AFTERPARTY III: Never Have I Ever Been Quite This Drunk

[mirrite]

[There's absolutely nothing celebratory about this drinking party. "Party" isn't even the right word, not really-- it's more like a "drink until you forget and/or black out" session for anyone who wants to participate, and even the bartender isn't immune from that much. Please forgive him if your drink isn't mixed quite right; he's trying his best under the circumstances.

There's food, too, if anyone wants to attempt to stave off a hangover tomorrow, or just get something in their stomach after the events of the day: stirfry from Makoto, vegetable soup from Nageki (mediocre, but hey, a genuine effort was made and that's what counts), and some tea for those who would rather abstain from the harder stuff. (Is that even many people tonight? Probably not.)

Come on by the bar if you're hungry or want a drink, or even if you just don't want to be alone right now. That much, at least, is something that can be guaranteed tonight.]

Comments

[mirrite]

[Marcus, for the most part, is behind the bar mixing drinks. It gives him something to focus on - something that isn't the events and revelations from today - and it makes him feel at least somewhat useful, in some sense of the word.

That doesn't make him feel much better, though, and there's none of his usual good spirit or easy confidence today. In fact, there's not that much conversation at all, unless you poke at him. He's just tired and drained and feeling totally off-kilter.

He won't turn down some food if anyone wants to bring some over to him, though, and a little company probably wouldn't go amiss either.]

[gemuinemanagement]

[Absolutely bringing him some of the food. They're alike that way, needing to help people to deal with this.]

Have you taken a break

[mirrite]

... I'm fine. I'll take one when I start feeling tired.

[The first sentence is a lie, the second one... yeah, probably a lie too.]

[gemuinemanagement]

I don't believe either of those
Sorry

[mirrite]

[He laughs, but it's bitter rather than mirthful.]

Yeah, guess I'm not really fooling anyone here. Then again, I don't think anyone else is, either.

[gemuinemanagement]

No
It's okay if you worry about me
But I'm allowed to worry about you too

[That's only fair.]

[mirrite]

That's... yeah, I can't really argue that one. I kinda set myself up for it.

[He's just not used to people worrying about him! Other than Phil, that is.]

[adorabilities]

Do you need anything?

[ she will fetch him food, for certain. but she's a little hesitant and unsure. ]

[mirrite]

[He pauses in setting a bottle back behind the bar and makes a sound that's half-laugh, half... something else that doesn't have any humor behind it whatsoever.]

I'm not sure even I know the answer to that one right now...

[adorabilities]

... Well, I meant food or-or you know, something like that.

[mirrite]

I guess I probably should, huh? Yeah, that wouldn't be a bad idea... thanks.

[Given that he'd prefer not to collapse until AFTER the party is over...]

[adorabilities]

I'll go grab something and be right back then.

[ she's going to come back with e v e r y t h i n g ]

[mirrite]

[That is... definitely more than he expected, yeah, and he's honestly grateful for it given that he can't even remember when last he ate. Today...? Yesterday...? He's not sure.]

Well, I sure can't complain about your definition of "something" here, that's for sure.

[scythegun]

[Hi, Marcus. Yeager comes to take a seat at the bar, though he's not asking for any drinks. He props his elbow on the bar and then his chin on his hand.]

I wanted to apologize for casting suspicion on you in the last trial. And for insisting you cut yourself like that.

[He already apologized to Phillip for it, but Marcus certainly should have the apology as well.]

[mirrite]

[Marcus just waves it off with a weak attempt at a smile, though it clearly doesn't reach his eyes. Yeah, he's not doing so great today, can you tell?]

I've had worse. Besides, it's no surprise that people would find it weird that someone who supposedly fights all the time doesn't have a mark on them. That's not exactly natural, you know? Of course I'd look suspicious for that.

[A dry laugh, tired and more than a little strained.]

[scythegun]

It is a little odd, certainly. But I must admit, I hadn't taken into account that there would be an explanation behind it present in your world.

[It's a nicer way of saying "he wasn't exactly thinking much at all at that point" but that's more or less what it is.]

I am glad that we now know who was responsible for that, but...

[He studies Marcus for a moment, like he's debating saying anything at all.]

You'll be alright, I assume? I imagine this has shaken quite a few people.

[It isn't really his place to get involved, but he supposes it doesn't hurt to check.]

[mirrite]

Are any of us really all right right now?

[A rhetorical question, to be sure, and he may just be pouring himself a shot of something as he asks it. Well, there's the answer in one form or another.]

You know, the other night at the party, she asked me if I trusted anyone here besides Phil. I told her that she was one of the people I wanted to believe I could trust.

[And boy oh boy, was he ever wrong on that one, apparently.]

[scythegun]

[The shot says it all, really. That's a damn mood, Marcus.]

I'm not surprised. She seemed rather well-liked by everyone.

[He sighs at that before shaking his head.]

I wouldn't blame yourself for that. It's quite difficult to really get to know a stranger here in three weeks, I think. There are plenty of things we're all still hiding. It truly is unfortunate that it happened like this, though.

[mirrite]

[He'd be doing more than just this one if he wasn't still tending the bar, really.]

I should've known when I had to hold her back from killing C-ta last week, but...

[He sighs.]

I can't say I wouldn't have done the same if Phil had been the one killed instead. I can understand that kind of thinking, at least. So I didn't think anything of it at the time.

[amortristis]

[ She'll sit at the bar, but she'll probably sit towards the end, not trying to get in the way since she's not exactly the most social of people.

Eventually she comes stops focusing on whatever it is she's been staring at, looking at him. ]

What do people typically drink? I'm not familiar with common orders.

[mirrite]

That depends on what you like... and on what you're drinking it for.

[And somehow, he's getting the feeling that most of the people here tonight are drinking to forget, not just to loosen up a little. Call it a hunch.]

[amortristis]

[ Yeah, that sounds about right. ]

I'm not sure what for, honestly. [ She pauses for a bit. ] Whatever you feel like making, I'll take.

[mirrite]

Fruity, or strong? Or both?

[Might as well let her pick her poison here... no point in mixing up something she's not going to like.]

[amortristis]

Both is fine.

[ She could probably pick something, but... it seems fairly inconsequential, at the moment. ]

[mirrite]

[That... may have been the wrong answer, because what Marcus ends up making is something that is both very sweet and fruity and also very, very strong.

He'll slide it down to her with as much of a smile as he can manage given the situation.]

Careful not to drink it too fast-- it'll hit you hard if you aren't careful.