man I don't even know

[canceller]

[It's been less than 24 hours since he landed back here, and already Jeremiah's finding himself breathing easier. It's drier here, the winter colder, and he welcomes it, in spite of years in Area 11. The mainland will always be his home, after all.

Pendragon sometimes feels less so, and other times more. It still feels like fate brought him here, it just depends on how surreal that particular moment feels to him. Right now, all he can do is keep strolling about the grounds, gaze sweeping the gardens, the sprawling build of the place, the mountains in the distance.

It's good to be back.]

Comments

[explores]

[ A wise choice, because Gino has that Monopoly board down to a fucking science. The directions are spread out all over the remaining available surface, with certain passages highlighted to help him remember the rules. He's utilized every single token and managed money for seven imaginary players, and also himself.

It's hard having friends who don't want to do dumb shit with you.

He comes back with two wine glasses, a corkscrew, and some fancy cheese, because from what he understands, fancy cheese is also required. ]

Presto! Instant party.

[canceller]

[Jeremiah stands once again, bringing the bottle over and leaving his cape where it's neatly folded on the foot of the bed. Everything else aside, it seemed rude to leave it on, and well. There's wine. He doesn't particularly feel like going anywhere now.]

It seems you know what I like better than I thought.

[explores]

I know what I need to know.

[ He says it because it sounds cool and ambiguous but the big dorky smile doesn't match, as usual. He offers out the corkscrew and then goes about clearing some space on his table to set the cheese and glasses down. ]

[canceller]

[Experience speaks for itself with the deft way he twists the screw in and eases the cork out with that distinct pop, coming over to pour them both some.]

Well yes, the rest goes without saying.

[Ah yes, the rare flirting Gottwald has been sighted.]

[explores]

[ He doesn't look up, but there is a very slight pause in that cheese knife as he's cutting slices for them. Very slight. And then his lips quirk the same way they always do as he turns and holds out the cheese plate. ]

To be fair, you're not as mysterious as people think you are.

[canceller]

Hah. I never tried to be. That's simply something people decided for themselves.

[Jeremiah takes a slice, placing it on a cracker and taking both it and a wine glass in hand.]

[explores]

Well, there must have been some reason for it. But whatever it is, I don't see it!

[ He sets the plate down once Jeremiah's finished, picking up his glass and giving it a cursory whiff before he sips at it. It's not awful, as far as wines go it even passes for good. But it's so formal, he'd rather have a beer and some nachos even though he doesn't like beer either. ]

[canceller]

Hey, now. I think a toast is in order first, right?

[explores]

We're going to be that formal?

[canceller]

It doesn't have to be anything serious. But it feels wrong not to do with a fine drink like this.

[explores]

Haaaah, alright... then we'll toast to you being back home where you belong.

[ Tipping his glass out. hit me back one time playa clink that shit ]

[canceller]

[Try saying that aloud next time, you're sure to get a hilarious response out of it.]

Much better. [He raises his glass and clinks them together.] To homecoming.

[explores]

[ Taking a proper sip this time, with his fingers curled around the glass just so and his pinky out in an unironic, measured sort of way and everything perfectly exact just like he was taught.

And then after that initial delicate sip he throws his head back and knocks the rest of the glass back like he's taking shots. ]

Haaah! Fantastic. Even if it seems to have suddenly gotten more boring in here, at least we kicked it off properly. So that's enough of that! [ Nudge. ] Welcome home, Orange.

[canceller]

[He simply watches the action mid-sip with faint distaste, swallowing with little hurry before opening his mouth again.]

Properly? If you're going to drink wine like this in such a manner I'm not sure I shouldn't confiscate the entire bottle for myself so it doesn't go to waste.

[explores]

Oh, whatever. You can have it, except then you'd get a hundred times more inebriated than me and I'd be even more bored.

[canceller]

You know, the more you make these claims, the less I'm inclined to go get something of my own more suited to your... [He pauses and smirks, trying to think of a somewhat-nice way of putting it.] drinking style.

[explores]

My drinking style, hah? Do you even know what kind of stuff I'd prefer-?

[ Helping himself to a particularly large chunk of cheese. ]

[canceller]

Well, you could either trust me to give you something that will get the job done, or you could give me a hint. I'm sure I have something that'll fit the bill.

[explores]

Hmmm... I suppose I trust your judgment. After all, I got it on the first try, you could hardly show your face again if you don't do as well.

[canceller]

Well as you say, I'm not a difficult read. But for you...

[He thinks it over, swirling his wine before taking a sip and setting it down on the table, heading off towards the door and munching on that cracker finally.]

I'll be back in a moment.

[explores]

Okay.

[ Smiling as innocently as can be and taking a seat on the side of his bed to wait. And also eat a lot of cheese and crackers. ]

[canceller]

[He returns shortly afterwards, having raided his own bar, small as it might be; he's not one for complicated mixing, but he's got a few basic ingredients. And while it's not much, thankfully, he returns with a bottle of clear liquid and a pair of shotglasses. Just in case.]

I think this might do the trick.

[Which is when he sets it down, label facing Gino so he can see. Yeah, that's triple sec alright.]

[explores]

[ He leans forward to take a peek at the label and grins when he realizes what it is, reaching out to take the bottle. When he looks up it's with no shortage of I know what you're doing, and he twists the cap off without any further ado. ]

I guess you know me better than I thought, after all.

[canceller]

Ah ah- [He snatches the bottle out of his hand deftly, pouring him a modestly-sized shot and handing that to him instead.] I also know to keep an eye on you. I've never seen you shitfaced before, and I don't intend to have tonight to be a first in that regard.

[explores]

[ He serves up a heaping helping of Pouting, but doesn't voice protests. Just takes the shot and hovers over it for a moment. ]

Why not, you worried I might do something crazy and unexpected?

[ Get it, because he always does something crazy and unexpected. Also, slurping that shot down as noisily as possible, specifically to be a little shit. ]