Chapter Text
School's finally over for the day, and right now my only worry is to appease my boredom. I enter the bedroom quickly, before starting to change into a more comfortable attire for the evening; a ritual that I have taken with pride as a method of cleaning any bad vibes that may remain from Volcano High. I end up wearing a rather basic oversize shirt with the letters 'OPPAI' written on its front: a niche culture reference most people don't end up understanding and the most comfy indoor clothing I have in my wardrobe, at least with this heavy weather.
I turn my computer on after resting my back on the luxurious office chair I have, inherited from my father's old studio. It even has a small tail rest and everything! Sadly, not even a hundred chairs like this one can save me from the horrible world of the internet: always a double-edged knife of sorts, either having very disturbing old men that try every trick in the book to get pictures of my butt, or lots of weirdos that search for people to imprint their rather bigoted world views on you. It is nothing I could actually bear to see every day, and as a result, most of the time I just play games on the web browser or watch video essays, ignoring the world beyond.
But not today! Because, for once in my life, I'm going to try and socialize with other people by my own volition. And if I fail, then I will be alone again. Not like I haven't been living that suffering already. On MyAnimeList forums it seems to be easier than ever to communicate with those that share my good taste. And of course, the best place to search for possible friends to talk to is an open discussion thread of one of my favorite stories! Perfect plan. If anybody shares my opinion, that's something to talk about. And if they have a horrible taste, then that is one less person to worry about.
Now the only thing that matters is posting my opinion, and people will flock like birds on migration. That's how it works, right? Eh, probably yes. I just need to type this answer real quick, add this ascii emoticon here and there, check the spelling and...
Sent. Now, time to wait close to the bait like a real hunter would. And maybe some Roblox can help appease my hunger for fun? Doors time, baby. Let's see if I can finally finish this without using revives!
As I enter my room after eating dinner, I land on my bed, projecting all the stress of the day with a powerful scream into the pillow. 'Who in the NAME of Raptor Jesus chose to make classes so goddamn LONG!' is my only thought, as agony leaves my slightly bruised body. And there's just so much energy left on me that I can't seem to be capable of sleeping. I raise my head up and take a look around the room, searching for anything to do. Nope, I don't think I want to beat RockRing again just yet. It would be the fourth time this month, and burning out on the only game on my XROX could potentially result in my premature death by 'absolute boredom'. And neither does math homework look fun to do; it's always the same copied activities without any variation or actual intent in teaching. At least physics brings some difficulties, if any.
Guess this calls for aggressive measures. I finally get up, a low pained grunt escaping my mouth, and I walk to my laptop, booting it up before opening the MyAnimeList webpage on Chrome. I had to make an account for it to let me write comments on the forums, and since I'm the worst at names, I just decided to reuse my Dinocord name; I doubt anybody would take their time off to doxx me for having bad anime takes, and if they do, nuking my account isn't as bad as it seems; since I'm not using it to talk to anyone, who cares? I check the main page of the web, before opening the 'Anime discussion' subsection. Now, time to ragebait some losers!
Now don't get me wrong: I'm as much of an otaku as the next person. But some of these people are well off getting away from the screen and passing their time outside. They stay in this place as if it was their real world, and I can't help but feel sad for them. Still, a majority of them are actual pricks that need a reality check, so throwing them off and making them scream while typing may as well be the therapy they need. Maybe it could even be fun?
Scrolling through the posts lets me see various anime episode release discussions, sometimes cut by small debates over plots, typical otaku rants about who solos who, and the weirdly specific music or character analysis from time to time. One of them takes my interest deeply: a Sailor Moon thread about characters with only 2 posts. I did see the show, and it was fine, if a little bit repetitive at times; especially with the whole 'monster of the week' structure. But even then it was fine, and will always be a good time in my eyes. One I don't like to share with others.
Considering myself a valid judge to those that speak here, let's see what they are throwing around. Maybe some shitty... takes...
Oh GOD.
*** X ***
8 hours ago
StegoStar231
PrimalSpear-Sama says:
What's your favorite character? Can be anyone ranging from protagonists and villains to minor characters and one-offs. All opinions will be respected, so don't be shy to share yours!
Oh jeez, that's a tricky question! ^_^ If I have to choose one, my waifu Usagi has to be the winner. No other character has more empathy and love for the team than herself. She's also silly, and she's my queen for that. (*/ω＼*)
*** X ***
...Yup. Just hit a gold mine. Not only does this dude write with ASCII of all things, but he also adds some goddamn weird speech patterns. And perfect grammar too, to top it all off. Either a genius baiter in disguise, or a really closed-off otaku with no friends. I'm going to bet on the second one, and see what he thinks of THIS.
