the number you have dialed

[prismaticbleed]

SESSION PARTICIPANTS
LAURIE UBERICH JEWEL (SPINNY) CHAOS ZERO JULIE

 

There you are, finally.

I see our colors work again.

Thank God, right? Now where's sharkface?

Right here.

Ah, good. Anyone else tagging along?

Why, do you need an audience?

It's not necessary, but I like the... how do you say... 'energy' of several people in here at once.

Sure you do.

All right guys, calm down. Laurie, what's this even about?

It's about the f*king problem you have, pun intended. What's with the bloody whorishness?

Whoa-- BACK OFF. Don't you even start with that.

Too late.

...Oh no.

Get the hell out of here. You should be DEAD.

Well, I'm not.

Do I look like I care what you think? No. Get out of this room and don't come back. I deal with you enough already.

I'm not here to piss you off.

Get the HELL away from her!

Too late!

Laurie!

Ggk--

For mercy's sake what is going on...

I don't know. She got in.

You're damn RIGHT she got in, idiot! Now you help me get her out!

What do you want me to do? If I go anywhere near her she'll freaking rape me!

Yeah, I KNOW. So stay the hell back and get her OUT.

Jewel, just do something!

I-- Laurie, watch out!

Ffff- I'm freakin' watching! You're not the one fighting here!

You got that right.

You SHUT your filthy MOUTH.

Jewel, how are we supposed to get her out of here?

I don't know. I-- she's terrified of Laurie, but... we need backup. I can't go over there without risking it--

You ALREADY risked it, you wench, that's how she got in here!

...Oh.

What's she talking about?

...Near misses. Shoot. I am so stupid...

I need BACKUP!

Chaos, go get--

Oh, for heaven's sake-- no, not him! You! Lend me some freaking energy here!

All right--!

Hk...

Getting scared, eh? Ball ain't in your court anymore.

That's what you think.

What was that?!

Is she... melting?

No, she's made of shadow. Kind of zombified, too, thank God.

You'll notice that's changing!

I told you I wouldn't lose.

Stop bluffing, you whore, and get the hell out of my sight. This isn't over.

...

...Damn it.

...Should we move?

No, we're not moving. As long as Jewel stays in control we are just fine.

You call that fine?! What in the world just happened?

Your cyberfaced friend almost screwed everything up again, all right? Geez. I'm telling you, if we don't get a handle on this issue and fast we are ALL as good as dead.

I'm sorry.

Sorry doesn't do a DAMN THING. I am sick of you apologizing and then stabbing me in the back two minutes later! What the hell's your problem?

You know what the problem is, Laurie.

Yeah, we all know about that problem, but by no means should that be causing THIS. And don't you dare throw the blame on your parents or any shit like that.

Laurie, I can't lie.

Yes you bloody well can, you've lied to me before. 'Oh, my mom wants me to do this and that!' I don't care what she wants, you know what sort of life you need and you shouldn't be compromising it. If you're too bloody weak in the heart to stand up for your very purpose, then I might as well just shoot myself and be out of this hellish misery already.

Don't, please.

Oh really? Don't leave? Why? Because then you'll be without someone to run to? Screw that. You need to face this like a man, kid. You know what the problem is, and you know what makes it worse, and you KNOW what happens when you ignore the warning signs, so WHY the HELL do you keep ignoring it all?!

I wish I knew.

You're weak, that's why.

...

Laurie, don't--

It's the bloody truth. She/he/whatever is a gutless weakling in every aspect that matters. It's infuriating me big time and, even worse, it's killing me. What's my job, Chaos? To overcome the id, right? So tell me-- what the hell do I do when my kid here keeps blindly falling prey to that pink slut?

I just... I don't know. I don't know what else to do here already.

Join the club.

No, Laurie, I mean she's doing everything she can right now. We don't have the means for drastic measures yet.

Don't tell me you believe all that garbage. If she was doing everything she could, we'd be 99% problem-free right now. She's NOT doing her job.

...

What's the matter? Cornered? You can't hide from me, sparkle-eyes.

I'm not hiding from you, Laurie. I know I'm weak. I know I'm being a stupid slacker and all that--

Then why don't you stop it already?

Because it's hard. I don't know why, but for some stupid reason it's hard.

Pfeh. Human imperfection, I suppose.

...

Oh, calm down already. It's the exact same problem you had-- a corrupt state mislabeled as an ideal.

How is she going through that? She is nowhere near as screwed up as I am.

No, but he's getting there. Society's perfection = her imperfection. Your kid's view of his life and purpose in it are in stark contrast to what most of the individuals around her are expecting of him.

You're rotating pronouns.

Damn straight I am; worth it to see you smile for once, eh?

...But, geez... no one's asking her to be a force of destruction, thank God.

Actually, yeah. Look at it this way, sharkface. If outside influences manage to mess Jewel up enough that she abandons her ideals and replaces them with the dime-a-dozen norm, he's going to be one hell of a destructive force. Instead of using her dreams and visions and powers to make a difference and change this mess in some way, he'll be contributing to the problems and making it worse for every other life out there. It's what the Jewel Monsters say, y'know. We're all connected, despite the details. You screw around with one person's life and you're screwing up all of them.

