[That, at least, lifts Rindo's mood somewhat. Looks like she shared the same worry.
It's true that Swallow was a bit… abrasive, in person. If she acted the same when they met back home as she did when they met in Ryslig, then he can't imagine he would have liked her, not without the context of her identity. However, right now, he can tell: the Swallow he knows is right there under that thorny exterior.
He trusts in that, but… He's curious.]
i get that tbh... so howd it go did we end up getting along?
[It was a test, of sorts. Just a way to ask his "future" self how to feel. How often do you have that kind of opportunity? At least it looks like, on the topic of Swallow, his and the other Rindo's views align.
He sighs. This is just… messed up. Maybe he didn't disappoint Swallow back in her timeline when she met him in person, but here and now is another matter entirely. Of course she's disappointed that he's not the Rindo she's come to appreciate. He knows that—he'll never forget how heartbroken she looked when she realized he didn't recognize her.
Conflicting feelings arise—bitter shame at failing her, defiant anger at not even being given a chance to do anything but.
He shouldn't be here. He can't even be himself right, and it's not a high bar to clear.]
[Was that the wrong thing to say? It seems like it, judging by the terseness of that reply, though she's not sure what else she could have said to such a direct question.
Maybe, "what does it matter"?]
i may have already told you who i am, but what i said before is still true i want you to get to know me and i want to get to know you too if that's ok
[…What is there for Swallow to get to know about? She's just… humoring him.
…It's a kindness, isn't it? From her, he'd expect nothing less—but it's warped and twisted by the circumstances into something that hurts instead. How can he ever measure up against this unknown self? In what world does he not fall end up falling short of her expectations? He already has.
The alternative—her giving up on him, because he's not the Rindo she wanted to see—is far more painful, though. If she holds out her hand, then he'll take it, lined with thorns as it may be.]
well, good! and thanks i'm just happy that i get to talk to you again, rindragon there's nothing you can do to make me regret that
[But maybe she will regret admitting that much—that even just a small, selfish part of her would be glad that he's here, trapped in the hellish monster freakshow with her, devoid of any memories that might better prepare him for that.]
right back at you though i hope i'm not a complete letdown lol
[Really? Rindo doubts that. Maybe she means what she says right now, but eventually she'll realize the gap between who he is and who she'd hoped he was is simply too wide to bridge. And then, he'll be truly alone.
But… he's still touched by her words. He wants to believe in them so badly. And to be frank, believing may be the only way he'll keep himself going in this hell.
In light of that, the rest of her messages makes him feel almost indignant.]
u could never be not when ur giving me a chance
[How can a gesture mean so much and yet feel like poison at the same time…?]
[It's all too obvious that he's beating himself up. When she messaged him, her hope had been to make him feel at least a little better about things. Feel supported, at the very least, and less alone. But it seems like she's only made things worse for him.
Then again, it's only his second day. It would probably be unfair to expect any show of comfort from him this soon.
The first reply that comes to mind is a dumb one... But it'll be familiar to him, at least.]
[…She remembered his favorite quote. Even though she's not a fan of An0ther herself, even though she's been here for so long… That… means a lot, actually. Enough for him to get choked up, it seems.
About two minutes pass before the next messages appear.]
ur right...
sorry im not the rindo u knew cant promise ill measure up but i want to be friends even if its selfish...
<rindragon>
Date: 2023-05-16 08:44 pm (UTC)It's true that Swallow was a bit… abrasive, in person. If she acted the same when they met back home as she did when they met in Ryslig, then he can't imagine he would have liked her, not without the context of her identity. However, right now, he can tell: the Swallow he knows is right there under that thorny exterior.
He trusts in that, but… He's curious.]
i get that tbh...
so howd it go
did we end up getting along?
<SWALLOW>
Date: 2023-05-17 06:13 am (UTC)eventually XD
you think i would've reacted the way i did to finding you if we weren't friends?
<rindragon> cw: implied suicidal ideation
Date: 2023-05-21 03:26 am (UTC)[It was a test, of sorts. Just a way to ask his "future" self how to feel. How often do you have that kind of opportunity? At least it looks like, on the topic of Swallow, his and the other Rindo's views align.
He sighs. This is just… messed up. Maybe he didn't disappoint Swallow back in her timeline when she met him in person, but here and now is another matter entirely. Of course she's disappointed that he's not the Rindo she's come to appreciate. He knows that—he'll never forget how heartbroken she looked when she realized he didn't recognize her.
Conflicting feelings arise—bitter shame at failing her, defiant anger at not even being given a chance to do anything but.
He shouldn't be here. He can't even be himself right, and it's not a high bar to clear.]
<SWALLOW>
Date: 2023-05-21 07:05 pm (UTC)Maybe, "what does it matter"?]
i may have already told you who i am, but what i said before is still true
i want you to get to know me
and i want to get to know you too
if that's ok
<rindragon>
Date: 2023-05-23 01:23 am (UTC)…It's a kindness, isn't it? From her, he'd expect nothing less—but it's warped and twisted by the circumstances into something that hurts instead. How can he ever measure up against this unknown self? In what world does he not fall end up falling short of her expectations? He already has.
The alternative—her giving up on him, because he's not the Rindo she wanted to see—is far more painful, though. If she holds out her hand, then he'll take it, lined with thorns as it may be.]
thats ok
i just hope u wont regret it
<SWALLOW>
Date: 2023-06-25 07:06 am (UTC)i'm just happy that i get to talk to you again, rindragon
there's nothing you can do to make me regret that
[But maybe she will regret admitting that much—that even just a small, selfish part of her would be glad that he's here, trapped in the hellish monster freakshow with her, devoid of any memories that might better prepare him for that.]
right back at you though
i hope i'm not a complete letdown lol
<rindragon>
Date: 2023-06-29 08:42 pm (UTC)But… he's still touched by her words. He wants to believe in them so badly. And to be frank, believing may be the only way he'll keep himself going in this hell.
In light of that, the rest of her messages makes him feel almost indignant.]
u could never be
not when ur giving me a chance
[How can a gesture mean so much and yet feel like poison at the same time…?]
<SWALLOW>
Date: 2023-07-01 10:08 pm (UTC)Then again, it's only his second day. It would probably be unfair to expect any show of comfort from him this soon.
The first reply that comes to mind is a dumb one... But it'll be familiar to him, at least.]
don't miss your chance to make a friend ;)
<rindragon>
Date: 2023-07-21 10:17 am (UTC)About two minutes pass before the next messages appear.]
ur right...
sorry im not the rindo u knew
cant promise ill measure up
but i want to be friends even if its selfish...