[AUDIO]

[kingtyrantranger]

Guys, just ignore them. The more you respond to the anons and get angry at them, the more they're getting what they want. Just don't give them any attention and go about your usual stuff.

You matter to them more than their opinions should matter to you.

Comments

[action]

[captainbuzzkill]

[Dipper shows up to pick up the omnicom and -- oh. Dave's still there.]

Annnd you're still here.

[For a moment, he stands there, dithering over what to do or not...and then turns around and tries to leave the way he came. Not so fast that he can'e be stopped, but he's definitely skittish and embarrassed right now, and it's easier to just ignore things and pretend nothing's wrong.]

Nope.

[turntex]

[Definitely not so fast that he can't be stopped, not when Dave does a little quantum leap to block the doorway the moment he sees Dipper start turning around. Popping out into the regular flow of time, Dave's standing there with his arms crossed, frowning faintly.]

No "nope". What the hell, man? I'm not the one who was being an asshole on that post. No need to act like I'm diseased and highly infectious. Not even gonna call an ambulance or anything, too fuckin' late to do anything but flee the scene and hope you didn't catch anything.

[captainbuzzkill]

[Dipper pulls his baseball cap down over his eyes more and stands there with his shoulders hunched up, arms stiff at his sides.]

I just... don't...

[He doesn't even know what he wants or how to articulate anything.]

Nobody else has to tell me I was a jerk, I already know.

[turntex]

[For a moment Dave just blinks -- not that you can see it with the shades anyway, but his face still manages to convey surprise and confusion.]

What? No, dude, shut up. I'm talking about the anonymous assholes. You didn't do anything wrong.

[Is that why he took off like that earlier? Fuck, Dave is so unequipped for this shit.]

[captainbuzzkill]

I said some stuff about the missing Legionnaires that was totally over the line.

[He shrugged his shoulders up even more, like he was trying to sink into his own body.]

And some of what they said wasn't wrong.

[And that's why he's so confused right now, because what if they're right? What does it say about him that all of that was so easy?]

Can I just have my omnicom back?

[turntex]

[Shit, kid.

Dave wilts a little, like he can't even keep up his own cool and collected bit when Dipper's just radiating misery. His mouth twists a little, unsure of what kind of expression it should be making, and for a moment he just moves to hold the omnicom out.

But then, inspiration strikes, and he lifts the device back up out of Dipper's reach.]

Only if you come get ice cream with me.

[captainbuzzkill]

[Dipper frowns.]

Forced socializing. Brutal, man.

[He throws up his hands.]

Fine. I'll get ice cream with you.

[turntex]

[Dave attempts to keep a straight face, but the corner of his mouth quirks slightly upward anyway.]

I know, it's fuckin' heinous. I shouldn't be allowed out in public with a history of crimes like these, let alone be allowed to play defender of justice.

[Turning in the direction of the mess hall, Dave just indicates for Dipper to follow his with a little sideways nod of his head.]

C'mon, it's my goal to try all roughly five thousand flavors and I've only gotten through like twenty so far. And not even the exciting ones.