Chapter 6

Nothing.

Empty.

Cold and black and infinite.

Your name, to the best of your understanding, is JOHN EG8ERT, and you are surrounded by nothing. You once had FEELINGS and INTERESTS, but you are currently a HOT MESS with an UNCONTROLLA8LE TEMPER. You don't know where you are and you're not entirely sure you care. You don't remember how you got here, or where you came from.

While looking around, you spot an object in the far distance. It's very small and very green, and almost looks like a little bug. You find it strange though that this bug has even tinier things swirling towards it. Upon further reflection, you're not sure that bugs typically glow in this particular shade of green. You're also pretty sure they don't look like black holes when you gaze closer at them.

You no longer think the bug is a bug. You think it may be a black hole. In fact, you're absolutely sure of it, and as you search your memory for any possible explanation of such phenomena as green black holes, you realize exactly where you are.

You are in the FURTHEST RING, out in the vast wilderness of PARADOX SPACE. The closer attention you pay to your surroundings, the more you hear strange whispers. Try as you might to block them out, they continue to harass you. These must be the twisted utterings of NOBLE CIRCLE OF HORRORTERRORS. Rose has told you about them and insists they are nothing to worry about, but you continue trying to block them out. Just to be safe. You worry that staring too long in any direction will result in seeing one of them, which you decide to try and avoid doing. They seem like they would be a little gross, and you're not sure you feel like seeing that right now.

Not that you really know what you feel like at the moment. You're still disoriented. Thankfully, the distant black hole where the GREEN SUN once stood and the myriad of cracks throughout the void surrounding you help you to orient yourself. Or at least, your position relative to these landmarks.

You still don't understand why you're out here, though.

You drift along in the emptiness and make an attempt to figure out the sequence of events leading up to this point. The last thing you remember is seeing Kanaya's horns in your window. That's right, she and Rose had broken into your home. Why? Some event, a party of some kind. Yes, your birthday party. You had all of your friends over for your birthday party. It was fun and you were enjoying yourself and no that was years ago. This one was not fun, and you were not enjoying yourself. It was loud, there were too many people, and you weren't used to being around more than one other person anymore, much less a dozen. You were stressed out, and then-

Jade.

You had yet another classic EG8ERT TANTRUM and-

JOHN: oh for fuck's s8ke do you have to call it that!!!!!!!!

Actually, I didn't. That was your description of it. I'm merely narrating your thoughts.

JOHN: oh no we are NOT fucking doing this again.

I'm not the one who interrupted the narrator, am I? You're the one who had a breakdown and decided to refer to it as a "classic EG8ERT TANTRUM". You can even tell by the way it's typed. Honestly John, you shouldn't be so hard on yourself about these things. You were merely anxious and stressed, and you had a bit of a breakdown. These things happen.

JOHN: do you really expect me to t8ke fucking life advice from some asshole who's in my head?

JOHN: and wh8t do you mean the w8y it's typed?

No, John, I expect you to take life advice from your friends and loved ones. I'm just trying to encourage you to be a little nicer to yourself. And if you really don't know what I mean by "the w8y it's typed" at this point, then I think you genuinely might be completely hopeless. Now may I please return to telling your story?

JOHN: fine 8ut just stop 8eing an asshole a8out it may8e?

Thank you.

You had a MENTAL BREAKDOWN and shouted at your sister, upsetting her, your own anxiety rising the whole time over how you were acting, until you panicked so hard you apparently zapped yourself out to the Furthest Ring.

But why the Furthest Ring of all places? You try to find some sort of meaning behind it. Think, Eg8ert, think. When was the last time you zapped around all that much? What was the meaning behind all of that?

It was years ago, according to your hazy memory. You couldn't control your powers yet. Terezi sent you to your denizen, who helped you figure it out. Then you, did what? Your memory is so hazy for some reason. Everything was so painfully clear just a bit ago. All day memories were flooding back, it was part of what stressed you out so much in the first place, and now they're all gone.

Wait, you remember you went back to Terezi after visiting your denizen. But how did you get back there?

You can't remember how you got back to where she and your past self had been discussing things, but you do remember she sent you all around the timeline to fix things. Or, "fix" things. You're pretty sure most of it was either her trolling you or her trying to fix her relationships, but you can't deny that things did end up getting fixed along the way.

