Yeah. [ Come on, Fabian, of course Ragh has! It's Ragh! ] But Ragh's a friend. Did Ragh do this the first time you talked with him?
[ Gorgug shuffles, and then...he grows a few inches. Re-adjusting the arm restlessly uselessly over Fabian's shoulder, when it doesn't need adjusting at all, but he's doing all this (yes, he is getting on his tippy toes) as he says-- ] Look-- think about it. You're meeting me for the first day. I'm talking to you like this--
[ Also, he's inching in closer. He is asserting Dominance. Did Sam actually do this? Do you think he remembers? He's trying to appear taller! ]
You don't think it's intimidating? You're not intimidated?
[ Does he need to come in closer, bro? Bro??? He will!!! ]
[ He opens his mouth, about to tell what Ragh did do the first time Fabian met him, which was nothing like this but actually not really all that pleasant either, and of course Gorgug wouldn't have known that since he wasn't at Bloodrush try-outs the way Fabian had been--
But then Gorgug just.. gets more intense about this. Somehow. Which makes any and all words die in Fabian's throat. Not because he's intimidated, mind you, but mostly because he's starting to look more confused the more Gorgug tries to tower over him. Like he doesn't already kind of do that by default. ]
I-- What, is this meant to be intimidating?! [ He doesn't sound intimidated.. Sorry, bro. Just a little confused by all this sudden proximity going on! ] I mean, you are not even threatening me!
[ Threatening Fabian, technically, is not the point here. It's not about being deliberate, but when Fabian says he's not doing that, then--Gorgug becomes conflicted. Wondering how he would threaten Fabian, and then looking at him, but also catching sight of the baby still snoozing in the other's arms. Which means he can't be loud, right?
So, very carefully, trying not to knock the baby, Gorgug reaches for the front of Fabian's shirt and leans his head in; a delicate manner to his motion and even his touch, where he's not screwing up Fabian's clothes very hard.
And, in a whisper: ] I'll pummel you into the ground.
[ Please note the expression he's wearing that looks like his every day grimacing face that's looking for validating. Is this good? Is he threatening, Fabian? ]
Sure, this gets a few more points. Fabian can kind of see the vision this time, at least. Leaning onto him wasn't very intimidating, but the hand? He should probably be doing it harder, but Fabian figures that Gorgug is holding back on purpose. And he can even kind of understand the whispering must be because of the peaceful little robot baby bundle in Fabian's arms.
But that still leaves one problem.
One very big problem. A problem that is - quite literally - staring Fabian in the face right as they speak. ]
Gorgug--
[ He starts at his usual volume, but then immediately lowers the volume of his voice, almost as if he's being drawn along into Gorgug's pace over here.. ]
Why is your face like that?! [ Bro?! Is this your idea of intimidating? Are you uncomfortable?
.. do you just need to shit really bad? Because that's kind of what that face is telling him right now, and Fabian thinks that's likely not its intention? ]
Why is my face like what? What's wrong with my face?
[ Bro? Bro? Are you picking on him? Are you bullying him? After the touching moment they had?! Because Gorgug looks even worse than he did a moment ago, as if he's on the road to tears.
But it doesn't get there. Instead, he draws back his hand, turning his abashed expression to the ground. ]
I don't want to bully a dad holding his baby. It doesn't feel right, it just got out of hospital.
[ The sad thing is, it's partially the truth.... ]
[ Fine. Fabian does believe it's part of the reason. Especially when Gorgug clearly wouldn't want to do anything bad to the baby all over again after what happened. It's only natural that he'd try to be more gentle.
But also.. you know.
He knows Gorgug. He knows what Gorgug is like. And while Gorgug can be a beast on the battlefield, outside of it, it's.. This. Basically.
So even though Fabian is blunt enough to point out: ] You look like you're about to cry!
[ He at least is trying real hard to not make it sound as judgmental as it might have been when said to anyone else out there. ]
[ Why. Why is this the thing that's happening to him! He's supposed to be the one intimidating Fabian!
