shardbond | Party Rock Anthem only it's played on kazoos

[Oscar is a practiced master at Coping (tm) in the face of things he would prefer not to address in any sort of healthy or rational manner. After the events of yesterday, he's somehow getting the feeling that he isn't the only one, which means that in his mind there is only one thing to do: this translates to yet another Walmart booze heist (even larger than the original), a few side trips to amass snacks because RIP his kitchen, and some haphazardly erected decorations in one of the spare rooms to try to at least give off something of a celebratory atmosphere... but let's be real here, this is just Misery x CPR x Reese's Puffs + alcohol.

Sunday morning will find handwritten notes tucked under everyone's doors inviting them to a party that evening, snacks and drinks (that particular word underlined a couple of times, just in case people didn't pick up on the meaning of "party") provided gratis.

There's alcohol, there's soda for the minors, there's plenty of junk food to eat, and there are a whole bunch of other people who are also Going Through It. What better recipe for a party could you ask for?

... don't answer that.]

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[Poor Vakama...Dorothy chuckles a bit but she'll at least give him a supportive shoulder pat from where she is.]

I imagine you're likely to make someone very happy one day, Vakama. You've a very stalwart heart, a kind personality, and you do really care so very much.

You're a 10, even if it's not for me, personally.

[...]

But, I can at least say you're adorable, if nothing else~

[heeheeheeheehee~]

[oh my god roommate please he's DYING over here

Though, he looks genuinely confused at her opening statement, even if he can follow the rest with the same tint of embarrassment everything else has been bringing on. It takes him a second to realize what she probably means (thanks viktor!), and he's shaking his head as soon as she's done talking.]

Ah -- no, no, that's...

[He glances down at his cup.]

Please don't misunderstand, but... we don't work like that, my friend. Not one person for another.

So long as I can be of use to my people, that is all that matters.

[...Oh! Ohhh. Dorothy listens to Vakama, and...goodness, maybe she assumed a little too much about how his kind were. Mmph. Dorothy's brows knit a bit in concern at least; admittedly he's a little too much of a friend for her, but...]

...I believe I can understand that; your duty matters far more than pursuing anything of a romantic sort. I imagine that such a thing would get in the way of your goals...

Do allow me to apologize if I went too far in my statement at least, my dear friend.

You couldn't have known, Dorothy, there's no need for an apology. Still, that's... not quite what I mean, either.

[He has to take a second to sort how he wants to talk about it, because it's really a topic that's felt kind of strange to approach in the last couple weeks.]

To have an attractive appearance or personality to society is one matter. To feel love for the ones we know well or protect is another. But to love one other singularly, strongly... it is not something I think we can experience. Not... how it has been explained to me, at least. [He sounds hesitant about it, as though he's legitimately not sure and that thinking about it too hard is actually a little upsetting.]

It is not something we look for, at least. But that to say... it is okay, if it does not happen. It is not where my value lies.

[Dorothy does her best to listen attentively, though it's...clear the alcohol is giving her some difficulties. But she thinks she gets it better?]

...Do forgive me if I am misunderstanding, but...let me try to puzzle this. Keep in mind that I only barely know how human romance works myself, of course, and it's quite different than what it seems to be for you.

But would that mean your kind are...polyamorus, I believe is the word? [She feels a little bad for asking, but if nothing else--] There is nothing wrong with that, though, you know. It's different from the way some of us conceive of such notions, yes, but I think it's a lovely thing, that you all care for each other so deeply. If anything, I fear I may be overthinking matters a touch and misunderstanding...

But the 'love' you feel--is it something more akin to family, if it is not my initial thought?

[He'll be patient as she tries to feel that question out.]

That last portion is closest, yes. At least, in how family has been described to me. We... do not have that in theory, either. [But Wolfwood already gave a very good explanation of family as a concept outside of biological relation, so he doesn't feel he needs to really dig that up too much.] But a sense of belonging and togetherness... it is a virtue of ours for a reason.

We have our people as a whole, of course, but... those who live with us in affinity, those who we work with, friends that we make, teammates -- despite any doubts I have of deserving a place with them, I would still do anything in the world, anything, to keep those that I love safe from things that would harm them.

I have been told that there is a different sort of love. One that... is similar, but more eclipsing, sharper, involving only one other. [His eyes flick back down to his glass.] That is where I do not know if I can relate entirely. It is... foreign, to me.

[Oh, it's...]

...So in a way, the way you all treat one another--it's sort of the way that the Goddess Squad and I treated one another, perhaps?

[Dorothy thinks she properly gets it now, and her smile is...well. It's quite warm.]

I think that's a beautiful thing regardless, Vakama. And please, don't worry about not understanding our own love or anything of the sort--I think that sort of care and camaraderie in it's own right, it is a beautiful thing to be strived for. And if that's where you get your fulfillment, I don't think there's a single thing wrong with that.

Rest assured that we appreciate that care immensely, if nothing else.

Mm... From what I remember of your comrades? Yes, I would say it is fitting.

[His smile is slight. The more alcohol he gets into him, the more somber he starts to slip, but it's fine it's whatever.]

I didn't mean to question your intention, Dorothy. I just, ah... I didn't want you to feel your well wishes were being misunderstood, or to feel pity or any such thing.

I am here to do what I can to see this through, and will go home to do the same for my own, and that is enough.

Party Rock Anthem only it's played on kazoos

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