But how?

God your memory is so foggy, come on this was such a big thing, she even had a list of things and a scarf and-

Passwords! That's right!

She had you think about specific words that helped you hone in on her location at various points in the timeline, so you could fix things that she claimed were important. But, wait, what does that have to do with anything? Fuck, you thought you had it. You thought you'd figured out what got you here, and now you're lost again, rambling to yourself about things in the past that have no meaning like a complete idiot.

Unless you were thinking about something she had said when you zapped, but what would that have to do with anything? It's not like she's around he-

TEREZI: 3GB3RT?!

JOHN: terezi?!

Well, it looks like you got your birthday wish.

TEREZI: WH4T TH3 H3LL 4R3 YOU DO1NG H3R3 JOHN?

JOHN: what the hell are you doing here?!

TEREZI: 1V3 B33N OUT H3R3 LOOK1NG FOR 4 HUG3 B1TCH, DUMP4SS

TEREZI: 1N C4S3 YOUR F33BL3 L1TTL3 TH1NK P4N FORGOT

TEREZI: B3S1D3S 1 4SK3D F1RST >:[

TEREZI: WH4T 4R3 YOU DO1NG H3R3 JOHN?

You look the troll up and down. She looks like shit. Her hair is longer than usual, with a rough and choppy look to it, almost as if she's been attempting all by herself to keep it somewhat close to its usual length. Her clothes are tattered, her once vibrant red shoes have long since faded, and she seems to have taken to wearing a jacket.

JOHN: i don't know, actually.

JOHN: one minute i was in my living room having a meltdown and losing my mind, the next i'm way out in paradox space.

TEREZI: SO WHY D1DNT YOU Z4P B4CK?

TEREZI: 4SSUM1NG TH4TS HOW YOU GOT H3R3 1N TH3 F1RST PL4C3

JOHN: that's...

JOHN: not exactly a good idea right now i don't think.

TEREZI: WHY NOT

JOHN: well, i really don't want to zap into the middle of my living room right after having an argument with jade that made me zap out here in the first place?

JOHN: especially not with everyone else around...

TEREZI: WHY W3R3 YOU 4RGU1NG W1TH H3R?

TEREZI: 4ND WH4T W4S SH3 DO1NG TH3R3 1N TH3 F1RST PL4C3?

TEREZI: W41T WH4T DO YOU M34N 3V3RYON3

JOHN: i was kind of having a party?

JOHN: cause i turned 21 today?

TEREZI: FUCK TOD4YS YOUR WR1GGL1NG D4Y?

TEREZI: 1 KN3W 1 FORGOT SOM3TH1NG

TEREZI: SORRY JOHN T1M3 OUT H3R3S K1ND4 FUCK3D UP >:[

JOHN: it's alright i kind of figured as much.

JOHN: i mean, at least i got to see you again, instead of having to w8 until whenever you g-

TEREZI: WH4T D1D YOU S4Y

JOHN: wha-?

TEREZI: YOU S41D W8

TEREZI: TH4TS VR1SK4S TH1NG

TEREZI: 3GB3RT DO YOU W4NT TO T3LL M3 WHY YOU'R3 DO1NG VR1SK4S TH1NG?

Huh?

Oh. Yeah. The eights. How, uhh, how long have you been doing that?

JOHN: what the fuck, i am, when did that start?

JOHN: w8, may8e that's what jade was talking a8out when she-

TEREZI: JOHN

TEREZI: YOUR3 ST1LL DO1NG 1T

TEREZI: 4ND YOU ST1LL H4V3NT TOLD M3 WHY

TEREZI: NORM4LLY YOUR3 K1ND4 CUT3 WH3N YOU R4MBL3 BUT TH1S 1S R34LLY BOTH3R1NG M3

TEREZI: WHY 4R3 YOU DO1NG H3R TH1NG, 3GB3RT

JOHN: i don't know!!!!!!!!

TEREZI: 1 THOUGHT SOM3TH1NG W4S UP WH3N 1 P1CK3D UP ON 4LL THOS3 SHOUT POL3S TH3 L4ST T1M3 W3 T4LK3D

TEREZI: BUT NOW YOUR3 L1T3R4LLY JUST DO1NG H3R TH1NG

JOHN: look i-

You don't actually know. You haven't really noticed until now, to you it just felt like you were speaking normally. Something about it just feels right to you.

