setting: a random waterhole in a college town

[caneous]

[ Fourbuck is an unusual surname, by most standards. Once every five times Camden's mentioned it, he's had to explain that Fourbuck is his hand-to-God last name. He doesn't really mind it, except for when he does. Like tonight. He's in no mood to be social tonight, knowing what the date is and what it means to him and the man he calls Dad.

Here's to you, Ma, he thinks as he hails the bartender for another drink. The bottle comes to him with condensation all over it, and he spends a bit rolling the bottle from one hand to the other before caving in and turning to the closest person on the bar. The bartender didn't give him a coaster, see, and normally he wouldn't care about that, but— ]

Hey, you mind if I borrow your coaster?

Comments

[epigamic]

What do you need it for?

[ as he's already handing it over. ]

[caneous]

Eh, you know, water circles— [ he answers like he's apologizing, saluting with the coaster once before he sets it down, the bottle following after it. ] —on the table and stuff. Grew up around a lot of wooden furniture.

Thanks.

[epigamic]

But now my drink will leave water circles.

[ just pointing that out. ]

[torpedos]

[ Her brow furrows. It's not the weirdest question she's been asked in a bar but - you know. It's up there. Angela wasn't using it anyway. She gives the coaster a push and it glides down the counter. ] Take it. Consider it a gift.

[ she drops her voice to a conspiratorial whisper ] If you want to take it home, just say the word. I'll distract the bartender.

[caneous]

[ The offer draws out a surprised chuckle from Camden, and makes him feel less ill-at-ease with his current mood. He answers in much the same tone as hers: ]

I was thinking I'd take the chair, actually.

[torpedos]

[ She looks down in mock surprise, as though she hadn't noticed the chair at all. ] Oh, these are nice. You better take two, have a matching set. It'd be real sad to not have a matching set. Now I kind of want 'em, but they're not going to go with my living room at all.

[ she grins, and sips at her drink. ] I'm Angela. But if the cops ask later my name's Britta.

[reshift]

[ Alex isn't usually one for drinking, but she keeps thinking about the way Emily screamed at her after her conference with Emily's principal and she can't help but think she needs one tonight. Or four or five.

She barely gives anyone else any attention, used to keeping to herself. But when the man next to her speaks up, asking for something, she looks at him as if she's just realized she's not the only person in the bar.

Then she shakes her head loose and nods, taking her coaster and passing it to him. ] Be my guest. [ She takes a long drink from her bottle and sets it back onto the wood of the bar without concern for the lack of coaster. ]

You know, you don't have to be so careful in a bar. Shit gets damaged all the time anyway.

[caneous]

It's a— there's a thing, okay? Normally I don't give a crap, but. You know.

[ He shrugs like it's meant as an apology, but Camden doesn't have enough heart for it tonight. ]

—I don't see you around here. I mean. I've never seen you around here before...?

[larue]

[ And this guy is sliding the coaster over. ]

Sure, man. Take it.

[ He's barely touched his own beer ( Corona, lemon slice slipped in ) and he doesn't look like he's in any hurry to.

He is tossing a concerned look your way, though. ]

You alright?

[ He doesn't mean to be nosy -- but you look pretty sad, friend. ]

[caneous]

No, not really?

[ He scratches at the back of his neck, a bit sheepish. ]

It's kind of a night. Stuff. [ He stares at the condensation on his bottle, and doesn't turn when he speaks again. ] Mom's death anniversary. Fourth year now.

[larue]

I'm sorry. [ He means it. Losing a mother is hard.

Looking up now and ordering a second of whatever you've had. ]

On me. [ And by way of explanation he shrugs. ] I can relate.