( he holds out a palm, expecting a trash deposit. there’s plenty else he’ll have to dispose of tonight, after all. best to collect it all in one place. doctor’s orders. )
Nowhere. ( the tone of his answer evokes explaining to a child that a stove is hot, and not for the first time: matter-of-fact, teetering on the edge of exasperation. there are few things he dislikes more than having to state the obvious, or so he might say if asked. as far as his actual feelings go…
[ Nowhere. Exactly what this place would feel like in all its debauched liminality, if not for the fact that he quite frequently finds himself sitting across from people like Ratio. He hums, iron and ash, considering this place that follows no rationale besides the pursuit of pleasure at any expense. As for f**lings... ]
This must be pretty frustrating for you. [ He helpfully deposits the trash in his palm. ] Sorry to contribute.
( at least lighter can pick up on cues. this alone may be what keeps his possibility of a passing grade alive. trash is accepted, and—unceremoniously crumpled in a sudden, tight fist. frustration does not begin to even brush against the tide of feeling two months swallowed down, but when ratio opens his mouth to say as much, a rising set of cheers and shouts from the crowd drowns out whatever there was to say; another match is beginning. some might even call it a sign, to better leave things unsaid.
but once again, this ain’t about that. in lieu of words, he merely fixes lighter with a steely glare. you’re not fixing to sneak back up there, are you. better not, and certainly he would hope not, but hopes are rarely enough to avoid repeated mistakes on them alone. )
Whoaaa, no need for that. [ Lighter's clean paws go right up. In surrender? To placate? ] I know how I look, but I can quit while I'm ahead.
[ He doesn't add insult to injury by mentioning that it was sheer luck that put him in such a position in the first place. Many aren't so lucky to employ that choice, but he figures Ratio knows that too. Wanting to save the world versus wanting to preserve the ground you stand on, so on. If only knowing made things easier. ]
Especially since you went through all the effort of patching me up instead of leaving me to that other guy. [ He dusts his knees, making to stand. ] Let's get out of here. You drink, Doctor?
( dry as his tone may be, the placation is a successful endeavor; there is a genuine component of that appreciation, despite all appearances. it is the invitation that gives him pause, somewhere in the midst of packing up his supplies. his kneejerk reaction is to decline, for a myriad of reasons, but as he looks up to deliver the rejection, the grungy surroundings of talon’s haphazardly outfitted basement offer their own reminders of what the alternatives would be. noise, filth, and blood…
loathe as he is to potentially, theoretically, indirectly leave someone to die, so too does ratio know that his presence would do little to prevent such an outcome, either. for all it sticks in his craw, a man can only accomplish so much in one day, in his lifetime. with that consideration— )
Rarely. ( the unsurprising reveal that he’s not given towards indulgences. ) But I can make an exception to celebrate your victories.
( lead the way, buddy. he’ll need a second to toss this garbage on their way out. )
[ In that moment, he sees him separating the bone from the tender marrow of the situation, methodically cutting through sinewy fiber on the way down — choose to stay and be mired in the uproar, the dirt, or, ironically...
Quit while he's ahead. Lighter leaves him to that decision for as long as it might take, instinct wrangled in and subdued by more rational leanings. Lighter himself isn't sure. Does he believe someone could just get straight up killed in there? Yeah. It's why he opted in. No one would die by his hand, just like he wouldn't die by someone else's. A comfortable neutrality, lacking the sweetness of home and hazed over by vicious muscle memory, among other things. ]
Oh? Alright then. [ Snatching his jacket up by its collar, he fishes his shades from its pocket and then slings it over his shoulder. ] I'm not exactly dressed for a special occasion, so we can make it quick.
[ He slips his sunglasses back on and cants into the outskirts of the crowd to find the stairs. ]
( the one saving grace of the situation is how easy it is to slip away unnoticed, despite a throng of people desperate for entertainment at the expense of another—any other. though his decision was a firm one, it does not stop him from one last glance over the shoulder as they exit, for a sight exactly as he would expect it; when he turns back, it’s with a mild grimace, the closed eyes of someone forcing themselves to give up on something.
maybe a drink could even be… a good idea, right now. )
You’re fond of impeding your vision in these halls. ( never will he forget your parking garage shades. their footsteps echo in the stairwell back up to the gym proper, a sound as hollow as the aftermath of their conversation. ) Have you become that familiar with the place already?
[ Not an easy balance to mitigate, he knows. Holding people in a tender regard when those same people are so quick to throw themselves into the maw of violence for gain — any gain, the significance of which is tenuous. ]
With the gym? Yeah. The underground ring is new, though. [ His pace draws slower now that they're out into the relatively fresher air of the gym. Given that it's still the gym, that's saying a lot. ] As for my vision, I already wrecked my eyes in a similar place a long time ago.
[ Offhanded as he falls into line with the other man, disinclined to lead. ]
So too much light isn't actually the best for them.
