[ Nen's never had to think about it until someone asked how old they were. If time always reset, did it really happen at all? Nenonen's wondered about it a lot. Are their memories enough? This body's never once changed amongst any of the loops. Injuries heal. Their body reset.
The only thing that changed was Essence degradation. ]
Is it biologically unsuitable for a young metabolism? If that is the case, while I have experience a lot of time, it will likely still affect me.
[ Did you bring Nenonen Chickenpox-Shingles or something here Chipp ]
No, it's, uh... it's more like a legal thing? A moral thing. I mean, probably ain't suitable neither, but that goes for everyone. Except me. I'm dead. Don't affect me at all - no toxins do.
[Finally, he puts that bag down fully and moves to go flop onto the sofa.]
When I say "kids can't have none", it means I'm just not supposed to share with kids. You got an adult mind in that body of yours? If the answer's yes, you can have some. If it's no, you can't.
Just how it is, even in the land of the dead. Folks don't age there, not even mentally. If there's a Grim Reaper out there under twenty one, they ain't allowed to drink. Ever.
[That doesn't stop him from buying drinks for the Boss, of course, but no one needs to know about that. It's ok, River's like nineteen, it's fine.]
[His antennae fall back to lay flat against his helmet as he squints at them with a little suspicion in that expression - It's kind of like he's a distrustful parakeet, really. But after a moment he gives a little one shouldered shrug and rifles through that bag, holding a can out to them.]
If you think you can handle it, then here.
[It's probably fine, he started drinking long before he was of legal age anyway.]
But yeah. I'm immune. Anything that can hurt a livin' human, can't hurt me none. Kinda sucks. Means coffee don't help me at all, can't get wasted at a bar, don't feel spice as much as I used to, nothin' like that. But immunity's still nice to have when I need it.
[ Nen accepts the can and fumbles a little with the tab (it's their first time trying to use one) before they succeed--and promptly startle as it lets out a hiss of air.
They don't drop it, but they do stare at it for several moments, unsure if they should expect more. ]
...I think immunity is better. It means I can't hurt you by accident.
[Sorry, Nen. Just that whole thing is enough to get some wheezing laughter out of him, the helmet beeping over top like usual.]
You fine now, hun, it ain't gonna bite. ... Well - Might burn a little. 'S alcohol, they do that. But you gonna be fine.
[Don't mind as he grabs himself one. With his magic, of course. Just yanks it right out of the bag and into his hand, magically. And he even opens it one-handed like a showoff.
(Give him a moment to remember he's still wearing his helmet.)]
I forgot 'bout that, though... you some kinda hazard, right? Your tears and stuff? Not like I had any plans on makin' you cry, anyway... but I guess it's good you got someone immune to all that.
[ Man, that is fascinating. Is there anything Chipp can't do?? People can do so many things Nen hasn't even thought of before. Opening cans with one hand? What's next?? Cracking an egg the same way?? ]
I'm made up of Essence. It's a toxic substance from my world the researchers were studying. It causes a number of health complications with enough exposure. There were a lot of safety protocols in place to prevent contamination.
[ Nenonen lifts the can of beer and sniffs it, blinking at the very carbonated sensation that fills their nose. It's almost itchy? Nen rubs at it a little, then sniffs again. The beer has a...sour aroma. Yes. ]
[They gotta experience it with all their sense before tasting it, huh. Meanwhile, Chipp lifts his helmet up with his free hand, purely so he can drink. It's staying up for now, but the way he's got it makes it clear he intends to put it back on eventually.]
... Kinda like how I'm made of magic. [Said as he gives them a soft little nudge with his elbow.]
Back where I'm from, pure magic can burn things 'n make'em disintegrate into nothin'. Can even burn right through the ground into the void underneath everything. That's why it all split up into colors. But that includes folks like me. Even I can't handle pure magic like that. Yet, at the same time... We all made of pure magic, too.
