couldn't help it. No spoilers in post, but very likely in the comments.

[fraternally]

So we're doing this? You know this is maybe not the greatest idea? For a lot of reasons?

Alright. Okay. Look, is anyone ever ready? You have to know. Right? Okay. So I guess we're doing this! Guess it'll be nice to say hi to everyone.

Let's just maybe hold off on a game for now, alright? You need to see the movie again. And I could use some time to, uh... prepare. You know how it is.

Thanks.

Comments

[zerotohiro]

[...nope. Nope, nope, n o p e.

That's a great question bro. 'Is anyone ever ready?' Because Hiro's definitely not ready for this, but he figures it's like this.

A.) He can continue gawking like a total dork.
B.) He can try to explain to Tadashi that there's absolutely no way this can be happening.
or C.) Play it cool.]

Sooo...think that'll work?

[It's just Tadashi, Hiro. It's okay.]

[fraternally]

... probably not.

[ Tadashi smiles, then reaches out to ruffle Hiro's hair. ]

Hey kiddo.

[zerotohiro]

[It's out of instinct and familiarity that he ducks out of Tadashi's reach, but the grin isn't quite as bright as it should be. This is way too surreal for him.]

Hey. [He gives him another funny look. Kinda can't help it here.] What's the plan?

[fraternally]

[ Tadashi opens his mouth; closes it. Takes a deep breath. ]

... you could give me a tour of all the cool new tech you've been building, genius.

[fistbumper]

Sometimes you just have to jump into crazy ideas, right?

[... Hi big bro.]

[fraternally]

That's right. Long as you're using you're head. And you are, right?

[ Teasing. Hey, little bro. ]

[fistbumper]

I'm trying! I mean... I guess what I'm doing in game now is kind of crazy, but... you know. Things happen.

[nerdschoolgirl]

TADASHI!!!

[You're just going to get a big hug whether you like it or not, because Honey Lemon is just so happy to see you here alive and all!]

You're here! Oh, I'm so glad to see you!

[fraternally]

Hey, whoa, hey-- hey, Honey. [ Tadashi huffs a surprised laugh, remembering to hug her back after a beat. ]

It's good to see you too. You okay?

[ It feels sort of strange to ask, but like a requisite. He'd ask it of all his friends right now. Even Fred. (Maybe especially Fred.) ]

[nerdschoolgirl]

[Well, he's dead in her world. He may not be the first Tadashi she's seen around here, but she's still super excited. Can you really blame her?

Grinning from ear to ear, she just doesn't want to let go of him right away, but she finally does break away at least, with a little laugh.]

Me? I'm fine!

[Still hanging on to one of her friend's arms, she shrugs a shoulder lightly.]

This place isn't so bad, once you get used to it! Plus, the whole gang is here!

How are you, Tadashi? We missed you so much.

[thehirohewanted]

[Well, someone gets to find out how being dead works in metaspace. Namely it doesn't.]

Yeah, saying hi. Definitely nice to say hi.

So.

Uh.

Hi?

[The part of him that isn't some mix of internal screaming white noise emotions is kind of glad Baymax isn't around because he's faaaaairly sure any mention of 'pubescent mood swings' would make the extremely fragile front shatter into a million pieces.]

[fraternally]

Man, is there some kind of cloning machine around here? Even if we pretend for a second that's science and not something out of Fred's comic collection. Just how many of you little squirts am I going to run into?

[ There's nothing but fondness in the way he talks, though. ]

So, uh, hey there. You okay?

[thehirohewanted]

I couldn't even begin to tell you, I just got here. Everything sounds sci fi right now.

With a touch of fantasy. [Or a lot of fantasy.]

Me? Oh, I'm fine. Totally cool. So you've been meeting a lot of...me's? How is that going?

[roboticalnurse]

Hello, Tadashi. [That's saying hi to everyone, right?] What is it needing preparations? Are you in need of assistance?

[fraternally]

Hey, Baymax, buddy, you're here! [ Tadashi is all excitement. ] It's just, uh-- not medical assistance. I'm good. Just -- man, am I glad to see you. You taking care of Hiro?

[roboticalnurse]

Yes, I am here. So are you. [The way Baymax looks down at him and "blinks" is his way of expressing a bit of confusion. He's not the one coming back from the death! But hey, daddy is being cute in his excitement.] I take care of Hiro. He also takes care of me. It is all "pretty sick". [Look, dad, he's been learning stuff!]

[heartwarmer]

Overeager mun, huh?

[fraternally]

You know it. And not just her, but her friend, who's got my kid brother. They're kind of nuts, but -- I guess you already have experience with that, huh.

[heartwarmer]

Wellllllll... [Nervous chuckle] Mine did went kinda nuts when my movie came out? And both me and my older sister are in her "headspace" right now. [Which is not so bad for Anna.]

[Have sympathetic shoulder pats, Tadashi.] Look at it this way: it's kinda flattering they care so much about us.

[pushtheboundaries]

Consider yourself lucky if you get that time. They're worse with deadlines than I am.

[because clearly the best way to start a conversation is by pretending Certain Things never happened.]

[fraternally]

... Professor Callaghan.

[ Very neutrally. This is the metaverse, ok. He knows everything. But he won't express hatred, or even anger. Though he's reserved, there might actually be a hint of sympathy around his eyes. ]

That mean you're, uh, in a game? How's that going for you?

[pushtheboundaries]

Tadashi.

[long pause. He Sees That Look...and then looks away]

...yes and no. There's an application sent in to one, and- a 'musebox'. Among other things.

[beat, and then he looks back, furrowing his brow a bit]

It's frustrating. And a reminder of how things that were supposed to be simple...aren't.

[societyhasrules]

...Tadashi?

You really here, man?

Am I seeing ghosts? Because in this chaotic place - I would not be surprised.

[fraternally]

Yeah, Wasabi. I'm really here. I mean, do I look transparent to you? [ He holds up and twists a hand, smiling - though maybe not as teasing as usual. ]

[societyhasrules]

No, you look pretty real to me.

[He smiles slowly, shaking his head.]

You know, I'm actually starting to think this place isn't so bad if you're here. [He claps a hand on Tadashi's shoulder.] It's good to see you.