Oh The Humanity! || p

[sock]

It had been a few weeks since he'd broken that stupid Time Piece. A few weeks since he'd been reverted to this horrid, weak, pitiful, human meat-sack. Of course, he hated it. He wished he could return to his normal form. He'd spent centuries working to become more powerful than this foolish man, and in one fell swoop, all of that had been taken away from him.

And now, he was at the mercy of two brats whom he'd tried to kill.

Snatcher sat in the captain's seat behind the control panel of Hat Kid's space ship, staring out at the glowing mass of rock he'd once lived on. He hated it here. Back in Subcon, he'd felt at home. He'd known every tree, every path, every twig. It had been like the forest had a heartbeat, which he was attuned to at all times. Now, however, he couldn't feel it. No longer were the sounds of the forest there to comfort him, instead replaced by mechanical whirrs and groans. This ship was dead. It had no heartbeat.

It was late. Very, very late. Snatcher was exhausted, so tired that he was barely able to keep his eyes open. Despite this, he just couldn't bring himself to sleep. It seemed that every time he closed his eyes, he was immediately greeted with nightmares. And every time, he'd wake up crying. He didn't want to cry in front of the kids.

He didn't want them to see him as weak.

As the planet spun, the light it cast onto the window shifted ever so slightly, allowing him to see his reflection in the glass. He flinched, then narrowed his eyes. God, he looked awful. He looked stupid. He looked weak. Weak enough to need to be babysat by two alien children.

Snatcher looked away, pulling the blanket that was draped over him tighter around his shoulders. It was cold in the spaceship. It was cold in Subcon, too, but he'd never really noticed it, being dead and all. But now, he had the "pleasure" of so many different sensations that he could barely handle it all.

Sure, he hated the sensation of the cold. To most, it was simply inconvenient. But what he really hated about it was the way it rooted itself deeper than that, in him. He hated how it made him see glowing red eyes. Warping shadows. The way it made him seize his upper arms, expecting to feel the painful chill of shackles. Snatcher noticed he was shaking.

And then, without a single thought, his finger drifted towards a button on the control panel. The button to call Moonjumper.

It had become a sort of routine -- muscle memory, if you will: Snatcher would wait until the two brats were sound asleep, and contact MJ straight away. At first, he'd simply bulldozed over any emotion he felt. But, of course, that had lead to... The Incident. He could confidently say that that had been the worst experience he'd had since dying. And that sure was saying something. So now, under the veil of night, he'd call Moonjumper, and just... talk.

Usually, it was about nothing much. Snatcher wasn't ready to get into anything too deep (though it was obvious that Moonjumper desperately did). But even if the two would just sit in silence, it somewhat calmed Snatcher's spiraling thoughts. He didn't like being alone.

So, he pressed the button. He knew Moonjumper would teleport there right away -- there was no doubt that they'd taken to the routine as well.

[ oof, this feels like crap, maybe tomorrow posts will get better @Caspian ]

[Caspian]

He had finally gotten the minions to bed, as they had told him Snatcher usually tucked them in, gave them snacks, and read them bedtime stories to put them to sleep, though he was starting to wonder if that was actually true, since that seemed oddly out of character for Snatcher. But… well… he couldn’t say he’d know what Snatcher’s affection felt like.

Why was he even here again?

Moonjumper knew that Snatcher had wanted him to take care of the forest, so he tried his best to do so, though he did run things very differently than how Snatcher did. The situation still confused him a tad, to be honest. He did actually enjoy being in Subcon forest, though. It was serene. Peaceful. Maybe that was why his… friend? No, acquantice, liked it so much.

Even if this was the case, Moonjumper still felt obligated to be kind to the minions.

He sighed, sitting down on the red armchair. He was sure that he was tired; taking care of the minions was hard work. How did Snatcher even do it? Wasn’t their nightly routine exhausting to him?

Moonjumper jolted as he got a call from Snatcher. That was a… surprise, to say the least, considering their current relationship and it’s stability. He fumbled with his phone for a moment, still dealing with the wave of surprise that came over him.

He answered the call and held his phone up to the side of his head, seeing as he didn’t really have any notable ears, but he could still hear; like most creatures, to tell the complete truth.

He didn’t want to put the phone on speaker, as he worried Snatcher would be paranoid about somebody hearing him through the phone, speaking words only meant for Moonjumper.

