That makes sense. It's not very useful to have good aim if you just hit it with the handle every time.
[But Lance is perfectionistic and finding it more and more annoying that he can't get it all right immediately, no matter how illogical that is. He'll probably be ready to switch over to drinking pretty soon.]
Not unless you mean to, [Ephemera agrees.] Clock somebody in the forehead with that, and they'll startle. Won't always go down, but it's a good way to get somebody's attention without hurting them. Chica used to do that when people wouldn't take a hint at bars.
[And it had been hilarious.]
Most beautiful woman you'd ever seen. Never took anyone's shit.
[His voice is fond and a little sad. He misses her a lot.]
[He says it teasingly, smiling to show he's not serious. Sometimes Ephemera flirts with everyone who wanders into his sight line, but that's a game. Something to pass the time. It's not something he's done for a long time, either. Not since Drake became more than just a possibility.]
Probably. Think she would've liked having some more women around. It was just her and Daisy on the squad, and Daisy--hnn.
[Daisy hadn't done so well towards the end. Ephemera shakes his head.]
Anyway, Chica would've taught you all sorts of crazy shit with knives. Stuff you wouldn't believe. Guess you're stuck with me for now. I'll try to make it up to you.
[He says it flatly back in response, but he's clearly going along with the teasing.]
It's okay; I think throwing them to show off is about the extent of what I actually want to learn. Anything more and it'll be a risk to my well-being.
[It's a self-deprecating joke, although it probably is true; he doesn't trust himself to do anything fancy with a bladed weapon, even if he carries a gun. But it's more an excuse to not explain that he just has no interest in learning to use a knife for anything but harmless skills that look cool.
For now he's thinking he might be done with that too, though; he's more and more interested in getting a drink, although he hasn't been here in ages and so doesn't know what's even available.]
You can make it up to me by suggesting something alcoholic that isn't horrible, though.
I keep hearing stories about college. You're gonna have to tell me about it sometime. Sounds like a riot. But all right. Let's see if I remember any of Drake's stuff. You should ask him for drink suggestions, he's good at that stuff. Used to be a bartender.
[The fondness is evident. Ephemera's face softens briefly. It's going to be all right, in the end. Drake's gonna be okay.]
I spent almost a third of my life in college; I'm going to have a lot of stories about it.
[He says it with a small grin, though he takes note of what Ephemera says about Drake having been a bartender. He pays more attention to the tone and expression, though.]
How is Drake doing? I spoke with him a few weeks ago, so I know that... The main issue is resolved for now, at least.
[But he imagines that's just the first part of dealing with things.]
[Lance has to think about the question a moment, sorting out exactly how to answer; he'd spent so much time in college and had so many different experiences that's kind of difficult to give a simple response.]
Fun but exhausting, I guess? Most of my time was taken up with classes and studying and assignments, and keeping that up at that pace for that long was really difficult. But I had a lot of cool experiences, like going caving with my roommates, attending some normal college parties, visiting museums, that sort of thing.
[There had been a lot of ups and downs, but he's glad he made it through them all even if he would never suggest rushing through all of his schooling like he did. It had been important to him, but definitely not the healthiest way of doing things.
He nods, watching Ephemera look for the alcohol.]
I think he feels very guilty over... Everything. But I'm glad you're there to support him, and vice versa.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2018-01-26 03:27 pm (UTC)[It's a process, Ephemera supposes. But he's happier, now. Calmer. Not Sharkface anymore.]
You're getting it. First part is getting the knife to stick, see? Then you work on aiming.
no subject
Date: 2018-01-29 02:04 am (UTC)[But Lance is perfectionistic and finding it more and more annoying that he can't get it all right immediately, no matter how illogical that is. He'll probably be ready to switch over to drinking pretty soon.]
no subject
Date: 2018-01-29 02:59 am (UTC)[And it had been hilarious.]
Most beautiful woman you'd ever seen. Never took anyone's shit.
