re_alignment | [Voice]

Entry tags:

✘ dead space | vandal

[Voice]

Vandal here.

I've been sifting through the junk pile and I found a few things of interest. A few hard drives, some music and films on them, haven't sorted through or formatted it yet, but if anyone's interested in some entertainment there's that.

Found some stuff I might be able to turn into a human-sized living space. Old mobile home. Kind of shitty, but a nice fat project to work on. But uh.

Can anyone help me haul this thing out? I mean, I got it dislodged, but my RIG only has so much moving power.

Also: Hey Max, you around? When are we going to do that whole drink until we can't stand thing?

[Private to Ratchet]

Ratchet? I have something to ask you.

[Private to Perceptor]

You owe me that story.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Oh yeah? Too bad this is a one-time thing, huh? [Your smile is really contagious.]

So if you're fine what's the harm in letting me look?

Hey. Hey. We're friends. You said someday I'll have something to give back, right? So let me try. Talk to me.

I don't know. [He cocks his head.] I've won a lot.

Because. [Frag. Now he has to think of an answer to that entirely reasonable question.]

Because you have better things to do. (?)

Nothing. It's just.

[Frag.]

Everyone I get close to dies.

I know you weakness. [Perfect innocent smile.]

Yeah, not gonna fly, buddy.

[She softens a little.]

Drift... what brought this on? I mean- do you want to... you know. Talk about it?

You wouldn't dare. And you can't over video. [Ha, he is immune to long distance tickles. ]

Vandal. It's just some side effect. It's nothing.

No I don't want to talk about it. [The words all run together.]I've probably already said something stupid.

See that's the worst part, I'll owe you. Then you don't know when it's coming. Or I could share these facts with Wing, I'm sure he'd love that.

Drift. This whole avoid-y shit is not making your case.

[She shakes her head.]

You. Me. Junkpile. Now. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, but I'm not going to judge you or tell you what to do. I can always just listen.

[Why are you so mean to him?] I don't think Wing needs to know.

I'm not avoiding anything! [Avoiding is cowardice. This is tactical evasion.]

[He furrows his brow, completely flummoxed.] We're going to...fight?
I don't want to fight you. [But why else is she calling him out like this?]

[Because reasons.] Oh I think he'd disagree.

Yes, yes you are.

No, you dork. Seriously? It's called quality time and a walk and maybe you talk about your feelings.

Which is why you're not going to ask him.

[Right?]

I'm telling you. It's nothing.

...oh. [Ouch.]

Come on, I'm just teasing you.

[Huff.]

Fine. But if I find out it's not nothing? I will seriously just. I don't know. I'll do something.

You don't want to talk a while? Just hang out? You don't have to necessarily talk about... anything that's stressful for you. But I'm here. And no, I don't want to fight you.

Look. It's logic. The Rust is cured. I got it cured by Pharma himself. The cure's good. End of story. This is just...something that'll clear up.

[He has absolute faith in Pharma's cure. After all, Ratchet had spoken really highly of him, and Ratchet never spoke highly of anyone.]

It's just that...you should have other friends. I mean. Not just me.

In case. [You know.]

Drift, please? Please let me look. What if it doesn't? What if they didn't get it all... whatever it was?

[Silence.]

I do have other friends, Drift. I'm not a fucking kid.

... In case what?

[He frowns, and then gives in.] Fine. But it's nothing.

[Drift twitches back, a little stung.] I know. I mean, I didn't mean anything. Like that.

......in case something happens. To me.

Well, if it's nothing then we just get to spend some quality time together. And I'll scratch your ears or something.

[Yes ears. Shh don't correct her.]

Why would anything happen to you? It doesn't matter how many friends I have, if something happened to you it would still be pretty fucked up. You're-

Is something going on?

Look it's [Really embarrassing.] Fine. Okay. All right. [He gives in. Simply because it really does hurt and he hates arguing.]

Because of what I do, Vandal. It's violent. It only ends one way. Dying. One day it'll be me.

Great. Thank you.

... Drift please don't. Do this. Please? I don't want to think about you dying. You're the best friend I've had in years. And being friends with other people wouldn't replace you anyways.

You're.

You're kind of scaring me.

_{Yeah. Great.} [He does not sound happy.]

Which is why I'm thinking about it.

[He frowns.] I don't want to scare you. But I don't want to hurt you, either.

Pf.

You sound like the last guy I asked out. Next thing you'll say is "It's not you it's me", right?

I won't fucking let you die, okay? I don't care what happens. You.

Matter. A lot to me. Too late to go back on it.

[He looks hurt and confused.]

I...it's not you, though.

_{Please don't be upset}.

[Deep breath.]

Please just. Don't fucking push me away. I can't handle that right now.

You're not allowed to die, okay?

..._{Okay. I won't.}

I'll try not to, Karrie. [But he can't promise.]

Good. Because you coming in here all. All fucking nice and caring what the fuck happens to me with the-

Everything. You don't bail on me now. No.

[BE MY FRIEND GOD DAMN IT.]

Now get your ass down here. We're going for a walk.

I-I'm not talking about bailing, Vandal. [He's a little startled by her vehemence.]

I...uh. Yes. All right.[H-how does this happen?]

Okay. Good. Sorry you just. Kind of freaked me out.

See you soon, big guy.

I'm sorry. I'm not really very good at this 'friend' thing, I guess.

[But he wins for sincerity?]

Be there soon. [So many mixed feelings because he doesn't want to be prodded but....]

It's okay. Neither am I, to be perfectly honest.

I'll be waiting.

[And she will be, seated on a gross old couch in the junk heap.]

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