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[ With no pollen to assist him, Dokja enters his truest form:
An absolutely embarrassed mess.
It takes a while for him to respond because he's so busy battling his emotions to keep them at a calm, even tempo. This should be easy! He rarely bats an eyelash at most things! But he's also never had another man's tongue down his throat, so. He hates how horrible these Communions are for his avoidance behavior....... ]
Yeah, I got back in one piece. [ This is a normal conversation. ] What about you?
An absolutely embarrassed mess.
It takes a while for him to respond because he's so busy battling his emotions to keep them at a calm, even tempo. This should be easy! He rarely bats an eyelash at most things! But he's also never had another man's tongue down his throat, so. He hates how horrible these Communions are for his avoidance behavior....... ]
Yeah, I got back in one piece. [ This is a normal conversation. ] What about you?
[ Dokja should consider getting more practice with having other men's tongues shoved down his throat. ]
I did.
[ And now that that's out of the way.......................what now? Truly this conversation was doomed to failure from the very start. Don't mind the several seconds of awkward silence as Eustace stares straight ahead.
Alternatively, this could be the shortest inbox thread of all time. ]
Busy socializing at the beach again?
[ He doesn't think so, but you never know, sometimes a single day can change a man. ]
I did.
[ And now that that's out of the way.......................what now? Truly this conversation was doomed to failure from the very start. Don't mind the several seconds of awkward silence as Eustace stares straight ahead.
Alternatively, this could be the shortest inbox thread of all time. ]
Busy socializing at the beach again?
[ He doesn't think so, but you never know, sometimes a single day can change a man. ]
[ NOT THE FLASHBACKS
At the reminder of the beach, the grip Dokja had had on his mental well-being slips. There's a very obvious struggle from his end of the Communion as he tries to pull himself together again, but it's less stable this time, embarrassment and nervousness bleeding through. ]
That...
[ Strangling, dying sounds. ]
That was out of character of me. You know that.
At the reminder of the beach, the grip Dokja had had on his mental well-being slips. There's a very obvious struggle from his end of the Communion as he tries to pull himself together again, but it's less stable this time, embarrassment and nervousness bleeding through. ]
That...
[ Strangling, dying sounds. ]
That was out of character of me. You know that.
[ out of character, he says, like he's the fictional character out of all his friends
The anxiety bleeding through has him sobering though, Eustace straightening in his seat. He hadn't intended to bring the subject around to that particular day, but it seems like they'll have to talk about it. ]
Do you regret it?
[ They can move on from it if so, bury it in the past and let it die. ]
The anxiety bleeding through has him sobering though, Eustace straightening in his seat. He hadn't intended to bring the subject around to that particular day, but it seems like they'll have to talk about it. ]
Do you regret it?
[ They can move on from it if so, bury it in the past and let it die. ]
[ Why....... this.............. question...................
There are two halves warring against each other in Dokja which is kind of impressive considering he's not even a whole person. Part of him wants to fall back on the easy, practiced maneuver of lies and bluffs, while the other wonders if it would be so bad to be honest for once. Hasn't he told enough lies in his lifetime?
Deep breath. ]
... It was one of the better days that I've had.
There are two halves warring against each other in Dokja which is kind of impressive considering he's not even a whole person. Part of him wants to fall back on the easy, practiced maneuver of lies and bluffs, while the other wonders if it would be so bad to be honest for once. Hasn't he told enough lies in his lifetime?
Deep breath. ]
... It was one of the better days that I've had.
[ ........How many (and what kind of) bad days has this man had that a makeout on the beach is considered one of his better days? (Don't answer that, he knows a sliver of the story.)
Also, should he be flattered by that??
The silence between them gets batted back and forth, Eustace taking his own sweet time before letting out a sigh. He's never been good at this sort of thing, talking about feelings. ]
Then there's nothing to be embarrassed about.
[ He (mentally) feels you, Dokja. ]
I don't regret it.
[ Shocking, considering how much else he does regret. ]
Also, should he be flattered by that??
The silence between them gets batted back and forth, Eustace taking his own sweet time before letting out a sigh. He's never been good at this sort of thing, talking about feelings. ]
Then there's nothing to be embarrassed about.
[ He (mentally) feels you, Dokja. ]
I don't regret it.
[ Shocking, considering how much else he does regret. ]
[ Nothing to be embarrassed about... Easier said than done. It feels like every time Dokja closes his eyes he just ends up thinking about that damn kiss.
What the hell........ It's not like he's some sort of hormonal teenager.
