Refuse to be forgotten.

[@scratch-thxt] *stares in mild disgust*

What, you wanna chip or something?

"You are the most repulsive person I have ever laid eyes on..."

The paper man folds his arms over his chest. That look of mild disgust doesn't change.

"I - I - I mean - and with being stuck in the Dude's mind for most of the time; that's saying something. I can't tell if I should be appalled or amazed."

"Listen we both know if he didn't get this stupid head wound I wouldnt be here, so I may as well get comfy. No Hate to ya alright."

He stays in a calm manner trying not to escalate the situation as best he can, grabbing a loose cigarette from his coat pocket and lights it with a match before taking a drag from it

Scratch tuts his tongue and follows in tow, reaching into his breast pocket and snatching his half-empty packet of cigarettes. He shakes one out and brings it to his lips.

"Lemme guess; You're from that bad dream the Dude had a couple years back. Akella and the end of the world?"

Scratch didn't really care for an answer.

"Not the proudest moment of mine, but yeah."

"What a shit show that was, who are you anyway, my memory is a bit fucked from all the aerosol catnip I've inhaled over the years..."

He chuckles at the last sentence a bit, though it is true to a degree.

Scratch hums, digging around in his breast pocket for his lighter. He hisses quietly at himself. He forgot it at home.

"Imaginary friend of his, mate. Was made up by him when he was - like 4? Was here ever since."

The sound of crumpling paper filled the space between the two as Scratch turns to the ginger. He holds out his cig to him.

"Got a light?"

"Yeah, here."

Lighting another match to ignight the cigarette he then waves the match out to extinguish it.

"So since the shithead was four, damn, I kinda feel sorry for ya bud, sometimes this place is a shitshow."

"I mean, remember when those purple portals n toilet paper where everywhere? Not to mention the rabid dogs, that was horrible."

#used car batteries | postal3morelikepostalpee #[crack rps are super not serious rps :P kinda joke-ish]#[also all good!]

"I wouldn't say that, mate. Kid's been alright up until he graduated from college."

Scratch takes a long drag as the other lit his cigarette. He doesn't know why he does it - perhaps it helps it burn even, maybe he's just antsy for the nicotine.

"I don't remember that much - mostly repressed since '97. I do remember hearing the portals while he sleeps, though, never saw 'em in Purgatory."

[@scratch-thxt] *stares in mild disgust*

What, you wanna chip or something?

"You are the most repulsive person I have ever laid eyes on..."

The paper man folds his arms over his chest. That look of mild disgust doesn't change.

"I - I - I mean - and with being stuck in the Dude's mind for most of the time; that's saying something. I can't tell if I should be appalled or amazed."

"Listen we both know if he didn't get this stupid head wound I wouldnt be here, so I may as well get comfy. No Hate to ya alright."

He stays in a calm manner trying not to escalate the situation as best he can, grabbing a loose cigarette from his coat pocket and lights it with a match before taking a drag from it

Scratch tuts his tongue and follows in tow, reaching into his breast pocket and snatching his half-empty packet of cigarettes. He shakes one out and brings it to his lips.

"Lemme guess; You're from that bad dream the Dude had a couple years back. Akella and the end of the world?"

Scratch didn't really care for an answer.

"Not the proudest moment of mine, but yeah."

"What a shit show that was, who are you anyway, my memory is a bit fucked from all the aerosol catnip I've inhaled over the years..."

He chuckles at the last sentence a bit, though it is true to a degree.

#used car batteries | postal3morelikepostalpee #health pipe | crack rp #[actually this feels less like a crack rp tbh lol]#[also it's all good my dude!]

Scratch hums, digging around in his breast pocket for his lighter. He hisses quietly at himself. He forgot it at home.

"Imaginary friend of his, mate. Was made up by him when he was - like 4? Was here ever since."

The sound of crumpling paper filled the space between the two as Scratch turns to the ginger. He holds out his cig to him.

