[Diavolo was perfectly content to end their conversation here. But that singular ;) is enough to halt him in his tracks. A sudden rush of panic clutches him in its grasp. Has he been... misinterpreting everything? Marco's patience? His kindness? His nervousness?!
He wants to slam the laptop shut. And possibly burn it. He could get another. And he's even already started using a new username anyway. And it isn't as though Marco knows where he lives, or who he lives with, or any details about his life to possibly track him down for... whatever it is he may want.
He could ignore the message. Pretend he didn't see it. He could respond with a simple I have to go. Until next time. But his goal here is to make allies, and to keep them — that was the whole point making this apology! If he backs away now, after this, would it be taken as a slight? He doesn't have enough experience talking to people to know how to navigate this kind of thing properly. All he can do is press on and try his best.]
Are you implying you want me to call you something else?
<Anonimo> IM SO SORRY?
He wants to slam the laptop shut. And possibly burn it. He could get another. And he's even already started using a new username anyway. And it isn't as though Marco knows where he lives, or who he lives with, or any details about his life to possibly track him down for... whatever it is he may want.
He could ignore the message. Pretend he didn't see it. He could respond with a simple I have to go. Until next time. But his goal here is to make allies, and to keep them — that was the whole point making this apology! If he backs away now, after this, would it be taken as a slight? He doesn't have enough experience talking to people to know how to navigate this kind of thing properly. All he can do is press on and try his best.]
Are you implying you want me to call you something else?
[???]
;)
[??????]