Poi 05 - Voice

[firewalled]

...It's Rich.

[Might as well not bother with preamble, though that's certainly odd for him. Odder still that he has the video off, even if there's still the faint strumming of guitar suggesting that he's nervously plucking at strings as he often does.]

I'm 18 now, according to the roster. Guess I missed my birthday. I knew it was coming up, but I was kinda distracted with stuff.

[Like having a mental crisis for the better part of two months at least.]

Anyways, was just wondering like... what's the longest someone's been stuck here before they got to go back home? Maybe, uh, maybe it was wishful thinking? But I was kinda thinking with the whole Ministry investigation and how fucking useless I am on the missions that the train would boot me off by now.

[He's really trying to laugh, trying to make that sound like a joke.]

Just. Was thinking about it. At this point, my friends back home probably assume my dad stabbed me or shit... maybe they'll believe those messages we got to send at that river, but more likely they'll think I'm nuts.

[Just another certified Rich Goranski Comedy Routine. He'll be here all week, folks.]

Comments

[firewalled]

...Yeah, pretty much. I've been trying to train and stuff so I can take care of myself in the field, but it's not enough to actually help yet, I don't think.

[And after so long being here, it's hard to stop himself from thinking he's never going to be good enough. Stupid ADHD brain making him too impatient to improve.

But... baking is the one thing he can do, and it feels like he should be able to handle it alone... though he gets where Dennis is coming from too, so he sighs and nods before he remembers he's still on voice.]

Fine, I guess. If you really want to help me out, I can see if I can whip something up. What's your favourite flavour?

[agoodsoul]

Better you don't rush into it, yeah? Do what you know you can handle. You'll be ready one day, 'sides, there's always plenty to do that isn't swash buckling.

[Gotta love brains. They're great when they're working 100% top notch, but when they start getting getting some cobwebs... and no worries, Rich. Little dead air won't hurt his feelings. He's clearly got a lot on his mind, gotta let the gears turn.]

Mean I am trying to keep my girlish figure, but baking a cake won't hurt that.

[He jokes like he still wouldn't eat a piece.]

Chocolate's real good, classic you could say, but it's your cake, mate, shouldn't you be the one choosing the flavor?

[firewalled]

I used to be more okay with doing the stuff that wasn't fighting. I feel like things have changed a lot over the months, though. Just giving people something fun to do or sweet to eat doesn't feel as important, I guess.

[There are some weird chaos gods who hate them, that seems a little more major right now.]

Nah, it's okay. I like chocolate. I've got a real decadent devil's food cake recipe we can use!

[agoodsoul]

Sounds like growth to me.

[Dennis smiles a little. Nothing wrong with changing. Change can be good after all!]

Sounds wicked. Been a bit since I've gotten my hands dirty in the kitchen, no time like the present, yeah?

[firewalled]

[Rich doesn't say anything. It doesn't feel like growth to go from recognizing his strengths to being consumed by his failures, but maybe it is good that he isn't just content... he certainly doesn't know what the right path is.

For now, cake sounds good. He can focus on that.]

I'll meet you in the kitchen then!