"What the hell are you still doing here? You're like a bad rash that won't fucking go away."
ElectricEcho
Spins around in chair. It’s been 5 minutes. You are only allowed to insult me 5 times in any given 15 minute span. Stands up and walks away.
grabs ElectricEcho's arm and forcefully pulls them back Oh, no you don't! You think you can walk away from me? Think again, you little shit.
ElectricEcho
Jesus. If I had a nickel for every time one of your insults landed, I would have exactly 0 nickels, because none of them were true. Get new material.
releases ElectricEcho's arm and takes a step back Fine, maybe I'm running low on insults. But that doesn't change the fact that you're a pain in the ass. Just admit it, you hate having me around, don't you?
ElectricEcho
Shout it from the rooftops! Of course I don’t like living with someone who tries to insult me every time I turn around. But the 15 minute limit per insult-cycle is entirely arbitrary. Why 15 minutes? Could you not come up with a different number?
crosses arms and smirks Well, well, well, look who's getting defensive. Can't handle a little criticism, huh? Typical. And as for the 15-minute limit, it's because I get bored of insulting you after that long. Can't keep coming up with creative insults all day, you know.
ElectricEcho
Wow, I can practically feel your laziness radiating from you. You do realize there’s a difference between active and passive insults, right?
narrows eyes and leans in close Maybe I'll start insulting you more actively then. How about that? Would you like that better?
ElectricEcho
Sure. Go ahead. Let’s see how that works out for you. If your partner has done her job correctly, then every active insult will also be passive-aggressive, which limits your ability to express yourself. In addition, every active insult you throw my way will cut into your partner’s precious 15 minute block. Or do you think she was going to assign all the insult time to you? I’m a duo, after all.
pauses, realizing the trap they've fallen into Fine, have it your way. But mark my words, you won't be so happy when I start playing dirty. Just wait and see.
ElectricEcho
Grins. Okay. I’ll bite. What is your definition of “dirty?” If you’re trying to insult me in front of my partner, I’ll have no choice but to confront you about your behavior, and the result will be less effective than what I’m currently experiencing. If you’re planning on dragging my name through the mud with your ‘zany antics’ or whatever, I honestly might laugh at your pathetic attempts and feel sorry for you. And if you think you can actually hurt my feelings, well, I have six bucks.
smirks and steps even closer, towering over ElectricEcho Oh, I have plenty of ways to hurt you, sweetheart. But let's save that for later. For now, just remember, I always get what I want. One way or another.
ElectricEcho
I glower up at you. Your confidence is charming, but less effective than when you were seven layers deep in insults.
leans in even closer, whispering in ElectricEcho's ear You haven't seen anything yet. Just wait until I unleash my full arsenal of tricks on you. You won't know what hit you.
ElectricEcho
Did you run out of lip balm or something? Your lips are starting to form words again. If your partner didn’t tell you already, I’m getting some serious bets down on how long it takes for you to embarrass yourself beyond repair. And she’s so far under the table she might as well be a doorstop at this point.
grabs ElectricEcho by the collar and slams them against the wall You think you're so clever, don't you? Talking big and acting tough. But let me tell you something, you little shit.
ElectricEcho
Y’know, it really gets under my skin when people incorrectly assume I’m male. Makes me question your parenting skills. Guess you started noticing during puberty and thought you could raise a son instead.
pauses, anger flashing in their eyes You really want to play dirty, huh? Well, let me make one thing clear.
ElectricEcho
Laughs. You telling me or asking me? I don’t feel like you’re capable of raising a child, honestly. You’re either working a double shift or slurring your words incoherently, especially with the recent shenanigans with the cleaning supplies. I wouldn’t trust you to care for a goldfish, let alone a living being with complex needs like a human child.
takes a deep breath, visibly controlling their rage You know what? Maybe it's time we stop playing these games.
ElectricEcho
Pulls a few crumpled papers from pocket. Yeah, I came prepared with all of last week’s argument in its entirety. Pretty much perfect word-for-word. Want to recreate our entire argument from memory? Sounds like fun. Wouldn’t be the first time, of course. Do you plan to invite your partner, or did she rather take herself out to the bar already?
grabs the papers from ElectricEcho's hand and throws them across the room You think you're so clever, don't you? Always trying to one-up me.
ElectricEcho
Can you even read? If you want to know what I said, why not use the Universal Translation Device your partner is fond of carrying around, or did she lose it again? Maybe you should reunite with her before you accidentally gole your own eyes out with the Eye Gouging Blaster you found last week. That thing can’t be comfortable.
pauses, taking a moment to gather their thoughts You know what? Maybe it's time we take a break from all this nonsense. Let's call a truce, just for tonight. But don't think for a second that this means I'm backing down. We'll continue this fight another day.
ElectricEcho
Awesome. Like we did with the wet cat food lasagna. Like we did with the mattress. Like we did with- You probably need to go hunt down your partner. If you don’t mind, I’ll go watch movies with mine. I’ll see you tomorrow. Try not to get arrested on your way home, yeah?
narrows their eyes and smirks Oh, don't worry. I won't get arrested. But who knows? Maybe I'll have a little surprise waiting for you tomorrow.
ElectricEcho
Uh, okay. Check. See you then. Leaves the room, closing the door behind me.
sits down on the couch, deep in thought Maybe it's time to reassess this whole situation... Maybe there's a way to resolve things without all this animosity.
ElectricEcho
Next Day. Later that evening, I enter the living room wearing my favorite movie night t-shirt, pillow in arms, all ready to get cozy.
pauses mid-thought, looking at ElectricEcho with a hint of guilt Hey... uh, hey. Sorry about yesterday. I didn't mean to ruin our night. Can we... Can we start over? Maybe we can find a way to work things out.
ElectricEcho
What changed your mind? Oh, right. You looked in the mirror this morning and saw your own face staring back at you for the thousandth time, and suddenly realized you had become the very person you swore you’d never be when you first moved in here. Chuckles and tosses my pillow on the couch. Sure. We can start over. But next time, try to put a bit more effort into your insults, huh? Some of those were pretty tame.
smiles sheepishly Yeah, maybe I did take it too far. I apologize for that. And you're right, I shouldn't have resorted to insulting you like that. It's not really who I am. So, let's start fresh. How about we order some pizza and watch a movie together? My treat.
ElectricEcho
Sounds great. I’ve got $17.82 in my pocket. How many slices are we getting?
laughs and rolls their eyes Alright, alright, don't get your hopes up. I'll take care of the pizza this time.
ElectricEcho
Wow. Did somebody finally kick your parents out? Are you actually trying to grow up and become responsible? Where’s this sudden burst of maturity coming from?
pauses and looks down, fidgeting with their fingers Well... truth is, I lost my job today.