[Voice]

[vandalization]

So guys? Uh. Look. Two out of three of you are aware, but.

I guess while there's not some huge disaster going on we could talk about. Stuff?

I kind of have a thing. For all three of you. Surpriiiiise Percy... And uh. Look I know I kinda flipped out last time, but I'm starting to feel better and I'd like to discuss it.

I kinda got into this thinking all of you were an item, but I realized I was mistaken. That. Still doesn't change the fact that I'm really kind of into you all in a big way.

I just wanna know if I'm barking up the wrong tree or... yeah.

And before any of you say it, I don't wanna 'do better'. Can't change how I feel.

God fucking damn I'm so awkward.

I just wanna talk about it, I'm not saying you have to... do anything or make me happy or whatever, I just.

Haha, I guess I don't know what I want. I just want to get it out there, because it's been the elephant in the room for me for a while, you know?

Comments

[Audio]

[winged_knight]

Heard what, exactly?

[Audio]

[sword_redemption]

About Vandal. And Perceptor. [And him.]

[Audio]

[winged_knight]

Ah, yeah. Some of it anyway. I knew she was interested in all of us. ...and she did mention you and Perceptor. [They kind of went hand in hand, conversation-wise.]

[Audio]

[sword_redemption]

Mention.

There's nothing to mention.

[Audio]

[winged_knight]

Ooookay. [He's obviously missing something.]

You don't have to talk about anything that happened before our relationship Drift. I trust you.

But I would like to understand...?

: [Audio]

[sword_redemption]

I'd like to understand, too.

[He frowns.]

I kissed him. That's all. It was apparently a bad idea.

[Audio]

[winged_knight]

Sounds like things have gotten complicated somewhere. [It's inevitable with all the variables here really.]

Not a bad idea on its own, but maybe from a certain perspective? Who feels that way?

[Audio]

[sword_redemption]

Everything's complicated. [He doesn't like complicated. He's beginning to want to go to the Badlands again, just to have a clear line and a mission: Kill or be killed. It was familiar.

Apparently it was. Perceptor blames me for not telling him about you.

We weren't even together back then. Otherwise I wouldn't have. Because of you.

[Audio]

[winged_knight]

It's going to be, with this many people and some things unresolved. [More people means more complexity, but thankfully it also means you don't have to weather it alone.] Let's just be patient; one step at a time.

Does he know that? That we weren't together yet?

I know. And I thank you for that.

You know you can come talk to me if you ever wanted to right? With him, or Vandal. [Or anyone else.]

[Audio]

[sword_redemption]

I've been patient. It just made it worse. I figured I'd give him time then talk to him when he was ready.

[That time never happened. Unless you count tonight.]

He thinks we were. He never asked. I guess he thought he was staying out of the way but...[A frustrated sigh.]

[Audio]

[winged_knight]

Seems like maybe there was a misunderstanding somewhere in between. But what's past is past. You have a chance to set the record straight now.

[Oh my, the picture that's starting to form is a little bit tragic.]

I'll talk to him too, so he knows I bear him no ill will.

Re: [Audio]

[sword_redemption]

There's no point, now. Besides, this isn't about me.

I'd rather you didn't. Just let it die.

[Audio]

[winged_knight]

There isn't? [A genuine question.]

It's about all of us really. Vandal's right, the more we can come together and be supportive of each other, the better. Things here aren't going to get any easier. We can at least all be friends.

Drift, please, I'd rather close wounds than let them fester for that reason.

[Audio]

[sword_redemption]

What good would it do? He's made up his mind. He didn't want to ask back then; he doesn't want to ask now.

We should respect that.

[Audio]

[winged_knight]

Hasn't he made up his mind based off misinformation? Maybe he doesn't know that he needs to ask?

I won't force you Drift, but it saddens me that you'd loose a friend over this.

I don't want to force him either. But we can at least open the door, make an opportunity.

[Audio]

[sword_redemption]

He's made up his mind. [End of story.]

There's no real reason. Besides, if it comes to it, he should have Vandal. I've taken enough from him. I think the less damage I do the better.

[Audio]

[winged_knight]

[Wing stays true to his word, and won't force you.]

At the very least though, regarding the part that concerns myself, I have a right to clear the air yes? Can you fault me for trying to...?

[He just wants to do right by everyone, finding a happy medium though, is a trick.]

[A soft sigh.] What is it you've taken?

[Audio]

[sword_redemption]

What part concerns you?

[He doesn't see it.]

Apparently, I've made him unhappy. You'll have to ask him. [Since he can tell you will anyway, regardless of what Drift wants.] It's not mine to tell.

[Audio]

[winged_knight]

It wasn't an issue until he found out about you and I. I'd say that makes me a key part of the equation.

[Considering if Wing weren't in it, there'd be no issue.]

Do you mean that?

[Audio]

[sword_redemption]

[Drift just shakes his head. He has no power here. ]

Do what you're going to do.

[Audio]

[winged_knight]

I-- Look I'm sorry. I don't understand why you're so against this?

I just don't want there to be awkwardness between me and someone I barely know.

[He rubs a hand over his face.]

Drift there's one other thing...

[Audio]

[sword_redemption]

So you'd rather awkwardness between you and me.

No, Wing, there's nothing else to talk about. You're tired. You get so 'frustrated' talking to me.

[He shrugs, hating the idea that he's some sort of fragile child they have to walk on eggshells around. ] Go be with Vandal.

[Audio] --> [Video]

[winged_knight]

[His face shifts to something more deeply concerned and he flicks on the video feed, imploring.]

Drift, no. Please tell me why this bothers you.

[But then he stops at the abrupt turn of the conversation.]

[If this is Drift's way of proving the point, he's doing a fine job of it.]

Well, I was going to offer an apology, but. Perhaps you should let me know what's on your mind first? [In case he needs to make an addendumn.]

[Audio] --> [Video]

[sword_redemption]

If you can't figure out why I could possibly find this whole thing--besides being discussed like some fragile patient--embarrassing, then I don't even know what to tell you, Wing.

[Maybe their frames of reference really are too different. Maybe Wing's just never been publicly humiliated by people he loves before. Drift doesn't know.]

There's nothing you need to apologize for.

[Video]

[winged_knight]

Patient? Why would--? [He's really confused now. He thought maybe he knew, but it's getting convoluted now... He shakes his head, as if trying to clear it.]

I don't want to embarrass you Drift, no. It's a simple miscommunication. I--unless there's more to it? [A pleading look. He just wants to understand so he can make things right for all parties and avoid more suffering.]

We're talking about more than just Perceptor now aren't we?

Is this about Vandal and I?

[It certainly doesn't seem that way, Drift is clearly upset, but the accusations are cryptic and Wing knows better than to offer apologies without knowing the source: they just come off as desperate and insincere.]