7th Lash (written)

[poweroflegend]

[The dead may come back to life here, and Ryu may not have been himself. But to Trevor's mind, neither of that made helping to end the lad's life any more right. After three days of letting this bother him, he finally pushes it aside.]

We did what we had to.

Naoto: perhaps I will avail of your wolf's services much sooner than I thought. The hunt won'

Comments

[troublewaking]

Better than most, from the sound of it. It feels kind of strange when I'm not the one getting into trouble.

So how bad are they?

[poweroflegend]

[chuckles] Used to making trouble, are we?

Cracked ribs, a sore back, and a frontal slash mark parallel to one an enemy gave me three years ago. [beat] Things just short of killing a normal human.

[troublewaking]

It just seems to find me.

[Translation: She totally is used to making trouble.]

Ouch. And just how normal are you?

[poweroflegend]

Not...very. 'Tis my bloodline, though I'm still human at the end of the day.

But be you human, monster, or anything in between, you might agree pain is decidedly universal.

[takes a shot and puts more weight on his table at the Thorn]

[troublewaking]

I think I've got a pretty good idea of what you mean there.

You're right. And it sounds like you kill pain the same way that I pass the time. Maybe I'll run into you there while you're recovering.

[poweroflegend]

You certainly will, at this rate.

[Mug stops halfway to his lips. He remembers what Clare and Galatea said before about being outcasts. Something he used to be. It's not pity that motivates his next words, but a need to... just reach out.]

And I have incentive for letting that happen. Would you like to hear it?

[troublewaking]

Oh? I'm all ears.

[poweroflegend]

I'll pick up your tab.

[quiet sip]

Provided! You fill in for me during what patrol shifts I miss. I promised Dean I'd slow down, and I need to honor that at least partially.

What do you say?

[troublewaking]

I say that I'm gonna hold you to that. After all, I imagine that patrolling works up quite a thirst.

[poweroflegend]

Your imagination is my reality. I guarantee it.

[If it's possible to hear a shotglass being lifted in salutation, this it.]

Thank you, Helen. I'll be expecting you.