[ lost ]

[sacredashes]

[Asch makes a rare appearance. Rather than talk about his problems like everyone wants him to do, he is the bearer of a distraction. There's something shiny in his hands. The printed side looks like this. Clearly it is witchcraft, and that's what he's chosen to investigate today.

He addresses the Plane at large in his usual forceful, mildly offensive way.]

Hey, you. Tell me. [He waves the CD.] What's this thing supposed to be? It looks like a fon disc, but nothing can analyze it.

[He's sure it's from someone else's world, and that makes him uneasy. Maybe someone here will recognize it. It's worth looking into, anyway.]

Comments

[sacredashes]

I don't— [he sucks in a sharp breath, his mood taking a turn for the worse.] I don't need gifts.

[Because this is Asch and he has to turn everything into a battle. He huffs and glances at Oliver, forgetting for a moment about the empathy. His face is annoyed at best, but he's hurting and sad and scared--]

This is enough.

[That, at least, is truth. Vague as he's being, he... enjoys Oliver's company on some level.]

[oliverplus]

[Oliver is taken aback by his vehemence, and it shows in his expression. he cringes involuntarily at Asch's mess of feelings, averting his eyes briefly. but at those words, he looks back at his friend. and then he gives him a reassuring smile]

Hey. Want to get a drink?

[sacredashes]

[A mess is a pretty good way to describe how he feels in general.]

A... drink?

[Asch doesn't drink. It's reserved for special occasions, none of which he's had in a very, /very/ long time.]

... Fine.

[He doesn't know what he's celebrating. Dying, maybe.]

[oliverplus]

[he smiles when Asch accepts the invitation] All right. To the bar!

[and he starts off in that direction enthusiastically]

[sacredashes]

[Asch avoids his eyes, either because he remembered the empathy thing or because he's chronically awkward. He shows none of Oliver's enthusiasm, but at least it's... something.]

[oliverplus]

[Oliver, unabashed, continues on his way grinning brightly. you're going to enjoy this whether you like it or not, Asch!]

[sacredashes]

[He's only seventeen. I hope you know what you're doing, Oliver.]

I'm not drinking anything that glows.

[oliverplus]

[oh come on, Oliver is from the UK, and Asch is almost 18! he'd totally be legal already with parent permission. but mostly Oliver is just assuming he's at least 18 because he looks it]

[he snorts] Okay, that's fair! What's your favourite drink, anyway?

[sacredashes]

[Whether he acts like it is debatable.]

I don't know. I don't drink much.

[oliverplus]

[that's okay; Oliver doesn't act his age either. but way to be Asch-ish, Asch. Oliver's excitement is not to be deterred, though]

Well, then we'll take a look at what's there, and you can choose!

[sacredashes]

I guess. [It's not like he has another choice. He did agree to this.]

... What's your favorite?

[oliverplus]

[cheerfully] I can never really pick. I usually like whatever's on tap, but whisky is good for special occasions. Oh, and I tried this stuff on the Plane once that tasted like ice cream. It was amazing!

[sacredashes]

Ice cream-flavored?

[That--]

... I'm surprised that people aren't constantly drunk.

[oliverplus]

[he laughs] You've got a good point.

C'mon! [and he picks up his pace]

[sacredashes]

[Asch follows him with long strides one would not expect of someone about 5'7" but hey, he's trying.

When they get there, he goes right for the barstool, because he has no idea what he wants.]