Compass Man 🧭 [hiatus]
@orientingarrow.bsky.social
✏️ You'd better fight for your life if you expect to live! 🧲
[ Mega Man rp account - He/Him ]
[ Mega Man rp account - He/Him ]
Pinned
( Within the remains of an abandoned building, Compass Man finally feels safe enough to rest his body and drift off into sleep mode. No one would find him here, except his thoughts... and his memories. )
( One such recollection appears in his subconscious; a Robot Master's equivalent of a dream. )
( One such recollection appears in his subconscious; a Robot Master's equivalent of a dream. )
April 7, 2025 at 4:18 AM
( Within the remains of an abandoned building, Compass Man finally feels safe enough to rest his body and drift off into sleep mode. No one would find him here, except his thoughts... and his memories. )
( One such recollection appears in his subconscious; a Robot Master's equivalent of a dream. )
( One such recollection appears in his subconscious; a Robot Master's equivalent of a dream. )
I miss Dangan :(
March 22, 2025 at 1:01 AM
I miss Dangan :(
Reposted by Compass Man 🧭 [hiatus]
No OOC marks.
If you're going out of your way to harass smaller accounts, because your inflated ego for running a ` popular ` account can't handle someone not falling for the cult of personality, you're proving your own damn point and making Bsky not fun.
Don't be a pussy and say it on main if you
If you're going out of your way to harass smaller accounts, because your inflated ego for running a ` popular ` account can't handle someone not falling for the cult of personality, you're proving your own damn point and making Bsky not fun.
Don't be a pussy and say it on main if you
March 20, 2025 at 12:46 PM
No OOC marks.
If you're going out of your way to harass smaller accounts, because your inflated ego for running a ` popular ` account can't handle someone not falling for the cult of personality, you're proving your own damn point and making Bsky not fun.
Don't be a pussy and say it on main if you
If you're going out of your way to harass smaller accounts, because your inflated ego for running a ` popular ` account can't handle someone not falling for the cult of personality, you're proving your own damn point and making Bsky not fun.
Don't be a pussy and say it on main if you
( It felt like an eternity, waiting there and being unable to escape from what seemed like certain death. It’s surreal, having everything go so quiet. )
( When he’s let go, reality starts to hit him again. )
I… Y-Yeah, I get it.
( When he’s let go, reality starts to hit him again. )
I… Y-Yeah, I get it.
Therefore, you are banished from this tower until I say otherwise. Do not enter this place again.
[ Their hand retreats, freeing Compass, only to figuratively shove them away... ]
[ Their hand retreats, freeing Compass, only to figuratively shove them away... ]
March 20, 2025 at 4:19 AM
( It felt like an eternity, waiting there and being unable to escape from what seemed like certain death. It’s surreal, having everything go so quiet. )
( When he’s let go, reality starts to hit him again. )
I… Y-Yeah, I get it.
( When he’s let go, reality starts to hit him again. )
I… Y-Yeah, I get it.
( Compass knows then, before the other even has to explain, that Dragon told Trident about him and the others. About his master. As he had feared, this was no place for him, and yet again, he has no backup to call for. )
I-I'm not /here/ for them! I didn't /know/ they were here!
I-I'm not /here/ for them! I didn't /know/ they were here!
So I want the truth, I want it / now, / and if I don't like what I hear, I will melt your chassis into an unrecognizable sludge.
[ The Cytokites begin slowly charging up. Compass is on a time limit. ]
What. Are. You. Doing. Here.
[ The Cytokites begin slowly charging up. Compass is on a time limit. ]
What. Are. You. Doing. Here.
March 20, 2025 at 2:27 AM
( Compass knows then, before the other even has to explain, that Dragon told Trident about him and the others. About his master. As he had feared, this was no place for him, and yet again, he has no backup to call for. )
I-I'm not /here/ for them! I didn't /know/ they were here!
I-I'm not /here/ for them! I didn't /know/ they were here!
( The initial silence Trident showed him unnerved Compass… but he was far too late to act on those feelings. )
( The other’s grip is so tight, and the slam is so forceful, that it causes his processor to reel. Vision full of static, his optics only show fear and confusion. )
W-What—?