Instead, Gorgug is sputtering. He's moving back from Fabian with an utter look of offence creasing that constipated expression, and he truly does look like an upset kid. One that looks at Fabian and then looks away, as he needs the time to come to some conclusion that isn't all of these other emotions. Of betrayal. Of hurt! ]
Y-you know, Fabian-- [ He lifts a finger, pointing it (shakily) at his friend, ] --you're being a real-- loser.
[ That's not a cool 'what', by the way. It's not an intimidating 'what' at all. Fabian just sounds confused, as if what Gorgug was saying just now totally caught him by surprise - maybe neither of them knowing for sure anymore whether this is still an act of Gorgug trying to intimidate Fabian or just something that's happening for real.
Fabian sure doesn't know, anyway. It's why he looks so confused! What's going on! How did they get here! Is this all just because he was asking about Gorgug's fake dad?! ]
Why am I a loser?! [ His voice may be cracking a little on that last word.
You know. In a way that's very cool. I promise. ]
You can't just call me a loser, not even jokingly! [ BRO!!! Not in front of the baby!! ]
[ Leave it to Fabian to not even consider the reason he's been called a loser is because
he's a loser.
And Fabian's reaction is only bolstering the grumpy era inside Gorgug's heart. Fabian is telling him what he can and can't do?? Well, that only means that Gorgug is going to take that pointing finger of his....and poke Fabian on the chest with it. ]
Loser.
[ See!! You're not his dad! You're not his real or fake dad! What are you gonna do now!! Now that Gorgug is supreme (bully)!!!
Please forget the touching moment they had minutes ago inside the hospital. Gorgug has, apparently. In his search to be a big and confident half-orc who doesn't take no SHIT!!!! (shit may or may not be in gorgug's head) ]
[ Gorgug's grumpy era surely is something to behold. And it's not like Fabian hasn't seen it before - look, his friend sure got worked up at the festival that was held over at his place - it's stranger when it's both aimed at him and seems to come out of nowhere. There wasn't even a lawnmower this time! Not to mention that Fabian is holding an innocent child, and they just shared a sweet moment!
But something about the sheer absurdity of it actually calms Fabian down compared to a moment ago. Like his brain just can't make sense of it, so it's given up. No longer any need to get worked up when you've given up.
Or when you know: ]
Gorgug, I am the most popular person in our entire school. [ #humblebrag.
Except there's nothing humble about it. Fabian sounds like a peacock as he's saying it, like he didn't just break down inside of a hospital. Like he was like this the whole way through. For sure. Never was uncool. ]
If you have some sort of idea in your mind that is convincing you that you must insult me, you ought to do it with something better than a simple untruth.
Popular people can be losers. Dayne was a loser. So was Penelope--everybody decided they were popular.
[ Remember? Remember? At least Gorgug isn't poking at Fabian now, since Gorgug sees that it isn't working to the effect he wants (does he? maybe), and he's crossing his arms now to instead...fit the grumpier expression he's currently going for. Sulking, but who knows why? Gorgug isn't trying to fix himself here. He wants to continue to be toxic for no reason whatsoever.
All because of one reason he refuses to address. Because he is sulking. But at least he isn't trying to bring out any other ammo, or to push it any further than to make this point. Does he want to bully Fabian that hard? Not really.
[ He doesn't sound incredulous. Or angry. Or anything of the sort, really. Sure, Fabian does sound like he's teasing a little bit, but in that warm, friendly sort of way.
When you're trying to gently nudge a grumpy friend into admitting that he does actually think fondly of you, underneath all the grump. Fabian knows you do, Gorgug! You can't pull the wool over his eyes after the talk they had just now. ]
[ Is Gorgug really, truly going to compare a person he likes to those two people?
Ugh. Ugh. It doesn't help that Fabian's voice sounds kinda sweet...even if Gorgug's trying to be grumpy with him right now! So, begrudgingly, even though he's trying to make a point...!: ]
...You're not. [ Pah. pah!!! ] But my face isn't weird, either.
[ Fabian is about to go into full peacock mode - while still holding onto the baby - to celebrate him having been proven to be Right, and also having been proven to be the correct kind of popular guy compared to those shitty types, but..
.. well, that's the moment that Fabian realizes what's behind Gorgug's sulk. Because he had no idea, actually. Fabian didn't even think anything he said was that weird, and it's only now Gorgug is saying this that he realizes it was even bothering the other guy.
