COGITO ERGO SUM

send one to have our muses meet for the first time.

“Sorry, were you just talking to me?”

“I think you dropped this.”

“You look lost. Need some help?”

“I don’t usually talk to strangers, but…”

“You’re sitting in my spot.”

“Whoa! Careful!”

“We’ve never met, right? You seem familiar.”

“Is that seat taken?”

“Sorry, I think I just spilled something on you.”

“You’re blocking the doorway.”

“Were you just staring at me?”

“Excuse me, do you know the time?”

“Wait — are you the person I’m supposed to meet?”

“I’ve been sent to find you.”

“Please don’t be alarmed, but I think we have the same bag.”

“Do you work here?”

“I’m fairly certain that’s mine.”

“You’ve got something on your face.”

“Sorry, I thought you were someone else.”

“Do you know the way to ___?”

“You’re hurt. Do you need help?”

“That’s a fine ___ (cloak/hat/book/etc.). Where did you get it?”

“This might sound strange, but can I hide behind you for a moment?”

“You look like you could use a friend.”

“I think your dog just stole my lunch.”

“Hey, you dropped your coin purse.”

“I think we’re stuck in here together.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to overhear, but…”

“Are you the new neighbor?”

“First time in town?”

“I’m not sure if this belongs to you, but…”

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I’ve been hearing a lot about you.”

“Do you mind if I join you?”

“I think you’re in the wrong place.”

“You seem… out of place.”

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but are you following me?”

“That was a close call.”

“Not to alarm you, but someone’s watching you.”

“Mind if I walk with you?”

“You look like you’re in trouble.”

“Was that your doing back there?”

“You don’t look like you’re from around here.”

“That was impressive. How’d you manage it?”

“I’m guessing you’re not here by accident.”

“Do I want to know what just happened?”

“You might want to keep your voice down.”

“Is it always this strange around here?”

“I have a feeling we’re about to become acquainted whether we like it or not.”

❝ read ?? ❞ he supposed he DID have a book open in front of him … but Wally was too busy scribbling in it to actually ABSORB the words .

Just for that Chad takes a turn with a little more aggression then nescecary, there weren't even that many other drivers on the road, and if anyone decided to call the cops, he wasn't going to stick around to get caught if it came to that.

This was the last time he agreed to ferry around any kid that wasn't Kuki.

❝ oops . ❞ he snarls sarcastically . ❝ how’s THAT for dramatic ? you’re the DEFINITION of dramatic, ya traitor . ❞

why'd you kill the music?

lost, [ NAME ], we're lost.

oh, right, that's where we're going. i lost track like 200 miles ago.

it doesn't make you any less of a man.

just get us to [ LOCATION ] before i roll my eyes out of my head.

were there any directions on the flyer?

hey, eyes on the road!

what? no, no, that wasn't a bear.

[ NAME ], are you serious?

i really effed this car up.

the sooner we get out of here, the better.

just imagine yourself curled up by a big old space heater.

anywhere's better than here.

my god, [ NAME ], hurry up!

i heard something, okay? i wanna check it out.

hey hey hey, what's wrong? is everything alright?

it's the woods, there's a lot of stuff out there, it's easy to freak yourself out.

we're okay. we're safe in the car.

you wanna tell me what happened here?

it was so dark, and it happened so fast.

this is my first cop, like, ever.

what in the hell are you doing all the way out here this late at night?

one of us kind of oversold our navigation skills and got us completely lost.

you're not gonna make it to [ LOCATION ], not tonight.

let's hit the road, shall we?

i have like twenty years before i'm a "ma'am."

[ NAME ], don't be a dick.

what doesn't kill you will make you stronger.

bring some tools so we can break the lock!

hey ... it's been kind of a night, you know?

you must be exhausted, i know i am.

there's no need to worry, i'm here to help you.

it's exciting, yes, and ... terrifying.

if you don't help me, how can i help you? we're supposed to be friends.

it's like a romanci-pocalypse.

you never know, the universe has a way of working these things out.

so she dumped your ass, huh?

you've heard of spacial awareness before, right?

spacial awareness is for nerds.

you're a bad person!

okay, really? locking me out?

one, it wasn't my idea — and two, it was really funny.

this place needs a serious overhaul.

you were telling me how you totally have a thing for [ NAME ].

uhhh, "sexy", huh?

