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 Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 8:42 am
Who: Lazarus, Rivener
Where: "The Flagon", an old-style pub in Barton
When: Mid-June, at night
It was that time of the month again. No not the time when girls get easily irritated and generally annoying, it was the time where Lazarus and Rivener had their monthly drinking and hanging out session. Since their first experience much earlier in the year, they had agreed that they should meet at least once a month to hang out at the pub and just drink and chat the night away. Over the last couple months they had tried a few other pubs, clubs even. But most of them were either too loud for any talking to be done, or the drinks just sucked. The Flagon was still the best, the environment was cozy and the drinks were fabulous, even the bartender had begun to get a little chatty with them at times.
A cup of pina colada stood cheerfully before Lazarus, although contrasting the drink, the Sigel looked somewhat gloomy as he stirred the contents absent-mindedly, the drink barely touched at all. It was pretty obvious that something was on his mind. The bartender threw a few wary looks at the firey Sigel on occasion, but he was far too busy as he tended to the evening crowd. Raising his eyes, Lazarus looked at the clock on the wall - seven thirty. Rivener is late. Turning around to look at the entrance, he wondered if anything was up with the scorpion.
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Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 12:43 pm
Rivener entered the pub looking a little frazzled. He didn't like being late for anything, but he had a somewhat good reason... He doubted Laz would have appreciated Rivener showing up with bloodstains on his clothes. And, well, there was also the possibility someone would have called the cops or something. So from the warehouse, he'd gone home to clean up and change before heading over. His hair was wind-swept and disheveled now, having dried as he rushed through the streets to get here.
Lazarus was easily spotted in the dimly lit tavern, as usual. Riv grinned sheepishly and floated forward, motioning to the Barman in passing. "One screwdriver!" He trusted the man to bring it when it was prepared.
"Sorry I'm late, bud," Riv said, heaving a sigh as he flopped into his seat. "There was kind of this thing with work." He shrugged, and finally noticed how upset Lazarus seemed. The Scorpion frowned, leaning an elbow on the table. "Are you okay? You look a little weird, Laz..."
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Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 2:27 am
Lazarus was lifting the glass up, about to take the first sip of his pina colada when he heard the familiar jingle atop the pub's front door, signifying someone's entrance. Instinctively he looked around at the door and settled down his drink again, and there he was, the Raevan he had been waiting for at least half an hour now. "Rivener." He said casually, not even cracking a smile. The scorpion looked a little disheveled, or more like he just got out of shower and didn't bother to dry his hair properly, so it looks like a messy mane on Rivener's head.
Quirking the corner of his lips, he forced half a smile as the other Sigel apologized for his lateness. "It's alright, I was late last time so we're even." A soft chuckled escaped his lips, but died down pretty fast. When Rivener commented about him looking weird, he couldn't help but try to act more naturally, straightening his slouched back and smiled, well... what he can muster up as a smile anyway. "I'm alright, just a little out of it." It wasn't far from the truth, but at the same time revealing nothing. Was he so easy to see through? Lazarus wondered.
"So what was this thing with work?" Finally taking a sip from his drink (delicious!), he asked Rivener curiously. The scorpion had not talked much about his job before, although the incubus had a feeling that it was a somewhat shady one. To tell the truth he doesn't feel a need to know, but if Rivener prefer not to tell him, he will drop the topic. Besides, he was just trying to change the topic, diverting it away from him.
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Posted: Fri Aug 06, 2010 8:54 am
Riv raised an eyebrow as he watched Laz try to pull himself together, sitting up straighter and giving a very sorry excuse for a smile. The Fire Sigel was obviously not alright at all, but if he didn't want to say anything about it, then Rivener certainly wasn't going to be pushing the issue. Maybe Laz was waiting until he had drank a bit more liquid courage, before he could talk about whatever was on his mind. Riv hoped the other knew he'd listen.
