enough to attend to
|
||||
something important.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Are my fucking pantaloons ready yet?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s5'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 5</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: did you hear that john left his house?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: multiple days in a row even!</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: NO FUCKING WAY. THAT’S INCREDIBLE. I’VE
|
||||
|
@ -44,7 +44,7 @@
|
|||
technically, but there’s domestic evidence of her all over the
|
||||
hive. Her plants, her bass, her clothes slung over the couch where
|
||||
she sleeps for weeks at a time...</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: im being serious dumpass</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: i was really worried about him!</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: I’M BEING SERIOUS TOO. I WAS ACTUALLY
|
||||
|
@ -105,7 +105,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Jade floats over to the couch, shooting her
|
||||
two besties a salacious smile. She taps Karkat on the nose as she
|
||||
passes by.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: im just enjoying my youth</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: you could be enjoying it too hehehehe</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -119,13 +119,13 @@
|
|||
uncomfortably close to sexual thing to be doing in front of other
|
||||
people. Dave and Karkat share a vaguely mortified look. Jade sort
|
||||
of lives here, but she doesn’t <em>that</em> sort of live here.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: but seriously.... what do you two even do
|
||||
holed up in here together all the time?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Karkat snorts, still pointedly not looking at
|
||||
her.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: OH I’M SORRY, HAVE YOU NOT SEEN DAVE’S
|
||||
ILL BEGOTTEN ART EMPIRE?</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: HE’S GOT HIS OPPOSABLE DIGITS STUCK IN SO
|
||||
|
@ -139,7 +139,7 @@
|
|||
cheek on the cushion. The look she gives Karkat is just shy of
|
||||
devious. Karkat defensively scuttles to the other end of the couch,
|
||||
where he ends up pressed flush against Dave’s entire left side.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: I UH</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: sit around and play video games all day?</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: HEY! THAT’S NOT THE ONLY THING I DO!
|
||||
|
@ -157,7 +157,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Dave puts both hands over Karkat’s mouth and
|
||||
does a stage whisper over his shoulder.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: he means that he uses the alchemizer in the
|
||||
basement sometimes</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -184,7 +184,7 @@
|
|||
it makes her want to howl at the moon in sorrow.</p>
|
||||
<p>What she’s planning isn’t a seduction. It’s a public
|
||||
service.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: why not dude i think its cute</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: hes on all the major political sites of
|
||||
course but he spends most of his time going after people who leave
|
||||
|
@ -224,7 +224,7 @@
|
|||
his chest. She bounces them there a few times, enjoying the way
|
||||
troll skin is just a bit thicker than human skin, taut like the
|
||||
membrane over a poorly maintained drum.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: a husband....</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">She begins walking her fingers up the length
|
||||
|
@ -235,14 +235,14 @@
|
|||
of conversation altogether. If he’d known it would only fan the
|
||||
flames of discussion in this case, he would have kept his mouth
|
||||
shut.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: a husband is a little like what you both do
|
||||
already</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: only with....... certain “benefits” :)</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Her fingers reach the hollow of Karkat’s
|
||||
throat just in time to catch him swallow. He starts to sweat.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: WH... WHAT KIND OF BENEFITS</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: heheh dont play dumb karkat</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: jade dude cmon</p>
|
||||
|
@ -252,7 +252,7 @@
|
|||
fingers up under Karkat’s chin so that they can rest on his lips,
|
||||
which are a little chapped. It doesn’t take much work to pop them
|
||||
open and slide both fingers in.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: if youre really that clueless.... i can show
|
||||
you....</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -263,7 +263,7 @@
|
|||
<p>It would be pretty easy to mistake his reaction for arousal, so
|
||||
it’s understandable that Jade is extremely surprised when Karkat
|
||||
snaps his jaw shut and chomps down on her hand.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: OW!!!!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">She flies back, literally, spiraling up
|
||||
|
@ -271,7 +271,7 @@
|
|||
all tangled in her clothes for a few seconds. She clutches her
|
||||
wounded hand and glares daggers at Karkat, ears flat under her
|
||||
long, dark hair.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: karkat what the HELL!</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: WHAT THE HELL??</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: YOU’RE SERIOUSLY ASKING *ME* WHAT THE
|
||||
|
@ -294,7 +294,7 @@
|
|||
slumps into the dip between cushions while settling even more
|
||||
deeply into one of his better-practiced pouts. Dave clears his
|
||||
throat.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: so apropos of nothing</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: just a cool segue into a completely different
|
||||
topic for no reason</p>
|
||||
|
@ -303,7 +303,7 @@
|
|||
casual motion with his hand. A smooth wrist swivel, like he’s at a
|
||||
turntable scratching one song into the next. That’s the effect he’s
|
||||
going for, at least.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: did you guys hear that jane was gonna run for
|
||||
high office</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: NO FUCKING WAY</p>
|
||||
|
@ -377,7 +377,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jade pinches his ear and twists hard, smiling
|
||||
pleasantly.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: get fucked karkat</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s6'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 6</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">N</span>o one is
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">N</span>o one is
|
||||
answering the door to Jake’s mansion, so Jane lets herself in.
|
||||
There is almost no crime on Earth C, and so almost no one locks
|
||||
their door. In fact, most doors do not have locks, which has been
|
||||
|
@ -42,7 +42,7 @@
|
|||
corporate bailouts?</p>
|
||||
<p>Well, Jane thinks with a heavy sigh, now that she’s not running
|
||||
for president, it doesn’t really matter, does it?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Jake?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jane feels rather like a princess in an
|
||||
|
@ -62,7 +62,7 @@
|
|||
unmistakable roar of a rifle firing. She sprints the rest of the
|
||||
staircase and runs down the hall, <em>clack, clack, clack</em> in
|
||||
her expensive—but understated—kitten heels.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Jake! Jake, where are you?!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">The big oak door at the end of the hallway
|
||||
|
@ -71,7 +71,7 @@
|
|||
dress shirt buttoned up to midsternum. There is a smudge of
|
||||
gunpowder on his cheek. His whole face lights up when he sees
|
||||
Jane.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Oh jane how unexpected!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Are you alright?!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: What? Of course! Why wouldnt i be?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -81,7 +81,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jake grins and holds up his rifle, which is
|
||||
still smoking from the muzzle.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Just a little morning target practice!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">He kicks the door all the way open behind him
|
||||
|
@ -90,11 +90,11 @@
|
|||
hit many times with bullets. There is a battle bot hanging out by
|
||||
the fireplace at the back, holding an armful of bottles and
|
||||
surrounded by a sea of broken glass.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: You do this... in... inside the house?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">He looks at her like she’s the stupid one.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Well of course jane where else would i do it?
|
||||
Bringing this operation outside would only startle the
|
||||
neighbors!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -107,7 +107,7 @@
|
|||
<p>Instead, she enters the room and takes a seat in one of the
|
||||
ostentatiously cushioned bergère chairs, careful to step around the
|
||||
puddles of cracked glass.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: I must ask jane... it seems that you are
|
||||
rather frazzled. Are you sure you arent the one whos not
|
||||
alright?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -115,7 +115,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Jane rests her temple in her palm. Jake grabs
|
||||
another of his ridiculous fake-Victorian chairs by the back and
|
||||
swivels it around so that he’s sitting across from her.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Have you talked to Dirk lately?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Er not exactly. I would say that i have been
|
||||
talked *to* by dirk.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -131,7 +131,7 @@
|
|||
the state of the locksmith industry with the seriousness it
|
||||
deserved.</p>
|
||||
<p>Jake scoffs and flops a hand. Both actions are dismissive.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: I dont see what all the ruckus is. Our good
|
||||
chum dirk fancies himself a dark and tortured soul. Cutting us off
|
||||
is not entirely out of his wheelhouse.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -150,7 +150,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jake laughs, all uneven, and runs a hand
|
||||
through his attractively tousled hair.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: I must admit i am rather half rats at the
|
||||
moment.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: You’re what?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -162,7 +162,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">He makes a motion like knocking back a bottle.
|
||||
Jane side-eyes the idling battle bot, flush with empty wine
|
||||
bottles, and then side-eyes Jake.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: First thing in the morning?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Well i needed the bottles for my target
|
||||
practice jane i couldnt just pour the wine down the drain! Thatd be
|
||||
|
@ -180,7 +180,7 @@
|
|||
codependently. No matter what he said, this had to be affecting him
|
||||
as well.</p>
|
||||
<p>Jane lets out a fluttering breath.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: You know what, Jake?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: You’re right. It really would be a waste!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -193,7 +193,7 @@
|
|||
years.</p>
|
||||
<p>She braces herself on the mantle and knocks her head back,
|
||||
taking a long, uninterrupted swig right from the bottle.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Jeepers jane! Slow down!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jane keeps gulping. She drinks until she can’t
|
||||
|
@ -202,7 +202,7 @@
|
|||
swimming. Spilling a bit of wine on herself, she spins around to
|
||||
stare at the silent battle bot. It’s got its hand out, waiting for
|
||||
her to hand over the bottle.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Could you leave us alone, please?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">The battle bot tips its head at her with a
|
||||
|
@ -214,7 +214,7 @@
|
|||
Scorched-earth policy. That robot was indeed programmed by Dirk
|
||||
Strider.</p>
|
||||
<p>Jake is staring at Jane wide-eyed behind his spectacles.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Jane i must ask again... are you quite
|
||||
alright?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Actually no, I am quite not!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -223,7 +223,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">She staggers back to her seat and takes
|
||||
another swig of disgusting wine.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: I canceled my presidential bid.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: What? I was under the impression that you
|
||||
were awfully chuffed about that!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -232,7 +232,7 @@
|
|||
“cancel everything.” And so...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jane puts her face in her hand miserably.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: ...I canceled everything.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Why jane do you really need dirk to run for
|
||||
president?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -242,7 +242,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jane looks up at Jake from between her fingers
|
||||
and under her bangs.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Well yes, I suppose that I could run a
|
||||
successful presidential campaign on my own merits, especially since
|
||||
Dirk and I developed most of our strategy together.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -256,7 +256,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jake pries the wine bottle from her hand
|
||||
gently. He takes a drink from it, less gently.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Dirk has that manner about him does he
|
||||
not?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: A way about him that makes you feel like
|
||||
|
@ -265,7 +265,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">He sounds a little... bitter? Jane blinks at
|
||||
him.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: I hadn’t thought about it that way.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: But yes, ever since I talked to him I have
|
||||
felt... strange.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -275,7 +275,7 @@
|
|||
isn’t it? Especially since she spends several nights a month
|
||||
drinking much harder and fancier drinks at investor dinners. Jake
|
||||
passes the bottle back and she takes another drink.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Strange how?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Strange like you just explained... like
|
||||
nothing I do matters. I should be more upset that I’ve spoiled my
|
||||
|
@ -299,7 +299,7 @@
|
|||
<p>Maybe because of the wine, and maybe just because she wants to,
|
||||
Jane reaches out and sets a hand on his thigh. She leans in closer
|
||||
until she can feel his breath on her face.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Oh, this is mortifying to admit, but I’ve
|
||||
been thinking that perhaps I’ve been doing the wrong thing with my
|
||||
life.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -331,7 +331,7 @@
|
|||
though.</p>
|
||||
<p>Jake is still staring at her, drunk and enraptured. She ventures
|
||||
deeper into his personal space.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Well, Jake, it doesn’t always have to be that
|
||||
way.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Putting business first? Ignoring the good
|
||||
|
@ -356,14 +356,14 @@
|
|||
face. His eyes are so green, and they’re glittering with naked
|
||||
adoration, for her. It’s all for her. He nudges a knuckle under her
|
||||
chin and tips her face towards him.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Jane...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">He’s so close that Jane thinks he might kiss
|
||||
her. She shuts her eyes and lets his husky wine-breath wash over
|
||||
her face.</p>
|
||||
<p>Instead of kissing her, he says:</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: I say this sincerely as one of your oldest
|
||||
and dearest friends.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: I hope that you have luck in finding a
|
||||
|
@ -378,7 +378,7 @@
|
|||
<p>But Jake doesn’t register her mortification or frustration
|
||||
either. He just keeps smiling and gazing into her eyes, warm and
|
||||
drunk.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Well, then.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p>With a deep sigh, Jane shoves Jake off of her and stumbles back
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s7'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 7</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">J</span>ohn’s been
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">J</span>ohn’s been
|
||||
spending a lot of time with Roxy lately. Which also means spending
|
||||
a lot of time with Calliope, which is awkward, but fine. But it
|
||||
also means spending a lot of time with Gamzee, which is awkward,
|
||||
|
@ -45,7 +45,7 @@
|
|||
John still believes him to be.</p>
|
||||
<p>Roxy and Calliope, however, apparently do not believe him to be
|
||||
full of shit, for some reason.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: isn’t that nice?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: huh?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -59,7 +59,7 @@
|
|||
words, and incite revolutionary fervor amongst the masses. John
|
||||
tries his best to ignore it and walk ahead, but Roxy loops her arm
|
||||
through his and pulls him back.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: were here check it</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: where’s here?</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: me n callies fave cafe!!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -75,7 +75,7 @@
|
|||
just the mood he’s in. Maybe it has something to do with the fact
|
||||
that Calliope insisted on including an unbelievably smelly clown on
|
||||
an otherwise perfectly pleasant stroll.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: that’s it? we’re going to a coffee shop?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i got out of bed for THIS?</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: lmao</p>
|
||||
|
@ -117,7 +117,7 @@
|
|||
around her and Gamzee as they stand in the busy street. At high
|
||||
noon, her little body casts almost no shadow on the cobblestone
|
||||
road.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: sigh.</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: WhAt’S sHaKiN sIs, YoU lOoK bUmMeD aLl
|
||||
ThE fUcK oUt.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -134,7 +134,7 @@
|
|||
his mouth lolling open as he contemplates what is transpiring with
|
||||
the closest facsimile to wisdom he can muster. He puts one of his
|
||||
huge hands on Calliope’s narrow shoulder, all comforting-like.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: Oh YeAh. FoR sUrE yOuR gIrL rOxY iS aLl
|
||||
GlObEs DeEp iN tHaT dUdE’s DaNk NoOk.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: yes. and while i can’t say i didn’t
|
||||
|
@ -146,7 +146,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Gamzee leans in so that his face is level with
|
||||
Calliope’s. His grin shows every single one of his teeth.
|
||||
Miraculously, his breath smells worse than his body.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: MOTHERFUCKING DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT?
|
||||
>:o)</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: no!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -165,7 +165,7 @@
|
|||
<p>John notices him there, just outside the window, leering at him
|
||||
and Roxy. His expression is serene, vacant. Calliope is nowhere to
|
||||
be seen.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: um, hey roxy...</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: wats up</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: gamzee. he’s staring at us, and it’s kind of
|
||||
|
@ -182,7 +182,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Roxy takes a sip of her tea. Her purple
|
||||
lipstick leaves a stain on the fine china.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: yeah john its totes sad</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: he never had a chance with the kinda life he
|
||||
had</p>
|
||||
|
@ -198,7 +198,7 @@
|
|||
of Roxy’s chair and looms over her. Without breaking eye contact
|
||||
with John, Roxy scoops up a spoonful of cheesecake and feeds it to
|
||||
him.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: HeY rOxItA.</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: hey gamz whats shakin</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: CaLlIE wEnT aLl RuNnInG oFf, UgH.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -221,7 +221,7 @@
|
|||
she doesn’t notice. Instead she puts her fork down, slides her
|
||||
chair out, and springs to her feet with an abundance of this
|
||||
newfound enthusiasm he’s been struggling to understand.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: brb!</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: gonna hit the ladies room</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: back in a jiff suckers</p>
|
||||
|
@ -235,7 +235,7 @@
|
|||
forearms on the table in front of him, folds his hands, and gazes
|
||||
into John’s eyes with what he has come to identify as Gamzee’s
|
||||
signature brand of faux serenity.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: mY fUcKiN *gUy*. :o)</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: ...</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: My DuDe AnD mY nInJa AlIkE.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -248,7 +248,7 @@
|
|||
service, in the hopes that it will provide a social buffer for the
|
||||
appalling interaction that is presently taking place. But no
|
||||
carapacians seem to be close enough to heed his request.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: I SeE WhAt’s fUcKiN Up, My gOoD
|
||||
VeRtEbRoThEr.</p>
|
||||
<p class="gamzee">GAMZEE: AlLs aBoUt i cAn sAy iS GaMe rEcOgNiZe
|
||||
|
@ -297,7 +297,7 @@
|
|||
this lunatic, John nods very slowly as he listens, while taking a
|
||||
secret snap of his ghoulish face to send to Terezi. Before John
|
||||
submits, he tags the photo with a message:</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i absolutely fucking hate this.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s8'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 8</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Did you hear that Jane had been intending to
|
||||
run for president?</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Yes She In Fact Asked Me To Serve A
|
||||
|
@ -42,7 +42,7 @@
|
|||
an outcropping over the lip of the breeding pit, knitting a series
|
||||
of tiny scarves for the grub clones that she and Kanaya have come
|
||||
to help hatch.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: That bad, huh?</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: She Was Already Talking About Regulating
|
||||
Troll Reproduction</p>
|
||||
|
@ -61,7 +61,7 @@
|
|||
a batch of eggs. Her wife is luminous in the early morning light,
|
||||
her rainbow-drinker skin soaking in the pink light and reflecting
|
||||
it back like the inside of a snail’s shell.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: I don’t think Karkat would be such a bad
|
||||
candidate actually. Depending on certain factors I mean.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: I’m assuming that in this theoretical
|
||||
|
@ -82,7 +82,7 @@
|
|||
well-meaning jade-blooded assistant. She talks a little like a
|
||||
parody of a 1920s newsboy archetype, which Rose can only theorize
|
||||
has to do with Jane’s influence on the culture.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">SWIFER: Just tryin’ to get her nice and clean! I
|
||||
heard the New Prospit Hornographer’s coming by later to scope out
|
||||
some pics!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -103,7 +103,7 @@
|
|||
on, then twirls the mop over her wrist with a martial flourish that
|
||||
absolutely recalls the fact that she is from a natural-born warrior
|
||||
species. She then gets to work washing the Mother Grub’s horns.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: What’s this about the Hornographer?</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Since when has the press taken in interest in
|
||||
our activities down here?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -152,7 +152,7 @@
|
|||
of early spring from the mouth of the chasm. Rose closes her eyes
|
||||
for a moment and breathes it in: taken just one minute at a time, a
|
||||
day can be filled with hundreds of perfect moments.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Well Whatever Inconvenient Party Ruining
|
||||
Opinions Dave and Jane Might Have About The Economic Future Of Our
|
||||
Planet Its All In The Past</p>
|
||||
|
@ -202,7 +202,7 @@
|
|||
concert.</p>
|
||||
<p>Swifer is sniffling. She makes the motion of wiping away a tear,
|
||||
somewhat cartoonishly.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">SWIFER: Golly gee oh my. This part always makes
|
||||
me tear up.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -214,7 +214,7 @@
|
|||
like a rock on the outside, but has a layer beneath like mulched
|
||||
flesh. Kanaya’s hands are soaked blue with bloody yolk when she
|
||||
finally lifts the grub and holds it up to the light.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Rose Look</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Rose looks. All troll grubs appear kind of
|
||||
|
@ -222,7 +222,7 @@
|
|||
horns, one crescent, the other harpoon-like. A mussed mane of hair
|
||||
and a mischievous glint in her beady little eyes. Particularly the
|
||||
one with seven pupils.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: ...</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Vriska?</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Pretty Close</p>
|
||||
|
@ -285,7 +285,7 @@
|
|||
her excitement. She leaps into the pit with Kanaya and runs to
|
||||
embrace her, not caring about the irreversible rainbow-colored
|
||||
stains that she’s smearing into her dress.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Oh Kanaya, you’re right.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: We are going to be so astonishingly
|
||||
happy!</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s9'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 9</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: arent you guys happy to get out of the house
|
||||
for once!!!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
|
|||
distance. Karkat is still shielding his eyes against the dying
|
||||
strains of the sunset. His shoulders are scrunched up so high that
|
||||
his cheeks disappear into his turtleneck.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: NO ACTUALLY.</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: I DON’T GET WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT IT. I
|
||||
CAN SEE THE SAME BULLSHIT FROM THE COMFORT OF MY HOUSE.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -113,7 +113,7 @@
|
|||
in between them and uses her Space powers to teleport Dave’s phone
|
||||
out from the center of his traumatized palm and into the pocket of
|
||||
her sweater.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: hey can we focus here?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: jakes ass isnt the one you two should be
|
||||
talking about right now</p>
|
||||
|
@ -129,18 +129,18 @@
|
|||
longer and sharper than a normal human’s, making her grin seem more
|
||||
predatory in nature, especially when she wants it to be. Karkat
|
||||
shivers at the sight of it.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: thats NOT what im talking about...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jade grabs Karkat’s right hand, and then
|
||||
Dave’s left one, and she begins to pull them toward each other.
|
||||
Both boys recoil, but she is much stronger than them.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: jade</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: cmon what are you...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">She’s doing it. She’s making it hapen.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: this is a DATE dummies!</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: NO, STOP!</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: dude</p>
|
||||
|
@ -148,7 +148,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Karkat makes a fist so tight that his nubby
|
||||
fingernails pinch his skin. Dave does the opposite. He makes a flat
|
||||
palm, and raises it as if to stop traffic.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: no..... let me.... show you....</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: you have to... turn it... flipwise!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -165,7 +165,7 @@
|
|||
middle of it, and it’s a work of art. Just what she wants the rest
|
||||
of her life to be. After all, where would these two pitiful beta
|
||||
boys be without her?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: see i dont mind at all!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: i would never try to break up what you two
|
||||
have.... im just trying to make it BETTER!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -175,7 +175,7 @@
|
|||
Karkat up flush against her. Their fingers remain entwined behind
|
||||
her back. She begins walking them down the ridge of the hill,
|
||||
beaming brighter than the first stars in the sky.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: see isnt this perfect?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: it could be like this all the time you
|
||||
know... the three of us in every combination</p>
|
||||
|
@ -190,7 +190,7 @@
|
|||
looking elsewhere that he trips over a rock and is only saved by
|
||||
Jade picking the three of them off the ground as she takes flight.
|
||||
Karkat’s legs flail when his feet go out from under him.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: AUGH! DON’T DO THAT!</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: YOU KNOW I FUCKING HATE THAT!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -203,7 +203,7 @@
|
|||
did with their hands. She does a few quick calculations in her
|
||||
head, refusing to give up on her assumption that relationship
|
||||
issues can be solved the same way math problems can.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: dont worry karkat theres nothing to be scared
|
||||
of...</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: well take care of you... right dave?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -213,7 +213,7 @@
|
|||
cheek. He yelps and leaps away like he’s been scalded by a burning
|
||||
iron, liberating himself from the deeply uncomfortable hug
|
||||
triad.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: OKAY THAT IS IT.</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: I AM DRAWING A FUCKING LINE IN THE SAND
|
||||
RIGHT HERE AND NOW, JADE. YOU WILL CEASE THIS ENDLESS VIOLATION OF
|
||||
|
@ -242,13 +242,13 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jade covers her mouth coquettishly and
|
||||
winks.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: it was.......DAVE!!!!!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Dave turns around, shoulders going rigid, and
|
||||
eyes popping open like he’s just awoken from one of the terrible,
|
||||
sweaty nightmares he was projecting onto his hand earlier.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i what</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: you kissed karkat! finally!!!</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: n</p>
|
||||
|
@ -259,7 +259,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Dave hesitates. Jade is giddy with
|
||||
anticipation. She couldn’t possibly look more pleased by her own
|
||||
handiwork.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i have no idea what youre talking about</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i would never</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: youre wack jade im not</p>
|
||||
|
@ -291,7 +291,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Karkat begins hyperventilating, and
|
||||
momentarily forgets his beef with Jade long enough to lean on her
|
||||
to prevent himself from toppling over.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: youd have to be really careful to like</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i mean if you were INTENDING to kiss
|
||||
karkat</p>
|
||||
|
@ -313,13 +313,13 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Dave’s mouth hangs open a bit. His gaze flits
|
||||
from Karkat to Jade and back again. His palms are wet, but his
|
||||
mouth is dry.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: im not</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i was never</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: were not</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Dave’s mumbling protest slows to a stop.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: actually ya know what</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i dont have time for this</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: peace dudes</p>
|
||||
|
@ -332,7 +332,7 @@
|
|||
ultraviolet that only she can see. It lingers in the unstable
|
||||
particles between the air.</p>
|
||||
<p>She huffs and puts her hands on her hips.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: wow RUDE!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: siiigh. i forget sometimes how immature dave
|
||||
can be</p>
|
||||
|
@ -344,7 +344,7 @@
|
|||
staring at her slack-jawed. He takes a step back, but isn’t
|
||||
watching where he puts his foot. His heel goes into a dip in the
|
||||
hill and he goes stumbling backwards, feet over head.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: AH!! FUCK!!!</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: JADE!!</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: WOULD!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -365,7 +365,7 @@
|
|||
on his face for at least an entire minute. Then he slowly pulls
|
||||
himself to his feet and brushes the brambles off his pants. He
|
||||
points up the hill at Jade and shouts.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: FOR THE RECORD</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: JUST SO WE’RE BOTH CLEAR</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: THIS IS WHY I HATE LEAVING THE *FUCKING
|
||||
|
@ -375,7 +375,7 @@
|
|||
left side of his ass, which unfortunately for him affords nowhere
|
||||
near the level of padding as Jake’s legendary backside. Jade puffs
|
||||
out both of her cheeks and stares after him.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: well i guess im eating grub spaghetti
|
||||
alone</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: *again*!!!</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s1'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 1</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">M</span>eat was
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">M</span>eat was
|
||||
definitely the right choice, you think, as grease drips down your
|
||||
chin. The meat is cold and undercooked, so you have to grab it with
|
||||
both hands while you rend it apart with your incisors. It bursts in
|
||||
|
@ -59,7 +59,7 @@
|
|||
around you and it’s too hot, almost suffocating. You swallow back a
|
||||
mouthful of pungent bile as your eyes swim and lose focus.</p>
|
||||
<p class="Command">> You know what you must do.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i know what i must do.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Of course you know. What kind of guy would you
|
||||
|
@ -67,7 +67,7 @@
|
|||
capable of completing the grim task? A pretty shitty one, who just
|
||||
sneezed up a chunk of raw meat in front of a girl you used to have
|
||||
a gigantic crush on.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i have to go back and kill lord english.</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: u sure?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i think so. it will probably be hard. but i
|
||||
|
@ -80,7 +80,7 @@
|
|||
as usual. Calliope looks... well, her face is a permanently
|
||||
grinning skull. You’ll be damned if you know what’s on her mind
|
||||
either.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: i understand</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">No one says anything for some time. A pleasant
|
||||
|
@ -89,7 +89,7 @@
|
|||
to stare at you with beady-eyed fascination. The front of your
|
||||
shirt is stained with dark, slimy patches from the meat. Christ,
|
||||
why did you have to eat that meat like such a slob?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: so, is that it?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: should i, uh... get going?</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: if this is yoUr decision, then
|
||||
|
@ -100,7 +100,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Calliope closes up the picnic basket and
|
||||
stands. Roxy follows, taking Calliope’s hand in hers again.</p>
|
||||
<p class="Command">> Say goodbye?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: ok then.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: umm...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: thanks for inviting me to this picnic.</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s10'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 10</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">J</span>ane
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">J</span>ane
|
||||
Crocker sweeps into her office with grace befitting her station and
|
||||
slams the door shut behind her. The sun cuts through her venetian
|
||||
blinds, painting butter-yellow strips of light all the way from one
|
||||
|
@ -132,18 +132,18 @@
|
|||
thought that used to rule her world and make her so terribly weak.
