The Aftereffects of Marathoning a Show in One Day

[funkyflow]

Hey, no! Uh, you shouldn't be sad. I can keep you company!

Or, they can! [ Steven gestures at the Dear Mun community. ] See? There's nothing to be upset about! Um...

[ He turns to a nearby character. ] Hey! I need help! This player needs cheering up!

Comments

[icanravetothis]

Oh man. I'm right on it, little dude.

[And how does Sour Cream cheer people up? By immediately pulling out his portable DJ kit and playing some kicking tunes.]

[funkyflow]

Oh, yeah, I love this one! [ He starts swaying somewhat awkwardly to the beat, glancing over at his player every so often. ]

I... think it's working?...

[icanravetothis]

If you're not sure, it just means that I've gotta try harder!

[New jam! And it looks like Sour Cream is getting into it, nodding his head as he manipulates the game consoles he's modded.] What's got 'em so bummed out, anyway?

[funkyflow]

And I've gotta dance harder! [ Steven just about double-times the speed at which he moves on the dance floor, which mostly involves waving around a lot. ]

I don't know! Everything was really great while he was watching the show until last night, and then... this! I think he might be tired.

[bootsandframes]

Ummmm....oh! I can let them borrow my Spirit Morph Saga books? That could cheer them up, right?

[funkyflow]

Hey, you're right! It'd give him something to do at least, right?

[bootsandframes]

Right! And by the time he's finished I'm sure you can come up with something else.

[funkyflow]

Do you think so?

Hmm... hey, how about we come up with something else for him to do?

[herconfidante]

Well, what is it that has them upset?

[funkyflow]

I don't know. He says it's a lot of things! It sounds sort of complicated.

[herconfidante]

[ Pearl sighs, though her expression is gentle. She crouches down a bit, closer to Steven's level. ] Even if we wanted to help your new human friend, Steven, there's little we can do when we don't know what's ailing him. The first step to solving any problem is identifying it.

[funkyflow]

Well... I guess he really liked the show, but he ran out of episodes! Only there's more this week... but also, he wants to bring me to a game, and he doesn't know where, or even if he should!

[ Which all ends up being pretty complicated when he puts it like that. He looks up at Pearl hopefully. ] Can you help him?

[hollaholla]

Whoa, that sounds pretty serious Steven. [Said as.. blankly as usually.]

How can your mun feel down when he's busy hanging with you? That's like... impossible.

[funkyflow]

That's why I'm trying to help him! I don't know if it's working...

[hollaholla]

[He seems to be pretty deep in thought for a moment.]

...did you try singing for him or something? That's something you do, right?

[funkyflow]

Yeah, I've tried all my best songs! Wait, maybe he needs a new one.

[ He strums on his ukelele, humming a little as he finds the pitch. ]

Don't... let yourself be sad! Cause things aren't all that bad!
And if you're feeling blue, and don't know what to do,
Remember we are here with you!

[guidingvoice]

[That is a feeling Sapphire knows too well, since her player frequently gets punched in the heart by this show.]

These things usually have a way of working themselves out in time. You just have to have a little patience.

[funkyflow]

But that's too long! [ He lays down on the ground and sighs. ] What if I don't have any patience?

[guidingvoice]

[Sapphire chuckles as she sits down beside Steven.]

I think you have more patience than you realize.

[She says with a light smile.]

Maybe it would help if we found a way to pass the time. How about a song?

[bloodredtears]

[Hey Steven. It might now the best time but there's a kind of scary looking guy. A big scary looking guy. The man towers above a young tween like Steven; man, the giant red cloak that coils around him is probably the size of at least three showers curtains if you can imagine that, Steven. At least three. The scary red skull mask doesn't help either. Really, the guy could give Jasper a run for her money in scary looks.

And then he tries to speak.]

Iuh.....Iiiuuhhh....

[The stutter is very palpable as the man tries to speak. Despite his appearance, his voice is soft and weak; not from a lack of purpose in what he's trying to say, but the sheer difficulty of trying to get them to come out.]

Iuuhh....It's okay to be sa-sad sometimes, buh-but they won't always be. It's guh....guh...good of you, to help your m-mun....

[funkyflow]

[ Steven looks up at the man with genuine concern. ] Hey mister, uh, you okay? All that stuff you're wearing looks kinda heavy.

[bloodredtears]

O-oh....! I-I'm very used to it by now. It doesn't buh....bother me much.

[What a considerate young man. Rando wonders if most children were like this; he hadn't ceased to be a child himself until shortly before the Flash, and it was hard for him to say his memory wasn't skewed at least a little bit on his own memories of childhood. Regardless, kids weren't something you saw much of in Oliathe now. Or ever. Or anywhere, he supposed.]

[eyesforward]

[why are you volunteering her, Steven. this is uncomfortable and socially kind of awkward!

but, Sadie's a good person—so she turns with only mildly burdened curiosity, raising an eyebrow.]

—Huh? Why? What's up, Steven?

[funkyflow]

My player's sad and I don't know how to fix him! Can you help?

[ SADIE MUST HAVE AN ANSWER, RIGHT? ]

[eyesforward]

Uhh—!

[THE PRESSURE. Why, Steven, why.]

W-well, I mean, I don't even know him! How should I know what I can do to cheer him up?? What's he sad about?