From sad to interesting to hip

[firewalled]

[The first thing Rich notices is that his hospital bed is feeling mighty uncomfy at the moment. No matter how he tries to shift himself around, it feels like he's sleeping on rocks. He really doesn't want to wake up so soon, but with a mumble, he opens his eyes, hoping that maybe one of his friends has popped in to visit.

When he opens his eyes, he doesn't see any of his friends. In fact, he doesn't see the room he's almost gotten used to. When he turns his head to the side, he notices what he mistook for his hospital bed is actually a hard stone chair, something like a throne that he's currently seated in.

Then he notices that he is seated, and looking down at his legs, the bandages are completely gone. He makes a confused noise as he lifts his arms. They're mobile again... covered in scars, but otherwise healed. He frowns and looks around the room.]

Um... Mr. Nurse Dude? Did the doctors take the casts off while I was out?

[He takes in the rest of the room: the tall stained glass windows, the looming pillars, the sprawling velvet carpet covering stone floor. He feels way tinier than he usually does.]

...Also am I high?

[There is regrettably no answer. Not when he calls for Jake or Michael or Jeremy, not when he even tries calling for Chloe or Brooke. He waits for a while, but, antsy as he was when he couldn't move his limbs, it isn't long before he hops off the throne and starts using his newly healed legs to start wandering.]

((This is a joint intro of sorts! Rich's bestest bro Jake Dillinger (jakeyd) will have a tag under this post to respond to if you are so inclined.))

Comments

[jakeyd]

Oh, cool! [He ignores the question momentarily, assuming Rich's embarrassment is over his scars; and in Jake's mind, his best bro's feelings took precedent over his legs magically healing. It was a lot easier to figure out, too.]

'Cuz I wanted to say they looked really badass, but not if they were still like, painful, you know? But...uh, yeeeah. I was sort of on the way to the vending machine and my wheelchair and casts just went: poof! I mean, they didn't actually make a sound, but they were just gone.

I know we're not dreaming, though, because it hurt when I fell on my ass. [But what explanation that leaves, he has no idea.]

[firewalled]

B-Badass? Seriously, dude? You, uh, you know I've relapsed back into being a total loser right?

[He gestures at his mouth to emphasize his lisp, though he is smiling a bit. God, if he's somehow still managing to be cool and tough despite all his many nerdy attributes, this castle place has to be some magical fantasy land.]

Are you sure you're okay though, dude? Because uh, I don't know if I'd trust a place that magically disappears wheelchairs to make you okay. Speaking of, we're in... like a castle? Have you seen anyone else here?

[jakeyd]

[Jake holds up a hand and begins counting with his fingers as he talks.]

Uh: badass scars, cool voice pattern or whatever, fought an evil super computer, muscles? Pretty sure that makes you an action movie hero, dude.

[Magic has basically nothing on you, Rich, come on now. Though, as for the weirdness at hand...]

But yeah, I dunno? It doesn't feel like when the squip turned off pain sooo I think I am, probably? I've only been here a few minutes, all I've done is figure out I can stand up without crutches.

[firewalled]

[Holy shit, Rich is blushing. Jake is kind of making some good points, but Rich is also way too flustered at the possibility that the most popular dude in school still thinks he's cool.]

I can't believe this shit. The dude I idolized all through high school thinks I'm the next James Bond. I mean, don't think a lisp counts as a cool voice pattern, plus Michael did all the saving our asses.

[Which was kind of amusing in hindsight to think about how Rich, who was supposed to be out of commission during the play, still sat bolt upright and screamed for a good two minutes as his squip imploded. Poor nurses.

Speaking of squips, Rich glowers a bit at the mention of Jake's.]

Fucking asshole. Still can't believe he did that to you... as long as it's not like that, you're probably fine.

Executive decision is: he already complimented the lisp at least once

[jakeyd]

[Uh wow, idolized is a strong word but, okay, hopefully that means Rich will listen to him about how cool he is even without some stupid machine telling him what to do.]

Bro. [Jake puts a hand on his Rich's shoulder, trying to convey how completely serious he's being. Rich has gotta know his lisp isn't something to be ashamed of.]

