audio | locked from Riptide

[redshitlord]

Okay, yeah, I know, bad timing Sideswipe, and we've got bigger problems, Sideswipe.

But... a lot of Not So Awesome stuff is going down with a friend of mine. And ... I...

[Some of the flippant nonchalance in his voice cracks. He goes quiet. This is really hard to admit, and yes, he KNOWS there's a lot going on right now. But it's been beyond him for a long time.]

[Too long.]

I don't know how to help. I wanna.

But I don't know how.

So if anyone's got a sec? Appreciate some feedback here. Y'know, anyone who isn't gonna yell at me for bringing this up right now. That'd be great.

Comments

VIDEO | PRIVATE

[squadgoals]

For you? I've got a whole minute.

VIDEO | PRIVATE

[redshitlord]

[Wellp. Mom #2 gets a whole video of the noodle bot hunched up on the sole remaining bed in his quarters.]

... so. Um. My friend, yeah? Kiiiiinda went through the smelter. I mean, really bad.

Ever since, he's. Not him. And nothing I do helps so -- haha! Kinda at the end of my cabling here! Just a little.

[squadgoals]

Smelter? [It takes a moment, but things click into place. Smelting, melted down — wringer. Riptide. Probably.] Ok, I think I follow.

Okay, what have you been trying to do? Give me a few examples.

[redshitlord]

Sorry, I... get all weird when I say it direct and stuff.

[Saying My friend was tortured and murdered brutally is harder than saying he needs help.]

To get him to talk, or... distract him or... He won't tell me when something's bothering him anymore. And then he snaps at me if I do stupid scrap.

It's not him.

[squadgoals]

It's fine. I'm on the same page.

[There's a pause of a few beats as she thinks, expression thoughtful. Finally, she looks up at Sideswipe, and pulls a wry smile.]

I've got a suggestion, but you might not like the sound of it.

audio;

[skelepun]

Big problems are overrated. What's the hubbub, Red?

audio;

[redshitlord]

Bad stuff plus friend equals I need another adult.

... hold on.



[PRIVATE]
Is this okay?

audio --> video; private

[skelepun]

No sweat, kiddo.

[The switch to a private feed suddenly gives Sans the impression this is not a quick phone call problem. He's holed up in his room with the lights out, but the MID does a decent enough job of illuminating him.

His expression, for once, shows something akin to genuine concern.]

Riptide?

[It's not a hard guess.]

video; private

[redshitlord]

Thanks, dude.

[He's a little surprised to see the sudden video, but less so than if he actually knew what a skeleton was in relation to humans. Normally he'd be delighted, and say something to the extent of that is so cool.]

[Not now, though. He'll tell him later.]

... yeah. Is it that obvious?

audio;

[asafepairofhands]

[Ratchet's feed clicks on and there's a long moment where he's quiet, but he does finally speak.]

You wanna tell me what this is about, kid?

audio;

[redshitlord]

Long as you're not gonna lecture me.

Cause like, at this point? Preeeeetty sure there's nothin' you can say I haven't already heard.

[Or said to himself, whoops.]

audio;

[asafepairofhands]

For caring about a friend?

No, I'm not going to lecture you.

audio; Private

[redshitlord]

Okay...

It's. It's about Riptide...

video;

[heelys]

[He's not an adult in any regard.]

--Woah, wait! What happened?

video;

[redshitlord]

... Okay, if I tell you? You keep it a secret. Got it?

No telling anyone. Top secret, life or death stuff in here.

video;

[heelys]

Cross my spark! What's going on?

video; private

[redshitlord]

Okay.




It's about Riptide.

audio;

[quixotically]

I know other people have offered, by now, but... I figured, it's worth pitching in, too. I'm willing to help, if I can.

audio;

[redshitlord]

Uh, okay... first off "Hi" and stuff.

audio;

[quixotically]

[Elle giggles a little, sheepish.] Yeah! Yeah, I'm sorry. I should've... Sorry. Hi. I'm Elle, Elle Days. I'm, um, I'm one of the counselors, that's why I... yeah. I'm sorry.

audio;

[redshitlord]

Nah it's cool! I uh. Just a little bit of frayed wires over this stuff, y'know?

... you don't mean counselor like. "Do something with your life" or "go get a job" kind of counselor though right?

[Video]

[harderfasterwrecker]

[ And here's this asshole. ]

What? You have to admit you've got some pretty impressive timing.

What's under your plating? I can pretend like I care for a full thirty seconds if you talk fast.

[Video]

[redshitlord]

[What the heck.]

[What even happened here -- where even is this guy's face-- oh.]

Uh.

No thanks, dude. Bunch of other guys got it covered.

[Video]

[harderfasterwrecker]

[ Bingo. Guess who. ]

Well, now you've got me curious and you're the one spilling your sorrows to the ship.

[Video]

[redshitlord]

[Thank you Riptide for the early warning.]

Shyeah, like that's gonna make me wanna open up and get all spark-to-spark.