...They Are Both Me...

[usedmiracles]

Who: Gamzee Makara, Karkat Vantas, Rose Lalonde, Crona, Jade Harley, Doc Scratch, Eridan Ampora, Soul Eater Evans, Maka Albarn, Kanaya Maryam, Sollux Captor, Aradia Megido, John Egbert, Dave Strider, Death The Kid, Vriska Serket.
Where: Union cave
When: Afternoon of 4/13
Summary: Gamzee hasn't had any pies and is finally sobering up at the worst

Comments

[usedsickbeats]

His shades reflected the screen of his device, glowing brightly against his face. Honestly, it was the only thing that Dave could actually see in the darkness of the cave.

They had spent a fair amount of time-- he and Rose -- making the trek through the caves. The idea of a race was pretty appealing, but it didn't sound all that smart to Strider. Still, hey, made this place a little less boring. He'd prodded at John with playful competition, until they had finally broken out in their little "Marco-Polo" game. Didn't seem all that tactful to be doing it via text, but Dave greatly enjoyed the irony on the matter.

He smirked as he texted away to John, giving a small, brief snicker at the constant replies of "Polo" to his "Marco". He didn't make much commentary to Rose, still finding it slightly tense to be hanging around her. It was easier to just keep in contact with Egbert.

Though the sudden change of text color and... Was that a honk? Dave's eyebrows perked, confused. He typed a response quickly.

ok wrong
pathetic fail john the only way to possibly lose marco polo is to get tagged
and were not even in the same section of the cave
but you lost simply because that random response isnt even witty or related
i call fish out of water now

[usedtherapy]

The duration of the trip so far was rather pleasant without conversation, in her opinion. Rose really would have preferred to have Nepeta with them, as just Dave wasn't the most appealing situation to be in to her, but sadly the girl's disappearance left her little choice.

"Why are you wearing your shades in here? You cannot possibly be able to see." His snickering had started to wear on her nerves, to the point she found the need to harass him far too great to ignore and broke. "And honestly, Strider, must you text constantly? You're not paying any attention to where we're going, are you? I was under the firm impression you wanted to lead to ensure we wouldn't get lost."

Glancing back to see if he was even paying attention, she offered a snort at his confused expression and rolled her eyes, focusing back on the path ahead.

"Whatever, Dave."

[usedsickbeats]

Dave rolled his eyes at the sudden chatter Rose decided to start up. Don't rag on the shades, man. He might not be able to see a damned thing, but the use of a flashlight and the light from his device works just fine for him.

"Question and observation one: Don't care. And hey, you can't possibly think that I'd up and neglect John while we're in this cave. I have to keep tabs on him 'cause it's a thing." Another snort. "And I love him."

He stared at the device, suddenly not getting the same prompt responses as he had been previously.

"... Aw come on, don't tell me you found someone cooler to talk to."

[usedtherapy]

"So I'm right and you can't see then. Good to know." Yet another roll of her eyes. Dave, it's incredibly stupid to wear sunglasses in a cave if you cannot see with them on. You could trip and hurt yourself, and then what would you do? You would be at the mercy of your sister. Do you really want that?

However, she drops the subject in favor of the one concerning John. "Oh, forgive me. I forgot you are both unable to breathe without talking to each other on a second by second basis. Do you think he would let me be his maid of honor at the wedding?" That last statement has her finally coming to a stop, arms crossing.

"Cooler than you? Dave, there is no one in this cavern with such a capacity for coolness as you. You are the reason it is so damn cold in here. Surely you jest. Why do you ask at this point?"

[usedsickbeats]

Dave sighed, both out of Rose's pestering, and the lack of response from John. He continued to type away.

"I'unno, ask John. He's the wife." His fingers continue tapping away at the keys. "And it was sarcasm, Lalonde..."

Dave's voice lowered as he continued typing out a longer message, slowly muttering the words to himself aloud.

"John, John. Where. Are. You. I... am getting... a little spooked here... since this place is dark... and you are retarded... darkness plus retardation equals... pretty. much. doom."

[usedtherapy]

"I'm well aware it was sarcasm, Dave. I was offering you good nature...what are you going on about?" His muttering was, to be quite honest, weirding her out a little. Dave managed to do that on his own from time to time, sure, but it was more what he was saying that had her concerned. Spooked? Doom? And why did that have anything to do with John?

Casually, she sauntered a little closer to lean over his shoulder, a brow raised curiously as she attempted to catch a glimpse at what the boy was typing.

"What's wrong?"

[usedsickbeats]

Dave's glance shifted over to Rose briefly, and he turned the device over to her to give a look. There was a long stream of messages just sent by Dave himself, but no more prompt responses from John, as opposed to the quick responses and the sudden 'honk'.

"He was talking to me, and now he's not. Just kind of weird that I get... A honk, and nothing beyond that. Dude, there's not even a context for a honk, what the fuck does that mean?"