I actually got a book on that for ya in that there box. [He nods at it, just to gesture what he means.] Turns out the library here got some kinda enchantment - Books from home started showin' up the more lost I got. Some of the Bossman's tomes started poppin' up on the shelves. Nabbed'em for ya.
[ SORRY BEER, Nen really needs to give Chipp their undivided attention upon hearing that. They perk up, just like they had on his arrival and sit up straighter in their spot.
Nen's already happy he brought them books. But books from his world seems...extra-special, somehow. ]
Thank you, Chipp!
[ There's also that bit about learning that he's not exactly "made of human human stuff" either that makes Nen feel a sort of...closeness to him. They're the same, even if it's just that they're different. Nen doesn't know many people like that yet compared to the general populace, that is. almost every person they've met is Not a Normal Human so far lmfao ]
Uh - Ouais, of course. You said you wanted to understand me better, those're books that'll help you do that.
[This is not the sort of reaction he expected, but he can't say he's unhappy about it. Though it's making him cast a little high level magic over all of that.]
... 'S what all those books are for. [All of them. Even the singular true crime nonfiction hidden in there among them.] But, uhh... some of'em, you gonna need my help with. They ain't all in the same language. Some're in French. Some are in... the language in the land of the dead. So you gonna need my help readin' those.
[ The blessed high-level magic... It's even more interesting, because on Chipp's face it's yellow instead of red. He looks like he's glowing.
There's no way Nen's eyes aren't zeroing in on that, fascinated. ]
You brought me all these books to help...understand you?
[ If Nen looked surprised before that's nothing compared to the awe on their face now. Chipp brought them books just for this? To help them learn, and he doesn't just want Nen to read them, he wants to help.
This, right here? This is the intellectual equivalent of flowers, Chipp.
If Nenonen was a more adjusted person, this is where they would hug him. Instead? They clutch the can of beer in their hands close, like it's the most precious thing--supplanting the desire to express their delight for him into a much closer, more obtainable goal. ]
[That blush of his is getting bigger, as if he's getting more sheepish over the whole thing - But he looks uncertain for a moment, searching their face like he's missing something, like there's some sort of gap in understanding between them. As always, he cannot tell for the life of him how they're feeling about this. Usually intensity like this only lasts a second, and then whoever they're talking to goes back to laughing and joking or whatever else. Understanding this sort of intensity is also a lot easier when there are obvious signs on the others' face, too - A smile if they're excited. A frown if they're upset. Et cetera.
Because he can't parse it, he gives up near immediately and ends up looking away to take a sip from his own drink. ... Oooonly to decide it's not good enough. So he takes the flask off his belt and adds a bit of whatever's in that to his can, too.]
I just, y'know... Means a lot to me that you wanna get to know me better. Most folks don't do that.
[ Chipp gets more yellow, Nenonen gets more charmed, and the two of them completely fail at being standardized people. Which is fine, honestly. Chipp can't read people and Nenonen doesn't react like most people do anyway; they're two odd pieces of a puzzle out.
So while Chipp busies himself with adding more kick to his drink? Nen just stands up, still clutching their can and huffs. ]
Yes! You are amazing. I would like to get to know you better very much!
[ Nen squeezes the can again, just until it clunks a little.
Of course now that they're standing they don't get exactly why, but whatever they're feeling is profound and squishing a can of beer just isn't going to cut it here. ]
[The way Nenonen just... stands up, out of nowhere like that, actually gets Chipp to jump a bit in surprise. He's not sure what he's feeling in the slightest, but whatever it is, it's made him... jumpy.
... You know what? It's helmet time. Back to the helmet. Like a security blanket. (Its expression makes the way he's feeling much, much clearer. Uncertain, unsure. Startled, but trying his best to roll with the punches. He understands 0% of what's happening, but he's trying his best.)]
You want-- well, I mean... okay. But put the can down first, you don't wanna spill that on nothin'. Trust me, smell clings for weeks.