( there's an easy scold to be had, in clearly not following up with the doctor's enough to be in such a state—there are also lines to be read between, here, the obfuscation at least giving away there is something to hide in the first place. tact may not be ratio's strong suit, but it isn't from failing to recognize the value in it. his lips press into a thin line as he bites back on his counter, choosing, for once, an unquestioning acceptance.
for now. 🛈 Dr. Ratio will remember that.
the drift in their stances also doesn't escape him. if he needs to take some control over their destination... the only place he knows, for better or worse, is the casino. on technicality, it fulfills the requirement for drinks. a simple pivot, once they're exiting talon's doors, drifting past the staff's notice. )
Just don't run into anything. You'll aggravate your injuries. ( not that he cares, or whatever. )
[ A little stalling is fine, he thinks. It's not like any of them have anything better to do here but bide their time. ]
As it so happens, I have an excellent sense of direction and balance.
[ Lighter ticks his fingers insufferably even as he settles into a well-matched gait, more parts implication than it isn't. He recognizes the route well enough by now — the place is only so big compared to the sprawling wastes he's used to, and despite what he'd say, being idle isn't exactly in his wheelhouse. ]
Thanks for the concern, though.
[ He chances it, knowing well his demerit situation. Better to say it now before he has the chance to regret not saying it. ]
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Nowhere. ( the tone of his answer evokes explaining to a child that a stove is hot, and not for the first time: matter-of-fact, teetering on the edge of exasperation. there are few things he dislikes more than having to state the obvious, or so he might say if asked. as far as his actual feelings go…
they still aren’t fond. )
I am not advocating for selfishness.
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This must be pretty frustrating for you. [ He helpfully deposits the trash in his palm. ] Sorry to contribute.
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but once again, this ain’t about that. in lieu of words, he merely fixes lighter with a steely glare. you’re not fixing to sneak back up there, are you. better not, and certainly he would hope not, but hopes are rarely enough to avoid repeated mistakes on them alone. )
no subject
Whoaaa, no need for that. [ Lighter's clean paws go right up. In surrender? To placate? ] I know how I look, but I can quit while I'm ahead.
[ He doesn't add insult to injury by mentioning that it was sheer luck that put him in such a position in the first place. Many aren't so lucky to employ that choice, but he figures Ratio knows that too. Wanting to save the world versus wanting to preserve the ground you stand on, so on. If only knowing made things easier. ]
Especially since you went through all the effort of patching me up instead of leaving me to that other guy. [ He dusts his knees, making to stand. ] Let's get out of here. You drink, Doctor?
no subject
( dry as his tone may be, the placation is a successful endeavor; there is a genuine component of that appreciation, despite all appearances. it is the invitation that gives him pause, somewhere in the midst of packing up his supplies. his kneejerk reaction is to decline, for a myriad of reasons, but as he looks up to deliver the rejection, the grungy surroundings of talon’s haphazardly outfitted basement offer their own reminders of what the alternatives would be. noise, filth, and blood…
loathe as he is to potentially, theoretically, indirectly leave someone to die, so too does ratio know that his presence would do little to prevent such an outcome, either. for all it sticks in his craw, a man can only accomplish so much in one day, in his lifetime. with that consideration— )
Rarely. ( the unsurprising reveal that he’s not given towards indulgences. ) But I can make an exception to celebrate your victories.
( lead the way, buddy. he’ll need a second to toss this garbage on their way out. )
no subject
Quit while he's ahead. Lighter leaves him to that decision for as long as it might take, instinct wrangled in and subdued by more rational leanings. Lighter himself isn't sure. Does he believe someone could just get straight up killed in there? Yeah. It's why he opted in. No one would die by his hand, just like he wouldn't die by someone else's. A comfortable neutrality, lacking the sweetness of home and hazed over by vicious muscle memory, among other things. ]
Oh? Alright then. [ Snatching his jacket up by its collar, he fishes his shades from its pocket and then slings it over his shoulder. ] I'm not exactly dressed for a special occasion, so we can make it quick.
[ He slips his sunglasses back on and cants into the outskirts of the crowd to find the stairs. ]
no subject
maybe a drink could even be… a good idea, right now. )
You’re fond of impeding your vision in these halls. ( never will he forget your parking garage shades. their footsteps echo in the stairwell back up to the gym proper, a sound as hollow as the aftermath of their conversation. ) Have you become that familiar with the place already?
no subject
With the gym? Yeah. The underground ring is new, though. [ His pace draws slower now that they're out into the relatively fresher air of the gym. Given that it's still the gym, that's saying a lot. ] As for my vision, I already wrecked my eyes in a similar place a long time ago.
[ Offhanded as he falls into line with the other man, disinclined to lead. ]
So too much light isn't actually the best for them.
[ A sleight folded warmly into a truth. ]
no subject
for now. 🛈 Dr. Ratio will remember that.
the drift in their stances also doesn't escape him. if he needs to take some control over their destination... the only place he knows, for better or worse, is the casino. on technicality, it fulfills the requirement for drinks. a simple pivot, once they're exiting talon's doors, drifting past the staff's notice. )
Just don't run into anything. You'll aggravate your injuries. ( not that he cares, or whatever. )
no subject
As it so happens, I have an excellent sense of direction and balance.
[ Lighter ticks his fingers insufferably even as he settles into a well-matched gait, more parts implication than it isn't. He recognizes the route well enough by now — the place is only so big compared to the sprawling wastes he's used to, and despite what he'd say, being idle isn't exactly in his wheelhouse. ]
Thanks for the concern, though.
[ He chances it, knowing well his demerit situation. Better to say it now before he has the chance to regret not saying it. ]