week 3, Sunday, post-execution

[pinesfortruth]

[so after ... That... display, Dipper's a bit hesitant to approach Jake (and Dirk, who is probably his shadow), but then again-- he said he'd wanted to talk, and maybe it'd get his mind off of... disembowelment, which wowie is Dipper trying to not Think about that, like, at all. so. he gives the boy enough time to like wash out the blood probably (yikes? yikes) before going to find him]

Hey, Jake, um-- [should he mention the execution. let's not? let's not] you wanted to talk?

[dirk will get a little awkward half-wave of acknowledgement. wow dipper. super smooth. nailed it.]

Comments

[potentite]

We think the group here, the ones facilitating the murders, are soulless. Mira wasn't hamming it up when she told Dirk she had no soul. It was the price she paid to become one of the key murderers here.

[splinten]

Which explains the Paranoid's role a lot better.

[pinesfortruth]

[dipper just continues to look... nervous, at that admission]

... Yeah, I, uh, kind of. Already knew that. A little. [w o o p s] That's why I wasn't surprised we were sacrifices for some kind of ritual-- the killers are already selling their souls for whatever the incentive is, so. It made sense.

[it settles into sheepishness]

But thanks for telling me?

[potentite]

[That actually makes Jake smile a little.] So you know The Paranoid's rules.

[splinten]

[lmfao

like deadpan, but also: lmfao]

[pinesfortruth]

... Noooope, I don't. I haven't seen anyone's rules but my own and Mabel's.

[potentite]

Oh really? Then how did you figure it out?

[splinten]

[dipper please]

[pinesfortruth]

It, uh... Well, it made sense when I thought about it? The--the bible stuff from this week confirmed it for me. Yep. That's what did it.

[he says, not looking them in the eye]

Like I said, I've dealt with supernatural stuff before, so.

[potentite]

[Jake wants to ruffle Dipper's hair but luckily he is getting used to having his hands on his crutches, so.]

It's all right if you don't want to tell us.

[splinten]

You maybe want practice on your poker face though.

[pinesfortruth]

[he is not yet old enough to not secretly enjoy hair ruffles, fyi, though now he's just pouting]

Okay, look, it's not like I made it a personal habit of mine to lie to people before this! It's weird to just tell you guys stuff but then have to hold other stuff back!

[if he's just lying outright the entire time he has a much easier time of it rip dipper]

[potentite]

I understand. I'm, um, painfully honest? And trusting.

[He's trying to think of good advice.]

When it's something I can't talk about... I try to say something related to it that doesn't sound like a topic change but is. Because, um, well, I can't lie well, either.

[splinten]

[Can't believe Dipper is the mpreg child of Dirk and Jake]

[pinesfortruth]

[banned. you're banned.]

It's more the concept of secrets being potentially life or death that trips me up. I get ... nervous.

[potentite]

Oh, yes, that part is chilling. [Luckily, Jake has severe anxiety, so everything feels like the end of the world anyway. Still, he tries to think of something.] Hmm. Can you... not think of it as life and death?

[He's not good at this sorry.]

[splinten]

[Gently pats]

Yeah, just life and Afterlife.

[pinesfortruth]

[dipper's middle name is anxiety, probably]

That is the opposite of helpful.

[potentite]

Sorry. I really am trying! During the trial, well, it was a little obvious what you were holding back and so forth. I just... don't want that to disadvantage you.

[Jake doesn't want anyone to die but he'd be especially sad if it was Dipper.]

[splinten]

We'd like you and your sister to not die.

[pinesfortruth]

Yeah?? Me too????

[in a slightly hysterical tone because look, listen, he is tRYING, man]

[potentite]

[Oh no, Dipper. Jake is still emotional and drowning in empathy so he wants to hug him but he's also still socially awkward and on crutches so he just shifts, looking down.]

Well... Um, I understand... why you can't just take us at face value, if I just told you to trust us. But, if either of you are in trouble, you can come to us. You don't have to tell us why.

[splinten]

[Silently, Dirk guide Dipper over for an awkward hug. He will be the hug medium.]

[pinesfortruth]

[he was not expecting this to be a hugging moment but he lets himself be hugged and even sorta hugs back]

It's-- It's fine. Mabel and I have been in... I don't want to say worse situations, but we've been involved in some pretty messed up stuff. I know we're fine so long as we've got each other. I just-- [he gulps, a bit] Look, I don't want to endanger someone else just to save me and my sister.

[potentite]

[Good boy, Dirk. Jake shifts to get an arm around them both and hug.]

I know. Believe me, we were practically raised to deal with terrible things and we're still not... doing that great.