The Barman came over with Riv's screwdriver, putting the drink down on a napkin coaster. The Scorpion spared the man a nod of thanks, and quickly scooped up the glass, taking a deep swig. He'd need a bit of liquid courage himself if he was going to be admitting anything about his work tonight. Not that he'd be admitting much.
"Well, ah, there was this guy who needed some serious talking to," Rivener began, clearing his throat and glancing around to make sure they weren't being eavesdropped on. "So I was the one doing the serious talking. I was late cause I had to go change, serious talks like that can get kind of messy." He grinned sheepishly, realizing this wasn't the best of conversations. "But yeah, it's probably not very appetizing to be hearing about my job. So what about yours?! Didja get one yet, or still working only at the lab? It's REALLY fun to have your own money, you know! You should go out there and work!"
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Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 4:36 am
Idly he listened to Rivener's description about the issue with his job that made him late, taking a large gulp from his drink. Serious talking? He wondered what kind of serious talking would lead to messiness, since... you know, talking is quite civilized. Like Lazarus, Rivener is telling, but not telling the entire truth either. The firey Sigel could sense this in the tone of the scorpion's voice, so he decided to not push anymore. Maybe one day the other would tell him, but probably not today.
Quietly he watched Rivener drink from his cup deeply. Still a heavy drinker I see. That never did change in Rivener, the incubus always wondered why the scorpion's alcohol tolerance was so high. His alcohol tolerance is slowly building as well, but no where near Rivener's level yet.
The topic focused on him once again as he drank from his cup. "Nah, I don't have an actual job yet, don't even know where to start. I tend not to think of the Lab being a job in itself, I'm just helping around and getting pocket money when I need it." Which was true, he wasn't a big spender anyway so he don't go asking from Kyou very much, just the occasional grocery shopping and such. The extra money left from grocery shopping he would usually save up and spend on magazines or music CDs. Momentarily he pondered how it would feel like to earn his own money, and having his own career someday. "How does it feel like, to have your own money and not asking them from someone?" He asked curiously.
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Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 8:39 pm
Rivener shrugged and grinned at Laz's explanation of seeing the lab work as more of a helping-out kind of thing. Odd, but Riv had also thought it was the case. Probably because the fire Sigel lived there. He didn't have a choice in the matter of being at the Lab or not, so it wasn't really a job, was it. And although he got pocket money from Dr Kyou, it was hardly what Riv would think was "pay".
Laz, as expected, soon asked what it was like. A logical curiosity, and one to which Rivener smiled broadly, letting out a deeply satisfied sigh. "Ohhh, man, Laz! Not needing to ask anyone to buy anything, having your own money, seeing the number in your bank account get bigger every week... It's great! I can get any clothes I want without having to ask Aphi if it's okay. I don't have to consider if it'll be too expensive for Aphi, I just have to know my own balance... I can't even TELL you how much I enjoy it. It's so-... freeing. Working is also pretty interesting if you can find something you like to do. You get to meet people, and learn how to do stuff... Like, what kind of work do you think you'd be interested in? Is there something you like? Like, uh... I dunno, if you like clothes you might enjoy working in a clothing store or something!" Interested in his friend's reply, Rivener leaned forward and finished the last of his screwdriver, motioning to the nearest worker for another.
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Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 9:15 pm
Eyebrows raised, he watched as Rivener go on about his joy and satisfaction, and how he enjoys spending his own money to buy stuff. So the scorpion is into fashion huh? Spending his money on clothes. Although at the same time he wondered why Rivener did not work in a clothings store as well. The infectious tone of the other Sigel really made Lazarus seriously think about getting his own job outside of the Lab, but again the same question popped up. What kind of job? Which coincidentally, was the next question that Rivener asked him as well.