JOHN: i really don't know.

JOHN: i didn't even notice until you pointed it out!!

JOHN: it just felt right. like, comforta8le.

JOHN: comfortable, sorry.

TEREZI: 1 M34N 1F 1T F33LS COMFORT4BL3 TH3N DO 1T 1 GU3SS

TEREZI: JUST K1ND4 W31RD

TEREZI: 4R3 YOU R34LLY TH4T DUMB TH4T YOU D1DNT P1CK UP ON 1T, DORK?

JOHN: ugh!!!!!!!!

TEREZI: 1 TOLD YOU YOU SOUND L1K3 H3R

TEREZI: H3LL NOW YOU 3V3N SM3LL L1K3 H3R

TEREZI: 1S TH3R3 SOM3TH1NG YOUR3 NOT T3LL1NG M3, 3GB3RT?

JOHN: like what!!!!!!!!

JOHN: what could i possi8ly not 8e telling y8u?

TEREZI: WH4T YOUR3 ST1LL DO1NG OUT H3R3, FOR ON3

That's a good question actually. What 4r3 you still doing out h3r3?

JOHN: god i don't know!

JOHN: may8e i just don't want to go 8ack yet!

JOHN: may8e i don't w8nt to 8e around all those people!

JOHN: may8e i just k8nd of w8nt to h8ng out with the only person in all of paradox sp8ce i've actually wanted to t8lk to all day!

JOHN: is th8t too m8ch to 8sk!!!!!!!!

She looks a bit taken aback. Maybe you shouldn't have yelled at her.

JOHN: sorry, i didn't mean to yell.

TEREZI: 1TS F1N3, JOHN

TEREZI: 1M JUST NOT US3D TO YOU SOUND1NG SO MUCH L1K3 H3R 1 GU3SS

TEREZI: 1TS ST1LL 4 L1TTL3 W31RD >:[

JOHN: sorry...

You'd really appreciate it if she didn't keep saying your name. What else would she call you though?

TEREZI: SO

TEREZI: 1 GU3SS 1F YOUR3 GONN4 ST4Y H3R3 4 WH1L3

TEREZI: WH4TS ON YOUR M1ND?

So many things. Too many things. All of the things. All of them. Things you really don't want to think about anymore. Things you're almost embarrassed to bring up.

TEREZI: DONT B3 3MB4RR4SS3D DUMP4SS

TEREZI: YOU C4N T3LL M3 YOU M1SS M3

TEREZI: 1 DONT B1T3

TEREZI: MUCH >:]

JOHN: ugh.

JOHN: ok fine yes i miss you.

JOHN: we all do.

JOHN: 8ut i guess i... kind of really miss you.

TEREZI: HOW CUT3

JOHN: tereziiiiiiii! shut up!!

JOHN: things 8ack home aren't gr8.

JOHN: like, at all really.

TEREZI: L1K3 HOW

JOHN: uhhhhhhhh...

JOHN: actually you don't wanna hear a8out it.

JOHN: how uhhhhhhhh

JOHN: how's it 8een looking for vriska?

You swear if she could see she'd be looking right through you with the way she glares at you.

TEREZI: YOUR3 D3FL3CT1NG, 3GB3RT

TEREZI: WH4TS WRONG

JOHN: nothing!!!!!!!!

JOHN: things are just kind of 8oring, y'know?

JOHN: that's all!!!!!!!!

TEREZI: 1M BL1ND, NOT STUP1D

TEREZI: WH4TS WRONG

TEREZI: YOU KNOW 1M JUST GONN4 K33P 4SK1NG YOU

TEREZI: YOU C4N'T SN34K TH1S SH1T P4ST M3

TEREZI: 1 C4N SM3LL YOUR L13S DUMP4SS

JOHN: how the fuck do you smell lies?

TEREZI: B3C4US3 1M TH4T GOOD

TEREZI: NOW T3LL M3 WH4TS GO1NG ON

JOHN: fiiiiiiiine!!!!!!!!

