some moments last forever, and some flare out with love, love, love [afterparty]

[visiblepattern]

[So that all sucked really bad, huh.

Forrest had meant what he said about going to the clinic immediately after all of this, getting medical supplies ready and set up on hand to prepare to receive people - Dandy is the primary candidate for this, whether he likes it or not - but before he goes he grabs Rossiu for the briefest moment before sending him on his way. Sure enough, when the note comes in a few minutes it isn't in Forrest's flowing, delicate hand but rather something blockier and incredibly neat. If you've seen Rossiu's handwriting, you'll recognize it: ]

We're having a memorial gathering in the ice cream parlor in an hour. Feel free to attend if you'd like, or if you would prefer to not be alone.
[...It seems like as good a place as any.

There are some things set up, though not terribly many; the tables are set out and are perhaps a bit closer than they normally would be, but go ahead and make yourself some sundaes, pull up a chair, talk to one another, ruminate over whether Jason and Hagakure would have liked this (or whether Vholran wouldn't have, either way) - it's your night, to do what you want with.]

Comments

[bootyhunter]

Then I'm going to ask that you don't be a jerk about it.

When I do start to talkin', that is.

[He huffs, folding his arms over his chest. He is five.]

If I even wanna!

[dullshooter]

Hey, when have I ever displayed anything but the utmost tact?

[He says, doing the exact thing Dandy told him not to.]

…I promise. Otherwise, you have my full permission to sock me in the face as hard as you like.

[bootyhunter]

[Dandy does smile at that, at least part-way. Misfire may even catch a sound of a snicker. Not long afterwards, Dandy leans with both elbows on either of his knees, staring at the space ahead, wondering what he should do.

Finally, he speaks.]

It's not the heartbreak that bothers me, y'know.

[He can't speak of how horribly Hagakure's body was looked when they found him, how he suffered when he died. Dandy will lose it once more, and that won't be helping anybody.]

That part I was prepared for. I don't mind that. The before's worth it, for me.

Always.

[No matter how short or how foolish.

Some may chide his decision to open his heart in a place where most are seemingly doomed, but Dandy believes that this is a testament to the precious nature of time. In just a week, he had managed to fill the empty void in his chest that had been growing wider and wider over the course of the past decade.

Arguably, in just a few hours.]

Things go wrong all the time. That's life, baby! So what? I'm not keen on bein' sad forever- That ain't the Dandy way.

[He takes a long hard look at the Robot, as if thinking words he does not dare to speak. It's not a pejorative one, nor is it particularly melancholy.]

But it was nice just bein' "Dee" for a change.

[dullshooter]

[Misfire listens. And for once, doesn't interject. He lets Dandy say his piece, and when he's done with it, he continues to stand there. It's a rare moment that Misfire doesn't have anything to say, but that's not what's going on here; he's trying to go for saying the right thing this time.

It's much harder than he thought.]

...I'm not going to say 'I understand' like I know it, personally, because I don't. I mean, no one can. Whatever being "Dee" to Hagakure meant for you isn't something any of us with all the nicknames in the world can draw a comparison to.

[He pauses.]

But I think I can get wanting to be seen as someone else for just a little bit longer.

[bootyhunter]

[Dandy smiles. It doesn't matter if Misfire is having a hard time with it, the effort is not lost on him.]

It's less that I was someone else around him?

And more that I was just... A different version of me, when we were together. Well, alone, that is.

[The tender, the vulnerable, the lover.

The version of Dandy that he usually never gets far enough to be, or becomes too afraid of showing.]

I'm not gonna, lie, Botty-baby! I forgot that guy existed for a hot hyper-galactic minute.

[dullshooter]

[Misfire chances a grin and a playful nudge.]

Didn’t know there was a best in you to bring out.

[But he does smile, not in a mocking way, or as if he’s expecting a punchline.]

But hey, at least you know he’s in there, right?

[Despite it all.]

[bootyhunter]

Is that you're way of tellin' me you actually like my crazy ass? Wow, thanks.

[That's probably not what he meant, but Dandy is going to take that as a compliment anyway.]

Inside of me, you mean? Whoa-hoa! Dirty. Y'know, a little while ago, I'm wasn't really sure I'd do the horizontal tango with another version of yours truly, but now?

Maybe I will! If I ever get the chance.

[THAT IS THE HORRIBLE AND FUCKETY WAY OF HIM... AGREEING?! WITH THAT SENTIMENT]

nsfw, im sorry

[dullshooter]

[This was an emotional conversation for all of one minute, but-]

Wouldn't you do it with yourself?

[bootyhunter]

[Are you kidding Dandy is going to jump on this change of topic like white on rice-]

Mmmmm, well, I wasn't really aware I was into dude derriere until just about a week ago.

So, havin' a tempestuous tap dance with another version of me is a little more viable of an option than it was a few days prior! I guess that just brings a whole new meaning to the phrase, "Get down with your bad self," baby!