"Hmm, I'm not that into clothes." Although admittedly, his limited wardrobe do have some pretty fashionable pieces in them. Like his form fitting black pea coat that he likes to wear during winter for example. "But I uh... I like to mix drinks? Well... not so much alcoholic drinks like the bartender." He lowered his voice and looked at the bartender as he spoke, don't want to seem like he is a potential competitor or something. The man did not look up from his work, so he assumed he did not hear the Sigel. "Just fruity drinks, like banana smoothies, bubble teas, daiquiris and stuff. I look for recipes on the internet occasionally. Kyou said they were good though." A small smile appeared on his lips then as he remembered his guardian's reactions to some of his drinks, he likes to make Kyou happy. "But... is there any sort of jobs like these?" He just imagined working on the street side like those bubble tea vendors, which to be honest, isn't what he want to do.
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Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 9:28 pm
Rivener shrugged at the mention of Laz not being into clothes. It had just been the first thing Riv thought of, and now that he pondered it seriously he couldn't really remember Laz ever wearing anything different. Riv himself tended to stick to his leather-jacket and ribbon-bearing vest, but he owned a ton of extra things. Hats, coats, shirts... If it wasn't for the whole floppy fish thing he was dreading, Riv would have already bought pants for when he was grown into Valsaros, too. But for the moment, he was going to deny that would ever happen.
"Clothes was just an example," the Scorpion admitted, grinning to learn that Laz enjoyed mixing drinks. "I'm sure there's some kind of job for that out there! Like a stall somewhere, there's juice bars in the mall isn't there, in Durem? And maybe certain high-class restaurants have bars where they don't mix only alcoholic drinks? I'm sure if you looked around you might find something!"
Though Riv didn't want to rain on the other's parade, he had to conclude that working a random stall probably wouldn't be very lucrative. But tips at a bar might be good... "Why don't you like mixing the alcoholic drinks? It's the same thing isn't it? Only with the alcohol thrown in?" Speaking of which, a waitress came by with Rivener's second screwdriver, putting it down on a napkin as before and offering the pair a smile before she headed off.
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Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 9:46 am
"I do mix alcoholic drinks! But I just started recently." He just thought that probably starting with the basics first would be best, plus he didn't know how appreciative Kyou was to alcoholic drinks. Only recently did he drawn up the courage to try and add alcohol to his drinks. Thankfully, Kyou was very receptive to them and had even commended on Lazarus's improvements. "I tried making pina colada, but it is still nowhere as good as this." Cocking a smile, he looked at his bright colored drink appreciatively, taking another large gulp.
The glass had only a quarter of the delicious juices left, and raising a finger, he asked the waitress (who was admittedly quite cute) to bring him one more as well when she brought Rivener's drink. The alcohol was starting to do it's job on him, feeling his cheeks warming up a little and feeling slightly light-headed.
"But... I'm still not so sure about this... working at a juice stall or bartending thing. Sure mixing drinks is fun, but I'm not sure if it will work as a job in the long term, you know?" It definitely wasn't his idea of a career, seeing that the only way to earn big bucks from bartending was to own your own pub or bar. Momentarily he wondered if the bartender owns this place. Although mellow, the incubus was not without his ambitions and ideals. If he wanted a job, he would want to be successful at it. Which is why it is such a road block when it comes to deciding what type of career for him to pick up.
Taking another large swig from his drink, he drained his glass as his fully refilled pina colada arrived. "I guess for now, I'll just wait and see what comes my way. I'm not really in a rush to find a job."
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Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2010 10:01 am
Rivener took a sip of his own drink while listening to Lazarus, amazed to hear the other Sigel speak about "the long term". So Laz didn't just want a job to get money in the moment, he wanted a career he could be proud of? ...That actually caused Rivener to pause for a second and consider his own line of work. Was he satisfied with this? It wasn't really a career, and the only promotion he might get would be to become an under-boss instead of a bodyguard, but that wasn't really a position that interested the Scorpion at all. He shrugged to himself: he was content with only the money, then. And getting to go around hanging out with people he considered his friends by now. Riv barely ever had to exert his muscle, but when he did he found it pretty entertaining. ...It might not be a career, but Riv liked it for now. He pushed the doubt away and smiled again, returning his attention to Lazarus.
"Well, you can take your time of course! I'm just saying, having your own money is great! Even if it's just for short-term, you should still think about a job, just so you can learn some service-industry experience or anything like that. But it's up to you of course!"
