A Strange New Day: Day 52

Eep (to Vincent): Hey. Can I ask you something?

Vincent (to Eep): Of course. Ask away.

Eep (to Vincent): Um, your black eye, Mouse gave you that while you guys were sparring, right? Do you think you would be able to teach me just some basic self-defense stuff? I mean, I know I'm pretty fucking useless... But, I also know you and your sister are gearing up to go back. And I'm going. So... Yeah. I'd like to not need saving.

Vincent (to Eep): Oh, aren't you totes adorbz? I'm sure between Mouse & I, we can manage something.

Eep (to Vincent): Yeah. Yeah. Whatever. Hey, can I ask you something else? Are you OK?

Vincent (to Eep): Angry still, but fine. Why do you ask?

Eep (to Vincent): You just don't seem like yourself. You seem... I dunno... Off, I guess.

Vincent (to Eep): Off? Moi? Aren't I acting just like my normal self?

Eep (to Vincent): You're acting like you're doing an imitation of yourself. Seems like the more upset you are, the more "Vincent-y" you act. But, you're still not acting like you. Last night, you weren't enthusiastic as usual when you're the center of attention. Plus, you didn't make like one dirty comment all night. So, yeah. I don't think you're as OK as you're claiming.

Vincent (to Eep): And you are so much more observant than you tend to be.

Eep (to Vincent): And you're avoiding the question.

Vincent (to Eep): Awwww. Do you just miss me flirting with you? Is that it?

Eep (to Vincent): Look, you don't want to tell me? Fine! I'm certainly not going to force you. But I know how I felt after Mouse told me. I can't imagine you feel too much better. Especially cause you guys have such a, uh, weirdly intense sibling relationship.

Vincent (to Eep): Oh my. And you say you're no good with people. As much as I would love to unburden my soul, there's far too much to be done. So right now, I'm exactly the Vincent I need to be, and that my sister needs me to be. After this is all done, we'll watch a shit movie, drink wine, and talk about our feelings. Until then, it waits. (to Mouse) How went your tête à tête with Sasha last night, hun?

Mouse (to Vincent): He was sad about the prospect of losing me for good, but he said I could take as much time as I needed to figure things out.

Vincent (to Mouse): I'll bet. You're a big draw whether you want to admit that or not. :-P

Mouse (to Vincent): Yeah, yeah, I know. I would miss everyone, I love the bar & wouldn't want to leave Sasha in the lurch. So, we'll see...

Vincent (to Mouse): Take your time, sweetie. Do what you need to do. BTW, it looks as though Eep wants us to teach him how to defend himself. It's kind of adorbz. ;-}

Mouse (to Vincent): Oh really? I wonder, why he didn't mention it to me that he was interested in learning?

Vincent (to Mouse): Whoops! He probably didn't want me mentioning it to you, then.

Mouse (to Vincent): I'll pretend you didn't tell me. :-p

Vincent (to Mouse): I know he's not exactly a manly man, but I'm sure it was more than a little frustrating & humiliating to be so utterly useless.

Mouse (to Vincent): Well, I'd be willing to show him what I know, but he may not be comfortable sparring with me.

Vincent (to Mouse): I doubt it. I'll bet I can get him to try to hit me. :-P

Mouse (to Vincent): The hitting part doesn't seem to be the problem, it's the afterwards he needs to work on.

Vincent (to Mouse): Ah. Too true, I'm afraid. I'm not sure how we can keep him from being a hemophiliac.

Mouse (to Vincent): Maybe, some weapons training? That way he's got some physical distance.

Vincent (to Mouse): We'll have to see what we can do. I'm not handing him a sword. He'll probably faint if he ever has to use it. I'll have him try the flintlocks. Don't worry. We'll find some way he can keep himself safe.

Mouse (to Vincent): Well, Otto has assures me that he will stick to Eep like glue & help keep him safe.

Vincent (to Mouse): Well, that's one less thing to worry about.

Mouse (to Vincent): Sweetie, I want to thank you for all the support while I get my head screwed on properly. But, are you okay? I mean, you were having a rough week before all of this and now, having to deal with me being a bit off...