“Yes?” Moonjumper asked, not as surprised anymore. He forced his voice to seem as if he was calm and serene, but he was actually quite tense; why did Snatcher call him? He had spoken with Snatcher over the phone before, though he still couldn’t shake surprise and a tense feeling whenever he did. Snatcher wasn’t very nice to him. But Moonjumper supposed that’s what he deserved. He had taken over Snatcher’s dead body, so he deserved it. Right? Nonetheless, he still openly showed affection towards Snatcher— even if the damn tsundere wouldn’t do it back often.

Nonetheless, he had answered the call. He couldn’t just hang up. That would be rude. And Moonjumper really didn’t like being rude.

@sock
(please, god, no it has begun-)

[sock]

Originally Posted by Caspian

He had finally gotten the minions to bed, as they had told him Snatcher usually tucked them in, gave them snacks, and read them bedtime stories to put them to sleep, though he was starting to wonder if that was actually true, since that seemed oddly out of character for Snatcher. But… well… he couldn’t say he’d know what Snatcher’s affection felt like.

Why was he even here again?

Moonjumper knew that Snatcher had wanted him to take care of the forest, so he tried his best to do so, though he did run things very differently than how Snatcher did. The situation still confused him a tad, to be honest. He did actually enjoy being in Subcon forest, though. It was serene. Peaceful. Maybe that was why his… friend? No, acquantice, liked it so much.

Even if this was the case, Moonjumper still felt obligated to be kind to the minions.

He sighed, sitting down on the red armchair. He was sure that he was tired; taking care of the minions was hard work. How did Snatcher even do it? Wasn’t their nightly routine exhausting to him?

Moonjumper jolted as he got a call from Snatcher. That was a… surprise, to say the least, considering their current relationship and it’s stability. He fumbled with his phone for a moment, still dealing with the wave of surprise that came over him.

He answered the call and held his phone up to the side of his head, seeing as he didn’t really have any notable ears, but he could still hear; like most creatures, to tell the complete truth.

He didn’t want to put the phone on speaker, as he worried Snatcher would be paranoid about somebody hearing him through the phone, speaking words only meant for Moonjumper.

“Yes?” Moonjumper asked, not as surprised anymore. He forced his voice to seem as if he was calm and serene, but he was actually quite tense; why did Snatcher call him? He had spoken with Snatcher over the phone before, though he still couldn’t shake surprise and a tense feeling whenever he did. Snatcher wasn’t very nice to him. But Moonjumper supposed that’s what he deserved. He had taken over Snatcher’s dead body, so he deserved it. Right? Nonetheless, he still openly showed affection towards Snatcher— even if the damn tsundere wouldn’t do it back often.

Nonetheless, he had answered the call. He couldn’t just hang up. That would be rude. And Moonjumper really didn’t like being rude.

@sock
(please, god, no it has begun-)

(oh goodness, ur already writting MJ so well)

Snatcher was silent for a moment as Moonjumper answered the call. He stared down at the planet again, duly noting that the white specter was living down there. With his minions. In his forest. Probably screwing things up. His fist tightened around the blanket.

Or... maybe they weren't. Maybe the minions like them more, maybe they were already hearing the heartbeat of the forest, maybe- No. Absolutely not. He couldn't think like that, not now, with all these other disgusting thoughts racing in his head.

"Hey," he finally managed, barely over a whisper. He made no attempt at his big, ghostly voice. "Can you... come up here?"

Teleporting. Another thing he couldn't do.

(sorry short post, next will be longer, i promise, im really tired rn)

[Caspian]

Moonjumper was surprised at Snatchers request. Him? Go up there? With him? He was absolutely astonished at the request, since the two were never on good terms with each other besides a few laughs and jokes, otherwise, they couldn’t be left alone without it feeling completely and utterly awkward.

But could that change? He hoped so.

“U-uh, sure!” Moonjumper stuttered, smiling now. Snatcher wanted him to come up there! Into Hat Kid’s space ship! “Be right there.” he said, clicking a button on his phone and hanging up. Moonjumper reminded himself. He sometimes had trouble maintaining his calm whenever he got mad, but he definitely tried. He, at least, tried to make their relationship stronger.

Moonjumper was definitely happy now, since they had only really spoken over the phone after Snatcher had broken the Time Piece. He was aware that the alien children were trying to help, and he appreciated the little ones doing that. Moonjumper enjoyed Snatcher and wanted to give him affection, unlike Snatcher himself.

He teleported up into Hat Kid’s ship.

Moonjumper waved at Snatcher politely, smiling softly. He was actually really happy he had been called up here above anything else. Maybe Snatcher was finally beginning to trust him? To talk to him? Feel understood— wait. He cut himself off. Don’t do that, you’ll get your hopes up way too high. Just let a small amount of progress be. He pointed out to himself.

