ic contact//CURRENT

[darkov]

[INSERT DEFAULT INBOX VOICE MESSAGE/EMAIL GREETING HERE]
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latest status update 3/6/2018

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[h2no]

[that actually gives him pause. monsters in the dark... he couldn't be from archie's world, could he? he knows it's not out of the question that someone could come from... the... beginning of time...?

no, that's ridiculous. right? right. right? right.]

We're in the same boat, that we're both imPorts. I don't think we're from the same place, though. Sorry. It would be nice if it was that easy.

[darkov]

[hey Archie not to freak you out or anything but uh

what's a boat.

ANYWAY.]

So it's...a job? You have to help new strangers?

[h2no]

Not really... when I arrived here I came in during a really bad time in my life. I know it really fuckin' sucks when you don't know anything and you're reeling from all the stuff they tell you, especially if you just came out a rough time back home.

[he shrugs, even though it's voice and marty can't see.]

You said you met other people, right? I'm not the only one that tries to help people when they're new and confused. It's... well, not something you have to do, but something people like to do.

[darkov]

[oh.

he goes quiet for a bit, chewing on that. so...it's like he learned?] ...Because...people are good. Or...can be. It's--why they're special. Being good or not good...if they want to be.

I guess that makes sense.

[h2no]

Anyone sentient can be good or bad. [emphasis on sentient.] Sometimes there's reasons why they might act one way or another, but it's mostly a choice. We get the choice here, too. We can use our new powers to help people, hurt them or... not do anything at all. I know it's a bit of a cliché, but really, everyone's special. 'Cause they all have the choice.

[maybe he's making a judgement too early, but...]

...For what it's worth, I think you're good.

[darkov]

[sounds fake.

well, not fake, just...not fully right. but then, what does Martin know? there's only people and monsters back home. Darkovs don't even count. they're just tools -- same as knives, same as spears or axes. the only choices they get are the ones determined by all the training clan Lumas gives them. in who clan Lumas chooses to be their parents, to be their trainers, to be their mates. so...

he physically recoils from the kind remark, over here fidgeting uneasily.]

N-no, that's...I mean, thank you, I guess, but...that's not right. Sorry, it's. Nice of you to say nice things. It's just... [not true, is all.]

[h2no]

[he shouldn't press. it's clearly making martin uncomfortable. he really shouldn't press.]

Why do you think that?

[goddamnit.]

[darkov]

It just...is. [exhale.] Sorry. It's different, where I'm from. I don't think I can explain it right.

[h2no]

Okay. I get sometimes it's hard to explain stuff.

[his curiosity doesn't waver, though.]

Uh-- do you want help finding somewhere? You're an imPort so you can basically have a house to yourself, if you want.

[darkov]

Oh, it... It's alright, sir. You don't have to do that. You already--I mean...you've already done enough nice things for me. It doesn't feel right to take more. From you, or...or any of the others. [ergh.] And I think--I mean, I don't know if it's worse...to accept more help, or...or try to figure it out on my own. But if less people are involved, then...that should be the right thing to do?

[when did this start become asking for verification, again? wasn't he just trying to refuse? why he do this.]

[h2no]

I feel like all I've done so far is confuse you and bombard you with questions...

[he sighs softly.]

I won't force anything. I understand you can take care of yourself, but... if you get overwhelmed or need a hand don't feel bad for asking, yeah?

[darkov]

N-no, it's! It's fine. I'm--sorry, I'm just...not very smart. That's all. Sorry. [a hesitation.] But--thank you. Sir. I mean, it...it is kind of you to, to ask. Or bother at all. I mean, regardless of why, I guess. You don't have to, but I guess that's...that's just because you're good.

[h2no]

[there it is again...]

Martin... you don't have to say you think you're stupid. You're not.

[sorry, he expects.]

[darkov]

...

[hh.]

Sorry.

[SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!]

[h2no]

[THERE IT ISSS]

It-- uh. It's okay. Do you feel that way because everything's so different?

[darkov]

I...I guess there's that. But I'm already not...not the brightest. Or fastest. Or biggest. Or...much of anything good, really. That's--that's true enough, back home. It's...true enough here, too.

[h2no]

[he hates that martin feels like that, and most of all he hates that he feels the same way a lot of the time. never good enough for anyone.]

...


Sorry.


[HOW THE TURNTABLES]

[darkov]

[oh. wow. Marty's least favorite thing: people apologizing to him, as if that's ever a thing that needs to happen.

a beat.]

It--it's not anything to do with you. Or, or anyone. So...don't worry about it. You don't, don't even have to think about it at all.

[h2no]

[HOW
THE
TURN
TABLES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]

N--no, it's just... it's not nice feelin' that way. I'm sorry you do.

[darkov]

[aaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA]

I-I don't--I mean. It's...You don't have to...think about it, if it makes you feel bad?

[h2no]

[it's lucky martin can't see him, archie thinks, because he takes a moment to mute his end and scream into a pillow. holy shit he is fucking this up SO BADLY, HE HAS TO BE. THERE'S NO WAY ANYONE IN THIS CONVERSATION FEELS GOOD ABOUT ANYTHING.]

Huh? No-- I just, know how it is. It sucks.

[darkov]

...

[this is kind of the worst. Martin, Martin's the worst. just sitting here, talking to a faceless voice and making him feel bad and apologize for nothing.]

I'm sorry. [WOW!!! NICE SAVE! NICE SAVE! NICE SAVE! chat is disabled for 10 seconds]

I...Maybe I should go.

[h2no]

It's fine. I'll leave you to it. I just wanted to make sure you were okay, anyway.

[WHAT IF HE GOES FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!]

I'm glad you are. It'll be okay.

[darkov]

[OF COURSE HE WILL; WHAT, YOU THINK HE REMEMBERS HOW TO TURN THIS SHIT OFF???]

...

[THIS IS HIM ""LEAVING"" OK]

[h2no]

[fortunately, archie hangs up first, so the connection is cut.

the last thing martin needs is a buttdial.]