"likes it", check, "totally not in denial", check.

the fumes of jealousy are just STIFLING over here.

you should've siezed the moment.

not gonna miss you, [ NAME ].

one more night in the great outdoors might actually kill me.

i haven't killed you, and you're still pretty pathetic.

yes, that would make you a total asshole.

one more night with [ NAME ] wouldn't make a difference, trust me.

you should save it for emergencies only. unless ... is being dumped an emergency?

i don't even know how to respond to that.

let's away from this mosquito-infested backwoods dump.

let's shape our way through this crappy lock.

i won't tell if you won't tell.

have you ever seen a bear in these woods?

oh my god, relax, it's not like we killed someone.

how are you so ... annoying? confident?

in a way, faking it is just being yourself. but louder.

you never know unless you put yourself out there.

e-mail? are you ninety-three?

scenic route? one last victory lap?

i provide very important and educational lifestyle advice.

we should probably ... you know, get back.

does nobody have phone chargers anymore?

oh my god, you are so childish.

it's just this campfire story for kids.

come on, that's like, super unchill.

five minutes? like, five minutes. that's all i need.

i try not to dwell on the past.

i think there's something wrong with the engine.

we'll just spend one more night here.

no, no! just ... stop, let me think!

who cares what [ NAME ] told us to do?

p-a-r-t- why the fuck not?

i go where my people need me.

just say you're in, come on. one last night.

someone's gotta give a shit.

you know what? i don't care what you guys do.

[ NAME ], come on, wait!

i was hoping you'd come back.

where i'm from, we look out for each other.

you'd better be going, it's still early.

for the record, your analogies are very hurtful.

i like a man who's good with his hands.

if i was a beer, where would i hide ...

how am i just noticing how super lame you are?

you think this is supposed to be funny?

moment's gone, but not forgotten.

hold that — the door will latch otherwise.

so, uh ... you're really gonna keep the gun, huh?

your wit knows no bounds.

that's weird, i thought ... i thought i heard someone.

you hear that? is that a trap door?

secret ... sex ... dungeon.

alright, well, it looks like a pit of eternal darkness.

oh my god, [ NAME ], you won't believe this ... it's ... nothing.

it's pretty spooky down here, and it smells very unnatural, so...

ooh, that's a nice chair, i could get used to this.

what if what's on the menu tonight ... is us?

well, we know where the gun is if we need it.

so, got anything going on when you get back home?

these are just— they're probably just ... trail cameras.

why go through all the trouble of hiding this room?

it's not exactly secret, is it? just kinda ... hidden by stuff.

hey, you just admitted it's a secret lair.

are you sure this is safe?

what, are you scared?

sometimes i just try to like ... let it happen, y'know?

this way i can do whatever i want and not feel bad about it.

i guess that is kind of freeing ... in a sociopathic kind of way.

this view is just ... wow.

you DON'T think that's weird?

i just realized we may never see each other again after tonight.

speaking of setting the mood, i have work to do.

playlists aren't gonna make themselves.

big jokes take big sacrifices.

woah, woah, woah, where did that gun come from?

guns are no joke, dipshit.

i guess you don't really want them then, huh?

[ NAME ], hand me that gun. now.

the main party isn't gonna die just cause you have a little side quest.

that's cause you've never shot before.

do not move a muscle, or touch this gun, until i get back.

you'll have it when i say you'll have it.

two things: remember the spread, remember the recoil.

disqualified for being a dumbass.

blam! you thought this was over?

okay! new idea: party game.

let's make some memories.

how about ... the ultimate game of secrets and lies: truth or dare?

[ NAME ] — truth or dare?

have you ever slept with anyone?

dare, gimme what you've got.

your dare comes with a choice.

always happy to please.

you and [ NAME ] go way back, right?

uh ... i don't know if this is a good idea ...

[ NAME ], seriously?

hey, i'm nobody's girlfriend.

[ NAME ], grow up.

i think that game got a little intense for me.

i was just playing along.

did you hear that? ... should we look?

i guess you found me, then.

sneaking down here was more fun when we thought we could get caught, huh?

i thought we agreed that this ... us –? was just supposed to be summer fun.

you really love fucking with me, huh?

lighten up, sourpuss, please.

fine, you can stand here sulking, or you can go grab us some towels.

"summer fun", right? well, apparently summer isn't quite over yet.

you really know how to talk to a girl, don't you?

you can't just pretend like it didn't happen.

that was some mighty fine social disruption, there.

who do you think is gonna make the first move?

if by "beast" you mean some mild-mannered baby deer.

❝ what's your favorite color and why? ❞

❝ can i come with you? ❞

❝ you have a nice smile, has anyone ever told you that before? ❞

❝ how do you take your coffee? ❞

❝ sorry, what was your name again? ❞

❝ it just occurred to me i never asked you what your last name is. ❞

❝ actually we've met before. ❞

❝ i've heard a few things about you. ❞

❝ care to join me? ❞

❝ i'm not really sure why i trust you. ❞

❝ i don't usually talk this much, it just feels easy to say stuff when you're listening. ❞

❝ i know we don't know each other that well but if you wanna talk about it... ❞

❝ could you help me with something? ❞

❝ do you like it here? ❞

❝ are you new around here? ❞

❝ you can ask me anything you want. i promise i'll answer truthfully except the things i feel like lying about. ❞

❝ i don't mean to be too forward, you just seem like you could use a friend right now. ❞

❝ you can come with me. i mean if you don't have anyone waiting for you. ❞

❝ we're friends now. you can ask me for help. ❞

❝ do you like this music? i can change it. ❞

❝ what are your favorite snacks? ❞

❝ really? i wouldn't have guessed that about you. ❞

❝ do you mind if i ask about it? ❞

ACTIONS:

VISIT: for sender to go to receiver's home for the first time

VISITED: for receiver to go to sender's home for the first time

CRYING: for sender to see receiver cry for the first time

CRIED: for receiver to see sender cry for the first time

BEGIN: sender and receiver are on their first date together

TRIP: our muses go on a group trip but end up stuck together, away from the rest of their friends.

