[sub][h3][center]Archie[/center][/h3][/sub][hr]

Hearing Natalie's story had been haunting, to say the least. This felt like it was the Shitty Childhood Olympics: Promise Edition, and they were all going for gold. Personally, if he were the judge, he'd give it to Natalie or Lynn for the All-Around, but he was probably pioneering in the Coping Very Badly event.

The worst thing was, he [i]got it[/i] when Natalie said that she didn't want to leave, because there was nothing for her on Earth. He felt that shit, because that was him. Archie had done his absolutely best to eek out a shred of normalcy up here and all of this, everything that had happened... he couldn't keep fighting for something that was going to be nothing more than a commercial break in a sea of shit shows. It seemed like she was coming to that realization, too.

[i]"But... If I have all of you, there's a chance we could actually do it."[/i]

[i]"You guys should just put some thought into it is all. Because if you go up there and you haven't made up your mind and shit then the guy who has is going to get you. Then that's another motherfucker I have to deal with."[/i]

"Lynn," Archie said, trying to get his friend's attention. "This is no way to be. I'm an accident waiting to happen, and we all know what happens to accidents like us. I ain't have nothing to lose." he finished, and he meant it- giving her a reassuring smile. Archie had no plans to die, but if he went out, he could be okay with that. Yeah, he lost a lot of the people in his life that were supposed to protect him, make him feel loved and safe and welcome, but there had been good in his time, too. He had his own space as a kid, saw sunsets, ran on the beach, flirted with girls, forgotten homework, and skipped out of math classes.

"It sounds like we all want to go for the kids." he reiterated, his eyes glancing to each person around the table. Archie understood their desire to ensure that these theoretical children did not end up as bitter and jaded and hurt as they were. All things considered they had quite a colorful cast of rejects with their own circus of issues. It was a miracle they had managed to work as well together as they had. "I know we're all still explaining our powers and all but... Eli," he questioned, turning his head to look at the tallest girl of the group. "How long would it take to get this Packet person ready to help us?"