By now, half-way through his second screwdriver, Riv was starting to feel the very first ticklings of warmth through him. Another drink or two and he'd be tipsy. Being resistant to toxins was all well and good in general, but it cost a lot at bars! But if Riv was starting to feel it like this, it probably meant Laz was already in the tipsy-ish zone. Which meant-...
"You ready to tell me what's got you so upset-looking tonight, then?"
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 6:16 am
He understood the appeal of having a job for Rivener. If he was only out for the money, taking up any job that you could find would be suffice. For Lazarus though he wasn't looking for just the cash, he wanted to feel accomplishment as well, something that he could be proud of. Pride, that is something that the incubus wouldn't give up.
Pride was also the same thing that had prevented him from looking weak earlier, from trying to diverge the attention away from his weaknesses. But after having one drink, that line of defense had started to peel away, and for a long moment he wondered if he should open up to Rivener. He just didn't want to seem weak and whiny you know? But... that's one of the reasons why they are having these monthly drinking session right? To get drunk and let your misery out, opening to each other. It's not like they haven't shared worse secrets...
Taking a few large gulps, Lazarus drained half of the glass in one shot. He felt like if he was more drunk, he would have more courage to speak up. "Truthfully..." The incubus began as he looked up at the scorpion. "...I'm not very sure myself, why I am so moody. I guess... there was just a lot of things on my mind lately." Maybe just one thing, he had to admit to himself. Taking another gulp from the drink, he paused for a long moment, trying to figure out a way to explain his next words. "I'm worried... about Xiu. You know, after the whole incident with him losing his voice and all. He stayed in the Lab for a couple of days after that for recovery, but he still seemed... so sad, so forelorn." Perhaps he was just reflecting the white Sigel's emotions, he never see himself as empathic before, so... why now? What had changed?
Lazarus remembered once when he had went out to get a quick snack in the cafeteria, then when he returned, Xiu was looking at his bandaged hand sadly. He felt a dull ache in his chest then at the sight. Although Xiu tried to hide it when he realized that there were other people around, he knew that deep down inside, the white Sigel is sad. He might have considered the possibilities that he may never speak again, and Lazarus cannot began to wonder how that would feel like.
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 4:24 pm
Riv smirked lightly, watching Laz down half his glass in the hopes of getting a bit more courage. What was so bad they couldn't talk about it? Had Laz done something bad and wanted to confess to someone who wouldn't judge? Riv certainly wouldn't be one to judge his friend; Riv himself probably did much worse on a daily basis.
Laz finally launched into the topic of his moodiness, startling Rivener greatly. Lazarus was worried about Xiu? To that extent, to the point where it upset the Fire Sigel even when they were apart? Only because Xiu's hand was bandaged, because the white Sigel was mute? Well, Riv shouldn't put it that way. Of course Xiu's situation was horrid, and Riv himself was slightly worried too, but... Well, when Rivener's wings had been broken and the Scorpion was covered in cuts and bruises from Lucia's assault, Lazarus hadn't been this bothered by it. How odd.
Riv raised an eyebrow, a slow smile spreading on his lips as he figured things out bit by bit. Riv could read people rather well when he put his mind to it, and he thought he could see what might make someone act that way. But Laz? With Xiu? Hmmmm...
"It's normal to be sad after all that happened to him. If you're concerned, you should go visit him! He came to see me a couple days after he left the Lab, once his bandages were off... He looked fine! Frustrated about not being able to speak, but he seemed in a good mood. If you saw him again, I'm sure you'd see he's doing good!" Riv clapped his friend on the back, grinning. "...Though you shouldn't need a reason to go see him, if you wanna see him."