*** X ***
2 minutes ago
RockRingFan35
StegoStar231 says:
Oh jeez, that's a tricky question! ^_^ If I have to choose one, my waifu Usagi has to be the winner. No other character has more empathy and love for the team than herself. She's also silly, and she's my queen for that. (*/ω＼*)
>"a best character" "waifu"
>sees inside
>the least interesting sailor guardian
i dunno man, caring for others and being silly is not enough when you got cool tomboy in the same show. very unbased of you star
*** X ***
If my theory's right, he must explode on me sooner or later. I'm sure of it. 4chan has shown me that with enough push, the person's forced to shove at equal strength or just fold completely, to never appear again. Best case scenario, the first one. Worst case scenario, neither of those and he just blocks me. Time to roll the die and hope for a good result.
Still, will he even see it? This was sent 8 hours ago. Maybe he lost faith in anybody answering him and just went to sleep. Or maybe he is waiting for someone exactly like me to answer. A dichotomy, of which I can do nothing but hope for the funniest one. Now, let us change subjects and go to the One Piece megathread. I'm sure that posting a rant about Dressrossa will blow off this entire forum to the skies and beyo-
PLING!
...Did I just get a private message?
Oh god, am I already banned? If so, this is the fiasco of the century. I should refresh the page to make sure.
...Nope, doesn't seem like I am. What made the sound then?
Was it a post on the discussion I just talked on a minute ago…?
HUH.
*** X ***
PM started at 23:23
StegoStar231
Hey dork! Why would you think Usagi's the least interesting one? ~_~
She has the best character development of all the Sailor Girls!
*** X ***
Shit. I actually didn't expect him to be online at all. And he doesn't seem to break his weird speech code either, even while being pissed off. It's possible he expects to hear an answer from me. And to be honest, I don't wish to give one. But I don't appear to have a choice. Only God knows how much more pestering he could get if I didn't try to argue back. Let's hit him with my main argument and call it a day.
*** X ***
RockRingFan35
well, cuz she IS
she may be the best developed but god why cant she shbau
and stop whining before fighting against evil ass creatures
at least makoto got both the feels and strong
and is more mature than usagi
This took a very unique turn, if a kinda disappointing one. I expected good comments or more answers in the thread, but after waiting for so long while playing and failing to beat my fave game of the moment, the only thing I received is hate from a random dude called 'RockRingFan35'. Not even an actual anime fan, but a gamer. My luck is astronomically low.
And to make matters worse, what he just said was the stupidest thing I've ever heard of! Any character has flaws, and a normal story requires an arc, with its ups and downs. You can't just expect a person to act without any actual surprise a few minutes after becoming a magical girl, and even less for them to get serious and remove all possible flaws in their attitude every single time they have to fight an evil creature! Absolute madness.
Usagi has far more than this, and surpasses even Makoto on so many things. And I'll make sure to show him, to prove that I am right.
*** X ***
StegoStar231
I mean, yeah, Usagi's kinda annoying at the start, but that's just how she needs to be for a character arc to happen. ¬_¬
Behind those few childish moments she carries a beautiful mind and a powerful heart, that radiates more love than anyone else, and manages to shine by the end brighter than any star.
And she also acts like any one of us would. Scared by suddenly being charged with fighting against evil, trying to do her best while constantly in danger.
Meanwhile, Makoto only has physical strength and a very boring story. Neat, but very, VERY boring in comparison to Usagi. ;P
Is that your only argument? Because I can assure you: no one thinks that but you.
What the-? That's removing any core aspects the character may have. Like, entirely stripping the point of Makoto being herself even if she doesn’t line up with society's expectations. You are literally missing the point of an interesting character arc, the same thing you just criticized about my rant a minute ago. Talk about hypocrisy!
I mean, yeah. I may be mistaken about Usagi (not like I'll care for her more just because a dude shut my trap about it), but in the end you can't just be this irrational about it. These otakus are blinded by fanaticism, they refuse to see the actual flaws or qualities of something if it doesn't match their taste.
I will show him. To defend the honor of my waifu, and beat this asshole's logic.
*** X ***
RockRingFan35
you may have a point
if slightly stupider than most
but you clearly fall into being a hypocrite
wdym makoto ONLY has phys strength?
shes strong emotionally and very independent
she acts as she pleases and does not fear others. she even has trauma and still moves on to do the right thing
she is what anyone in this society should strive for: a genuine person
how can you not like that?
only sounds like stupid banter from a basic bitch to me
That is... wow.