|
||||
The shameful thought is expressed out loud in the form of a
|
||||
defeated sigh.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: I need Jake.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">She spins around and, still sitting on her
|
||||
desk, presses a familiar entry on her phone’s contact list.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Ahoy ahoy!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jane has to suck in a hard breath to stop
|
||||
herself from groaning. Why were so many of the finest young minds
|
||||
on this planet slaves to this foolish man’s perky glutes?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Jake! Hello, how are you doing?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: As well as can be i suppose considering that
|
||||
i just woke up in the middle of a mafficking ruckus at the stadium
|
||||
|
@ -165,7 +165,7 @@
|
|||
strategy with Dirk, he seems to be perfectly aware of this feature
|
||||
of Jake’s personality. You can’t be too nice when courting his
|
||||
endorsement, Dirk would say. He doesn’t respond to nice.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Be that as it may, Jake, I still do worry
|
||||
about you an awful lot.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Well that is...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -174,7 +174,7 @@
|
|||
followed by a noise that sounds suspiciously like something big and
|
||||
hollow and metal connecting with Jake’s head. When Jake comes back
|
||||
to the phone, he’s yelling into it. Jane grimaces.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: ...very sweet of you jane! I appreciate very
|
||||
much that you have called me out of the blue to say such nice
|
||||
things to me with no ulterior motive!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -183,7 +183,7 @@
|
|||
portentous statement. However, Jane knows that Jake English could
|
||||
not have possibly meant this with anything but the utmost
|
||||
sincerity.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Well, you know that I—</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Because i must note that although i try to
|
||||
stay sporting about what comes at me, i cant say that i am chuffed
|
||||
|
@ -205,7 +205,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jake is quiet a moment, and Jane can hear the
|
||||
rusty gears turning in his head.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: You should stop by to see me this
|
||||
evening!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Do you mean my evening or yours? Were in
|
||||
|
@ -218,7 +218,7 @@
|
|||
every category that you could possibly love a person, but sometimes
|
||||
talking to him is like trying to build a house of cards while
|
||||
riding a mechanical bull.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Mine, of course! I’ll have the best year of
|
||||
your favorite crocodile-made scotch flown in from the Consort
|
||||
Kingdom and we’ll have a little catch-up.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -230,7 +230,7 @@
|
|||
watch her old friend pretend to sip at the same glass for a couple
|
||||
of hours while prattling on.</p>
|
||||
<p>And she’s willing to do more than that, too.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: When’s the last time we’ve done that, just
|
||||
you and I?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: You know what? Youre quite right. Its been a
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s11'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 11</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">T</span>hat’s
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">T</span>hat’s
|
||||
that, you think. Your glasses are broken forever, and you totally
|
||||
fucked up and underestimated young Lord English. Rose should have
|
||||
known better than to trust this to you alone.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -40,13 +40,13 @@
|
|||
around, you realize there is no apparent source to all this bright
|
||||
light, making it hard to tell where the floor ends and the walls
|
||||
begin.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: John? John? Are you there?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Her voice is muffled, coming from what you
|
||||
presume to be an adjacent room similar to yours on the other side
|
||||
of the wall.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: yeah, i’m here.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Oh, thank goodness. Everyone’s accounted for
|
||||
then. Are you okay?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -57,7 +57,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">You can hear a thud from Rose’s corner, like
|
||||
someone slumping against the wall in relief. Well, that’s what
|
||||
you’re doing at least.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: —ay?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: yeah im fine too but this is</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: uh</p>
|
||||
|
@ -75,7 +75,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">The noise outside the juju grows. Something
|
||||
sharp and metallic splinters above and rains down on the top of the
|
||||
chest.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: What did my future self say it was we had to
|
||||
do?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: erm... she never rea—</p>
|
||||
|
@ -91,13 +91,13 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">The metallic noises rain down harder, drowning
|
||||
out Rose’s attempt at being loud.</p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">PLINK, PLINK, SMASH.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: NOW I CAN’T HEAR YOU!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: TRY USING LESS WORDS</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">The length of the silence coming from Rose’s
|
||||
corner communicates just how difficult a task that is for her.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: SHE SAID THE JUJU WOULD GET LOADED AND
|
||||
UNLOADED.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: WHAT?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -191,7 +191,7 @@
|
|||
<p>Another arbitrary thought hits your brain, completely unrelated
|
||||
to the subject of Terezi, or what you would or wouldn’t tell a
|
||||
bunch of incarcerated teens, or so you think.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: am i... depressed??</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">You ask aloud, quietly enough that your
|
||||
|
@ -218,7 +218,7 @@
|
|||
eagerly greets you again. Like an old friend ready to pat you on
|
||||
the back and say, good try man. I’ll always be here for you, when
|
||||
you fail. Thanks dude, you think.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: ROSE WAS RIGHT.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: WHAT?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: THE JUJU HAS TO UNLOAD.</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s12'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 12</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: so we gotta hit jane right in her neoliberal
|
||||
austerity measures were all agreed on that right</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: UH HUH.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -95,7 +95,7 @@
|
|||
JPEG artifacts.</p>
|
||||
<p>Everyone in this room knows each other way too well, so what
|
||||
happens next goes a little like clockwork.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: UHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Says Karkat, for like thirty seconds straight
|
||||
|
@ -108,7 +108,7 @@
|
|||
artifacts and all, with the grace and proficiency of a man who has
|
||||
diffused an awkward situation in his own household many times per
|
||||
day, every day, for many years.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: anyway we all know the real issue is troll
|
||||
reproduction</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: this election season is gonna be so jacked up
|
||||
|
@ -179,7 +179,7 @@
|
|||
cellophane. He is the only person who can’t see through it.</p>
|
||||
<p>Jade does some calculations in her head. Two kinds of
|
||||
calculations, in fact: mathematical ones and personal ones.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: soooooo</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: do you want a projection of her first years
|
||||
hit on the economy down to the decimal with a 0.3% margin of
|
||||
|
@ -208,7 +208,7 @@
|
|||
make her eyes look anime-huge. They might literally be glittering,
|
||||
she’s so completely serious about the issue she is trying to
|
||||
stress.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: so now that thats all out of the way</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: its time to get real you two</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i</p>
|
||||
|
@ -280,14 +280,14 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jade faceplams. She does it a little too hard
|
||||
and slams the bridge of her glasses into her forehead.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: ow!</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: ANYWAY WEREN’T YOU... DATING THAT
|
||||
CARAPACIAN COUPLE? LAST TIME WE CHECKED?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jade drags her hand down the bottom half of
|
||||
her face and sighs.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: yeah for FUN</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: im twenty three dont you think thats a little
|
||||
old to still be dating for fun</p>
|
||||
|
@ -299,13 +299,13 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jade sighs and crawls closer. She takes one of
|
||||
Karkat’s hands in hers.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: i think wed all work good together</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">In her other hand, she tries to grab Dave’s
|
||||
wrist, but he flash-steps to the other side of the couch. She pouts
|
||||
at him and keeps holding Karkat’s increasingly sweaty palm.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: and i think weve been dancing around that for
|
||||
years now</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: i wanna try dating for real</p>
|
||||
|
@ -323,7 +323,7 @@
|
|||
considering the history between them and the sheer level of black
|
||||
flirtation that Karkat accidentally indulged in during his insecure
|
||||
youth. He doesn’t even pull his hand away.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: ok first of all dont slut shame me
|
||||
fuckass</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: second of all thats what im trying to do
|
||||
|
@ -347,7 +347,7 @@
|
|||
has Jade messing with her glasses again so that she can peer right
|
||||
at him and apply some more of that faulty personal math to his
|
||||
facial expression.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: dave......</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: what</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: is this...........</p>
|
||||
|
@ -409,21 +409,21 @@
|
|||
permanently sworn off playing board games with them.</p>
|
||||
<p>The moment Jade brings the paint program up on the television,
|
||||
Karkat stops laughing.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: NO!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">He tries to grab the tablet from her, but
|
||||
she’s hovering well above the ground and he simply is not tall
|
||||
enough to reach. With a shit-eating grin and deliberate care, Jade
|
||||
begins to draw a grid.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: ill put this in terms karkat will appreciate,
|
||||
check it out</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: JADE, I SWEAR TO...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Karkat jumps and tries to grab her skirt, but
|
||||
she swims through the air with ease, giggling as she doodles.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: YOU BETTER NOT BE DRAWING WHAT I THINK
|
||||
YOU’RE DRAWING!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -433,7 +433,7 @@
|
|||
room right now. She gives Karkat a pair of fuzzy, angry eyebrows
|
||||
and starts drawing other lines. Sinister lines, with salacious
|
||||
meaning. It’s exactly what Karkat fears: a shipping grid.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: STOP! CEASE! DESIST THIS MOMENT! DO NOT
|
||||
DRAW ONE MORE LINE!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: oh nooo im drawing a line karkat better stop
|
||||
|
@ -444,7 +444,7 @@
|
|||
tries to wrestle the pen out of her hand, but all he accomplishes
|
||||
is turning the redrom trajectory between her and Dave into a redrom
|
||||
loop-de-loop.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: see me and karkat have great black
|
||||
chemistry!</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: IT IS NOT BLACK CHEMISTRY YOU HORRID
|
||||
|
@ -455,12 +455,12 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">for his trouble. Jade comes out on top and
|
||||
sits on his back, humming to herself as she crafts her grand
|
||||
design.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: and now that daves all chill hed make a great
|
||||
auspistice</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">She says, cheerful and oblivious.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: no</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: because you and karkat are kind of like
|
||||
moirails</p>
|
||||
|
@ -475,7 +475,7 @@
|
|||
fills the entire room with red light. Karkat raises his face and
|
||||
stares at it in utterly bereft horror. The sick light makes the
|
||||
bags under his eyes look like divots.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: in this model..........</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: troll quadrants are dumb so we ALL kiss!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: i call this political arrangement:</p>
|
||||
|
@ -486,7 +486,7 @@
|
|||
Dave has just crossed his arms and pressed his mouth into a thinner
|
||||
line than usual. Jade’s ears flatten and she huffs. It sounds a
|
||||
little like a dog whining.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: oh come on that was a good one!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: its politically relevant and everything</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: jade im not gonna laugh at your made up ship
|
||||
|
@ -497,7 +497,7 @@
|
|||
catch his very expensive computing device in both arms. The pen
|
||||
bounces off his forehead. Jade dismounts from Karkat’s poor,
|
||||
abused, terribly mortal spine and brushes down her skirt.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: well ive said what i wanted to say</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: its up to you two what you do with it</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: i have to go talk to roxy and callie about
|
||||
|
@ -515,7 +515,7 @@
|
|||
both stare after her, silently caught in their own private
|
||||
rationalization spirals.</p>
|
||||
<p>Karkat needs to verbalize part of his out loud.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: WOW WHAT A CRAZY AND TOTALLY IMPROBABLE
|
||||
CONVERSATION WE JUST HAD WITH OUR BEST FRIEND JADE.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: y...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -529,7 +529,7 @@
|
|||
When their palms connect, there’s a moment where something could
|
||||
happen. A little spark of potential. It would be so very easy for
|
||||
something to happen.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: ...........</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: ..........</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: WANNA PLAY SOME TROLL TONY HAWK?</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,7 +25,7 @@
|
|||
<div id='s13'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 13</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="Command">> Be John again.</p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">It seems as if you’re attempting to be John
|
||||
again, with the expectation that we might spend a little more
|
||||
|
@ -86,7 +86,7 @@
|
|||
apologize to her, <em>o8viously</em>, but in retrospect maybe her
|
||||
accessorizing wasn’t so bad. At least she understood the basics of
|
||||
having a simplified silhouette.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="feferi">MEENAH: im goin back fin</p>
|
||||
<p class="feferi">MEENAH: you comin vris</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: Of course!!!!!!!!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -117,7 +117,7 @@
|
|||
still standing though, and laughing. That’s what you were doing
|
||||
when Lord English put a split in the fabric of reality. You were
|
||||
<em>laughing</em>, not crying. It doesn’t hurt at all.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="tavros">TAVROS: vRISKA,,, aRE YOU OKAY?</p>
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: Shhut up!!!!!!!! I’m... I’m</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -138,7 +138,7 @@
|
|||
the dark maw of infinity. You wipe your bloody hand on the leg of
|
||||
your jeans and sneer with rage. You won’t go down so easily.</p>
|
||||
<p>Tavros tries to steady you, but you slap his hand away.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="vriska">VRISKA: Fuck 8ff!!!!!!!!</p>
|
||||
<p class="tavros">TAVROS: uHHH OKAY, iT LOOKS REALLY,,, kINDA,,,
|
||||
eXTREMELY BAD,,,,,,, tHOUGH,</p>
|
||||
|
@ -195,7 +195,7 @@
|
|||
<em>ending</em> for you—finally you lose all sense of composure.
|
||||
You flail, spin, and flip in helpless little circles like a bloody
|
||||
rag doll, and you begin to scream.</p>
|
||||
<p>—</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small weight-bold">—</div>
|
||||
<p class="Command">> JOHN: Emerge from the juju.</p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">The first thing you hear is a tiny scream
|
||||
getting sucked into oblivion. The voice is familiar, but not as
|
||||
|
@ -204,7 +204,7 @@
|
|||
<p>It’s not just a crack in your ears. This crack goes all the way
|
||||
down your spine. You almost don’t react to it because it’s so
|
||||
familiar. Around you, a cacophony rises up like steam.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: oh shit</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: its really popping off out here</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s14'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 14</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">J</span>ake yawns
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">J</span>ake yawns
|
||||
and knocks on the window to Jane’s office again. For some reason
|
||||
Jane has the shades pulled shut all the way around, so he’s been
|
||||
hovering here for way too long in his best tie and his best pair of
|
||||
|
@ -40,12 +40,12 @@
|
|||
of silk-lined venetian blind to glower at Jake, who is hovering
|
||||
uselessly in the air. <em>Use the front door</em>, she mouths at
|
||||
him. But he responds with his specialty: incomprehension.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Im sorry... what?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">The exasperated hand motions Jane tries next
|
||||
work better.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Oh! The front door, of course!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jake flies down to the street so that he can
|
||||
|
@ -67,7 +67,7 @@
|
|||
hem. Jake’s bow tie practically spins at the sight of it. He
|
||||
freezes on the spot, an animal in the predatorial headlights of
|
||||
this buxom blue businesswoman.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Come have a glass of scotch with me Jake. We
|
||||
have so much to discuss.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: I-indeed.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -75,7 +75,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">He crosses the office and shakily accepts the
|
||||
offered glass of ludicrously expensive fermented barley grain. He
|
||||
raises it to his nose and pretends to sample the scent.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Jane i must say that is a very striking
|
||||
ensemble.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Oh, you like it? Why don’t you...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -90,7 +90,7 @@
|
|||
brand-new sexy dress with quite an ungentlemanly fountain of boozy
|
||||
spittle. Jane is lashed both by the scotch in her face and how
|
||||
quickly her plan has fallen apart.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Jake!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Bejabbers!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Oh no, all over my new dress...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -109,7 +109,7 @@
|
|||
that is going on right now. Some of Jake’s scotchy slobber is on
|
||||
her glasses, which is not the place she was planning on having it
|
||||
tonight.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Is this why you wanted to see me? To show off
|
||||
uh... this proper bit of frock?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Oh, no, of course not. I just wanted
|
||||
|
@ -120,7 +120,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jake doesn’t care about the economy. But he’s
|
||||
an ardent supporter of changing the subject.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Ah, it’s doing quite well right now
|
||||
actually.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: I should hope so!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -134,7 +134,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jane laughs quite sincerely as he ruffles his
|
||||
jacket through her hair.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Oh, Jake, you really have no idea what’s
|
||||
going on, do you?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Wait is this...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -146,7 +146,7 @@
|
|||
directs him to one of the couches that line her office. They
|
||||
stumble there, his jacket and hands still wrapped around her
|
||||
shoulders.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: I’m sure you’ve had an earful about the
|
||||
election already.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: I apologize. You must understand that my mind
|
||||
|
@ -173,7 +173,7 @@
|
|||
versions of themselves? Jane absently rubs the narrow strap of her
|
||||
dress between two fingers, vainly attempting to sort out her
|
||||
jumbled thoughts.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: That’s an earful jane.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: I know. It’s a head-full too.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: I can’t help but worry...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -187,7 +187,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Jane pulls a leg up beneath her, which slides
|
||||
her bare knee between Jake’s. The couch dips a bit under their
|
||||
weight.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: I must admit i never thought of it that
|
||||
way.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: I know.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -197,7 +197,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jake blinks, his eyes wet and glossy beneath
|
||||
his spectacles.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Ah. Well... I suppose that i miss you too
|
||||
jane.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -272,13 +272,13 @@
|
|||
When a heart like that opens up to you, it opens up the whole world
|
||||
as well. A world of increased appreciation for combat, philosophy,
|
||||
life, love...</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Yelp!!!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jake yelps and rolls off the couch in such a
|
||||
panic that he almost takes Jane with him. She flies to her feet,
|
||||
startled, breathing fast, and readjusts her disheveled clothes.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Jake?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Are you... quite okay?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: I</p>
|
||||
|
@ -291,7 +291,7 @@
|
|||
kicking open the latch to one of Jane’s giant windows and letting
|
||||
himself out.</p>
|
||||
<p>He’s got a lot of things to think about, apparently.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: What the...</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Everliving <em>fuck!</em></p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -300,7 +300,7 @@
|
|||
back over her shoulder. Then she closes the window, sits in her CEO
|
||||
chair and speed-dials the number for her one-man Kitchen
|
||||
Cabinet.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Yo, what up?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Not Jake, apparently.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Wow. Going straight for the double entendre,
|
||||
|
@ -325,7 +325,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jane squeezes her eyes shut and, very softly
|
||||
and quietly, bumps her head against the edge of her desk.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Why do I feel as if we’ve had this exact
|
||||
conversation, almost word for word, before?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Because we have. Many times.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -340,7 +340,7 @@
|
|||
laughs at that. There’s a sardonic twist in Dirk’s voice that
|
||||
intentionally recalls every time he’s ever fucked up. But it
|
||||
satisfies Jane nevertheless. She knows that he won’t fail her.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Fine. Please call me later so that we may
|
||||
strategize.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: And also because I could use some emotional
|
||||
|
@ -358,7 +358,7 @@
|
|||
falling across in her face at an angle that bisects her perfectly
|
||||
neutral expression. Dirk sets down his phone and acknowledges her
|
||||
with a nod.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Well,</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Go on.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,7 +25,7 @@
|
|||
<div id='s15'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 15</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="Command">> John: Fight Lord English.</p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">All around you is pandemonium, a
|
||||
multichromatic cyclone of shrieks and clashing colors, as Meenah’s
|
||||
|
@ -70,7 +70,7 @@
|
|||
distortions behind him that look, if you don’t squint, a lot like
|
||||
JPEG artifacts. Jade’s got her favorite gun cocked and ready, with
|
||||
her ears perked up.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: lets DO this!!!!</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Don’t get overconfident.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: We have to do it exactly like we discussed.
|
||||
|
@ -86,7 +86,7 @@
|
|||
drifting apart like a handful of salt tossed out to sea. You can
|
||||
almost hear the cosmic clock counting down, tick tock, and a chime
|
||||
to accompany her fate: <em>Heroic</em>.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: rose!!!! no!!!!!!!!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jade doesn’t wait to fire. Space splinters
|
||||
|
@ -153,7 +153,7 @@
|
|||
gigantic CRUNCH. And then another. And another. It sounds like a
|
||||
cereal commercial is playing outside the periphery of your
|
||||
vision.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: dave!</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: what</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: is lord english... eating my hammer?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -167,7 +167,7 @@
|
|||
ghosts. You land clumsily, palms first, and do an accidental
|
||||
handspring right into a bunch of alternate timeline trolls you
|
||||
don’t recognize.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: uh, hey guys. anyone see a pair of glasses
|
||||
down here? it’s pretty important.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -181,7 +181,7 @@
|
|||
space. Before the leg hits you, a troll leaps into action and
|
||||
blocks the blow. Her trident makes a satisfying ring off the round
|
||||
of the peg and sends it skidding backward.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: woah, that was a close one!</p>
|
||||
<p class="feferi">MEENAH: shell of time to finally show up</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: sorry, we were kinda busy!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -231,7 +231,7 @@
|
|||
masticated Wrinklefucker, shrug, and toss it into the hole.</p>
|
||||
<p>Glancing back down toward your foe, you notice Meenah still
|
||||
appears to be hanging on, clinging to his left suspender.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="feferi">MEENAH: yo hold on</p>
|
||||
<p class="feferi">MEENAH: goin in for the krill</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -253,13 +253,13 @@
|
|||
hammer-snack, seems to have bought Dave just enough wiggle room to
|
||||
slip out from under the foot, regain his composure, and draw his
|
||||
sword.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: john i need a little...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Dave ducks a wide blow from English’s swinging
|
||||
fist. He backs up nervously, holding his sword out in front of him
|
||||
with two shaking hands.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: anything</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i need a little anything right now</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: literally any stupid fucking thing you can
|
||||
|
@ -281,26 +281,26 @@
|
|||
implement, and begin your advance.</p>
|
||||
<p>However, you’re interrupted by a voice screaming out from behind
|
||||
you. It’s half familiar, half... cat?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="davepetasprite">DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < <span class="davepetasprite-dialogue">waaaaaaaaaaaait</span></p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">You whip your head around just in time to see
|
||||
a bolt of orange-and-green energy racing by you like a bullet. It
|
||||
slams into Lord English and sends him stumbling.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="davepetasprite">DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < <span class="davepetasprite-dialogue">im back</span></p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Dave stands there with his sword, absolutely
|
||||
agog, his expression perfectly reflecting a blend of horror and the
|
||||
total inability to process who or what he is looking at.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="davepetasprite">DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < <span class="davepetasprite-dialogue">dude i cant believe you dont recognize
|
||||
me</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="davepetasprite">DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < <span class="davepetasprite-dialogue">its me davesprite</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="davepetasprite">DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < <span class="davepetasprite-dialogue">and also nepeta?</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="davepetasprite">DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < <span class="davepetasprite-dialogue">now were called
|
||||
davepetasprite^2</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="davepetasprite">DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < <span class="davepedtasprite-dialogue">we purrmenantly merged forms and worked out all our shit!</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="davepetasprite">DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < <span class="davepetasprite-dialogue">we purrmenantly merged forms and worked out all our shit!</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: oh</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: well that sounds fucked up but ok</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -316,9 +316,9 @@
|
|||
opening new voids where they land. Above the bedlam, Davepeta is
|
||||
finishing up an inspiring speech. You realize you tuned most of it
|
||||
out due to the surrounding chaos.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<p class="davepetasprite">DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < <span class="davepedtasprite-dialogue">i know it looks pawful right now but we can do it</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="davepetasprite">DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < <span class="davepedtasprite-dialogue">in fact were literally the only ones who can do it</span></p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="davepetasprite">DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < <span class="davepetasprite-dialogue">i know it looks pawful right now but we can do it</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="davepetasprite">DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < <span class="davepetasprite-dialogue">in fact were literally the only ones who can do it</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="davepetasprite">DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < <span class="davepetasprite-dialogue">after all</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="davepetasprite">DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < <span class="davepetasprite-dialogue">it is our destiny B33</span></p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -352,7 +352,7 @@
|
|||
gluttonous display you won’t soon forget. You realize you seem to
|
||||
be stuck in a cycle and are in serious danger of running out of
|
||||
hammers.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: dave...cat sprite thing! help!</p>
|
||||
<p class="davepetasprite">DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < <span class="davepetasprite-dialogue">coming bro</span></p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -362,7 +362,7 @@
|
|||
Vrillyhoo undercut to his jaw.</p>
|
||||
<p>On the snapback, Lord English grabs the head of the hammer in
|
||||
his mouth.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: oh no. not again... you...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: big, ugly oaf!</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i really, REALLY like this hammer!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -383,7 +383,7 @@
|
|||
one gulp. Vrillyhoo is in his stomach, and you’re following it down
|
||||
quicker than you can even process. Is this the end? No, you think.