"Got a light?"

[@scratch-thxt] *stares in mild disgust*

What, you wanna chip or something?

"You are the most repulsive person I have ever laid eyes on..."

The paper man folds his arms over his chest. That look of mild disgust doesn't change.

"I - I - I mean - and with being stuck in the Dude's mind for most of the time; that's saying something. I can't tell if I should be appalled or amazed."

"Listen we both know if he didn't get this stupid head wound I wouldnt be here, so I may as well get comfy. No Hate to ya alright."

He stays in a calm manner trying not to escalate the situation as best he can, grabbing a loose cigarette from his coat pocket and lights it with a match before taking a drag from it

#used car batteries | postal3morelikepostalpee #health pipe | crack rp

Scratch tuts his tongue and follows in tow, reaching into his breast pocket and snatching his half-empty packet of cigarettes. He shakes one out and brings it to his lips.

"Lemme guess; You're from that bad dream the Dude had a couple years back. Akella and the end of the world?"

Scratch didn't really care for an answer.

[@scratch-thxt] *stares in mild disgust*

What, you wanna chip or something?

#used car batteries | postal3morelikepostalpee #health pipe | crack rp #[hullo!]

"You are the most repulsive person I have ever laid eyes on..."

The paper man folds his arms over his chest. That look of mild disgust doesn't change.

"I - I - I mean - and with being stuck in the Dude's mind for most of the time; that's saying something. I can't tell if I should be appalled or amazed."

"The reason you feel like shit is because of the fuckin' drugs you take, mate. Would it kill you to drink some water for once?"

#doodles in the margins | art #don't be shy | prompts #postal rp #postal oc #[open rp starter lol]

What makes them laugh out loud?

It had been a long time since Scratch laughed out loud, with that full-bodied, bright laugh of his; clutching his sides and honking a bit with each breath in. Puns and terrible jokes used to make him laugh - and he used to crack them whenever he was given the opportunity.

He doesn't bother trying to joke around anymore.

His laugh; it became a silent and halfhearted chuff, and he'd laugh at the Dude's karmic misfortune to mask the pain of his failure to save the kid he used to make smile from becoming the monster he was now.

If he was being honest, he forgot how to laugh the way he used to.

#lil' notes | asks #a lil' insight | info #old pal frankie | iregretncthing

iregretncthing

(@scratch-thxt)

"Aw c'mon. Is that how you're gonna greet an ol' friend?"

"Not in the mood, buddy," the Dude said with a frown. His eyes avoided his hallucination as he sulked. He took another puff from the health pipe as he laid down with his back against the bed, head leaning on the bedframe. This was not the first time Scratch had appeared in his trip hallucinations. He also had vivid nightmares of him every now and then. It felt... all too real. First time had been a shock. This time it was a nuisance. His childhood imaginary friend was more annoying than he remembered. He shot a glare at Scratch.

"What do you even you want? 'Cause I'd really like to jack it without someone watching. Now if you can excuse me..."

iregretncthing

Another mean-spirited, breathy laugh escaped from Frank's mouth. Right when Scratch mentioned someone Dude still had someone who believed there was good in him. His eyes glanced elsewhere, trying to avoid lashing out at his friend again.

He did not wanna talk about his own current relationships. Ignoring his own attachment hurt less.

"Well, ain't that just great-" he mumbled, sounding sarcastic. Dude grunted and turned on his side, closing his eyes. Hoping to fall asleep. End this conversation here.

"... which one of those assholes is idiotic enough to do that?"

#old pal frankie | iregretncthing

"If I told you, He'd make 'em one of your next targets. Either that or you'll latch onto them harder than you already do now. And I'm not going to subject them to that."

He flicked off the ash of his cigarette and took another drag.

"Unless they come up to you and admit it to your face, that'll be something I'll keep to the grave."

