double your live, double your fun

[unbr8kable]

Who: Everyone
Where: Just outside the hotel
When: Day 30, early morning

[There're a table and some chairs set up outside of the front entrance. Hurricane and Nemesis are seated there like those kids looking for passers-by to sign their petitions or sponsor animals. A modest sign in front says "Free Cheer"]

Buttpats! Get'cher buttpats here!

Pep talks, dude, don't give people the wrong idea.

It's not for us to say what motivates people. I mean, in this case it kind of literally is, but whatever.

Anyway, stop on by and gimme a couple of words. Whatever you pick, I’ll do the whole motivational speech thing about it.

And I swear to help out, or if there's something else you need, I guess. Either way, points.

[The app indicates this is a double live.]

Comments

[crossmyheartandhope]

Man, that would suck. Perfectly normal pepperoni is the worst.

[unbr8kable]

I don't even know what we'd do with a bunch of sausage and mushrooms. Probably cry. It'd be real #aesthetic.

[crossmyheartandhope]

And extra cheese would be like. Tragedy level.

[unbr8kable]

It'd be all over for us, alas! We're sooo lucky that's not happening, wow!

[crossmyheartandhope]

Right? Lucky us, we get a few more days of pizza-free living.

[unbr8kable]

Or so we can hope. Hint hint.

[crossmyheartandhope]

Thought you weren't gonna give em ideas.

[unbr8kable]

If the idea is pizza torture...how do I keep quiet?

[crossmyheartandhope]

Guess you've doomed us all.

[Pauses a beat. Then:]

Hey, pizza torture aside.

[unbr8kable]

[attempting not to sound too wary]

What could possibly stand up to pizza torture?

[crossmyheartandhope]

It's pretty important, dude. You still gotta get your pep talk.

[unbr8kable]

[less successful at not sounding too wary]

.........Why?

[crossmyheartandhope]

I mean, otherwise you don't get points for participation, right?

[unbr8kable]

[surely there is a hole in this logic but until she finds it]

...What about you?

[crossmyheartandhope]

I mean, you swore to help me, right? Doesn't that count as participation for your live?

[unbr8kable]

That’s not the same as a motivation speech. You should have one too, then.

[crossmyheartandhope]

I mean, if you wanna? Think I'm covered for points alrrady, though.

[unbr8kable]

It’s not fair otherwise.

[crossmyheartandhope]

Hey, I'm not stopping you. Go for it, if you're feeling it.

[unbr8kable]

Okay.

[clears her throat, arms crossed and frowning straight at him--more like she's getting ready to give someone a talking-to than a pep talk. then she speaks, words slow at first but gaining strength as they go on]

Um... You're my best friend anywhere, if I can trust that memory I got, so maybe I'm kinda biased, but in addition to being fun to hang out with, you're really--good? Like, as a person? I know a metric fuckton of shit has been dumped on you, especially recently, but instead of moping or bitching anybody out, you've been out mending bridges and taking your time and effort to help cheer other people up, even. That's a lot to deal with even without--everything. And that takes a lot of strength, whether you see it or not.

So that's why I know you can get past this other stuff; if you've got that much to give to others, you can definitely spare some for yourself, right? Plus... Don't forget, a lot of us are here to help you, too; you don't gotta go it alone. So don't feel bad to call on--whoever, okay? For whatever, to hang out, to talk, to do something or do nothing. You're really important, so no matter what, keep that in mind. Okay?

[pauses, the stream of words apparently having dried up; her cheeks color a bit]

...Does that...work?

[1/2]

[crossmyheartandhope]

[Wow. That's... wow.]

[Give him a second, she actually struck him speechless. He may be tearing up a little, here.]

[crossmyheartandhope]

[Then he laughs, a little wetly, and scrubs a hand across his eyes, and he's smiling again - maybe not brighter than before, but definitely more real, the expression earnest and grateful.]

...yeah. Yeah, that works fine.

[unbr8kable]

[She lets out a breath, not looking quite so stiff]

Okay. Cool.

[And okay she can't just play it cool, she slings an arm around his shoulders, giving a little squeeze]

...Anyway, wanna break and get something to eat?

[crossmyheartandhope]

Dude, no distracting me. I still gotta do yours.

[unbr8kable]

Don't worry about it. I already know what I gotta do.