breakaleginhalf | dataBURST: IC Inbox

As much as I appreciate the vote of confidence, these aren't just... beard.

[ He gestured to them, again. ]

They're more like... whiskers, y'know? Sensitive. Used to be able to feel air pressure changes with 'em. Now they just hurt if you press on 'em too hard.

[There's something of a pointed moment of stillness from Gil; because someone has to actively work to resist the impulse to flick those antenna, when Bugsy points them out.

And once that passes, he looks up at the neon lights overhead thoughtfully.]

I... think I had whiskers, kind of? Not big ones, didn't really need them with all the other bullshit. Smell and hearing and big.

It's weird, thinking about what we keep and what gets left behind.

[ Bugsy gave a final glance to the shrine, then offered- ]

You wanna get out of here and go somewhere less fuckin' grim?

[Gil glances over Bugsy to look at the shrine too, when he does, and the confused regret hits nearly as hard this time over, making his ears press back again for a few seconds.]

...yeah. I'd say should we go back to yours, but I'm not too sure where yours is now.

Technically? It's anywhere. Well- can get to it anywhere, anyway. How are you with dark, tight spaces? Tunnels, specifically.

Better than you'd expect. [How many fairy tale trolls live under bridges, that he's had used as "inspiration" for his current form? Who even knows now.] As long as there's not any sudden drops.

[ Bugsy lead them down a manhole, through the wider and narrower sections of sewer, until they finally hit a partially-barricaded room with dim light leaking out of it. It was den-like, in a way that Gil probably would've been able to appreciate, with Bugsy's shit in various neatly chaotic piles and boxes scattered around the room. ]

The tax for hanging out here is that one day you've gotta model for me for an art project,

[ He explained, vaulting himself over the barricade. ]

[Gil very much appreciates the den vibes. Even if he has to do a little hop to grab the top of the doorframe and tuck his legs to gorilla-swing himself inside.]

Yeah, sure. Dude, this is cosy as shit.

[He's honestly surprised it doesn't smell worse, too. Probably because the sewers were largely aesthetic.]

I just hate sleeping anywhere exposed, [ He explained, flopping himself on his bed, which was nestled under a canopy at the back of the room. A number of blankets and pillows, not all of which were probably his, covered a mattress. ]

Used to sleep in my car a lot, then I couldn't sleep exposed or else I'd get eaten. Habits, and all that.

No, don't get me wrong, I love it. D'you even know how bad I wanna ask Coda and see if they can help me turn my bed into a giant fucking beanbag?

[It's a little tempting to flop himself in there with Bugsy, but he can't really bring himself to, and so tucks his ass into the corner of the canopy, ass still on the mattress and one foot tucked under the other thigh, but giving Bugsy space.]

I'm used to sleeping with-- in the same space as [fuck you bugsy] at least six other people, I freak out when I have to sleep alone half the time.

[ It was entirely too late for that retraction, Bugsy brought his fingers to his lips and wolf whistled in glee. But after his obligatory period of being an asshole, he eased himself back down again, and said- ]

We should get a group house. Just us Lost, maybe a couple'a others if they're cool. Might help with that- I don't freak out if I sleep alone, but I just like sleeping in the same space as other people on a regular human level.

[The pink insides of Gil's ears turn dark red, and he leans to shove Bugsy's leg with his hoof while he's still whistling. Fuck youuuuu.]

What, you don't like slumber parties?

[He doesn't mind living with just Artemis, though, he has to admit. He feels like four-plus people would get too crowded; just because he had to adjust to it doesn't mean he particularly enjoyed it. But then, probably they could find some penthouse somewhere with more rooms, maybe...]

Actually, though, that's kind of a cool idea. We should bring that little kid, Mono, he's weird. [Said in a clearly positive tone.] But I'm half-contractually-obliged to bring Artemis too, Coda'd probably want him there too.

I like slumber parties, I just don't think people'd like slumber parties in a sewer.

[ The mention of Mono made Bugsy's whole face light up, and he sat upright properly, grinning- ]

Aw shit- you know my lil buddy, too? Hell yeah, I'd be down to have him live with us. He's sweet.

[ But then there was, of course, Artemis, who he'd been taking pains to avoid since the fella got oathed. ]

So long as I can take a piss in the middle of the night without him having a heart attack, he's cool too.

Dude, Artie's chill, alright? He's just got some catching up to do.

[His tone is... not quite dismissive, but certainly he thinks that's the final word on the topic. Besides, Mono's way more interesting and delighting to talk about.]

But yeah, Little Man broke into my apartment at like three a.m. and fell off the couch when he saw I was awake. God, he's so fucking small - you should've seen him get an apple out of my fridge, it was a whole fucking deal.

He's so fuckin' small, and he just breaks my damn heart. I used to know street kids like him. 'd have offered him a place here already if I didn't think he'd prefer to go it by himself. Well- that and the fact I freak him out a bit.

[Gil's ears perk straight up.]

Yes, oh my god, he can see through our Masks! Fuck, I said I was gonna get a bite to eat and he felt like he was gonna shit himself until I went to the fucking fridge.

The lil dude got himself stuck in a trap because he got spooked when he saw me, I ended up having to pledge that I wasn't gonna hurt him on purpose, and look- I don't think he's one of us, but he understood it. Like, calmed right the fuck down.

Hah, you're soft. [Not that he's being mean when he says it. That's legitimately pretty sweet of Bugsy, he's honestly fascinated.] But yeah, he told me that most adults are like, kid murderers? Or just, like-- tapped out, somehow, he said they don't talk and he and other kids have to protect themselves from them.

Oh fuck off, I'm hardcore, I just didn't want to let a kid be terrified around me, alright?

[ Touchy, touchy. ]

For real? Shit, man- I knew he didn't have parents but that's fucked up.

[ Bugsy reached his leg out to gently boop Gil with his foot. ]

You think he's gonna want to live with us, if the adults are all... like that?

[Gil's ears remain at their consistent 'relaxed' perk. He's not saying anything else there.]

I dunno. I mean, he seems like he's happy to sit and watch movies with me, so long as my stomach doesn't growl too loud. And he knows you can't-slash-won't hurt him now. I straight-up told him most of the adults here won't hurt him, but that's gonna be a hard one to believe for a bit.

[He climbs into the nest a bit further so he's more comfy. Easier for Bugsy to poke.]

Think as long as we set up a TV so he can come and go whenever, probably he might.

... a TV? Why would that let him come and go whenever?

[ He'd met Mono in the alley, after all, he hadn't seen what the lil guy could do just yet. ]

[Gil stares for a moment.]

...dude. That's how he broke in to my apartment, he came in through the TV fucking Ring style!

... what?! Like the fuckin- what's that darkling contract, the one that lets 'em go through mirrors? Like that?

[ Bugsy openly gawped, which slowly slid into a goofy grin. ]

That's so fuckin' cool. I love this lil guy- we have to look out for him.

I think that's Fairest. [Irrelevant, though.] But yeah, Mono's fucking rad. We should get him a little fucking mini-fridge, he was fucking starving.

No, I'm sure it's a Darkling contract. I was learning it from this banshee dude before I came here, and he learnt it from another Darkling who knew it when he escaped.

[ He couldn't help but laugh at that though, affirming- ]

Yeah- lil mini fridge, make him a lil bed and everything. Shit- it'd be like furnishing a dollhouse, he's so, so fucking tiny.

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