if we can call them friends then we can call them on their telephones

[fingersandteeth]

Who: Steven Durante + the other Rockets
Where: Various places in Goldenrod City + over poke-Skype
When: Late March/Early April
Summary: Steven has a few emotional conversations with his co-workers
Rating: PG-13, with the inevitable likeliness of some threads going up to R in terms of language and conversational subjects. Anything too wicked goes to an inbox.

[This is a catchall post for various inter-Rocket threads with Steven taking place at the end of March/first half of April, with the starters for those threads in their own comments inside.]

Comments

cw speaking of smuppets I GUESS

[uber_marionettist]

The fabric... sensation is not so much soft as it is silky to the point of negation, a texture in absentia. The ghost of a fleece past, if you want to be tacky and obvious about it.

And Dirk goes very, very still.

"Uh."

Wow.

Damn.

This isn't fucking uncomfortable or nothing. No specific tactile resemblance to certain materials with a distinct conditioned physiological response.

Good fucking thing he knows how to deal with that. Surreptitiously. Holy fuck.

"You gonna get that, or am I expected to do both that and remind you that canon isn't dead myself?"

He feels like he's about to absolutely fucking lose it, with "it" in this case meaning either his sanity or his extremely frayed, bare-wire patience for what is already testing the former.

Clench a certain group of muscles. Release. Redirect the blood flow. Act fucking normal.

THERE'S ONLY A ONE LETTER DIFFERENCE

[fingersandteeth]

Oh Dirk. Steven probably shouldn't be so amused by your plight, but there's that well-concealed sadistic streak rearing its shitty head again.

He stands up. Moves closer to Dirk's head. Holds out his own hands.

"Hey, kiddo, I know you want to love on him, I do, but he's not me and he's not Lydia. Not everyone likes to be cuddled, remember?"

He glances at Dirk. "Sorry," he says, not sounding particularly sorry. "That's Miasma and Casper's kid. The other two were Gastlies, but this one takes after their dad. Shuppets are... really affectionate, depending on the person. This little guy has been following me around pretty much since they were hatched—they like to hide in my pocket—you're one of very few people I've seen them leave me for. You sure you aren't in the market for a new Ghost?"

The little shuppet, unfortunately, really doesn't seem to want to leave their new best friend. This garbage brain is theirs.

GOD IT'S TRUE

[uber_marionettist]

"Do I have a choice." It's as much a growl as it is a groan. Try not to read too much into the meaning of that groan--any interpretation comes with a shade of agony anyway.

SMUPPET THE SHUPPET?

[fingersandteeth]

Steven, feeling a little cocky, gives Dirk a brief pat on his shoulder.

"Honestly? I don't think they're going to leave. But, uh, I've noticed Casper's always most affectionate when my brain feels like it's caught on fire, so maybe... maybe his kid will be good for you to have around." He shrugs. "Why don't I leave you two to bond? I mean, now that I know you're more or less going to be okay and you managed to eat most of supper."

He'll just-- start walking towards the door now.