Vincent (to Mouse): Good gracious, hun. That was a lifetime ago. And honestly, who has the head to deal with queer boy drama right now?

Mouse (to Vincent): Well, okay... If you want to play it like that, I'm not going to press the issue.

Vincent (to Mouse): Oh, hun. Please don't be angry with me. You've got enough on your plate right now. I'm a tough little lad. I can survive with my own thoughts a while.

Mouse (to Vincent): I'm not angry at you and, I know you've dealt with much worse... I appreciate you & Eep being strong for me. If roles were reversed, I'm not sure I'd be able to do the same.

Vincent (to Mouse): Oh sweetie... You don't give yourself enough credit. You HAVE already done the same for me. Most people would have called the cops when they found me on their front porch. They certainly wouldn't have taken me to the doctor and would have never dreamed of taking care of me for all these years.

Mouse (to Vincent): But, I want you to know that everything I've gone through in the last four months isn't your fault & I don't blame you... I doubt I'll ever be the same again, but please don't blame yourself... you didn't make Smythe a giant psycho.

Vincent (to Mouse): And we'll just have to agree to disagree on where blame should be laid. I certainly didn't make Smythe the way he is... But I helped put you and Eep in his path.

Mouse (to Vincent): Sweetie, my blame is firmly planted on Smythe. He didn't have to do the things he did but he choose to of his own free will

Vincent (to Mouse): Oh, don't worry. I've saved the lion's share of blame and loathing for him. I have never before wanted to hurt someone so badly.

Mouse (to Vincent): Little brother, I understand more than you realize.

Vincent (to Mouse): I don't doubt it. And I am, perhaps, doing the WORST job of helping you transition back into your normal life possible.

Mouse (to Vincent): Sweetie, until Smythe is stopped. I, honestly, don't know if I can have a normal life.

Vincent (to Mouse): Mmm. As if I needed another reason to shove that TeslaArcht as far up Smythe's nethers as it'll go, and pull the trigger...

An hour or so later:

Mouse (to Eep): Hey, handsome! How's Yog the Hutt treating you?

Eep (to Mouse): About as well as can be expected for a menial part-time job. How are you doing today, pretty lady?

Mouse (to Eep): Presently, picking out a punching bag & some other training gear. I think I'm going to turn the basement into a workout room.

Eep (to Mouse): Oh! Yeah. That makes sense, I guess.

Mouse (to Eep): It's okay, I know it's kinda weird.

Eep (to Mouse): No! No, it's not that. It's just... Well, OK. It's kinda that. But, I mean, I understand. I'm just kinda at a loss right now. I'm useless with that shit. I don't know how to help. I don't know what to say. I feel very like, "sorry Mario, but your princess is in another castle." Or maybe I'm the princess. Uh... wow. OK. This analogy is shit.

Mouse (to Eep): You're doing fine. Thank you for putting up with me being weird, the nightmares, my strange desire to be Sarah Connors in Terminator 2. And, I have no idea what that analogy meant... is it from Mario Brothers?

Eep (to Mouse): Ha ha! Well, as long as Skynet doesn't get involved, I think we're doing all right. And, uh, yeah. I'm pretty sure it was a Mario reference. I think I may have spent too much time with Vincent.

Mouse (to Eep): Oh god, please don't start making Sci-Fi remarks like Vincent. I'm not sure I could handle the two of you doing it. :-p

Eep (to Mouse): If I do, you have my permission to beat the shit out of me.

Mouse (to Eep): I hope it never comes to that. :-)

Eep (to Mouse): Heh. I can think of less sexy ways to die. OH! Oh, uh... I mean... Oh sweet Jesus. I'm sorry. That was... That was totally inappropriate.

Mouse (to Eep): ... So, does this mean you want to watch me workout some time? ;-)

Eep (to Mouse): Uh... I plead the 5th. :p

Several hours later:

Ripper: Trying out a couple of new mixes tonight, I hope the crowd likes them.

Mouse (to Ripper): I'm liking them, so far!

