Devil's Nest 10: A Drink For The Brokenhearted

[all_ofthethings]

Olney's Tavern: Day 1 & 2 of Event

[The tavern is decorated with carnations of every color, and no matter how many times someone tries to toss them, they always reappear. Greed grins as he pours drinks for all the customers.]

[If he's never met you he has a question.]

Where're you from, I feel like I should know you.

[If he has met you, he'll saunter over, you're preferred drink in hand. And rather than leaving it and going back behind the counter, he takes a seat next to you.]

I just realized something. I think of you as family. Y'know what I mean?

Comments

Olney's Tavern

[forgotten_titan]

[She's just walking by the tavern to drop in and say hi. It's become sort of a custom to her, and she feels she owes Greed an apology for last week.]

Hey Greed. Is this a bad time?

[all_ofthethings]

No, it's never a bad time to chat with someone who feels like a little sister!

So, what's eating ya, kiddo?

[forgotten_titan]

[O-kay, that's a bit...strange. But hey, she can't deny how awesome he's been to her, and in a strange way maybe he IS acting like an older brother to her.]

I just wanna say I'm sorry for last week. For freaking out like that.

[all_ofthethings]

Eh, that was nothing, someone's gotta make sure you're all right. And I don't mind being that person. You're a good kid.

[forgotten_titan]

Thanks. You really helped me back then Greed, and I'm glad I have you here.

...umm, I actually, I need someone to talk to. If it's not too much trouble.

[all_ofthethings]

I'm all ears, you wanna soda pop or something?

[forgotten_titan]

No thanks.

[She looks very troubled, before she takes a deep breath and lets the words tumble out.]

Ever since I got brainwashed I've...I've been having nightmares of me...doing things. Things that I know I've never done before, that I can't do.

[all_ofthethings]

[He frowns.]

Did the, uhm, brainwashing wear off, or, did you, y'know?

[forgotten_titan]

I...I think it did. I can remember everything; my name, my parents, my friends, my school. It's just these dreams...I keep dreaming that I'm this other girl.

Terra.

[all_ofthethings]

[He smiles until she mentions the dreams.]

What do you mean dreams that you're another person. A lot of dreams?

[forgotten_titan]

Nearly every night. And everything's in flashes; sometimes I'm at one place, doing something for a few seconds, and then suddenly I'm somewhere else. The voices aren't too clear either and everything's in a blur.

[all_ofthethings]

Did this happen at all at home? Do you have people here from home who could tell you if you did?

[forgotten_titan]

No, I never had this problem back home, even after my accident.

[all_ofthethings]

What accident?

[Maybe it was a delayed reaction, maybe she hit her head again and it set something off?]

[forgotten_titan]

I got hit by a car when I was back home. It landed me in a coma for a few months and when I woke up, I couldn't remember anything.

[all_ofthethings]

Did ya regain the injure or something?

[He's looking over her from head to toe for any marks.]

[forgotten_titan]

I...I don't think so. All I got in the mail was a rock. I didn't feel anything different or special after that.

[all_ofthethings]

Ya didn't have any strange stuff going on at home? I think terra is a word for earth, an' you got a rock. Ring any bells?

[forgotten_titan]

No, I didn't. It's a pretty normal apartment.

...

Someone said that I might be this girl though.

[all_ofthethings]

The girl from yer dream?

[forgotten_titan]

Yeah.

[She seems very...upset about this.]

[all_ofthethings]

You wanna talk more about it?

[silvergoldengun]

[ Basco had just gotten there, and, well, that startles him. ]

What are you talking about, Greed-chan?

[all_ofthethings]

Y'know, you're like a brother to me. You got family back home, or are you an only child?

[silvergoldengun]

Can't remember and don't care.

[ Basco is silently observing Greed for a moment. ]

Are you drunk?

[all_ofthethings]

[He frowns.]

It takes a lot more than the stuff they've got here to get me drunk. You know that.