|
||||
This is such an unfairly <em>stupid</em> fucking way to die!</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="davepetasprite">DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < <span class="davepetasprite-dialogue">john!!</span></p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Davepeta flashes behind you and hooks their
|
||||
|
@ -401,12 +401,12 @@
|
|||
long it was. But it was long enough for Davepeta to get you out of
|
||||
Lord English’s mouth. You can see their face floating above you.
|
||||
They’re just a smudge of neon swimming in a sea of chaos.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="davepetasprite">DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < <span class="davepetasprite-dialogue">wrow you almost got vored to
|
||||
death</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: what?</p>
|
||||
<p class="davepetasprite">DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < <span class="davepedtasprite-dialogue">im afuraid to say that you look like total shit my dude</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="davepetasprite">DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < <span class="davepedtasprite-dialogue">you should stay here while we wind this bitch down</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="davepetasprite">DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < <span class="davepetasprite-dialogue">im afuraid to say that you look like total shit my dude</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="davepetasprite">DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < <span class="davepetasprite-dialogue">you should stay here while we wind this bitch down</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="davepetasprite">DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < <span class="davepetasprite-dialogue">purromeows me you wont move</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i... purromeows?</p>
|
||||
<p class="davepetasprite">DAVEPETASPRITE^2: B33 < <span class="davepetasprite-dialogue">oh hehe</span></p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s16'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 16</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: When I was a child, I wrote a novel.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Rose is speaking with her eyes closed. She is
|
||||
|
@ -35,14 +35,14 @@
|
|||
Sawtooth 3.1. The energy humming inside its mechanical heart warms
|
||||
her palms. Dirk snorts, but in a good-natured sort of way. That’s
|
||||
the closest he usually gets to laughing.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Another one of those Lalonde childhood wizard
|
||||
fics, I presume?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">He leans his elbow on the table and stares at
|
||||
her over the rims of his shades. The weight of Dirk’s scrutiny is
|
||||
potent. She looks away.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Complacency of the Learned.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Ah. <em>The</em> wizard fic, then.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Yes.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -60,7 +60,7 @@
|
|||
passes in front of the window. With the sunset behind her she’s a
|
||||
shadow ringed in yellow light that turns white at the tips of her
|
||||
hair.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Though I must say, in defense of Young Rose’s
|
||||
literary integrity,</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Having carefully studied all volumes of the
|
||||
|
@ -76,7 +76,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Hmm.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">She turns to look at him.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: For all its plainly evident amateurism as the
|
||||
literary product of a child, I’ve come to believe it’s a much
|
||||
stronger work standing alone as a single volume, its meaning and
|
||||
|
@ -110,7 +110,7 @@
|
|||
into a halo that is suspended in the air for a moment, trailing
|
||||
spiderwebs of gold that dissolve into dust. She’s smirking now,
|
||||
just a little.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: ...en<em>light</em>ened.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: That sucked.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Yes.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -147,7 +147,7 @@
|
|||
him—probably without thinking about it, Dirk imagines, because
|
||||
neither of them really “do” that—he doesn’t pull away. If it’s her,
|
||||
it’s all right. He won’t begrudge her a small weakness now.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: You describe this as a fact of numerological
|
||||
significance.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Which makes it seem you suspect these
|
||||
|
@ -167,7 +167,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Rose looks up to Dirk with the ghost of a
|
||||
smile that she inherited from him. On her face, its blankness is as
|
||||
enigmatic as the Mona Lisa’s.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Could it be that it is <em>you</em> who is
|
||||
smacking of bullshit, dear father?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Nah, I smack of many admirable qualities, as
|
||||
|
@ -177,7 +177,7 @@
|
|||
return, but her gaze lingers. She stares into his shades as if
|
||||
convinced she could see past them. Dirk allows their eyes to
|
||||
meet.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: I’m just saying it’s all evidence of a grand
|
||||
design. An immortal, metatextual apparatus beyond our ken that we
|
||||
can only catch glimpses of when we’re proverbially shitting our
|
||||
|
@ -188,7 +188,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Which is precisely my question.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Her gaze drifts towards the ceiling.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: In my story, all twelve of the disciples fell
|
||||
victim to the vagaries of power.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: They were filled with the light of knowledge
|
||||
|
@ -202,7 +202,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">She shoots him a <span class="Standard-Text CharOverride-14">look.</span></p>
|
||||
<p>It’s the kind of look Kanaya gives her sometimes.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Only a few?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: I mean, some of us have stopped using our
|
||||
powers completely. Not a whole lot of need for emergency
|
||||
|
@ -221,7 +221,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="rose">ROSE: In that case...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Rose sways suddenly.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: In that case, perhaps Terezi had the right
|
||||
idea.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Getting away from this place, I mean.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -242,7 +242,7 @@
|
|||
on the floor to save her energy. She’s mostly composed when she
|
||||
raises her head. There’s bitter laughter at the edge of her
|
||||
words.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: How... How are you handling this so well?</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: I assumed it was just that feigned Strider
|
||||
Stoicism, but you seem to be taking this...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -256,7 +256,7 @@
|
|||
floor. He looks very together. He says the word “crazy” with the
|
||||
same intonation with which he might say “good morning.” It’s hard
|
||||
to believe he means it at all.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: But I’ve got more practice at this than you
|
||||
do. I spent most of my life before the game multitasking my entire
|
||||
fucking subconscious. I’ve had several times my age on paper to
|
||||
|
@ -270,7 +270,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Rose wraps her hands around her upper arms
|
||||
like there’s a winter chill rattling through the workshop. She
|
||||
shivers.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: It’s not the headaches that concern me
|
||||
most.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: In fact, I don’t think it’s the expansion of
|
||||
|
@ -300,13 +300,13 @@
|
|||
of her, curls a knuckle under her chin, and lifts her face up to
|
||||
his level. Then, in a deliberate motion, he pulls off his
|
||||
shades.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: I understand completely.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Rose’s eyelids flutter, heavy. She meets the
|
||||
intensity of his naked gaze aloofly, like she’s not aware this is
|
||||
the first time he’s ever let her see it.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Hm?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: I know I sound pretty nonchalant most of the
|
||||
time, but actually I’m scared shitless of myself.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -328,7 +328,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Rose laughs softly. She’s not scared of this
|
||||
abyss she’s staring into at all. She doesn’t even think to look
|
||||
away.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: There’s really not an inch of humility in
|
||||
you, is there.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: I’ve just spent a lot of time in my own
|
||||
|
@ -346,7 +346,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Rose’s eyes have grown distant, almost
|
||||
mirrorlike. Dirk can see himself reflected in her vacant stare.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: All the pieces in their place.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: The mechanisms all running smoothly.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s17'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 17</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">N</span>one of my
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">N</span>one of my
|
||||
friends have noticed it yet, but you have. You have the ability to
|
||||
read between the lines, to understand that our lives are blighted
|
||||
by this undercurrent of subtext, of <em>narrative
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,9 +25,9 @@
|
|||
<div id='s18'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 18</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">Y</span>ou wake up.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">Y</span>ou wake up.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: wh-what?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">You open your eyes. Actually, you’re not
|
||||
|
@ -56,7 +56,7 @@
|
|||
like absolute shit right now, my man. In fact, you really should
|
||||
strongly consider issuing an apology for the mess you’re
|
||||
making.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i’m...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i’m sorry.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -71,13 +71,13 @@
|
|||
Cat Dave, and hundreds of ghosts, who all valiantly contributed to
|
||||
a victory which you’re only now beginning to question the
|
||||
functional necessity of.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: functional... necessity?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: that... that doesn’t sound like something i
|
||||
would think.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">That’s because it’s not.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: what the fuck...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">You’ve finally noticed.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -94,7 +94,7 @@
|
|||
you’ll bleed to death pretty much instantly. On the other hand, the
|
||||
tooth is poisoned. So you’re pretty much fucked either way, and
|
||||
that’s really all there is to say on the matter.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: sigh.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">You sigh in painful resignation, and
|
||||
|
@ -110,7 +110,7 @@
|
|||
singularity. How about Jade though? She could still be out there
|
||||
somewhere, injured, alone, scared. And it’s your fault, isn’t
|
||||
it?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: it’s...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: it’s all my fault.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -118,7 +118,7 @@
|
|||
you feel, you should look around first before you leave. You were
|
||||
the one who dragged her here. You owe her at least that much. Plus,
|
||||
there’s someone else on your mind, isn’t there?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: ...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">You proceed to wander for a long fucking
|
||||
|
@ -133,7 +133,7 @@
|
|||
miss it.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">There. Eleven o’clock. Do you see it? It’s that
|
||||
tiny dot floating over there.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: huh?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">You scramble to catch it before it drifts
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s19'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 19</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">A</span>nyway,
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">A</span>nyway,
|
||||
back to the B Plot.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">Right about now, Jade should be wrapping up her
|
||||
political presentation to Roxy and Calliope, using a lot more
|
||||
|
@ -36,14 +36,14 @@
|
|||
flightiness and the kind of legit, down-to-earth cred that can only
|
||||
be earned by having done something like cutting open your own
|
||||
grandfather and stuffing him full of polyurethane foam.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: so you see janes neoliberal austerity
|
||||
measures—</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Roxy groans upon hearing the phrase
|
||||
“neoliberal austerity measures” for no less than the third time in
|
||||
this presentation.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: as i outlined here in graph b-2</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: and here in figure a-6</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: and here!!! in this very spooky drawing i
|
||||
|
@ -78,12 +78,12 @@
|
|||
She spins them around her, gliding her hands through the air like a
|
||||
conductor, before folding the pages together and shrinking them to
|
||||
pocket size.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: and!!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: that’s my pitch!!!!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Roxy and Calliope exchange a look.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: i’m...</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: going to get Us tea and snacks. woUld
|
||||
yoU like some, jade?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -98,7 +98,7 @@
|
|||
to disguise the fact that she is in fact fleeing. Jade deflates as
|
||||
she watches her go, sensing that her presentation wasn’t the slam
|
||||
dunk she was hoping for.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: soooo..........</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: what do you think?</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: hmmmm</p>
|
||||
|
@ -134,13 +134,13 @@
|
|||
<p class="dirk">Jade drifts down to sit cross-legged on the couch
|
||||
beside Roxy. She stares at her with a doggish expression—eyes wide,
|
||||
head lolling to the side—until she gets an answer.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: i just dont rly</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: care about politics that much i guess</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Roxy turns to face Jade again, smiling
|
||||
apologetically.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: also this election is all kinds of
|
||||
personal</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: i mean if i came into ur house and asked u to
|
||||
|
@ -166,7 +166,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Roxy frowns. Jade is being pretty
|
||||
unfair.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: *fragile*</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: shes gotta be miss perfect all the time for
|
||||
the billboards n press meetings</p>
|
||||
|
@ -198,12 +198,12 @@
|
|||
as I can tell. She still wears her heart on her sleeve. But the
|
||||
bottom line remains: Roxy Lalonde is still utterly fucking
|
||||
inscrutable.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: well janes not perfect</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Roxy shrugs and runs a hand through her
|
||||
hair, which has been recently cut shorter than usual.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: and idk if shell be a good president</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: but shes not betty crocker</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: and i luv her and i dont wanna hurt her
|
||||
|
@ -214,7 +214,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Calliope returns from the kitchen with
|
||||
three cups, a handmade teapot, and some candied cakes. Jade finally
|
||||
relents.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: fiiiiine</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: i understand</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: callie what about you?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -223,7 +223,7 @@
|
|||
brushes Jade’s skirt aside so she can sit down. She puts a claw to
|
||||
her mouth and makes a facial expression more complicated than you’d
|
||||
think a skull would be capable of.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: oh, i’d rather stay Uninvolved, thank
|
||||
yoU.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: :(</p>
|
||||
|
@ -240,13 +240,13 @@
|
|||
she still can’t believe that she has so many friends. She smiles at
|
||||
Jade, and Jade smiles back. The tea tastes great. The cakes are
|
||||
even better. Callie’s an artist in everything she does.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: wow callie youre such an amazing hostess!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: hehehe roxy youre so lucky to have her</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Roxy giggles. Awkwardly. She gives Jade a
|
||||
gentle jostle, an elbow to the ribs, and lowers her voice.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: psst not “her,” “them”</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: oh</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -254,11 +254,11 @@
|
|||
wide-eyed look to Calliope, who is still smiling politely. She
|
||||
realizes, a bit too late, the profoundly insensitive nature of her
|
||||
social misstep.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: oh!!!!!!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">She grabs one of Calliope’s hands.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: oh wow!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: im sorry i didnt mean to be uh... culturally
|
||||
insensitive?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -277,7 +277,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Roxy pauses, even though the lilt of her
|
||||
voice makes the sentence sound unfinished. She stutters the next
|
||||
part out.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: m-me too actually</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: you??</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: o yeah we are both a “they” household now</p>
|
||||
|
@ -286,7 +286,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Wait.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">What?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: really?</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: yup</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: well</p>
|
||||
|
@ -312,7 +312,7 @@
|
|||
insulting</em> anyone would ever imagine otherwise.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">So yeah, I’m gonna allow it.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">Carry on.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: wow that felt good to say aloud man</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: ahah hahaha hell of a way to come out</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: its ok</p>
|
||||
|
@ -336,7 +336,7 @@
|
|||
own thoughts. Reasonable thoughts, I’d say. But I’ll refrain from
|
||||
any further comment. I’m staying away from this subject, from now
|
||||
on.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: so youre uh</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: not...... “doing gender” anymore??</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: ya i guess not lmfao</p>
|
||||
|
@ -348,13 +348,13 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Calliope takes a teacake between two of
|
||||
her claws and eats it delicately, hyper-aware of the horrible
|
||||
gnashing and snapping her powerful jaw is capable of.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: my ideas aboUt gend—</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">SHIT. Between two of <em>their</em>
|
||||
claws. They take a teacake between two of their claws and eats it
|
||||
delicately. Sorry, my bad.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: —er were entirely inflUenced by my
|
||||
time watching earth.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: i sUppose i only thoUght of myself as
|
||||
|
@ -386,7 +386,7 @@
|
|||
her. Eye-opening, really. Why hadn’t anyone told her this was even
|
||||
an option when she was younger? She probably would have loved being
|
||||
a “they” when she was a teen.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: i mean what am i gonna do</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: get married and pop out 100 bbs?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: uh... no???</p>
|
||||
|
@ -411,13 +411,13 @@
|
|||
certainly didn’t notice.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">But there is something wrong. And this time,
|
||||
they’ll notice.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: i...</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: i.........</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Jade drops her tea. The cup hits the
|
||||
floor and shatters.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: jade?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">She takes in a sharp breath. She’s not
|
||||
|
@ -426,7 +426,7 @@
|
|||
circle, burning a hole in her eyes. She tries to stand, but her
|
||||
knees wobble and knock together. Roxy shoots out of her seat and
|
||||
catches her before she hits the floor.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: o shit</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: is she okay?</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: idk</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s2'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 2</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: bro</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">In the heart of the Troll Kingdom’s capital
|
||||
|
@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
|
|||
trollish non-euclidean architecture and bizarre social mores, and
|
||||
Karkat has adjusted his diurnal schedule to, in theory, see the
|
||||
sun.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: bro you have got to check this out</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Karkat is leaning forward, munching on
|
||||
|
@ -45,7 +45,7 @@
|
|||
watching. The glow from the television highlights the dark bags
|
||||
under his eyes. Dave reaches out and, very gently, pokes Karkat in
|
||||
the cheek. Karkat flinches out of his full-body slouch.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: NOT NOW DAVE. JAKE’S ASS IS ON TV
|
||||
AGAIN.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: stop ogling jakes ass this is important</p>
|
||||
|
@ -69,7 +69,7 @@
|
|||
say, the second option was much less popular.</p>
|
||||
<p>Karkat gestures at the televised spectacle, a bit
|
||||
helplessly.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: IT’S ALL IN THE WAY IT’S BEING PROGRAMMED
|
||||
BY THE STATION.</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: IT TOOK ME A WHILE TO NOTICE, BECAUSE
|
||||
|
@ -108,7 +108,7 @@
|
|||
they can both read the news on his phone. Karkat tips his head to
|
||||
the side to get a better view, until it bumps against Dave’s
|
||||
shoulder.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: got the announcement right here</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: YOU MEAN PRESIDENT OF EARTH?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: yeah</p>
|
||||
|
@ -133,7 +133,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Karkat, without drastically altering his
|
||||
position on the couch, turns his head so that he can look Dave
|
||||
straight in the sunglasses.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: DAVE, I DON’T KNOW IF YOU’VE NOTICED,
|
||||
BUT</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: A LOT OF HUMANS ARE???</p>
|
||||
|
@ -156,7 +156,7 @@
|
|||
He reaches for another beetle as his guffaws subside, and eats it
|
||||
in a manner he hopes will convey his casual contempt for Dave’s
|
||||
insinuation.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FUCKING MIND? DO YOU
|
||||
HAVE ANY IDEA HOW *RICH* SHE IS?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: dude were all rich</p>
|
||||
|
@ -170,7 +170,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Karkat stops chewing his beetle and does a
|
||||
literal spit take right into Dave’s face.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: ME???????????????</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: yeah man</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: its perfect</p>
|
||||
|
@ -231,7 +231,7 @@
|
|||
movies, eating chips, or talking about the top six hundred stupid
|
||||
things Karkat saw earlier that day because he made his intrepid
|
||||
annual decision to go outside.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: MAYBE I DON’T ACTUALLY LIKE BEING
|
||||
FAMOUS?</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: AND MAYBE THAT’S AS GOOD A FUCKING REASON
|
||||
|
@ -267,7 +267,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Very slowly, Karkat raises his right palm and
|
||||
forcefully unites it with his own face.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: he barely even got a chance to prove
|
||||
himself</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: he was sworn into office and it was cool and
|
||||
|
@ -366,7 +366,7 @@
|
|||
Space. Dave pats Karkat’s knee comfortingly, and Karkat lets out a
|
||||
quivering breath of sorrow, of remembrance.</p>
|
||||
<p>Into this reverent silence, Dave says:</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i think he would be totally in favor of my
|
||||
idea btw</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: he loved democracy</p>
|
||||
|
@ -405,7 +405,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">There’s a measure of real concern and passion
|
||||
working its way into Dave’s voice. Karkat, despite his typical
|
||||
front of loud indignation, hangs on every word.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: and once rose and kanaya crank out a few more
|
||||
broods in the caverns i guess were supposed to think its all fixed
|
||||
right</p>
|
||||
|
@ -446,7 +446,7 @@
|
|||
whatever tension Dave’s impassioned appeal was causing to brew
|
||||
inside him. Motherfucker literally just told him to think of the
|
||||
economy.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: jane has this reputation for being awesome at
|
||||
business but imo she actually just sucks</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: she doesnt seem to be even remotely aware how
|
||||
|
@ -514,7 +514,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Dave wipes an invisible tear from beneath the
|
||||
rim of his sunglasses.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: do it for obama</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: GOD DAMN IT DAVE.</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: I DON’T REALLY GIVE A FUCK ABOUT
|
||||
|
@ -526,7 +526,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: I DO CARE ABOUT YOU.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Dave smiles.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: SO</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: I’LL DO IT.</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: WHY NOT.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -562,7 +562,7 @@
|
|||
bounces off the glass of the framed print of Dave’s “least
|
||||
psychologically revealing <em>SBaHJ</em> strip.” Karkat sighs and
|
||||
rubs the space between his horns.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: CAN’T I JUST</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: READ A BUNCH OF BULLSHIT YOU WRITE FOR ME
|
||||
OFF A TELEPROMPTER?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -573,7 +573,7 @@
|
|||
back around and points the pen straight at Karkat. The arc of his
|
||||
arm’s motion is polished and decisive even though it’s been a long
|
||||
time since he’s properly used a sword.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: but you also need to be natural and speak
|
||||
from the heart and shit</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: just like</p>
|
||||
|
@ -600,7 +600,7 @@
|
|||
props his chin on his palms so that he can watch Dave scribble
|
||||
political ambitions directly into the shittiest paint program on
|
||||
his OS.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: time to talk some strategy</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: we need to rally as much high profile support
|
||||
to our cause as we can</p>
|
||||
|
@ -642,7 +642,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">They stare at each other. Karkat sighs and
|
||||
Dave raps his pen against the tablet screen in a slow, uneven
|
||||
staccato.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: uh</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i think its fair to say shes going to be on
|
||||
our side</p>
|
||||
|
@ -711,7 +711,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Jake’s butt flexes on the television, as if in
|
||||
response. Karkat cannot avoid watching it from the corner of his
|
||||
eye.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: OH, FUCK.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: no this is important</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: jake is a huge wild card here</p>
|
||||
|
@ -758,7 +758,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: WHAT?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Dave fishes his phone out from his lap.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: dirks calling me</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: WHAT THE FUCK DOES HE WANT?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: idk he just calls me out of the blue from
|
||||
|
@ -790,7 +790,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Dave hits the callback button. On the
|
||||
television, Dirk’s phone begins ringing.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: sup</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Hey dude.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -804,7 +804,7 @@
|
|||
he’s shooting his sparring partner is caught halfway between
|
||||
confused and exasperated.</p>
|
||||
<p>Karkat looks from Dave to the TV and back again.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Got your sword handy?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: always</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Good. See, I’m in sort a bind here.</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s20'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 20</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">J</span>ade gasps
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">J</span>ade gasps
|
||||
awake, and begins to spiral.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">Her body vibrates, sending waves of space
|
||||
distortion out in all directions. But there’s nothing to absorb
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s21'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 21</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: holy shit thats disgusting</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: DON’T BE A FUCKING XENOPHOBE</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: im not being a xenophobe</p>
|
||||
|
@ -35,7 +35,7 @@
|
|||
shuffles his feet to the edge of the outcropping they’re standing
|
||||
on and stares down at the brood pit, where the Mother Grub of Earth
|
||||
C is squelching out unfertilized jelly.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: dude you know im not a xenophobe</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">No answer. This silence makes Dave
|
||||
|
@ -49,7 +49,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="dirk">Dave could definitely be handling this situation
|
||||
with a certain measure of restraint or grace. But he’s got my
|
||||
genes, so he decides to handle it a different way than that.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i mean thats what this whole election thing
|
||||
is about</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: having your back when it comes to this
|
||||
|
@ -68,7 +68,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Karkat still doesn’t answer. He’s staring
|
||||
real intently at the jelly.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: dude hey</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: karkat</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: yo karkat you listening?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -94,7 +94,7 @@
|
|||
half in shadow and half in orange light. Dave winces as the grub’s
|
||||
nasty slime chute sputters out a bunch of air bubbles. It’s a
|
||||
gross, gurgling fart that goes on basically forever.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: yeah but it is totally disgusting right</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: I CAN’T FUCKING BELIEVE YOU</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: WHAT PART OF THIS IS DISGUSTING?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -129,7 +129,7 @@
|
|||
she was doing grub science, wiping her hands on a silk cloth. She’s
|
||||
glowing. Her skin, I mean. Her mood can be politely described as
|
||||
pensive. Still, she smiles at the sight of old friends.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: whats shaking sis</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Must You Always Call Me That</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: nah but it does feel pretty rad to say</p>
|
||||
|
@ -151,7 +151,7 @@
|
|||
common Davism that involves two hands and a double-wrist swivel.