Vincent (to Ripper): They sound good to me, Professor.

Ripper (to Vincent): Well, thank you, O Captain.

Delia (to Ripper): Digging the set. Haven't heard some of this for quite some time. Which.. in turn, now that I think about it, makes me feel old.

Ripper (to Delia): Thank you, I've been boning up on my goth music knowledge...

Delia (to Ripper): Heh.. I know more than I think it seems. I couldn't DJ myself, I know. But play a song I suddenly my brain kicks in and seems to say "oh yeah, that.. by them... which came out such and so years ago" lol

Ripper (to Delia): Well, that's not too bad. :-)

Delia (to Ripper): its annoying is what it is. I can tell you all about the 12th dynasty in egypt on command? Music? Nothing till its playing.

Vincent (to Ripper): Thank goodness. We're all going to have to pick up the slack with my sister taking a break. I wonder if Sasha will reconsider his "no chaps" rule when Mouse is gone...

Ripper (to Vincent): I'm sure he'll come up with something...

Vincent (to Ripper): I just want him to lift the ban on certain items of clothing including assless chaps and mesh shirts. Apparently it makes Sasha "uncomfortable," which is really the only reason I want to wear them. Together.

Ripper (to Vincent): I'll take you to the Metro sometime & you can wear them... You'll be a big hit.

Vincent (to Ripper): Ha! I'll bet, but I'm not sure how much fun it'd be to wear without the option of horrifying Sasha & Delia. :-P

Delia (to Vincent): Hey, don't forget you're also not allowed to wear those because of health code. Don't think I don't know what you're talkin about. You only get that look and laugh combo when talking about the chaps.

Vincent (to Delia): Hee hee. Would I do that? You got me; we totes are. Ripper's threatening to take me to the Metro if I wear chaps.

Delia (to Vincent): You realize if you do that you're gonna have all the uncle creepy gay guys feelin up your bare ass, right?

Vincent (to Delia): Yes, mommy dearest. ;-P Don't worry. I'm not foolish enough to wear assless chaps to a gay bar. I'd start a riot.

Delia (to Vincent): Hey.. I'm just checking. Sometimes you do things that aren't the bestest of ideas. You are the king of inappropriate and ill advised ideas.

Vincent: Oops. Looks like I'm getting pictures taken of me tonight. Of course it happens on a night I'm not wearing makeup. Natch. (to Delia): King? Crowned prince, maybe. I'm young still. I've got a couple of years to go before I can be king.

Delia (to Vincent): As if you aren't totally fuckin adoreable without makeup.

Vincent (to Delia): Well, there's always room to improve upon perfection.

Delia (to Vincent): Yeeeeeah. Technically then it wouldn't be perfect. By definition. Bad english major, bad!

Vincent (to Delia): I make exceptions when I define myself as perfect. ;-}

Delia (to Vincent): I see you're using the constitution definition. Like when they use "more perfect union".

Vincent (to Delia): A more perfect Vincent. :-P

Delia (to Vincent): I'm mentally putting a wavy line under that.

Vincent (to Delia): How very Microsoft assistant of you. :-P

Delia (to Vincent): Don't turn me into that damn paperclip. If anything I'm the kitten option.

Vincent (to Delia): Well, meow, Miss Kitty.

Delia (to Vincent): Don't you forget it sir.

A Strange New Day: Day 51

Mouse: Been thinking about some stuff and it's making me contemplate a big change in my life...

Delia (to Mouse): Is that why you were so quiet last night?

Mouse (to Delia): Yeah, I'm thinking about retiring from deejaying... or at least, taking a hiatus.

Delia (to Mouse): Oh wow. Any particular reason?

Mouse (to Delia): Just feeling like I need a change. I mean, I went to college & I apprenticed as a chef, I never really planned on being a DJ, it just sort of happened.

Delia (to Mouse): Yeah. That I can understand. So, are you going to try to get a cooking job, then?

Mouse (to Delia): I don't know. It's still just a thought, I haven't figured it out just yet.