( The other’s grip is so tight, and the slam is so forceful, that it causes his processor to reel. Vision full of static, his optics only show fear and confusion. )
W-What—?
[ If it had been anyone else but Dragon, there would be less violence, less intent to kill. ]
ANSWER ME, Compass!
ANSWER ME, Compass!
March 20, 2025 at 12:53 AM
( The initial silence Trident showed him unnerved Compass… but he was far too late to act on those feelings. )
( The other’s grip is so tight, and the slam is so forceful, that it causes his processor to reel. Vision full of static, his optics only show fear and confusion. )
W-What—?
( The other’s grip is so tight, and the slam is so forceful, that it causes his processor to reel. Vision full of static, his optics only show fear and confusion. )
W-What—?
( Compass rouses from an uneasy sleep cycle upon receiving the message. Needless to say, he's puzzled as to why Trident would want to talk with him again... he felt that there wasn't a reason to, but regardless, he leaves the room shortly after. )
I'll get to the bottom of this. If you feel like coming out, go ahead, Compass won't be able to do a / thing / to you.
[ Transmitting a message to @orientingarrow.bsky.social via the tower's connection, a friendly request for him to meet Trident in his room. ]
[ Transmitting a message to @orientingarrow.bsky.social via the tower's connection, a friendly request for him to meet Trident in his room. ]
March 19, 2025 at 11:52 PM
( Compass rouses from an uneasy sleep cycle upon receiving the message. Needless to say, he's puzzled as to why Trident would want to talk with him again... he felt that there wasn't a reason to, but regardless, he leaves the room shortly after. )
Reposted by Compass Man 🧭 [hiatus]
ㅤ
「 See ya! 」
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤAnd with that, he just... walks off.
ㅤ
「 See ya! 」
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤAnd with that, he just... walks off.
ㅤ
Oh, yeah, I bet. Sounds like a busy role.
( He doesn't believe him. )
I... guess I'll see you around, then.
( He doesn't believe him. )
I... guess I'll see you around, then.
ㅤ
「 Yep! For now, I've, uh, got other pacts to attend to. The Avatar of Greed is a busy, busy guy, y'know! 」
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤHe is such a bad liar.
ㅤ
「 Yep! For now, I've, uh, got other pacts to attend to. The Avatar of Greed is a busy, busy guy, y'know! 」
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤHe is such a bad liar.
ㅤ
March 10, 2025 at 8:49 PM
ㅤ
「 See ya! 」
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤAnd with that, he just... walks off.
ㅤ
「 See ya! 」
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤAnd with that, he just... walks off.
ㅤ
Oh, yeah, I bet. Sounds like a busy role.
( He doesn't believe him. )
I... guess I'll see you around, then.
( He doesn't believe him. )
I... guess I'll see you around, then.
ㅤ
「 Yep! For now, I've, uh, got other pacts to attend to. The Avatar of Greed is a busy, busy guy, y'know! 」
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤHe is such a bad liar.
ㅤ
「 Yep! For now, I've, uh, got other pacts to attend to. The Avatar of Greed is a busy, busy guy, y'know! 」
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤHe is such a bad liar.
ㅤ
I thought that /was/ the point of the— ugh. Alright.
( Not like he has much of a choice now. There’s no use arguing. )
So when I’ve got the goods, I just… call for you, and you’ll show up?
( Not like he has much of a choice now. There’s no use arguing. )
So when I’ve got the goods, I just… call for you, and you’ll show up?
March 10, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Oh, yeah, I bet. Sounds like a busy role.
( He doesn't believe him. )
I... guess I'll see you around, then.
( He doesn't believe him. )
I... guess I'll see you around, then.
I thought that /was/ the point of the— ugh. Alright.
( Not like he has much of a choice now. There’s no use arguing. )
So when I’ve got the goods, I just… call for you, and you’ll show up?
( Not like he has much of a choice now. There’s no use arguing. )
So when I’ve got the goods, I just… call for you, and you’ll show up?
ㅤ
「 Not for free. The pact is an exchange in itself! Just get me somethin' good and the info is yours. 」
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤHe does /not/ want to admit he doesn't know where Rockman-Shadow is, especially not in this time!