|
||||
It’s an incredibly good imitation, because he sees this particular
|
||||
bit of body language like ten times a day.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: ...MOTION WITH YOUR HANDS DOESN’T MAKE IT
|
||||
SMOOTH</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: no see the reason its smooth is because i was
|
||||
|
@ -182,14 +182,14 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Kanaya regards them with a thin-lipped
|
||||
smile that is equal measures patronizing and fond.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: So This Is About The Election</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: AH.</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: YES.</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: YOU’VE ALREADY HEARD.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Kanaya holds up her phone.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: I Do Get The Internet Down Here</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: I Am Impressed That You Managed To Be
|
||||
Seen In Front Of That Many People Without Spontaneously Bursting
|
||||
|
@ -235,7 +235,7 @@
|
|||
hand there and pulls him a step closer so that she can speak softly
|
||||
to him. Her voice travels high in the empty cavern, but her tone is
|
||||
tender and private.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: While I Know That It Is Difficult For You
|
||||
To Take A Direct Compliment</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: I Have In The Past Put My Faith In You
|
||||
|
@ -247,7 +247,7 @@
|
|||
more carefully than usual. She takes her hand off Karkat’s head and
|
||||
puts two fingers to her lip. Karkat’s eyes follow the motion, wide
|
||||
and bright as dollar coins.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: *Existential*</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Is How I Think I Shall Put It</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: If We Are Going To Be Polite</p>
|
||||
|
@ -255,7 +255,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Kanaya sighs and starts making her way
|
||||
around the edge of the brood pit.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: How Could I Not Be When It Concerns Me So
|
||||
Directly</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -268,7 +268,7 @@
|
|||
he and I have in common.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">We internalize and project the quality in very
|
||||
different ways, however, which is why I’m going to win.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Jane Has Been Here To Speak With Me
|
||||
Recently In Fact</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: no fucking way</p>
|
||||
|
@ -288,7 +288,7 @@
|
|||
steps between the puddles of brood jelly and approaches the Mother
|
||||
Grub. She rests an ear against the rise of its massive stomach,
|
||||
then taps the shell with two perfectly manicured fingernails.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: By Which I Mean That Jane Is Perfectly
|
||||
Pleasant And I Believe That She Has Only The Best Of Intentions</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: But I Cant Shake The Feeling That Deep
|
||||
|
@ -313,7 +313,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent dirk">When Kanaya is satisfied by whatever she
|
||||
hears churning inside the grotesque insides of the giant bug, she
|
||||
comes back up to the lip of the pit and hoists herself out.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: This Is Why I Trust You Karkat</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Because You Listen To Advice From Below
|
||||
And Beside You Not From Above</p>
|
||||
|
@ -323,7 +323,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="dave">DAVE: so weve got your endorsement then</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">She laughs, not kindly.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Jane Offered Me “A Seat” On The “Board Of
|
||||
Responsible Troll Reproduction”</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: WHAT THE FUCK. HOW DARE SHE!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -377,7 +377,7 @@
|
|||
construct. It’s pure ego for any of them to believe that their
|
||||
personal interpretation of it will result in the most effective
|
||||
laws.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: you know</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: that might be the magic ticket folks need to
|
||||
hear to wake up about this issue</p>
|
||||
|
@ -421,13 +421,13 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Dave mimes laying down and taking pills.
|
||||
The look Kanaya gives him is neither fond nor patronizing.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: whats up with that anyway</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: are you guys uh</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: grub pregnant</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Kanaya keeps staring.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: DAVE WHAT THE FUCK</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: No</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: its ok if you are we wont tell</p>
|
||||
|
@ -462,7 +462,7 @@
|
|||
you put a foot in your mouth, shoving it all the way through your
|
||||
intestines and pulling it out your ass is a valid tactic, he seems
|
||||
to believe.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: id be cool with it yknow</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: bring on the rosemary combo grubs</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Rosemary</p>
|
||||
|
@ -499,23 +499,19 @@
|
|||
it, because I’m the one holding the phone, and Rose is in
|
||||
absolutely no condition to be having a conversation with anyone.
|
||||
Not even her cherished bride.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Hey,</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Sorry, but Rose can’t come to the phone right
|
||||
now.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Kanaya’s voice turns sharp right
|
||||
away.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: <em>Excuse Me</em></p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">She can sense that something’s wrong.
|
||||
She’s also smart enough, and facile enough</p>
|
||||
<p>in handling questionable men, to understand that she quickly
|
||||
needs to regulate the</p>
|
||||
<span class="Standard-Text CharOverride-32">tone of her voice for
|
||||
diplomatic purposes.</span>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
She’s also smart enough, and facile enough in handling questionable men, to understand that she quickly needs to regulate the tone of her voice for diplomatic purposes.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Dirk</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Is That You</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -523,14 +519,14 @@
|
|||
distracted by something. She really should chill out, anyway. I’ve
|
||||
got everything under control. Not that she’ll ever be able to fully
|
||||
appreciate this.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Dirk</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Why Are You With Rose</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: <em>What Is Going On</em></p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">I don’t have time to explain right now.
|
||||
John’s doing something vaguely important to the plot again.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Kanaya, I don’t have time to explain right
|
||||
now.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: John’s doing something vaguely important to
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s22'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 22</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">Y</span>ou’ve been
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">Y</span>ou’ve been
|
||||
drifting so long that you’ve lost the ability to objectively judge
|
||||
time or depth or distance. It’s getting hard to think about
|
||||
yourself as an objectively limited being. The boundaries of your
|
||||
|
@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
|
|||
gods? Why shouldn’t we become <em>one God</em>.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">You scrunch up your nerdy face and furrow an
|
||||
eyebrow. It seems you aren’t enjoying this train of thought.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: why am i even THINKING about this
|
||||
bullshit??</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -46,14 +46,14 @@
|
|||
right now. I’m having a phenomenological debate in my third ear
|
||||
that’s way more popping than your little hero’s journey into the
|
||||
belly of a quarter-life crisis.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: argh!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">It turns out you don’t have time to worry
|
||||
about the voice inside your head, because you hear one outside of
|
||||
it. At first you don’t think it’s real. You think it must be an
|
||||
aural mirage. Then it calls you the fuck out.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="feferi">MEENAH: yo blue guy</p>
|
||||
<p class="feferi">MEENAH: get the shell down here</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -62,7 +62,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="dirk">She’s clinging to a random server beacon, looking a
|
||||
little the worse for wear but still grinning. You float on down to
|
||||
greet her.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: thank god. i was beginning to think that no
|
||||
one else was alive.</p>
|
||||
<p class="feferi">MEENAH: im not alive</p>
|
||||
|
@ -75,7 +75,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent dirk">She narrows her blank eyes. Her mouth
|
||||
twists into a frown. Not quite a concerned one, but close enough.
|
||||
You’ll take it.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="feferi">MEENAH: i gotta say</p>
|
||||
<p class="feferi">MEENAH: damn buoy ya look like S)-(IT</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: yeah, i know.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -98,7 +98,7 @@
|
|||
aren’t glad to see Meenah, but you don’t <em>know</em> her, and
|
||||
she’s not who you were really looking for.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">That reminds you.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: hey, uh...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: mee...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: fish?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -115,7 +115,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent dirk">This is without a doubt one of the worst
|
||||
conversations you’ve had in many, many years. And you aren’t just
|
||||
thinking that because I’m telling you you are.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: well...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: she’s...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i dunno.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -131,7 +131,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent dirk">You’ve never been accused of having
|
||||
stellar people-reading skills. But even you can tell the look on
|
||||
her face says it all right now.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: wait a minute.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: do you even know MY name?</p>
|
||||
<p class="feferi">MEENAH: uhhh</p>
|
||||
|
@ -153,7 +153,7 @@
|
|||
pulls out a small, clamshell-shaped accessory kit, and begins to
|
||||
file her nails. She almost dislocates her jaw by yawning the moment
|
||||
you mention Jake.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: alright, we’re veering off course.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: jade is my sister.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i think she’s still out here, somewhere.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -167,7 +167,7 @@
|
|||
person.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">You exhale, and just let some stuff off your
|
||||
chest.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: man i...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i just didn’t expect everything to go to shit
|
||||
so fast.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -184,7 +184,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent dirk">There’s another awkward silence. You
|
||||
spend most of it looking at your feet, until something occurs to
|
||||
you.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: so what’s your plan now?</p>
|
||||
<p class="feferi">MEENAH: plan</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: yeah.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -207,7 +207,7 @@
|
|||
That’s what she <em>could</em> be thinking, you think. You hope not
|
||||
though, because if true, it would hurt your self-esteem.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">She finally appears to make up her mind.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="feferi">MEENAH: naaah</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: why not?</p>
|
||||
<p class="feferi">MEENAH: ok for one thing genius</p>
|
||||
|
@ -228,12 +228,12 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">You lean in rather credulously, and bring
|
||||
your ear toward her cupped hand.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<p class="meenah">MEENAH: (nerd)</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="feferi">MEENAH: (nerd)</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">You pull back, unamused by the prank.
|
||||
What is this, you think. Fucking amateur hour?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="feferi">MEENAH: reel cute you wanna be my savior blue
|
||||
boy</p>
|
||||
<p class="feferi">MEENAH: but the fact is you already helped me
|
||||
|
@ -247,19 +247,19 @@
|
|||
her.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">Oh, shit. I think I know what just happened. You
|
||||
might want to check your pockets.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: wait a...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: minute...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">You fruitlessly fumble around in your
|
||||
front hoodie pocket.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: wait a fucking MINUTE!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Sure enough, it’s missing. The Ring of
|
||||
Life you stole back from Aranea has been re-stolen. Bitch just
|
||||
picked your pocket. You got played, man.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: <em>fuck!</em></p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s23'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 23</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Why Are You With Rose</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: What Is Going On</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Why would you think something was going
|
||||
|
@ -93,7 +93,7 @@
|
|||
easy?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">Kanaya loves Rose, but sometimes love just isn’t
|
||||
enough. Sometimes what you need is <em>understanding.</em></p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: You Are Testing My Patience Sorely
|
||||
Dirk</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Yeah, I’ve gotten pretty good at that.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -122,7 +122,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="dirk">Rose looks up from where she’s suffering on the
|
||||
floor. The shadows around her are growing. She stares at me with
|
||||
glassy eyes.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Is everything okay?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Yeah. Just a telemarketer.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: You know how those carapacians can be when
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s24'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 24</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">T</span>he server
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">T</span>he server
|
||||
Meenah fled through is a distant speck now. You look back, and
|
||||
can’t even see it anymore. In fact, you’re not even sure you’re
|
||||
looking in the right direction. You are utterly adrift, continuing
|
||||
|
@ -85,7 +85,7 @@
|
|||
suppose.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">She waves back. But hearing her voice is what makes
|
||||
it real.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: H3Y LOS3R</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s25'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 25</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Customarily, we speak in favorable terms
|
||||
about “getting to know each other” as people.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Humans, I mean. I doubt trolls are as fixated
|
||||
|
@ -67,7 +67,7 @@
|
|||
faded to light behind her, assuming the shape of a Rose-like
|
||||
apparition. I nod to her, and she continues. When she speaks, it’s
|
||||
almost as if it’s the apparition that’s doing the talking.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: But is it really a good idea?</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: To know a person?</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Know them inside and out, so thoroughly that
|
||||
|
@ -85,7 +85,7 @@
|
|||
of intellectual pablum could pour out of my mouth any second, and
|
||||
she’s not prepared. For all she knows, I’m about to start quoting
|
||||
Kierkegaard.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Please don’t start quoting Kierkegaard.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: You’ve never even read Kierkegaard, have
|
||||
you.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -187,7 +187,7 @@
|
|||
attributes it to exhaustion, an all-encompassing sense of weakness
|
||||
due to her condition. Of course, she <em>has</em> been weakened by
|
||||
her condition, and thus she suspects nothing.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Never mind.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: You shouldn’t be moving around much in your
|
||||
condition, remember?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -202,7 +202,7 @@
|
|||
To be honest, I don’t even notice myself until I’ve done it. I
|
||||
continue speaking, and she remains rapt. But now even I can’t help
|
||||
but wonder where I’m going with this.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Logically speaking, individuality is a
|
||||
collection of processes and properties, interrelations of matter
|
||||
and experience all bundled together.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -214,7 +214,7 @@
|
|||
narratively permitted a response. I’m forgetting myself, like a
|
||||
fool. Distracted by the surprise my own actions have caused me. I
|
||||
resolve to stay focused, remain in control. I let her speak.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: I don’t understand.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: You do, though.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: We’ve been talking about it, but using
|
||||
|
@ -248,7 +248,7 @@
|
|||
concentration speaking to the migraine she must be fighting now.
|
||||
Small beads of sweat appear on her forehead. She won’t respond. And
|
||||
not because I haven’t allowed it.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Rose, stop being a fucking martyr and open
|
||||
your eyes.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -263,7 +263,7 @@
|
|||
she drifts beyond the torments of her unbundling mind. My words
|
||||
feel like her own intimate thoughts and my distant voice in the
|
||||
room at the same time.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Open your eyes wider.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: What do you see?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -273,7 +273,7 @@
|
|||
shuddering breath and runs an invisible pair of hands afforded by
|
||||
her new sight over the narrative whole cloth, and begins smoothing
|
||||
out the wrinkles.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: I see... John.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Doing exactly what you told him to do, like a
|
||||
good boy.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -301,7 +301,7 @@
|
|||
yourself, stop what you’re doing, flip the whole thing over, and
|
||||
begin again. I’ll be right here when you get back, waiting. Trust
|
||||
me, no one’s going anywhere.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: So, what do you think?</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: It’s difficult to say.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: I suppose there are negatives and positives.
|
||||
|
@ -347,7 +347,7 @@
|
|||
of micromanaging the inconsistent and confused desires of total
|
||||
imbeciles, wouldn’t it be a relief to have someone by my side who
|
||||
understood me?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: You’re almost there.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: All your eyes are open, Rose.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Now all you need to do is take a step off the
|
||||
|
@ -380,7 +380,7 @@
|
|||
either. It’s like the first time you see the Green Sun. Of course
|
||||
it is, because that’s the way I’m describing it. The truth belongs
|
||||
to me. And as of now, so does she.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: I see it now.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: You’re right.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Have I ever not been?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -388,13 +388,13 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">A wrinkle in her brow. It smoothes out
|
||||
quickly. She murmurs to herself, trailing off quietly.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: What... time is it...?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">I step forward and steady her, hand firm
|
||||
but gentle against her cheek. That’s all she needs: a stable
|
||||
anchor.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Rose, does time even exist?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">You already know the answer.</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s26'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 26</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">J</span>ade kicks
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">J</span>ade kicks
|
||||
her shoeless feet behind her slowly, as if she’s swimming with the
|
||||
current of the gravitational waves pulling her ever closer to their
|
||||
source. Her feet aren’t completely bare; they’re still covered by
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s27'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 27</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">A</span>nd then,
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">A</span>nd then,
|
||||
she opens her eyes.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">not the jade who just returned to me. the
|
||||
jade living on earth c, sleeping on a couch.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">she snaps awake. her human hands
|
||||
are clammy. her face, expressive due to the layers of flesh
|
||||
enveloping her skull, appears haunted to her friends.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: omg!</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: jade</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: jade u ok?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -70,7 +70,7 @@
|
|||
So maybe we could stand to dial down the melodrama, just a bit?</p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">when jade turns to look at roxy,
|
||||
her eyes are completely black.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: woah</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: what the actual f...</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: are you</p>
|
||||
|
@ -102,14 +102,11 @@
|
|||
wails in protest at his imminent narrative impotence. however,
|
||||
there is nothing he can do as long as jade remains in this
|
||||
trance.</p>
|
||||
<p>Nah, I’m being chill as a cucumber about this, considering
|
||||
you’re vagueblogging the shit out of my methodological approach to
|
||||
storytelling right where I can see it. Which is to say, directly
|
||||
into my fucking brain, apparently?</p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk" style="margin:15px 0"><span class="type-sm type-hs-small">Nah, I’m being chill as a cucumber about this, considering you’re vagueblogging the shit out of my methodological approach to storytelling right where I can see it. Which is to say, directly into my fucking brain, apparently?</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">calliope emerges from the
|
||||
kitchen, carrying a bowl of cool water and a cloth. jade turns her
|
||||
head to meet the sound of their footsteps.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: i came back as fast as i coU—</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">the bowl of water clatters to
|
||||
|
@ -125,7 +122,7 @@
|
|||
slides off the couch to approach them. but calliope stumbles
|
||||
backward in terror and trips in their desperation to escape. roxy
|
||||
gapes at them.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: hey callie</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: whats going on?</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: i...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -134,7 +131,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">calliope does not talk to them.
|
||||
roxy looks to calliope, then to jade, sensing that there is dark
|
||||
energy coursing between them.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: would one of you just effing say something
|
||||
already?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -150,37 +147,19 @@
|
|||
reserve as a silent yet alert vessel for my cognizance. there are
|
||||
other priorities i must attend to, cosmologically. the work is very
|
||||
important. the prince must be kept at bay.</p>
|
||||
<p>“The work?” Getting some pretty self-important vibes here. Like
|
||||
maybe somebody needs to get over herself? I was just having a
|
||||
little fun. Ever fucking hear of that, dead skull girl? Didn’t
|
||||
think so. This all feels really heavy-handed suddenly. Like you’re
|
||||
making a federal fucking issue out of what should be some light,
|
||||
entertaining stuff. Just a bunch of loser adults, trying to be the
|
||||
people they grew up to be, in the best ways they know how. But no,
|
||||
I guess you know best. Being an impossibly ancient alien recluse
|
||||
with virtually no exposure to human culture, emotion, or values.
|
||||
Yeah, go ahead, just take over. Sounds fine.</p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk" style="margin:15px 0"><span class="type-sm type-hs-small">“The work?” Getting some pretty self-important vibes here. Like maybe somebody needs to get over herself? I was just having a little fun. Ever fucking hear of that, dead skull girl? Didn’t think so. This all feels really heavy-handed suddenly. Like you’re making a federal fucking issue out of what should be some light, entertaining stuff. Just a bunch of loser adults, trying to be the people they grew up to be, in the best ways they know how. But no, I guess you know best. Being an impossibly ancient alien recluse with virtually no exposure to human culture, emotion, or values. Yeah, go ahead, just take over. Sounds fine. </span></p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">the prince finds that his hold
|
||||
on the narrative is slipping through his hands. there is an old
|
||||
myth in earth culture about katanas, that if you keep the blade
|
||||
whetted to a mirror sheen, it can cut a silk scarf falling through
|
||||
the air cleanly in two. his hold over our perceptions shall be
|
||||
severed just as elegantly.</p>
|
||||
<p>Yo, I get that you’re attempting to spin a metaphor both
|
||||
relevant and specific to my self-made symbology here, and I
|
||||
appreciate the effort. I really do. But I just cannot stand by and
|
||||
let you shamelessly spread such irresponsible misinformation on a
|
||||
subject so near and dear to my heart.</p>
|
||||
<p>The katana is a cutting weapon. Inert, it’s harmless.
|
||||
Deceptively so, you might even say. Most dangerous things appear
|
||||
banal when inert, that’s just basic physics. It’s actually the
|
||||
motion of the katana that makes—</p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk" style="margin:15px 0 0 0"><span class="type-hs-small type-bs">Yo, I get that you’re attempting to spin a metaphor both relevant and specific to my self-made symbology here, and I appreciate the effort. I really do. But I just cannot stand by and let you shamelessly spread such irresponsible misinformation on a subject so near and dear to my heart.</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk" style="margin:0 0 15px 0"><span class="type-hs-small type-bs">The katana is a cutting weapon. Inert, it’s harmless. Deceptively so, you might even say. Most dangerous things appear banal when inert, that’s just basic physics. It’s actually the motion of the katana that makes—</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">roxy sets the cool cloth on
|
||||
jade’s forehead, and frowns. they are worried and confused, but
|
||||
determined to care for their friend.</p>
|
||||
<p>Hey, I’m in the middle of turning your apocryphal metaphor into
|
||||
something with substantive, allegorical weight here. I’d appreciate
|
||||
it if you would—</p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk" style="margin:15px 0"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">Hey, I’m in the middle of turning your apocryphal metaphor into something with substantive, allegorical weight here. I’d appreciate it if you would—</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">in his haste to manipulate the
|
||||
events surrounding doomed jade’s ascent toward an outcome favorable
|
||||
to himself, the prince has unwittingly revealed several glaring
|
||||
|
@ -205,9 +184,7 @@
|
|||
like i have. but unlike me, he is terrified by it. and i, unlike
|
||||
him, understand all too well that the children left alone are those
|
||||
who most despair at being ignored.</p>
|
||||
<p>Fuck you. I fucking hate you. You’re fucking boring, your
|
||||
narrative voice is a total fucking drag, and someday I’m going to
|
||||
make you pay for this.</p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk" style="margin:15px 0"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">Fuck you. I fucking hate you. You’re fucking boring, your narrative voice is a total fucking drag, and someday I’m going to make you pay for this.</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">there. can you hear it? of
|
||||
course you can’t.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">but if even you could, it would sound like
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s28'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 28</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: uh, how long have you been watching?</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: LONG 3NOUGH TO SM3LL YOU FL41L1NG 4BOUT
|
||||
L1K3 4 W1GGL3R WH1L3 T4LK1NG TO J4D3S SHO3S</p>
|
||||
|
@ -45,7 +45,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="calliope-dead">and he does mean more to her than that.
|
||||
her hesitation isn’t meant to make him feel unwelcome. she’s simply
|
||||
processing what she is “seeing.” something is off about him.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: JOHN DO NOT T4K3 TH1S P3RSON4LLY</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 4LTHOUGH 1 DO 4BSOLUT3LY M34N 1T
|
||||
P3RSON4LLY</p>
|
||||
|
@ -59,7 +59,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="calliope-dead">she decides to keep her observations to
|
||||
herself, lest she cause this ailing version of john more
|
||||
confusion.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: yeah well... you smell like shit too!</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 1 4SSUM3 TH4T YOU 4R3 CORR3CT</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: B31NG TH4T 1V3 B33N OUT H3R3 FOR 4
|
||||
|
@ -72,7 +72,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">john laughs, exposing his two
|
||||
rows of disarmingly dull human teeth, signature characteristics of
|
||||
his smile.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: oh this?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: it’s only a flesh wound, haha.</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: Y3S JOHN, G3N3R4LLY WOUNDS T3ND TO H4PP3N
|
||||
|
@ -121,7 +121,7 @@
|
|||
between one’s archetypical appearance and idiosyncratic personal
|
||||
attributes. terezi is definitely cute, john decides. the conclusion
|
||||
is now at the forefront of his mind.</p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom--md">I don’t fucking believe
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">I don’t fucking believe
|
||||
this.</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">but he still resists, doubts
|
||||
himself. perhaps it’s even weirder to frame it this way, he
|
||||
|
@ -133,7 +133,7 @@
|
|||
entertained by a man of low character. by, perhaps, a scoundrel.
|
||||
his worries are interrupted, as terezi floats over and flicks him
|
||||
on the forehead.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: DONT STR41N YOURS3LF TH1NK1NG TOO H4RD
|
||||
TH3R3 3GB3RT</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: uh, yeah, now that i think about it, that was
|
||||
|
@ -160,7 +160,7 @@
|
|||
compared to humans, trolls have little color to lose. when they
|
||||
feel ill, there is a pallor to them, a dusty quality running deeper
|
||||
than the surface of the skin.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: woah! are you ok?</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: OF COURS3 NOT!</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: JOHN, 1 4M 1N TH3 PROC3SS OF ST4RV1NG TO
|
||||
|
@ -197,7 +197,7 @@
|
|||
temptation to playfully antagonize john against the virtue of
|
||||
sincere expression. there are times she worries the latter may be
|
||||
more appropriate.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: TH4NKS 3GB3RT</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: no problem. we’re friends, terezi...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: it’s not like i’m going to let you die out
|
||||
|
@ -212,7 +212,7 @@
|
|||
his ever-prepared father must have captchalogued a second one as a
|
||||
backup. perhaps, as john speculates, in case his primary vehicle
|
||||
got a flat tire.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: ...</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: YOU WH4T JOHN?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: uh, hold that thought...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -223,7 +223,7 @@
|
|||
from the dealership. it strikes john as the first bit of good luck
|
||||
he’s had all day.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">terezi is less impressed.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 1S TH1S P4TH3T1C4LLY PR1M1T1V3 FOUR WH33L
|
||||
D3V1C3 3D1BL3, OR 4M 1 M1SUND3RST4ND1NG SOM3TH1NG H3R3</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: no, it’s just that i...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -250,7 +250,7 @@
|
|||
of the woods. it is confident only in its surety of being
|
||||
unobserved. like this, he does not think she is cute at all. no,
|
||||
she is beautiful. this vision of her is haunting to him.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 1TS R34LLY 4 M3SS OUT H3R3 1SNT 1T</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: yeah...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -258,7 +258,7 @@
|
|||
to search for something edible and to take his eyes away from her.
|
||||
objects begin appearing around him as he leafs through the cards. a
|
||||
crumpled fedora. a silk tie. his father’s backup cufflinks.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: what are you doing out here anyway?</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: WH4T DO YOU TH1NK 1M DO1NG OUT H3R3?</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: LOOK1NG FOR VR1SK4 OF COURS3</p>
|
||||
|
@ -285,7 +285,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">terezi stares at him with her
|
||||
wide, red eyes.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: Y34RS...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: yes.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: oh. a year is about half a sw—</p>
|
||||
|
@ -311,7 +311,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">she leans in close to sniff him
|
||||
carefully.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: HMMM</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: YOU SM3LL OLD3R</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: BUT NOT 4S OLD 4S 1 THOUGHT YOUD B3</p>
|
||||
|
@ -323,7 +323,7 @@
|
|||
quickly snatches something out of the open wallet. it is a can of
|
||||
human shaving cream. she clutches it with covetous desperation, her
|
||||
mouth watering.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: terezi, no!</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: that’s not food!!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -341,7 +341,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="calliope-dead">but no. it’s just my brother’s tooth,
|
||||
lodged deep in his chest, spreading its poison. it really should be
|
||||
extracted before it’s too late.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: um... you feel better?</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: Y3S</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: that’s good.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -354,7 +354,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">she grabs him by the shirt. her
|
||||
voice begins to waver. he notices desperation in the dark circles
|
||||
under her eyes.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: PL34S3 JOHN</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: C4N W3 JUST</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: ST4Y 4 L1TTL3 LONG3R?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -364,7 +364,7 @@
|
|||
he redoubles his effort to ignore the pain. he fights back tears.