And why does Eustace have to go and say he doesn't regret it either!?! Does that mean Dokja was an okay kisser... Do they continue talking about this or should he change the subject?? Would it be weird to acknowledge that last part at all...?
The overthinking is on hyperdrive. ]
Ha... ha. That's good.
[ AAAA THAT WAS SO AWKWARD. He scrambles to move on. ]
Han Sooyoung didn't ask you to check on me again, did she?
What the hell........ It's not like he's some sort of hormonal teenager.
And why does Eustace have to go and say he doesn't regret it either!?! Does that mean Dokja was an okay kisser... Do they continue talking about this or should he change the subject?? Would it be weird to acknowledge that last part at all...?
The overthinking is on hyperdrive. ]
Ha... ha. That's good.
[ AAAA THAT WAS SO AWKWARD. He scrambles to move on. ]
Han Sooyoung didn't ask you to check on me again, did she?
[ Han Sooyoung is about to earn herself a place on Eustace's block list but neither of them know that yet.
For now, Eustace is amiable enough to moving the conversation along, also not a fan of lingering on whatever one-sided awkwardness was going on back there. Presumably the matter is settled and now they can both never bring it up again. ]
No. I'm not her dog.
[ Please. ]
Do I need a reason to talk to you?
[ Y...........es, actually, considering that he hates talking to people just for fun on a normal day. ]
For now, Eustace is amiable enough to moving the conversation along, also not a fan of lingering on whatever one-sided awkwardness was going on back there. Presumably the matter is settled and now they can both never bring it up again. ]
No. I'm not her dog.
[ Please. ]
Do I need a reason to talk to you?
[ Y...........es, actually, considering that he hates talking to people just for fun on a normal day. ]
[ Here is some genuine confusion from Dokja's end. ]
I... Yes?
[ That's why everyone talks to him? Who talks to Kim Dokja just because they want to?? If someone's contacting him, it's usually because they need something from him or because he's done a terrible thing. ]
Why else would you be here?
I... Yes?
[ That's why everyone talks to him? Who talks to Kim Dokja just because they want to?? If someone's contacting him, it's usually because they need something from him or because he's done a terrible thing. ]
Why else would you be here?
[ Maybe Kim Dokja should try doing fewer terrible things.
His confusion sparks Eustace's confusion, because he's pretty sure he just said why he was here? To talk?? People do that on a regular basis still, right. Not him, necessarily, but other people.
Well, if Dokja wants a reason then Eustace will (not) give him a reason. ]
Should I not be here then?
[ He can hang up the (Communion) phone, he's done it plenty of times before. ]
His confusion sparks Eustace's confusion, because he's pretty sure he just said why he was here? To talk?? People do that on a regular basis still, right. Not him, necessarily, but other people.
Well, if Dokja wants a reason then Eustace will (not) give him a reason. ]
Should I not be here then?
[ He can hang up the (Communion) phone, he's done it plenty of times before. ]
[ Why are they both LIKE THIS.
Now they're both confused and Dokja is trying to do mental gymnastics to make sense out of this. Is Eustace bored? Does he not have anything better to do at this moment? Their encounter on the beach probably left Dokja fresh on his mind, so that's probably what this is about.
Yeah... That's it.
Well, if Eustace has time to kill, then Dokja will supply. ]
Hey, what are you being so hasty for? I was just asking a question. [ Stunning recovery. ] What did you want to talk about?
Now they're both confused and Dokja is trying to do mental gymnastics to make sense out of this. Is Eustace bored? Does he not have anything better to do at this moment? Their encounter on the beach probably left Dokja fresh on his mind, so that's probably what this is about.
Yeah... That's it.
Well, if Eustace has time to kill, then Dokja will supply. ]
Hey, what are you being so hasty for? I was just asking a question. [ Stunning recovery. ] What did you want to talk about?
[ In a way this is comforting, the absence of pollen and holiday good cheer returning them both back to their usual bickering selves. He knows how to deal with this, as opposed to the strange positive feelings that occasionally wind themselves around his heart whenever he has the misfortune to be reminded of Dokja.
He's pretty sure he's never thought a positive thing about Dokja before this? Weird.
Once again, thinking about this is making him decidedly uncomfortable and so he decides to shove those thoughts away and focus on something he has more of a footing in. ]
You're with the Meridian, yes?
He's pretty sure he's never thought a positive thing about Dokja before this? Weird.
Once again, thinking about this is making him decidedly uncomfortable and so he decides to shove those thoughts away and focus on something he has more of a footing in. ]
You're with the Meridian, yes?
