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[parodeity]

DAVE STRIDER

consider this your warning about stairs. itll just keep happening bro. im telling you man

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[windeity]

Huge, yellow salamanders. [He remembers them now. He doesn't know what happened with the fireflies, doesn't know what Dave remembers at all but he flickers less even if he's still trying to float away.

He doesn't pull back either and allows their hands to stay joined together for the time being.]

What kind of thing do you mean?

[parodeity]

Competition. Who was stronger? They didn’t get that you always were. Not at first.

[ a shrug. ]

And I never wanted to beat you anyway. I just wanted to keep pace enough I could help.

[windeity]

...the salamanders? [He looks genuinely confused and not picking up that Dave means something else entirely.] I don't get it, why would that matter? And...it doesn't count since I use hammerkind. Of course I'm going to be a little stronger but that sort of means jackshit at this point. You're a way better fighter than I am.

[parodeity]

[ - he laughs, actually. ]

You're the hero, Egbert.

[windeity]

[A flicker.]

Uh. No, not really. [There's an awkward smile.] I think a hero is a lot more than whatever I am, dude.

[parodeity]

[ he sounds sixteen or thirteen or maybe eighteen when he says: ]

You're everythin' I always wanted a hero to actually be.

[ not a hero like bro was, but the kind that didn't make him hate the concept. ]

[windeity]

[There's something he doesn't quite know how to grasp in that sentence, and he takes a small breath to try and process that.]

I...have no idea what that really means, Dave. [And somehow it makes him grip Dave's hand tighter.] You're confusing me with the me that I was, and I have no idea if I can be something like that.

[parodeity]

No, it's who you are now, too.

[ it's quiet but emphatic. ]

You're...a good person. You care about people. You know right from wrong. You don't...leave people behind.

[windeity]

Why the fuck would I ever want to leave someone behind? [It's more than that though. Do those things really make up a hero?

He doesn't get to say much though because soon enough ahead of them John and Dave will spot...well. Another John. It's the John from memory in his wise guy slimer suit, thirteen years old and wielding a hammer. Not far behind him is a sixteen year old John in his godtier outfit with a different hammer that isn't visible to them. John doesn't know what it is, but it has to be stronger. Right now it's a gray outline of something, but the wind's behind him and he looks confident and assured.

And eighteen year old John finds himself back in his pajamas and dropping back to the ground without being able to float anymore, hand almost jarring loose from Dave's as he lands.]

...you're still afraid I'll leave again. [It's meant to be a statement, but it's a question.]

[parodeity]

...I know what life is like without you there.

[ his grip is way too tight. john's still stronger; he can pull back. but dave's knuckles are white from his own grip and his lips are a thin line as he looks over at the other johns. ]

I spent too many years missing you. And - [ a shrug. ] I've lost too many people who still exist but may as well be smoke and shadow. I don't know if I'm afraid you'll leave. You never quite did that.

[ his gaze shifts, inscrutable behind his shades. ]

- but the choice might not be yours, and that terrifies me.

[windeity]

...I am not saying you have to accept it, because that is kind of bullshit. I should have a choice in if I'm going to stay or go. But I still think I would have a hard time not wanting to be around you even if I forgot who we are.

[...there's a lot more to say, especially given another John seems to pop up. Thirteen this time in a stupid bowler hat. The version of himself from his thirteenth birthday.]

Can you do me a favor? [He doesn't wait for a yes or a no.] I need you to wake up.

[parodeity]

I'd do anything you asked.

[ calmly. although he frowns. ]

...but the only way I've been able to wake myself up has been...like last time, or completing a memory. And I only - I only have so many memories of here.

[windeity]

...that. Is really dangerous, Dave. [Doing anything he asked. But he appears confused for a moment.]

Like last time. Where we had to. Right. [An inhale.] So it would be easier for me to wake us up is what you are saying.

[parodeity]

- No. Let's try somethin' else.

[ not...like dave did last time. and he rolls his eyes behind his shades, tugging on john's hand and letting go for a second, turning to face john and put a hand to his shoulder. ]

You wouldn't ask me to do anything terrible. Anyway - just...let's think this through. Nothin' is attacking us, we have time. Where are you right now?

[windeity]

[He watches Dave's hands, eyes darting to one of the other Johns.]

...I'm not sure. LOWAS?

[parodeity]

[ - okay don't take this weird john but dave will move and put a hand to either side of john's face, directing john's attention fully to him. ]

Yes, but no. Where are you right now? Tell me.

[windeity]

[He doesn't seem to think it's weird but he's also still focused on the other things happening. Dave is in front of him. Sixteen year old memory John has a cyclone in his hand. Thirteen year old John just put on a clever disguise.

They're all technically him, but at what point are they him and what point are they better than him?]

A memory. [Not. Quite.] A dream?

[parodeity]

Close.

[ he's trying to get john to ignore the other versions of himself and focus on not that. dave kind of sighs, and lean closer to take up more of john's line of sight. ]

If this is a dream, where are you right now?

[windeity]

[Hi Dave.]

...my desk. I was reading and I think I fell asleep.

[parodeity]

[ hi john. there's the briefest smile. ]

Okay. So let's think about that. Want to bet you have a textbook imprint on your face now?

[windeity]

[There's a groan. One of the johns flickers away.]

Probably! And if I drool on my books again I am pretty sure the library won't be happy with me.

[parodeity]

I also bet you totally managed to fuck up your answers somehow. Wrote across them with pen while you were dozin' off. Smudged the ink. Doc Trombone is definitely judging you from across the room, silently.

[windeity]

Dude, shut up! [But he's trying not to laugh. One of the other Johns disappears, too.] Doc Trombone has zero room to judge, academia has changed a lot since his age. If I wake up with ink smeared all over my face how bad are you going to judge me?

[parodeity]

[ okay, cool, that's still working. not that dave...lets go...of john's face. look. ]

Depends on what it looks like, doesn't it? And how permanent the ink is. You didn't happen to choose to write in blue permanent marker, did you? And hey, did you have the window open, or shut?

[windeity]

I am pretty sure my professors would kill me if I wrote in permanent marker, but I am really glad it exists again. [He pauses to think. And he's not exactly protesting Dave holding his face since it's keeping him grounded.]

Mostly closed because of that fog, but it is unlocked. Are you coming through it again?