04 ▸ VIDEO.

[bragnificent]

[ When Reggie turns the camera on himself today, people might notice that his look™ has changed a bit since the last time he made a post, or even the last time they may have seen him in person if they ever do-- aside from his leather jacket he's also got on a black keyhole sweater and eyeliner, clearly going for something in the vein of a "joth" aesthetic. Or his understanding of it, anyway. ]

Y'know, it's true what they say-- bein' here for a while really does start to get you thinking. For me now it's been almost a year since Archie and I first turned up in this place, and I'll be honest... I get that I probably don't seem like much of a thinker, but the truth is I just don't like doin' it. A lot of things are hard to think about, so I don't. Simple as that.

Archie's gone now, but I'm not. And between that and having my birthday fall on Easter this year, it's enough to give a guy a little perspective-- now that I'm eighteen I should be making more of an effort not to hold everything in all the time, so for the next week, that's what I'm gonna do. Try out this whole "sincerity" thing for a change.

Can't really promise anything longer than that, though. It's just not in my DNA.

So who else has got any experience with trying to be a-- [ air-quotes time: ] "better person?" Cuz I could use some tips if anyone's got 'em.

Comments

[baphlement]

Truly a jothic look, Mantle. I think I've already done my part, guiding you to the chthonic gleam within you.

[nightmarist]

[Ronan does the classy thing and responds to this Very Earnest™ post with a loud wolf whistle.]

[bragnificent]

Uh, the what? [ Chth... who? But he does a face-to-chest sweeping gesture with his hand. ] That means I got it right, uh... right? Cuz yeah, I gotta admit I look pretty good.

[baphlement]

I'd say you got it right, yeah. You have the blessing of Baphomet.

[bragnificent]

[ This is exactly why he loves you, Ronan. Reggie winks and clicks a finger-gun at the screen. ]

Not bad, huh? I dunno why they don't already make more sweaters like this for guys-- like, my chest and arms have never looked better.

[nightmarist]

Someday I'll start a fashion line to meet that specific need. We've all been so deprived.

Text

[plasticbow]

Don't be a dick.

[He's helping.]

Text

[bragnificent]

right right
except 4 when its funny obv even I know that

or do u mean like all the time

[bragnificent]

You sure? Cuz I could still make this bigger, if you want. [ Pointing to the sweater's boob window. ] Like, if that's what it takes to be more authentic.

[bragnificent]

You totally should, bro. It's about time someone took a stand for equality in fashion.

[nightmarist]

You make it sound so noble.

Video

[craftpunk]

My advice? Give up while you can. The benefits in that endeavor aren't worth the effort.

[plasticbow]

All the time.

[There are exceptions - Hearth knows that better than anyone. Like when you're not really being a dick because you're being a dick to your friend who's also being a dick.

[But he gets the feeling that sort of thing is a little too abstract for this guy right now. Start small, get into the subtle nuances of dick-being once he's graduated from being a garden variety asshole.]

Video

[bragnificent]

Wow, go off. [ He smirks, but then shrugs. ] But I'm only talking small doses here, to start... like, a week never hurt anybody, right?

Plus maybe you just sucked at it.

video »

[eloquentness]

Happy belated birthday! Can you drop by the clinic later? I've got something, but I haven't been able to leave as of... a few hours ago...

[ Iris is trying so hard not to beam, but her huge smile and clasped hands give it away. Her time has come and she's gonna shine!! ]

But also: the fact that you're asking is a start. [ "I'm proud of you." ] Communication's the most important thing about being sincere, you know?

[dreamkid]

[ Matthew appears in the middle of sunny laughter, as usual. ]

You look different. I almost didn't recognize you.

Happy birthday! Even if it's late.

[bragnificent]

Well how's it not? I mean, we deserve a way to flaunt what we got without having to go topless, too.

Not that there's anything wrong with going topless.

[bragnificent]

ugh
ok
well ur gonna have 2 define being a dick 4 me then

[plasticbow]

What do you do that make people think you're a bad person?

[nightmarist]

I'm with you, man. And while we're at it: crop tops.

video »

[bragnificent]

[ Oh god why does she look so happy... Reggie's going to be real unhappy if things backfire on him this quickly. ]

Uh-- right, yeah, that's what I've been hearing. Like, it's supposed to... I dunno, feel therapeutic or whatever? [ He holds his hands out in a brief shrug-like gesture, then raises an eyebrow. ] You're not gonna give me like, an ointment or something, are you?

[bragnificent]

Dude, hell. Yes. That's like, the one thing the 80s actually got right.

Video

[craftpunk]

Well, there's evidence to suggest that I'm pretty shitty at it.

My talent notwithstanding... why would you want to bother for a week, when you could be enjoying it? Especially your first week as a legal adult?

[baphlement]

Make it any bigger and you're going to need to pierce something.

[nightmarist]

Why the fuck has the crop top revival taken so long? I'm about to make millions.