Moonjumper had to keep it completely realistic, which meant not prying or anything of that sort. Just…. Listening.

@sock

(It’s okay, my friend, I don’t care about the crappy posts, I just enjoy reading them all >:] )

(And Ty-)

[sock]

Originally Posted by Caspian

Moonjumper was surprised at Snatchers request. Him? Go up there? With him? He was absolutely astonished at the request, since the two were never on good terms with each other besides a few laughs and jokes, otherwise, they couldn’t be left alone without it feeling completely and utterly awkward.

But could that change? He hoped so.

“U-uh, sure!” Moonjumper stuttered, smiling now. Snatcher wanted him to come up there! Into Hat Kid’s space ship! “Be right there.” he said, clicking a button on his phone and hanging up. Moonjumper reminded himself. He sometimes had trouble maintaining his calm whenever he got mad, but he definitely tried. He, at least, tried to make their relationship stronger.

Moonjumper was definitely happy now, since they had only really spoken over the phone after Snatcher had broken the Time Piece. He was aware that the alien children were trying to help, and he appreciated the little ones doing that. Moonjumper enjoyed Snatcher and wanted to give him affection, unlike Snatcher himself.

He teleported up into Hat Kid’s ship.

Moonjumper waved at Snatcher politely, smiling softly. He was actually really happy he had been called up here above anything else. Maybe Snatcher was finally beginning to trust him? To talk to him? Feel understood— wait. He cut himself off. Don’t do that, you’ll get your hopes up way too high. Just let a small amount of progress be. He pointed out to himself.

Moonjumper had to keep it completely realistic, which meant not prying or anything of that sort. Just…. Listening.

@sock

(It’s okay, my friend, I don’t care about the crappy posts, I just enjoy reading them all >:] )

(And Ty-)

He let out a hushed sigh as Moonjumper responded with a "Sure." Even over the phone he sounded way too excited, and Snatcher definitely was not ready to deal with that. He stared at the control panel as MJ hung up, once again leaving him to his own devices. Luckily though, this didn't last long; a quiet pop from behind him signaled Moonjumper's arrival, so Snatcher took hold of the control panel, pushing against it in order to spin the chair around.

Snatcher had to squint against the sudden barrage of moon-beams that appeared as Moonjumper appeared. He stared at the floating specter, who gave him a small wave. It was obvious that he was excited about something, but Snatcher chose to ignore it -- he found himself to be far more important than whatever the hell Moonjumper was feeling.

Snatcher stayed quiet for a moment, simply observing Moonjumper in the dark of the Spaceship. He didn't know what to say, or in fact, why he'd felt the need to call Moonjumper. He hated Moonjumper. (Right?) After all, he had stolen his corpse. What kind of person does that? (A desperate person.) It was just insensitive. Mean, in fact. And then to go and parade that body in front of its very ghost? Now, that's just despicable.

When Moonjumper had approached for the first time, greeting him with mannerisms so familiar, Snatcher had had an out-of-body experience. Literally. To see someone else wearing everything of the Prince but his face -- because he never even had the chance to change out of his traveling clothes before...well, you know -- was like his own reflection reached out of a mirror to try and shake his hand. Followed him around, talked at him, tried to be his friend… And then later started criticizing him, and that had been the last straw. But always, they were the one reaching out. Why?

Snatcher suddenly realized that he'd been completely still, sitting with a thousand-yard stare for several seconds. He blinked, then continued to stare grimly at MJ, pulling his legs up onto the chair and resting his chin on his knees. "...Hey," he mumbles awkwardly.

[Caspian]

MJ blinked, chuckling awkwardly, though he still tried to remain silent as to not wake up the little ones. He felt out of place, as he felt Snatcher’s intense unfriendly aura. But…. If Snatcher didn’t want him here, why was he specifically asked to be here? That must mean something, right? He went over to the side of the seat Snatcher was sitting in.

Moonjumper kept his polite smile, not wanting to radiate the same hostile energy as his…. ? MJ still wasn’t sure about their relationship. It wasn’t the friendliest, but Snatcher hadn’t exactly tried to physically harm him, so that was good. MJ always tried to be nice, but he stepped out of line sometimes, and that made him feel a bit guilty. Moonjumper had always been guilty in the back of his mind after the treatment he received from Snatcher. The words that were said to him. What he was insulted with. What he had done. He didn’t mean to, he really didn’t, but he didn’t even know if it was his fault or not. Snatcher had always said it was, ever since they had met. MJ still tried to be kind, to be friendly, to try and make up for what he’d done.