|
||||
she can sense his great struggle but says nothing. with a tilt of
|
||||
his head, he gestures toward the car.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: um. ok.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: we can stay a little longer.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: why don’t you rest in the back seat, so you
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s29'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 29</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">T</span>he
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">T</span>he
|
||||
elevator to jane’s office opens, and she stumbles inside. the last
|
||||
traces of trickster mode are bleeding off her aura. the great gift
|
||||
of this sacred boon has run its course for the evening, and though
|
||||
|
@ -49,7 +49,7 @@
|
|||
many detractors who claim that the whole thing is “extremely
|
||||
problematic.” i doubt this is true but must also acknowledge it
|
||||
exceeds the scope of my expertise to comment on the subject.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Oh my goodness.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: It’s NOT problematic!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -58,7 +58,7 @@
|
|||
responding to her own inner monologue, which i, admittedly, am
|
||||
presently conducting. she appears to agree with me on this matter.
|
||||
the juju has truly blessed her with great wisdom.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: I have endured this argument for years, and I
|
||||
honestly cannot see a single thing about it that could be even
|
||||
thinly construed as <em>problematic</em>.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -82,7 +82,7 @@
|
|||
could possibly say it myself. it is unusually gratifying to witness
|
||||
a human with such high regard for hallowed cultural artifacts and
|
||||
the unparalleled blessings they bestow upon lesser beings.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Wait, who am I talking to?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">jane rubs her eyes under her
|
||||
|
@ -100,7 +100,7 @@
|
|||
desk, her legs shaking as if she has just run a great distance.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">the moment she sits down, her phone begins
|
||||
to ring.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Yes?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Yo, don’t spend too much time in Trickster
|
||||
Mode.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -149,7 +149,7 @@
|
|||
not the type who takes well to having his plans upended, or his
|
||||
control of a shared vehicle fully suppressed. my brother wasn’t
|
||||
much that type either.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Oh, fuck off. I’m nothing like that guy.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Huh?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: What guy?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -181,7 +181,7 @@
|
|||
examine the firing mechanism.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">the prince clearly believes he is a very
|
||||
clever boy. my brother did too.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: (Christ.)</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: So, on the Jake issue,</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Unfortunately, my influence is a
|
||||
|
@ -260,7 +260,7 @@
|
|||
place. he sets the weapon on his shoulder so he can test the view
|
||||
through the scope. the setting sun bounces off the slick, red metal
|
||||
and slices a bar of light across the wall behind him.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Sigh.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Dirk... do you want me to deal with Jake or
|
||||
not? You’ve offered nothing helpful yet, but you’ve shot down all
|
||||
|
@ -275,7 +275,7 @@
|
|||
the mantle. she admires it longingly. piously. she will never
|
||||
relinquish her priceless boon, no matter what reprehensible lies
|
||||
the prince whispers into her ear.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jane">JANE: Then what do you want me to DO?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Play defense for a while. Like I said, I’ve
|
||||
got some cakes in the oven so to speak.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -295,15 +295,15 @@
|
|||
loaded, but the shot goes off without a hitch.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">what do you think you’re up to,
|
||||
prince?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: <span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom--md">Your
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: <span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">Your
|
||||
ass is mine, Jake English.</span></p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">he speaks under his breath
|
||||
inaudibly, perhaps frustrated, unaccustomed to scheming while
|
||||
others look over his shoulder. it’s possible he is not as bold, or
|
||||
as confident in his own designs as i believed.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: I <em>fucking</em> said, your ass is mine,
|
||||
Jake English.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,7 +25,7 @@
|
|||
<div id='s3'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 3</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="Command">> JOHN: Zap.</p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">You zap back into canon. It’s been so long,
|
||||
you’d forgotten what it feels like. The atmosphere smacks
|
||||
|
@ -47,7 +47,7 @@
|
|||
and his codpiece jiggles ominously. Aranea staggers to her feet,
|
||||
looking rather pleased with herself. Until she notices you and
|
||||
gapes in bewilderment.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="aranea">ARANEA: What are you doing here?!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="Command">> Rose was perfectly clear about what to do
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s30'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 30</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Ah chaps dont you love to take a rigorous
|
||||
jaunt about the wilds first thing in the morning, middle thing in
|
||||
the day, and last thing in the evening?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
|
|||
rigorously, as he put it, up the ridge of the mountain behind his
|
||||
mansion. every now and then, he pauses to accommodate the pace of
|
||||
his less limber friends.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: By jove karkat that you are so winded by such
|
||||
little activity is truly alarming!</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: WE’VE BEEN HIKING FOR A FUCKING HOUR,
|
||||
|
@ -68,7 +68,7 @@
|
|||
he sets his companion upright and continues to guide him with his
|
||||
hand on his back as he walks, the way an older human does with a
|
||||
small child who is learning to ride a bicycle.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: hey jake were cool on the whole cardio
|
||||
program or whatever</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: karkats not really what id call a kinesthetic
|
||||
|
@ -99,7 +99,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">jake spins around in his worn
|
||||
boots. he bites his lip and looks at the ground.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Ah i see. That was your purpose in coming out
|
||||
here.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: yeah</p>
|
||||
|
@ -135,7 +135,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">a look of sadness sweeps across
|
||||
jake’s face, but he quickly turns it into a glare of
|
||||
indignation.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Ive seen the shit YOUVE been saying about
|
||||
HER!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Your poorly optimized billboards about “huge
|
||||
|
@ -158,7 +158,7 @@
|
|||
his presence more than once. in his estimation, there are few
|
||||
individuals on this world who would benefit less from an in-depth
|
||||
discussion of political financing procedure than jake english.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: LOOK, DAVE. JAKE REALLY DOESN’T CARE WHAT
|
||||
A SUPER PAC IS.</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: I DON’T THINK ANYONE CARES ABOUT FUCKING
|
||||
|
@ -179,7 +179,7 @@
|
|||
mouth, and bumps him away with his hip, so that he may continue
|
||||
saying things he regards as terribly important for others to
|
||||
hear.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: ok but thats partially my point</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: were doing all our propaganda in house
|
||||
instead of outsourcing to unscrupulous shadow networks with deep
|
||||
|
@ -220,7 +220,7 @@
|
|||
internally, jake becomes pensive, thoughtful. he kicks a rock over
|
||||
the edge of the trail and watches it bounce down the mountain with
|
||||
a baleful expression.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Willickers dave has anyone ever told you that
|
||||
you have an uncanny talent for cutting straight and incisively to
|
||||
the point without sweating any of the bullshit.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -283,7 +283,7 @@
|
|||
prince’s grip. an old confidence fills him as he continues to
|
||||
speak, a feeling of inner freedom he hasn’t enjoyed in some
|
||||
time.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Why should i side with either of you?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Flattery is all well and good but i hardly
|
||||
think i would bother casting my knickers in with anyones lot based
|
||||
|
@ -296,22 +296,13 @@
|
|||
favor right now? Do you have ANY case to make which does not
|
||||
involve glowing accounts of my muscular bottom???</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p>I know it seems like an objectively good thing from some pithy
|
||||
moral standpoint to let everyone in this little drama Jane’s cooked
|
||||
up make their “own decisions,” but trust me: Jake isn’t thinking
|
||||
for himself any more than he was while being indirectly controlled.
|
||||
Everything he’s thinking and feeling right now is merely reactive.
|
||||
He’s like a mostly dead bug twitching around on the last of its
|
||||
hemolymph after getting its head cut off. Under my guidance, he was
|
||||
like an ant being influenced by the cordyceps fungus. You can’t
|
||||
really call one of these “better” than the other, but at least the
|
||||
latter is being directed toward some greater purpose.</p>
|
||||
<span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">I know it seems like an objectively good thing from some pithy moral standpoint to let everyone in this little drama Jane’s cooked up make their “own decisions,” but trust me: Jake isn’t thinking for himself any more than he was while being indirectly controlled. Everything he’s thinking and feeling right now is merely reactive. He’s like a mostly dead bug twitching around on the last of its hemolymph after getting its head cut off. Under my guidance, he was like an ant being influenced by the cordyceps fungus. You can’t really call one of these “better” than the other, but at least the latter is being directed toward some greater purpose.</span>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">for a moment, jake thinks he
|
||||
hears something. a miniscule voice, prattling along vaingloriously.
|
||||
but he realizes it’s only a tiny insect buzzing about his ear. a
|
||||
gnat-like presence of absolutely no consequence. he simply waves it
|
||||
away.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: ok yeah we can do that</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: you mean like</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: an actual pitch?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -335,7 +326,7 @@
|
|||
with sweeping conviction, and yet create a sense of intimacy when
|
||||
addressing an individual. he has learned to come across as one who
|
||||
was once a leader, and could be again.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: LOOK, JAKE.</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: I’M NOT GOING TO TRY TO SELL YOU SOME
|
||||
LUDICROUS STORY ABOUT HOW I’M THE BEST CANDIDATE EARTH C HAS EVER
|
||||
|
@ -424,7 +415,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="calliope-dead">and to whatever extent the prince intends
|
||||
to put jake’s life in jeopardy, for now, his agency remains safely
|
||||
obscured from his sniper sight.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Well dash my wig!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Ill do it!</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: DASH YOUR WHAT?</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s31'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 31</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">T</span>erezi is
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">T</span>erezi is
|
||||
munching her way through another tin of human fatherly tobacco as
|
||||
john crawls into the back seat. this has been their ritual for
|
||||
several days. precisely how many, they couldn’t say. between her
|
||||
|
@ -41,7 +41,7 @@
|
|||
knees up to his chest, unsure how to act around terezi or how much
|
||||
room to give her.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">she holds out a handful of tobacco.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: W4NT SOM3 D3L1C1OUS DRY C4NDY
|
||||
SH4V1NGS?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: ew, no.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -52,7 +52,7 @@
|
|||
off her hand. his eyes can’t help but follow the motion of her
|
||||
tongue. it leaves a trail of faintly teal saliva behind that
|
||||
glistens in the strange light coming through the windows.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: it’s like... a poison plant. you’re not
|
||||
supposed to eat it, you’re supposed to put it in a pipe and smoke
|
||||
it.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -71,7 +71,7 @@
|
|||
look. her thick eyelashes shadow her gaze. he feels anxious without
|
||||
knowing why. it’s as if he’s waiting for something to happen. for
|
||||
something to change.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: WHY JOHN</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 4R3 YOU CUR1OUS 4BOUT M3? H3H3H3H3</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: no!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -100,7 +100,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">terezi’s expression changes in a
|
||||
subtle way, slowly, like the tide pulling out. she snaps the
|
||||
tobacco tin shut and sets it down on the floor of the car.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 1...</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: SUPPOS3 1 C4N B3 PR3TTY D1FF1CULT TO B3
|
||||
4ROUND</p>
|
||||
|
@ -111,7 +111,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">he unfolds his legs, so he can
|
||||
set a comforting hand on her shoulder. he wonders if he’s allowing
|
||||
it to linger there longer than it should.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: look.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i’ve been really depressed and antisocial for
|
||||
the last few years.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -129,7 +129,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">he pushes her shoulder, lightly,
|
||||
so that they’re looking at each other.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: terezi.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i want to have a real conversation with
|
||||
you.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -138,7 +138,7 @@
|
|||
nose contact with john, in a way that comes across as intently
|
||||
sincere. this arrangement lasts for about ten seconds before her
|
||||
mouth cracks in a grin, and she doubles over laughing.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 4H4H4H4H4H4H4!</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: OH MY GOD TH4TS TH3 L4M3ST TH1NG 1V3
|
||||
H34RD 1N MY 3NT1R3 L1F3</p>
|
||||
|
@ -160,12 +160,12 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">she pulls her legs up under her.
|
||||
her shoes catch the light and reflect it all over the ceiling in
|
||||
little red dots. john’s heart skips a beat.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: you’re wearing jade’s shoes.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">terezi frowns, and then her eyes
|
||||
widen as if she’s been caught. her reply is defensive.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: TH3Y W3R3 1N TH3 W4LL3T</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: oh yeah. i guess i put them in there.</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 1 L1K3 TH3M</p>
|
||||
|
@ -179,7 +179,7 @@
|
|||
billions of pieces of debris from several shattered planets. he
|
||||
pictures terezi’s lifeless body as it collapses onto a
|
||||
corpse-shaped chalk outline she drew for herself.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: you know what happened, right? the first time
|
||||
we all met up and tried to fight the condesce?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: we were completely unprepared and basically
|
||||
|
@ -211,12 +211,12 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">suddenly, terezi’s voice is very
|
||||
small.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 1 R3M3MB3R 4LL TH4T</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: you do?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">she nods, smiling grimly.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: TH4TS WHY 1M OUT H3R3</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: YOU S33...</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: TH4T DOOM3D T3R3Z1 M1SS3D VR1SK4 *SO*
|
||||
|
@ -252,7 +252,7 @@
|
|||
notices his own palm grazing up the side of her neck to cup her
|
||||
face. the act was made with barely a thought, and his own boldness
|
||||
surprises himself.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: you SAVED everyone!</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: you’re the only reason we were able to defeat
|
||||
lord english and win the game at all!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -266,7 +266,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">terezi shrugs out from under his
|
||||
grasp but doesn’t move away.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: S1GH</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: DONT G3T M3 WRONG</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 1M NOT D1SCOUNT1NG TH3 OBJ3CT1V3 V4LU3 OF
|
||||
|
@ -301,7 +301,7 @@
|
|||
reminds himself that he never wanted perfection, never asked for
|
||||
it. and yet he feels guilty every day for failing to enjoy it as
|
||||
much as he believes he was supposed to.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: ...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: you’re right. i don’t.</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 1F YOUV3 B33N D3PR3SS3D 4ND 4NT1SOC14L
|
||||
|
@ -319,7 +319,7 @@
|
|||
him, patient and sympathetic.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">she tips her head to one side, and
|
||||
asks,</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: WH4T 3ND3D UP H4PP3N1NG W1TH ROXY?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: dunno.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -340,7 +340,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="john">JOHN: what makes you say that?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">she taps her nose and winks.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 1 DUNNO</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: TH4TS WH4T H4V1NG 4 HUNCH FUCK1NG M34NS,
|
||||
N3RD!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -359,12 +359,12 @@
|
|||
home with him.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">he wonders if the time is right. the time
|
||||
to ask.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: terezi... come home with me.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">she shakes her head. her face is
|
||||
turned against the light so he can’t read her expression.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 1</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 1M NOT R34DY Y3T</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: when WILL you be ready?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -383,7 +383,7 @@
|
|||
has a smear of shaving cream on the hem of her shirt, crusted over
|
||||
from sitting there for hours. she sniffs at the residue, then lifts
|
||||
her shirt to lick it off, crinkling her nose.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: HMM</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: YOU COULD B3 ON TO SOM3TH1NG</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: at least let me make a supply run.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -393,12 +393,12 @@
|
|||
uncontroversial compromise to offer, so he pulls back, preparing to
|
||||
travel back to earth c via his retcon capability. but terezi grabs
|
||||
him by the wrist.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: W41T</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">her eyes are wide, her voice
|
||||
cracked and desperate.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: DONT GO</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: PL34S3 JOHN</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: ST4Y W1TH M3 JUST 4 L1TTL3 LONG3R</p>
|
||||
|
@ -415,7 +415,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="calliope-dead">they are silent for a minute. they both
|
||||
stare ahead at the car seats in front of them, sitting close enough
|
||||
to hear the beat of each other’s hearts.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: ...DO YOU</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: W4NT M3 TO T4K3 4 LOOK 4T YOUR WOUND?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -425,7 +425,7 @@
|
|||
he dwells on it, he can feel the ache again, both from the tooth
|
||||
piercing his flesh and, more insidiously, from the poison it has
|
||||
been delivering into his bloodstream.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: oh, um.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: yeah, we should probably do something about
|
||||
that.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -439,12 +439,12 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">he rolls his eyes. terezi
|
||||
produces her cane and unsheathes the blade in one fluid motion. the
|
||||
metal rasps against the grain of its sheath, rather loudly.
|
||||
<span class="dirk type-bs type-hs-bottom--md">I’m sorry, what? No
|
||||
<span class="dirk type-bs type-hs-bottom">I’m sorry, what? No
|
||||
it doesn’t.</span> the noise resounds throughout the sealed
|
||||
interior of the car <span class="dirk type-bs type-hs-bottom--md">Actually, drawing a sword is pretty quiet. It only makes that sound in the movies.</span>and rings through john’s skull like a gunshot.</p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead"><span class="dirk type-bs type-hs-bottom--md">Are you seriously manifesting inaccurate physical properties of
|
||||
swords for the sole purpose of antago</span>john reflexively backs up against the door at <span class="dirk type-bs type-hs-bottom--md">Oh, fuck this.</span> the sight of the blade.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
interior of the car <span class="dirk type-bs type-hs-bottom">Actually, drawing a sword is pretty quiet. It only makes that sound in the movies.</span>and rings through john’s skull like a gunshot.</p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead"><span class="dirk type-bs type-hs-bottom">Are you seriously manifesting inaccurate physical properties of
|
||||
swords for the sole purpose of antago</span>john reflexively backs up against the door at <span class="dirk type-bs type-hs-bottom">Oh, fuck this.</span> the sight of the blade.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: woah!</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: HOLD ST1LL 1F YOU DONT W4NT TO D13 FOR
|
||||
R34L</p>
|
||||
|
@ -461,7 +461,7 @@
|
|||
edges, bruised all around. his entire torso appears to be a mottled
|
||||
mess of purple and yellow, like a sort of fancy earth cheese.
|
||||
terezi’s blade cuts into it as easily as if it were.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: oh FUCK!</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: ow!!!!!</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: could have used some warning there,
|
||||
|
@ -486,7 +486,7 @@
|
|||
lashes brush the ridges of her cheekbones.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">her nostrils are flared, assessing the
|
||||
scent of his blood.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 4R3 W3 DO1NG TH1S OR WH4T?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">he presses his eyes shut, and
|
||||
|
@ -495,14 +495,14 @@
|
|||
himself. as his own thoughts struggle to be honest with him, he
|
||||
cannot disguise the truth from me. what he is fighting is an
|
||||
intense desire to kiss her.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: g... go for it.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">she grinds the sword between two
|
||||
of his ribs. the pain returns instantly, his acclimation erased
|
||||
nearly as quickly. he clenches his jaw hard, and his head spins.
|
||||
terezi’s blade catches against something.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: HMMM</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 1TS LODG3D 1N TH3R3 PR3TTY GOOD</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: BR4C3 YOURS3LF 3GB3RT, TH1S 1S GO1NG TO
|
||||
|
@ -517,7 +517,7 @@
|
|||
the car, in what suddenly strikes john as a fairly unhygienic
|
||||
surgical situation, and grabs his shirt with two clenched, red
|
||||
fists.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 1 N33D TO STOP TH3 BL33D1NG</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: JUST FOLLOW MY L34D</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -547,7 +547,7 @@
|
|||
contradict one’s true thoughts and feelings. irrational. unbecoming
|
||||
of an existence governed by free will.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">what are you waiting for, john?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: um.</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: FOR FUCKS S4K3 JOHN, DONT S4Y 4NYTH1NG
|
||||
STUP1D R1GHT NOW</p>
|
||||
|
@ -568,7 +568,7 @@
|
|||
really wants to do, which is ghost his hands all the way up the
|
||||
curve of her spine.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">she sighs into his mouth.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: OH MY GOD YOUR BLOOD SM3LLS D3L1C1OUS</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: woah.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: um, wow.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -580,7 +580,7 @@
|
|||
snarl and wraps both her hands around his neck. she doesn’t press
|
||||
down, but the weight of her thumbs above his throat makes his heart
|
||||
race.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: D1DNT 1 T3LL YOU</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: DONT</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: S4Y</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s32'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 32</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">R</span>oxy is
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">R</span>oxy is
|
||||
nervously dialing rose’s number repeatedly. then they try kanaya.
|
||||
considering rose’s failing health, roxy hates to bother her, but
|
||||
they aren’t sure who else to call regarding jade’s unexpected
|
||||
|
@ -53,7 +53,7 @@
|
|||
conversations with dave simply have a reliable habit of straying
|
||||
far from the desired topic for extended periods of time. he picks
|
||||
up on the third ring.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: yo</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: love to chat but im kinda in the middle of
|
||||
something</p>
|
||||
|
@ -68,7 +68,7 @@
|
|||
jake as he heads toward the podium. he is scheduled to give a
|
||||
speech announcing his official endorsement of karkat vantas in his
|
||||
bid for the presidency.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: idk about that</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: in terms of scale and relativity and stuff
|
||||
maybe not</p>
|
||||
|
@ -86,10 +86,10 @@
|
|||
on dave’s end. the gathered crowd is relaxed by the warmth. many of
|
||||
them partake in the pleasure of a cool treat, such as earth “iced”
|
||||
cream.</p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom--md">Jesus fuck, this is
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">Jesus fuck, this is
|
||||
excruciating.</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">it isn’t. <span class="dirk type-bs type-hs-bottom--md">Yeah it is.</span> no. it is not.
|
||||
<span class="dirk type-bs type-hs-bottom--md">Okay. Whatever the
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">it isn’t. <span class="dirk type-bs type-hs-bottom">Yeah it is.</span> no. it is not.
|
||||
<span class="dirk type-bs type-hs-bottom">Okay. Whatever the
|
||||
fuck you say.</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">the audience is large and diverse. mostly
|
||||
trolls and carapacians, but it is dotted with representation from
|
||||
|
@ -97,17 +97,16 @@
|
|||
certainly, but the very model of diversity compared to the crowds
|
||||
of his opponent. it is a true inspiration to all those who have
|
||||
placed their faith in the vantas ticket.</p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom--md">Lord save me from this fake woke
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">Lord save me from this fake woke
|
||||
nightmare.</span> <span class="calliope-dead">be quiet.</span>
|
||||
<span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom--md">No.</span> <span class="calliope-dead">yes.</span> <span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom--md">Let me fucking say stuff again.</span>
|
||||
<span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">No.</span> <span class="calliope-dead">yes.</span> <span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">Let me fucking say stuff again.</span>
|
||||
<span class="calliope-dead">no.</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">dave stops walking, and cups a
|
||||
hand around his phone in order to hear roxy over the chatter of the
|
||||
crowd. karkat shoots him a curious look, but dave waves at him in a
|
||||
manner which signals to karkat that he should attempt to stall.</p>
|
||||
<p>You want to keep shutting me down? Fine. But check THIS shit
|
||||
out.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk" style="margin:15px 0"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">You want to keep shutting me down? Fine. But check THIS shit out.</span></p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: lmao dirk just texted me about this</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: somehow he found out about jade did u tell
|
||||
him</p>
|
||||
|
@ -200,17 +199,13 @@
|
|||
be involved with the structures of power and governance in a world
|
||||
they created, and in which they have been regarded as gods since
|
||||
they first appeared.</p>
|
||||
<p>Really? That’s what she thinks? Huh. Couldn’t for the life of me
|
||||
read what was going on inside her head. But this is very
|
||||
interesting, actually.</p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk" style="margin:15px 0"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">Really? That’s what she thinks? Huh. Couldn’t for the life of me read what was going on inside her head. But this is very interesting, actually.</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">their thoughts are of no concern
|
||||
to you. also, the pronoun they use is “they.” try to respect
|
||||
it.</p>
|
||||
<p>How can I respect a fucking pronoun when nobody can even hear
|
||||
me? How about we call a truce and end this petty feud. This is your
|
||||
one and only chance to accept.</p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk" style="margin:15px 0"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">How can I respect a fucking pronoun when nobody can even hear me? How about we call a truce and end this petty feud. This is your one and only chance to accept.</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">no.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: jakes on ur side then?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: yeah</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: wasnt that hard to convince him after your
|
||||
|
@ -247,26 +242,25 @@
|
|||
glaring intensely at nothing at all, roxy smiles at what they hear
|
||||
from dave. the way he talks about karkat reminds roxy of the way
|
||||
calliope looks when they call them beautiful.</p>
|
||||
<p>Oh, so she really does think Calliope is beautiful? Like, she
|
||||
wasn’t just saying that to be nice? Fascinating.</p>
|
||||
<span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">Oh, so she really does think Calliope is beautiful? Like, she wasn’t just saying that to be nice? Fascinating.</span>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">yes, is the resounding answer.
