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[ When Fabian looks at Gorgug while the other speaks, there does seem to be something like that thought in his expression. His eyebrows raise in surprise-- because yes, it is strange. He does remember talking about it with Gorgug in the dark. And while Fabian hadn't been very personally worried about the topic itself back then, it did seem like Gorgug had wanted to desperately avoid it for some reason.

And now he's.. bringing it up? By himself? It's not even like Fabian prompted it. Gorgug could easily have let Fabian ramble on about how annoying and dumb the missions are, and it's not like Gorgug ever would have had to say a word about it.

(And-- well, Gorgug's care for Aurora is a bit of a touchy subject, and it doesn't really sit right within Fabian, but he's a big boy. He's been grown to try and be a little bit more of a big boy, anyway. He can shove down the feeling of having someone he's close to care so much for something he hates. It's not like it's the first time he's ever done it.)

So rather than commenting on that, Fabian's eyebrows knit together as he instead asks: ]

It didn't sound like you wanted to do anything about it before.

[ It's not really criticism - you know it's criticism when it's coming from Fabian, considering he never bothers to hide that in his tone - as much as it's.. well, confusion. He wonders what changed for Gorgug. ]

[ Okay, it might not be a criticism, but don't call Gorgug out anyway? Even pointing it out makes Gorgug wince. ]

No one else was doing anything-- I didn't know what to do! [ Or maybe there had been some ideas given, but it's purely defensive, and Gorgug lets his shoulders slump as his head sinks in defeat. Ughhhh. ] I'm an idiot. I should've done something. I should've-- said something about it.

[ Even if now, Gorgug doesn't know if it would have changed anything. But there's blame in the pit of his stomach, and in gurgles down there at times like annoyance, but it's still mostly directed at himself. He should've been better, but he hates these kinds of calls: making any, deciding what to do.

He looks at Fabian now, as pitiful of a kicked dog as he looks. ]

I don't want people coming here and fucking things up when it sucks we're stuck here in the first place.

[ Okay, now that seems to snap Fabian out of his more contemplative state. ]

Hey, you're not an idiot! [ He'll even nudge Gorgug's shoulder as he says it, lightly pushing against it with his hand. Fabian will defend Gorgug from anyone saying that. Even himself. He'll fight you, Gorgug.

It may not be the main point here, but Fabian still wants to have said it. It's important! Gorgug's got to have some self esteem! ]

Besides, what's important isn't not having done anything so far. It's what you'll do in the future! Do you want to do something about it? Should we do something about it?

[ Does Fabian care about Aurora?

Not in the slightest.

But, you know, you can't just make a Bad Kid do something by themselves. That isn't how it works. They're a collective! ]

[ B-bro.

Gorgug looks bad when Fabian calls him out--in defence of himself. Not that he wasn't already, but it's somehow an appreciative bad-looking, where he's thankful, but still sheepish about the current situation. The current discussion.

One where Fabian asks if they should do something, and he feels stumped. Lost. ]

We can, [ he says first, since--he wouldn't ever stop them from trying. ] I know I could make some bots to watch from outside the barrier, or inside, if Aurora won't let me stick any out there. But I don't know what to do if they come from inside the hospital... I don't know if we should try and talk to anyone who shows up outside the barrier again.

[ God, Gorgug doesn't want to make that decision. Should they try and convince them not to sell them out? Say they could join Etraya?

These aren't the kind of decisions he likes to make by himself. ]

[ Could Fabian give suggestions here? Make decisions?

Sure, he could. He's never really been all that indecisive about these sorts of things. But he doesn't - exactly because he can see Gorgug hesitate in front of him. For such a big guy, he starts looking so small during moments like these, and Fabian hates to see it. Gorgug really should feel more confident about himself.

And if this does have to do with those rage nightmares.. well, then Fabian can't just solve it for him. That won't make them go away. It's something Gorgug has to do himself, encouraged by him. Isn't that what Fabian is a bard for? ]

Well, what is your impression of those people go far? What does your gut say?

[ Come on, Gorgug! Time to talk about your feelings! It's your favorite thing to do, baby!! ]

[ His gut wants to avoid the problem. Or maybe smash things? He wants to smash his problems.

Gorgug looks down when the question is posed to him, clearly not happy about it, not wanting to come to any conclusion when he feels so-- all over the place with the problem. But what is his impression? He's seen some conversations about it... ]

...I guess that, they're just trying to survive. Whoever left that banner could've been taunting us, or they could have been leaving a warning, seeing all those marks they left on it-- it was a countdown. Why be obvious if you're going to slip people inside in secret? Not everyone's on the same page about screwing us over.

[ so... ] So I think if-- we could get more intel on what the leader over there can do, or what the dangers are; if we can actually get someone on our side who knows something, we could take out the bigger problem, and maybe see if we can fix their city up so they don't have to go out and screw over people for resources. [ Which feels wrong somehow, and Gorgug looks at Fabian, something uncomfortable in his expression. ]

If they're going to be stuck in a prison, they might as well be stuck in a comfortable one.

[ Like them. ]

[ As he takes in all these thoughts from Gorgug, Fabian takes in a deep breath, slowly exhaling before he speaks. ]

Back before you showed up here, there was talk about another city like this one where the people were forced to fight each other. [ At least-- Fabian feels like that talk was so early on that even Gorgug hadn't joined them yet. Back when it had still been him and Riz and Adaine..

There's not a whole lot of passion in Fabian's voice as he speaks, but his demeanor lacks the awkwardness that Gorgug has when he speaks about all of this. ]

I don't remember if they put a name to that other city though, so I don't know whether or not it's the same place as the one these people come from. But if it was, it might explain why they're acting like a bunch of weirdos.

[ Gorug remembers being told about that. He nods at them being weirdos, an agreed upon impression. Even though: ]

The ones in charge could've been assholes before they even showed up. I just want to keep them off our backs, or having them all come to stay with us. Even if Aurora took them in, would that stop people from showing up at the other place?

[ He grimaces at the idea. ]

Then there's a chance we end up getting people trying to fuck us over again.

Well, then go for it!

[ .. truly inspiring words.

On the other hand, it's not like Fabian knows what specific plan Gorgug wants to go for. All he's trying to do here is trying to be supportive, even if Fabian doesn't particularly likes talking about or thinking about matters that involve Aurora in some way. It just gets him feeling grumpy. Maybe that's why his statement is so vague - because it's more about the encouragement for Gorgug than the actual content of what the other wants. ]

Sure, the mission is coming up and all, but there's time to gather some information before then, if you want to. [ If you're being proactive!!

In fact, despite all of the above, Fabian is still Fabian. Which means he does offer: ]

I can help, if there's anything you think I can do for this.

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