4th Gumball - Phone/Action

[connedviakeyboard]

[Well, someone isn't happy now that he's back to normal and away from the effects mint has on him. To say he was embarrassed would be putting it lightly; Benson was out and out ashamed. And he dealt with shame the way he dealt with everything else: by being angry as hell and trying to bottle it up.

Either way? He owed some apologies to people.]

[Phone]

...Look. I know that there were a few people I might've been...uncouth towards, a few days ago. Okay. I guess that's putting it lightly. I was acting like an asshole. And I'm sorry. That's not what I'm usually like. It really, really isn't, and I don't know what came over me. It won't happen again.

[Phone - Filtered to Mordecai]

Yeah, hi.

Let's pretend Valentine's Day didn't happen, alright?

[Action - Outside 507 Ricardo Street]

[If you're going by Ricardo Street today, feel free to notice the man who lives at 507 removing every single potted plant he could find in the house, hell, everything that could conceivably be called vegetable matter, and placing it on the sidewalk. Watch in amazement as he takes out a lighter and proceeds to try and get the plants to catch flame, running back a bit when the fire actually gets started.

He's just going to wait, and watch, as every plant that had previously been in his house burns.]

Comments

[thegoddamnhedgehog]

[Toasting. That's something that Shadow's seen the usual patrons of Club Rouge do from time to time. So he'll raise his glass to Benson. What's the phrase again...?]

Bottoms up.

[That was probably it. Okay, good, your coolness hasn't dropped just yet.]

[connedviakeyboard]

[Benson toasts along with Shadow and, because he doesn't want to look like an utter nerd in front of him? He'll drain it in one gulp. Which was a hideous idea. He keeps his head pointed up for a moment, blinking his eyes a bit to refocus them and hope Shadow doesn't notice the moisture building up there.]

Wow. That uh. That has some kick to it.

[thegoddamnhedgehog]

[Shadow, of course, matches Benson's pace and drains it in one gulp as well. He doesn't want to look weak, after all. Thankfully, he's too busy keeping himself steady to even notice the tears in Benson's eyes.]

S'not so bad. [Already, he seems to be getting a little woozy. That's what happens when you're a tiny hedgehog and you don't really eat very much during the day.] You get used to it.

[connedviakeyboard]

Right. Right.

So.....another?

[thegoddamnhedgehog]

...Another.

[connedviakeyboard]

[Benson has to remind himself, mentally, not to grit his teeth. He's not sure he can take another, but he doesn't want to look like that big a pansy in front of Shadow. So another round it is.

And knocking it back in one gulp, again. God. That hits like a freight train, and for a moment he's sure he can't see straight.]

[thegoddamnhedgehog]

[And Shadow's pretty much doing the same thing, eyes squeezing shut for a moment. If he actually had his Ultimate Lifeform DNA intact, he'd probably be able to keep himself together and hold out for much longer. But as it stands now? Shadow's just an ordinary hedgehog with ordinary DNA and ordinary weaknesses. Though he'll try to pass himself off with Ultimate status regardless, blearily opening his eyes.]

Benson... Are you all right?

[Because Shadow's vision's getting more than a little impaired.]

[connedviakeyboard]

Huh?

[He blinks his eyes a few more times, trying to straighten everything out. Curves....curves aren't supposed to curve like that, are they? It just takes him a moment.]

Yeah? Uh...I'm fine.

...Another?

[Please say no.]

[thegoddamnhedgehog]

[God, no.]

Let me just... Let me just get my bearings.

[Shadow's ears flatten for a moment as he waits for his head to stop spinning. He doesn't look like he'll be getting them anytime soon.]

[connedviakeyboard]

[...Is he drunk? He can't be. Not a tough guy like Shadow. Benson knows he's probably going to regret this himself, but he'll just sit for a moment.]

...You uh....you feeling alright?

[thegoddamnhedgehog]

[No, he really isn't. After this much to drink, this quickly?]

F'course I'm all right. Don't be ridiculous.

[connedviakeyboard]

Hey. I was just asking a question.

[Oh. Look who's feeling a bit combative now, after drinking that much.]

[thegoddamnhedgehog]

I was giving you an answer.

[He'll just cast a sharp glare over at Benson, nodding at his empty glass.]

Are you having another?

[connedviakeyboard]

[Man, he doesn't like that glare, even if he started it first.

Just narrowing his brows.]

Yeah. Yeah I am.

How about you?

[thegoddamnhedgehog]

D'you even have to ask?

[Unsteady as Shadow is on his chair, he's still managing a lopsided sneer.]

[connedviakeyboard]

Bartender!

One more!

[And another round. And Benson just gulps that shit down the moment he gets it. It's like getting kicked in the face by a yak.]

[thegoddamnhedgehog]

[And Shadow's tossing his next drink down as well, gulping and gulping and... leaning way too far back to the point that he tumbles off the stool and onto his back.]

[connedviakeyboard]

[Benson's head slowly, practically rolls, in Shadow's direction as he falls to the floor. He thinks he should ask Shadow if he's alright, but he's a tough guy. Guy wouldn't appreciate that. And really, that he just couldn't...sit on a chair.

Funny. Too funny. Excuse Benson while he drunkenly laughs his ass off.]

[thegoddamnhedgehog]

[In any other circumstance, Shadow would probably shoot right back up to his feet with a sour glare on his face. Maybe even punch Benson right in the jaw for being an asshole and laughing at him when he's down. But the thing is...? This actually is pretty damn funny. So excuse Shadow while he's sprawled out on the floor, chest fur dampened by a small splash of whiskey, laughing his inebriated ass off.]

Didn't even---Didn't even feel a thing!

[This... is probably not something he should be laughing about.]

[connedviakeyboard]

[Benson just roars with laughter at that. There is no reason for that to be as funny as it is but holy God it is just the pinnacle of hysterical. Benson clutches his knees, trying to calm down.]

Y-you sure showed the floor a thing or two, huh?

[thegoddamnhedgehog]

Damn right. Taught that floor a lesson.

[He laughs for another good moment or so, until acting like a turtle somehow manages to lose its charm. Eventually. Shadow doesn't ask for Benson's help, though, pulling himself up by using the stool for support.]

[connedviakeyboard]

It-it won't talk back anymore, that's for sure!

[Still giggling, he'd ordered another drink in the meantime. Though at least he's fine with just sipping this one.]

You...you know something? You're alright.

[misterunsmiley]

Yeah? ...You're not so bad, yourself. Your flirting aside.

[Clambering back into his seat, with no lack of effort.]

[connedviakeyboard]

So, okay. I'm gonna be honest. I'm being honest right now, alright?

When I first met you? Thought you were gonna be an asshole. That's just how I thought you were acting.

But you're alright. You're okay. And I'm sorry.

[Benson just pauses at that, before laughing. You know what? He feels fine. So what the hell ever. No reason to be pissed off.]

Hey hey c'mon cut me some slack man. I haven't had a date since high school.

[misterunsmiley]

Apology accepted.

[He leans his elbows against the counter, folding his hands and resting them beneath his chin. At Benson's rebuttal, he scoffs.]

Please. Even I could do better than you. And I've never even been on one.

[Unless you count Valentine's Day. Which Shadow certainly doesn't.]