[usedtherapy]

Reading the messages over and listening to Dave's explanation in silence, she rubs a little at her neck in thought. Since when did John honk? Never, from her knowledge. The only thing that made sense to her as to why he would was the obsession his family had with harlequins, and even then those were only very, very loosely related to clowns. Even then, harlequins don't honk.

"I can't say I'm sure of that myself. I cannot surmise any reason for him to send you such a message. Especially when only moments before you both were delighting in such a...riveting game of text Marco Polo."

[usedsickbeats]

Dave paused, silent for a moment as he stared hard at the message. It really didn't make much sense to him... But wasn't he alone with Gamzee? The honk seemed to remind him of that guy, so...

It took him a moment to put two and two together, and there wasn't much concern beyond the 'Oh, Gamzee is just being a douche and taking John's device', until there is still no response after Dave's constant chatter to trigger a reply.

"We should go look for him. Doesn't feel right to me."

Dave placed his device into his pocket, and reached into his backpack to grab a flashlight. He flicked it on, using the light as the only highlight of the trail. His shades created an even darker world around him, but at least the flashlight served as assistance from possibly crashing.

[usedtherapy]

"Where would we even begin looking? I'm unsure as to where they were in the cave...though I believe they were behind the rest of us at the least." Even while inquiring she moves though, pulling her own Pokegear out to ping John's a few times, in hopes perhaps a change of color would garner a reply.

"I hope they hadn't wandered off the main path." A terrible turn of events that would be, and what Rose was fearing. She'd dealt with Gamzee, so had plenty to experience to rule the troll out as a threat. In her mind, she was worried they'd managed to get lost and taken a bad fall, or been caught in some other horrible incident. Rock slides certainly weren't out of the question - she'd seen a few cliff walls that had her wary - but surely they would have heard that, right?

Quite grateful for the flashlight (because even though she wasn't wearing shades, the cave was still a shade of too-dark for her comfort), she followed. Wary, however. The cave looked much different in the light than it had only moments before.

[usedsickbeats]

Dave shrugged.

"I'unno. But we're going to keep walking around 'till we find him."

It was pretty obvious how serious he was. Dave might not have literally been attached to John by the hip, but they were best friends. The only time John would be an asshole and neglect his messages was when either a. he was running away from his father carrying a plate of cookies, or b. he was fighting imps. Either of the two seemed reasonable, and it just wasn't like John to up and end a conversation in the middle of a mad game of Marco-Polo.

He shone his flashlight ahead, leading his own partially-blinded path. Every so often, he'd call out John's name in the normal monotone.

[usedtherapy]

To that she didn't reply, simply glad of how he seemed to be handling the situation. There was no coolkid there, brushing it off because of one reason or another to avoid looking like he cared. No, it was Dave, and he was earnestly wanting to find John.

Slipping her 'gear back into her pocket after a few messages with no reply, she followed in silent thought, eyes darting around in the light of his torch in search. It was so dark, and she worried that they might overlook their friend because the limited area of view passed right by him. An idea came to mind, and she paused to pull a Pokeball from her bag, releasing her Noctowl.

"Tick, if you would please scout ahead, that would be wonderful. We're looking for John." Scratching gently under the owl's chin, Rose watched her flutter off with a hoot of confirmation. "She possesses far greater vision in the dark than us, so hopefully this will help. I'm sure her height advantage will be useful as well."

[usedsickbeats]

Dave watched as Rose sent off one of her companions, staring down at the restless vuplix who had wandered by his side the entire journey. Luda refused to remain in the pokeball, insisting on staying by Dave's side at all times. Which... Was cool, he supposed. Luda was alright.

He snapped his fingers at the vulpix, following it with a slight whistle.

"Luda, do me a favor. Catch John's scent and help Tick out. Give me a signal if you find him."

Luda gave an approving yip, quickly dashing to follow after the owl. Dave shoved that hand back in his pocket.

"She'll keep tabs on Tick. Far as we go, we should keep moving. Luda'll know where to find me. She's practically a stalker."

[usedtherapy]

"I agree. Four sets of eyes are far better than two." Continuing on as suggested, she kept both a sharp eye out now for the boy they were looking for, and listened for any sign from Luda or Tick that they may have found him themselves.

"Keep watch for a Lopunny as well, or perhaps for any frantic crying from one. Casey was most surely following John, and if nothing terrible befell her, she will be most distressed." At the sound of that, a small whimper came from her bag, Guile poking her head out to look up at the two.

[usedsickbeats]

His eyes shifted, looking down at Guile as her head peeped from Rose's bag. He gave a smirk.

"Maybe if we shout that we found Nic Cage, he'll emerge from the shadows. Start a motherfuckin' pride parade. One that's so extravagant, we'll have a light show leading us out of here."

[usedtherapy]

Offering him a sly, but still small smile in return, Rose shook her head.

"It's an idea. If we were brought here, after all, surely Nic Cage is capable of arriving as well." Crossing her arms, fingers tapping against her coat, she snorted. "I am sure, if it were for Nic Cage, he would find fireworks in this dingy cavern."