ㅤ
「 Not for free. The pact is an exchange in itself! Just get me somethin' good and the info is yours. 」
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤHe does /not/ want to admit he doesn't know where Rockman-Shadow is, especially not in this time!
ㅤ
Right. I get that, I guess.
( He nods. He hopes he didn't just give away his 'soul' or whatever for nothing... )
So, er, y-you're still showing me where my master is, right?
( He nods. He hopes he didn't just give away his 'soul' or whatever for nothing... )
So, er, y-you're still showing me where my master is, right?
March 10, 2025 at 7:34 PM
I thought that /was/ the point of the— ugh. Alright.
( Not like he has much of a choice now. There’s no use arguing. )
So when I’ve got the goods, I just… call for you, and you’ll show up?
( Not like he has much of a choice now. There’s no use arguing. )
So when I’ve got the goods, I just… call for you, and you’ll show up?
Right. I get that, I guess.
( He nods. He hopes he didn't just give away his 'soul' or whatever for nothing... )
So, er, y-you're still showing me where my master is, right?
( He nods. He hopes he didn't just give away his 'soul' or whatever for nothing... )
So, er, y-you're still showing me where my master is, right?
ㅤ
「 You can call on me whenever, now. Don't think ya've got any magic to truly /command/ me, though. 」
ㅤ
「 You can call on me whenever, now. Don't think ya've got any magic to truly /command/ me, though. 」
ㅤ
( After the warmth fades, he… doesn’t really feel a difference. Weird. Oh well. )
T-That /is/ pretty neat, yeah… so what happens now?
( He shakily smiles a little, trying to make light of the bizarre situation. )
T-That /is/ pretty neat, yeah… so what happens now?
( He shakily smiles a little, trying to make light of the bizarre situation. )
March 10, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Right. I get that, I guess.
( He nods. He hopes he didn't just give away his 'soul' or whatever for nothing... )
So, er, y-you're still showing me where my master is, right?
( He nods. He hopes he didn't just give away his 'soul' or whatever for nothing... )
So, er, y-you're still showing me where my master is, right?
( After the warmth fades, he… doesn’t really feel a difference. Weird. Oh well. )
T-That /is/ pretty neat, yeah… so what happens now?
( He shakily smiles a little, trying to make light of the bizarre situation. )
T-That /is/ pretty neat, yeah… so what happens now?
( He shakily smiles a little, trying to make light of the bizarre situation. )
ㅤ
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤIt's not a /death grip,/ but it's still a tight one. An odd warmth creeps up his arm, but it doesn't hurt.
「 NICE, it worked! Hah, first demon to pact with a robot, I'd say! 」
ㅤ
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤIt's not a /death grip,/ but it's still a tight one. An odd warmth creeps up his arm, but it doesn't hurt.
「 NICE, it worked! Hah, first demon to pact with a robot, I'd say! 」
ㅤ
( His hand shakes as he holds it out, slightly hesitant. This could end horribly; but then again, what more does he have to lose? He’s so close to having his favorite person back… )
… A-As long as you don’t death grip my hand again, alright?
( He mutters, finally grabbing on. )
… A-As long as you don’t death grip my hand again, alright?
( He mutters, finally grabbing on. )
March 10, 2025 at 5:37 AM
( After the warmth fades, he… doesn’t really feel a difference. Weird. Oh well. )
T-That /is/ pretty neat, yeah… so what happens now?
( He shakily smiles a little, trying to make light of the bizarre situation. )
T-That /is/ pretty neat, yeah… so what happens now?
( He shakily smiles a little, trying to make light of the bizarre situation. )
( His hand shakes as he holds it out, slightly hesitant. This could end horribly; but then again, what more does he have to lose? He’s so close to having his favorite person back… )
… A-As long as you don’t death grip my hand again, alright?
( He mutters, finally grabbing on. )
… A-As long as you don’t death grip my hand again, alright?
( He mutters, finally grabbing on. )
ㅤ
「 Huh... it would probably be the first time anyone's done it... 」
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤHe holds a hand out.