Maybe that's why he looks kind of surprised when he glances over at Gorgug again. ]
Wait, why did-- [ He stops himself mid-sentence, kind of incredulous over this. ] Did you take it that seriously? Your face is normal! It's just that you looked like you were about to cry, and that's not intimidating, just worrisome!
[ That's just it, Gorgug. You inspire worry in other people. At least, you do when you make a face like you're about to cry. ]
[ The sulking, grumpy expression breaks with how flabbergasted Fabian is, and it just turns into...a sad kind of sulk. A downtrodden look where Gorgug even drops his gaze to the ground, admitting: ]
I got insecure. I was trying my best to intimidate you, but-- it was hard. It wasn't a good situation.
[ All of the variables and conditions were wrong, and-- a deep sigh. ]
I've gotta go back to the drawing board.
[ The drawing board...of being a bully to your pal... ]
[ Thankfully Fabian is not taking this as Gorgug wanting to be intimidating in particular to him - or this would get really dumb really quickly again - but more as Gorgug wanting to be intimidating in general. Or maybe just towards his fake father? Fabian couldn't really blame him for the latter, it's important to have a relationship with any father you have where they should know that they have to respect you too..
Maybe it's the latter sentiment that gets him a little bit more serious, even though he's walking right next to a sulking friend. ]
Look, it's not that hard. With your face it's mostly--
[ He's reaching out with his free hand. You know, the one attached to the arm that isn't holding a baby. Fabian reaches up with that hand to try and move Gorgug's eyebrows. Don't mind a friend poking your face. ]
You always slant them in the wrong direction! If you move them that way, it makes you look sad or worried, but it's the other direction you need to seem tough or angry!
Ow. [ It's a tiny 'ow' that Gorgug gives; not because Fabian poked him anywhere actually painful, but because he can feel his hands poking around. Bro, they can't be poking his face while walking! He's stopping for a second to...feel at his own eyebrows.
Hold on, he's got to try a few silent screams here as he does mad faces. Mouth opening wide, brows tilting... Fabian, have you ever seen a guy try to do a mad yell before out in the middle of the street? It's only for a couple of seconds, since even without a mirror (and Gorgug feeling his forehead and his brows the entire time--were they really any different?), Gorgug can tell that his expression wasn't...the best.
It's kinda like the one he's making now. Sans a screaming open mouth. ]
...Porter's never impressed when we're practising intimidation, either...
Okay, we're not going to talk about that guy's opinion.
[ Not even when he agrees with Fabian, and that's saying something. He thinks that he's allowed to give well-meant criticism to his friends, but no one is allowed to bring the people Fabian cares about down, alright.
Which, in turn, only makes him more determined to help Gorgug in this moment. Not doing so feels like letting Porter and Porter's negative opinion about Gorgug win at this point, and Fabian just refuses that! Nuh-uh! ]
I know you can do it, Gorgug. You just have to believe you can do it first. How do you think I would be able to pull off any of the things I did if I didn't believe in myself?
[ Granted, if that belief leads you to get flattened by the Hangvan driving over you, maybe that's not the sort of belief you should be subscribing to, Gorgug. Maybe don't go all the way up to Fabian levels of it. ]
[ Fabian is now becoming Gorgug's Fig.... a champion against Porter and his teaching style (when it comes to Gorgug).
But is he supposed to be making a face right about now? He might be getting confused, somehow, by Fabian's confident energy and his determined words. Is the problem that Gorgug doesn't believe in himself? Or that Fabian doesn't think he believes in himself? ]
I believe in myself.
[ Said, in the most simple, basic, flat way... It's not that Gorgug doesn't believe himself and is lying, but-- heyyy, he believes in himself. :( ]
Do you want me to start making faces right here? Now?
[ He's quiet for a second, like he's thinking about that question. A clearly very serious question. Which clearly requires a very, very serious answer. ]
What, do you otherwise want to do it back at my place?
[ Does he? Isn't there better things they could be doing?
...except when Gorgug thinks about, there isn't actually anything else for him to do. He's just playing families! And he doesn't particularly want to rush home for anything... ]
Well... if you wanna hang out. [ At least then, it's two pals doing more than just helping one to make an intimidating face (in theory). ] Do you think I need to practice being intimidating while I'm here...?