The nicotine did nothing for him, but the act of smoking itself kept Scratch steady. He went to go grab himself another drink. He opted for the whole bottle rather than a glass.

"Humor me, Frank. If I was to disappear from your mind, not repressed or anything like that but just gone, what would you do?"

It was a thought that plagued Scratch for years. And with that mysterious bundle of cryptic letters he had received, it was something he had to ask. He was a constant for most of Frank's life. And he saw how much Lydia leaving him broke the ginger. If he too was to leave, how much of Frank would remain?

(scratch-thxt)

"...you can see me?"

@scratch-thxt

Nathan looked around for the voice, setting down his knitting project. He hadn't realized how much time had passed, or that someone else was here. He was simply idly chatting away, not paying attention to anything.

"Uh, not really?" he said, squinting. He didn't have his light on. "I can hear ya just fine, though. You a Spy testin' out a new cloak or somthin'?"

"I know it's not much for him, the yarn and all not costing too much, but I just…" Nathan sighed, leaning back in his chair and staring at the ceiling. "I hope he takes it. I want him to be comfortable. I know it's probably gonna be really warm, and he lives real close to the border, but he'll at least have something soft, yeah?"

- The traces of a soft smile found itself on Scratch's lips.

"Yeah. Bastard needs something better than his old comforter and that ratty hospital gown he uses as a blanket."

Scratch chuckled to himself. Retracting his hand he turned to Nathan and leaned up against the edge of the desk, half-sitting on it. He anchored himself with his feet and kept his posture as open as possible.

"If he does take it, I'm sure it'll be the best Christmas gift he'd receive in a while."

iregretncthing

(@scratch-thxt)

"Aw c'mon. Is that how you're gonna greet an ol' friend?"

"Not in the mood, buddy," the Dude said with a frown. His eyes avoided his hallucination as he sulked. He took another puff from the health pipe as he laid down with his back against the bed, head leaning on the bedframe. This was not the first time Scratch had appeared in his trip hallucinations. He also had vivid nightmares of him every now and then. It felt... all too real. First time had been a shock. This time it was a nuisance. His childhood imaginary friend was more annoying than he remembered. He shot a glare at Scratch.

"What do you even you want? 'Cause I'd really like to jack it without someone watching. Now if you can excuse me..."

#old pal frankie | iregretncthing

"And Lydia almost proved me wrong. But I fucked that up too."

-

It was cathartic hearing the ginger admit his faults - but Scratch knew better than to revel in it. The Dude fluctuated between accepting he was wrong and outright denying he was wrong; this moment of clarity was fleeting. He took another drag from his dying cigarette, drawing in until the ash met the but of the cig and tossing it away. He blew out a plume of smoke.

"Good to know you know you're one big fuck up, mate."

The word "mate" tasted bitter on Scratch's tongue. His words lacked the warmth they used to have years into the past.

"You fucked up far too many times. You're lucky that those mercenaries tolerate you as much as they do - hell, you're lucky that one of 'em wants to give you a second chance."

Scratch dug another cigarette out from the his pack and lit it with a drag. A long moment of silence fell between the two men. Scratch sighed, watching the ember of his cig creep up slowly to his knuckles.

He thought for a moment. Scratch though about just tired he was. He had spent a little over three decades watching over Frank, a little under two trying to protect him from the Demon that plagued him.

If Frank's subconscious finally decided to let him go, and he wasn't needed, Scratch would happily let himself be stowed away in the farthest recesses of Frank's mind, maybe even entertain the idea of being forgotten entirely.

(scratch-thxt)

"...you can see me?"

@scratch-thxt

Nathan looked around for the voice, setting down his knitting project. He hadn't realized how much time had passed, or that someone else was here. He was simply idly chatting away, not paying attention to anything.

"Uh, not really?" he said, squinting. He didn't have his light on. "I can hear ya just fine, though. You a Spy testin' out a new cloak or somthin'?"