「 Wanna see for sure? 」
ㅤ
「 Huh... it would probably be the first time anyone's done it... 」
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤHe holds a hand out.
「 Wanna see for sure? 」
ㅤ
( That gets his brows to raise a bit. )
Well, I don’t know. I’ve never thought about it before. But yeah, I’d say we do. We’re /sentient,/ after all.
Well, I don’t know. I’ve never thought about it before. But yeah, I’d say we do. We’re /sentient,/ after all.
March 10, 2025 at 5:21 AM
( His hand shakes as he holds it out, slightly hesitant. This could end horribly; but then again, what more does he have to lose? He’s so close to having his favorite person back… )
… A-As long as you don’t death grip my hand again, alright?
( He mutters, finally grabbing on. )
… A-As long as you don’t death grip my hand again, alright?
( He mutters, finally grabbing on. )
( That gets his brows to raise a bit. )
Well, I don’t know. I’ve never thought about it before. But yeah, I’d say we do. We’re /sentient,/ after all.
Well, I don’t know. I’ve never thought about it before. But yeah, I’d say we do. We’re /sentient,/ after all.
ㅤ
「 ..actually... ya know if robots have souls or not? 」
ㅤ
「 ..actually... ya know if robots have souls or not? 」
ㅤ
I… I can do that. Yeah.
( Shouldn’t be too hard to do, he thinks… something is still unnerving him about this, but if it’s the only way to get some normalcy back, he’ll do it. )
( Shouldn’t be too hard to do, he thinks… something is still unnerving him about this, but if it’s the only way to get some normalcy back, he’ll do it. )
March 10, 2025 at 5:06 AM
( That gets his brows to raise a bit. )
Well, I don’t know. I’ve never thought about it before. But yeah, I’d say we do. We’re /sentient,/ after all.
Well, I don’t know. I’ve never thought about it before. But yeah, I’d say we do. We’re /sentient,/ after all.
I… I can do that. Yeah.
( Shouldn’t be too hard to do, he thinks… something is still unnerving him about this, but if it’s the only way to get some normalcy back, he’ll do it. )
( Shouldn’t be too hard to do, he thinks… something is still unnerving him about this, but if it’s the only way to get some normalcy back, he’ll do it. )
ㅤ
「 Anythin' worth anythin'. Gold, jewels, money, jewelry... and I mean, I don't need it now. Ya can fetch it and /then/ I'll tell ya. 」
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤAlso gives him time to do his research...
ㅤ
「 Anythin' worth anythin'. Gold, jewels, money, jewelry... and I mean, I don't need it now. Ya can fetch it and /then/ I'll tell ya. 」
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤAlso gives him time to do his research...
ㅤ
( He can still feel the lingering pain from the other’s grip. But he ignores it. )
N-Not much… I’ve never had much of anything for myself, everything was… his.
W-What would you /want?/
N-Not much… I’ve never had much of anything for myself, everything was… his.
W-What would you /want?/
March 10, 2025 at 4:57 AM
I… I can do that. Yeah.
( Shouldn’t be too hard to do, he thinks… something is still unnerving him about this, but if it’s the only way to get some normalcy back, he’ll do it. )
( Shouldn’t be too hard to do, he thinks… something is still unnerving him about this, but if it’s the only way to get some normalcy back, he’ll do it. )
( He can still feel the lingering pain from the other’s grip. But he ignores it. )
N-Not much… I’ve never had much of anything for myself, everything was… his.
W-What would you /want?/
N-Not much… I’ve never had much of anything for myself, everything was… his.
W-What would you /want?/
ㅤ
「 I might. 」
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤHe lets go of Compass' wrist. He's got him hooked with something else.
「 Got anythin' in return? 」
ㅤ
「 I might. 」
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤHe lets go of Compass' wrist. He's got him hooked with something else.
「 Got anythin' in return? 」
ㅤ
... What?
( He looks back up, looking shocked again. )
D-Do you know where he is?
( He looks back up, looking shocked again. )
D-Do you know where he is?
March 10, 2025 at 4:45 AM
( He can still feel the lingering pain from the other’s grip. But he ignores it. )
N-Not much… I’ve never had much of anything for myself, everything was… his.
