caughtinanetwork | 003 ☠ video/action

_{[ Evening, Network. It's been awhile since you've seen this kid on the network, but here he is. The video starts with him trying to adjust the communicator on the coffee table in the living room of his residence, though it falls over and there's an obvious "aw devilshits" in the darkness.
Ok, try again.
Looks like we're being picked up again and we see two curious green eyes behind thick, rectangular glasses. He sets the communicator up on a hard surface again and then steps back, muttering something incoherent to himself before he steps back and adjusts himself a little.

This is Jake. This is Jake with his hair actually combed and his face free from dirt and bruises. He's a bit over dressed for the communicator, wearing this. Just where the hell did he get that anyway?

The teen shuffles back against the living room sofa, the area brightened up by a mere lamp. Then, he lounges, crossing one ankle over the other and we see he's still wearing his combat boots. What a nerd. ]}

Greetings fellow residents. Uhmm.

_{[ Oh wait. He's pulling out a piece of paper now. It's obvious he's shaking by the way he's holding it and he reads off of it. ]}

If I am not terribly mistaken, the holiday known as Valentine's Day is coming up within a duo weeks, and it would be my greatest honor to escort an individual on this day. It is absolutely peachy if you want this not to be anything too, uhm, forward on the romancing spectrum, but rather just one of comradery, especially if I am unacquainted with you.

_{[ A deep breath. He withdraws from his pocket a handkerchief and paps his face down a little. He lowers the paper and looks at the camera. ]}

I've never celebrated Valentine's Day, so, uhhhhhh. I don't want to be alone for this holiday. And while friends and what have you are absolutely splendid, it is customary to have a specific date if I am understanding correctly. I guess.. that's it? I'm asking in advance so may chance we can get to know each other first, or plan accordingly on schedule. I'll make sure to take care of the dinner one way or another!

_{[ He'll be spearing fishes and preparing it that way, jsyk. ]}

Uhhh, shoo. Well, thanks.

_{[ /end personal advertisement. He'll reach way over and click the communicator off. ]

[ Action available for room mates! ]}

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

_{[ He expects to make contact with Dirk, but instead he sort of just runs into the couch and topples over onto it. In defeat, he lies on his stomach here, sprawled out with his face in the cushions.
A moment passes and he lifts his head, putting his chin in his hand. ]}

I was on the scout for a potential other to celebrate Valentine's Day with when that holiday rolls around.

_{[ Ughhh. This was so awkward. ]}

[Lucky for Jake that Roxy has gotten them a couch that is constantly covered with comfy blankets.

Whatever Dirk was expecting to hear, it definitely wasn't that. It actually takes him a moment to respond.]

... What even gave you that idea?

Uhm..
Christmas was fantastic. You know how much I enjoyed that.

_{[ He rolled on his back and stretched out, then sort of covered his face with his hands. ]}

I'm.. not sure. I guess I wanted to celebrate the next holiday as traditionally as possible.

I know you didn't even remember it was Christmas morning, and you didn't even join the rest of us in a cuddlepile.

[Dirk's not letting up on this one. In fact, he's just standing there, staring at Jake now.]

If you're trying to celebrate it traditionally, you're doing a shit job. Isn't it supposed to be about spending a day with a person you love?

[That... actually hurts. A lot. Not even that Jake didn't even consider him, because that would have been nice, but that he didn't even ask any of their friend group- the people that he's known the longest, the ones who are closest to him. With this on top of feeling like Jake has been avoiding him, he's rapidly approaching 'done with this shit.']

_{[ whoah holy shit. He sits up, glancing at Dirk with his brows arched. Curling his fingers and lifting them to his lips, he thinks for a moment. ]}

Erm. I don't precisely... well, I mean, I'm not positive that I really love anybody. I mean, I figured it would be rather awkward if I were to ask any of you three out on a date for Valentine's.

I wouldn't want to cause any sort of awkward drama between us four, if you get what I am saying, Dirk.

_{[ Have a gentle smile. ]}

And my apologies about forgetting when Christmas was. My mind seems to be slippery as a greased watermelon as of late.
I mean, I know for a given fact Jane probably wouldn't want to be escorted, so that's one.

[He should really be calming down.

In fact, he should really be stopping right here. He should just end the conversation, get his food, and get back to work. Maybe beat up a robot.

Instead, he keeps standing there, carefully not clenching his fists. Carefully not tensing at all. Carefully keeping his voice level, because if he doesn't he'll dissolve into shouting.]

If you're not positive, then you might as well not bother with the fucking holiday.

And, all in all, I think it's a bit late for awkward. If you get what I'm saying, Jake.

_{[ He gets what you're saying cause he knows, but he doesn't want you to know that he knows and so he just adverts his gaze for a moment, falling quiet as he thinks for a moment. ]}

--You're right, I suppose.

[The burning anger deflates, replaced instead by hurt. He'd expected to have to explain just exactly what had been awkward, to have to give every little detail of how Jake had been avoiding him for these past few months. Somehow, this is worse, because it means that Jake has been doing it on purpose. He's barely been pretending things are normal.]

So I think you owe me an explanation.

_{[ Oh shit. Jake folds his hands and looks at Dirk. ]}

Uhmm.
Explanation?

You've been avoiding me for months, it's incredibly fucking obvious. You could at least tell me why.

[As far as Dirk can tell, he's been acting normal. He's trying to analyze it in his head, and he still can't find anything that he did differently. But something must have happened, right?]

Oh, uhmmm. Well, I--

_{[ God. This was difficult. ]}

I-- do suppose I have an explanation, along with an apology.
But it's complicated. Are you certain you want to know about it tonight?

Yes.

[He's giving Jake a look again. Give Jake more time to avoid him, while he knows it's on purpose and gets to think up all the different reasons why it might be happening on his own? The only good thing about the situation is that he doesn't have the AR here to taunt him.]

As if 'complicated' has ever stopped me.

_{[ Jake watches the floor for a moment before he stands up and brushes himself off a little. With a deep breath, he brushes his hand against Dirk's before gently curling his fingers around his hand and holding it.

Woah.

Already looking exhausted, he doesn't make eye contact with Dirk. ]}

I would be much obliged if we had a talk in an even more private area.

[Oh.

Wow, okay. What even. He kind of wants to be hopeful about this. But Jake's not looking at him right now, and he's not sure how to interpret that.]

Your room?

Seems safe enough.

_{[ And he'll guide Dirk there, form which we close this thread and create a log. ]}

003 ☠ video/action

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