I told you: your lisp is hella charming. You could totally pull off smooth bond shit with it. I'd watch that movie, no joke. Anyway, ah...

[Jake's hands retreat to his jean pockets.]

It's not like either of us could have saved anyone once we were squipped. Micheal actually tried to get my help making Jeremy drink the red dew and, uh...my squip sorta got me to pour out most of it.

It had that much control over me in such a short time, I can't imagine how hard it was for you to try and break free after literal years. Whether you saved anyone or not, you're definitely action hero material. [Especially since it was Jake who nearly got them all stuck like that forever.]

o7

[firewalled]

[Idolized is probably not the word he'd use to describe what he feels towards Jake now, of course. He was a young and stupid freshman. But he still had immense respect for what his friend believed in, and so that means he kind of has to take him seriously now. Even if it's hard to hear something that goes so against what he's told himself. He bites his lip and looks off to the side with a nervous laugh.]

Aw, geez, man. You're getting me all embarrassed. I can't be the next Bond when my face is a tomato, bro.

[And then he winces softly. He'd heard a bit of what happened at the school play, but Michael had described it all in fast-paced, onomatopoeia-laced dialogue that made it sound like a level of a video game rather than a fight for their lives. He never explicitly said anything about which squipped person did what, knowing it wasn't really them who did anything. So hearing what Jake actually experienced is difficult, as he tries to associate his closest friend with a zombie.]

Dude, it's not your fault. Squips are just... fucked up. They'll do anything to succeed in getting you what they think you want. So of course you didn't want to pour that out, but you did.

...But you did still hold back, you know. You didn't hurt anyone. If I'm an action hero for resisting, than you are too.

[jakeyd]

[He takes a few moments to mull over Rich's words, while trying to remember all his own thoughts and feelings during the play. Eventually Jake smiles a little, one hand finally emerging from his pockets to rest behind his neck.]

Yeah, okay, I'll take on the title 'action hero' if you do, deal?

[firewalled]

Deal, bro. We can be the next awesome buddy cop team!

[Now that that is settled, though, Rich puts his hands on his hips and surveys the area.]

So... uh, should we put our cop skills to good use and see if we can figure out where the fuck we are?

[jakeyd]

Yeah, dude! [Jake clears his throat before pointing dramatically off in the direction Rich hadn't come from. He figures Rich already saw at least some of what was back there, so they may as well head somewhere new to the both of them.]

Let us discover what lies beyond this gloomy hallway!

[He announces, before glancing over at his friend for a reaction.
How'd he do, drama club paying off yet?]

[firewalled]

[Rich stares at him blankly for a few uncomfortable seconds before snorting and launching into wheezing laughter.]

Dude, you may want to leave that to Jeremy and Christine.

[Actually, thinking of them brings up another uncomfortable question. Rich stares at Jake with wide eyes.]

Dude, do you think we're like... missing? Everyone at Middle Borough's gonna be freaked!

1/2

[jakeyd]

[Jake lowers his arm once Rich starts to laugh, but he doesn't look disappointed in the reaction he got. Actually, he's just grinning like an idiot the entire time, having realized this was what his best bro's laugh really sounded like. It was so...genuine, and nice. Plus: really, really cute.

Why had Rich been hiding all these adorable habits for so long? Heck, why weren't people lining up to date him before the squip? Oh, Jake was being asked a question. What was it? Something about school?]

[jakeyd]

[Jake's brain finally processes what his ears heard while he wasn't paying attention, and...oh. Oh no.]

Oh shit dude, you're right! The hospital too...pretty sure they aren't used to patients covered in casts disappearing.

[firewalled]

[Rich, of course, isn't used to thinking of his qualities as cute. He was mocked relentlessly for snorting when he laughed before, to the point of him making an effort not to even smile during freshman year. He is glad he's past that at the very least, but it's going to take time for him to really get used to them. Time he doesn't have when he's freaking out.]

Shit! What are we gonna do? Maybe there's like... someone here who can point out how to get back?

[Without waiting for an answer, he grabs Jake's wrist to drag him down the hallway. Exploring!]

