video.

[littlemissfutility]

I was wondering--how long do you think you should wait until you decide that someone's really gone?

[In view: Beth, in a tank top, shorts, and a bunched-up scarf, sitting on a porch swing that moves idly to and fro. Good weather, the hints of picturesque countryside, even if the capsule-like building behind her is on the ugly side. Someplace out of view, a dog barks once or twice.]

Like, my boyfriend's been in and out for weeks at a time. And it's happened a lot--this is the third time now. Other people, though...they're gone, and that's it. Or they leave and come back, and the next time, that's it. It all seems so random. Looking for a pattern's gonna drive you crazy.

So when do you stop checking for their name on the network? How do you decide if this time's forever, or if it's just another phase? [A pause, her mouth tugging downward.] It's almost harder than really losing people--at least then, you know they're gone.

Comments

[d33tached]

That's what you're worried about? The romantic repercussions?

[littlemissfutility]

yeah
and other stuff but that's kind of a big deal

[d33tached]

One would think that, given the circumstances, you wouldn't be concerned with immediately jumping into another romantic relationship in his absence.

[littlemissfutility]

i didn't say i was
but that's what moving on IS

[d33tached]

What does romantically attaching yourself to someone have to do with moving past the loss of someone else? That seems a rather narrow scope to live under.

[littlemissfutility]

are you really saying you can't see why going out with someone new means you're getting over someone else disappearing???????
it's not the ONLY part of moving on
but it's the part that screws everything up if he comes back

[d33tached]

Personally, I don't quite understand the concept of engaging in a romantic relationship with anyone once you've already chosen to do so with someone else.

[Because D33 is so the expert on romance, here. He means at least part of what he's saying. If Kaneki were to disappear from this world forever, D33 is quite certain that he would never be able to look at anyone quite the same way again. Is that to say that he wouldn't seek other pleasures elsewhere? Of that, he's not so sure.]

[littlemissfutility]

because the someone else is gone
it's not rocket science

[d33tached]

Your time in this world is objectively temporary anyway. If you're so concerned with him coming back to find that you've committed yourself to someone else, why not just as soon avoid romantic relationships altogether?

[Says the guy who, oh, you know, got married here after six months.]

[littlemissfutility]

[ughhhhhhhhh]

because i don't want to????
everyone's time everywhere is temporary
that's like asking someone why they decided to fall in love when they're gonna die someday

[d33tached]

Clearly, that cannot be considered one and the same.

[Because I have no way to argue your point, so I'm going to feign ignorance and pretend you're the stupid one.]

[littlemissfutility]

why not???

[d33tached]

ImPorts typically stay within this world between 6 months and two years. That's hardly comparable to a human lifespan.

[littlemissfutility]

some people come from dangerous places
that might be all you get for a relationship
that's comparable

[d33tached]

Some come from place where romantic relationships aren't a possibility either way.

They survive nonetheless.

[littlemissfutility]

so they live like that
doesn't mean the rest of us have to

[d33tached]

Well, perhaps in the case that he does return, you can simply explain to him what you've just done for me, then.

[littlemissfutility]

yeah no
but thanks i guess

[d33tached]

There's certainly no need to thank me.

This is Mr. Pinkman that you're speaking of, yes?

[There's a pause.]

Jesse.

[littlemissfutility]

yeah
jesse
you know him????

[d33tached]

Yes, I did.

[There's another considerable pause.]

I suppose he was a friend of mine.

[littlemissfutility]

[She waits for him to finish (or, you know, gets distracted talking to other people, whatever) before she answers.]

he's a good guy

[d33tached]

Yes, he is.

[littlemissfutility]

[Present tense. She likes it.]

he can still come back
it's only been a week

[d33tached]

Perhaps he will.

[D33 was gone for a month, after all. Even so, he has little hope that K31 will return. Why should his attitude surrounding Jesse be any different?

[It's not safe to let yourself hope. If there's anything D33 has learned over the past twenty years, it's that.]