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[awesmazings]

I know a lot of people have been here for a long time. Like, a lot longer than I have, and I've almost been here a whole year now.

But how many of you have, you know...gone home and come back? I don't mean like, leave for real, exactly. I mean like...you go to sleep out of nowhere and then wake up back here again a couple days later. If that happened to you, did it feel like...well, real, or did it feel more like a really convincing dream?

I never really thought all that much about it until recently, so I just wanna know what you guys have to say about it.

Comments

[action]

[pipers_son]

You'll have ta thank Envy for pickin' ya up off the streets. Times like this make me real glad he's part a the circus- everyone watches after their own that way.

[Pulling over a chair, he gives a nod.]

Eat up! Can't imagine ya ain't starvin' after that sorta nap!

[action]

[awesmazings]

Don't worry, I will! I don't know what woulda' happened if he didn't.

[And Jimmy will just take you up on that immediately because oh my god he hasn't eaten in a week.]

Did anything happen while I was go- ...uh. Asleep?

[action]

[pipers_son]

Nothin' too big, no worries.

[That seems like a good place to start...]

Sounds like you've had a time, 'tho.

[action]

[awesmazings]

Mm, yeah.

[He looks to the bowl, stirring it lightly with his spoon.]

I got to see everybody again. ..And it's really hot there right now.

[Jimmy laughs a little, propping one foot up on the arm of the couch, saying the next sentence more as an aside to himself as he pokes at his food.]

It'd be nice if it were warm like that here...

[action]

[pipers_son]

That's good ta hear...

[He starts to ponder something at the last sentence, letting the gears in his mind turn as he asks his next question.]

Everyone doin' alright?

[action]

[awesmazings]

[Jimmy nods slowly, taking a bite of the porridge before answering.]

Yeah. Everything's fine back home, if that's what you're wondering. Everything's...been better than fine, actually.

It was like I never left.

[action]

[pipers_son]

...Feel alright about it? Means they didn't have ta worry about if ya were gettin' hurt or some such.

[action]

[awesmazings]

I think so. I really wish they were here, though.

I mean...it's been almost a year now, yaknow?

[action]

[pipers_son]

Yeah... Know that feelin' all too well myself.

[After a moment, he reached over to pat Jimmy's head.]

Least ya got ta see 'em.

[action]

[awesmazings]

[Jimmy can't help but smile a little, even though it's a bit sad.]

Yeah. I'm lucky I guess...I don't really have anything to worry about going on back home. If I ever do leave again, I won't be going back to anything bad...

[Bad on his terms, at least. It's...still Hell, after all.]

But I don't know that I want to leave here, either.

[pipers_son]

[Gently, Joker wraps his arm around the boy and tugs him close, chin resting on top of his head.]

Full a tough choices like that, life is. Won't lie, Jims, it'll be somethin' you'll have ta think on a fair bit.

[awesmazings]

[At this angle and with the bowl still in his lap, Jimmy can't return the gesture. He does relax a little, however.]

I know. I've been trying not to think about it, but I guess that's not really gonna work. I'm really glad I've stayed here as long as I have, though.

[pipers_son]

Sometimes... We have to think about things we'd rather not. 'Cuz they won't go away if we just ignore 'em.

But there's no rush. [Another pat to Jimmy's head.] Take yer time ta figure out how ya feel about it, Jims.

[awesmazings]

I will. Thanks, Joker.

[He tips his head back a bit so he can look up at him.]

Can...can I ask you something, though?

[pipers_son]

'Course. What's on yer mind?

[awesmazings]

[He hesitates for just a moment, tapping his fingers against the bowl.]

Have you ever had this happen to you yet?

[pipers_son]

...Goin' back home?

[awesmazings]

Yeah. I mean falling asleep like I did, but...actually going home entirely, too.

[pipers_son]

There, ah... ain't anythin' for me ta return ta, Jims.

[awesmazings]

[He falls silent. That's what he was afraid of.]

...that isn't very fair.

[pipers_son]

Now, don't make that sorta face! I'm right lucky ta be around here, runnin' my own business gettin' ta go ta fancy things like that New Years party!

Life ain't much fair, but that's why ya enjoy the good moments when ya got 'em, Jims.

[awesmazings]

[His smile is quick to return a bit because hey, that's what he's supposed to say.]

Yeah, I know...I just really hope you can stay here. Yaknow, for a really long time.

[pipers_son]

Yeah... Me too.

[His hand gives a small squeeze.]

[awesmazings]

[For a moment, Jimmy feels a sudden...very odd wave of guilt. Mostly because he's usually the one who is supposed to offer words of encouragement or optimism, not...whatever all of this is.]

I...I'm sorry, Joker. I didn't mean to bring all this up.

[pipers_son]

Jims. [A more reassuring squeeze.] It's fine. Don't worry about it, alright? Tell me more about the sorta things goin' on back home.