So, uh, yeah. I dunno! I'd really have to think about it for a hot sec.

[oh!!!! so this is what he's willing to THINK about

stupid]

I mean, I know I'm beautiful! But am I the kind of beautiful... Who'd find me beautiful? Who can say.

[yes???? isn't that... you said

anyway]

[dullshooter]

If you find you beautiful, then wouldn’t the other you, who is also you, find you beautiful too? On account of being the exact you that’s already expressed an interest in you.

…How many ‘you’s was that…?

i'm crying

[bootyhunter]

Do I look like the kind of guy who's good at math?!

Actually, don't answer that.

[Groaning:]

I mean, are you sayin' you would do yourself, man?

Help

[dullshooter]

I mean…

[He tilts his head to the side, in a gesture that all but says ‘ehhhh’, looking at Dandy through the corner of his eyes.]

…I’d kinda be obligated to, right?

[bootyhunter]

Why?

[He cocks his head to the side- THIS IS GONNA BE SO MEAN, BUT IT'S REVENGE!!!]

'Cause you're the only one who would do it?

[dullshooter]

You did not have to come for my insecurities like that.

[He’d shove him, but he’s used up all his opportunities to shove a grieving man.]

At least I’d be safe in the knowledge knowing that we’d both be hating it.

cw: robofucking, nsfw

[bootyhunter]

[Dandy's macho demeanor falls almost instantly, the smirk giving way to a wistful frown, as he realizes that once again, he's said some dumb shit. This time it hurts him too, registering in how his eyes widen.]

Whoa. Dude!

[Dandy rubs the back of his head with one hand, looking particularly sheepish.]

It's that bad, huh?

[He had a feeling that self-loathing was in there somewhere, lurking about within the Robot's weird-science body.

Dandy just wasn't aware of how bad it was.]

Sheesh.

I thought you were gonna swing back at me with another one of your zingers. D'uuuuh...

[Oh no, here comes something DUMB-]

If it helps ya any, there's this massive following on the internet for dudes like you. A lotta people wanna talk a ride on a joystick made of cold, hard steel, apparently? Yeah! That's right. There's a whole need to feed a set of tender urges with a platinum pussywhacker, or whatever...

Or it could just be a metaphor, baby, but we don't really have to get into that...

[dullshooter]

[Misfire is almost stunned into silence for the whole of Dandy’s speech.

He has never, in all his millions of years, experienced someone quite like him. For better or worse.

He does, eventually speak, with a touch of sarcasm, but also his characteristic joviality:]

…Good to know I can always rely on cold, hard, desperation. How could I forget?

[bootyhunter]

Yoooo, gimme a break, wouldja? I'm really bustin' my chops over here!

[Mostly because cold, hard desperation would absolutely work for Dandy, butt u kno...]

Say it ain't so, big guy! I always had a feelin' you were a little down in the dumps about yourself but this is just depressing.

[dandy, pls, watch ur words, i-]

You've got friends here! I'm around, aren't I? That's me and soooo many more. Someone'll come along and be down for all of your wild jibber-jabber, and then you two can get down to metal spear joustin' eventually.

You're not so bad! Is what I'm sayin'.

Also, there's somebody for everybody. The universe [and all of its analogues] is a big place!

[dullshooter]

Hey, come on - I'm not that bad. I know I've got friends, and people looking out for me...

[People who, even in their final moments, had him in their thoughts.]

I've got a healthy amount of inadequacy, really. Where lesser men would've perished, I'm out here owning it. You can save the emotional pep-talks for when I'm crying, alright?

[bootyhunter]

So why the long face about all the tin-can junk-jugglin' then?

[He's not really getting that part!]

[dullshooter]

...Honestly Dandy, I just think you wouldn't get it.

[bootyhunter]

Maybe try explainin’ it to me, then?

[Him not understanding is Probably True??? But go off…]

[dullshooter]

...Do we really need to go all into my "feelings"? I thought we were supposed to be doing it the other way around.

[You're the one grieving, Dandy.]

[bootyhunter]

[Dandy pauses and looks at Misfire, as if mulling over a number of unspoken thoughts in a head that's usually kept empty.

Sometimes intentionally.]

Ain't it obvious that I'm kinda worried aboutcha, buddy?

If you don't talk, aaaah... Where's all of it supposed to go? The good, bad, and especially the ugly?

[dullshooter]

...The deepest, darkest recessess of my spark? I don't know - it's not my turn to get all touchy feely.

[He'd sound a bit more defensive, but he just comes off as dismissive.]

You're the one who's hurting, pinhead.

[bootyhunter]

Spunk? Did you say spunk?

[NO DANDY, HE DID NOT...

BUT HE IS CLEANING OUT THE GOOP IN HIS EARS NOW-]