R1 DEADLAND PT2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO

[lockdownmods]

[it’s strange, for the people who were already dead, the shift in scenery is sudden and complete. For those who have just arrived? It’s like you’re back where you left?

How strange.

But if you ever need her, you can always reach out to the guardian of this place.]

LOCATIONS
Note: locations lag a week behind the living counterparts

Comments

[12d3]

[To be quite frank, 2-D didn't really expect much of a positive reaction from Rebecca. Not that he told her all of this specifically to get one out of her, he just wanted her to know that he genuinely felt awful for what he'd done and was apologetic for the things he said. He didn't expect forgiveness -- hell, he'd almost prefer that people didn't forgive him so easily. He can't forgive himself, either. But at the same time he's very grateful for those who have and.. well, even with his memories of years of abuse and mistreatment, he always hoped Murdoc would turn around and be his friend. And it's a little similar, here.

Even after he did the worst thing a human could possibly do, and he understood the extent of his actions, he hoped everyone would turn around be kind to him. He's a bit childish in that regard, and Rebecca, one of the best friends he's sadly made in his.. life, was the one person that hurt him the most when she treated him sharply. So at first, when she responds with a softer tone, telling him that she's thankful for his explanation he's not entirely sure how to respond fully.

She was the only one who didn't let him off for what he'd done, and in that regard the only one who was giving him a real sense of... consequence. Something that hurt so much coming from someone so kind, but at the same time was a little bit.. not comforting, but reassuring of the fears and guilt he felt over stabbing that girl so many times. Part of him wants to reply maturely, and tell her that she doesn't need to forgive him and that now that he's been able to get that off his chest, he'll let her come to him if she's ever ready to.

But the other part, the childish part, is just so... damn happy that his words actually got to her, and she responded in a bit more of a positive way. Because of that conflict in feelings, 2-D's knees end up just buckling under himself and he falls to his knees with a big, relieved sounding sigh. Like a bunch of pressure was just lifted off his shoulders, and he felt like he could breathe again.]

....thank you... f-for hearing me out.

[He wraps his arms around his stomach, a small smile on his face that he hides by looking at the floor for now.]

And, um.. about that letter... i-it was stupid of me to try and give it to you. I shoulda' just waited, and I'm sorry for that, too.

[throwabookatit]

[ At this, Rebecca just turns away, a lump in her throat.

She can't comfort him. She doesn't want to. He lost that right.

But at least she doesn't want to kick sand in his wounds. The wounds he caused himself. ]

It was. It was- incredibly stupid, after everything- after all I'd been through. [ She breathes in deep. ] At least you understand that.

[12d3]

[2-D nods, unaware that she can't see him nod in the first place and it takes a couple of seconds of silence for him to look up and realize she was turned away. So, he lowers his face again, looking at a random spot on the ground as he replies.]

I think I just.. got too used to being here that I didn't actually realize somethin' awful happened to you. I... I was just really happy to see you again.

[He lets go of himself, to reach up and wipe at one of his eyes.]

[throwabookatit]

...Crivvens, I should stop being surprised, just by how stupid you are.

[ It's not a warm teasing, but it's not the same frigid bite. Rebecca has far from forgiven him--maybe she never will. But...this is a start. Isn't it? ]

[12d3]

Hah!

[2-D just lets out a dry sounding laugh at that, but it does get a little smile on his face again.]

I honestly never thought I was as stupid as everyone kept telling me but... but I think I'm startin' to see it, now.

[It sounds a little bitter, but honestly it's the truth and he can't even really be mad.]

Especially after all that junk I ended up rememberin' when I woke up here. Like, remember when I told you I must've been in a coma for... a really long time because my age was all wrong?

[He lifts one of his arms to run a hand through his hair, feeling embarrassed by admitting this.]

It was just one year.. er, maybe two. I don't remember much about that time but I was definitely awake for all the years after.

[throwabookatit]

[ That makes more sense, doesn't it? Honestly, she should've thought of that, but- well, he was so earnest, and she was so unwilling to believe their memories had been tampered with.

See how well that turned out for her.

The book tightly clutched in her arms, Rebecca keeps focus on a point at the wall. Away from him, away from the siren's call of the library. ]

That's...good. [ ... ] Good for you, then. That it wasn't like that.

[ ...Rebecca sighs. ]

I... I should be going, Stuart.

[12d3]

[Ah.. it's almost funny how disappointed he feels when Rebecca tells him she should leave. Of course it's not like they're suddenly the best of friends now that he's apologized, so he shouldn't be expectant of her wanting to stick around and hear about all the stuff he remembered -- even though he had so much to tell her. But.. still. It hurts, but at the very least, they're... somewhere better.

This was a start.]

Ah, yeah. Of-- of course.

[He doesn't move off the floor, even though he probably should he just.. he needs a moment to process all of... This.]

Um.. thank you. If you ever want to... to talk or anythin'... [He starts, knowing full well that this may as well be the last time they'll talk to each other but despite that, he looks up at Rebecca with a warm smile.]

My door's always open.

[throwabookatit]

[ A part of her wishes that smile, this little moment, could make up for all of it.

But the truth of the matter is, it can't. So, she responds with a small quirk of her lips--nothing close to a smile, not at all--and a slight glance in his direction.

It's better than nothing. ]

...I know.

[12d3]

[Honestly, he'll take it. It still hurts -- all of this does. But that little twitch of a smile and passing look feels.. really hopeful. Really hopeful. And now that he's gotten all off his chest that he wanted, he doesn't feel this.. blockage in his chest anymore. He feels so relieved he could cry (more than he already has) but he doesn't, he just nods and lets her be on her way as he gives himself a little bit more time to calm down.]