You sure are philosophical tonight.

I'm always philosophical, thank you very much, I'm a frickin' superego. This here is my job.

So... you think Jewel is at a real risk for... hitting a 180?

It's always a threat, and stop looking at the door already. That witch isn't getting back in here.

She already got in!

Is that my fault? No. That's your kid's fault, and that's why we're here in this infamous room again. When issues get more threatening than usual, I put up the red flag. You see this axe? Freakin' red flag. We have a problem, and I'll be damned if I don't try to fix it.

This just makes me think of that Rooney song.

I'm asking everyone around me how to live my life?

I know the answers I keep hearing, but I listen close each time...

It's sickening already. I feel like such a broken record.

Well hey, you might be broken, but at least you've got some good music. Listen, kid... hope never dies, am I right?

Yeah.

Then a certain Jewel Monster is going to be pretty upset with you if you keep acting like that. If there was no hope, would I be here? No. If I didn't care, and if I didn't honestly believe in you, I'd basically just say 'forsake it all' and slice my own ribcage out like I said I would last year. There's hope, Jewel.

I know that, I know that. That's why I keep going too. But... it just seems so darn far away.

That's the point of hope. Without it we'd all die of misery.

...Yeah, it is.

That's all I have to say about it. How about you, Chaos?

What?

Don't give me 'what.' You've barely spoken five sentences the entire time we've been here.

Well, excuse me if I'm a little traumatized from that Julie encounter earlier.

You think that's bad? What if she jumped on you and pretended she was Jewel?

I...

That would be hell, wouldn't it? You'd have nightmares for months. And that's what Jewel is letting that slut do to her! Now you see why this is so important? I can see the abject terror in your eyes, so don't you even try to deny it.

...

You can't ignore it, Aqua. That's what's happening.

Chaos, it'll be fine. I told you we'll get through this.

Yeah, sure, but who's going to carry the scars? I'm not the one with a stomach full of crosses!

You're lucky I'm withholding those until further notice.

Don't-- don't even start. All I want to know is where our progress went.

What progress? Oh, you mean the past victories? Out the bloody window.

Jewel, why are you going back downhill? Please.

I'm not entirely sure, sweetheart... and I think that's the problem. I'm very out of focus right now. The past month or so has been seriously crazy, and as a result I have no time for my 'escapes--' which, as you know, are my refuges. Instead of putting time into those, I've just been... floating, kind of, and when that happens I'm weak. I'm vulnerable, and I hate that, because then people try to rip me open. That's what Laurie was talking about. All this interim time is making me weak, but when I try to fight it I hit obstacles on the outside. My mother has no clue what the real problem is here and she is one of my biggest roadblocks. It sounds immature, but you two know the details.

Mum thinks you're faking everything and your grandmother wants you to live a 'normal life' and die.

Precisely. And I've tried standing up to that, but you know what happens from that. The results are never, ever good. I'm lucky my grandmother is at least becoming more passive-aggressive in her campaign.

Campaign?

Her old-school mindset that everyone who's not white is out to kill you, that anyone who doesn't fit the strict gender binary/stereotypes is going to hell, that life is about looking out for number one, et cetera. I don't subscribe to that, and I can't actively show that because then she goes hellfire on me.

I don't understand closed minds.

Me neither, but that's the way it is.

So what's the bottom line? Laurie, what did you want to fix up through this conversation?

Not too much. I wanted to bring the current situation to light so we could all try to fix it actively instead of being ignorant fools about it. We covered the surface of it well enough, so unless you want to dig up the blood and bones or go off topic, we're cool.

Really?

Really really. No use spitting at you if you already understand everything you need to do.

Well that's unusual.

What, not wanting to verbally abuse this kid for the next hour? Nah, that's just when I'm seriously irate. I'm spitting enough swords at Julie already, and Jewel's been through enough lately.

Huh. I won't argue with that, then.

Good.

So... we're good?

Not with that tone of voice we're not.

Heh, yeah. Um...

Spit it out, kid, or I'll rip it out of ya. You know I can.

Laurie.

Hey, I'm being honest. She'd better do the same.

I just... with all this gender stuff lately, and what my family keeps pushing on me... what do you think about what's going on with the girls?

You mean your bizarre attraction to them? That's not new, but what about it?

Are you... is it a severe problem?

Not when you're just wanting to hang with Vontricia or Jena or whatever. When you let that bubblegum harlot turn you in the other direction, then yes, that's a huge and lethal problem.

But I don't get it. Why am I suddenly looking for girls?

You're looking for androgynous girls, you idiot. If some chick with a rack wanted to date you, you'd evacuate faster than a freaking fire squad. You're looking for your mental twin, and that's simply because you've never had anyone to confide in, imagine with, or love in that funky way of yours without getting something completely different back. This 'lesbian' label nonsense is only because you appreciate pretty girls and would rather be with someone who had a more flexible gender range. Guys don't work for you unless they're gay and you know it.

