on being the last positive-thinking man standing

[escarabajo]

There's no way I'm the only person in here--the relative 'here' being your, uh, brain or whatever--who isn't a dark and brooding anti-hero who bottles up all of their feelings until they form a horrible, bitter, impenetrable nucleus of emotional trauma.

...

...Is there?

Comments

[kiran_singh]

Maybe you are just the first in a new generation!

[escarabajo]

Ha! Could be that. Us newbies need to usher some hope in or something. Right?

[kiran_singh]

Absolutely right! I'm sure you're the first of many positive influences!!

[escarabajo]

[Jaime chuckles sheepishly. Oh man. Flattery.]

Well, I do what I can. And I can't say I'm the first, especially when I haven't actually been at my "job" for very long. Relatively.

[kiran_singh]

mm But you must still be doing a good job right? It certainly looks like it from here. I like to encourage this one as well. And try to make this headspace a much more lively place to be in.

[aceofkillers]

Yanno, bein'... well, all of that don't have to keep ya from bein' a fun guy, too.

[escarabajo]

Oh, uh, sorry. I'm sure there are lots of cool people with tragic backstories. It's... mostly just the guys I'm "rooming" with.

Between you and me? I think they actually schedule specific angsting times.

[wholenewstory]

Know the feeling.

[escarabajo]

Sorry you have to put up with it too, but I'm glad I'm not alone, here.

[puppy_lancer]

If that's how heroes are these days, makes me glad I was born in an earlier time.

[Superhero, meet legendary hero.]

[escarabajo]

Yeah, I think it was a new millennium thing. Apparently I'm pretty rare for my type. [Type being, um, someone moderately to very well adjusted. Who isn't an orphan.]

How early are we talking?

[puppy_lancer]

How far back was the reign of Conchobar Mac Nessa?

[escarabajo]

Far enough that I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.

[puppy_lancer]

It's probably something you can find in a book of old legends. I hear there's stuff like that out there.

[escarabajo]

It sounds interesting. Sorry if I'm prying, but would you mind giving me the short version...? I'm way better at science and stuff than history.

[puppy_lancer]

[He takes a moment to consider his options. Since there was no Grail War, he could probably get away with just telling this kid about his legend.]

Well, like I said, I'm a hero from way back. The name's Cu Chulainn, and I'd have to say the thing everyone knows about me is that I fought off an entire coalition army once, back when I was your age. People told me I'm pretty famous back in Ireland.

[escarabajo]

Oh, wow. That's amazing! [Mental note: look this guy up later and try to pick up some strategies or something.] Also probably why I wouldn't know you--I'm not exactly an expert on Irish legends.

[puppy_lancer]

[Don't bother, Jaime, you won't find any. His method was to just get every warrior in the opposing army to line up and face him one-on-one by turn. And even that didn't last long.]

That's why I'm called a hero. Also, don't sweat it too much. Sometimes it's nicer to not be so famous.

[superpup]

[ Here is the loving gaze of a very amused dog. ]

[escarabajo]

[Previous experiences have taught him to pay attention to things like big red S symbols on capes. Krypto gets ear rubs!]

I'm sure you don't have to deal with this, do you, boy.

[superpup]

[ Oh, if only dogs could talk. Or understand! Right now, a slow and rhythmic tail wag and some needy head butting is all Krypto can do to show his appreciation. ]

[escarabajo]

[S'all right, pooch. Any friend of Superman is a friend of Blue Beetle's.]

Wonder what you're doing all the way out here... [Okay, Krypto, that is too cute. He can't stop petting you.]

[tactilekonesis]

You should make a support group for them! Between you, me, and the little kids I room with, we could kick the negativity out of them for at least a week or so.

[escarabajo]

Anti-heroes Anonymous? Do we have to provide refreshments for initiative? Not sure how everybody feels about Oreos.

[tactilekonesis]

Honestly, I haven't gotten that far. I figure, you put everyone in a room, there'll be some fighting, some talking, and maybe a hug or two.

... Or we could get your mom to sponsor it.

[escarabajo]

They would all come out model citizens.

That's terrifying.

[tactilekonesis]

At least they'd stop brooding or doing whatever it is that sullen anti-heroes do.