[ Sorry, emotional support beer. Nen needs to put you down now--and does just that, setting it on the coffee table before walking around it just. you know. Stand in front of Chipp all expectant-like as one does when they are a Very Normal Person. ]
I am ready.
[ HUG. Give it.
And by 'give it' I mean Nen sort of awkwardly twitches their arms forward like they mean to initiate it, but don't quite get there because they second-guess themselves and also because Chipp's still sitting down. ]
[And, of course, Chipp watches this entire rigmarole play out like it's some sort of social display. Complete with them having to announce that they're ready. He can't help the way his head tilts in confusion for a moment, but he moves to put his can and flask both down on the table.
And then he waves for them to get closer, to actually, y'know. Hug him??]
Awright, c'mon then. You don't gotta stand around like a mannequin, just go for it. It's a hug, that's how folks do it.
[ Now...most people would have hugged Chipp by now. And when they did it, they probably just would've leaned over and given him a normal hug, since he's tall enough for that. But Nen? Has only ever had the type where you're right up with them; close embraces. If Chipp is down there and Nen is up here, and they need to hug...
Sorry, Chipp.
Nen just crawls right into his lap and plunks themself down so they can lean into him and grab his shirt.
[Chipp is a dangerous man. A deadly man. Someone who's honed his mind and abilities to kill someone without hesitation and without remorse. His heart and his body both have been hardened from the years he's spent taking people out and dodging the law. Some people regard him as little more than a machine made to take lives. A demon, perhaps. Some even go as far as to call him the Devil.
Even those in the land of the dead, the other Grim Reapers that can weather any wound, any death, fear him. Avoid him and his land. Regard him as a myth and a legend, cold-blooded, something woven into stories meant to scare people into behaving - only to be very, very real.]
[... And here he is, sitting stock still and on the brink of tears because his little friend climbed into his lap for a hug.
After a moment, he finally moves to wrap his arms around them - a slow, tentative motion like he's completely and utterly unsure what to do, here. But they get their hug. ... Rather, it's more like they're being cradled. But it's a type of hug, at least.]
[ It's the best kind of hug, because it comes from someone that Nenonen is very, very fond of. They've only had three hugs to date and one of them technically hasn't happened yet because of TimelinesTM and bridge quests but point is, hugs are a big thing for Nen. They're not great at giving them (Nen's hands are fisted in his shirt, the same way they fisted in Vash's as he tried to comfort them; the same way they clung to Yuuto's as they tried to make peace with the fact that Ten wasn't really there), but they way they press their face into his chest and lean into him with all the trust in the world is telling.
Chipp can cradle them all he wants. Nen is here to soak up every minute of it. ]
...I like you, Chipp. You're a good friend for me.
[Said quietly and mostly to himself, of course. But this whole thing - It's hard with his helmet on. He never thought about this, what would happen if someone were to hug him while wearing it. It's not a situation that either he or his Boss thought about while creating the helmet in the first place. He can't see them at all, can't tuck them under his chin, nothing like that. So off it goes again. This time entirely, getting placed on the couch beside him. Just so he can hug them properly, give them the hug they obviously needed.]
... I like you too, Nenett. And I'm glad ya feel that way - I been tryin' very... very hard.
Edited (random period oops) 2023-04-14 20:34 (UTC)
[ It's an awkward way to say it, but it's just how Nen is. Helmet comes off, Chipp doesn't try to correct them and insist he's not everything they think he is, and Nen just folds up into him. The weight of his arms and the squeeze of their strength does some work, but mostly? He just makes Nen feel safe.
They hope that one day, they can do the same thing for him. ]
I have no additional feedback.
[ That's Nenspeak for you're fine just the way you are. ]
[Is it an awkward way to say it? Chipp doesn't think of it that way. It's just a Nen way to say it, in his mind. It makes it easy for him to understand. Easier to just settle into that hug and be glad it's happening at all. He doesn't get hugs very much, let him have this.]
