016 ☺ Video ☺ It's something unpredictable, but in the end it's right

[moreincommon]

Ladies, gentlemen, and neuters of the Barge,

It's both my honor and my pleasure to offer my congratulations to Satsuki on her graduation. She's come a long way and done a lot of work since she first arrived and we all should be proud of her.

Also, I know the last flood was kind of unpredictable. Pretty sure nothing harmful came out of it, but... well, we made a mess. I'm planning to pitch in with cleaning, and if anyone wants to volunteer too I'd love the help. Maybe we could even get a full janitorial team for the day.

[Private to Chris]
Hey. I heard you got into an argument, want to talk about it?

Comments

Private

[moreincommon]

Tough and respected and alive are perfectly good goals, and I don't think you'll have any trouble achieving them.

He's just trying to teach you what he thinks is best, I'm sure. But who to listen to and take advice from is your decision to make, and if you want something for yourself that he doesn't want, that's okay. As long as you make an effort to understand each other and respect differences, it shouldn't matter.

Private

[mistconduct]

I swear I don't know what the fuck he's trying to do some days. I'm like 50% certain he wants to split me and Rorschach apart and warden me himself.

Private

[moreincommon]

What makes you think that?

Private

[mistconduct]

He's trying to warden me all the fucking time and he was pissed when Rorschach and me flipped out on each other and wanted us to unpair immediately.

Private

[moreincommon]

You guys don't do that regularly, right?

Private

[mistconduct]

No, that was just the one time when I was being a huge prick to him. We're good now. Partners.

Private

[moreincommon]

That's not the best way to reach an understanding, but as long as you got there.

Randall tried to eat me a few times until I got a gun. I normally don't approve of violence, but it ended well.

Private

[mistconduct]

You see? Boundaries. If I'm acting like a prick, I'd like it if someone knocked my head in and told me to shut the fuck up. Not this passive-aggressive grounding bullshit.

Private

[moreincommon]

How about if instead, someone says "you're acting like a prick so stop it"?

Private

[mistconduct]

Yeah, I'd stop it, if they were serious.

Private

[moreincommon]

Is that something you'd be willing to work on? Not being quiet whenever anyone asks, but watching for cues that people might be upset.

Private

[mistconduct]

Seriously, Mark? If someone tells me they're upset they're going to show it with their words or fists. I can't keep up with assholes who don't express their feelings. I'm not a mind-reader.

Private

[moreincommon]

Let's at least go for words instead of fists, then.

Private

[mistconduct]

Okay. But only if they're not acting like whiny little bitches.

Private

[moreincommon]

That's better than nothing. Sure.

Private

[mistconduct]

Awesome. Good compromise. I'm proud of us.

Private

[moreincommon]

I am too!

But back to the main subject. What do you think you're going to say next time you see him?

Private

[mistconduct]

Uh..

'Stop being such a whiny little bitch because I'm not your kid and you don't make your boundaries fucking clear'?


Only. You know. Respectful.

Private

[moreincommon]

Let's try rephrasing that to be less accusatory. Why don't you start with "I feel..."?

Private

[mistconduct]

I feel annoyed because you threw a tantrum when I stopped being an adorable baby you could pick up and love. Get another dog if you're that fucking starved for devotion and adoration.

Private

[moreincommon]

Wait, you were a baby? For how long?

Private

[mistconduct]

Flood time, man.

Private

[moreincommon]

Wow. All right.

And you think that's a factor in why he was upset?

Private

[mistconduct]

I think he's all in a mood because he's going through alien menopause and wants kids.

Private

[moreincommon]

And he's trying to take on a parental role with you? [Mark frowns. He can understand paternal instinct, and he can understand a young adult's struggle to become independent. And he also imagines it's very hard for Chris to be presented with a father figure so soon after his dad died.]

He sounds like he really cares about you. But this is a boundary you're going to have to clearly put up – you're not a kid, and there's no reason you should be treated like one.