[ That's an easy decision to make, especially with how much this place has been reminding Fabian of his situation back home, and how lonely that made him feel.. It's a win-win situation, since going back home with just his baby doesn't feel great after all this emotional talk.
Even if it's to help Gorgug practice not making scared or weird faces while he's trying to be scary.
Fabian is at least starting to walk again, heading back towards his car. ]
And why shouldn't you? There's been plenty of danger before on previous missions. If this one ends up getting weirder, or your fake father keeps acting like that, you might be able to use it! You have to show people they can't mess with you, Gorgug!
Okay. [ Listen to him, trying to sound sure about this. He's even taking in a breath, letting it out sharply. ] No one can fuck with me. They fuck with me, I'll fuck their knees.
[ Please don't swear in front of the baby, Gorgug!!! But his confidence is coming back. What if his dad does end up sucking. He'll need to show him he's no one's small guy. He's the big guy in town. The biggest! ]
I'll polish my axe in the living room. I'll show everyone they can't mess with me.
[ He just has to remember to do that thing he usually does in his bedroom or outside. But mostly in his room. ]
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[ Gorgug shuffles, and then...he grows a few inches. Re-adjusting the arm restlessly uselessly over Fabian's shoulder, when it doesn't need adjusting at all, but he's doing all this (yes, he is getting on his tippy toes) as he says-- ] Look-- think about it. You're meeting me for the first day. I'm talking to you like this--
[ Also, he's inching in closer. He is asserting Dominance. Did Sam actually do this? Do you think he remembers? He's trying to appear taller! ]
You don't think it's intimidating? You're not intimidated?
[ Does he need to come in closer, bro? Bro??? He will!!! ]
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But then Gorgug just.. gets more intense about this. Somehow. Which makes any and all words die in Fabian's throat. Not because he's intimidated, mind you, but mostly because he's starting to look more confused the more Gorgug tries to tower over him. Like he doesn't already kind of do that by default. ]
I-- What, is this meant to be intimidating?! [ He doesn't sound intimidated.. Sorry, bro. Just a little confused by all this sudden proximity going on! ] I mean, you are not even threatening me!
[ Please remember where Fabian grew up, Gorgug.
His standards for intimidation are pretty high. ]
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So, very carefully, trying not to knock the baby, Gorgug reaches for the front of Fabian's shirt and leans his head in; a delicate manner to his motion and even his touch, where he's not screwing up Fabian's clothes very hard.
And, in a whisper: ] I'll pummel you into the ground.
[ Please note the expression he's wearing that looks like his every day grimacing face that's looking for validating. Is this good? Is he threatening, Fabian? ]
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Sure, this gets a few more points. Fabian can kind of see the vision this time, at least. Leaning onto him wasn't very intimidating, but the hand? He should probably be doing it harder, but Fabian figures that Gorgug is holding back on purpose. And he can even kind of understand the whispering must be because of the peaceful little robot baby bundle in Fabian's arms.
But that still leaves one problem.
One very big problem. A problem that is - quite literally - staring Fabian in the face right as they speak. ]
Gorgug--
[ He starts at his usual volume, but then immediately lowers the volume of his voice, almost as if he's being drawn along into Gorgug's pace over here.. ]
Why is your face like that?! [ Bro?! Is this your idea of intimidating? Are you uncomfortable?
.. do you just need to shit really bad? Because that's kind of what that face is telling him right now, and Fabian thinks that's likely not its intention? ]
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[ Bro? Bro? Are you picking on him? Are you bullying him? After the touching moment they had?! Because Gorgug looks even worse than he did a moment ago, as if he's on the road to tears.
But it doesn't get there. Instead, he draws back his hand, turning his abashed expression to the ground. ]
I don't want to bully a dad holding his baby. It doesn't feel right, it just got out of hospital.
[ The sad thing is, it's partially the truth.... ]
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But also.. you know.
He knows Gorgug. He knows what Gorgug is like. And while Gorgug can be a beast on the battlefield, outside of it, it's.. This. Basically.