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 8:50 pm
The slight frown on Lazarus's brow lighten up in surprise when the scorpion mentioned that Xiu had went to see him after he left the Lab. "He's doing well?" It was weird, but he felt instantly relieved just a little bit at that simple statement, a faint trace of a smile graced his lips then. But just as quickly as it appeared, it disappeared when Rivener proposed the prospect of visiting Xiu. The fire Sigel's heart wanted to, but at the same time, his logical mind doesn't want to as well. Taking another sip from his drink, he wondered why he is so conflicted with just a simple visitation. Although suddenly barging into the bookstore without a valid reason would just seems so... weird.
"Ah, there's... a peculiar situation between me and Hazeline." He began, his logical mind winning over as his masculinity refused to give in to his heart, using the white Sigel's guardian as an excuse to not visit Xiu, just because he is shy. "Lets just say I did some bad things during the virus outbreak, and she... haven't really forgiven me yet, I think." Lazarus recalled the time when he went to apologize, Hazeline accepted his apology but still seemed to dislike him. Then he recalled the pleasant chat with Xiu in the kitchen... the smile, the comforting words... there he go again, his mind wandering back to Xiu.
Shaking his head slightly, as if trying to shake that thought away, he took another sip from his drink. His face feels warm now and his brain had started to feel slightly muddled with the effects of the alcohol. "What was he doing at your house though?" Lazarus asked curiously as he looked at Rivener in an almost questioning manner, he didn't know that Xiu and Rivener were close, maybe closer than he thought?
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Posted: Tue Aug 10, 2010 8:59 pm
Ohhh, there it was. Now that Rivener knew to look for the signs, he could read it all over the Fire Sigel. Just hearing that Xiu was doing well made Laz brighten up instantly, clearly relieved. All that was missing was the tell-tale blush, but Riv figured the other was going to fight it to the very end.
Lazarus pretty much proved that by offering up a rather lame excuse against visiting Xiu. Rivener had already heard much of what the other had done during the infection: Riv had shared his own horrific stories as well. That had been quite an unpleasant drinking session, with one of them reliving the borderline-rapes, the other reliving the murders. But, as they'd concluded at the end of the night, they were sick at the time and their actions weren't their own. Temporary insanity and all that. But the point remained that Laz had done it, and Hazeline had been one of the victims, apparently.
Riv knew not to press that issue. But maybe there were other ways Xiu could be visited! Laz could invite Xiu over instead, for one. But the Fire sigel was going to be stubborn, wasn't he. Rivener was starting to know his friend rather well. For instance, that innocent question of "what was he doing at your house" hid a much deeper agenda, one Riv could see easily. He smirked and finished his drink, motioning for another.
"Well, you know, Xiu and I are really really good friends! I met him when he was really young, and helped Hazeline learn how to be a good Guardian, and we went to a convention together one time... All that, and he'd never been to my house. So he insisted on coming over to thank me in person for saving him on the road, when he grew." Rivener wondered if Xiu had thanked Lazarus at all? Surely he must have.
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Posted: Fri Aug 13, 2010 6:21 am
So they are really close huh? Momentarily he wondered if he and Xiu could be considered 'close' at all. Sure, the white Sigel cried on his shoulder and he kissed his cheek last Christmas, he see Xiu as a friend, but he wasn't sure if the other look at him the same way.
For some reason, Lazarus got increasingly moody and upset as he listen to Rivener's description of him and Xiu's relationship. "I was the first person he met..." He muttered quietly to no one in particular, so soft that one would need to strain their ears to hear what he said. Oddly, he felt the need to challenge the scorpion, proving that he is somehow, superior in this relationship. But he wasn't sure how, if their relationship was really as close and good as Rivener says...
"I... see..." were the only clear words he could say when Rivener finished. Gripping the glass a little tighter than needed, he shut his eyes and took a large gulp from the drink, as if the delicious liquid could soothe his emotions somehow. But all he could feel was... upset. Rivener mentioned Hazeline too, helping her to become a good guardian. That means Hazeline doesn't hate the scorpion then, unlike him... "That's... good for you." He forced a smile as he looked at Rivener briefly, nodding once. Although his gaze didn't linger long as he returned to staring at his drink which doesn't have much left. As the bartender took Rivener's order, he asked for a new one as well.
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