SITUATION: our muses are acquainted because one of them is their friend's roommate. muse a shows up when their friend isn't there and ends up hanging out with muse b one on one.

GO: our muses go to a zoo or theme park together and get lost.

INVITE: sender cooks for receiver for the first time

INVITED: receiver cooks for sender for the first time

TOGETHER: our muses spend the night for the first time

TRY: our muses hooked up and are hanging out the next day

COMFORT: sender is going through a break up and receiver offers to cheer them up

COMFORTED: receiver is going through a break up and sender offers to cheer them up

OFFER: sender gives receiver a ride to the airport/picks them up

OFERED: receiver gives sender a ride to the airport/picks them up

AID: sender helps receiver redecorate

his immediate gut reaction was to scoff - after all, what kind of student of Brother Blood in the Brotherhood of Evil went around apologizing for being a dick ? maybe Billy wouldn’t last, would be expelled or quit altogether, and leave Kyd to his solitude . … but moreso he’s just caught off guard . this guy was WEIRD .

if the apology softened Kyd up at all, then the insistence of friendship threw that right out of the window, looping back to annoyance . the batlike teen’s expression stiffens, thought behind his eyes .

grabbing the pen and paper, he jots down another note . as he does, he slips from the top bunk and lands on the ground without a SOUND, stepping beside Billy unpacking .

‘ since we’re going to be best friends, I should give you a gift of my own . ‘

Kyd taps Billy’s bag with his foot, opening a pitch-black portal underneath it, sending the belongings into the VOID . as he tosses Billy a last note, he turns his back on the duplicator, either to leave the room or climb back onto his bunk to get back to brooding .

As soon as that mystery void appeared, it vanished, along with his belongings—to where? He had no idea, but nowhere good, probably. He just simply stared at the now empty space as another note was tossed his way by the other, landing next to him with no attempt to catch it.

This guy was beyond something else, and Billy didn't know whether to be angry right now or to laugh it off. On one hand. it was funny; the guy got him damn good with that one, he had to admit. But on the other hand—man, what a cranky dickhead.

After a moment of pure silence—something that wasn't in the room since the multiplier entered it—he just let out a low chuckle to himself and shook his head, grabbing the note to read what other fun words the caped brooder had to say to him.

Ah, of course. The dumpster. Where he apparently also belonged. Great.

He creates two clones, having them leave to search for wherever this dumpster was and retrieve his stuff, while he himself turns back over to Kyd, eyes staring at him behind the shades.

"Ya a real asshole, aintcha?" There was a slight irritation behind the laugh he lets out after saying this. "Keep underestimatin' me, Kyddo." Uh oh, new nickname alert; he knew he wasn't going to like that. "Ya got ya fancy black hole tricks—n' sure, that was funny n' all, I'll give ya that—but I got numbers on my side." A grin was now on his face, and it shot over towards Kyd.

what was WRONG with this guy ??? Kyd would do anything to make him go away for as long as either of them lived . friends ? FRIENDS ? if he could laugh, he would . no, he would never be friends with Billy . the very idea only makes him more prepared to fight . Kyd doesn’t have any friends — that idea’s a joke in itself . but Billy freakin’ Numerous as his BEST FRIEND ?

never in a million years .

‘ you don’t scare me . ‘ Kyd finally resorted to expressing his words in sign language, but at least mouthed the words clearly enough where Billy could understand . ironically his frustration made the movements more animated and much easier to read, even for someone presumably unfamiliar with ASL .

screw Brother Blood . screw the school rules . if Billy was ready to go, they could go . he could EASILY handle clones, and even if he couldn’t, he was the only one of the two who could easily disappear .

Nobody ever really anticipates being flirted with, at least he didn't, especially at a store that he never really set foot in at all. At first Billy didn't even realize that he was being hit on by the cashier, but with every next sentence said in the short conversation he was having with him, where subtle compliments and niceties were dropped very nonchalantly, it definitely became evident. Frankly, he was caught off guard and wasn't exactly sure how to respond besides by being neutrally nice, which he did so until both him and Kyd had left. Billy definitely knew that he heard that guy flirting with him, though he didn't mention anything about it, surprisingly enough.

On the couch the next morning, the duplicator was still half-asleep as the TV played mostly as background noise, though this news segment did ring in his ears and make him pay attention. As soon as his brain fully registered exactly what was being broadcasted, putting two and two together, he felt Kyd's arms wrap around him and felt his face cutely nuzzle against his cheek. Hands then signed this to him; Billy's eyes looked from them back up to his boyfriend, to the TV, then back to him with a baffled laugh now escaping him in response.