Video | Llama 1

[firewalled]

[Rich, as per usual, is in the music car, once all the excitement of the platform is over and done, His guitar is sitting in his lap, and he looks a little tired, but there's at least a small smile on his face.]

Yo. Rich here. So I thought I'd better get this out of the way, but if you've had to deal with me being a mega asshole in the last month, I'm sorry.

[He looks properly ashamed, and has to take a minute to run his hand through his hair.]

Ugh. I don't even know what to say about it. Basically, I wasn't in control of myself, and then when I was back to myself, I guess I kinda crashed super hard. You know, dopamine machine broke and all.

...If you wanna talk to me about that, or about anything, I guess, come and find me. I'm not gonna try to run away this time.

[Rich exhales slowly then, and then hoists his guitar up with a much brighter grin. It might look a tad ingenuine, but Rich is an expert at faking it until he makes it.]

Anyways, I've still been really into practicing my music and all, and I was kinda wondering if someone would wanna do a concert again? But instead of me just flying solo, we could all do our own sets of a couple songs? Hell, maybe some of us can start up bands, I've been wanting to do that for ages. If you wanna jam, hit me up!

Comments

[firewalled]

[Rich is still sniffling under his breath, trying his best to muffle his tears, both so Ryo won't worry further and so he can try to listen to what Ryo has to say. He has to be strong. He won't be a hero if he can't be strong... but he also feels like maybe, just maybe, it's more important to listen to someone else's guidance than stubbornly falling into the same habits he always has.

And Ryo is right. It does help a little bit. Rich swallows hard, exhales and hiccups softly, while the hand not holding Ryo's goes up to wipe at his eyes.]

I-I know. I know he doesn't deserve any of that. M-my dad didn't deserve it, and the SQUIP didn't either. I don't have to forgive them, a-and I'm not going to.

But... I don't know. I don't want to become defined by this either. I feel like, if I tell everyone who did this to me, I'll just be known as his victim. I'll never become more than that. I'll never be seen as stronger, or braver, or anything other than the lost potential I had before he hurt me like that.

I don't... want to be defined by that. I don't want his own bad attitude to define me... as much as I don't want it to define him either. I want us both to grow past it.

[He looks up at Ryo before his eyes quickly dart away.]

Does... does that make sense or am I just crazy?