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Gaius took a deep breath and looked up at the two, grateful for the support, and at least Sid was down to earth.

"I... don't think I want to ask. I might end up getting Sabin, and I... don't want to deal with him. Not him or his pet."

The changed man straightened himself, wings flexing slightly as he rolled his shoulders, and ran a hand over his face. What a hell of a day.

His eyes drifted over the table, falling on a plate of barbequed ribs. He picked on up, turning it over in his hands. It was still warm, and smelled good, but Gaius found his appetite lacking.

"What a waste of food..." he sighed wistfully. "Maybe I should just leave it out for whoever comes by..."

"Well, if you're not gonna eat it, I'll take it," Sid said. They weren't exactly words fit to be accompanied by touching piano music, but it was his way of trying to make the best of the situation. He'd come there to try and find something to get his stomach to settle, and even if he wasn't aware the consequences of the choice he was going to put the party food to good use... and later antacids, lots of them.

He turned back once he'd grabbed a plate. "But, c'mon, seriously, it could be worse. You could be, like, some kind of insect or something. In any case-" he paused to bite into a chicken wing, and continued speaking with his mouth full, "wah cah eh-ee of uh do buh-" he swallowed. "But deal with it?"

As far as he knew he still had plenty of time left before he proved himself a hypocrite. A long time, he hoped. At least he hadn't let the question of how long slip out.

"Whatever you wanna do man," Sid said. He saluted Gaius with a chicken bone and turned to pack as much food as he could on to the plate. His cane was transferred to the crook of his arm for the process, and likely no one appreciate the careful balancing act involved just with keeping his weight off the bad knee.

"I can't tell you how to live or think," he said as he worked. "But at some point you gotta realize that even if you weren't trapped on some kind of nightmare island, sooner or later life would sneak into your bed and wake you up in the most degrading manner possible. All you can ever do in those situations is close your eyes, take it like a man, and never speak of it again."

He slid his cane back to his hand and very carefully balanced the plate of food with the other. "On second thought, that's a terrible metaphor, forget it. Anyway, no offense to you fine gentlemen, but I've come to the conclusion that some malignant higher power doesn't want me actually eating in here so... Yeah, I'll just be going now."

It was going to be a hell of an effort, and he was likely going to lose half the food before he settled for eating on the stairs of his duplex, but he'd be damned if he'd ask for help.

"See ya guys. Thanks for the food." He turned and made his way for the door. Just as anticipated, an eggroll jumped ship along the way.

'Take it like a man.' Gaius sighed. Easier said than done. He scratched at the hair behind his neck absently and looked at Marshall.

"Huh? Oh, right..." They'd been able to tidy some of the mess up, but there was still a good deal of junk on the floor that would more than likely need a mop to clean. While Gaius loved to work on cooking, he wasn't much one for cleaning afterwards. He flashed Marshall a grateful look and nodded. "I think... maybe that's a good idea. You don't mind...?"

"What? Of course I want it!" Gaius said, grabbing up the little plushie from where it sat. It was still covered in gunk, which was likely not doing good things for the white belly, but Gaius was sure he could figure out a way to clean it up. "It's my birthday present! The food just gives him character!" He nodded with finality.

"It seems we've all gotten tossed around today. I'm sure he could use a good bath as much as me." Gaius smirked, bits of meat sauce and other foods still clinging to his pants and hair. "I think that's what I'll do... Once I grab some food for the road."

He shifted Sno Cone to the crook of his elbow as he took up a plate, not letting the silly plushie out of his grip, and gathered up some of the food he'd prepared, piling on an extra helping of the appealing-looking salad and a bit of the veggie medlee he'd made for the less meat-inclined. And, for good measure, Gaius cut himself a healthy piece of cake and set it on another plate which he balanced precariously atop his forearm.

He gave Marshall a grin as he began his careful movement towards the doors. "If you can, try and save the rest of the cake. We can share it later some time."