n o p e

[damaged]

You couldn't be more wrong. Sending me somewhere would be a very worthwhile enterprise. I make friends everywhere I go.

And bodies, sure. But it's for a good cause.

Comments

[hoodbin]

Not always friends in the correct crowds.

[damaged]

Bold but not inaccurate, black pot.

[hoodbin]

The right crowd would feel uncomfortable anyway.

[damaged]

It's okay. You get used to unrestrained hypocrisy after a while.

[hoodbin]

Is that something I want to get used to?

[damaged]

You don't have a choice unless you go live in a camper in Alaska. Even then probably some asshole got bit by a radioactive moose and runs around saving rapists from frostbite or something.

[hoodbin]

...... I feel like that would make for an awkward comic.

[damaged]

Well, yeah. Point is, superheroes are everywhere, and Alaska is run by natural gas companies anyway, so just get used to them and don't move to Alaska.

[hoodbin]

I'll take care of them the way I was taught.

[damaged]

Will you.

That's what you want to do from now on?

[hoodbin]

...Don't know.

[damaged]

You should try some other stuff too.

[Oh hey it's pots and kettles time again, as it is so often with them.]

[hoodbin]

Like what?

[damaged]

School? Just generally learning shit?

[hoodbin]

[ Makes a face at the school comment. ]

Children are just as cruel as adults.

[damaged]

Yes, but you can punch adults without getting in nearly as much trouble.

[hoodbin]

I would get expelled in a week.

[damaged]

Are you even going to try? You're afraid. Fine. There's plenty to be afraid of, and people are assholes, especially to people who live on the outskirts. But you need to have a choice and you're not choosing anything if you decide straight off it'll never work.

[hoodbin]

. . . [ He's right like always. ]

I'll be laughed at, and I can't kill students.

[damaged]

There's worse things than getting laughed at. And whatever, don't go to school, then, but you have to keep learning. I had teachers, you know. Someone else was paying them, but I had them, and I learned things. You have to do the same before you figure capekilling's the career of choice.

[hoodbin]

...I guess I should find a job first then.

[damaged]

We talked about this. We always talk about this because we're both in limbo and I'm not gonna let up until it happens, some way, somewhere. You don't have to agree with me on anything but this: you have to have some choices. And he wouldn't give you one, not for real. He'd make it so that he looks like the only good choice. If you choose to go his way, to fight his fight, that's one thing. But if you've got nothing else, nowhere to go, it's not right.

[hoodbin]

...You sound more sensible than he does a lot of the time. And... you're right. [Frown] I don't think... I would be much help to him either, not if I blindly follow him just because.

[damaged]

That's because he's not. Because I can't always stay... [He gestures vaguely at his head.]

You have to watch for that, if you stay. It's not fair to have to, but that's how it'll be.

[hoodbin]

Even if... I leave to explore other options I don't think I can leave for long.