[Doing this through text is stupid. John knows very well that there is only so much that text can do in situations like this. If this were him and Dave had disappeared again...he would want someone with him. So he closes the gear with a small snap and heads out of the room, Casey following along behind him.]
[Okay, so it's not quite a second...but after a few minutes, there's a knock at your door, Rose.]
[[A knock? Nothing terribly unexpected. And most certainly not unwelcomed for once. For as much as she hadn't wanted to talk about Dave's second disappearance, this...was quite a bit different.
It takes a few minutes for her to wipe her eyes dry and convince her gaggle of Pokemon to stay put (not that Nartac or Tick listen, perching on her shoulders and head as usual) before the door is finally opened.]]
[As much as he expected her to cry over this, part of him had vainly hoped that she wouldn't. Well...she wasn't doing so now, but it was clear that she had been. And he...he didn't like that thought. He didn't like it when his friends cried. Especially Rose. Because in his mind? In his mind, Rose Lalonde is strong and simply does not to cry. Not that she isn't capable of it...she just doesn't
( ... )
[[She's expecting those too. She's expecting "I'm sorry, Rose", or "It'll be alright, Rose, you'll see". She's expecting a forced cheerful smile, one that says "I'm going to cheer you up and you're going to like it". Normal, optimistic John Egbert.
She's not sure what to think of "Hi".
Stepping out of the doorway so that he can come in, she tries to decide what to do or say beyond that.
Remember when Dave left the first time, John? And she insisted on holding your hand? That seems to be what she's deciding on this time.]]
[That was John two or three disappearances ago. That was John the first time Dave disappeared. That was John when Nepeta disappeared, when Vriska disappeared, when Claire disappeared. That was the John that John stopped being when Dave disappeared the second time. The disappearance of Karkat and Gamzee are only making "normal, optimistic John Egbert" even less likely to appear any time soon.]
[Because everyone he knows and loves will disappear eventually. Seems like Johto loves giving him a reminder of that every few weeks.]
[Closing the door after him, he is more than willing to let her hold his hand. If that's what she needs, he is more than happy to provide. He stares at their hands for a moment, trying to figure out what to say next. Since he can't exactly say "hi" again. Not only would that not make any sense, but it was stupid to say the first time around.]
So, I thought you might...need someone to talk to. [Still not looking at her, he continues to glance down at their hands.]
[[And she simply squeezes his at that statement, a simple nod the only answer he's given at first. She does want to talk, she's just...not sure what to say. Where to start.
So she decides to start by stepping forward, and reaching to take his other hand.]]
[Casey's going to come over and sniff you, Rose. Hope you don't mind. She just wants to know why you are so sad. You and daddy both, why are you always so sad? She doesn't like it when the people she loves are sad.]
You're welcome.
[John is more than happy to take Rose's other hand. Though he still seems more interested in staring at their hands than at her face.]
[Letting go of one of her hands, he starts leading her over to the couch. Casey latches onto Rose's arm now that it's free, looking up at her and giving a small, sad Lo....]
[If you will let him, Rose, he will bring you all the way over to the couch, pulling you down to sit with him at one end. Sadly, throughout this entire journey and even after sitting down, he is still avoiding eye contact.]
[[She allows him to do so, doing her best to give Casey a few pets of the reassuring kind. Sitting down, she stares at her lap for a bit before hesitantly leaning against John's shoulder.]]
I'm honestly...not really sure what to say. Or how to word what I'm feeling and thinking right now, I suppose.
[Casey was about to settle on the couch on Rose's other side and try and comfort the two kids, but then she caught sight of CG and Haze. Deciding that Daddy and Rosie can take care of each other, she moves over to go comfort these two instead.]
I can understand that. [That's kind of how he felt after Dave disappeared the second time.] Take your time. Hehe, if there's anybody who can figure out how to word things, it's you. So...when you figure that out... [He trails off, unsure of where he was going with that.]
