Party Rock Anthem only it's played on kazoos

[sacrificialpawn]

[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.]

Comments

[tworo]

[shrug]

I was not designed for such things.

[akademise]

[ Without missing a single beat: ]

That's not a hard limitation.

[tworo]

[Turo blinks.]

I don't...see why not?

[akademise]

[ ... yeah okay, time to finish his wine glass before answering. ]

Mhm, how do I put this...? There are no fixed rules for this kind of encounter. Nothing that strictly needs to happen in order to consider it 'complete' or 'successful'.

It's about the enjoyment and interest of the individuals involved, and what they decide to make of their sentiments towards each other. The world of love is much larger than merely carrying out the act of reproduction.

[tworo]

Oh. Well.

[He doesn't have any sort of inherent drive regardless. There's no enjoyment to be found in him. Maybe he could do a decent enough job for someone else, if they wished it of him, provided he kept his clothes on and all the uncanny parts firmly out of sight.]

I suppose if anyone ever wanted that.

[akademise]

[ Why do these mild responses have such a way of making him feel far more flustered about discussing adult matters than he'd be with someone else who is direct.....? ]

... if anything, it should be about what you want to try - or don't.

[tworo]

I don't really foresee the situation presenting itself.

[It takes two to run that experiment!

Okay, maybe not technically...? But Turo absolutely does not feel like trying it for himself; he's done enough failing to act like a person today.]

[akademise]

Well. I wouldn't be so sure about that.

[ Please strike him down where he stands. He has flirted with so many very different kinds of people, but this one... MAYBE HE SHOULD QUIT WHILE HE'S AHEAD... ]

[tworo]

I suppose anything is technically possible.

[He'll allow that much, even if he still deems it so improbable as to make little meaningful difference.

(Are you kidding, he is Not picking up on it)]

[akademise]

[ More is just... staring into his empty glass for a second here........

You're a robot, Turo! Surely you have perfectly clear memory of how this conversation started!!

Maybe he's being rejected in a way so gentle and roundabout that it's not even registering as rejection. Which would be fine! But makes him regret how long they've been dwelling on this now!! ]

.... if nothing else, tonight will have given you an overview of your potential suitors.

[tworo]

[Turo blinks. The majority of responses he's received were just regular old negative feedback, but there were a couple that broke the pattern...]

I...is that the...?

[Is that what the exercise is about? He looks around as if trying to figure out if everybody else is doing some kind of complicated flirtation exercise he didn't know about. Which is basically what he is doing. And also what is happening, maybe.]

[akademise]

[







........ huh??? ]

It's-- well, yes. It typically is. Though I am sure much is just for the enjoyment of flirtation with no deeper designs, there is an undercurrent of... ascertaining interest.

[tworo]

I thought we were just...eliciting feedback, or something like that?

[For example: stop trying to dress yourself, Turo! But the people who are not interested in him are to be expected. It's the other data points that require attention. Which...is...incomprehensible, frankly?]

[akademise]

[ Someone please put More out of his misery. ]

That is certainly part of it - but the sentiments expressed are meant to be genuine.

[tworo]

[He glances around, then leans in closer.]

Are you serious? I know your situation is a bit complex, but More, you are hardly lacking for interest.

[He can do a lot better! Like, a LOT!]

[akademise]

[ .............................. why does this sound like you're trying to stage an intervention for him. ]

I was quite serious, but please just forget I said anything.

[tworo]

...alright. I'll do my best.

[More deserves to be happy. There’s no joy to be found in Turo. So - this is a good thing. Even if it feels like he’s just ruined the only thing he really has...well, look at Miraidon! People are always happiest when they get to experience everything the world has to offer. They're happiest when they leave.]

[akademise]

[ This conversation is horrible and More never ever should have started it. Well-- that's not quite right, he does not regret the initial compliment. But he should simply have stopped insisting five minutes ago.

He hasn't felt like he messed up with somebody quite as badly in a hot minute. ]

It was not my intention to make you uncomfortable. Please know I cherish our bond exactly in the way it is.

[tworo]

I am not uncomfortable. I also...cherish our bond.

[He's dreading the day they have to part, when all of this is over. Presuming any of them live long enough for that. But that's what is best for More and everyone else, so that's what should happen.]

[akademise]

[ That makes More exhale slowly, in palpable relief. ]

I am glad to hear it. Both parts of it, naturally. Being by your side has been the greatest joy of my time here, and I would not want careless words to interfere with something that has become so precious to me.

[tworo]

I...

[God. Is Turo holding him back that much...?]

I feel much the same, but - I hope you know that you do not need to take care of me or any such thing? I am perfectly fine, you should...have fun? [is there anything fun to do in chicago]

[akademise]

[ That does get More, who's been mostly staring straight ahead of him, to blink and look over at Turo in surprise. ]

What makes you say something like that? If any one of us should say those words, it should be me.

[tworo]

.....for what reason?

[akademise]

You've been doing so much for me, and yet you constantly indulge me in more.

[ He should have left it at that when Turo said he's lacking interest. The line between encouraging his friend to come out of his shell and merely dragging him along into More's whims feels paperthin and he's certain he has ended on the wrong end of it tonight. ]

I cannot help feeling like I may be asking too much of you and you are too generous to rebuff me.

[tworo]

Me? You have done far more for me than I have for you! And you certainly deserve far better!

[What has Turo done for More that was particularly special? He killed the impostor - but, then, More did the same for him in turn! Meanwhile, More's doing things like venturing into his mindscape? Come now!]