[silvergoldengun]

[ He frowns back. ]

I've known you for several months now, yes, I know. But I'm asking because you're acting weird.

[all_ofthethings]

Nah, I'm just starting to feel like you're family is all. That'll happen when you're around people a lot.

C'mon, don't you think of me as a brother figure?

[silvergoldengun]

[ That was difficult to answer. Not that he didn't know the answer; no, he didn't really see Greed as a brother. More like a .... friend..? He didn't see people as friends, because they were bothersome, and you didn't know if or when you had to backstab them to get what you want. ]

I don't know. I don't usually get that .. 'brother-y' .. type of feeling 'round people.

[ Well that sure was true. ]

[all_ofthethings]

No, what kind of feeling do ya get then?

[silvergoldengun]

[ He chuckles at that. ]

Well. The best way to describe it would be 'Enemies' and 'Not Enemies', I guess.

[ Really, either people hated him, or started hating him later on. Well, not since he came to Mayfield, apparently. ]

[ Olney's ]

[bunshins]

[ This is Naruto, sneaking about and trying to see what all the fuss is when -- ]

Eh? [ He raises an eyebrow, momentarily caught off guard. Then, he grins, ] I don't even know you, 'tebayo. My name's Naruto.

[all_ofthethings]

Well yeah, that's kind of the thing. It's strange, but I feel like I've known ya all my life.

I'm Greed. Good to finally meet ya.

[bunshins]

Greed? That's a weird name.

[ Side-eyeing you. ]

S'it real?

[all_ofthethings]

Of course it's real. My father is pretty cruel, but the name does fit. Not that your isn't strange either. Never heard a name like yours. What're doin' in the bar anyway?

[bunshins]

Maybe you just haven't been listening hard enough, 'tebayo! And Naruto's not a weird name -- I even have a bridge named after me!

[ He nods enthusiastically. ]

I was just checking it out.

[all_ofthethings]

Maybe where you're from, Kid. And why's it named after you? That's pretty cool.

I could get ya a soda if ya want.

[bunshins]

Well, heheh! Not to brag or anything, but I helped save the people who were building it! [ He rubs the underside of his nose. ] Yeah, I know: I'm awesome.

[ He looks at Greed quizzically. ]

What's a so-da?

[all_ofthethings]

Sounds like you've got a busy life back home.

Soda, ya know, pop, I think that's what they call it here. A fizzy carbonated beverage. Ya ever had one before?

[bunshins]

Pretty busy, yeah, yeah.

[ Nodding. ]

Iiiiiiii don't think so? [ And then, it occurs to him...] -- It's not dangerous or anything, right? I already heard about the milk!

[all_ofthethings]

Really, ya never heard of the stuff? That's a pretty strange place you're from. And no it's not anything bad like the dairy milk. Gimme a sec.

[And he disappears for a moment to return with a cup full of a dark, fizzy liquid.]

They call this a coke, kid. Try it.

oh greed why would you do this...

[bunshins]

[ He eyes the drink incredulously. ]

It's...making a noise...And it's black, 'tebayo! [ He wrinkles his nose. ] Is that coffee? I hate coffee.

Because he's the best worst big brother ever!

[all_ofthethings]

Nah, coffee doesn't bubble. Just give it a try, most kids like this stuff. I could always get you some juice, but that's baby stuff.

[technologic]

[April just blinks up at him, before tilting her head slightly.]

... Family?

[all_ofthethings]

Yep! Let me get you a drink, on the house for family!

[technologic]

[Another blink, though now she smiles slightly.]

Ah, thanks, Greed. But, um, what brought this on?

[all_ofthethings]

[He shrugs.]

Since when do I need a reason to give a pretty lady a drink for free? And one I think of as a sister. And when I say sister, I don't mean like my awful sister, I mean one I can actually stand to be friends with.

[technologic]

[Her smile brightens a bit and she gives a small laugh.] I, um... T-thanks, Greed.

[all_ofthethings]

Anytime, Red. So, how're you adjusting to being back?