Why does she have to be so insistent? Normally it doesn't bother you this much, but this is your first time seeing her in years, you don't want to talk about how much of a sad sack you are. Or think you are, since you're resolving to be nicer about yourself, lest you risk the ire of your narrator. Those things are boring and you'd rather just hang out here in the Furthest Ring with all the horrorterrors and the ghosts you keep seeing getting sucked into the black hole and you know what maybe being out here isn't so great after all.

JOHN: i guess what's wrong is

JOHN: me.

JOHN: i know that sounds stupid 8ut

JOHN: that's just how i feel l8ly.

JOHN: like every part of me is wrong.

JOHN: like i just shouldn't exist.

JOHN: especially whenever i talk to anyone 8ecause they all just keep calling me things that make me feel even worse!

JOHN: 8ecause they all keep reminding me of how wrong i am.

JOHN: how everything a8out me is wrong.

JOHN: like the way i look, or how everyone treats me, or calls me "dude" or calls me their "8rother"

JOHN: i mean i fucking 8lew up on jade 8ecause she wouldn't stop calling me her "8rother"!

JOHN: even my own fucking name hurts now, too...

She's been silent. Uncharacteristically silent, actually. No snarky jabs, no cutting in, no interrupting you with jokes. You're worried maybe she's going to hate you too.

TEREZI: SO YOU DONT L1K3 1T WH3N 1 C4LL YOU JOHN?

TEREZI: H4S TH4T B33N BOTH3R1NG YOU TH1S WHOL3 T1M3?

JOHN: yeah.

JOHN: i really don't like it.

JOHN: i fucking h8 it.

JOHN: it just sounds completely wrong.

JOHN: it sounds like...

JOHN: no that's stupid.

TEREZI: T3LL M3

JOHN: no, you're just gonna laugh at me or something.

TEREZI: 4M 1 L4UGH1NG 4T YOU R1GHT NOW 3GB3RT?

EGBERT: i guess not...

EGBERT: ok fine.

EGBERT: i feel like it's just not even my name.

EGBERT: like "john" is just...

EGBERT: someone completely different.

EGBERT: some asshole that all of these people who say they're my friend...

EGBERT: that all of them used to know, and keep pretending is still me.

EGBERT: meanwhile i'm stuck here in this 8ody, pretending to 8e this guy that everyone knows, and i don't even know why.

EGBERT: it just kind of started all of a sudden.

Did it?

EGBERT: no, actually it didn't, not really.

EGBERT: it started a while ago i think.

EGBERT: it...

EGBERT: it's kind of 8een like this for...

EGBERT: fuck.

EGBERT: i don't even know.

EGBERT: i don't remem8er when it really started.

EGBERT: it feels like i have always lived like this.

EGBERT: like things have always 8een like this or something stupid like that.

EGBERT: this is so fucking stupid wh8t am i even saying?

TEREZI: YOUR3 GOOD

TEREZI: K33P GO1NG

TEREZI: 1M FOLLOW1NG YOU

EGBERT: i feel like...

EGBERT: like things have 8een like this forever

EGBERT: and i've never actually known anything else

EGBERT: and if i ever did then i pro8a8ly forgot it a long fucking time ago.

EGBERT: there.

You take a deep breath. Talking about this is making you anxious again. You're getting worried you're going to lash out again. You try to calm yourself down.

TEREZI: SO YOUV3 F3LT L1K3 TH1S YOUR WHOL3 L1F3

TEREZI: YOUR3 ONLY JUST NOW ST4RT1NG TO F1GUR3 1T OUT

TEREZI: ... 4ND YOU R34LLY C4NT T3LL WH4T TH1S M34NS?

What?

The fuck?

EGBERT: what the fuck terezi?

EGBERT: no, of course i fucking can't!

EGBERT: haven't we already esta8lished that i'm a fucking idi8t who doesn't know 8nything!!!!!!!!

EGBERT: what the f8ck do you mean 8y that what is th8t even supposed to me8n!!!!!!!!

She's silent. You feel a lump in your throat, and the beginning of tears welling up in your eyes. You yelled at her again. You got mad again. She definitely hates you now, she's not going to listen to you and she's going to leave. Either that or you're going to argue some more until you have another fucking tantrum and zap out to who fucking knows where and you're never going to see or hear from her ever a-

TEREZI: 1 W4NT TO T3LL YOU 4 STORY

... A story?