[His voice is fond and a little sad. He misses her a lot.]
no subject
Date: 2018-01-30 01:50 am (UTC)[...Even if he did get hit on by a guy at this bar during an event a few months ago, but he just... Won't mention that.]
She sounds like she would've gotten along with Dr. Brennan, though.
[And probably Daisy, but Lance doesn't want to talk about her any more right now; it's difficult, sometimes.]
no subject
Date: 2018-01-30 02:33 am (UTC)[He says it teasingly, smiling to show he's not serious. Sometimes Ephemera flirts with everyone who wanders into his sight line, but that's a game. Something to pass the time. It's not something he's done for a long time, either. Not since Drake became more than just a possibility.]
Probably. Think she would've liked having some more women around. It was just her and Daisy on the squad, and Daisy--hnn.
[Daisy hadn't done so well towards the end. Ephemera shakes his head.]
Anyway, Chica would've taught you all sorts of crazy shit with knives. Stuff you wouldn't believe. Guess you're stuck with me for now. I'll try to make it up to you.
no subject
Date: 2018-02-03 01:04 am (UTC)[He says it flatly back in response, but he's clearly going along with the teasing.]
It's okay; I think throwing them to show off is about the extent of what I actually want to learn. Anything more and it'll be a risk to my well-being.
[It's a self-deprecating joke, although it probably is true; he doesn't trust himself to do anything fancy with a bladed weapon, even if he carries a gun. But it's more an excuse to not explain that he just has no interest in learning to use a knife for anything but harmless skills that look cool.
For now he's thinking he might be done with that too, though; he's more and more interested in getting a drink, although he hasn't been here in ages and so doesn't know what's even available.]
You can make it up to me by suggesting something alcoholic that isn't horrible, though.
no subject
Date: 2018-02-09 12:34 am (UTC)Wouldn't teach you if I didn't think you could do it. Not that fun to watch people stab themselves. Unless they're bastards.
[Then it's all kinds of fun.
He hums to himself, nodding.]
Sure, Doc. Though I go for tequila. Dunno if that's your speed.
no subject
Date: 2018-02-09 05:28 am (UTC)[And that was a horrible mistake.]
But anything else is fine.
no subject
Date: 2018-02-10 10:35 pm (UTC)I keep hearing stories about college. You're gonna have to tell me about it sometime. Sounds like a riot. But all right. Let's see if I remember any of Drake's stuff. You should ask him for drink suggestions, he's good at that stuff. Used to be a bartender.
[The fondness is evident. Ephemera's face softens briefly. It's going to be all right, in the end. Drake's gonna be okay.]
no subject
Date: 2018-02-11 05:58 am (UTC)[He says it with a small grin, though he takes note of what Ephemera says about Drake having been a bartender. He pays more attention to the tone and expression, though.]
How is Drake doing? I spoke with him a few weeks ago, so I know that... The main issue is resolved for now, at least.
[But he imagines that's just the first part of dealing with things.]
no subject
Date: 2018-02-11 03:00 pm (UTC)C'mon, throw me a bone. What's college like?
[His expression softs again as he moves behind the bar, searching for the right ingredients.]
Better. Kept saying it'd be all right if I bailed. That he'd understand.
[Ephemera shakes his head.]
Nah. I'm right where I wanna be.
no subject
Date: 2018-02-11 11:00 pm (UTC)Fun but exhausting, I guess? Most of my time was taken up with classes and studying and assignments, and keeping that up at that pace for that long was really difficult. But I had a lot of cool experiences, like going caving with my roommates, attending some normal college parties, visiting museums, that sort of thing.
[There had been a lot of ups and downs, but he's glad he made it through them all even if he would never suggest rushing through all of his schooling like he did. It had been important to him, but definitely not the healthiest way of doing things.
He nods, watching Ephemera look for the alcohol.]
I think he feels very guilty over... Everything. But I'm glad you're there to support him, and vice versa.