widows_kiss | Appointments Post

[He seems engrossed, tongue poking out a little as he finishes off an elaborate curl of one of the symbols inside a carefully drawn circle. He pauses when he's done, looking over it critically before reaching for his beer again and taking a swig.

He's really not paying attention to his surroundings so he looks a little startled when she slides up next to him and speaks. He gives an awkward smile. Oh, he does recognise her.]

Yeah, that would be me. Natasha, yes?

Heh, yeah, you could say that. keeps my mind off things for a while. You?

[She takes a moment to order a drink for herself before turning back to him, realizing she'd startled him out of whatever he was working on. Natasha gives him an apologetic glance as she inclines her head in agreement.]

Yes, that would be me. And apparently this is the place for that tonight.

[He sets down his pen, shifting to face her on his stool.]

Apparently so. Isn't that what pubs are for?

[Her drink is quick to arrive and she takes a sip, giving him a wry smile as she settles comfortably in her stool.]

That's what I hear. I admit, I didn't spend a great deal of time in many before here.

[Which was mostly true. She didn't often go voluntarily in her off time, especially alone. But Luceti didn't offer many options in terms of distraction.]

[He toasts her with his beer bottle, smiling back.]

Heart of English country life. And student life. I have spent a lot of time in pubs.

...I don't usually sit around in pubs alone though. Tonight is just a special case.

[She laughs quietly at that, lifting her glass with his bottle.]

Neither do I. I'd say we could try it out together, but that sort of ruins the point. And let me guess. Valentines or the mission? Or both?

[He gives a soft laugh and nods.]

That obvious huh?

Both. Though the mission is more pressing right now. My two best friends are on it, and I can't protect them.

No. But the odds made it seem pretty likely. [She gives him a small smile, understanding flickering in her gaze as she leans one elbow on the bar, her other still holding her drink.]

Do they need protecting?

I guess it was kind of a big deal for- for everyone.

[That question gives him pause for a moment and he thinks of Jack who has survived the apocalypse through luck, and Helios and his scars and how very vulernable he'd seemed at times.]

Yeah. They do.

[She gives a quiet scoff at that, gazing down into her drink for a moment, her gaze going distant, because that... that's quite an understatement.] Yes. I suppose it was.

[She glances over at him again when he pauses to think about his answer, her expression serious.] I'm sorry. There's nothing more frustrating than waiting and not knowing.

[He gives her a slightly curious look at that, because yeah, it had been a pretty widespread deal.] Messing with people's heads and hearts is not- it's cruel.

[He shrugs one should at that, shaking his head.]

They're big boys. I probably shouldn't fret. But when has that ever stopped anyone?

Apparently they excel with that around here. At least the heads part. I suppose they think the hearts are just as easy to manipulate. [Even though she was still struggling to figure out if it had been manipulated or not. This time in particular was a little hard to tell.]

I take it you had a rough time of it?

[She gives him an understanding look at that and takes a deep swallow of her drink.] It doesn't. Even when you do know they can take care of themselves... it doesn't make it any easier.

[Which was part of the reason she was out here tonight herself.]

Well, from what happened over Valentine's, I think they have a solid case for that being the truth. [Because he'd certainly felt like he was in love. Very happily in love too.]

Me? No, I had a great time. It's just the aftermath that's getting to me. [Because he... he missed it honestly. That feeling of loving and being loved.

He offers her a brief smile at that.]

Yeah, you've got that spot on, I think. Is that why you're here? Friend on a mission?

Waking up with the hangover? [Her lips quirk crookedly at the comparison. Even if it's not exactly the same but... Well. She knows. All too well. Her gaze drops, her finger circling the edge of her glass, something wistful in her gaze.

She shares his smile and dips her head faintly in agreement.] Yes. But probably not the same one. His was... voluntary.

Yeah, a fortnight long hangover of emotional upheaval. I think I'd rather have the headache and nausea honestly.

[He laughs softly, rubbing his forehead and he should really probably stop drinking but it's all in a good cause.]

Ah... more aftermath?

I doubt you're the only one feeling that way. [She hasn't decided yet, to be honest. Despite how things now hung in limbo, she still couldn't quite bring herself to regret the week itself. She just... missed it. The simplicity of it. The utter assuredness.

She takes another drink herself and gives him a humorless smile.] I think he'd have rather had the headache and nausea too.

Probably not. I think it's a common affliction right now. [He huffs a small laugh and raises his hand to order another beer.] I don't even feel bad about what happened. Just... ah, it probably sounds crazy to say I wish some things had stuck, right?

[He can't regret it, he can't even begrudge anyone their feelings. It's a wistful sort of feeling and he's sure he'll get over it eventually.]

Well, I should probably drink to him too then.

[Her gaze drops to her glass for a moment.] No. I don't think that sounds crazy at all.

[She gives him a small smile at that, lifting her gaze once more as she manages a laugh.] Go right ahead. I'm sure he'd appreciate it, if he knew.

That's a relief. Really not fond of being considered crazy.

[He smiles back at her and raises the bottle when it arrives.]

To friends who aren't here right now because of Act of Malnosso hangover.

I don't think anyone is. [Her lips quirk as she agrees with him, then takes a sip when he toasts, although there's a shadow of regret in her gaze, because she's not sure she can blame all (any?) of this on the Malnosso, or if it was just... her.]

May they return home safe and sound and soon.

Yeah, probably not. [He takes a long swig of the beer then rolls the bottle between his palms idly. And he's not sure he can blame it on the Malnosso either. Not since he's still entirely smitten with a certain mage and it's been, what? Two weeks now.]

Amen to that. I'm gonna get grey hairs worrying about them. Or possibly kill my liver.

[Natasha gives a wry laugh at that.] Perhaps you should start looking into distractions that don't involve alcohol, then.

[He chuckles in response, shaking his head.]

My other distractions usually take more concentration than I can manage right now. And I'm made of tougher stuff than I look.

Are you? [She gives him a faint smile.] I'm finding most people here seem to be. And the alcohol probably isn't helping that concentration any, either.

It's kind of a... gift of my bloodline.

Yeah, there are certainly plenty of people with unique qualities here. Oh, but drunk spellcasting is so much fun.

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