So even though Fabian is blunt enough to point out: ] You look like you're about to cry!
[ He at least is trying real hard to not make it sound as judgmental as it might have been when said to anyone else out there. ]
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Instead, Gorgug is sputtering. He's moving back from Fabian with an utter look of offence creasing that constipated expression, and he truly does look like an upset kid. One that looks at Fabian and then looks away, as he needs the time to come to some conclusion that isn't all of these other emotions. Of betrayal. Of hurt! ]
Y-you know, Fabian-- [ He lifts a finger, pointing it (shakily) at his friend, ] --you're being a real-- loser.
[ It's here. Gorgug is now in his Grumps Era. ]
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[ That's not a cool 'what', by the way. It's not an intimidating 'what' at all. Fabian just sounds confused, as if what Gorgug was saying just now totally caught him by surprise - maybe neither of them knowing for sure anymore whether this is still an act of Gorgug trying to intimidate Fabian or just something that's happening for real.
Fabian sure doesn't know, anyway. It's why he looks so confused! What's going on! How did they get here! Is this all just because he was asking about Gorgug's fake dad?! ]
Why am I a loser?! [ His voice may be cracking a little on that last word.
You know. In a way that's very cool. I promise. ]
You can't just call me a loser, not even jokingly! [ BRO!!! Not in front of the baby!! ]
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he's a loser.
And Fabian's reaction is only bolstering the grumpy era inside Gorgug's heart. Fabian is telling him what he can and can't do?? Well, that only means that Gorgug is going to take that pointing finger of his....and poke Fabian on the chest with it. ]
Loser.
[ See!! You're not his dad! You're not his real or fake dad! What are you gonna do now!! Now that Gorgug is supreme (bully)!!!
Please forget the touching moment they had minutes ago inside the hospital. Gorgug has, apparently. In his search to be a big and confident half-orc who doesn't take no SHIT!!!! (shit may or may not be in gorgug's head) ]
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But something about the sheer absurdity of it actually calms Fabian down compared to a moment ago. Like his brain just can't make sense of it, so it's given up. No longer any need to get worked up when you've given up.
Or when you know: ]
Gorgug, I am the most popular person in our entire school. [ #humblebrag.
Except there's nothing humble about it. Fabian sounds like a peacock as he's saying it, like he didn't just break down inside of a hospital. Like he was like this the whole way through. For sure. Never was uncool. ]
If you have some sort of idea in your mind that is convincing you that you must insult me, you ought to do it with something better than a simple untruth.
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[ Remember? Remember? At least Gorgug isn't poking at Fabian now, since Gorgug sees that it isn't working to the effect he wants (does he? maybe), and he's crossing his arms now to instead...fit the grumpier expression he's currently going for. Sulking, but who knows why? Gorgug isn't trying to fix himself here. He wants to continue to be toxic for no reason whatsoever.
All because of one reason he refuses to address. Because he is sulking. But at least he isn't trying to bring out any other ammo, or to push it any further than to make this point. Does he want to bully Fabian that hard? Not really.
Unless Fabian is mean to him!! ]
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[ He doesn't sound incredulous. Or angry. Or anything of the sort, really. Sure, Fabian does sound like he's teasing a little bit, but in that warm, friendly sort of way.
When you're trying to gently nudge a grumpy friend into admitting that he does actually think fondly of you, underneath all the grump. Fabian knows you do, Gorgug! You can't pull the wool over his eyes after the talk they had just now. ]
I am certainly not, right?
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Ugh. Ugh. It doesn't help that Fabian's voice sounds kinda sweet...even if Gorgug's trying to be grumpy with him right now! So, begrudgingly, even though he's trying to make a point...!: ]
...You're not. [ Pah. pah!!! ] But my face isn't weird, either.
[ That's it, Fabian.
That's the entire reason he's being grumpy. ]
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.. well, that's the moment that Fabian realizes what's behind Gorgug's sulk. Because he had no idea, actually. Fabian didn't even think anything he said was that weird, and it's only now Gorgug is saying this that he realizes it was even bothering the other guy.
Maybe that's why he looks kind of surprised when he glances over at Gorgug again. ]
Wait, why did-- [ He stops himself mid-sentence, kind of incredulous over this. ] Did you take it that seriously? Your face is normal! It's just that you looked like you were about to cry, and that's not intimidating, just worrisome!