“Hey, where’s that spooky attitude?” MJ joked quietly, nudging Snatcher playfully. He wanted to lighten the mood, even if just a bit.

Moonjumper was aware that Snatcher wasn’t very happy with being back in his human form; hated it, in fact. MJ worried about him sometimes, even if Snatcher didn’t return the concern. Or affection. Or anything. But nonetheless, MJ tried.

Moonjumper didn’t want to be mean, and he wished Snatcher would stop. MJ had just wanted a body. Was that so much to ask for? But…. He supposed he deserved it. He brought back terrible memories, and he still felt guilty sometimes, even if he knew that he hadn’t gotten fair treatment. And MJ knew that him bringing thought memories back was sinister, but it was also unintentional.

No. He reminded himself, as he frequently had to do that as of late since he was alone with his thoughts often when not talking with Snatcher over the phone or taking care of the minions (he still didn’t know if they were telling the truth about all those treats, but he’d make it happen. He was too nice not to.) He had often reflected on how he had taken over Snatcher’s corpse, how he had INTRODUCED himself (he was still very embarrassed and guilty about that. Who introduces themselves like, ‘hi, I’m MJ, I stole your corpse, let’s be besties!’ Stupid!), he reflected on what Snatcher had said to him in the past, but he mainly thought about his identity. He was still confused on that.

But he knew Snatcher was going through some crappy stuff right now.

He let his thoughts stay in his head, still smiling with his hands clasped together behind his back.

@sock
(You’re so good a rping Snatcher )

(Sorry I was so late to respond! I had to finish an essay I was working on)

[sock]

Originally Posted by Caspian

MJ blinked, chuckling awkwardly, though he still tried to remain silent as to not wake up the little ones. He felt out of place, as he felt Snatcher’s intense unfriendly aura. But…. If Snatcher didn’t want him here, why was he specifically asked to be here? That must mean something, right? He went over to the side of the seat Snatcher was sitting in.

Moonjumper kept his polite smile, not wanting to radiate the same hostile energy as his…. ? MJ still wasn’t sure about their relationship. It wasn’t the friendliest, but Snatcher hadn’t exactly tried to physically harm him, so that was good. MJ always tried to be nice, but he stepped out of line sometimes, and that made him feel a bit guilty. Moonjumper had always been guilty in the back of his mind after the treatment he received from Snatcher. The words that were said to him. What he was insulted with. What he had done. He didn’t mean to, he really didn’t, but he didn’t even know if it was his fault or not. Snatcher had always said it was, ever since they had met. MJ still tried to be kind, to be friendly, to try and make up for what he’d done.

“Hey, where’s that spooky attitude?” MJ joked quietly, nudging Snatcher playfully. He wanted to lighten the mood, even if just a bit.

Moonjumper was aware that Snatcher wasn’t very happy with being back in his human form; hated it, in fact. MJ worried about him sometimes, even if Snatcher didn’t return the concern. Or affection. Or anything. But nonetheless, MJ tried.

Moonjumper didn’t want to be mean, and he wished Snatcher would stop. MJ had just wanted a body. Was that so much to ask for? But…. He supposed he deserved it. He brought back terrible memories, and he still felt guilty sometimes, even if he knew that he hadn’t gotten fair treatment. And MJ knew that him bringing thought memories back was sinister, but it was also unintentional.

No. He reminded himself, as he frequently had to do that as of late since he was alone with his thoughts often when not talking with Snatcher over the phone or taking care of the minions (he still didn’t know if they were telling the truth about all those treats, but he’d make it happen. He was too nice not to.) He had often reflected on how he had taken over Snatcher’s corpse, how he had INTRODUCED himself (he was still very embarrassed and guilty about that. Who introduces themselves like, ‘hi, I’m MJ, I stole your corpse, let’s be besties!’ Stupid!), he reflected on what Snatcher had said to him in the past, but he mainly thought about his identity. He was still confused on that.

But he knew Snatcher was going through some crappy stuff right now.

He let his thoughts stay in his head, still smiling with his hands clasped together behind his back.

@sock
(You’re so good a rping Snatcher )

(Sorry I was so late to respond! I had to finish an essay I was working on)

(no worries, man! and tysm!!)

Snatcher could almost see the cogs whirring inside Moonjumper's oddly-shaped head as the two stared at each other. He was still smiling, which somewhat agitated him for a reason he couldn't quite explain. Snatcher watched as MJ drifted forward, giving his shoulder a playful nudge. Even though it was a gentle touch, it made Snatcher flinch and seize up. He still wasn't quite used to his sense of touch.