Delia (to Mouse): Here I thought when you said major life change you were considering asking Eep to move in with you. lol

Mouse (to Delia): heehee, he practically does.

Delia (to Mouse): I've pointed out you're one torn out wall away from that AND a bigger bedroom.

Mouse (to Delia): Yeah, yeah. We're ridiculous. :-)

Delia (to Mouse): Yes.. but its actually pretty endearing.

Mouse (to Delia): Well, we're actually trying it out for a little bit.

Delia (to Mouse): Oh yeah? Trial run to make sure you don't drive each other up the wall?

Mouse (to Delia): Yeah, something like that. :-)

An hour later:

Vincent (to Mouse): Hi hun. How's the afternoon treating my first mate?

Mouse (to Vincent): Alright, I suppose. I've been doing some condensing of stuff in my apartment. Anything you interested in having? If it's in a pile for goodwill, you can have it.

Vincent (to Mouse): Really? I don't know. Of what are you looking to rid yourself?

Mouse (to Vincent): Various things - clothes, books, music, knick-knacks. I was just looking around & noticing the clutter.

Vincent (to Mouse): Hun, you've been gone for four months, you've endured... well, some truly horrible things. You've only been back a few days. I'd wager you're still in shock. How about you don't start any major upheavals til you've had a chance to acclimate again?

Mouse (to Vincent): I just need something that I feel in control of & doing this seems to help.

Vincent (to Mouse): If you'd rather straighten up, I understand. I'd just hate for you to get rid of something you might actually want later.

Mouse (to Vincent): Sweetie, you know how I deal with things in normal circumstances, now imagine how I feel now...

Vincent (to Mouse): I know, hun. I know how you feel better than most. I wish there was something I could do to help. Why don't you come spar with me instead? I'm curious to see what kind of fighting Otto taught you.

Mouse (to Vincent): Okay, you're probably right… Sparring sounds good.

Vincent (to Mouse): Excellent! I promise to exhaust you. I don't imagine you got much chance for weapons training, did you?

Mouse (to Vincent): My weapon training mostly consisted of scavenging anything I could find, so only basics... I'm lethal with a broomhandle. :-)

Vincent (to Mouse): Hee hee. Well, never underestimate the power of the found object. I once ended a rather heated debate with the business end of a frying pan.

Mouse (to Vincent): Where can we do it? I don't know if there's enough room in my apartment... unless, we move all the furniture.

Vincent (to Mouse): I have a place. I'm afraid it's a bit bare bones, but it should work just fine. I can pick you up in a few. I've even got a couple of spare rapiers if you want to get a feel for swordplay.

Mouse (to Vincent): That sounds fantastic! See you soon.

Vincent (to Mouse): See you in a tick, sweet sister. In exchange, you can tell me what I should do about Poppy. ;-}

A couple hours later:

Vincent: Note to self: do not taunt your sister about not being able to get in your defenses, because then she will. And she will hit your eye.

Delia (to Vincent): Ha! I thought you'd have learned the perils of taunting your sister by now.

Vincent (to Delia): I suppose some of us are just too thickheaded to learn. Perhaps the shiner will serve as a reminder. :-P

Delia (to Vincent): You'll get sympathy tips. :P

Vincent (to Delia): Good gracious, let's hope. What will I wear? Ooo! I know, I have a bare-knuckles brawler outfit I can wear. Crisis averted!

Delia (to Vincent): See… you can even make up a story to go with it.

Vincent (to Delia): Hee hee. I'll have to see what I can come up with. Any suggestions?

Delia (to Vincent): … A marauding band of trolls? And when they call BS, you can say they were from the internet.

Vincent (to Delia): Ooo. I like it.

Mouse (to Vincent): I'm sorry... You asked for it.

Vincent (to Mouse): Hee hee. I literally DID. Don't worry about it, hun. You only hurt my pride. Well, my pride AND my eye. Honestly, I'm impressed. Next time, just don't hit the moneymaker. ;-}

Mouse (to Vincent): Sweetie, I think your moneymaker is on the other end, as in 'shake your moneymaker'.

