IC Contact - Snowblind

[phaseshifter]

This is Angel. Leave a message.

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[headjacked]

[



Okay, that breaks the tension a bit, because nothing would be worse than that. Rhys has to laugh, in a scandalized sort of way. ]

No! Jeez, absolutely not. And not just because he's a hologram!

[ In case that wasn't, y'know, clear.

'And we are all incredibly thankful for that.' As undeniably sexy as he is, Jack really doesn't need to hear it from Rhys.



No, he totally does, but. Not in that kind of context. ]

[phaseshifter]

Then however embarrassing your secret is, you could definitely have embarrassed yourself more. A lot more.

I'm actually judging you a little bit simply because I thought this was plausible.

[headjacked]

Oh, no, I'm not responsible for your twisted imagination. Remember when you thought I was crushing on you? When Meat Jack had us in the basement??

[ Good plan: turn this back on her, she will totally forget about the Other Thing. Totally!! ]

[phaseshifter]

Yes, and that should teach you that keeping secrets only leads to even more embarrassment in the end. Also durrr girl of my dreeeemz durr durr giggle.

[ JACK, WHO'S JACK ]

[headjacked]

Please never bring that up again. I already paid for that sin.

[ True, he did. Doesn't stop Jack from glowering at him a little. Pepperidge Farm remembers, Rees. ]

[phaseshifter]

Okay. Now get confessing, Romeo.

[ S M I L E ]

[headjacked]

[ The whining begins. Whining, and hand wringing for half a minute as he drags this out as much and as awkwardly as possible. As is tradition. ]

--- itwasnthisidea.

[phaseshifter]

What wa--

[ wait

oh NO ]

You mean Jack?

...are you sure?

[ BECAUSE HE CAN BE VERY MANIPULATIVE AND ]

[headjacked]

Sure, I'm sure. Like, who knows, maybe he would've brought it up eventually? Possib -- pro-probably.

[ It's hard to say, actually, since Jack barely seems to know what he wants anymore. It appears to vary from moment to moment. The look he's giving Rhys now isn't betraying anything. ]

But. I wanted it. So bad it was pathetic.

[phaseshifter]

Well... that you was kind of pathetic.

[ A++ COMFORT ANGEL ]

Which is part of why you're awesome now. You've been through - and learned - so much! You aren't some dumb blind fanboy any more.

Er... except when you're around Alfie, I suppose. [NUDGE NUDGE]

[headjacked]

So why do I feel like I'm back where I started?

[ He isn't, psychologically, so it's clearly hyperbole and/or a crash of his self-esteem. The moments of weakness he has, he analyzes obsessively. Especially lately, with sleep so elusive. ]

...n-not exactly where I was, but. Backpedaling, maybe.

[phaseshifter]

Because you're too hard on yourself? You're much stronger now than you used to be, even if we're comparing you to the you that first came here and not... douchey you.

If you were still the same person you used to be, I'd be more inclined to push you to remove Jack. But as you are, I don't just trust you to handle it - I trust you to identify if you can't, and to take action.

You're still a dork, though.

[headjacked]

I mean... if you say so.

[ He may not sound especially confident, but he still has confidence in Angel and her judgement, at least. He nudges her back, finally. ]

I'm surprised you didn't push me into that pit. I was that bad.

[phaseshifter]

I know! How old were you, even? Because if it was post eridium deal, it had to have only been a couple of years ago, right? Geez!

[ She is kind of delighted that she isn't the only one who used to be a complete fuck ok LET HER LIVE ]

[headjacked]

[ He groans. Sure, he's earned this. But Reesers gonna Rees. ]

Old enough to know better.

[phaseshifter]

So... eight? Nine?

[ IF SHE HUGS WHILE SHE TEASES IT'S FINE RIGHT ]

[headjacked]

[ Rhys looks for Jack during the hug, a bit rusty with his full-sized, on-again-off-again presence. But he's gone, in no mood to listen to the kidlets rip on him.

He'll be back. He will always, always be back. ]

A literal infant, OBViously.

[phaseshifter]

Then I'm impressed! You learned to walk straight much faster than I did. I suppose we all have our talents.

[ God she is so effing glad she can rip on him again without meaning it ]

[headjacked]

[ Rhys gives her a mildly aggressive snoot-boop as punishment. With the cold robot thumb. Take that!!! ]

...hey, is Dumpy mad at me?

[phaseshifter]

Hey--!

[ She scrunches said nose in response. She'd counter-boop, but the Dumpy situation demands her full attention. ]

I don't think he's mad. Is he? I mean, you did steal his blue guy and didn't hug him after, but...

[headjacked]

[ It's vitally important and must be tested, lest Rhys be unable to sleep. M... moreso than lately.

He gently touches the babby on Angel's pillow. ]

Hey. Hey, buddy...?

[ Dumpy lights up and rises immediately, though he doesn't make a noise. Le GASP. ]

[phaseshifter]

It's cool. He's the nice Rhys again.

[ She looks from Dumpy to Rhys and back. THIS IS A DELICATE MOMENT. ]

Less yelling, more hugs. That Rhys.

[headjacked]

[ Rhys fully braces himself to get Dumpy'd right in his face, accepting his fate and feeling like it is very much deserved.

Dumpy silently approaches,

slowly,

and just nestles into Rhys's chest.




Then starts screaming.

Not that it matters. Rhys' heart has already melted, and he hugs the wee botlet. ]

[phaseshifter]

Shhhhhhhhh don't wake Enoch shhhhhhh.

[ Time to muffle the screams with a GROUP HUGGU ]