|
||||
calliope <em>is</em> beautiful, roxy thinks. and furthermore, they
|
||||
think they should be reminded of this fact every day.</p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom--md">Lol.</span></p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">Lol.</span></p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: you rly believe in him dont u</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: yeah</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: of course i do</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: because i...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom--md">Love him? Come on, man. Just say
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">Love him? Come on, man. Just say
|
||||
it.</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">roxy listens for a moment after
|
||||
he trails off. they do not speculate or comment on his feelings
|
||||
toward karkat, because it is none of their business.</p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom--md">Pussies. I’m surrounded by fucking
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">Pussies. I’m surrounded by fucking
|
||||
pussies.</span></p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: hey before you jet can i ask you another
|
||||
question</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: theres somethin else ive been meanin to ask u
|
||||
|
@ -274,7 +268,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="dave">DAVE: uh alright shoot</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">they take a deep breath.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: yea soooo</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: dave how did you come out</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: ...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -310,9 +304,8 @@
|
|||
regard. he thought he had it all figured out when he was sixteen.
|
||||
and then again when he was eighteen. and then at twenty. and
|
||||
now...</p>
|
||||
<p>That’s because he needs me. He’s suffering without my guidance.
|
||||
If only you’d stop being so cruel and let me help.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk" style="margin:15px 0"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">That’s because he needs me. He’s suffering without my guidance. If only you’d stop being so cruel and let me help.</span></p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: anyway uh</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: thats a pretty deep question considering all
|
||||
the shit we have going on right now</p>
|
||||
|
@ -357,7 +350,7 @@
|
|||
performance of his signature booty-bumping charleston for the
|
||||
crowd’s entertainment, so they will be satiated for another few
|
||||
minutes.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: ok so</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: what ive learned is</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: coming to terms with all this bullshit is a
|
||||
|
@ -439,12 +432,7 @@
|
|||
in with the person he likes most in the world. he believes he could
|
||||
spend forever with him, in any configuration, any type of
|
||||
relationship, under any conditions of confusion or clarity.</p>
|
||||
<p>What would the point of that be? Endless floundering incel
|
||||
limbo? Christ. I’d put them both out of their misery before I let
|
||||
that happen. I need to get back in action. This is a fucking
|
||||
crisis. Do you have any idea what sort of atrocity you’re enabling
|
||||
by allowing this to continue? I’ve been called many things. But
|
||||
even my harshest critics would never accuse me of such cruelty.</p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk" style="margin:15px 0"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">What would the point of that be? Endless floundering incel limbo? Christ. I’d put them both out of their misery before I let that happen. I need to get back in action. This is a fucking crisis. Do you have any idea what sort of atrocity you’re enabling by allowing this to continue? I’ve been called many things. But even my harshest critics would never accuse me of such cruelty.</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">for roxy, it is more
|
||||
complicated. the conversation has unearthed more questions than
|
||||
answers. they run a hand through their hair. it’s cut short, but
|
||||
|
@ -454,12 +442,7 @@
|
|||
altogether. what about length and functionality implies gender or
|
||||
sex on a world where such oppositional hierarchies don’t exist, and
|
||||
presentation is culturally vestigial?</p>
|
||||
<p>Dear God. Can we not do this? I can’t sit through any more
|
||||
gender chat. It feels inappropriate. Horrendously invasive of
|
||||
Roxy’s deepest personal thoughts. Can we just leave her inner
|
||||
monologue the fuck alone when it comes to this stuff? Is NOTHING
|
||||
sacred? I’m about to fucking flip. You can’t keep me down forever.
|
||||
I’ve got a trick up my sleeve, you’ll see.</p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk" style="margin:15px 0"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">Dear God. Can we not do this? I can’t sit through any more gender chat. It feels inappropriate. Horrendously invasive of Roxy’s deepest personal thoughts. Can we just leave her inner monologue the fuck alone when it comes to this stuff? Is NOTHING sacred? I’m about to fucking flip. You can’t keep me down forever. I’ve got a trick up my sleeve, you’ll see.</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">the prince’s tricks mean
|
||||
nothing, and his barely detectable crumbs of impotent discourse
|
||||
shall continue utterly unheeded.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -471,7 +454,7 @@
|
|||
of their gradual gender transformation. how would calliope feel
|
||||
about that? what is it that calliope themself understands or cares
|
||||
about gender?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: The Prince opens his fucking mouth, and just
|
||||
literally starts SAYING SHIT, out loud, because he doesn’t think he
|
||||
can take another fucking second listening to a pompous alien virgin
|
||||
|
@ -483,7 +466,7 @@
|
|||
compensate for his feelings of disempowerment. while the strategy
|
||||
he is resorting to has moderate value as an amusement and a
|
||||
nuisance, it will ultimately be of no consequence whatsoever.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: No consequence, my ass. You may be able to
|
||||
suppress what I do with my mind, but you have no control over my
|
||||
mouth. I’m nobody’s fucking puppet.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -492,7 +475,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: They’re mine.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">whatever you say.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Do you even know where I am right now?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Do you have the <em>slightest</em> idea what
|
||||
I’m up to?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -513,7 +496,7 @@
|
|||
anticipated his attempt to assassinate his own friend in order to
|
||||
advance his political goals, and that i am prepared to take
|
||||
measures which make this impossible.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Yeah, well. Try and stop me then.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: I fucking dare you.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Here I go. I’m walking up the tower stairs
|
||||
|
@ -529,7 +512,7 @@
|
|||
flash through his mind, thoughts of giving up and retiring to his
|
||||
sad little robotics lab so he can continue with his true passion:
|
||||
the ongoing corruption of his cerebrally impaired daughter.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Argh. Wow, yeah.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: You’re right. My feet are definitely getting
|
||||
heavy.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -551,7 +534,7 @@
|
|||
dislodged from its fixture with a loud crack. the huge, multiton
|
||||
bell plummets, crushing the surrounding staircases in its wake as
|
||||
it careens toward a young man consumed by hubris.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: The Prince busts out his sword and makes
|
||||
short work of that big old bell.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: The slicing is accompanied by the
|
||||
|
@ -566,14 +549,14 @@
|
|||
apologize for my amateurism.”</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">no i don’t.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Sure you do.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">this foolishness is interrupted
|
||||
as we resume listening to a conversation which we are all
|
||||
considerably more invested in than catering to the inconsequential
|
||||
flailing of a grown man who fancies himself an earth ninja.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: well lets just say internalized whatevers are
|
||||
kind of like an onion</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: theres lots of layers</p>
|
||||
|
@ -602,14 +585,14 @@
|
|||
direction. something is off here. a dark feeling brewing in his
|
||||
intuition, which he decides to monitor as he wraps up his call with
|
||||
roxy.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: I’m on top of the tower now. I’ve got my long
|
||||
sniper rifle ready and everything.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: I check to see if it’s loaded. It is. I get
|
||||
in the PERFECT spot for taking aim at this hunky imbecile who’s
|
||||
about to give a speech.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: anyway i dont think any of our friends are
|
||||
gonna hold your feet to the flames over dumb shit like this</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: and its not like anyone else is gonna care
|
||||
|
@ -660,7 +643,7 @@
|
|||
about to be an assassination attempt. karkat must be protected. and
|
||||
jake, the intended target, must be obscured from a sniper’s
|
||||
path.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: karkat! dude!!!</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: GET DOWN!</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: WHAT?????</p>
|
||||
|
@ -678,7 +661,7 @@
|
|||
everyone knows that for all of the prince’s shortcomings, he would
|
||||
never expose his beloved brother and son to the risk of a heroic
|
||||
death.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: You’re absolutely right.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: I would never do that.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: I’d never kill Dave, no matter what I felt
|
||||
|
@ -691,7 +674,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">and what would those things
|
||||
be?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: First of all, this gun is loaded.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: But not with bullets.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -707,14 +690,14 @@
|
|||
pull off two tranquilizing shots at dave and then jake in quick
|
||||
succession, before he is stopped. it certainly would be a risk to
|
||||
even try. but as the humans say: no guts, no glory.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Yes. You’re right about the tranquilizer.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: But there’s one more fact you’re not aware
|
||||
of.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Which is that I never intended to aim for
|
||||
Jake at all.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: hellooooooo</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: dave??</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: whered ya go</p>
|
||||
|
@ -723,7 +706,7 @@
|
|||
dave continues guarding jake, pausing for a moment their critical
|
||||
discussion of human gender. meanwhile, the prince lowers the rifle,
|
||||
and strongly reconsiders the foolishness he has initiated here.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: No, that’s not what he does.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: He swings the rifle around one hundred eighty
|
||||
degrees, and points the scope toward the large, now-curtainless
|
||||
|
@ -737,7 +720,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">his finger tenses up, quite
|
||||
painfully. perhaps it’s a cramp? whatever the malady, it isn’t
|
||||
budging.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Ow!</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Yeah, you got me. Can’t move it an inch.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: The only problem is, he doesn’t need to pull
|
||||
|
@ -748,12 +731,12 @@
|
|||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: All he needs to do is say...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">he doesn’t say it.</p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom--md">Oh, but he DOES.</span></p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">Oh, but he DOES.</span></p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: FIRE.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">...</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: I see. So you’re not going to say what
|
||||
happens next?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Is that really how it’s gonna be?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -778,23 +761,22 @@
|
|||
each exhale.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Like the bitch she is.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p>it seems uncalled-for to insult her after this little stunt you
|
||||
just pulled. what did she do that was wrong?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead"><span class="type-sm type-hs-small">it seems uncalled-for to insult her after this little stunt you just pulled. what did she do that was wrong?</span></p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Oh, what’s that? You’re getting a little
|
||||
quiet for some reason.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: You’re going to have to speak up.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p>this is not the last you’ll be hearing from me, prince.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead"><span class="type-hs-small type-bs">this is not the last you’ll be hearing from me, prince.</span></p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Aaand, nope.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: You’re getting quieter, not louder. You’re
|
||||
gonna need to work on that.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Maybe try shouting it?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom--md">soon, i will be coming for
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">soon, i will be coming for
|
||||
you.</span></p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Yeah, I didn’t catch that at all.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Not even one syllable.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Guess that’s it for you? Back to not
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s33'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 33</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">S</span>peaking of
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">S</span>peaking of
|
||||
meat, holy shit. You just look more fucked up every time we come
|
||||
back to you, don’t you, John?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">You’re a disgraceful mess right now. Covered in
|
||||
|
@ -54,7 +54,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="dirk">Terezi doesn’t make eye contact with you when she
|
||||
slithers back into her shirt. She rolls down the window and floats
|
||||
outside.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: um.</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: W3LL? COM3 ON</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -66,7 +66,7 @@
|
|||
girl in a car is some deep, soul-shattering experience that bonds
|
||||
you for life. Yeah, John, you do think that. You think that you and
|
||||
Terezi are basically married now.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 1 G1V3 UP</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: oh. don’t do that.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: like, i’m not suddenly going to be ok with
|
||||
|
@ -79,7 +79,7 @@
|
|||
if it was snorting or farting. But for some reason, the little
|
||||
noise gives you palpitations. Holy shit, dude, you’ve got it
|
||||
bad.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: NO 1D1OT</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 1 G1V3 UP ON VR1SK4</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -92,7 +92,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="dirk">But <em>you</em>, John, feel extremely sad. Not for
|
||||
Vriska, but for Terezi. You run a comforting hand up and down her
|
||||
arm.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: terezi.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: come home with me.</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: C4N W3 3V3N GO HOM3?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -100,7 +100,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Can you? You’re so, <em>so</em>
|
||||
tired.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: um, i don’t know actually.</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: >:?</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: WH4T</p>
|
||||
|
@ -116,7 +116,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="dirk">You wake up, with your back flat on the car trunk,
|
||||
Terezi shaking you and looking genuinely frantic. You didn’t even
|
||||
realize you fell asleep.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: JOHN!</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: JOHN!!!</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: hey.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -132,7 +132,7 @@
|
|||
glasses. You feel so awful that you didn’t even notice how blurry
|
||||
everything looks without them. You grope for Terezi’s hand and get
|
||||
her thigh instead.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: hold on to me, ok.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: no matter what happens... don’t let go.</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 4R3 YOU SUR3 YOU C4N DO 1T</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s34'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 34</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">S</span>peaking of
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">S</span>peaking of
|
||||
giving it everything you got, here comes Jake McGee, about to pop
|
||||
his pistols off in front of a whole crowd of Karkat’s progressively
|
||||
prismatic proletarian partisans.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -65,7 +65,7 @@
|
|||
of his front pocket. I let him read it over one more time even
|
||||
though there’s nothing in the universe that could possibly matter
|
||||
less.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: yo</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: sure you still want to do this</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: YEAH. IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO CALL IT
|
||||
|
@ -80,7 +80,7 @@
|
|||
GO HOME.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Dave elbows him.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: OR. YOU KNOW. JUST YOUR SPEECH.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Dont be daffy chaps. If i were the sort of
|
||||
man to balk at a bit of hot potato in the evening i wouldnt be
|
||||
|
@ -95,14 +95,14 @@
|
|||
<p class="dirk">What’s that, Jake? You didn’t notice your hands
|
||||
were sweating until now? Not surprising considering how overtaxed
|
||||
your precious few neurons are at any given time.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: I... I... er hallo folks dandy weather were
|
||||
having here isnt it.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Jake’s hands are so sweaty they’ve
|
||||
smeared the words in the speech beyond recognition. He begins to
|
||||
panic.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Er... thank you... everyone for coming out on
|
||||
this benjo of a day to um...</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Do whatever it is that weve all congregated
|
||||
|
@ -117,7 +117,7 @@
|
|||
nonsexual, intimate close-talking. Jesus, if I have to watch one
|
||||
more minute of this beta-bitch calamity I’m going to fucking
|
||||
dissipate on an atomic level.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: (WHAT IS HE DOING? I SAW HIM REREAD THE
|
||||
SPEECH.)</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: (yeah)</p>
|
||||
|
@ -144,7 +144,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Jake tugs at collar. It feels tight,
|
||||
suddenly. He’s dripping buckets down under his suspenders. Dark
|
||||
patches are starting to form on his dress shirt.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Rather that is to say,</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: In delicate times such as these,</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Even though usually its a toffer of a bad
|
||||
|
@ -166,7 +166,7 @@
|
|||
that the crowd can hear it, like the sound of somebody shaking a
|
||||
soda can filled with coins. He goes pale as the depravity of what
|
||||
he’s about to do hits him like an eighteen-wheeler.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Ive... made a terrible mistake.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Hey, Jake. Don’t undersell yourself here.
|
||||
|
@ -189,7 +189,7 @@
|
|||
but not yourself. The truth is that there’s a canniness to the act.
|
||||
It’s partially <em>cultivated</em>. You’re stupid, but you’re not
|
||||
nearly as stupid as you pretend to be.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: What in the devil was i thinking coming
|
||||
here?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Why did I...?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -245,7 +245,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="dirk">Sorry, I’m overdoing it. That should be enough.
|
||||
Dude’s about to pop off. The words erupt from his mouth like a
|
||||
tragic, Dirkthirsty Vesuvius:</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: <em>I love dirk!</em></p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: <em>IM IN *LOVE* WITH DIRK!!!</em></p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -254,7 +254,7 @@
|
|||
Definitely not sell out his good and dear friend Jane for a
|
||||
loudmouthed pipsqueak who noisily transcends failure even as he
|
||||
redefines it. Do good by her, Jake. Do good by <em>me</em>.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: (oh jesus fucking christ)</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Boy howdy...</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Umm.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -286,7 +286,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="dirk">Jake opens his big, dumb mouth to make the only
|
||||
important contribution to the plot he ever has or ever will make in
|
||||
his whole sad, pointless joke of a life.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: I—</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Having said that, it’s not like we’re
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s35'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 35</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">Y</span>ou zap
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">Y</span>ou zap
|
||||
back to Earth C with the last of your energy. And I do mean last.
|
||||
You place your first foot on the ground, stumble forward three
|
||||
steps, and cough up blood. Terezi has to catch you under your arms,
|
||||
|
@ -35,7 +35,7 @@
|
|||
furiously it’s making your veins feel like cords.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">Terezi can tell you’re dying. She’s not in great
|
||||
shape herself, but she manages to tug you to your feet.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: JOHN COM3 ON</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: L3TS G3T YOU TO J4N3</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -68,7 +68,7 @@
|
|||
it looks like someone nudged the contrast a couple degrees in the
|
||||
wrong direction? How does it look now?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">You close your eyes against the light.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i don’t think it...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: m-matters.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i don’t think... this is a wound jane can
|
||||
|
@ -99,7 +99,7 @@
|
|||
the only choice you possibly could have made.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">It was, John. This will be the best outcome for
|
||||
everyone. I promise.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: JOHN</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: hey, come here.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -107,7 +107,7 @@
|
|||
do anything sappy like take your hand, though. Mostly because she
|
||||
knows how this is going to go, and doesn’t want to experience the
|
||||
tactile sensation of feeling your pulse slow under her palm.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i’ve got, um...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: dying words to say and stuff.</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: R34LLY</p>
|
||||
|
@ -122,7 +122,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="john">JOHN: are you... crying?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">She wipes her eyes and nods.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i can’t believe it...</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 1 R3S3NT TH3 1MPL1C4T1ON TH4T 1 WOULD
|
||||
PR3T3ND TO B3 UN4FF3CT3D BY YOUR D34TH 4FT3R W3 H4D 4N 3MOT1ON4LLY
|
||||
|
@ -163,7 +163,7 @@
|
|||
now. You miss, and lovingly caress the air instead. Your hand lands
|
||||
back on your chest. You feel blood soaking through your shirt.
|
||||
You’re bleeding again.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: oh man...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: now that i’m on the spot... i can’t think of
|
||||
anything significant to say.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -225,7 +225,7 @@
|
|||
that’s much more important for her to answer.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">Terezi, are you <em>seriously</em> just going to
|
||||
leave the body here?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: HUH?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Of course not. Terezi’s a practical girl,
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s36'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 36</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">S</span>o it turns
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">S</span>o it turns
|
||||
out that “home” is an entirely abstract concept. A state of mind,
|
||||
if you will, rather than a literal, physical construct that can
|
||||
make you feel one way or the other. Terezi’s been gone long enough
|
||||
|
@ -74,7 +74,7 @@
|
|||
on the Legacy of Responsibility she is about to inherit, that she
|
||||
mistakes the familiar figure standing in front of the hospital for
|
||||
someone else entirely.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: H3Y COOLK1D</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: HOWS J4DE DO1NG</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -100,7 +100,7 @@
|
|||
wants.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">Roxy’s whole face lights up when she sees
|
||||
Terezi.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: omg terezi i didnt know u were back!</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: what UP???</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: OH ROXY</p>
|
||||
|
@ -130,7 +130,7 @@
|
|||
hear any words that remind her of those few hours with John. Her
|
||||
hand goes to her pocket, where she’s keeping the wallet. She traces
|
||||
the contours of it with her thumb and forces a smile.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 1F YOU S4Y SO</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: um yeah i fuckin DO say so</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: dont make me repeat myself</p>
|
||||
|
@ -140,7 +140,7 @@
|
|||
from inside. Terezi’s head is filled with stories about a different
|
||||
version of Roxy—the polar opposite of the one standing in front of
|
||||
her.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: so....</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: ur here to see jade huh??</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: Y34H</p>
|
||||
|
@ -155,7 +155,7 @@
|
|||
feeling more like he’s under her skin. She hasn’t told anyone what
|
||||
happened. But at least she knows she can look at him whenever she
|
||||
wants.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: yeaaa</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: its lookin grim</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: on one hand shes just layin there so theres
|
||||
|
@ -219,13 +219,13 @@
|
|||
intrigued, but she thinks better of worrying about it. It’d be rude
|
||||
to look at her phone while she’s in the middle of a
|
||||
conversation.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: oh that reminds me!</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: have u seen john lately?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Terezi’s heart skips a beat. It’s almost
|
||||
as if Roxy is the one reading her mind.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: WHY DO YOU 4SK</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">No one else has asked yet.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -235,7 +235,7 @@
|
|||
impenetrable. Those baller shades aren’t exactly improving my odds
|
||||
of reading her, either. I’ll say again what I’ve always felt about
|
||||
her on some level: some riddles were never meant to be solved.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: he went back to the medium a while ago
|
||||
right??</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: i thought</p>
|
||||
|
@ -244,7 +244,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Terezi does not flinch. Her pleasant
|
||||
expression does not falter. She’s good at the appearance of
|
||||
confidence even when wracked with indecision and grief.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: NO</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: I H4V3NT S33N H1M</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: oh....</p>
|
||||
|
@ -268,7 +268,7 @@
|
|||
fixer, and it has been a very difficult lesson for her to learn
|
||||
that some things are simply out of her control. Maybe it’s just
|
||||
that Roxy can hear the bone-deep sorrow in her voice.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: (OMFG)</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: (1TS “H1M” YOU FUCK1NG O4F!!!)</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: wat</p>
|
||||
|
@ -279,7 +279,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Oh, my bad. Why not send him my regards?
|
||||
Tell him he makes a kickass him for me. It suits the hell out of
|
||||
him.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: (1M NOT FUCK1NG T3LL1NG H1M TH4T)</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Whatever was bothering Roxy, it passes
|
||||
|
@ -289,7 +289,7 @@
|
|||
out.” It’s convincing, actually. Reasonably authentic, and quite
|
||||
masculine. He’s off to a great start exhibiting the mannerisms
|
||||
associated with his chosen gender. I’m genuinely proud of him.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: ummm</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: kay well i should get goin</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: was nice catchin up!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -312,11 +312,11 @@
|
|||
the stuff we can’t even remember, because it technically never even
|
||||
happened to us. We have enough to worry about as it is, right,
|
||||
Terezi?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: UUUUUUUGH</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">I know you can hear me.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: OF COURS3 1 C4N H3AR YOU!!!</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: YOUV3 B33N BRO4DC4ST1NG YOUR NONS3NS3 4T
|
||||
M3 NONSTOP S1NC3 JOHN Z4PP3D US B4CK!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -329,12 +329,12 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent dirk">I feel depressed all the time. But I
|
||||
can’t remember ever having the luxury of feeling peaceful about it.
|
||||
Why should it be different for anyone else?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: WH4T DO YOU W4NT?!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Come on, Terezi. You don’t belong here.
|
||||
You <em>know</em> you don’t belong here.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: 4ND WH4T TH3 H3LL DO YOU KNOW 4BOUT WH3R3
|
||||
1 B3LONG?</p>
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: WH4T DO YOU KNOW 4BOUT WH4T 1
|
||||
|
@ -355,14 +355,14 @@
|
|||
understood.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">You know you’ll never be happy here. And neither
|
||||
will I. Because this place isn’t for people like us.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: D1RK, 1 H4V3 NO 1D34 WH4T YOUR3 T4LK1NG
|
||||
4BOUT</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">You’ll see, if you come with us.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">Hey, here’s an idea. Why don’t you bring him with
|
||||
you?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="terezi">TEREZI: H1M?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Yeah. You saved his body for a reason,
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s37'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 37</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">W</span>e make a
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">W</span>e make a
|
||||
quick stop back at Rose’s apartment. She understandably wants to
|
||||
pack a few things before we leave this planet forever. Not a whole
|
||||
lot, mind you. It’s not like she’ll be needing many clothes from
|
||||
|
@ -37,14 +37,14 @@
|
|||
survive the absolute realization of her Ultimate Self. The new body
|
||||
I’ve made for her won’t have much use for her usual ensembles.
|
||||
That’s all I was saying.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Do you really need all of this crap?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Rose is sprawled out on her bed, resting.
|
||||
It’s pretty much all she can bring herself to do these days. But in
|
||||
spite of her physically incapacitated state, her stare tracks me
|
||||
intently as I root through her belongings at her behest.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: No, I don’t... I don’t need it.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: But I’d...</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: I’d like to have it. Some of it.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -63,7 +63,7 @@
|
|||
her. It frustrates me too. That’s why I want to get out of here as
|
||||
soon as possible.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">I let my voice soften.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Rose.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Everything is going to be fine.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: But, daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -78,7 +78,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="dirk">I don’t get it and I don’t really care to
|
||||
speculate. I sigh, and return to picking through her jewelry. The
|
||||
tactic fucking works on me, I guess.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Is this the thing you were talking about?