W-What would you /want?/
N-Not much… I’ve never had much of anything for myself, everything was… his.
W-What would you /want?/
... What?
( He looks back up, looking shocked again. )
D-Do you know where he is?
( He looks back up, looking shocked again. )
D-Do you know where he is?
ㅤ
「 ..I think ya should be in the time where he's just been made. If that means anything to ya. 」
ㅤ
「 ..I think ya should be in the time where he's just been made. If that means anything to ya. 」
ㅤ
I… I don’t know.
( Compass wants him back more than anything… but he’s starting to think for himself. He’s starting to see things for what they really are. If his master came back, wouldn’t it all just… repeat? )
It’s just been so hard without him guiding me. I don’t know what my purpose is.
( Compass wants him back more than anything… but he’s starting to think for himself. He’s starting to see things for what they really are. If his master came back, wouldn’t it all just… repeat? )
It’s just been so hard without him guiding me. I don’t know what my purpose is.
March 10, 2025 at 4:23 AM
... What?
( He looks back up, looking shocked again. )
D-Do you know where he is?
( He looks back up, looking shocked again. )
D-Do you know where he is?
I… I don’t know.
( Compass wants him back more than anything… but he’s starting to think for himself. He’s starting to see things for what they really are. If his master came back, wouldn’t it all just… repeat? )
It’s just been so hard without him guiding me. I don’t know what my purpose is.
( Compass wants him back more than anything… but he’s starting to think for himself. He’s starting to see things for what they really are. If his master came back, wouldn’t it all just… repeat? )
It’s just been so hard without him guiding me. I don’t know what my purpose is.
ㅤ
「 Of course ya do. He did a lot for ya. 」
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤHis grip loosens. It doesn't hurt anymore.
「 Ya'd do anythin' to get him back. 」
ㅤ
「 Of course ya do. He did a lot for ya. 」
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤHis grip loosens. It doesn't hurt anymore.
「 Ya'd do anythin' to get him back. 」
ㅤ
( Compass lets his gaze fall to the snowy ground. This can't be real, can it? But he's right... )
Why wouldn't I? I... I /loved/ him.
Why wouldn't I? I... I /loved/ him.
March 10, 2025 at 12:20 AM
I… I don’t know.
( Compass wants him back more than anything… but he’s starting to think for himself. He’s starting to see things for what they really are. If his master came back, wouldn’t it all just… repeat? )
It’s just been so hard without him guiding me. I don’t know what my purpose is.
( Compass wants him back more than anything… but he’s starting to think for himself. He’s starting to see things for what they really are. If his master came back, wouldn’t it all just… repeat? )
It’s just been so hard without him guiding me. I don’t know what my purpose is.
( Compass lets his gaze fall to the snowy ground. This can't be real, can it? But he's right... )
Why wouldn't I? I... I /loved/ him.
Why wouldn't I? I... I /loved/ him.
ㅤ
「 I'm the Avatar of Greed. Whenever someone wants /more/ than they've got, I know. And ya /really/ want him back. 」
ㅤ
「 I'm the Avatar of Greed. Whenever someone wants /more/ than they've got, I know. And ya /really/ want him back. 」
ㅤ
I-I never /mentioned/ him! Seriously, how did you...
March 9, 2025 at 5:30 PM
( Compass lets his gaze fall to the snowy ground. This can't be real, can it? But he's right... )
Why wouldn't I? I... I /loved/ him.
Why wouldn't I? I... I /loved/ him.
I-I never /mentioned/ him! Seriously, how did you...
ㅤ
「 Yeah. /You./ 」
ㅤ
「 Yeah. /You./ 」
ㅤ
… He doesn’t /exist./ Not yet. Not in this time.
( His ‘breath’ picks up, fans running faster. )
Y-You learned his name from someone who knew him. Didn’t you…?
( He hopes he’s right. )
( His ‘breath’ picks up, fans running faster. )
Y-You learned his name from someone who knew him. Didn’t you…?
( He hopes he’s right. )
March 9, 2025 at 4:47 PM
I-I never /mentioned/ him! Seriously, how did you...
