Been seeing how many people have been sharing their struggles with poor friend groups lately.
I promise, even in the VTuber/discord space there ARE friend groups that can be formed that aren't volatile like that.
I've been the person getting shit talked behind the scenes and had people stand up for and defend me, as well as done the same. They also INFORMED me after a certain point about what had been going on.
Which makes sense it took a while, they had to see if there was a pattern of issues or a one-off scuffle between friends.
Real friends will absolutely pull you to the side privately to discuss what's wrong. And if they need support from other friends on an issue, they'll know they might not be painting the full picture and communicate with mutuals in a way that doesn't absolve you of hurt. But doesn't sprinkle in conspiracy either.
If you close yourself off you're never going to find your people. But they are out there, I promise.