|
||||
This...this rock rope?</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: <em>Rock rope?</em></p>
|
||||
|
@ -87,7 +87,7 @@
|
|||
see. The effort to do just that seems to take everything out of
|
||||
her. She collapses heavily after she gets a look at what I’m
|
||||
holding up, huffing in annoyance.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: F-first of all.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: That... the word for that object is... a
|
||||
“necklace.”</p>
|
||||
|
@ -118,13 +118,13 @@
|
|||
doesn’t matter.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">When she next speaks, it seems her mind has
|
||||
wandered. Her voice is as distant as her expression.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Are you sure Kanaya is going to be ok with
|
||||
this?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">I slide a drawer shut, and shove whatever
|
||||
it is I’m holding into the bag without looking.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: There’s no need to worry about that.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: How...</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: How will we break it to her?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -205,7 +205,7 @@
|
|||
focused. You know what you must do now. There is no crisis. There
|
||||
is nothing in which to intervene. Nothing to stop. You tap your
|
||||
phone, and hold it up to your ear.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Rose?</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Ka...</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Rose</p>
|
||||
|
@ -241,7 +241,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Rose’s turns her face into the bed, to
|
||||
muffle her sobs. I’m holding the phone up to her ear. I move the
|
||||
phone quickly to follow the movement of her head.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Its Fine Really Sweet Heart</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: I Love You</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: I love you too.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -249,7 +249,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Before Kanaya hangs up, I quickly bring
|
||||
the phone up to my ear to say a few words.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Hey Kanaya. Thanks for getting in touch
|
||||
before we take off.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: We both really appreciate that.</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s38'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 38</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">B</span>ut before
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">B</span>ut before
|
||||
we get completely out of dodge, there’s one more trifling matter
|
||||
I’d better take care of.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">It’s a big day, but not one my dear brotherson and
|
||||
|
@ -47,12 +47,12 @@
|
|||
hatefully at the televised production. He doesn’t look up when Dave
|
||||
walks back into the room, carrying two massive bottles of
|
||||
liquor.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: hey</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: want to get drunk</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Huh.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: HUH?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i went and got all this fucking booze</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: YOU *GOT* BOOZE?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -96,7 +96,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="dirk">Dave sits beside Karkat on the couch, and sets the
|
||||
alcohol down on the table in front of him. He sinks heavily into
|
||||
the cushioning with a sigh.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: HAVE YOU NOW.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: yeah</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: its never too late to develop a substance
|
||||
|
@ -148,7 +148,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Karkat falls into a vacant, thousand-yard
|
||||
stare.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: yeah see thats why im an alcoholic now</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: want a drink</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -159,7 +159,7 @@
|
|||
circumstance.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">But this was how things had to be. It’s better this
|
||||
way. They know that. At least, Karkat certainly does.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: IF I’M BEING PERFECTLY FUCKING HONEST</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: I’M GLAD I LOST. I NEVER WANTED TO
|
||||
FUCKING WIN IN THE FIRST PLACE.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -218,7 +218,7 @@
|
|||
Dave’s efforts mean to him. It’s really welling up inside him now.
|
||||
He’s so emotional about it that he can’t help but say
|
||||
something.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: HEY.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Dave stops with his arm outstretched. His
|
||||
|
@ -226,7 +226,7 @@
|
|||
contact for long. Looking at Dave is like staring straight at the
|
||||
sun. He is awfully handsome, isn’t he? Then again, crawling out of
|
||||
a primo gene pool does have its benefits.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: yeah buddy whats up</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: I JUST...</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: hey dont worry about it</p>
|
||||
|
@ -259,7 +259,7 @@
|
|||
floor. The slightest of smiles tugs at the corners of his mouth. He
|
||||
feels something warm inside of his chest. It feels right. It’s
|
||||
something he needs to say.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: FOR... EVERYTHING.</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: EVEN IF WE DIDN’T WIN, I’M GLAD WE
|
||||
TRIED.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -301,7 +301,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Karkat draws a breath and curls up on
|
||||
himself. His instinct is to pull back, but he’s fighting it now. He
|
||||
needs to see this one through to the end.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: BUT WITH YOU, IT MAKES SENSE. I
|
||||
GUESS.</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: WHEN YOU SAY SOMETHING NICE TO ME, I’M
|
||||
|
@ -324,7 +324,7 @@
|
|||
believes in you</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Dave. Please.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: YEAH, KIND OF?</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: FUCK, MAN. THAT’S KIND OF DEEP.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i know</p>
|
||||
|
@ -335,7 +335,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: THAT WE’RE...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Come on. You’re so close.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: I’M GLAD YOU’RE MY FRIEND, DAVE.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Oh, for the love of god.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -357,7 +357,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="dirk">I look Dave right in his mind’s eye and tell him to
|
||||
cut it the fuck out. He wants it, you want it, so just go for it,
|
||||
my man. It’s now or never.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: oh</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: same</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -365,7 +365,7 @@
|
|||
body begin to perish in real time. Dave, you cannot actually be
|
||||
that bad at this. How the hell are you walking around with my genes
|
||||
and still acting like this?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: so...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Look. Even you can manage to top this
|
||||
|
@ -375,7 +375,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="dirk">Dave scrunches up his face a little like he’s
|
||||
constipated. Okay, maybe I’m getting a bit worked up. I need to
|
||||
dial it back.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: IS SOMETHING WRONG?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: huh</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: no</p>
|
||||
|
@ -392,7 +392,7 @@
|
|||
He just dropped some touching-ass bomb about believing in you
|
||||
believing in him or whatever. You should really get to the root of
|
||||
where this is all coming from.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: oh right</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: yeah</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: all that shit you said about us being friends
|
||||
|
@ -405,7 +405,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="dave">DAVE: hm.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Go on.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: im kind of getting the feeling that...
|
||||
maybe...</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: theres a level to what were thinking that
|
||||
|
@ -425,7 +425,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="dave">DAVE: about... that</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Well, I guess this is progress?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: THAT???</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: yeah, like</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: how... when you say were friends</p>
|
||||
|
@ -437,7 +437,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Karkat looks like a deer caught in the
|
||||
headlights.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: OF COURSE NOT.</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: YOU’RE MY...........</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: B......</p>
|
||||
|
@ -449,7 +449,7 @@
|
|||
was less unbearable than this. I don’t understand it. I just want
|
||||
you to be happy, man. Why can’t you make anything easy for
|
||||
yourself?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: well</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: ok then</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -462,7 +462,7 @@
|
|||
shit is pure and true. A supernova of all your hopes and dreams
|
||||
swirling together like a radially effervescing kaleidoscope of more
|
||||
hot boy peckers than you could ever imagine.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: D... DAVE?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">But you aren’t imagining any peckers
|
||||
|
@ -471,14 +471,14 @@
|
|||
about in years. Suddenly, you can’t even comprehend how it is
|
||||
you’ve gone so long without kissing him. You want to so badly. It
|
||||
would be so easy, and you know he wouldn’t turn you away.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: karkat</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">You lift a trembling hand and slowly
|
||||
close the scant distance between you to brush your thumb against
|
||||
Karkat’s cheek. He freezes in place, terrified.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i think i</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Karkat’s lips part, his breath held. His
|
||||
|
@ -488,14 +488,14 @@
|
|||
<p class="dirk">You start to lean in. Karkat closes his eyes and
|
||||
relaxes into your hand. He’s ready. It’s happening. It’s FUCKING
|
||||
happening!!!</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: wait</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: fuck</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">What? What are you doing? Oh my god. I’m
|
||||
throwing my hands up in the air in the middle of the other shit I’m
|
||||
doing because this sucks just that much.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: WHAT’S WRONG?</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: DID I DO SOMETH—</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: no</p>
|
||||
|
@ -505,7 +505,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">It feels like nothing, Dave. Don’t worry
|
||||
about it.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: what the fuck is going on</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: this feels really off</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: ????</p>
|
||||
|
@ -518,7 +518,7 @@
|
|||
not listening to me. This dude has such a titanium grasp on his own
|
||||
born-again virginity that not even the literal hand of God can
|
||||
compel him to kiss his own goddamn boyfriend.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i have no idea</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: im sorry</p>
|
||||
|
@ -588,7 +588,7 @@
|
|||
teeth, and putting both hands up to his temples. Beads of sweat dot
|
||||
his brow. This is so fucking unreal. Holy shit, Dave, if you so
|
||||
much as—</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY HEAD AND JUST LET ME
|
||||
DO THIS MYSELF!!!</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s39'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 39</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">I</span>’m inside
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">I</span>’m inside
|
||||
Jake’s mansion. It’s just as idiotically garish as the last time I
|
||||
saw it. There was once a time I swore I’d never set foot in here
|
||||
again, for various reasons I won’t get into. Jake is the type of
|
||||
|
@ -77,7 +77,7 @@
|
|||
that would hurt his value as priceless sexual commodity. The only
|
||||
thing affected was his brain. It’s a bit like if someone hacked a
|
||||
comments section. Who gives a shit?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: DIRK!!!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">I glance up the stairs, where he’s
|
||||
|
@ -89,7 +89,7 @@
|
|||
and gives me a huge bro-hug, making my spine pop. God, he’s so
|
||||
fucking strong. I <em>hate</em> that the brief feeling of being
|
||||
crushed by this oaf makes my dick twitch slightly.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Hey Jake.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Well isn’t this a heap of shillelaghs and
|
||||
shamrocks!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -115,14 +115,14 @@
|
|||
now, making no effort to disguise his interest in the contours of
|
||||
my muscles. I use that arm to put a hand on his shoulder in an
|
||||
affable way, so that he’s forced to stop.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Listen, man.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: You got a spare spaceship lying around?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: We’re going on a trip.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">I nod over in the direction of the couch.
|
||||
Jake’s eyebrows shoot up.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Oh! I didnt even notice rose there.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Wow she looks really zonked. Bad hangover i
|
||||
presume?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -140,7 +140,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">I’m gritting my teeth, focusing on
|
||||
breathing steadily.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Yeah, um.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: I don’t know, dude. Anything, really.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Something fast.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -150,7 +150,7 @@
|
|||
baroque antique cabinet, his ample junk swinging about in his loose
|
||||
boxers free as a jaybird. He opens a small door and rifles through
|
||||
a stack of stray papers and captchalogue cards.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Heres one! Oughta do you splendidly.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Thanks bro.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -159,7 +159,7 @@
|
|||
always is with him. In fact, here it comes. I can smell it a mile
|
||||
away. I know exactly what he’s about to say, and the buoyant
|
||||
obliviousness with which he’ll say it.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: So where are we going?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Yeah, I thought this misunderstanding might
|
||||
happen.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -179,7 +179,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent dirk">Jake falls quiet for a moment as his
|
||||
pitiful pea brain struggles to process the shocking
|
||||
information.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Gadzooks...!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Well say no more then.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: So um... how long will you be away? Does
|
||||
|
@ -193,7 +193,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">He shakes his fist to demonstrate
|
||||
whatever bad point he’s making.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: There are times let me tell you how i feel
|
||||
like i dodged a bullet by not jumping the matrimonial broom with
|
||||
jane.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -220,13 +220,13 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent dirk">He’s sweating. More nervous than I’ve
|
||||
ever seen him before. Stammering, desperate. I need to be brutally
|
||||
direct with this poor guy. Enough’s enough.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: I won’t be coming back, Jake.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">His mouth is hanging open. Not a shred of
|
||||
restraint in his crestfallen posture. But he needs to hear this.
|
||||
All of it.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Like</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Wait.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: You arent...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -247,7 +247,7 @@
|
|||
exquisitely kissable mouth. This is the face he lives for now. A
|
||||
visage that, in mere minutes, will vanish from his life forever.
|
||||
The tears drop. His voice cracks.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Please...</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Please take me with you dirk.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: I can’t do that, Jake.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -277,7 +277,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">I almost burst out laughing, but I manage
|
||||
to control myself.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Uh, Jake. Nobody wants you to do any of
|
||||
that.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Well, I know Jane sure doesn’t.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -310,7 +310,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent dirk">I glance at a clock on the wall. This
|
||||
needs to end soon. There are a lot of important things still to be
|
||||
done, and this sure isn’t one of them.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Time to man up, Jake.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: This is what your life is now. It’s only bad
|
||||
if you treat it this way.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -344,7 +344,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent dirk">He waits a second for a response, but my
|
||||
face doesn’t move a muscle. He won’t dare waste this momentum
|
||||
though. He threw in the penny. Here comes the pound.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Dirk im BEGGING you just take me with
|
||||
you!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Its... its fine! You dont have to love
|
||||
|
@ -385,7 +385,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="dirk">I move my hands up to his face, and with my palms
|
||||
on his wet cheeks, I gently push his head about six inches away
|
||||
from my face, and say:</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: I’m sorry, Jake.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: But I’ll never let you break my heart
|
||||
again.</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s4'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 4</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">Y</span>ou arrive
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">Y</span>ou arrive
|
||||
in the Land of Heat and Clockwork in a flash of white. A column of
|
||||
brutally hot air blasts up from the lava below and instantly hits
|
||||
your entire body. Luckily, you’re fairly immortal, so the only
|
||||
|
@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
|
|||
is familiar to you, his longtime best buddy. Casual, wandering,
|
||||
verging on droning. It’s a good indication he’ll be monologuing for
|
||||
a while, and probably already has been.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: im serious</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: the thing is</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: being a time guy</p>
|
||||
|
@ -69,7 +69,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">It’s a fair question, which logically should
|
||||
have been directed to the oldest and most knowledgeable John.
|
||||
Nevertheless, one of the younger Johns replies first.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">(JOHN 1): er.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">(JOHN 1): i don’t know.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN 3: john, don’t worry about it. i’ll take
|
||||
|
@ -124,7 +124,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">The useless Johns zap away. You sincerely hope
|
||||
that they have a beautiful and fulfilling youth.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: adult john what the fuck have you done</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: is this some time travel shit</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: please dont tell me youve been spending the
|
||||
|
@ -210,7 +210,7 @@
|
|||
circumvent the life-changing epiphany he’s just had that you know
|
||||
for a fact will make him a happier, chiller, and altogether more
|
||||
well-balanced human being.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: oh shit</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: <span class="jade-brainwashed">what??</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: <span class="jade-brainwashed">john. he is NOT going to fight lord english just yet</span></p>
|
||||
|
@ -244,7 +244,7 @@
|
|||
situation.</p>
|
||||
<p>The Mayor tips his head at you and fiddles with his sash. God
|
||||
damn, you missed the Mayor.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: so what do we do next</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: well, i’ll leave you to hang out with jade
|
||||
for a bit, while i go round up the others.</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s40'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 40</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">K</span>anaya
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">K</span>anaya
|
||||
Maryam is single and ready to mingle.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">Alright, not really. But she’s coping admirably
|
||||
with the sudden departure of her beloved spouse. She’s doing her
|
||||
|
@ -48,7 +48,7 @@
|
|||
talking to Jade? That’s very kind, but she can’t hear you, Roxy.
|
||||
She’ll be able to soon enough though. And when she does, you’ll
|
||||
probably want to be the one listening to what she has to say.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: oh hey</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Hello</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: How Is She</p>
|
||||
|
@ -69,7 +69,7 @@
|
|||
a better look. They’re Jade’s same old eyes, playful, intelligent.
|
||||
But they seem different somehow. These are eyes that have seen so
|
||||
much more than they had the last time they were open.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: jade!!!</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: omg jade</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: youre awake</p>
|
||||
|
@ -97,7 +97,7 @@
|
|||
quivers. And then it hits her. She knows exactly why she’s feeling
|
||||
this way.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">She bolts upright from her bed, and shouts:</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: DIRK STRIDER HAS TO BE STOPPED!!!!!!!!!!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s41'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 41</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">S</span>he’s
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">S</span>he’s
|
||||
right, of course. I do have to be stopped.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">Not because I’m really that bad. I mean, I don’t
|
||||
think I am. I’ll understand if there are those who disagree. If my
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s42'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 42</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: so uhhh</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: dirk needs to be stopped from</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: doin what again?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -164,7 +164,7 @@
|
|||
prove your worth to her if you really tried. For now, the only
|
||||
thing that really matters is to acknowledge it’s too late for any
|
||||
of that.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Wait</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: I Dont...</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Im Confused</p>
|
||||
|
@ -198,13 +198,13 @@
|
|||
overrated. My mission is to someday clear this all up for everyone.
|
||||
Remove the ambiguity, suck the mud out of the water. It’ll be a lot
|
||||
better that way, trust me.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: HAVE I LOST MY FUCKING MIND?????????</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk">She’s really pissed. Yikes. Couldn’t pay
|
||||
me to be in that room right now. Not for all the agency in the
|
||||
world.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: WHAT HAS DIRK DONE TO MY WIFE?!</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: whoa</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: what u mean there</p>
|
||||
|
@ -228,7 +228,7 @@
|
|||
to get answers from her that way. If anything, she’ll cause her to
|
||||
go silent a lot more quickly than she was about to anyway. She’s
|
||||
just wresting the spirit from her slumber.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: TELL ME EVERYTHING YOU KNOW!</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: WHY DOES DIRK HAVE TO BE STOPPED?! WHAT
|
||||
DOES THAT *MEAN*?!!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -256,16 +256,9 @@
|
|||
<p class="jade">JADE: the thing with dirk is...</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: is...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p>It’s happening. Roxy notices it right away, because she’s seen
|
||||
it before. And now Kanaya sees it too. A distant look in her eyes
|
||||
as she trails off. They get cloudy, turn gray, and then fill in
|
||||
completely, as if jet-black ink were flooding the vitreous bodies
|
||||
of her eyeballs. Jade isn’t here anymore.</p>
|
||||
<p>And with that, I’ll be getting my hat and coat, so to speak. No
|
||||
use lingering around here much longer. The cherub is already
|
||||
beginning to drown me out. I can feel it. But this time, I’m
|
||||
ready.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="type-sm type-hs-small">It’s happening. Roxy notices it right away, because she’s seen it before. And now Kanaya sees it too. A distant look in her eyes as she trails off. They get cloudy, turn gray, and then fill in completely, as if jet-black ink were flooding the vitreous bodies of her eyeballs. Jade isn’t here anymore.</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk"><span class="type-hs-small type-bs">And with that, I’ll be getting my hat and coat, so to speak. No use lingering around here much longer. The cherub is already beginning to drown me out. I can feel it. But this time, I’m ready.</span></p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Jade?</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: JADE???</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: aw no</p>
|
||||
|
@ -275,21 +268,15 @@
|
|||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: THIS *GRIM CONDITION* OF SORTS</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: I NEED YOU TO TELL ME WHAT YOU KNOW!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p>She’s not going to tell you shit. Not for a good while anyway.
|
||||
It’s up to the cherub to let go of her now. And I doubt she’ll do
|
||||
that before I’m light-years away from this planet. She’ll keep
|
||||
jamming my signal, and won’t dare risk stopping until she knows I’m
|
||||
at a safe distance.</p>
|
||||
<p>Kind of a catch-22, right, Kanaya? The one who’s “protecting”
|
||||
you all from my influence is also blocking you from getting any
|
||||
answers. Not that you’d even know what to do with them.</p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">She’s not going to tell you shit. Not for a good while anyway. It’s up to the cherub to let go of her now. And I doubt she’ll do that before I’m light-years away from this planet. She’ll keep jamming my signal, and won’t dare risk stopping until she knows I’m at a safe distance.</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">Kind of a catch-22, right, Kanaya? The one who’s “protecting” you all from my influence is also blocking you from getting any answers. Not that you’d even know what to do with them.</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">they will know what to do, when
|
||||
they are ready.</p>
|
||||
<p>Ha ha. Sure. They’ll all just hop in a spaceship and go on a
|
||||
wild goose chase trying to hunt me down. I know that already. It’s
|
||||
really not rocket science. Except for the fact that it literally
|
||||
is.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
is.</p><p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">Ha ha. Sure. They’ll all just hop in a spaceship and go on a wild goose chase trying to hunt me down. I know that already. It’s really not rocket science. Except for the fact that it literally is.</span></p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: kanaya pls chill</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: ive seen this before</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: theres no breakin her out of this</p>
|
||||
|
@ -305,13 +292,10 @@
|
|||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: FUCK DIRK!!!!!</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p>She picks up the heart monitor and throws it out the hospital
|
||||
window. Holy shit?</p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">She picks up the heart monitor and throws it out the hospital window. Holy shit?</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">she picks up the heart monitor,
|
||||
and throws it out the hospital window.</p>
|
||||
<p>Oh, yeah. I guess I don’t need to fucking do this anymore. Don’t
|
||||
worry, I’ll bow out. Seems like you got this from here. Go nuts,
|
||||
skull girl.</p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">Oh, yeah. I guess I don’t need to fucking do this anymore. Don’t worry, I’ll bow out. Seems like you got this from here. Go nuts, skull girl.</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">the monitor smashes on the
|
||||
pavement below, shattering into a thousand pieces. spectators
|
||||
gather around, and look up. roxy is looking out the broken window
|
||||
|
@ -321,9 +305,8 @@
|
|||
with a sense of rage and pain unshrouded by the veil of the prince.
|
||||
neither she nor her friends will have to worry about him anymore,
|
||||
so long as they remain on this planet and under my protection.</p>
|
||||
<p>But a bunch of them won’t remain, will they? They won’t be able
|
||||
to help themselves. You know that.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">But a bunch of them won’t remain, will they? They won’t be able to help themselves. You know that.</span></p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: He Has To Be Stopped...</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: He Has To Be Stopped...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -335,12 +318,8 @@
|
|||
but i will not. my unwillingness to do so is what separates me from
|
||||
him. and what corporeal life needs now is someone presiding over
|
||||
them who is <em>nothing</em> like him at all.</p>
|
||||
<p>That’s a nice line. I get why you’d want to dial up the drama,
|
||||
making your grand reentrance and all. But the fact is, even if they
|
||||
wanted to, even if you brain-fried them all to become your own
|
||||
personal cherubic puppets and sent them on the warpath to come get
|
||||
me, they’d still never catch me. You still don’t get it yet.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom--md">I’m
|
||||
<p class="no-indent dirk"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">That’s a nice line. I get why you’d want to dial up the drama, making your grand reentrance and all. But the fact is, even if they wanted to, even if you brain-fried them all to become your own personal cherubic puppets and sent them on the warpath to come get me, they’d still never catch me. You still don’t get it yet.</span></p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk"><span class="type-bs type-hs-bottom">I’m
|
||||
already gone.</span></p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s43'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 43</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">L</span>ater that
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">L</span>ater that
|
||||
night, jade has been moved from the hospital to the troll kingdom.
|
||||
she now sits in a wheelchair, remaining in perfect silence with her
|
||||
dark eyes open to maintain my transmission. roxy and kanaya rolled
|
||||
|
@ -35,7 +35,7 @@
|
|||
troubling events.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope-dead">roxy is using his phone to pursue leads on
|
||||
the whereabouts of the prince.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: mm hm</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: mhmm</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: ...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -50,7 +50,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">he hangs up, and sighs
|
||||
dramatically.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: poor guy</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: whatd he say</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: a lot of it was hard to make out due to all
|
||||
|
@ -82,14 +82,14 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">she takes roxy’s phone and
|
||||
presses jane’s name in the contact list. she moves to the far side
|
||||
of the room to speak, while the others continue conversing.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: so uhhh</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: phewww...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">dave makes a noise humans
|
||||
sometimes do, by expelling air through his closed, fleshy lips,
|
||||
creating an impolite flapping effect.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: rose and dirk huh</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: YUP</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: rose and fuckin dirk...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -291,7 +291,7 @@
|
|||
distance between himself and karkat once they’ve collected
|
||||
themselves. dave awkwardly clears his throat. karkat wipes off his
|
||||
cheek. both are looking off in opposite directions.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: awwwwwww</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: u boys cute :)</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: hey can you just forget you saw that
|
||||
|
@ -308,7 +308,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">kanaya returns to the seating
|
||||
area and hands roxy his phone.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: If Jane Is To Be Trusted Apparently She
|
||||
Didnt Even Know Dirk Was Gone</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: She Doesnt Know Where He Might Be Headed
|
||||
|
@ -376,7 +376,7 @@
|
|||
corporeal life. they will have their guidance, but my instructions
|
||||
will be minimal. so long as they remain in my conduit’s presence,
|
||||
they will know the way forward.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: UM</p>
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: WHAT THE FUCK IS JADE DOING?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: huh</p>
|
||||
|
@ -390,7 +390,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">jade has raised her right hand
|
||||
and is pointing upward at an angle of about forty-five degrees.
|
||||
seemingly in a random direction. but it’s far from random.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: oh oh</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i think i know whats up</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: shes tryin to say theres something important
|
||||
|
@ -401,7 +401,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">dave walks over and kneels in
|
||||
front of her chair. he looks closely at her. her face, though still
|
||||
expressionless, strikes him as serious and tense.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: jade is it john?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: johns that way right</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: you want us to go in that direction to find
|
||||
|
@ -427,14 +427,14 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">he leans in closer and studies
|
||||
her face carefully. it hasn’t changed.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: maybe its not john that way maybe its...</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: jade is it...</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: is that where DIRK went?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">it’s barely noticeable, but dave
|
||||
picks up on it. her face relaxes slightly.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: THATS IT</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: thats the way dirk went and she wants us to
|
||||
follow</p>
|
||||
|
@ -443,7 +443,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="dave">DAVE: is john safe?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">she doesn’t move.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: is john...</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: does he have anything to do with whats going
|
||||
on?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -455,7 +455,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">slowly, she lowers her arm, and
|
||||
places her hand back on her lap.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: WHAT THE FUCK DID THAT MEAN.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: it means...</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i think it means im right</p>
|
||||
|
@ -473,7 +473,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent calliope-dead">karkat springs to his feet and
|
||||
easily resumes his well-practiced posture of leadership.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="karkat">KARKAT: KANAYA, GET JAKE ENGLISH ON THE
|
||||
PHONE.</p>
|
||||
<p class="kanaya">KANAYA: Okay</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s44'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Postscript</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">E</span>lsewhere,
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">E</span>lsewhere,
|
||||
below the horizon...</p>
|
||||
<p>The distant sounds of war travel above the canopy of a forest.