EGBERT: ok?

TEREZI: 1S TH4T OK?

EGBERT: i guess?

EGBERT: sorry i mean

EGBERT: yeah, go ahead.

EGBERT: sorry i got mad again.

TEREZI: 1TS F1N3

She sits down, not that that really does anything when floating in the middle of the void between universes and the home of eldritch monsters beyond your comprehension. It clearly seems a bit more comfortable for her, though, so you decide to do the same, hoping it will feel comfortable for you as well.

TEREZI: 1 4M GO1NG TO T3LL YOU 4 STORY 4BOUT 4 YOUNG TROLL

TEREZI: H1S N4M3 1SNT 1MPORT4NT

EGBERT: ok.

TEREZI: WH3N H3 W4S GROW1NG UP, SOM3TH1NG F3LT OFF TO H1M

TEREZI: H3 W4S N3V3R R34LLY SUR3 WH4T 1T W4S

TEREZI: BUT 1T 4LW4YS P1SS3D H1M OFF

TEREZI: 3SP3C14LLY S1NC3 H3 F3LT L1K3 H3 H4D 4 LOT TO L1V3 UP TO

TEREZI: YOU S33

TEREZI: H3 H4D R34D STOR13S 4BOUT H1S 4NC3STOR, 4ND H3 THOUGHT SH3 W4S JUST TH3 COOL3ST

TEREZI: BUT UNL1K3 H3R, H3 F3LT L1K3 4 DUMB L1TTL3 1D1OT WR1GGL3R

You can't tell what the point of this story is, but you decide to keep listening.

TEREZI: BUT TH3N H3 ST4RT3D T4LK1NG TO 4NOTH3R TROLL, 4ND H3 THOUGHT SH3 W4S SUP3R COOL TOO

TEREZI: H3 K1ND OF ST4RT3D TO R34LLY LOOK UP TO H3R

TEREZI: SH3 W4S TH1S B4D4SS K1ND OF G1RL, 4ND SH3 M4D3 H1M F33L COMFORT4BL3

TEREZI: H3 R34LLY L1K3D H3R 4 LOT

TEREZI: 3V3N 1F SH3 COULD B3 K1ND OF 4 HUG3 B1TCH SOM3T1MES >:/

... Is she talking about who you think she's talking about?

TEREZI: BUT H3 4LSO R34L1Z3D TH4T NO M4TT3R HOW COMFORT4BL3 SH3 M4D3 H1M F33L

TEREZI: H3 ST1LL D1DNT R34LLY KNOW WH4T W4S WRONG

TEREZI: BUT SH3 TOLD H1M SOM3TH1NG TH4T NOBODY 3LS3 H4D BOTH3R3D TO T3LL H1M

TEREZI: SH3 TOLD H1M TH4T 1F H3 D1DNT F33L R1GHT 4BOUT WHO H3 W4S

TEREZI: H3 COULD JUST

TEREZI: B3 D1FF3R3NT

Wait...

TEREZI: YOU S33 3GB3RT

TEREZI: TROLLS DONT H4V3 TH3 S4M3 CONC3PT OF G3ND3R TH4T HUM4NS H4V3

TEREZI: TROLLS 4R3 D1FF3R3NT

TEREZI: YOU K1ND OF JUST D3C1D3 FOR YOURS3LF 1F YOU 4R3 4 BOY OR 4 G1RL

TEREZI: OR SOM3TH1NG 3LS3 3NT1R3LY

TEREZI: THOS3 4R3 JUST TH3 TWO MOST COMMON

TEREZI: TH3R3 4R3 4CTU4LLY 4 LOT OF TROLLS WHO D3C1D3 TO B3 N31TH3R

TEREZI: BUT 1NST34D B3 SOM3TH1NG TH4T TH3Y CONN3CT TO MOR3

TEREZI: 3SP3C14LLY S1NC3 G3ND3R DO3SNT 4CTU4LLY M4TT3R FOR R3PRODUCT1ON

TEREZI: OR 4T L34ST 1T D1DNT ON 4LT3RN14

TEREZI: W3 4R3 4LL K1ND4 BU1LT TH3 S4M3 4NYW4YS?

