#s76

(Reposting my old art due to accidentally deleting blog)

I think Terezi has a point here - and I think I'm starting to understand a faucet of Dave's personality that had previously vexed me.

Namely, his inferiority complex around John.

It confused me before, because it seemed to come completely out of the blue. He's saddled with this strange compulsion to 'compete' with his friend, and appears genuinely scared of looking bad in front of John. Why?

Well, I think it's because of Bro.

Dave is the Luigi to Bro's Mario. He feels like an imitation of Bro, and somewhere in his subconscious is a deep-seated pressure to 'measure up' to his older sibling.

It wasn't just internal pressure, either. Bro was always the Guardian who took these 'fights' the most seriously, and Dave probably learned that competition wasn't optional - it was a necessary part of his life.

Bro's not around any more, but Dave's instincts remain. He 'needs' a bro to compete with, so he gets insecure about John's progress instead.

Terezi implied that he might feel the same way about Davesprite, and his other future selves. We haven't really seen that yet, but it certainly wouldn't surprise me. There's a lot going on behind those shades.

GC: WH3N DO3S H3 G3T TO B3 TH3 H3RO, TH4T'S WH4T 1 W4NT TO KNOW >:D [...] TG: fuck who cares [...] TG: im not seeing the problem here future me is awesome he can bail me out if he wants

I don't think Dave really understands his own emotions here. He doesn't see a logical issue with getting bailed out by his future self - and he's right, there isn't one.

TG: like i even give a shit about being a hero whatever that even means

TG: karkat was saying how it was all a game and youre just flirtin and stuff TG: and that we should quit it because he doesnt want you in my grill or me in yours or whatever [...] GC: W3LL WH4T DO YOU TH1NK D4V3 GC: 4M 1 1N YOUR HUM4N GR1LL

I think if you and his grill were completely divorced, you'd be answering his question in a much less ambiguous manner. There's certainly something going on here.

TG: is this some weird game involving flirtation and assassinations or whatever GC: OH, 1 DONT KNOW GC: M444444YB3… GC: SH33SH!

Our Seer of Mind, everyone. Terezi knows what's going on in everyone's brain but her own.

GC: [K4RK4T] 4LW4YS H4D TO KNOW 3X4CTLY WH4T TH3 D34L W4S 4ND 3X4CTLY WH4T MY MOT1V4T1ONS W3R3 4ND WH4T 3V3RYTH1NG M34NT 4ND BLUH BLUH BLUH GC: 1T T4K3S TH3 FUN OUT OF 3V3RYTH1NG!

And you found that annoying, because even you're not sure what your motivations are. Yes, you're genuinely having fun - but having fun also lets you avoid confronting your feelings.

The moment this stops being a game is the moment you have to get serious about your quadrants. Does this thing with Dave block your feelings for Karkat? Does your bickering with Karkat block your feelings for Vriska? Which feelings are real? Who is going to get hurt by this? Is it you, Terezi?

CT: D --> It strikes me as an artifact rooted in universal lore of nobility CT: D --> As valuable an asset as strength is CT: D --> And as much as anyone with his wits is fond of being STRONG CT: D --> Such weapons require finesse to operate CT: D --> And surely in this case, to retrieve without damaging CT: D --> Hence your no doubt frustrating restraint

I think Equius has the same idea I do.

You don't need to pull the hilt out. Simply smash it to pieces with your STRENGTH, and you can give whatever's left the same upgrade that Caledscratch has, allowing you to rewind to its original state.

TG: ok im kinda starting to wonder why youre bugging me now TG: youre a fuckin creepy dude

Wow, Dave's suspending irony. He must be really pissed about this sword if he's dropping the façade like this.

CT: D --> E%cessive force will shatter such weapons CT: D --> We both know this from e%perience TG: what CT: D --> The adult human who trained you CT: D --> And taught you the ways of being STRONG CT: D --> Remember TG: you mean the guy who spent years beating my ass down with a puppet

You ever think Dave might have some stuff he needs to talk about?

Success(?)!

CT: D --> I think CT: D --> I need CT: D --> Something to dry myself off with

>::::(

Caledfwlch and Caledscratch. Dave still can't escape that fucking puppet, even after it's been destroyed.

GC: 1 FOUND 4 DR4W1NG T4BL3T [...] GC: DO YOU KNOW WH4T 1T M34NS W3 C4N G3T? TG: please dont say this party started please dont say this party started GC: TH1S GC: P4RTY GC: ST4RT3D!!!!! >8D [...] TG: lets see some fine art then

TG: does this mean something GC: Y3S GC: 1T 1S TH3 COM1C R3PR3S3NT4T1ON OF TH3 N3XT L3G OF YOUR WOND3RFUL JOURN3Y

Rose gonna hit you with another ball of wool?