It is can be drinkz tiem nao?

[gamerspy.livejournal.com]

... so Near had been dragged off by one of those elf things for 'detention'. Matt snorted. This whole place was so damned weird - a school that had bars, but still handed out detention? The hell?

But they'd agreed to have a drink after the whole radio thing, so here Matt was. He lounged outside the door, smoking a cigarette and frowning. Matt wasn't sure what to think of the radio show. Near was, at the very least, a friendly acquaintance, and from the sound of things... well. What the hell had happened?

He'd find out soon enough, he figured.

Comments

[cardarchitect.livejournal.com]

Near was emotionally drained and physically achy when he returned to Ravenclaw, but he smiled when he saw Matt. "Those things are bad for you, you know?" He gestured at the cigarette.

[gamerspy.livejournal.com]

"I figure the lung cancer thing isn't as urgent now I've been shot to death by a shitload of Japanese guys." He wasn't planning on letting that go any time soon, no. "Still up for a drink?"

[cardarchitect.livejournal.com]

"Maybe it makes you more susceptible, having had 'lead poisoning'," Near quipped. "Yeah, I really, really am."

[gamerspy.livejournal.com]

"... well, you seem in a good mood," Matt grinned, leading Near into the bar. "It's an open bar - no staff, no cash required. How awesome is that?" He hopped easily over the bar and started rummaging through the bottles. "What the hell is 'Firewhisky'...?"

[cardarchitect.livejournal.com]

"...or something," Near agreed tentatively, not at all sure what kind of mood he was in. It felt like he'd been blasted with an emotional shotgun. "I don't think I have any cash, so that's good. And I don't think I've ever heard of Firewhisky. You're the drinker, though."

[gamerspy.livejournal.com]

"I'll be getting some cash as soon as I get my hands on a computer, which might take a while. Hmm. There's some Jack Daniel's... you'll probably want something a bit weaker. Or I could just pour you a really small measure?" He grinned.

[cardarchitect.livejournal.com]

"Small works. You can mix it with something else, right?" Near stretched. He was stiff and sore, both from the flogging and from sleeping - sleeping with Mello - on the hard table. "Is that what you're drinking?"

[gamerspy.livejournal.com]

"Yeah." He grabbed a bottle and set it on the counter before hoisting himself up. Instead of sitting on one of the barstools he remained there, pouring a strong JD and coke for himself and a veeeery weak one for Near. "Here you go," Matt said, passing the glass to his companion and setting booted feet on the nearest stool. "We still toasting to Mello? Or does the whole not-dead thing make that pointless?"

[cardarchitect.livejournal.com]

It was impossible not to smile a little at that after the previous night. Near hoped he wasn't blushing. "We can toast to Mello," he said, holding the glass in both hands. "This was supposed to be his wake, after all." He held up the glass. "To Mello, then."

[gamerspy.livejournal.com]

"To Mello," Matt grinned, and drank down a good half of his glass. "God, I needed that..."

He set his glass down, adjusted his goggles, and gave Near a serious look. "Okay, to business. What's up?"

[cardarchitect.livejournal.com]

Near sipped his drink a bit more cautiously. The taste of alcohol was strong, unfamilar. "What do you mean, what's up?" I'm sleeping with someone who's always hated me and my life is a lie. Take your pick.

[gamerspy.livejournal.com]

"All those songs. Okay, so you were picking them at random, but this place isn't exactly normal. I don't think 'coincidence' really works here." If you believed in coincidence in the first place. Matt highly doubted that Near did. "They were obviously affecting you, too."

[cardarchitect.livejournal.com]

"What do you mean, affecting me?" Near tried to bluff, taking a nervous sip of his drink. "Yeah, there seemed to be a pattern, but it's just songs, after all."

[gamerspy.livejournal.com]

"You were reacting. Near, until I met you here I doubted you even had emotions. If something actually makes you react..." He shrugged. "I'm not going to force you into talking if you don't want to, but it kinda seemed like you did."

[cardarchitect.livejournal.com]

"I'm not ruled by them, but I do have emotions," Near admitted, taking another swallow. Be hard to deny, after last night. Oh shit, was he starting to blush for real?

[gamerspy.livejournal.com]

"... are you blushing?"

[cardarchitect.livejournal.com]

Fuck. It's hardly as if he could hide it, with his complexion. "It must be the alcohol," he lied. Badly.

[gamerspy.livejournal.com]

"Mmhmm. Sure." Matt stretched, finishing his drink and pouring another. "Hey, you want any ice for those bruises? They still look pretty bad."

[cardarchitect.livejournal.com]

He touched the skin around his eyes gingerly. "No, I think I'm all right." It was his back that was sore, and Near shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

[gamerspy.livejournal.com]

"Sure?" Matt leaned backwards, catching up some of the ice from the ice bin under the bar. "Look, there's loads." He paused, a little awkward. "Or if you..."

[cardarchitect.livejournal.com]

"If I what?"

[gamerspy.livejournal.com]

Matt tried to think of a way to word it. "Those songs, uh... Look. Near." He shifted, mind made up. "Did somebody - hurt you? I don't mean me punching you, or Mello beating you up..."

[cardarchitect.livejournal.com]

"Um." He was blushing for sure now. His cheeks felt fever-hot. "I... there's something, yeah. But 'confused' is closer than 'hurt'."

[gamerspy.livejournal.com]

Matt rubbed his forehead. This was possibly the most awkward conversation he'd ever had. "Okay. So - um. Am I correct about assuming that the songs have something to do with, uh, what happened?"

[cardarchitect.livejournal.com]

"Ah... yeah, they do," Near admitted, glancing away.