voidtreckernet | Poi 05

...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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Rich offers a soft, embarrassed smile.] It's definitely nice... aside from the fact that there's only one bed. I got this room with a friend, so it's a little awkward, but we make it work.

[Usually with Rich pretending to fall asleep on the chair so Alice won't insist he should take part of the bed.]

A-Anyways, we don't have to stay here. I should just put away my music shit.

[ That does seem a little awkward, but she imagines some friends wouldn't mind sharing a bed. ]

Well, I don't mind hanging out here if it's more comfortable? I mean, whatever you wanna do.

[Rich looks like he's frozen in place for a moment, breath just a little faster and eyes just a little wider. He tries to cover it up by moving his guitar to its case, spending longer than necessary placing it inside and locking the latches properly.]

I, um... let you in on a secret? I'm not that great at... figuring out what I wanna do.

[God, that sounds so weird...]

I mean, like, having my say in what I do, I guess? I don't know.

Oh. [ She frowns, a little worried, because she does notice the slight change in his demeanor. She hesitates for a moment, but decides it's maybe better not to push it for now. ]

Well, um...maybe we could watch a movie in the Cinema car? [ Not a lot of opportunity to talk, but a distraction might help. ]

Sorry... god, I must sound like such a mess. [He has to bite his tongue to keep himself from rambling on about how it's not actually a big deal and making her think that 1) it is actually a big deal and 2) he's crazy. Instead of all that, he just nods.]

Movies sound good. What do you usually like to watch?

[ She shakes her head. ] Nah, don't worry about it, you're fine.

I'm good with just about anything, other than horror. [ She doesn't scare as easily as she used to, but she doesn't entirely get the point of horror movies either. ]

Yeah, horror is an acquired taste, I don't blame you.

[He's watched some of the classics, but he can admit most of them are pretty cliche and dumb.]

I don't mind a comedy or something. [That seems like a safe bet. He sticks his hands in his pockets and motions with his shoulder that they should head on their way.]

[ With a nod, she follows him out. ] That sounds good. [ Comedies can be hit or miss sometimes, depending on the humor, but sometimes one just needs some dumb fun. ]

[He walks in silence for a bit, feeling increasingly awkward. He doesn't even know how to really breach any of the topics he mentioned in his network post, or if she even wants to hear any of it.]

I, um... I know I said this before, but I'm still sorry I was talking like that before. I wasn't trying to get attention, I just... I guess I needed to get it out there, so I wouldn't feel like I was gonna explode, or something.

[ Glancing at him, Kitty smiles and shakes her head. ] You don't have to apologize. People just need to vent, y'know?

And...I probably can't do much to help, but I'm here if you ever wanted to talk. Sometimes it's just nice having someone to hear you out.

Mm, I guess. I just feel weird, since we don't know each other that well, and the first thing you get from me is a bunch of my baggage thrown in your face.

[He tries to laugh it off, but it's not a very convincing sound.]

I feel like all I do is talk to people about stuff that shouldn't matter anymore.

[ She snorts a little. ] I've had people I've just met try to cause me bodily harm. A little baggage is no big deal.

[ It's hard to tell how serious she means that. But she sobers a bit as she looks at him again. ]

And if it's still bothering you, then it does still matter.

Jesus... hope that hasn't been the case with people you met here, but...

[Rich is pretty sure most people are friendly here, even if he's had some run ins. He dearly hopes Kitty didn't have to deal with people like Jack too much.]

...Maybe? I don't know. I mean, it's not going to get fixed until I can get some therapy, and unfortunately, the train didn't zap any nurses over here with me, so I'm kinda stuck just thinking about it.

Nah, the people here have been pretty friendly. I haven't really had to worry about that here.

[ There was plenty to worry about, sure, but that wasn't one of them. ]

Sometimes it does help to just get it off your chest, though. People here may not be therapists, but a lot of people are willing to listen."

Poi 05 - Voice

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