... You wanna... try some of them treats I brought? Ain't nothin' soft, but I think you gonna be able to eat'em anyway. Might even like'em.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[ Nen's never had to think about it until someone asked how old they were. If time always reset, did it really happen at all? Nenonen's wondered about it a lot. Are their memories enough? This body's never once changed amongst any of the loops. Injuries heal. Their body reset.
The only thing that changed was Essence degradation. ]
Is it biologically unsuitable for a young metabolism? If that is the case, while I have experience a lot of time, it will likely still affect me.
[ Did you bring Nenonen Chickenpox-Shingles or something here Chipp ]
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I mean, probably ain't suitable neither, but that goes for everyone.
Except me. I'm dead. Don't affect me at all - no toxins do.
[Finally, he puts that bag down fully and moves to go flop onto the sofa.]
When I say "kids can't have none", it means I'm just not supposed to share with kids.
You got an adult mind in that body of yours?
If the answer's yes, you can have some. If it's no, you can't.
Just how it is, even in the land of the dead. Folks don't age there, not even mentally.
If there's a Grim Reaper out there under twenty one, they ain't allowed to drink. Ever.
[That doesn't stop him from buying drinks for the Boss, of course, but no one needs to know about that. It's ok, River's like nineteen, it's fine.]
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In that case, it should be fine. I don't understand morals or legals anyway.
[ Just going to drop that fun bit of information...because yes. Someone did ask Nen if their world has laws, and they had to ask was a 'law' was. So.
Nen moves over the the couch and plops themself down. ]
My mind has 188 years of memories. That should be sufficient.
Toxins really don't hurt you?
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[His antennae fall back to lay flat against his helmet as he squints at them with a little suspicion in that expression -
It's kind of like he's a distrustful parakeet, really.
But after a moment he gives a little one shouldered shrug and rifles through that bag, holding a can out to them.]
If you think you can handle it, then here.
[It's probably fine, he started drinking long before he was of legal age anyway.]
But yeah. I'm immune. Anything that can hurt a livin' human, can't hurt me none.
Kinda sucks. Means coffee don't help me at all, can't get wasted at a bar, don't feel spice as much as I used to, nothin' like that.
But immunity's still nice to have when I need it.
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They don't drop it, but they do stare at it for several moments, unsure if they should expect more. ]
...I think immunity is better. It means I can't hurt you by accident.
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You fine now, hun, it ain't gonna bite. ... Well -
Might burn a little. 'S alcohol, they do that. But you gonna be fine.
[Don't mind as he grabs himself one. With his magic, of course. Just yanks it right out of the bag and into his hand, magically.
And he even opens it one-handed like a showoff.
(Give him a moment to remember he's still wearing his helmet.)]
I forgot 'bout that, though... you some kinda hazard, right? Your tears and stuff?
Not like I had any plans on makin' you cry, anyway... but I guess it's good you got someone immune to all that.
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[ Man, that is fascinating. Is there anything Chipp can't do?? People can do so many things Nen hasn't even thought of before. Opening cans with one hand? What's next?? Cracking an egg the same way?? ]
I'm made up of Essence. It's a toxic substance from my world the researchers were studying. It causes a number of health complications with enough exposure. There were a lot of safety protocols in place to prevent contamination.
[ Nenonen lifts the can of beer and sniffs it, blinking at the very carbonated sensation that fills their nose. It's almost itchy? Nen rubs at it a little, then sniffs again. The beer has a...sour aroma. Yes. ]
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Meanwhile, Chipp lifts his helmet up with his free hand, purely so he can drink.
It's staying up for now, but the way he's got it makes it clear he intends to put it back on eventually.]
... Kinda like how I'm made of magic. [Said as he gives them a soft little nudge with his elbow.]
Back where I'm from, pure magic can burn things 'n make'em disintegrate into nothin'. Can even burn right through the ground into the void underneath everything. That's why it all split up into colors.
But that includes folks like me. Even I can't handle pure magic like that. Yet, at the same time...
We all made of pure magic, too.
