→ 002; [voice]

[trashed]

[Guess who's actually doing a network post on his own free will, for once? That's right. This kid. But ever since he'd come back from his kidnapping, he'd been feeling a little bit...off. It wasn't something he could really place, though. Not yet.

He needed a distraction. One that isn't trying to pick a physical fight with people because that never seemed to end well here. If he's already not feeling on the top of his game it's going to end even worse than usual.]

What's the point of friendships?

[There's a bit of a pause, before he tacks on:]

Don't give me that warm and fuzzy stuff, either. I don't want to hear it.

[Well, that was short and sweet enough. He's just. Going to end it here.]

Comments

[voice]

[trashed]

[No.]

I'm not interested in that. [Experiencing it, that is.

And who (besides Ion) would actually try to befriend this guy anyway--] Guess I'll just miss out.

[ voice ]

[godbent]

Because if you ask a a question then I can ask a question, that's how these things work.

[Voice]

[savedtheworld]

I'm sorry! That's not a nice thing to call them, though. But I don't think we've met, in that case. My name's Aang! And I know all about friendship.

[distressedude]

[He's lying.]

[Ion doesn't know why he knows that, but he does. Perhaps because Sync always lies? That's gotta be it.]

Nothing that I wouldn't attribute to the kidnapping itself. [...] But you're sure you haven't felt anything?

[Voice]

[heartofdragons]

Being under the same sky, looking up at the same stars, the same moon, feeling the same breeze rush by...

Ordinary things change when you're with friends. You appreciate them more. Just because you're enjoying them together.

[Voice]

[shamelessness]

Friendship doesn't have to be something that happens quickly. People can have close friends, and not-so-close friends.

[disastergirl]

I'm right about a lot of things! [Even though it had been more of a hunch than anything else.]

So, what do I win?

[trashed]

[This is getting mildly annoying.]

I said no! Stop asking!

[Voice]

[trashed]

How sentimental. Too bad it's not something I'm interested in.

[ voice ]

[trashed]

With no answers? We're just going to keep going in circles.

[Voice]

[trashed]

I don't care if it's nice or not.

[Hmph.] Sync. Just so you don't confuse me with them.

[Voice]

[trashed]

How do you know that your not-so-close friends are friends, then? How are they different than the people you meet on the street?

[trashed]

Nothing. You're not that special.

[Sync please...]

[Voice]

[shamelessness]

[Ah. He's so negative.]

For one, I think you'd talk to them more often.

[Voice]

[trashed]

[Basically, yeah.

Also point. But he's not going to mention that.]

So you're saying it's just how much trust you put into somebody. [Huff.] What if they just turn around and betray you?

[ voice ]

[godbent]

Fine, then one obvious answer is to have allies.

[wannabolt]

Uh, because it's kind of awesome? I get that you don't want a ton of sentimental stuff, but the fact is, friends make you feel good. They'll stick up for you when you need a helping hoof-- or hand, I guess. They're people to talk to, and hanging with friends is a lot less boring than trying to get by on your own. And what's the fun in life if you're too worried about getting hurt to actually live?

[Fear's natural, maybe, but as a bit of a daredevil, RD's not one to worry about what could happen... well, outside of a bit of stage fright when it comes to her idols. But hey, everyone's got limits.]

[disastergirl]

It was worth a shot. You can't blame me for trying!

[Although that whole "not special" thing hurt her pride a bit.]

[Voice]

[ps3pirate]

That's... up to you, I guess. Nobody can make you be friends with anyone. But just so you know, if you ever are looking for a friend, I'll be here. ...The name's Patty.

[Voice]

[bubblywishes]

[Well, that was a dead-on bulls-eye. She snickers quietly on her end of the journal - even if she probably shouldn't be. Honestly, how sad of a person do you have to be to have to convince yourself friends are blasphemous creations from the devil himself? Weirdo...]

Not when they pull a tantrum when someone goes against what they themselves already think and believe. I mean, either way you're in a lose-lose over here, Sunshine. You get someone who disagrees with you and you throw your hissyfit, and nothing changes - you remain the same doubtful dunderhead who cant accept he's wrong about something. On the other side of the bridge though, maybe you find someone who agrees with you! Friends stink, there's nothing good about them, blahblahblah... You know what happens next?

You two start talking, start sharing your opinions, your dislikes, your thoughts, ideas, and beliefs. And find you have something in common! Know what that's called? That's making a friend.

[Voice]

[shamelessness]

Sometimes it's worth taking that risk. You have to trust yourself to pick the right people.

[Voice]

[savedtheworld]

Oh. W-well, I definitely won't! It's nice to meet you, Sync. So... right, about friendships...

[Voice]

[yourfononsarewhack]

[He sighs.]

'Happy' isn't exactly a common emotion for me. Regardless, perhaps you can find friendship to be more appealing from a pragmatic perspective.

[dickmoves]

No, see. That's where you're wrong. An ally will watch your back. But they're not going to risk their neck for you.

[distressedude]

...but you're lying, aren't you?

[He's asking sincerely -- he feels so sure about it, and he isn't sure why. Normally he wouldn't bother if he just thought that Sync were lying because he didn't want to talk to him, but in this case it's almost as though he can feel it. After what happened to the two of them, anything out of the ordinary seems suspicious.]