1.

[lilghost]

Hello?

I'm, um, Norman. Norman Babcock? [ Cough. ] I — I think you have me mixed up with someone else.

[ As much as he'd love to stand there and protest against this whole "you were fictional" charade, he can't. He knows that the ghosts he saw were real, and that he wasn't a lunatic. These people just want him to believe what the folks back at home did too. ]

Yeah. That's... that's all. [ Pause. ] Thanks, I guess.

Comments

[reanimated]

Doubtful, foetus, this place doesn't really do mix-ups.

[lilghost]

Are you sure about that? Like really sure.

[reanimated]

I've been here nearly two years, I'd be surprised if you were the first. What d'you expect them to say? Only joking, we meant the OTHER foetus with terrifying eyebrows, back you go then!

[lilghost]

Oh.

That sounds gross.

[reanimated]

What? Yeah, sure it does. Exactly. So, y'know, you're you and you're here and that's that. It sucks, get used to it.

[lilghost]

...Ok. [ HE DOESN'T REALLY WANNA ARGUE WITH THIS GUY A'IGHT ]

[lilghost]

Um, I have a question, though...

[lilghost]

...Do I have to go to school again?

[ priorities are straight. ]

[reanimated]

That'd be a yes. Don't try to skive off cos they'll get on your flatmate's back about it, believe me, been there. Bullshit, isn't it? How old are you anyway? Five?

[lilghost]

I wasn't really planning on skipping, I swear — pinky-promise. And, uhhh. I'm eleven. What about you?

PINKY PROMISE /)A(\ GOD HE'S SO CUTE

[reanimated]

Five's practically the same as eleven. Between you and me I think it's proper fucked that they keep bringing kids here. Suppose I'm, what, 23 now? Not that it matters.

[notvictorious]

Can you not insult kids who aren't Karkat?

[reanimated]

Oh come on, he's fine.

dfalskmd screaming norman oh my god

[cawmemaybe]

So what's got you thinkin' they mixed you up with someone else?

askdfkj /)A(\

[lilghost]

Um. [ akskdj how do you explain things that are not explainable ] Well, it's mostly because I really... don't think I'm fictional.

But if I really was, I'd prefer to stay dumb about it, I think.

[cawmemaybe]

So you buy into that whole ignorance is bliss shtick. But most of what they say is a whole load of horseshit anyway, so I wouldn't take it seriously.

[lilghost]

[ that actually makes him feel better ]

Oh, uh. That's cool...

[lilghost]

I think it's neat to see people completely ignore everything the guys back at the hospital said.

[lilghost]

I guess.

That didn't come out right.

[cawmemaybe]

[ he shrugs. ]

No one ever really listens to them. 'sides, it's a whole lot to take in the fact that you weren't real in the first place. But like I said, man, it's bullshit.

[thneed]

They probably didn't mix you up and if they did you'd never know. I think it's safe to just say they're nuts and it doesn't matter.

[lilghost]

So you don't believe them?

[thneed]

Yeah. Fictional people aren't real and I know I'm real therefore I don't believe their entire spiel.

[lilghost]

Oh, um. That sounds a little confusing. But I think I get it.

I'm definitely real, too.

[thneed]

So don't worry about that part. Worry about the kidnapped and trapped on an island part.

oh no cute

[horsepower]

If you are a human, I can see how an erroneous judgement of identity may have been possible.

You all look essentially the same.

[lilghost]

Ero... nius? [ gulp. big words. ] I don't get it.

I didn't ask to be born this way...

[horsepower]

Erroneous. Making an error. Incorrect.

I am certain you did not request such a silly looking, fragile frame. I don't believe anyone with a properly functioning thinkpan would. There are so many superior things to be.

Yet as you said, I cannot hold it against you. It is not your fault.

[alwaysimpure]

Norman, huh?

Think you're my flatmate.

[And also, what, five?]

Don't believe all they tell you. Where're you at right now?

[lilghost]

Really? What's your name?

I'll try not to, I guess. And uh, I don't really know. I see water... and sand... m-maybe the beach.

[alwaysimpure]

Sirius Black. And, yes, sounds like beach is a good guess, mate.

See anything more significant?

[He has this urge to buy him ice cream. Or, y'know, a broom.]