A very good explanation indeed. I would not have believed it, but it seems like he truly saw the show, if for a little longer than I expected. I'm not very fond of his distaste for my-favorite-character-ever-in-all-of-fiction, but denying him this quality write-up (even if very ill in the grammatical sense) would be stupid on my part. And honestly, it's kinda nice to do this, knowing the bickering can get the better out of me.
I wonder how much he truly knows about the show?
*** X ***
StegoStar231
Oh, shut up!
I mean, yeah. You got me there. :-O
And not thinking too much of her is kinda my mistake.
But Usagi isn't as bad either. She's only rough around the edges at the start.
Not like you would know, as you truly don't seem to have watched much of the show.
(¬‿¬)
RockRingFan35
no way you still defending that girl
pretty disappointing to not accept defeat
and for your information
i saw it all
from start to finish
didnt skip a single chapter
very good experience
StegoStar231
And pretty disappointing to refuse to acknowledge others' arguments!
╰（‵□′）╯
Also, I can't actually believe you did.
But let us assume you are not lying.
Just stop to think for a moment.
Maybe the girls are both fine? At least you prefer Makoto and not Rei.
She could go to hell for all I know.
RockRingFan35
for raptor jesus, dont even mention rei
tsunderes are boring af
i prefer usagi over her every day
at least basic is better than plain bitch
StegoStar231
Hell yeah dude! ^_^
That's what I'm talking about!
See? You can have good taste.
RockRingFan35
oh piss off
at least mines off the norm
your taste is pure trash
and the basic kind
StegoStar231
And nobody cares about yours for sure.
So give up the dumb insults and go eat shit!
Politely, of course.
RockRingFan35
do the same
and polite my ass
dumbass
StegoStar231
Two asses at once?
Really original.
RockRingFan35
no
like
my ass is perfect and polite
and yours is just illiterate
StegoStar231
Your ass can actually READ?!
LOL
:]
RockRingFan35
more than yours for sure
normie
*** X ***
Hey, look at that! We share something! Even if it is just for a short moment, letting myself loose in the discourse of characters and anime I've watched seemed to make me relax for a little. I even feel more sleepy than before! Is this magic? Or maybe just being more calm about having someone to speak with. Even if he's a bit of an ass, it is going so well!
And I have just noticed that this will end the moment this debate stops. Ergo, my great attempt at actual socialization I managed to nail will come tumbling down before crashing on the ground. I can not allow this. There must be some way of keeping contact with him, to talk more and stuff. I could send him more messages through here while looking at my anime news on Dinoc...
I may have an idea.
GOD, did all this banter and conversation tire me out for the day. I mean, it was kinda nice to be honest while arguing, speaking about what I liked, coupled with the small joke I cracked by the end. Yeah, it was a petty argument to rejoice about, but I don't think it was bad. If anything, it helped me develop some more precise insults to use, and actual insight on the characters I hate and like equally.
And now I should probably disconnect and leave. After all, everything must come to an end, and it is pretty late already to keep my time on the computer. The moon shines through the small window above my bed, calling me to rest. Seems like I'll take its advice and dream about Theressa again. Her sweet body will fill my mind and-
PLING!
...He sent me another message? He sure is persistent to throw compliments at his characters.
*** X ***
StegoStar231
Hey dude.
Can I ask you something?
Do you want to keep talking about anime later? >_<
I've been watching many, and I got no one to speak of or debate like here with you.
And since you actually can throw some sick pulls like the one about Makoto.
I think you could actually be a pretty good person to make winning arguments worth it.
*** X ***
What?
Wait, WHAT?
Is he serious? With me. Talking to me. On a one-on-one basis. The loser that came to forums in order to ragebait idiots. The same person that didn't care about you at all and just added an insulting response to your shitty post. The dude who doesn't deserve any new friends after-
Me. He actually wants to speak with this? Is this a joke? He better hope it's not. One thing is my day by day at school, where I can choose to escape or skip classes if the harassment I suffer becomes too much. But on the internet, my only safe haven? I don't even know what I would do if those pricks were to be behind all of this. I may actually lose it for once. How? No idea. Cry? Insult? Punch anything? Or scream a lot? In any case, I don't think I would want to keep talking if my ideas end up as the truth.
'Or I could be wrong about this. And he just wants a friend. This avalanche in my mind is nothing but my fear affecting my thoughts again. If so... I think I should do it. Worst case scenario, I ask them to eat shit and block them. They can't be from school, since they can't know my MAL account. I made it just a week ago.'