So is that what we're being considered now?

Don't laugh, you don't have a physical system. I'm talking about humans.

So we agree that I need a gal who is somewhat less masculine version of myself and is willing to be my pseudo-girlfriend?

If that's how you want to put it, sure. You know your situation better than I do.

But where the heck can I find someone like that?

Shoot me if I know, kid. If I did I've had told you ages ago. Yo Chaos, this bothering you?

No, not at all. I know Jewel; we've been together for almost 7 years now.

Holy swords, that long?

Haha, yeah, for that long. So I'm used to her love largesse. It doesn't bother me at all now.

Agape altruism is more like it.

Stop it, guys, you're making me blush. I just have a lot of love to give is all.

And to you, everyone deserves it. You fell for freaking Davy Jones, for heavens sakes.

Yes, I remember that very well.

Don't forget Tox, you know.

Yeah, him too...

Ironically, they're both guys.

Inhuman guys, mind.

Eh, point.

Girl-wise, she has Shade, Makoto, Vonnie, Sarah, Celebi, Jena, Dori, Alex, and maybe Des or Kathy.

Geez, they're not all in the same category!

Dang, you probably didn't even list all of them.

I don't doubt it!

You two, come on. This is a bit... it's making me nervous.

Good. That means it's honest. If you were flaunting it shamelessly I'd seriously question your so-called love.

Ahem.

She doesn't flaunt you, you maniac. She just shows you off.

Laurie...

It's true, you want people to know that you love this blue guy.

Because no one else does. That's the point, I love him, and it's not something I should be ashamed of.

There you go.

What-- Laurie, I swear if I didn't love you too I'd strangle you.

You couldn't strangle me either way, boy.

Man, Laurie knows you like a book!

I know, love. I know.

But seriously, if you need a girl, go find one. Just keep Julie dead this time, you crazy loon.

I'm trying, you know I am.

Will you try still harder now?

Books reference!

I will try to.

Can we talk some more?

I don't know.

Why the hell not?

Laurie, if that was part of the lyrics, I would die laughing.

These conversations are such roller coasters.

That's good. Most people just go through their days in a haze; you need to shake things up like this whenever you can. Otherwise, you get that frankly horrific floating Jewel was suffering from.

I can't stand that. I get so nervous when I'm not actively busy.

Hence the Julie hacks, boy. Start wearing your flash drive around again; that'll keep the floozy away.

Hey, didn't you buy velour today, though?

Oh geez yeah I did.

Dude, you finally bought that bloody fabric?

Yep. It was cheaper than the freaking tail.

Nevermind how much it cost, you start working on that. If there's anything you need right now it's optimism.

Optimism, hope, and love.

I'll be the hope, you be the love.

Will do, captain.

I don't know what I'd do without you two.

You'd be bored to death and probably a delinquent too, God bless your heart.

Laurie, I think you need to go home and go to sleep.

I am the angel of death!

That's... frighteningly fitting.

By the way, you work on losing that thanatos mode of yours.

The wh-- oh, the pain addiction. Yeah. I'm trying.

You'd better be. That's why I stopped attacking you-- you're turning it into positive reinforcement, which is screwed up. You need to flat-out fix yourself and fast.

I promise you I will, Laurie.

Cross your heart, kid, make it legit.

Done and done.

Now get to work before your boss fires you!

It's only-- geez, no, it's almost 10PM. You're right.

You've been late the past several days, Jewel. Laurie's right; you could use the overtime.

Hey, if I'm working overtime, sweetheart, you'd better ask my boss if you can 'stand in' for a while. I haven't seen you around in a while.

You think that's my choice, J? As long as you're looking for me I'm looking for you.

And as long as the two of you are still here I'm going to be ticked off. Get your tails to bed already, there won't be any late night meltdowns during work hours.

All right, all right, I'm off. Thank you, Laurie.

Anytime, kid. I may not be cute, but I'm here for you if you need me.

I could care less about the cuteness, honestly. But thanks again, Laur... it means more than I can really say.

Actions speak louder than words, Jewel. You wanna say 'thank you?' Get the heck to bed and don't screw up tomorrow. Aiite?

Aiite. See you soon, Laurie. You get some sleep too.

Haha, sleep? Nah, I'm the bloody graveyard shift here.

You don't sleep?

Do I look like I have time to sleep?

Well, now that you mention it, Johnny C. didn't sleep either.

Oh man, good one!

Hey, you watch it or I'll nail YOU to the wall.

I'd rather you didn't; that would put quite a damper on my search for answers.

So will sleep deprivation. MOVE IT.

All right, all right!

Geez, no matter how stressed out I get at the end of these things, I love these conversations.

You said it!

Oh yeah, uh-- you two should really use the back door.

Ffffffff--

Holy fish, I almost forgot. Thank you!!

Don't mention it. Just doing my job.

I saw that smirk.

Heheheh!