I actually got a book on that for ya in that there box. [He nods at it, just to gesture what he means.] Turns out the library here got some kinda enchantment -
Books from home started showin' up the more lost I got. Some of the Bossman's tomes started poppin' up on the shelves.
Nabbed'em for ya.
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[ SORRY BEER, Nen really needs to give Chipp their undivided attention upon hearing that. They perk up, just like they had on his arrival and sit up straighter in their spot.
Nen's already happy he brought them books. But books from his world seems...extra-special, somehow. ]
Thank you, Chipp!
[ There's also that bit about learning that he's not exactly "made of human human stuff" either that makes Nen feel a sort of...closeness to him. They're the same, even if it's just that they're different. Nen doesn't know many people like that yet
compared to the general populace, that is. almost every person they've met is Not a Normal Human so far lmfao]no subject
Ouais, of course. You said you wanted to understand me better, those're books that'll help you do that.
[This is not the sort of reaction he expected, but he can't say he's unhappy about it.
Though it's making him cast a little high level magic over all of that.]
... 'S what all those books are for. [All of them. Even the singular true crime nonfiction hidden in there among them.] But, uhh... some of'em, you gonna need my help with.
They ain't all in the same language. Some're in French.
Some are in... the language in the land of the dead.
So you gonna need my help readin' those.
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There's no way Nen's eyes aren't zeroing in on that, fascinated. ]
You brought me all these books to help...understand you?
[ If Nen looked surprised before that's nothing compared to the awe on their face now. Chipp brought them books just for this? To help them learn, and he doesn't just want Nen to read them, he wants to help.
This, right here? This is the intellectual equivalent of flowers, Chipp.
If Nenonen was a more adjusted person, this is where they would hug him. Instead? They clutch the can of beer in their hands close, like it's the most precious thing--supplanting the desire to express their delight for him into a much closer, more obtainable goal. ]
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[That blush of his is getting bigger, as if he's getting more sheepish over the whole thing -
But he looks uncertain for a moment, searching their face like he's missing something, like there's some sort of gap in understanding between them.
As always, he cannot tell for the life of him how they're feeling about this.
Usually intensity like this only lasts a second, and then whoever they're talking to goes back to laughing and joking or whatever else. Understanding this sort of intensity is also a lot easier when there are obvious signs on the others' face, too -
A smile if they're excited. A frown if they're upset. Et cetera.
Because he can't parse it, he gives up near immediately and ends up looking away to take a sip from his own drink. ... Oooonly to decide it's not good enough.
So he takes the flask off his belt and adds a bit of whatever's in that to his can, too.]
I just, y'know...
Means a lot to me that you wanna get to know me better. Most folks don't do that.
1/2
So while Chipp busies himself with adding more kick to his drink? Nen just stands up, still clutching their can and huffs. ]
Yes! You are amazing. I would like to get to know you better very much!
[ Nen squeezes the can again, just until it clunks a little.
Of course now that they're standing they don't get exactly why, but whatever they're feeling is profound and squishing a can of beer just isn't going to cut it here. ]
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Is that what should go here? (Doesn't matter, that's what's going here.) ]
Chipp! I want to hug.
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He's not sure what he's feeling in the slightest, but whatever it is, it's made him... jumpy.
... You know what? It's helmet time. Back to the helmet. Like a security blanket.
(Its expression makes the way he's feeling much, much clearer. Uncertain, unsure. Startled, but trying his best to roll with the punches.
He understands 0% of what's happening, but he's trying his best.)]
You want-- well, I mean... okay. But put the can down first, you don't wanna spill that on nothin'.
Trust me, smell clings for weeks.
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[ Sorry, emotional support beer. Nen needs to put you down now--and does just that, setting it on the coffee table before walking around it just. you know. Stand in front of Chipp all expectant-like as one does when they are a Very Normal Person. ]
I am ready.
[ HUG. Give it.