'Or they do know and are trying to catfish me into sending nudes or something.'
'Impossible, Anon; just absurd. Stop trying to evade good things in your life. At most, it will be a problem for the ‘future you’, so act in the moment.'
'…I don’t even think I can argue this late with myself. Fine.'
*** X ***
RockRingFan35
sure i guess
based opinions do need to be shared
through pms in this awful forum format?
StegoStar231
God no!
This interface is clunky as hell! I hate it! >:(
Do you have a DInocord account?
RockRingFan35
yup
name is same as forum but w/no caps
StegoStar231
Great! I just sent a friend request. My username is also the same as the forum one.
RockRingFan35
god dude you down bad for mid-sagi
no way you have her as user photo too
StegoStar231
Hey! Don't be a meanie! T_T
She's just too good to not have as a profile picture, you know?
:D
RockRingFan35
sure thing stalker
see you tomorrow
gtg
StegoStar231
Bye Rock.
I will send you a message tomorrow.
*** X ***
After finishing our conversation on MAL, I turn off the laptop to charge it, and lay my body on the bed again. Clearly the most comfy thing in my room, surpassing the small puff I like to sit on to play RockRing. Drowsiness hits my eyes, but I can't close them yet. 'One last thing I must, to check this asshole's account', is the only thought that passes my mind, as I take the cellphone out of the small plastic chair that acts as a nightstand and check on Dinocord.
His profile design seemed to be pretty otaku-esque, with the typical picture of his favorite anime girl (Usagi, of course) in cute clothes and the Naruto roster lineup as a profile banner. Not gonna lie, his anime power levels were astronomically high, and achieving this cringe rate should be impossible, but I guess this is better than nothing. I just pray he's a boy my age and not some weirdo of 50-years-plus that wants to lure me to his house for candy, or another one of those assholes at school.
Or worse, a girl. Though that's impossible. There aren't any real girls in anime forums. There's just no way.
Closing that obtuse forum from my computer felt like heaven's bliss, even after getting used to its awful formatting rules. Sadly, I didn't manage to find many friends with similar tastes as me. Most of the others that answered the Sailor Moon question were very condescending because of my ASCII art and language. Or just plain weird about my gender. Or age. Or both. The internet is pretty creepy most of the time.
At least I managed to get a new friend on Dinocord. My first one, as sad as it may seem. Hopefully he ends up being nice to speak with. Yeah, he's kinda snarky in his attitude, and does have some very weird waifu options. But that small moment about Makoto and the way he spoke about doing what you like ignoring judgment... he is like me. He knows what it's like to be a loner. I can feel it.
I got up from my comfy chair and moved to my huge king size bed, sitting on it to rest for a little bit. Maybe after doing this I could use my telescope to look at the stars. It's quite a beautiful night at Volcadera Bluffs, and since all lights tend to go off at this hour around our massive house, I doubt there is any luminous interference on viewing constellations. No, wait a minute, I have an even better idea. I should do a reading like mom taught me! That way I would know what fate departs me with this new friend.
I get up again, a little more sleepy, and walk to my nightstand to open the upper drawer, revealing the tarot card deck my mother gifted me for my last birthday, and the interpretations I got written down on the booklet included in the cards box, so I can read the cards meanings with ease. I shuffle it the best I can following the instructions I was taught, and take out the first three cards one by one .
First is the Hermit downwards. This one's easy: loneliness and isolation. I would love for the cards to be wrong, but they never seem to fail the mark. Ugh. Let's just hope it gets better.
Next is Three of Cups upwards. I skim the small booklet to know what it means. Checking the minor arcana lets me see... Yes, that's great! Friendship and happiness are always good for now. Guess this guy will be a real friend after all. I'm so glad that I made the right choice, even if the method was very taxing on my keyboard. What's the last one? I need to know now!
...The Lovers? That is- um, a very odd choice from fate. Does this mean what I think it does? Ugh, I dunno. I doubt I should interpret it as something like love from a random guy I just met. After all, I don't like dinosaurs romantically like that. I... kinda prefer humans. They just look so cute, and squishy, and tall, and... manly?
Oh, Raptor Jesus above! Do not dare to judge me for lusting like this. It's not my fault they look so pretty in all the manga I've read! Even if, in real life, interacting with actual humans is a bit difficult thanks to it... But with him, it's fine! He's a dinosaur too, so I doubt it's about him. After all, there aren't any real humans in anime forums. There's just no way.