He was making a blanket. The yarn he was using was rather thick, the needles ordered from somewhere so he could properly knot up the string. It was dull in colour, but still a little fancy. He was planning on making it fade from black to white, using as many shades of grey that he could find.

-

Following the mercenary's gaze, Scratch hummed. His smile fell, the melancholy taking hold again.

"Frank was a good kid, yeah."

With a small huff, he got up from where he sat, walking over to the blanket and grazing his fingers over top. It was soft; plush. It had an elegance and weight to it that Frank would've loved. Had the younger and kinder Frank received it, he would've thanked Nathan profusely. Scratch had no idea how the Dude would accept the gift, if he would at all.

"He had it rough growing up. That's partly why I'm here."

A sigh left him. He thumbed the purl stitching. 'So much care went into this blanket.'

(scratch-thxt)

"...you can see me?"

@scratch-thxt

Nathan looked around for the voice, setting down his knitting project. He hadn't realized how much time had passed, or that someone else was here. He was simply idly chatting away, not paying attention to anything.

"Uh, not really?" he said, squinting. He didn't have his light on. "I can hear ya just fine, though. You a Spy testin' out a new cloak or somthin'?"

As much as he would love to annoy the hell out of Dude himself with the horrible jokes, he thought it would be funnier if something from his mind said them instead.

-

"Yeah, yeah..."

Scratch sighed, taking his cigarette half and turning it over with his fingers. He smiled a bit. It was rare for him to get such a positive reaction from someone. It was nice.

"Maybe I might. Who's to say? I don't really get much of an opportunity nowadays, mate, but... maybe."

Scratch, though tired and artificial sounding, sounded much like the idea of an old friend. Nostalgic, and warm, but with a comfortable distance that one didn't mind taking the effort to close in order to catch up with again. He sounded sweet.

(scratch-thxt)

"...you can see me?"

@scratch-thxt

Nathan looked around for the voice, setting down his knitting project. He hadn't realized how much time had passed, or that someone else was here. He was simply idly chatting away, not paying attention to anything.

"Uh, not really?" he said, squinting. He didn't have his light on. "I can hear ya just fine, though. You a Spy testin' out a new cloak or somthin'?"

The air was still, making the BLU anxious. He never liked it when things felt like this; like the air was thick enough to cut with a knife... it reminded him to much about waking up from his nightmares.

-

Scratch noticed the heavy atmosphere and fidgeted with his hands, twiddling his thumbs and shaking his hands out. He caught them with a quick clap. He wasn't used to this hopeful and introspective air to it - having spent well over 7 years simply managing the Dude's hopeless denial and disinterest in bettering himself. It was strange, but it was nice.

He hid his lip behind a knuckle and cleared his throat.

"So, two antennas met on a roof, right? They fell in love and got married; now the ceremony wasn't much, but the reception was incredible!"

It wasn't much, but Scratch's delightly terrible joke certainly lightened the mood. He gave Nathan a small smile and chuckled to himself.

Nathan paused, looking over at Scratch as he spoke. As the joke registered in his head, he made a soft "pfft" and waved at him, a small smile appearing on his face.

"You shut it," he said, relaxing a little. "I'm guessin' you had a lot of time to work on some dad jokes?"

That little smile of the mercenary's eased the scribbled man's mind. He settled and leaned onto his knees where he sat.

"20-30something years, yeah."

Scratch said, his smile deepening a touch.

"I am definitely rusty, though. Just not as quick to the draw anymore. Back then, if there was an opportunity for a dad joke, I would've taken it immediately."

(scratch-thxt)

"...you can see me?"

@scratch-thxt

Nathan looked around for the voice, setting down his knitting project. He hadn't realized how much time had passed, or that someone else was here. He was simply idly chatting away, not paying attention to anything.

"Uh, not really?" he said, squinting. He didn't have his light on. "I can hear ya just fine, though. You a Spy testin' out a new cloak or somthin'?"