[SCENE] Two Middle-Aged Streetwalking Men
Wright: *the night is pretty chilly when Phoenix and Diego finally depart from the Rusty Gust. However, the pianist isn't wearing a coat other than his hoodie, and he's still in his usual sandals. If the alcohol he'd imbibed that evening has affected him at all, he gives no indication either in his gait or on his features. He's quiet as he heads down the sidewalk*
Diego: *Diego hasn't had anything alcoholic to drink, partaking mostly of the rather strong, shitty kind of coffee that constitutes an "authentic cowboy experience". He's not particularly chilly either. He never is. His hands are in his pockets as he walks, and he's grinning* Nice party.
Wright: Best one I've been to in years. *gives a quiet chuckle* Most eventful, too. *gives a sigh of satisfaction as he leans back and stretches out, rubbing the back of his neck* You tired? You're getting rather up there in years to be out this late.
Diego: Ha! You, the Pokey Little Puppy, think you can keep up with me? I don't think I'll ever get so old that I can't outpace you, Trite. *he doesn't stretch, wouldn't even if he wanted to after saying that, but he does roll his neck and pop it*
Wright: True enough. Whatever you've got in those brews seems to work wonders; I usually end up feeling I need one after a long night at the card table. *stuffs his hands back in his pockets* It's good we sent the girls on ahead, though I'm pretty sure neither of them are actually asleep right now.
Diego: They will be soon enough. *his grin softens and he gives the impression of looking into the distance, as if he could see where they are* Pearl will, anyway. She'll be out like a light as soon as she stops moving.
Wright: I can't say the same for Trucy. 'She'll stop moving once she's out' is more like it, I guess--but who knows when that'll be. *chuckles, smiling softly as well, and falling back into a silence*
Diego: Sounds about right. *sighs through his teeth, satisfied, and walks on - he seems to relish just walking with someone else in silence*
Wright: *it seems that he does too, though after a few minutes without any conversation he glances over at Diego with somewhat sleepy eyes. His voice, of course, is completely casual* So. Iris is in town.
Diego: *that marks the beginning of the game, in Diego's head, and he means to play. His grin doesn't falter, and he doesn't turn to look at the other man* She is indeed. Has been for a while. Hell of a neighborhood, though.
Wright: South Central. A ha ha--it's just like her to see the bright side of it, huh? *glances ahead* ...Thanks, for not letting me know. *this is said unsarcastically*
Diego: *shakes his head, but he doesn't lose the grin* If I had known, she wouldn't be there.
Wright: I didn't mean that area specifically, of course. *steps aside to avoid some shattered glass on the ground, and keeps on going*
Diego: *glass from the same object crunches under his heel* I know.
Wright: How many times have you and Pearls seen her?
Diego: Enough. Pearl needs to know her own sister better. I've been trying to help with that.
Wright: And have you two been getting closer? *there's a hint of light-hearted teasing in his tone*
Diego: No.
Wright: *laughs, running a hand over his knitted hat* Why not? *glances over with an amused smirk* She just not all that appealing anymore?
Diego: *and though it means he loses the game, the grin drops and he turns to look at Phoenix, his mouth set in a line*
Wright: No? I thought not. *glances off* If that's the case, you should see about asking her out. Neither of you are getting any younger.
Diego: *cocks an eyebrow behind his mask - what in the hell was he trying to pull?* I don't need her, Trite. She definitely doesn't need me.
Wright: *he, of course, can't see that reaction* She might. You might. People can't really tell about these things until they try, can they?
Diego: *looks back to the path, swerving to the side to avoid a trash can, ill-placed on the sidewalk* We each have our own lives. I won't presume to impose on hers any more than I would on yours.
Wright: *falls quiet again, for nearly a full block. When he finally speaks again, his voice is oddly serious*
Wright: What if I asked you to?
Diego: *is silent in return, muttering "can't have a normal conversation" under his breath, and remains so for what seems a while* ...For you, I would try.
Wright: Yes, try. *glances up at the night sky* I mean, if one of you actually doesn't want to and it can't work out--that's life. ...But I think you two would be a good match.
Diego: Ha! Maybe we would, at that. *one hand comes out of his pocket, as if he's expecting to be able to take a sip of coffee* I worry about you, sometimes.
Wright: Do you? *the joking tone has smoothly returned to his voice* Why?
Diego: Because I know what it's like to wear a mask. Whenever you put one on, it is not a matter of pretending to be someone else - you become someone else altogether, become the mask you wear. If you keep it on for too long, you are in danger of it becoming your real face.
Wright: I know. You don't need to worry about me. *and much more lightly, with a chuckle* In fact, maybe I should be concerned about you instead, letting all this through without your usual biting wit. You aren't going to go soft on me, are you?
Diego: Ha! It's either you're losing your identity or you're secretly gay and your little meetings with the esteemed Mr. Gavin mean a lot more than I had surmised. *grins* A lot more.
Wright: A ha ha! ...No, he's not really my type. I like them with a lot more hair on their chins. *smirks over at Diego*
Diego: *puckers his lips at Wright* Don't joke too much, Trite, I might decide your ass looks sweet enough to stir into my coffee.
Wright: That'll be the day. *laughs, clasping Diego's shoulder--just a brief hold, before he stuffs his hand back into his pockets to keep it from the cold* A fun tale to tell the girls, that would be.
Diego: Ha! *doesn't react to the touch to his shoulder, just keeps grinning* Now, one more question.
Wright: Mm? *cranes his head over, rounding the corner of the street when they reach it*
Diego: Do you realize that Iris is my daughter's big sister?
Wright: Yeah. *his eyes are half shut and amused* Is that a problem?
Diego: Maybe not! Maybe not. You sure know how to make my life complicated, Trite. That's saying something.
Wright: That's one of my many talents, so they say. *stretches out again, letting out a satisfied yawn as he does so*
Diego: *walks in silence for a moment, then begins to chuckle* All right, I'll make you a deal.
Wright: A deal? *glances over, mock incredulously* We're striking a bargain over this?
Diego: Don't be coy. You're making me an offer and I'm attempting to return the favor.
Wright: Alright, alright. Name it.
Diego: *holds up his index finger* Let me set you up on one blind date.
Wright: *stops in his tracks, raising his eyebrow* ... You have had the worst experiences with blind dates. Bar none. You want to set me up for one?
Diego: *takes a few more steps before stopping and looking back, his expression unreadable* Yes.
Wright: ...... *walks on up* Alright, deal.
Diego: Ha! That's my boy. *falls into step next to Phoenix* You'd think you wouldn't be so hesitant, given how long you've been courting Rosie Palm.
Wright: A ha ha. *shoots a look that is more amused than anything, over in Diego's direction* Speak for yourself.
Diego: *laughs in return, wondering if he should try to come up with a counter and then letting it go as pointless* That seems fair.
Wright: Mmhmm. *looks ahead again--they've got a way to go yet--and though he'd be content with everything lapsing back into silence, he gives another chuckle and changes the subject* So, about what happened to our friend Engarde...