On joining nexus_sages Canon is until Dawn

[brother_alone]

He asked for me back?

Be careful what you wish for....

Comments

[workthroughit]

You have much to answer for, if nothing else, Joshua.

[brother_alone]

Yeah. They mentioned it was you.

The voices did. New ones. Shiny.

[workthroughit]

None of this would have found you if you'd listened to me! But you knew best, didn't you? Your plan was the only way to make them pay, wasn't it?

[brother_alone]

Well, duh.

That's because you're nuts and putting scarecrows and shit in the room wasn't exactly helping. Sadistic bastard.

[workthroughit]

You really still believe that-...

[He huffs through his nose, annoyed. But soon coaches a smile onto his face.]

Sometimes a shock to the system is the best motivator, hm?

[brother_alone]

And yet, when I do that to motivate someone it's 'cruel and unusual'.

[Wow those air quotes are obnoxious.]

[workthroughit]

You weren't going for motivation in anyone and you know it, Joshua.

[brother_alone]

It was teaching someone a lesson. Isn't that what you always talk about? learning to feel what other people feel?

[workthroughit]

Are you really still rationalizing it? After all that? After everything you put them through?

Our reunion will be a spectacular one, I'll say that much. We have so much to catch up on.

[brother_alone]

You have to live it to feel it.

Have to live it to hear them in your head. They're talking. Don't you hear it? I'm just giving them a voice again.

[workthroughit]

[Dr. Hill sighs.]

You're not well, Joshua.

[brother_alone]

You're the one who wished for me back, Doc.

I'd say the one who isn't well...is you.

[workthroughit]

And here I had been talking about repairing regrets and the fruitlessness of it.

You are my greatest regret, Joshua, much like I am yours. Heaven knows neither of us are complete without the other.

[brother_alone]

Well you've got me, now.

And we've got a whooooole community of folks who need some lessons. She says we're gonna stir shit up. Teach some lessons.

This new voice sounds like fun.

[makeachoice]

Looks like a weird place, dude.

[brother_alone]

[Put on your sane face, Josh. Friends are here! The best one, even!]

Yeah, well. We can't always meet up at the family cabin, right?

[makeachoice]

[ Give him a little bit of credit. Chris should at least be a little bit more intuitive at this point. ]

Ha. [ There's a weak laugh at that, and a crooked smile that quickly falters. ] Yeah, totally - gotta find new places too hang sometimes, even if it's some weird nexus place.

[brother_alone]

[Chris was the one who knew about his meds. This much is true.]

At least its safe there. Something something no violence.

[Kind of nice that Chris still would talk to him after...After.]

And it's away. From them.

[makeachoice]

[ "Them" could allude to a number of meanings, but he doesn't ask Josh to specify. He only nods to convey that whatever his friend is talking about, Chris has some understanding. ]

Better than a lot of places you could get sent to here, too. [ The edges of his mouth quirk upwards into the lightest smile - sincere, this time. ] Maybe I'll pop in. Can't let you have all the fun to yourself.

[brother_alone]

Listen..I--

[There's a vague look of guilt on his face.]

I'm not..okay. Still. And there's a new voice. Telling me what to do. Where to go.

Since you're one of the few people I give a damn about...I thought...I should tell you.

[makeachoice]

That's kinda the norm around here if it makes you feel any better. [ Though he gets how that could really screw with Josh. ]

Thanks for telling me anyways. Seriously, it's cool that you, uh- still trust me. [ Maybe it sounds odd that Chris is the one saying that, but he's got his own guilt weighing down on his shoulders. ] And whenever I'm around, I'll be here for you, man. You know, to make sure you're okay.

[workthroughit]

How easily you forget, Chris.

[makeachoice]

Do I, uh, know you?

[brother_alone]

Don't you dare you sick fuck.

Chris, ignore him. Don't listen to him. Wait...you can see him?

[Well, that's a lesson in reality warping Josh didn't need right now.]

He's my problem, not yours.

[makeachoice]

Yeah, I can see him. [ Cue the confusion and concern. ] Who the hell is he?