TEREZI: USU4LLY WH3TH3R YOU W3R3 4 G1RL OR 4 BOY W4S JUST K1ND4 D1CT4T3D TO YOU?

TEREZI: BUT ONC3 TH4T H4PP3N3D, YOU W3R3 FR33 TO CH4NG3 1T WH3N3V3R YOU W4NT3D

TEREZI: BUT YOU S33

TEREZI: NOBODY H4D 3V3R TOLD TH1S DUMP4SS!!!!!

TEREZI: SO FOR H1S F1RST L1K3, F1V3 SW33PS?

TEREZI: H3 K3PT TRY1NG TO PR3T3ND TO B3 4 BOY FOR 3V3RYON3

Oh no. No that can't be where this story is going.

TEREZI: BUT, W1TH H1S COOL 4ND K1ND4 HOT FR13NDS H3LP, H3 D3C1D3D

TEREZI: FUCK 1T

TEREZI: 1M 4 G1RL NOW

TEREZI: NOBODY C4N T3LL M3 OTH3RW1S3

TEREZI: NOBODY WOULD T3LL M3 OTH3RW1S3

TEREZI: BUT YOU KNOW WH4T H4PP3N3D WH3N SH3 TOLD H3R FR13ND?

TEREZI: SH3 FOUND OUT SOM3TH1NG SH3 N3V3R WOULD H4V3 GU3SS3D

TEREZI: YOU KNOW WH4T TH4T W4S?

You gulp.

EGBERT: she was just like you...

EGBERT: vriska was just like you...

EGBERT: that's, that's why she told you.

EGBERT: i...

EGBERT: fuck...

TEREZI: Y34H DUMP4SS

TEREZI: NOW T3LL M3 4G41N

TEREZI: WH4TS GO1NG ON 3GB3RT

No. That can't be it. Really? You?

EGBERT: no i

EGBERT: f8ck

EGBERT: sh8t i

This isn't happening. You're dreaming. Of course you are, that's the only explanation for why you would even be talking to her right now. You fell asleep while you were spacing out and being the wind earlier. That's what's going on, you fell asleep and crash landed somewhere and everything from the party onwards has all just been one long dream.

TEREZI: YOU C4N T3LL M3

TEREZI: NOW WH4TS WRONG

No this isn't happening this isn't real this is all just a dream you're not really here right now.

But what if you were? And even if this is all a dream, why not indulge her?

EGBERT: shut UP!!!!!!!!

EGBERT: no no i can't 8e this isn't real.

TEREZI: ST4Y W1TH M3 H3R3, 3GB3RT

TEREZI: TH1S 1S V3RY MUCH R34L

EGBERT: i'm

EGBERT: no

EGBERT: really?

EGBERT: is that really all it is?

EGBERT: this can't 8e fucking real this can't 8e it.

EGBERT: all these years of fucking h8ing myself just for this?

TEREZI: T3LL M3 WH4TS GO1NG ON

You're hyperventilating, you feel like you're having a panic attack. You take another deep breath. Terezi floats over to you and puts her hand on your shoulder. Tears are pouring from your face.

TEREZI: YOU C4N DO TH1S

EGBERT: i'm

EGBERT: fuck

EGBERT: i'm like you.

EGBERT: i'm like you are.

EGBERT: like you and vriska and roxy.

EGBERT: i'm tra...

EGBERT: i'm a...

TEREZI: GO ON

Can you even say it? It feels like the world is ending, like everything you know is falling apart. Almost as if your entire existence, your entire life, is crumbling down. But then, in the midst of all the rubble, you find it. You find the word you're looking for.

EGBERT: i'm a girl?

TEREZI: 4TT4G1RL, 3GB3RT

You're shaking. She pulls you towards her and brings you into a hug.

EGBERT: this can't 8e real.

EGBERT: is this real?

EGBERT: am i really a girl? this can't 8e that fucking simple can it?

TEREZI: DO YOU W4NT TO B3?

EGBERT: i

EGBERT: yeah.

EGBERT: yeah i think so.

EGBERT: i want to 8e a girl.

