now listen good and listen straight, you're not the master of your fate

[bloodisthicker]

[Another week, another murder, another absolute shitshow. Tarrlok kind of just wants to lock himself in his room for a while, but... well, he volunteered. So... it's definitely going to be much later in the day before a note advising everyone to meet up in the bar for some comfort food is slipped under everyone's door.

At least Tarrlok didn't have to take care of everything alone, though; while he spent most of the time cooking by himself, Speedwagon and Yosuke helped take some delicious pork buns up to set them out across the bar so that everyone could drown their sorrows in stuffing their faces. And, you know, alcohol, maybe that too. There's also some vegetarian stir fry for people who don't like pork, too, of course.

There isn't an official bartender to start out with, but there is live entertainment courtesy of Yosuke, who's strumming his guitar over in the corner there.

Hopefully someone will step up, because lord knows everyone in the Vault needs a drink right now.]

Comments

afterparty

[notjustawriter]

I... I'm holding up.

[He doesn't look well, but Gabriel manages a weak smile.]

[amygdalae]

[Bruce returns the smile with with own, as small as it is.]

--here, have something. [He puts down the plate of food in front of Gabriel.] Even if its a little bit, some food will help.

[notjustawriter]

[...Right. He really should eat.]

Thanks. One of these days, I've gotta cook for the group.

[amygdalae]

What do you usually make?

[Nudges the plate closer. Eat, Gabriel.]

[notjustawriter]

[Okay, okay. He's eating!]

A lot of creole food, usually. I'm not creole myself, but you grow up eatin' it when you live in New Orleans. Good food, usually spicy.

[amygdalae]

[Bruce had some of that before himself in the past, and he gives a nod at that.]

I've had it a few times myself in the times I was there. It does leave a good impression, from what I can remember.

[...but yeah it's been a while since he's had anything like that.]

[notjustawriter]

It's good food. I can cook some of it here, more or less.

[....]

Lotta seafood, normally. But I don't think I'll be eating anything like that anytime soon.

[amygdalae]

[...]

I'm sure we can figure out a suitable replacement.

[Yeah, probably no seafood.]

[notjustawriter]

Beef, maybe. Or pork.

[Chicken's right out, too.]

[amygdalae]

Either of those sound good to me.

[Most certainly no chicken too.]

[notjustawriter]

I remember enough of my Gran's recipes I could make some of 'em.

She's still alive, she's just.... Well, I'm glad she's not here.

[amygdalae]

...I'm glad she's not here either.

[Stan alone is bad enough, but two elderly folk? Yeah.]

[notjustawriter]

...Yeah.

[66 isn't that old. Gabriel's grandmother is in her 80s in comparison....]

[amygdalae]

[Still older than them in the... normal human-ish scale. Cherryblod doesn't count.]

You should visit her, once we're out of this place.

[notjustawriter]

I really should.

I got a letter from Grace tellin' me she's still in good health. It's nice, for someone of her age.

[amygdalae]

That's good to know.

[Very good, and its just as good that Gabriel will go to see her. That's... all good.]

...I wonder if people even notice that we're gone back in our worlds. [Not that it applies to Bruce himself, considering... everything, but surely everyone else must have people who are looking for them, right?]

[notjustawriter]

I vanished in the middle of a case, and it's been weeks.

I'm sure Grace and Gerdie are pissed off at the very least. It ain't gonna look good, not now.

[amygdalae]

I was out of the country myself, so I don't think anybody would be aware.

[Although nobody would miss him. But then again, SHIELD had been keeping an eye on him, weren't they? He doesn't know if they're still doing that, but if he vanished during their surveillance... hard to say if that's a good or a bad thing.]

[notjustawriter]

I was out of the country, too, but Gracie and I had been writin' letters to each other.

I'm pretty sure she's still in Germany right now.

[....]

I'm sure someone will notice you missing.

[amygdalae]

[Man Bruce still remembers letters... of course, its not like he hasn't stopped writing them since its not like he could use a phone for god knows how many years, but still.]

Maybe. I'm not sure.

[If SHIELD's still keeping tabs on him, then they probably will notice. Then again--]

It doesn't really matter, either way.

[Nobody will miss him.]