[jakeyd]

[Jake doesn't complain, simply falling into step with his best bro as he usually does. This is pretty usual behavior for the Rich he knows, kinda nice to know that wasn't just because he was squipped.]

What kinda people live in creepy magic castles? Like...wizards?? Vampires?

[firewalled]

[His whole personality can't do a complete 180 just from having a squip. He's still himself no matter what. And right now he's a guy stubbornly marching through a castle. He turns back to beam at Jake.]

Uh-oh, is Jake scared? What if a vampire vants to suck my bloooood? I need you to back me up!

[jakeyd]

[Well, Jake only had his squip for under an hour so he's pretty unclear on the long term effects.]

Bro! [He pretends to be offended, putting his free hand to his chest.]

How dare you insinuate that I wouldn't have your back against a vampire! I am obviously just trying to prepare!

[He throws his head back over-dramatically and moves his hand to his forehead instead.] You wound me, dude.

[firewalled]

[Rich is definitely glad Jake didn't have to deal with that for longer.]

Aw, it's okay, man. I trust you. Besides, I'd want to get first punch on a vampire anyways, so you'd just have to wait!

[jakeyd]

[Jake laughs a little, because he can one-hundred percent see Rich running up to a vampire and straight up punching it.]

Got it bro, I'll just find a wooden stake while you keep it busy.

[firewalled]

[Excuse you, that's the best way to deal with any problem.]

See? This is why you're my best bro. We make the perfect team!

[jakeyd]

[It's definitely worked for Rich so far.]

Damn right! Action heroes have to stick together! Well they don't have to, but they should. The movie's always better that way.

[As fun as chilling with his bro again is, their situation is starting to weigh on Jake. He's begun glancing into any open doors or rooms they pass, a little concerned that they haven't run into any other people yet.]

[firewalled]

Heh, you're totally right! Better to see two guys being bros than just a boring lone wolf.

[But as they're walking along, Rich is definitely starting to get nervous.]

Geez. Maybe we should try to find food first. If we don't run into someone soon, we're going to need it.

JUST GUYS BEING BROS HOLDING HANDS

[jakeyd]

Yeah, that sounds like a good plan. I was already looking for a drink when I got dumped here.

[Jake wriggles the arm Rich has a hold of until they're simply holding hands, so he can give his friend a comforting little squeeze.]

Besides! If we find the food, someone's bound to come along eventually as soon they get hungry, right?

JAKE YOU CAN'T JUST DO THIS TO RICH HE'S NOT GONNA BE ABLE TO HANDLE

[firewalled]

Yeah, dude, my throat's parched too. I could drink anything right now... except maybe not Mountain Dew.

[He turns back to grin about his joke, but then Jake suddenly grips his hand so tightly and reassuringly and his hand is so warm and strong and holy shit Rich is too bisexual to deal with this. He turns his head back away from Jake in an attempt to hide his blush.]

I, uh, I guess so! Heh, we'll find someone in no time.

8D? WHAT DO YOU MEAN BUDDY?

[jakey_d]

[Jake laughs, missing that there was any reaction to moving his hand at all. He's used to the both of them hanging off each other all the time, why would Rich suddenly be uncomfortable about it?]

Oh yeah dude, I don't think any of us are going to 'do the dew' again.

[Unless it's red. You know, they should probably start a petition to bring that stuff back just in case.]

Did anything look like it led to a kitchen back where you arrived? Or should we just keep going this way?

[firewalled]

[Of course they were used to touching each other... when Rich had been suppressing the realization that he was bi. That's not the case now. Rich is painfully aware that he's into dudes as well as ladies, and it's making him realize that his weird fixation on Jake wasn't just him wanting what Jake had, like his squip had said.

Whatever. Ignore it for now. Just focus on food. His bro's straight anyways. He can learn to ignore this.]

Nah, don't think I saw anything like thaaaaat...

[He trails off as they pass a room that is certainly not a kitchen, but... something way more awesome. He tugs on Jake's hand as he drags him over to the doorway, pointing at the set up inside.]

Dude! Look at all this cake! What the fuck?