Vincent (to Mouse): Oh please. With a face like this. both ends are revenue streams.

Mouse (to Vincent): Heehee, I suppose. I am sorry for the shiner. I didn't really mean to punch you that hard.

Vincent (to Mouse): Hun, I was TRYING to get you to hit harder. You were holding back. Plus, you needed the release. Are you feeling better?

Mouse (to Vincent): Yeah, a little bit... I wouldn't mind going again but I should probably think about getting ready for work.

Vincent (to Mouse): You don't have to work tonight, you know. Why don't you take a break from work for a while to regroup?

Mouse (to Vincent): I know but, Leon is out tonight, because he had surgery today & Ripper is still getting a handle on the crowd. Besides, I don't want to draw too much attention to my weird ass behavior.

Vincent (to Mouse): Awwww, hun. You know I love you, and will stand behind anything you want to do.

Mouse (to Vincent): I'm actually thinking about talking to Sasha tonight about taking a break for a bit.

Vincent (to Mouse): Do what's best for you. But, as someone with experience with all this weirdness, remember, no matter what happened... THIS is your home. It's easy to get lost in that other place. It's easy to lose yourself there too. Having a home is more comforting a thought than it may sound right now. At least, it was for me.

Mouse (to Vincent): Sweetie, it's not this place that's my home, it's you & Eep.

Vincent (to Mouse): Awww. I love you too, sister 'o mine. But, coming back to someplace "normal" always helped me. I'll see you soon, sweetie. I'll drive you to work tonight, if you like.

Mouse (to Vincent): You don't have to do that, sweetie, Eep's been staying with me & we were heading in to work together.

Vincent (to Mouse): Well, well. I can see when I'm not needed. ;-} See you tonight.

A couple hours later:

Eep (to Vincent): What the fuck happened to you?

Vincent (to Eep): Your girlfriend. Watch out for her. :-P

Mouse (to Vincent to Eep): You're really going to milk this for all it's worth, aren't you?

Vincent (to Eep): Hee hee. Of course. Were you expecting anything else? :-P

Mouse (to Vincent): So, who else have you told? Because, I've been getting a mixture of glares & offers of free drinks.

Vincent (to Mouse): So far I've only told Delia and Eep. Look to one of them. I'm not complaining. The sympathy tips are amazing.

Mouse (to Delia & Eep): So, does everyone know I gave Vincent a black eye?

Delia (to Mouse): Don't look at me, I told everyone it was trolls.

Eep (to Mouse): I mentioned it to Ripper, uh, cause he asked. Was I not supposed to?

Mouse (to Eep): No, it's fine. I've just been getting a weird mixture of reactions from people.

Eep (to Mouse): Oh. Huh. Really? That's weird.

Jade (to Vincent): Good gracious! Is that makeup or did someone give you a real shiner?

Vincent (to Jade): Hee hee. No, it's real. Do you want the fun story or the real story?

Jade (to Vincent): I think the real story would spoil the charm for your admirers. So, the fun story? :)

Vincent (to Jade): Ninjas. They don't like us pirates for some unknown reason. :-P

Jade (to Vincent): isn't that sad? It must be because they're jealous of the FABULOUS fashion sense. They should really snazz it up a bit.

Vincent (to Jade): Really. The whole black cat suit look went out in the 70s.

Jade (to Vincent): The only one to pull it off since then was Catwoman, but even then...meh. Sure, it's sleek and sexy, but no statement!

Ripper (to Vincent & Mouse): So, remind me to never get into a fight with either of you. :-)

Vincent (to Ripper): Hee hee. Don't look at me. I'm an utter lamb. Mouse is the violent Potter. ;-} I'm just kidding. We're taking a self-defense class and I got careless.

Ripper (to Vincent): I assumed it was something like that...

Vincent (to Ripper): I could always lie and tell you a more interesting story.

Ripper (to Vincent): Well, if you need someone to hold the cold compress, just let me know. ;-)

Vincent (to Ripper): LOL Thanks for the offer, Professor, but I think I'll survive. :-P