[ a little later on on friday, lu bixing is here at the bar. he's got a water in front of him, but isn't really paying it much attention, seemingly lost in thought, fidgeting with the cuffs of his sweater
[Childe, for his part, has been doing the rounds since they've been set free. The bar is one of the last stops; he wanders up as he spots Lu Bixing, nodding at him in greeting.]
What's on your mind? [Besides, y'know. The obvious.]
[ aw hey buddy. childe gets a little smile and a duck of the head in greeting. ]
Oh - everything, I think.
[ he looks tired. considering. ] I did a headcount, and I feel like I've been all the way across Hell and back, but there's hardly any sign of...well, anything.
I don't, either. [ it's not like that is an incredibly specific trauma or anything!!!!!!! ] It's concerning. Well - all of it's concerning, but the idea of an entire crime scene vanishing and someone being able to manipulate us into being separate from its initial happening is problematic.
[ ugh. ] What do you think the chances are of this happening again? [ he says this in a way that suggests... he probably also already has an inkling of an answer and its a grim one but thats ok. ]
Well, we'll have to see if we find out anything about what actually happened, first. [Which is a Saturday adventure that he isn't aware of yet. But even at this point--] I'd like to assume that if it's true, it was the demons, but I can't imagine why they wouldn't say so. Either way, I'm sure it's probably spooked some people into lashing out.
we're at the bar again! it's another bar now though. it's the clown bar. lu bixing is here, sitting in a stool, holding a drink in hand. though, he hasn't had any of it yet, which is a blessing for everyone.
he gives childe a little wave when he wades through the ballpit, and offers him a hand up. welcome to ballpit clown drink hell]
[I can't believe we're at anna's house ALSO THAT ICON IS SO CUTE STUFFS LBX IN MY MOUTH
But wow this sure is a different vibe from the last one... is this better or worse than the last bar??? He will withhold judgment for now but he waves back, wading across the ball pit and accepting the hand up. Thank god he's tall... we really do have a game of giants damn]
I did! This island is even more confusing than the last one. [He says this good-naturedly but like also what the fuck is a clown]
up you go! he's got a pretty strong grip! maybe more than you'd expect from a nerd? wild. anyway. they are now free and out of the ball pit. ]
It's like an ancient Earth carnival, I think. [ like something from a book. he also doesnt really know clowns. only from books. ] Kind of... I'm not sure if charming is the right word, but it's something.
I haven't tried it yet, to be honest. [ i guess it's up to you if it's the love potion or the angy drink. i will flip a coin otherwise. ] They have the same beer as the other place, but then they had a couple of others, if you want to try one...?
[He will take his drink!! He eyes it kind of dubiously since it looks like some kind of weird fruity cocktail, but even that would be an upgrade compared to the beer, so whatever.]
To our excellent circumstances and hospitable accommodations? [This is obviously a joke]
he is not in fact on fire. he's here in... the common room, hopefully not still covered in frosting. he's just kind of sitting with king bileygr on his chest, looking into the distance. like. disassociating, probably. it's cool.
though! when he recognizes someone's come into the room, he startles out of it a little and gives him a smile. ] Childe.
Anyway this is so belated I'm sorry work ate me BUT HERE HE IS checking on teacher lad... he's brought a cup of shitty fast food tea, but at least it's warm.]
Hey. [He holds the tea out!] Is your arm taken care of?
[I will get back to our Thursday one in a bit too help BUT ANYWAY. He is here, probably along with like everyone else because they're all starving after 9 hours? Or maybe not because there were dismembered body parts this time. It's fine.]
but here is lu bixing! he's here. he's vibing? he's not vibing. this has been exhausting. he needs a nap. he needs ten naps.
there's something loosely held between two of his fingers that's wafting smoke where he's sitting - and he laughs, a little, at childe's response, and scrubs a hand over his face. ]
That is an understatement, my friend. [ god. ] Are you okay?
Childe glances at his joint or w/e it is but doesn't comment; he doesn't sit down right away either.]
Fine. More than some of you, at least; I didn't know either of them that well. [And sometimes you are simply so desensitized that murder alone is whatever, even when it turns out your secretly crazy roommate dismembered a cannibal. But he likes Lu Bixing well enough, so it's no trouble to offer--] I can make you something to eat, if you're up for it. It'll help.
[ yeah they don't have regular cigarettes so we're coping like this?? it's fine, probably. ]
I thought I did. [ knew either of them decently well. he says this a little wryly. ] But, I think that my own expectations were defied by leaps and bounds.
[ sometimes your author bestie eats people. sometimes your daughter is a murderer. it's cool. it's fine. that's what this joint is for. the offer... surprises him? a little? lu bixing's eyes widen a bit, surprised... but then he huffs a laugh. ]
I'd like that. I can come help, if you want. [ idle hands are the devil's plaything. ]
[It's fine. They're in hell they can do whatever they want. He huffs out a laugh.]
People are rarely who they seem to be. [Spoken like someone with leaps and bounds of experience.] But I suppose this is a good reminder that we're all in a place like this for one reason or another.
[Except maybe Itto who probably got lost and wound up here by accident.
But he nods at the offer.] Sure. There's not much to work with, but it'll do.
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