His stare turned into a glare at MJ's friendly remark. Of course, around the kids, he would hold up his "Spooky attitude" till the end of time, but he felt that at night when he couldn't sleep, then he could just stop pretending and get some of these stupid human emotions out of his damn system. He scoffed, turning his head to the side to avoid Moonjumper's eyes.

As his eyes focused on the enormous window, he realized he could still see his reflection. Even as a spirit, he never cared much to see his own face, and the sentiment doubled for his human form. He fixated on the whites of his eyes, which stood out slightly more than the rest of his shadowed image, then flinched and blinked. His gaze darts down to examine his shaking hand instead.

"I just... I can't, right now," he answered Moonjumper's question with a huff. He didn't have the energy for it. He hadn't slept in a while. And...it was kind of getting to him.

[Caspian]

MJ squeaked in embarrassment at making Snatcher flinch when he looked so miserable. “Sorry.” he said instinctively, but then floated in his thoughts for a minute before catching himself.

Focus on now.

Moonjumper pushed his thoughts aside. MJ followed Snatcher’s gaze, still remaining silent. Hmm.. MJ thought to himself, looking at Snatcher’s shaking hand. His gaze examined Snatcher, how he’d flinch almost constantly, how tired he looked. He “How long has it been since you last slept?” He asked, trying to remain friendly. He looked as if slightly concerned, which was normal for MJ when somebody was going through something.

Maybe he called me because he needed me to help him sleep? Moonjumper guessed inside his head, though he doubted it as soon as the thought came up. Snatcher would never ask for help sleeping. At least he thought. MJ wasn’t exactly sure. Maybe Snacthee asked Hat Kid or Bow Kid? Maybe…. But he mentally shrugged the thought off.

Looking at Snatcher, seeing how hopeless he looked right now in this moment, as if the once passionate fire inside him was dimmed, or completely gone. It made MJ feel empathetic, more so than usual.

@sock

[sock]

Originally Posted by Caspian

MJ squeaked in embarrassment at making Snatcher flinch when he looked so miserable. “Sorry.” he said instinctively, but then floated in his thoughts for a minute before catching himself.

Focus on now.

Moonjumper pushed his thoughts aside. MJ followed Snatcher’s gaze, still remaining silent. Hmm.. MJ thought to himself, looking at Snatcher’s shaking hand. His gaze examined Snatcher, how he’d flinch almost constantly, how tired he looked. He “How long has it been since you last slept?” He asked, trying to remain friendly. He looked as if slightly concerned, which was normal for MJ when somebody was going through something.

Maybe he called me because he needed me to help him sleep? Moonjumper guessed inside his head, though he doubted it as soon as the thought came up. Snatcher would never ask for help sleeping. At least he thought. MJ wasn’t exactly sure. Maybe Snacthee asked Hat Kid or Bow Kid? Maybe…. But he mentally shrugged the thought off.

Looking at Snatcher, seeing how hopeless he looked right now in this moment, as if the once passionate fire inside him was dimmed, or completely gone. It made MJ feel empathetic, more so than usual.

@sock

Snatcher looked up when MJ spoke, but his reaction was slow. "Huh?" It took a beat for him to process the question, and when he did, his brow furrowed. "Oh, uh... I dunno," he said truthfully. Moonjumper's obvious concern annoyed him. Why did he care so much about Snatcher? Why did he need to be his friend?

Maybe...maybe it was... No. No, he wasn't ready to think about that. About anything even related to that. So he ignored it, for now. He watched MJ think, wondering what in the hell could be going on in his head right now. Probably stupid things. Hah. Moonjumper was stupid. (Was he?)

(ahh short post, gtg eat lunch)

[Caspian]

Moonjumper sighed. “I think you should go to sleep, Snatcher.” MJ inquired, not wanting Snatcher to be exhausted; that would only make him a grouch. Or, more so than usual. MJ, having taken on the Prince’s thoughts and personality, he was kind, he was empathetic, he couldn’t help that. So he was always careful when it came to somebody sleeping or doing something self-destructive, especially when it was Snatcher or somebody he also cared about.

He made an attempt to place a hand onto Snatcher’s shoulder gently. “You do need it, after all.” he added quietly.

MJ continued to push his thoughts away so he could be there for Snatcher, even if the former ghost was visibly annoyed, it had to mean something that Moonjumper was called to his aid (okay, MJ is making it sound more dramatic, but still!)

Moonjumper was still trying to be nice, as he’s been trying to make up for a lot. And not to mention the outburst he had before all of this human stuff happened. That was so embarrassing…. He had made a mess out of Subcon, and he hadn’t even meant to.

@sock
(its alr, I get it.)