[ Falling back into familiar territory is a godsend for Dokja. He's decidedly less anxious now, the waters of their Communion smoothing out as careful consideration raises itself at the question.
They haven't talked much about this world, but it's about time they do. ]
That's right.
[ He's unwavering in this regard. While he still doesn't know enough about Meridian, there's enough outside influences that tether him here. ]
Are you trying to choose a side?
They haven't talked much about this world, but it's about time they do. ]
That's right.
[ He's unwavering in this regard. While he still doesn't know enough about Meridian, there's enough outside influences that tether him here. ]
Are you trying to choose a side?
I wouldn't pick any side, if I had the choice.
[ He's so tired of picking sides and being used as a pawn in some greater war beyond his understanding. If he could simply walk into the woods never to return, then that would be the ideal choice for him. But unfortunately there are people here he cares about, people whose well-being he will always cherish above his own, and it's for them that he's forced to grit his teeth and keep moving forward.
There's a vague feeling of fatigue that colors his words, but he's quick to move on before it can linger too long. ]
Do you like him? Cyrus.
[ He's so tired of picking sides and being used as a pawn in some greater war beyond his understanding. If he could simply walk into the woods never to return, then that would be the ideal choice for him. But unfortunately there are people here he cares about, people whose well-being he will always cherish above his own, and it's for them that he's forced to grit his teeth and keep moving forward.
There's a vague feeling of fatigue that colors his words, but he's quick to move on before it can linger too long. ]
Do you like him? Cyrus.
[ There's a hint of amusement coming from Dokja because damn, he knows another stubborn bastard who feels the same.
As for Cyrus... He doesn't even have to think about this question before he answers it. ]
Not really.
[ His tone is oddly casual for admitting to not liking someone, but there's no way in hell Dokja trusts the guy which means he doesn't like him either. ]
But it's not so bad, you know... Using the resources in front of you.
As for Cyrus... He doesn't even have to think about this question before he answers it. ]
Not really.
[ His tone is oddly casual for admitting to not liking someone, but there's no way in hell Dokja trusts the guy which means he doesn't like him either. ]
But it's not so bad, you know... Using the resources in front of you.
Why? Are you considering it?
[ He's mostly joking... And then a bit of a more serious response follows after. ]
I'm not looking to pressure you or anything, but sometimes we have to take part in the roles we're given to further the narrative.
[ He's mostly joking... And then a bit of a more serious response follows after. ]
I'm not looking to pressure you or anything, but sometimes we have to take part in the roles we're given to further the narrative.
That's what I'd like to find out.
[ Saving the world or starting anew... It's a little too black and white for Dokja's tastes, but the story of two opposing sides has always been a classic. ]
And to do that, we should drive our situation forward, don't you think?
[ Saving the world or starting anew... It's a little too black and white for Dokja's tastes, but the story of two opposing sides has always been a classic. ]
And to do that, we should drive our situation forward, don't you think?
[ This is so cryptic....
Normally he would be instantly dismissive, because God and fate and greater powers are things he simply doesn't believe in, but after getting tossed around to not one but two different worlds, he's starting to rethink what he believes in.
Also, sometimes you shove your tongue down a man's throat and you become 1% more amenable to listening to what he has to say. ]
You say that like it's something you've experienced before.
Normally he would be instantly dismissive, because God and fate and greater powers are things he simply doesn't believe in, but after getting tossed around to not one but two different worlds, he's starting to rethink what he believes in.
Also, sometimes you shove your tongue down a man's throat and you become 1% more amenable to listening to what he has to say. ]
You say that like it's something you've experienced before.
[ Something uncomfortable ripples through their connection, like a quick, brief flip of pages before a sudden shut of a metaphorical book closes off that emotion and replaces it with a forced casualness. ]
I'm just saying that staying stagnant in a moving world could hinder progress.
[ This feels like a familiar conversation... Too bad his halved memory won't allow him to place it. ]
I wouldn't want to see you fall behind. That's all.
I'm just saying that staying stagnant in a moving world could hinder progress.
[ This feels like a familiar conversation... Too bad his halved memory won't allow him to place it. ]
I wouldn't want to see you fall behind. That's all.
[ There's still something irksome about the way Dokja so casually moves forward despite that blip of discomfort. It's always like that with him, but Eustace finds it all the more frustrating now after (over) six months of knowing him, and having gotten a glimpse of the man underneath all those layers of isolation. ]
Should you really be worrying about me? [ How many times has he said this? How many times is he going to say it again? ] What about yourself? Are you also moving forward?
