15 [voice]

[ignite_the_sky]

Hughes, I'm dropping Allison off with you for a while.

In the incredibly unlikely event that I'm needed anywhere, I'll be working overtime to make up for the fact that apparently my partner is... about the same size as my dog, just like virtually everyone else here, and drowning myself at a bar afterward.

Comments

[ video ]

[theunscarred]

...If there's that much water at the "bar", maybe you shouldn't go...

[Oh so young and innocent :3]

Be careful!

[voice]

[ignite_the_sky]

If there's that much water, then I walked off the pier instead.

There is not nearly enough booze to deal with this.

[voice]

[theunscarred]

Wha's booze?

[voice]

[ignite_the_sky]

Alcohol. It's a wonder-drug that lets you forget about everything going on for a little while. Side effects are the potential for addiction and the hangover in the morning.

[yetsleeping]

Were you here the last time this happened? I don't quite remember.

[ignite_the_sky]

Nope. And I'm not good with kids, so removing myself from the situation seems to be the most effective course of action.

[yetsleeping]

Well, in any case, it'll pass. The last time was only a few days... this time, I'm not really sure how long it'll be but... in the end, it always passes.

[She rubs her face.]

Don't set any children on fire!

[ignite_the_sky]

Hence the overtime to make up the difference for a while and the alcohol to deal with the overtime and the exhaustion it usually brings.

[A weak laugh.]

I won't... I promise.

[video]

[trickster_treat]

The bar sounds like an excellent idea!

... This has happened before?

[voice]

[ignite_the_sky]

At the very least, it's a place to lose oneself without there being... children underfoot.

Apparently so, but I wasn't present for the last one.

[voice]

[trickster_treat]

I'll bring the strippers.

Something else to blame on the Mist?

[voice]

[ignite_the_sky]

I certainly hope so...

[Especially when one of those "children" is his Lieutenant, which makes things really awkward]

voice

[twoswordjuniper]

There won't be any children at the Foxhole.

[The way she says it makes it sound like if a child were to come into the bar, she would throw it right back out herself. Which is a fairly accurate representation of her attitude.]

voice

[ignite_the_sky]

Then I know where I'll be. Thanks.

voice

[twoswordjuniper]

Consider it a public service. The city otherwise is overrun.

This particular trick of the mist is especially obnoxious. Almost worse than the monsters. The only consolation is that it is likely to be fairly short-lived.

[The monsters she can handle.]

voice

[ignite_the_sky]

Tell me about it. I'm not good with kids and we're knee-deep in ankle-biters. At least monsters are flammable...

[video]

[firebornfidelis]

You have a dog too?

[This whole having a dog thing is very exciting to a little girl who isn't allowed to have any pets.]

[ignite_the_sky]

[Wince. Oh god, what do? Okay, breathe... Just pretend she's Elycia Hughes... It's just like talking to Elycia...]

Yeah. She's... a little smaller than Hayate, though...

[firebornfidelis]

You know Black Hayate?

[...]

Um. Were you here last time? I mean, last time all us kids were here? 'Cause, um... you sound kinda familiar?

[Almost chickened out before asking him, but even so her voice shrinks with shyness as she asks.]

[ignite_the_sky]

He's a good dog. Allison likes playing with him.

[...]

No... I wasn't.