[[Don't be offended when Karkitty decides to avoid you, Casey. Removing himself from Guile's side, he hops onto the couch and perches behind Rose, eying the rabbit. Haze, however, will at least offer you curious sniffs from where she's buried against her mother's side. She remembers you!]]
Thank you for the vote of confidence, John...
[[Looking at her free hand, she sort of...makes a few week grasping motions with it.]]
...I just feel...a little empty right now. Empty and worried...
[[Well MAYBE he doesn't want your cuddles. Maybe he would just prefer to sit around and be angry that his trainers keep leaving.
Guile and Haze meanwhile seem to be perfectly okay with these cuddles. These cuddles are wonderful.]]
...yeah. And Karkat...I don't believe he had a moirail back in the Veil. And...while I don't think I fully grasp the concept, I can't help feeling...ugh.
[[Resting her head in her hand, she rubs at her face a little.]]
i was just about to call you about this...
i have jonathan and sara.
are you ok?
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Jonathan and Sara, alright.
Not particularly
But I'll live.
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[Doing this through text is stupid. John knows very well that there is only so much that text can do in situations like this. If this were him and Dave had disappeared again...he would want someone with him. So he closes the gear with a small snap and heads out of the room, Casey following along behind him.]
[Okay, so it's not quite a second...but after a few minutes, there's a knock at your door, Rose.]
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It takes a few minutes for her to wipe her eyes dry and convince her gaggle of Pokemon to stay put (not that Nartac or Tick listen, perching on her shoulders and head as usual) before the door is finally opened.]]
...hello John.
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She's not sure what to think of "Hi".
Stepping out of the doorway so that he can come in, she tries to decide what to do or say beyond that.
Remember when Dave left the first time, John? And she insisted on holding your hand? That seems to be what she's deciding on this time.]]
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[Because everyone he knows and loves will disappear eventually. Seems like Johto loves giving him a reminder of that every few weeks.]
[Closing the door after him, he is more than willing to let her hold his hand. If that's what she needs, he is more than happy to provide. He stares at their hands for a moment, trying to figure out what to say next. Since he can't exactly say "hi" again. Not only would that not make any sense, but it was stupid to say the first time around.]
So, I thought you might...need someone to talk to. [Still not looking at her, he continues to glance down at their hands.]
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So she decides to start by stepping forward, and reaching to take his other hand.]]
...thank you.
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You're welcome.
[John is more than happy to take Rose's other hand. Though he still seems more interested in staring at their hands than at her face.]
Do you want to go sit down?
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At the suggestion of going to sit down, she nods.]]
...though. Mind Karkitty and Haze. Neither...are in very good moods...
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[Letting go of one of her hands, he starts leading her over to the couch. Casey latches onto Rose's arm now that it's free, looking up at her and giving a small, sad Lo....]
[If you will let him, Rose, he will bring you all the way over to the couch, pulling you down to sit with him at one end. Sadly, throughout this entire journey and even after sitting down, he is still avoiding eye contact.]
So...
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I'm honestly...not really sure what to say. Or how to word what I'm feeling and thinking right now, I suppose.
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I can understand that. [That's kind of how he felt after Dave disappeared the second time.] Take your time. Hehe, if there's anybody who can figure out how to word things, it's you. So...when you figure that out... [He trails off, unsure of where he was going with that.]
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Thank you for the vote of confidence, John...
[[Looking at her free hand, she sort of...makes a few week grasping motions with it.]]
...I just feel...a little empty right now. Empty and worried...
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That's...understandable. I'm a little worried myself, to be honest. At least they were both safe here.
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Guile and Haze meanwhile seem to be perfectly okay with these cuddles. These cuddles are wonderful.]]
...yeah. And Karkat...I don't believe he had a moirail back in the Veil. And...while I don't think I fully grasp the concept, I can't help feeling...ugh.
[[Resting her head in her hand, she rubs at her face a little.]]
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