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[outstandingbalance]

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<crowed>

[crowedthedead]

an anniversary it is, then. one year in starter-hell. what a thing to celebrate

shall i bring rustbucket around or would you rather stay in? i can come over and bring booze

<latrodectus>

[outstandingbalance]

Are you planning to be in any state to drive when we're finished?

<crowed>

[crowedthedead]

prrrrobably not
maybe we should stay in
it's just nice outside

<latrodectus>

[outstandingbalance]

I suppose we could climb out on the roof.
If you're really in the mood for some fresh air.
And you don't think you'll fall off.

<crowed>

[crowedthedead]

when the sun goes down i start feeling weird inside some nights
roof would be fine
if i fall off i'll survive
wouldn't be the first time tbh

<latrodectus>

[outstandingbalance]

Sounds like a plan.

<crowed>

[crowedthedead]

i'll fetch booze and be there soon

[And sure enough, it doesn't take him long. Not even an hour later, he's showing up on Natasha's doorstep with a twelve back of cheap beer and a couple of bottles of whiskey.]

<latrodectus>

[outstandingbalance]

[Natasha is quick to answer the door, expecting him. As always, her house (the one that used to belong to the lawyers) is a maze of spiderwebs. Unlike the office, Soeki's not here all the time to battle them back, and they've taken over.

Normally Natasha would be a little self-conscious about the proof that she's no more immune to her instincts than the rest of them. Soeki is close enough that she doesn't worry about it though. She simply takes one of the bottles and studies the label as she steps aside to welcome him in.]

You mean business, huh?

[crowedthedead]

[The webs don't really bother him much. It's not like he has any room to talk when once in a while, he'll fuck off into the woods unannounced for a few days at a time to be a bear. He keeps them out of the reception office at work but that's more for their clients' comfort than this own.

He lets her take one of the bottles, and heads inside, hefting the twelve pack onto a table.] Oh yeah, I mean business.

I think it's just hitting me really weirdly right now. That it's been a whole year.

[outstandingbalance]

Can't exactly blame you for that. It's been a weird year.

[She uncorks the bottle with one clawed hand, pausing briefly to angle him a curious look.]

Should we even bother with glasses. Seems like maybe it's not worth it.

[crowedthedead]

The fact that it's been a year period... It's fucking crazy. [Soeki pops the top off his own bottle of whiskey, and takes a drink straight out of the bottle.]

Fuck glasses. Who are we trying to impress?

[outstandingbalance]

[Natasha raises the other bottle to her lips and takes a long pull on it. With the way her processes poison, it takes a lot of alcohol to feel it.]

Clearly not each each other.

[crowedthedead]

The time for that is long passed. [It's been way too long for 'impressing Natasha' to be a concern. She knows what a mess he is. She's here anyway.]

To surviving?

[outstandingbalance]

To surviving.

[Natasha, raising her bottle.]

And making the best of it?

[crowedthedead]

And to making the best of it. [He clinks his bottle against hers, and takes a long swig before he settles down on the nearest piece of furniture.]

Things could be worse. Hard to believe sometimes, but they could be.

[outstandingbalance]

They could be better too.

Not being worse isn't saying much, all things considered.

[crowedthedead]

No, I guess it's not saying much. [He takes another drink, a little more thoughtful and melancholy.]

It feels weird that I've managed to be kind of happy here. I feel bad when I'm not miserable. Like clearly I'm doing this wrong.

[outstandingbalance]

I don't know about that. This isn't something to get too comfortable with...

[She goes quiet just briefly, an uncomfortable chill passing down her spine as she remembers that's exactly what the Fog God wants. For them to make peace with their new bodies. To enjoy it here.

Something like that.

At the same time:]

I don't think we can be miserable all the time either. If there's a way to be be happy without losing sight of our humanity, you should take it.

[crowedthedead]

I worry about that, y'know? Losing perspective. Thinking that this is all there is. All there ever will be. [His voice is quiet, stark. A fear laid bare the way he can only ever seem to do with Natasha.] It's been a year with no end in sight.

[outstandingbalance]

I think we all do. We've seen it happen.

[Her lips tighten and she glances away.]

It hasn't happened yet, though.

[She takes a healthy swig from the whiskey bottle after that, feeling the need for it.]

[crowedthedead]

[His smile is a little bitter, and he takes another drag of whiskey.] Maybe not yet. How long until it does?

I lose time some nights. I think I shift into a bear and go out into the woods and- I don't know.

[outstandingbalance]

I don't know. [Her expression falls, growing a little more guilty.] I hear dying makes it worse. The more it happens, the more you lose.

[crowedthedead]

Yeah, but it's only been twice for me. My roommate didn't start losing things til- more than two deaths. [A brief, humorless laugh.] I don't know when. He's died a lot.

[outstandingbalance]

[That's worthwhile information.

And troubling.]

How many times has your roommate died?

[crowedthedead]

I lost count. I think there was probably at least once while I was gone, and then- [He takes another swig as he tries to do the mental math.] Four or five, minimum? I'm not sure.