And by 'give it' I mean Nen sort of awkwardly twitches their arms forward like they mean to initiate it, but don't quite get there because they second-guess themselves and also because Chipp's still sitting down. ]
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Complete with them having to announce that they're ready.
He can't help the way his head tilts in confusion for a moment, but he moves to put his can and flask both down on the table.
And then he waves for them to get closer, to actually, y'know. Hug him??]
Awright, c'mon then. You don't gotta stand around like a mannequin, just go for it.
It's a hug, that's how folks do it.
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Sorry, Chipp.
Nen just crawls right into his lap and plunks themself down so they can lean into him and grab his shirt.
#hugging ]
1/2;
His heart and his body both have been hardened from the years he's spent taking people out and dodging the law.
Some people regard him as little more than a machine made to take lives. A demon, perhaps. Some even go as far as to call him the Devil.
Even those in the land of the dead, the other Grim Reapers that can weather any wound, any death, fear him. Avoid him and his land.
Regard him as a myth and a legend, cold-blooded, something woven into stories meant to scare people into behaving - only to be very, very real.]
2/2;
After a moment, he finally moves to wrap his arms around them - a slow, tentative motion like he's completely and utterly unsure what to do, here.
But they get their hug. ... Rather, it's more like they're being cradled. But it's a type of hug, at least.]
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Chipp can cradle them all he wants. Nen is here to soak up every minute of it. ]
...I like you, Chipp. You're a good friend for me.
[ So please don't say you aren't. ]
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[Said quietly and mostly to himself, of course. But this whole thing -
It's hard with his helmet on. He never thought about this, what would happen if someone were to hug him while wearing it. It's not a situation that either he or his Boss thought about while creating the helmet in the first place.
He can't see them at all, can't tuck them under his chin, nothing like that.
So off it goes again. This time entirely, getting placed on the couch beside him. Just so he can hug them properly, give them the hug they obviously needed.]
... I like you too, Nenett. And I'm glad ya feel that way -
I been tryin' very... very hard.
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[ It's an awkward way to say it, but it's just how Nen is. Helmet comes off, Chipp doesn't try to correct them and insist he's not everything they think he is, and Nen just folds up into him. The weight of his arms and the squeeze of their strength does some work, but mostly? He just makes Nen feel safe.
They hope that one day, they can do the same thing for him. ]
I have no additional feedback.
[ That's Nenspeak for you're fine just the way you are. ]
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It makes it easy for him to understand. Easier to just settle into that hug and be glad it's happening at all.
He doesn't get hugs very much, let him have this.]
... You wanna... try some of them treats I brought?
Ain't nothin' soft, but I think you gonna be able to eat'em anyway. Might even like'em.
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[ Nen forgot all about them with that rush of book-fueled emotion. They glance back to table, where the grocery bags are. ]
What did you bring?? Is it new?
[ Nen looks back to him, hands still balled in his shirt. ]
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1/2;
2/2;
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CATHOLIC GUILT ICAN'T
listen he's SUFFERING ok
HE SURE IS
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YOURE KILLIN ME SMALLS
FLEXES
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WII????
wii...oui......sobs in french
NO DW I KNOW im just screaming because WII... theyre trying so hard
NEN TRIES SO HARD ;w;
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wao lookin at nen's legs there huh i see i see
i almost had him actually go and feel for muscle but that wouldve meant letting their hands go 😔
OH WEH that would have been cute....maybe even ticklish lmfao
1/2; note to self: tickle punishment for face squishing
2/2;
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im sorry he's so awkward
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why did spell check tell me "inferrance" is correct
spellcheck trolling you this early in the morning is rude
taking advantage of my dyslexia, knowing id shrug like "ok sure that looks correct"
pats u :'c
pats nen so much more???
jdkf ;u;/// also **nod, not now gd hamhands
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eyyy camping psl becomes canon B)
no no, sweet & tender first time first, THEN the camping psl
oh weh....precious
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cw: mention of euthanasia/suicide...of a sort? choosing death over going home basically
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