handwritten text;

[wirsinddiejager]

[Alan's previous text posts have always been from his sketchbook and thus surrounded with drawings and doodles. This one has been written on a blank page and looks weirdly empty in comparison, especially since the post itself is so short.]

during the snake thing if you saw a titan running around randomly breaking shit that was me. I lost control and didnt know what I was doing. sorry if I got any of you guys hurt.

Comments

[wirsinddiejager]

Yeah. I'd really rather not find out the hard way.

[He scratches the back of his neck uncomfortably, not trying to make eye contact himself. This whole thing is turning out way more complicated than he'd like.]

But, uh. You don't really have any real obligation, you know? Like you said, we're not our old selves. There's plenty of people on the network, I bet I could find someone else to help.

[dirtdevil]

[ Okay, that snaps him out of it a little. Weenie though he may well be, he's not about to pawn something like this off on some random network dude. Eye contact re-established; watch out, he's serious now. His answer is stern: ]

No. Not a chance. Yeah, I'm anxious about it, but what's the point of all this reincarnation horseshit if you're just gonna blow off everything you used to be? I think I regained the ability to use this stupid gear for a reason, and if that means chaperoning a demented titan, then so be it.

[ Whoops. That was a little rude, wasn't it? It's almost like more of his old self is coming back every day. Realizing this, his tone softens a little. ]

It'd be easier if we worked together, though. I'm going to do it whether you want me to or not, but your compliance would be nice.

[wirsinddiejager]

[That does sound weirdly like his past self. Alan almost feels like he should salute or something.]

...I'm fine with that. I was gonna need the help anyway.

[anequal]

yeah, you keep your head on straight. but if it comes down to it, i'll happily maim or seriously harm you again :)

[wirsinddiejager]

thats what true friendship is all about man.

[anequal]

don't be so cheesy

anyway, glad to know you're okay. let's hang out again sometime, friend

[dirtdevil]

Good.

[ Whew, that wasn't so bad, was it? He wishes he could feel relieved having this sorted out, but the looming worry that he won't be good enough to neutralize Alan makes it pretty difficult. Ah, that reminds him... ]

Hey, I know you don't remember anything that happened while you were a titan, but what about right before? Do you remember making a conscious choice to do it?

[wirsinddiejager]

Yeah, obviously. I can't do it in the first place without choosing to. Or having a goal in mind of something.

[He's pretty sure he can avoid shifting by accident. 95% sure. Maybe 90%.]

But I wasn't trying to do the full thing on purpose. I didn't even know I could.

[dirtdevil]

he is. i didn't leave much room for negotiation, but fortunately it was an easy decision.

[dead_black_eyes]

Then it's safe to assume that you have a certain measure of power over him.

What's your relationship to him in Locke City? Are you a peer, a mentor? Someone he is required to respect?

[dirtdevil]

Good. That makes this a lot easier.

[ He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone, holding it up just for effect. ]

Next time you're thinking about hulking out, you call me first. But in the meantime, we should work out a way for you to practice. Somewhere where people and buildings won't be destroyed if you have another bad day.

[wirsinddiejager]

[He nods. It sounds a lot like having to ask permission before shifting and that chafes a little, but he'll put up with it.]

I was thinking of maybe trying that ranch where we doing 3DMG practice. That should be out of the way enough, right?

[dirtdevil]

[ Oh, you mean that place where he made a complete ass of himself in front of literally 75% of the people he's met in this network? Yeah, great idea. Let's totally do that again. He scowls a bit remembering, but at the same time he knows this time it'll be different.

This time it'll be Alan making an ass out of himself. A giant ass. ]

Maybe if we move a little farther out. Like not on someone's private property, preferably.

[dirtdevil]

i don't know what i'd call our relationship. i think maybe i'm meant to be more of a mentor, but it doesn't exactly come naturally.

i'm more like a babysitter. except the kid i'm watching can turn into a giant monster, and you can't put giant monsters in time out.

[dead_black_eyes]

What can you do?

[dirtdevil]

i can cut the kid out of the giant monster's neck, and then put him in time out.

[dead_black_eyes]

You're implying that he doesn't actually turn into a giant, but that he's contained inside it? Suddenly "meatship" makes more sense.

[dirtdevil]

i guess that's the gist of it. i haven't seen it happen yet.

it sounds pretty disgusting, though.

[dead_black_eyes]

Yeah, it does. I don't deal well with disgusting... probably for the best that it was all outside... my can of Lysol probably wouldn't be up to the challenge.