… He doesn’t /exist./ Not yet. Not in this time.
( His ‘breath’ picks up, fans running faster. )
Y-You learned his name from someone who knew him. Didn’t you…?
( He hopes he’s right. )
( His ‘breath’ picks up, fans running faster. )
Y-You learned his name from someone who knew him. Didn’t you…?
( He hopes he’s right. )
ㅤ
「 Because he doesn't /what,/ Compass Man? 」
ㅤ
「 Because he doesn't /what,/ Compass Man? 」
ㅤ
( Eyes widening, then narrowing in anger. )
What—? Y-You /can’t/ know about him! He doesn’t even…
( Either this guy’s from the future, too, or… he’s telling the truth about what he is. )
What—? Y-You /can’t/ know about him! He doesn’t even…
( Either this guy’s from the future, too, or… he’s telling the truth about what he is. )
March 9, 2025 at 6:24 AM
… He doesn’t /exist./ Not yet. Not in this time.
( His ‘breath’ picks up, fans running faster. )
Y-You learned his name from someone who knew him. Didn’t you…?
( He hopes he’s right. )
( His ‘breath’ picks up, fans running faster. )
Y-You learned his name from someone who knew him. Didn’t you…?
( He hopes he’s right. )
( Eyes widening, then narrowing in anger. )
What—? Y-You /can’t/ know about him! He doesn’t even…
( Either this guy’s from the future, too, or… he’s telling the truth about what he is. )
What—? Y-You /can’t/ know about him! He doesn’t even…
( Either this guy’s from the future, too, or… he’s telling the truth about what he is. )
ㅤ
「 Please. Rockman-Shadow ain't here, is he? 」
ㅤ
「 Please. Rockman-Shadow ain't here, is he? 」
ㅤ
( His systems are warning him about the sheer pressure. He grits his teeth, shaking his head defiantly. )
/Never./ T-That’s what I was promised.
/Never./ T-That’s what I was promised.
March 9, 2025 at 6:18 AM
( Eyes widening, then narrowing in anger. )
What—? Y-You /can’t/ know about him! He doesn’t even…
( Either this guy’s from the future, too, or… he’s telling the truth about what he is. )
What—? Y-You /can’t/ know about him! He doesn’t even…
( Either this guy’s from the future, too, or… he’s telling the truth about what he is. )
( His systems are warning him about the sheer pressure. He grits his teeth, shaking his head defiantly. )
/Never./ T-That’s what I was promised.
/Never./ T-That’s what I was promised.
ㅤ
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤHis grip tightens. It /hurts./
「 Never? 」
ㅤ
ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤHis grip tightens. It /hurts./
「 Never? 」
ㅤ
Don’t say that! I was upgraded so much that I’d /never/ get scrapped…!
( He raises his voice. It was so much easier when he had others with him. )
( He raises his voice. It was so much easier when he had others with him. )
March 9, 2025 at 6:14 AM
( His systems are warning him about the sheer pressure. He grits his teeth, shaking his head defiantly. )
/Never./ T-That’s what I was promised.
/Never./ T-That’s what I was promised.
Don’t say that! I was upgraded so much that I’d /never/ get scrapped…!
( He raises his voice. It was so much easier when he had others with him. )
( He raises his voice. It was so much easier when he had others with him. )
ㅤ
「 Is there? Jeez, ya mortals have been using your talents for the /dumbest/ shit. How's curing cancer going? Nope, too busy makin' useless robots worth more as scrap. 」
ㅤ
「 Is there? Jeez, ya mortals have been using your talents for the /dumbest/ shit. How's curing cancer going? Nope, too busy makin' useless robots worth more as scrap. 」
ㅤ
There's technology for that!
( God, that /hurts.../ He has no one to replace his parts, so he gives up trying to pull away. He narrows his eyes, trying not to show any fear. )
( God, that /hurts.../ He has no one to replace his parts, so he gives up trying to pull away. He narrows his eyes, trying not to show any fear. )
March 9, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Don’t say that! I was upgraded so much that I’d /never/ get scrapped…!
( He raises his voice. It was so much easier when he had others with him. )
( He raises his voice. It was so much easier when he had others with him. )