#3698

Come on, Terezi - you're a savvy girl. I'm sure you're capable of understanding that it's possible to mourn someone who mistreated or abused you. People are complicated!

I guess it is a little different for trolls, since their guardians are (largely) non-sentient animals - but I'm sure that there were still trolls in Vriska-adjacent situations who felt the same way Dave does.

GC: […] YOU M4Y B3 4M4Z3D TO L34RN 1 4M NOT TOT4LLY 1N TH3 MOOD FOR YOUR DUMB SM4RT4SSY HORNSWOGGL3RY! GC: 1 H4V3 LOTS OF MY OWN PROBL3MS H3R3, 4ND TH3Y 4R3 B1G, B1G PROBL3MS

Well, you say that, but you're still taking the time to check in on Dave's emotional state. Methinks you really do care a little more than you used to.

Anyway - what are Terezi's big problems? Because that depends heavily on where we are in the timeline. For all we know, she's calling from before Murderstuck started, or long after it ended.

GC: SO WHY DONT YOU JUST T3LL M3 WH4T YOU 4R3 TH1NK1NG FOR ONC3? TG: its pretty simple TG: im just thinkin about how im gonna take this sword

There's really only one solution, and you know it - although I don't think Bro's sword will actually be that useful. It's not like it's alchemized, or anything.

Maybe Dave thinks he needs to take up his brother's mantle, or something. That definitely feels like something he'd try and pressure himself into.

TG: pulling swords out of things isnt how i roll TG: im not john remember GC: 1 4M NOT FOLLOW1NG TG: im not a hero TG: my bro was TG: john is TG: im not

And if that’s not the thesis of Dave’s entire psyche.

Yeah, but Dave probably sees that as a cruel joke, if anything. He's probably pissed-off at the fact that Sburb is pretending he's a hero, even though he's not 'measuring up' to the real players.

TG: fine its a title we inherit as phlegm babies or whatever but what have i done to earn it

Come on, man. It's been, like, a day!

Also: I'd point out that your altself was instrumental in saving the entire session, but I highly doubt you're able to internalize Davesprite's achievements as your own.

Sometimes, when you're a Time Player, it's another you that gets to be the hero - but if you were in his situation, you'd have done the exact same thing as Future Dave. Technically, you already did!

You win some, you lose some.

This all feels very symbolic of what Dave's currently going through. To wield this sword is to inhabit Bro's role - or, at least, that's how it probably looks to Dave - and that's not something he feels capable of doing. He can't pull this sword from the stone, simply because he doesn't consider himself worthy.