[closed]

[thereneverwas]

WHO: everyone present at Murderhaus
WHAT: a post-Murderhaus hangout for cool guys who can't process trauma good and want to learn to do other stuff good too
WHEN: whenever everyone's home again
WHERE: a big table in some shitty Lowtown bar
NOTES: Everyone got an invitation along the lines of a note reading "we should talk about it. [Pub name], [time], Barrow"

[Barrow is the first one there, as promised, though he smiles at the second person to arrive, stretching his back and lifting his mug in greeting. His face has been bandaged properly, which means half of it is covered, but no bloodstains means the puncture wounds are coming along all right.]

Have a seat.

Comments

[murderbaby]

[Mhavos is only here because someone asked him and he's trying, valiantly, not to be incredibly bitter about it.]

[The sudden appearance of food from underneath Edgard's dirty shirt is an excellent distraction, however.] Do you always have food secreted upon your person?

[Less annoyed, more like he's asking for scientific study?]

[thereneverwas]

[Gazing flatly at this, Barrow opts not to take a roll, but feels no need to say anything about it.]

What's everyone drinking?

[Sure, that'll do.]

[sulahnan]

[ Athessa is only here because of Vanadi and Mhavos, but as soon as Edgard lets loose the pocket rolls across the table, she shakes her head and moves to stand.

No thanks, she's not here for whatever this is going to turn into. ]

[highborn]

[ Whoops, hello, he promises pocket rolls aren't that offensive, and one hand reaches for Athessa's (good) wrist. Not to stop her, just to ask her to reconsider. ]

Whisky for me. And — ? [ That's at Athessa, c'mon, stay and drink something!! ]

[sulahnan]

[ She does stop, giving Vanadi an imploring and somewhat peevish look. She doesn't wannaaaa. Don't make her sit through Edgard's presence. (But do, because that's what we're doing.) ]

I don't want anything.

[thereneverwas]

[Beckoning for a barmaid and pointing to Vanadi when he gives his order, Barrow smiles pleasantly at her with a little nod when she winks at him and goes to acquire the whiskey.]

It's fine, [he says with an easy shrug to Athessa,] you don't have to stay.

[muckspout]

[To Mhavos.]
Not always. But, often. Never know when you'll run out or someone will need it.

[Raises his glass to Barrow.]
Have one already.

[murderbaby]

[Mhavos lifts both his palms,] None for me; I've work later.

[highborn]

[ These absolute nerds (Edgard excluded, good job Edgard). At least Athessa has an excuse. He kisses the hand of her wrist that he's seized and releases it: she's free to leave, but she coouuuld take a seat on the bench next to him. Just a thought. ]

A drink won't leave you passed out on the floor, Mhavos. [ With sudden fake concern: ] Will it?

[murderbaby]

[Deadpan:] Yes.

[sulahnan]

[ uuuuuuuuuuUUGH ]

I've seen him when he smokes, [ Athessa points out, begrudgingly (but not too begrudgingly) moving to sit on Vanadi's lap, good arm hooked around his shoulders. Much better than a bench. ] I'd believe it.

[muckspout]

What if we got you ale or something not so strong in a shot glass?

[Edgard holds his fingers up to indicate the size of the shot glass and then takes a giant bite out of a roll. If no one's going to eat these, he will. They're good rolls.]

[murderbaby]

I'm perfectly fine. Thank you. [Please stop acknowledging him as a person who is here.]

[thereneverwas]

[Blinking at the others as they bicker, Barrow then diverts his gaze to the middle distance with a pleasant smile.

This was a mistake.]

[sarcophage]

[Presently, the middle distance is disrupted by Leander passing through it, for he has arrived. He doesn't immediately sit. Are those bread rolls all over the table? And the floor?]

Well, this is about what I expected.

[thereneverwas]

[Leander is met with a frank expression and a shrug. Barrow gestures invitingly to one of the open chairs, no longer seeming as though he cares if anyone hangs around or not, but he won't be unfriendly about it.]

[muckspout]

[Edgard eats another roll and sets one in front of everyone seated. Then to Barrow.]

Wasn't there something you wanted to talk about?

[sulahnan]

[ Athessa ignores the rolls and affords Leander a glance, nothing more. ]

[thereneverwas]

[Glancing around at the faces at the table, which range anywhere from uninterested to downright hostile, Barrow sighs lightly and shrugs one shoulder at Edgard.]

Just... didn't want to be alone, [he mumbles, with the air of someone who has since changed his mind entirely.

He takes a drink from his mug and then sets it down, his gaze dropping to focus on its contents.]

[muckspout]

[Edgard looks at Barrow, takes another bite of roll, followed by a swig from his drink, and then looks around at the group.]

Really?

[Edgard's eyebrows are raised. He doesn't buy that line for a second.]