[ That's just it, Gorgug. You inspire worry in other people. At least, you do when you make a face like you're about to cry. ]
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I got insecure. I was trying my best to intimidate you, but-- it was hard. It wasn't a good situation.
[ All of the variables and conditions were wrong, and-- a deep sigh. ]
I've gotta go back to the drawing board.
[ The drawing board...of being a bully to your pal... ]
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Maybe it's the latter sentiment that gets him a little bit more serious, even though he's walking right next to a sulking friend. ]
Look, it's not that hard. With your face it's mostly--
[ He's reaching out with his free hand. You know, the one attached to the arm that isn't holding a baby. Fabian reaches up with that hand to try and move Gorgug's eyebrows. Don't mind a friend poking your face. ]
You always slant them in the wrong direction! If you move them that way, it makes you look sad or worried, but it's the other direction you need to seem tough or angry!
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Hold on, he's got to try a few silent screams here as he does mad faces. Mouth opening wide, brows tilting... Fabian, have you ever seen a guy try to do a mad yell before out in the middle of the street? It's only for a couple of seconds, since even without a mirror (and Gorgug feeling his forehead and his brows the entire time--were they really any different?), Gorgug can tell that his expression wasn't...the best.
It's kinda like the one he's making now. Sans a screaming open mouth. ]
...Porter's never impressed when we're practising intimidation, either...
[ By him, that is. ]
He says I lack aura.
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[ Not even when he agrees with Fabian, and that's saying something. He thinks that he's allowed to give well-meant criticism to his friends, but no one is allowed to bring the people Fabian cares about down, alright.
Which, in turn, only makes him more determined to help Gorgug in this moment. Not doing so feels like letting Porter and Porter's negative opinion about Gorgug win at this point, and Fabian just refuses that! Nuh-uh! ]
I know you can do it, Gorgug. You just have to believe you can do it first. How do you think I would be able to pull off any of the things I did if I didn't believe in myself?
[ Granted, if that belief leads you to get flattened by the Hangvan driving over you, maybe that's not the sort of belief you should be subscribing to, Gorgug. Maybe don't go all the way up to Fabian levels of it. ]
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But is he supposed to be making a face right about now? He might be getting confused, somehow, by Fabian's confident energy and his determined words. Is the problem that Gorgug doesn't believe in himself? Or that Fabian doesn't think he believes in himself? ]
I believe in myself.
[ Said, in the most simple, basic, flat way... It's not that Gorgug doesn't believe himself and is lying, but-- heyyy, he believes in himself. :( ]
Do you want me to start making faces right here? Now?
[ In the hospital car park, bro? ]
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[ He's quiet for a second, like he's thinking about that question. A clearly very serious question. Which clearly requires a very, very serious answer. ]
What, do you otherwise want to do it back at my place?
[ VERY serious!! ]
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...except when Gorgug thinks about, there isn't actually anything else for him to do. He's just playing families! And he doesn't particularly want to rush home for anything... ]
Well... if you wanna hang out. [ At least then, it's two pals doing more than just helping one to make an intimidating face (in theory). ] Do you think I need to practice being intimidating while I'm here...?
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[ That's an easy decision to make, especially with how much this place has been reminding Fabian of his situation back home, and how lonely that made him feel.. It's a win-win situation, since going back home with just his baby doesn't feel great after all this emotional talk.
Even if it's to help Gorgug practice not making scared or weird faces while he's trying to be scary.
Fabian is at least starting to walk again, heading back towards his car. ]
And why shouldn't you? There's been plenty of danger before on previous missions. If this one ends up getting weirder, or your fake father keeps acting like that, you might be able to use it! You have to show people they can't mess with you, Gorgug!
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[ Please don't swear in front of the baby, Gorgug!!! But his confidence is coming back. What if his dad does end up sucking. He'll need to show him he's no one's small guy. He's the big guy in town. The biggest! ]
I'll polish my axe in the living room. I'll show everyone they can't mess with me.
[ He just has to remember to do that thing he usually does in his bedroom or outside. But mostly in his room. ]