TEREZI: TH3N YOU 4R3 4 G1RL

TEREZI: 1T 1S R34LLY TH4T S1MPL3

God, never has anything felt so right. It's like the exact opposite of the way people calling you "dude" or "brother" or "John" ever felt. For years you felt like everything down to your very core was wrong, but now you feel right. For the first time in your life you feel completely and utterly right.

You, the human previously known as JOHN EGBERT, are in fact, a girl.

EGBERT: i think i finally get why she meant so much to you.

EGBERT: MEANS so much to you, i mean.

EGBERT: sorry.

TEREZI: 1TS F1N3, 3GB3RT

She lets out a sigh. You're not sure it's fine, but you wait for her to say something before you say anything else.

TEREZI: 1LL B3 HON3ST W1TH YOU

TEREZI: 1 4M ST4RT1NG TO TH1NK 1M NOT GONN4 F1ND H3R

EGBERT: really?

TEREZI: 1 H4V3 B33N OUT H3R3 FOR WH4T

TEREZI: HOW M4NY SW33PS NOW?

TEREZI: 1N 4 PL4C3 4S B1G 4ND 3NDL3SS 4S TH3 FURTH3ST GOG D4MN R1NG

TEREZI: FOR SOM3ON3 WHO PROB4BLY DO3SNT 3V3N W4NT TO B3 FOUND

TEREZI: NOT TO M3NT1ON...

She points at the jacket she's been wearing, though you're not really sure what's so remarkable about it. Other than the cerulean-tinted stains all over it. And the way it looks so suspiciously like your own green jacket, which Vriska made for you all those sweeps ago. Years ago. You have got to stop using all these troll words.

EGBERT: oh, yeah...

TEREZI: 1 M34N 1M NOT S4Y1NG 1 W4NT TO QU1T LOOK1NG

TEREZI: 1M NOT 4 QU1TT3R

TEREZI: 1M NOT SOM3 DUMB L1TTL3 WR1GGL3R TH4T G1V3S UP

TEREZI: 1 DONT W4NT TO G1V3 UP ON H3R, 3GB3RT

TEREZI: UGH NOW 1M 4CT1NG L1K3 YOU

TEREZI: 4LL S4D 4ND S4PPY L1K3 4N 4SSHOL3

TEREZI: YOUR3 D3F1N1T3LY 4 G1RL 4LR1GHT

EGBERT: heheheh :P

TEREZI: 1 GU3SS

TEREZI: 1 W1LL 4DM1T

TEREZI: TH3R3 1S 4 STRONG POSS1B1L1TY TH4T 1 WONT F1ND H3R B3FOR3 1 D13

TEREZI: 1F 1 ST4Y OUT H3R3 L1K3 TH1S

EGBERT: then let's get you home.

EGBERT: let's go 8ack to earth c.

TEREZI: 4R3 YOU 3V3N L1ST3N1NG TO M3, DUMP4SS?

EGBERT: i'm not saying it has to 8e the end, idiot!!

EGBERT: just...

EGBERT: why don't we go 8ack home, and get you fixed up.

EGBERT: and then eventually we can 8oth go looking for her?

She withdraws, seemingly upset.

TEREZI: 1 4M NOT GONN4 DR4G YOU OUT H3R3 W1TH M3 FOR WHO KNOWS HOW M4NY SW33PS

TEREZI: JUST TO F1ND FUCK1NG VR1SK4

EGBERT: 8ut you're not dragging me out here!

EGBERT: i want to.

EGBERT: i want to go with you!

EGBERT: i want to find her!

TEREZI: WOW 3GB3RT

TEREZI: TH4T SOUNDS K1ND4 G4Y >:]

EGBERT: oh for fuck's s8ke terezi come on!!

TEREZI: LOOK, DO YOU R34LLY W4NT TO SP3ND J3GUS KNOWS HOW LONG STUCK W1TH M3?

EGBERT: why would i keep 8ugging you a8out it if i didn't?

EGBERT: 8ut we can worry a8out that l8r.

EGBERT: come home, terezi.

EGBERT: please?

Terezi ponders your request for a while. You start to wonder if you really should be begging her to come home like this, but you reassure yourself that if you don't, she'll probably stay out here searching until she dies. Or worse. You just want her to be safe.

... Alright, maybe you do have a crush on her. Just a little.

TEREZI: 4LR1GHT