[ This man who pushes everyone away and keeps a closed lid on his emotions. Who worries others enough that they have to seek third parties for reassurance. Is he really that much better? ]
Should you really be worrying about me? [ How many times has he said this? How many times is he going to say it again? ] What about yourself? Are you also moving forward?
[ This man who pushes everyone away and keeps a closed lid on his emotions. Who worries others enough that they have to seek third parties for reassurance. Is he really that much better? ]
[ Okay, well. Dokja didn't think this conversation would round on him. There's a growing unease that wells up inside of him as he gingerly tries to maintain the line crossed on the ground between them. ]
I'm doing what I can.
[ He joined the Meridian, didn't he? For the longest time, he'd felt so lost and directionless, but the arrival of Sooyoung and Joonghyuk has prompted him back on his feet in order to safely shuttle those two back home. Away from him. ]
I guess it's up to you if you want to help or hinder me.
I'm doing what I can.
[ He joined the Meridian, didn't he? For the longest time, he'd felt so lost and directionless, but the arrival of Sooyoung and Joonghyuk has prompted him back on his feet in order to safely shuttle those two back home. Away from him. ]
I guess it's up to you if you want to help or hinder me.
[ Dokja speaks but Eustace only partly listens, too busy trying to cross the line Dokja tries carefully to maintain. ]
Do you even need my help? Don't you have Han Sooyoung for that?
[ The namedrop is purposeful this time, his tone almost challenging.
Han Sooyoung and the clear concern he'd felt from her, even if she'd immediately tried to pack up and feign indifference. The fact that she'd felt the need to confide in him, a third party she barely even knew. He thinks too of the brief sputter in Dokja's good cheer when they'd mentioned her on the beach, a despondency that doesn't slot into any normal definition of friendship.
It'd never been his business to nose into, but now that he's found himself accidentally caught up in it he's not about to let go so easily. ]
Why do you keep pushing her away?
[ Because that's obviously what he's doing, isn't it? (Maybe not, but he sure isn't going to find out by sitting around and saying nothing.) ]
Do you even need my help? Don't you have Han Sooyoung for that?
[ The namedrop is purposeful this time, his tone almost challenging.
Han Sooyoung and the clear concern he'd felt from her, even if she'd immediately tried to pack up and feign indifference. The fact that she'd felt the need to confide in him, a third party she barely even knew. He thinks too of the brief sputter in Dokja's good cheer when they'd mentioned her on the beach, a despondency that doesn't slot into any normal definition of friendship.
It'd never been his business to nose into, but now that he's found himself accidentally caught up in it he's not about to let go so easily. ]
Why do you keep pushing her away?
[ Because that's obviously what he's doing, isn't it? (Maybe not, but he sure isn't going to find out by sitting around and saying nothing.) ]
[ Here's a familiar spike of anxiety, a sickening lurch in the pit of his stomach, and for a moment, the Communion's strength seems to weaken like Dokja is one panicked second away from severing it outright. He struggles to regain control, and it's a bit touch and go on whether or not he'll respond to the question.
There's no use denying it. He knows it himself that he's been doing everything he can to keep both her and Joonghyuk from getting too close. He's dodged their questions, avoided their looks, and postponed the talks he's promised them.
And now Eustace is getting involved?
He steels his heart, a coldness creeping up to it in order to brace for what he's about to say. It won't sit right with him, this much he knows, but Dokja has always built his walls even with the closest of companions. Eustace is no exception to that... is what he chooses to convince himself wth. ]
... Stay out of it. That's none of your business.
[ It hurts the way it always does. The slapping away of a hand reaching out in an attempt to help, to understand, to learn. But Dokja doesn't fold, only meets Eustace's challenging tone with his own frigid response as he forces down the part of him that desperately protests. ]
There's no use denying it. He knows it himself that he's been doing everything he can to keep both her and Joonghyuk from getting too close. He's dodged their questions, avoided their looks, and postponed the talks he's promised them.
And now Eustace is getting involved?
He steels his heart, a coldness creeping up to it in order to brace for what he's about to say. It won't sit right with him, this much he knows, but Dokja has always built his walls even with the closest of companions. Eustace is no exception to that... is what he chooses to convince himself wth. ]
... Stay out of it. That's none of your business.
[ It hurts the way it always does. The slapping away of a hand reaching out in an attempt to help, to understand, to learn. But Dokja doesn't fold, only meets Eustace's challenging tone with his own frigid response as he forces down the part of him that desperately protests. ]
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