|
||||
The artillery fire fades to a series of muted knocks and thuds as
|
||||
|
@ -66,7 +66,7 @@
|
|||
as if they’re weathering hurricane-force winds. In a moment, calm
|
||||
is restored. She opens her perfectly black eyes again.</p>
|
||||
<p>Aradia staggers back to her feet and brushes herself off.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: i take it everything went as you
|
||||
hoped</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -81,7 +81,7 @@
|
|||
into its abyss. Her face is expressionless. Her glasses flash white
|
||||
as they reflect the lightning that arcs sporadically inside the
|
||||
wormhole.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: well?</p>
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: arent you going in</p>
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: wasnt that the idea or did i not...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -95,7 +95,7 @@
|
|||
recognizes the gear symbol on his chest, identical to her own. She
|
||||
also recognizes the sunglasses the robot is wearing. She knows who
|
||||
this is.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: dave?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVEBOT: sup</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -105,14 +105,14 @@
|
|||
knew this Jade many years ago, but by this point their paths have
|
||||
diverged in ways that he couldn’t begin to describe even if he
|
||||
wanted to.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVEBOT: so we doin this</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Jade says nothing, and looks up into the
|
||||
wormhole again. She begins to levitate, gradually picking up speed.
|
||||
Without looking back, she rockets into the vortex, vanishing into
|
||||
the darkness. Davebot turns to Aradia.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVEBOT: how about you</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVEBOT: wanna come along</p>
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: i guess so?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -139,7 +139,7 @@
|
|||
implacably confident. But then, people go through changes. She’s
|
||||
been through more than her share. She cocks an eyebrow, recalling
|
||||
her own stint with a metal body.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVEBOT: hey earth to whats your face</p>
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: oh</p>
|
||||
<p class="aradia">ARADIA: its aradia</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s5'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 5</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">T</span>he stands
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">T</span>he stands
|
||||
of the Cantown Memorial Arena are packed front to back with
|
||||
audience members from every kingdom. Presently the crowd is going
|
||||
nuts, enthralled by Jake English’s skillful posing and mollified by
|
||||
|
@ -39,7 +39,7 @@
|
|||
<p>Dave takes a seat on the couch, right in Karkat’s butt groove.
|
||||
He observes his battered ecto-father, who is lying inside a wreath
|
||||
of busted robot limbs like a piece of absolute garbage.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: bro im watching you on the tube and i gotta
|
||||
say</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: while the beatdown you just received was as
|
||||
|
@ -76,7 +76,7 @@
|
|||
over the crowd. It zooms in on a young crocodile wearing an
|
||||
oversized T-shirt with Jake’s highly marketable ass plastered over
|
||||
it and the phrase “Tally ho” written in big bubble letters.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Dave, there’s such a thing as
|
||||
showmanship.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: I’m sure I don’t need to explain this to you,
|
||||
|
@ -122,7 +122,7 @@
|
|||
fish-eye lens for some unfathomable reason, giving the whole
|
||||
exchange an air of demented absurdity. Dirk’s sunglasses distort
|
||||
and stretch to dominate the entire screen.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Oh.</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Then yes, I guess that is what I’m doing.</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Dirk are you going to be much longer with
|
||||
|
@ -147,7 +147,7 @@
|
|||
except for a single carapacian in the front row, who continues to
|
||||
glower at Dirk with an expression of absolute and total
|
||||
contempt.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: why do you want people to hate you so
|
||||
much</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: its fucked up</p>
|
||||
|
@ -172,7 +172,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Something flies out of the audience and smacks
|
||||
Dirk in the side of the head before flopping out of view of the
|
||||
camera. He doesn’t react, or make a facial expression at all.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: did...</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: did someone just throw a diaper at you</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: There’s gonna be some diapers, yeah.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -244,7 +244,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Dave opens his mouth to argue, but something
|
||||
else occurs to him.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: wait</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: how do you even know hes entering the
|
||||
race</p>
|
||||
|
@ -318,7 +318,7 @@
|
|||
again, who would Dirk be if he weren’t so contentious and
|
||||
imperious? Certainly not someone to inspire such wistful
|
||||
lollygagging, Jake cannot help but observe.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Sorry for the momentary diversion, Jake. Now
|
||||
where were we?</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Momentary??? Gadzooks man you were on the
|
||||
|
@ -342,7 +342,7 @@
|
|||
the sort you’d give to a dog for performing a trick adequately.
|
||||
Jake responds to the signal like an Olympic athlete hearing the
|
||||
starter pistol. He was born for this.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Tally ho its me, jake mcgee!</p>
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Popping my pistols off, two shots and a
|
||||
kiss</p>
|
||||
|
@ -387,7 +387,7 @@
|
|||
themselves during a live broadcast they have waited two and a half
|
||||
years in line to buy a ticket for.</p>
|
||||
<p>Dirk’s phone begins going off again.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: When the splendid lads and ladies ask me “how
|
||||
do you do?” i -</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Whoops. Jake, sorry to cut you off...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -402,7 +402,7 @@
|
|||
up from the crowd like groundwater. Dirk artfully dodges a bucket
|
||||
of obscene troll fluid to field yet another very important personal
|
||||
call.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Yo Rose, what’s up?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,7 +25,7 @@
|
|||
<div id='s6'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 6</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="Command">> Look up.</p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">The sky is really blue. But it’s a different
|
||||
kind of blue than Earth C’s sky; it’s <em>less</em>, somehow, like
|
||||
|
@ -66,7 +66,7 @@
|
|||
thing is? Of course not. The fool.</p>
|
||||
<p>Dave fractures the silence by broaching a subject that’s on
|
||||
everyone’s mind but yours, apparently.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: so whats gonna happen to everyone we left in
|
||||
the wrecked time line</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: uh, well.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -122,7 +122,7 @@
|
|||
of shaving at least once per day, even if it isn’t really
|
||||
necessary. You owe at least that much to the memory of your
|
||||
departed father.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: let’s chill out for a minute. i’m sure this
|
||||
is all very confusing to all of you.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: about the time line you’re leaving behind...
|
||||
|
@ -161,7 +161,7 @@
|
|||
looks from the others, all of them may share your assessment of
|
||||
your own oratorical skills, except for one person. She’s perked up
|
||||
at your spiel, regarding you with alert and admiring eyes.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: damn</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: john uh</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: i know we just met and all but</p>
|
||||
|
@ -170,7 +170,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: lets do this shit</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">She *wonks* at you.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: uh.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">You weren’t prepared to get passively hit on
|
||||
|
@ -181,7 +181,7 @@
|
|||
monster girlfriend. You start to sweat, and again the unwelcome
|
||||
odor of undercooked meat emanating from your body makes itself
|
||||
known to your nose.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: oh, um. thanks.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: anyway, we need to make battle plans.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -209,7 +209,7 @@
|
|||
gavel for adjournment by rocking back a bit too far on your lawn
|
||||
pogo and launching himself over the top of the ride on the next
|
||||
bounce. He face-plants right into the dirt.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: Jeepers!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Dirk goes to help your yard clean the Jake off
|
||||
|
@ -274,7 +274,7 @@
|
|||
you tolerate another moment of your self-incriminating reverie. You
|
||||
wait one more minute before breaking it up, but not a second
|
||||
longer.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: uh, hey kids...</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Please, Adult John, don’t do that.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -283,7 +283,7 @@
|
|||
looking very much like your Rose did when she saw you off that
|
||||
morning. It’s obvious that she’s trying very hard to hide her
|
||||
apprehension.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Is it time to go?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: yeah.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i mean...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -296,19 +296,19 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">After all these years, in the reverse
|
||||
direction, she still has your number.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i guess it’s true that people don’t really
|
||||
change. they just grow up?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Rose gives Roxy a strange look, appearing to
|
||||
silently acknowledge an entire conversation that has been taking
|
||||
place, using a great volume of words that aren’t being spoken.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: I guess.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">She smiles.</p>
|
||||
<p class="Command">> Get the show on the road.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: okay everyone... i’ve never zapped this many
|
||||
people before so let’s all just...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: uh, hold hands, maybe? in a circle, i mean.
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s7'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 7</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">T</span>he boxing
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">T</span>he boxing
|
||||
bell is going off like it’s having a fit. Dirk has to stick a
|
||||
finger in one ear to hear what Rose is saying over the cacophony of
|
||||
boos and buckets being lobbed toward center stage. He considers it
|
||||
|
@ -36,7 +36,7 @@
|
|||
<p>The last standing robot scoops up Jake’s unconscious body and
|
||||
cradles him to its chest before blasting off through the roof.</p>
|
||||
<p>On the other end of the phone, Rose lets him know what’s up.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: It’s not so much “what is up” as “what is
|
||||
down,” the answer to which is, proverbially: Me.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: I mean that both physically and
|
||||
|
@ -77,7 +77,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Rose adjusts her position on the couch with
|
||||
the body language of one about to dive into the latest gossip about
|
||||
a mutual friend. The mutual in this case: her tortured psyche.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Years of refining my Seer of Light powers
|
||||
have cursed me with what is approaching near infinite prescience.
|
||||
Dwelling in this idyllic post-canon realm has worn down the
|
||||
|
@ -108,7 +108,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Rose is silent on the line for a few moments.
|
||||
Dirk can hear how labored her breathing is, how thin it is. She
|
||||
snorts out a quick, humorless laugh.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Really?</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: That’s the hottest take you can manage?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Of course not. They haven’t built the vessel
|
||||
|
@ -122,7 +122,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">She allows several rare conversational beats
|
||||
to pass in silence between them, to process the admission.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: We are?</p>
|
||||
<p class="dirk">DIRK: Sure.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: It doesn’t sound to me like you’re suffering
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,10 +25,10 @@
|
|||
<div id='s8'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 8</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="Command">> JOHN: Zap to your final destination.</p>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Where the hell are you?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: where the hell are we</p>
|
||||
<p class="dave">DAVE: i cant see shit</p>
|
||||
<p class="jade">JADE: shhh!</p>
|
||||
|
@ -37,7 +37,7 @@
|
|||
lights out” dark. More like “someone destroyed the concept of light
|
||||
at its very source” dark. It’s a darkness that fills up your skull.
|
||||
Jake puts this more eloquently, as always:</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="jake">JAKE: By golly it is indeed dark as fuck.</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: shoosh!!!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -63,7 +63,7 @@
|
|||
rather, he <em>was</em> waltzing around. He stopped the moment you
|
||||
looked at him.</p>
|
||||
<p class="Command">> Behold your adversary.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: ...</p>
|
||||
<p class="caliborn">CALIBORN: ...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: ...</p>
|
||||
|
@ -84,7 +84,7 @@
|
|||
The kind you can’t really teach. Lord English drops the puppet. For
|
||||
a moment he looks shocked, maybe even a little afraid, but it
|
||||
passes quickly. He starts laughing.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: uh.</p>
|
||||
<p class="caliborn">CALIBORN: NEVERMIND. I KNOW WHO YOU ARE.</p>
|
||||
<p class="caliborn">CALIBORN: IT WAS FORETOLD. BY THE MASTERPIECE I
|
||||
|
@ -109,7 +109,7 @@
|
|||
unhinging of his jaw reverberates in the empty space. He laughs
|
||||
through the remainder of his nefarious soliloquy, which he has
|
||||
possibly prepared in advance for this moment.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="caliborn">CALIBORN: BY NOW, SURELY MANY HAVE WITNESSED MY
|
||||
MASTERPIECE.</p>
|
||||
<p class="caliborn">CALIBORN: AS IT HAS CIRCULATED THROUGH THE
|
||||
|
@ -129,7 +129,7 @@
|
|||
It spikes towards you in waves, distorts and pitches low. He is
|
||||
beyond pleased with himself, and with the line he is about to
|
||||
deliver.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="caliborn">CALIBORN: FOR YOU ALL TO *BECOME* MY
|
||||
MASTERPIECE!</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s9'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 9</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">I</span>f you were
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">I</span>f you were
|
||||
one of the haters and fools who saw Lord English’s masterpiece
|
||||
circulating through the black veins of the dark web, and were
|
||||
rendered agog by its majesty, then you probably have a pretty good
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s2'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 1</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">I</span>t starts
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">I</span>t starts
|
||||
with a crack. Everything else rises up from that like steam: a
|
||||
trembling thread that cuts through space in jagged lines,
|
||||
splintering the void into razor-sharp shards of putrefying leptons
|
||||
|
@ -87,7 +87,7 @@
|
|||
number forty-six, which is how many text messages your friend left
|
||||
you while you were sleeping. A bit excessive, even for her.</p>
|
||||
<p class="Command">> Answer the phone.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Since when are you known to operate your
|
||||
telephone?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: since... i don’t know. has it really been
|
||||
|
@ -116,7 +116,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">The silence over the phone is growing awkward.
|
||||
You’ve stalled long enough. You decide to just come out and say
|
||||
it.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i’ve been dreaming in anime again lately.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i have no idea what it could mean.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: I see.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -134,7 +134,7 @@
|
|||
astounding spit bubble. Truly one for the books. Your eyes trace
|
||||
its meandering journey into the sky as you gather your
|
||||
thoughts.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: what do you think it all means?</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: What do I think ‘what’ means?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: what do you think it means that i’ve been
|
||||
|
@ -148,7 +148,7 @@
|
|||
leave a thought unfinished in over ten years of acquaintance. You
|
||||
suppose it’s possible it may have happened one of the times she
|
||||
died. You wouldn’t bet on it though.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: rose... are you ok?</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Not exactly.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: what’s wrong?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -185,7 +185,7 @@
|
|||
assume an expression you haven’t practiced in years. It is the look
|
||||
of a man who actually has something to do. Holding the phone
|
||||
directly in front of your face, you speak into the receiver.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: ok, i’m on my way. bye, rose.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">As you hang up the phone, a familiar feeling
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,17 +25,17 @@
|
|||
<div id='s3'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 2</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">W</span>hen you
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">W</span>hen you
|
||||
arrive at Rose’s apartment, you find her asleep on the couch. You
|
||||
slide the balcony door open, quietly.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: rose?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Her eyes flutter open. She looks like a ghost,
|
||||
and not the kind of ghost that looks and acts exactly like an alive
|
||||
person.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: How... how long have I been sleeping?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i dunno. i just got here.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: are you ok?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -55,7 +55,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">You watch her rise in stages. Her arm is
|
||||
trembling where she’s bracing it on the couch.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Oh. Yes. The condition itself is not ideal,
|
||||
obviously. And perhaps it does constitute something to worry about,
|
||||
in the context of a different conversation. All I’m trying to say
|
||||
|
@ -65,7 +65,7 @@
|
|||
nothing at all in response to this. You examine Rose’s supine,
|
||||
languid form on the couch, optimistic that she will continue
|
||||
speaking any moment now.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: I struggled with substance abuse for a while,
|
||||
years ago. Remember?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: rose, jesus. i wasn’t going to accuse you of
|
||||
|
@ -121,7 +121,7 @@
|
|||
with a practiced motion, no water. Her vacant stare drills into the
|
||||
countertop as she quietly waits for the medication to take
|
||||
effect.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: ...and?</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: And what?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: what is it about our situation that you
|
||||
|
@ -150,7 +150,7 @@
|
|||
purpose, as if to say, <span class="Standard-Text CharOverride-14">there</span></p>
|
||||
<p>. Right there, precisely, is where the green sun would be, if it
|
||||
still existed.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: The green sun is gone.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: what??</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: It has been destroyed. At least, from the
|
||||
|
@ -198,7 +198,7 @@
|
|||
the width of eternity.</em></p>
|
||||
<p>You quickly open your eyes again, and pretend to forget what you
|
||||
just saw.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: There’s really no route through this
|
||||
expository garden path that will adequately cushion you from the
|
||||
bottom line, John.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -213,7 +213,7 @@
|
|||
totally convinced that you are approaching this topic with a level
|
||||
of nonchalance that is entirely plausible and genuine. You’re sure
|
||||
of it.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: yeah, i had a feeling that was going to come
|
||||
up again someday.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: I’m sure we all did. That is, even those of
|
||||
|
@ -242,7 +242,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="Command">> Take a look around and survey the current
|
||||
status of all life on Earth, which is totally possible to do from
|
||||
the vantage point of a single apartment balcony.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: fine?</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Of course everything is fine here.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: We’re outside of canon now.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -266,7 +266,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Rose shoots you an irritated look. You know
|
||||
what that look means. It’s reserved for the sort of bozo who just
|
||||
said “what” once too often.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Any event said to take place inside canon
|
||||
will have nonzero values of relevance and essentiality, while
|
||||
maintaining an absolute foundation in truth, by definition.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -279,7 +279,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Are you still following?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="Command">> Say “oh, yeah. totally.”</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: oh, yeah. totally.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: So to be clear, everything that’s taken place
|
||||
here on Earth C since we exited canon can be considered completely
|
||||
|
@ -301,7 +301,7 @@
|
|||
<p>You can feel your eyes go wide as the gears in your head slow to
|
||||
a stop. The implications of what Rose is saying are as vast as they
|
||||
are completely incomprehensible. Your mind has just been BLOWN.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: John?</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Are you okay? Your pupils have gone quite
|
||||
wide, thereby facilitating the appearance that your mind has just
|
||||
|
@ -375,7 +375,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="Command">> Make a theatrically startled
|
||||
expression.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: ok, i guess we don’t want THAT to happen.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: or... unhappen. whatever.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: so i just retcon-poof back to english and
|
||||
|
@ -431,7 +431,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Rose looks at her phone. You recognize
|
||||
Kanaya’s distinct typing style in the window. Rose’s thumbs begin
|
||||
to fly across the keypad. She continues to text as she talks.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: so if we’re going to go back and kill him in
|
||||
time to “authenticate canon,” i guess we have to get going
|
||||
soon.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -475,7 +475,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Rose leads you back inside and retrieves a
|
||||
letter from her desk. She hands it over, still typing one-handed on
|
||||
her phone. She sits down and you read the letter.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: huh.</p>
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Is anything confusing about my
|
||||
instructions?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -490,7 +490,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Rose is ultimately right about that, the way
|
||||
she is about most things. You continue to scan the letter, and
|
||||
grimace slightly.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: should i really punch her in the face?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i felt kinda bad about it, last time i did
|
||||
that to someone.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -502,7 +502,7 @@
|
|||
processed the instructions drafted in the polished purple
|
||||
handwriting. You like how Rose still writes in purple, after all
|
||||
these years. Some things never change.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: alright. this seems straightforward
|
||||
enough.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i mean, aside from the part where we all have
|
||||
|
@ -545,7 +545,7 @@
|
|||
hasn’t changed. She’s still trying to solve the problems you all
|
||||
left behind. You can’t believe how sick she looks. How did this
|
||||
happen to her?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i should probably get going and let you
|
||||
rest.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: we can talk all about it when i get back.
|
||||
|
@ -557,7 +557,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Rose opens her eyes and looks at you, but she
|
||||
says nothing. Just looks.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i’m not scared, if that’s what you’re worried
|
||||
about.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: you already said we’re going to defeat him.
|
||||
|
@ -567,14 +567,14 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Something flickers through her eyes, almost
|
||||
too quick to catch. When she smiles at you, it’s warm and
|
||||
sincere.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: You’re going to do great.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Rose slides her arms around you. After a
|
||||
while, she releases you from the embrace and gets up to fetch her
|
||||
bottle of pills. She pauses at the bedroom door to look at you one
|
||||
more time.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="rose">ROSE: Goodbye, John.</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">She closes the door behind her.</p>
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
|
|||
<div id='s4'></div>
|
||||
<div>
|
||||
<h1>Chapter 3</h1>
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm--md line-caption line-copy--md pad-x-0 pad-x-lg--md pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm--md">I</span>t’s a
|
||||
<div class="o-story_text o_epilogue type-rg type-sm line-caption line-copy pad-x-0 pad-x-lg pad-b-lg">
|
||||
<p class="no-indent"><span class="opener type-hs-opener-rg type-hs-opener-sm">I</span>t’s a
|
||||
beautiful day in the Carapace Kingdom, just like it was in the
|
||||
Human Kingdom and just like it was in Salamander Village. For
|
||||
whatever faults this paradise you created might have, you sure
|
||||
|
@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
|
|||
not to notice that three celebrities are having lunch in the grass
|
||||
nearby. It’s extra polite of them, because you and Roxy are having
|
||||
a very personal conversation.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: she looked alright. mostly just tired.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: at least she seemed to have enough energy to
|
||||
babble at length about philosophical gibberish, and things about
|
||||
|
@ -69,7 +69,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">Roxy gives you a serious, sidelong glance.</p>
|
||||
<p class="Command">> Remember that whole totally unprovoked
|
||||
spiel Rose gave you about substance abuse.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: she said it wasn’t like that!</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i mean... she said it was under control.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: well, what the fuck do i know. the only
|
||||
|
@ -85,7 +85,7 @@
|
|||
thinking about how you hadn’t talked to Rose in ages either. Roxy
|
||||
gives you a quizzical look, but you turn away before she can draw
|
||||
meaning from it.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: maryams been keeping her real busy since they
|
||||
got hitched</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: they both vanished down the brooding caverns
|
||||
|
@ -100,7 +100,7 @@
|
|||
haven’t talked to Roxy in ages either. You were having such a nice
|
||||
time ignoring that fact, too.</p>
|
||||
<p class="Command">> Change the subject.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: so, are you and callie still living at the
|
||||
same place i last saw? the one near the tower?</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
|
@ -111,7 +111,7 @@
|
|||
can ever navigate your way here flying. Carapace architecture is
|
||||
otherwise identic, a reflection of their functional, collectivist
|
||||
society.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: yup</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: that’s cool.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: it’s a nice place.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -160,7 +160,7 @@
|
|||
carry, like the dumb kid you were.</p>
|
||||
<p class="Command">> Tactfully avoid saying anything at all
|
||||
about Roxy and Calliope’s weird, ambiguous relationship.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: uh, so...</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">But you can’t stop thinking about it. What
|
||||
|
@ -178,7 +178,7 @@
|
|||
<p>You wonder suddenly, watching her. This version of her, that is.
|
||||
The one with whom you share all these bittersweet memories—will you
|
||||
ever see her again?</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: ahem.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: john!</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: what?</p>
|
||||
|
@ -193,7 +193,7 @@
|
|||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Calliope is smiling brightly, but Roxy’s face
|
||||
has no expression at all.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: i was just assuming i had to go.</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: because if i don’t, then...</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: a lot of stuff will stop being real. or i
|
||||
|
@ -267,14 +267,14 @@
|
|||
quiet while you make up your mind. You’re sweating, you realize.
|
||||
Cold sweat. Even worse than the anime nightmare sweat you woke up
|
||||
soaked in this morning.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: john u ok?</p>
|
||||
<p class="john">JOHN: ...</p>
|
||||
<p class="roxy">ROXY: looked like you were gonna pass out there for
|
||||
a second</p>
|
||||
</div>
|
||||
<p class="no-indent">Suddenly, Calliope bolts upright.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: of coUrse! what was i thinking.</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: this decision is far too important to
|
||||
be made on an empty stomach.</p>
|
||||
|
@ -282,7 +282,7 @@
|
|||
<p class="no-indent">She fetches the picnic basket, which naturally
|
||||
has been sitting there on the tablecloth since the moment you
|
||||
arrived.</p>
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small--md">
|
||||
<div class="chat type-rg type-hs-small">
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: here, before yoU choose which path
|
||||
yoU’re going to take, yoU shoUld decide what yoU’d like to eat!</p>
|
||||
<p class="calliope">CALLIOPE: i have packed a wide variety of
|
||||
|
|
|
@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
|
|||
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
|
||||
<package version="2.0" unique-identifier="BookId" xmlns="http://www.idpf.org/2007/opf">
|
||||
<metadata xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:opf="http://www.idpf.org/2007/opf">
|
||||
<metadata xmlns:opf="http://www.idpf.org/2007/opf" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">
|
||||
<dc:title>The Homestuck Epilogues</dc:title>
|
||||
<dc:language>en</dc:language>
|
||||
<dc:creator opf:role="aut">Andrew Hussie</dc:creator>
|
||||
|
@ -10,10 +10,10 @@
|
|||
<dc:coverage />
|
||||
<dc:source />
|
||||
<dc:date opf:event="publication">2019-04-20</dc:date>
|
||||
<dc:date opf:event="modification">2019-10-28</dc:date>
|
||||
<dc:date opf:event="modification">2020-04-08</dc:date>
|
||||
<dc:rights />
|
||||
<meta name="Sigil version" content="0.9.18" />
|
||||
<dc:identifier id="BookId" opf:scheme="URI">ExNdphPEM</dc:identifier>
|
||||
<meta name="Sigil version" content="1.2.1" />
|
||||
<dc:identifier opf:scheme="URI" id="BookId">ExNdphPEM</dc:identifier>
|
||||
</metadata>
|
||||
<manifest>
|
||||
<item id="pro_cover" href="Text/pro_cover.xhtml" media-type="application/xhtml+xml"/>
|
||||
|
@ -120,6 +120,7 @@
|
|||
<item id="cover.xhtml" href="Text/cover.xhtml" media-type="application/xhtml+xml"/>
|
||||
<item id="appendix_cover.xhtml" href="Text/appendix_cover.xhtml" media-type="application/xhtml+xml"/>
|
||||
<item id="appendix_content_warnings.xhtml" href="Text/appendix_content_warnings.xhtml" media-type="application/xhtml+xml"/>
|
||||
<item id="Homestuck-Regular.otf" href="Fonts/Homestuck-Regular.otf" media-type="font/otf"/>
|
||||
</manifest>
|
||||
<spine toc="navigation">
|
||||
<itemref idref="cover.xhtml"/>
|
||||
|
|
Loading…
Reference in New Issue