Sorry. [ he can't think of anything to say back besides that. ] I'm...sure other people can help with your power thing, though? Everyone seems pretty chill about helpin' out.
Yeah, maybe. [It isn't that enthusiastic a monotone. Dave can try to send Dirk away, and maybe he's right. Maybe others can help. But it wasn't others that Dirk wanted help from.] Thanks for doing this much.
You weren't? Bro, you—[Fuck. He goes blank-faced momentarily. When he corrects himself, he is a little quieter, as if embarrassed by the slip-up.] You were incredibly helpful. You set me off on this entire path of trying to learn how to use this ability in a productive way, and seeing you fight only twice has made me reconsider my technique. Like I said, I'm grateful for the help you gave me. I'm just sorry I'm not... [He pauses, biting off self-recriminations, and just gestures helplessly.] ...as helpful to you as you are to me.
[ dirk goes blank-faced after the slip and dave freezes entirely, before crossing his arms and debating tapping mentally at the door of his sister or his best friend.
he does neither, for the moment. ]
I didn't... [ he doesn't know what he didn't. it's easier to run than it is to fight, and dave's less likely to stand his ground when it's just his ground. ] ...like I said, I'm sure you'll do fine. Or better with other people. Whichever.
[ the answer to "did you get what you needed" won't be a question, hopefully, with other people. ]
I should head back and check in on John again. [ a convenient excuse, even if he does plan to do so. ]
[The folded arm feels like a shut door and he doesn't fight.]
Okay, cool. Let him know I hope he's doing better.
[He doesn't make to move himself. He'll let Dave leave and just... go somewhere. That's easier. Dave's instinct is to run, and Dirk's is to sink. There's no water here, but there's a forest he could get himself lost in a moment.]
[ it occurs to him he didn't really get into the power training aspect at all, even though he'd offhandedly told john at least one idea, but it'd be awkward to bring up now and there's zero reason not to take the out that's not being blocked off.
he'll just head back to the cabins, regroup with rose and john, and then head back to his own, where he will probably fail to sleep but w/e. ]
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Sorry. [ he can't think of anything to say back besides that. ] I'm...sure other people can help with your power thing, though? Everyone seems pretty chill about helpin' out.
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[ another shrug, because he's a broken record. it feels like a different sort of beatdown. ]
Hope you find someone who, like, is helpful. I'll see you around, I guess.
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You weren't? Bro, you—[Fuck. He goes blank-faced momentarily. When he corrects himself, he is a little quieter, as if embarrassed by the slip-up.] You were incredibly helpful. You set me off on this entire path of trying to learn how to use this ability in a productive way, and seeing you fight only twice has made me reconsider my technique. Like I said, I'm grateful for the help you gave me. I'm just sorry I'm not... [He pauses, biting off self-recriminations, and just gestures helplessly.] ...as helpful to you as you are to me.
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he does neither, for the moment. ]
I didn't... [ he doesn't know what he didn't. it's easier to run than it is to fight, and dave's less likely to stand his ground when it's just his ground. ] ...like I said, I'm sure you'll do fine. Or better with other people. Whichever.
[ the answer to "did you get what you needed" won't be a question, hopefully, with other people. ]
I should head back and check in on John again. [ a convenient excuse, even if he does plan to do so. ]
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Okay, cool. Let him know I hope he's doing better.
[He doesn't make to move himself. He'll let Dave leave and just... go somewhere. That's easier. Dave's instinct is to run, and Dirk's is to sink. There's no water here, but there's a forest he could get himself lost in a moment.]
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[ it occurs to him he didn't really get into the power training aspect at all, even though he'd offhandedly told john at least one idea, but it'd be awkward to bring up now and there's zero reason not to take the out that's not being blocked off.
he'll just head back to the cabins, regroup with rose and john, and then head back to his own, where he will probably fail to sleep but w/e. ]