"I know what it is in literary criticism, Dirk," Steven says, rubbing his brow in frustration. "I misspoke when I called it a metaphor, but I did take English classes beyond freshman comp, even if that's not what I got my degree in. It's when you separate a work from its creator to analyze it. And yeah, no, I'm not surprised that an avatar of Andrew Hussie died in story--that's the kind of shit he'd do."

There. Might be a small, dark Pokemon wiggling out of Steven's coat pocket just now, whether or not Dirk notices it. Shuppet like people whose brains are full of garbage, bad thoughts, and anger... and currently Steven's brain is not the biggest trashfire in the room.