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[mrsklover]

[The message starts off with nothing but darkness for a few long seconds. It's quiet and still until, finally, a groan comes through. Another one follows behind it and the video shifts to show it apparently just pressed into the dirt.]

Fuck...

[The video turns again, whipping around as the person holding the comm seems to drop it a few times before finally righting it, camera facing the wrong way.]

How does...fucking... Shit...

[It falls again but then is lifted back up, turned around, and at long last the owner is shown: Richie Tozier squints at the device almost like he's in pain. Which...yeah. Sort of.]

Uh... Hey everyone... [He scratches his head.] You ever get the feeling like you missed something? Or a few somethings?

Comments

[mrsklover]

[ Richie is really pissed that he missed that. Sounds like it was a riot. ]

Okay, you have to tell me what you mean by 'differently'. Were there fights in the streets? Did people act like animals? Did I miss the orgy?

[plate_builder]

There was some aggression. Far too much honesty. And it never got quite to an orgy.

[Don't mind his blushing.]

[mrsklover]

[ Richie notices the wording and the blush and grins at Reeve. ]

Never got quite to an orgy? Uh huh. How close did it get, huh? Forget about catching me up, I need to hear about all this. Especially how it relates to you, pal.

[plate_builder]

[Reeve rolls his eyes and shakes his head. No, he doesn't want to think about that.]

It's not important. The Agrii did another winter celebration of course. That New Year sort of thing.

[mrsklover]

[ Richie is going to let it go but just for the moment and just because he thinks Reeve needs something to drink before he gets the full story. ]

What was the winter celebration? Was there any...I don't know...battles? Or other stuff?

[plate_builder]

You weren't here last New Tick I suppose. Oh dear. I suppose I need to explain all of that. And yes, there were of course struggles. Tony and probably some others blew something up too.

[mrsklover]

[ Richie blinks, stunned by how casually that is said. ]

Tony? Tony...blew something up?

[ He narrows his eyes. ] You're sure Jon wasn't involved in that? I can imagine Jon being the reason that happened...

[plate_builder]

You think Jon would be more likely to blow something up than Tony? I would think your mind went to Cayde. But there was a palace in Sh'Ka and now there is not and there are parts decidedly from there in the forge.

[So he's done that math. He of course didn't know Jon had been there but he stood by his point.]

[mrsklover]

I need to blame Jon. It's sort of required at this point in our blood feud.

So. Wait. They just fucking exploded a building and got away with it? I thought we were supposed to be all protecting the city and rebuilding the whole place. They didn't get like smote? Not even a frowny Agrii face?

[plate_builder]

Blood feud? I am not certain it is very wise to have one with Jon.

[Reeve definitely didn't know if they got punished or not, but he assumed not.]

I don't think the Agrii care about Sh'Ka.

[mrsklover]

I didn't... you know, not literally...

[Honestly, hating on Jon was more of a habit at this point than something he was serious about anymore. He knew Jon could probably vaporize his ass with one of his hundred eyeballs. ]

Whatever. It's fine.

And man. If they don't care about Sh'ka, I know where to put the strip clubs and opium dens.

[plate_builder]

[Reeve has to laugh at that. Really, Richie? Really?]

And where are you going to get people to strip? Other than Tony?

[mrsklover]

I am actually interested that your first worry wasn't about the opium and where I would get that, but the strippers.

[ Richie grins and nudges Reeve. ] Secret horndog. I knew we were friends for a reason.

[plate_builder]

You'd get it from the replicator, if you knew how to get it to provide it.

[See, he already knows what the answer is. Though he laughs at Richie's point there.]

I don't tend to do strip clubs, Richie.

[mrsklover]

I'm sure you didn't tend to do orgies either before whatever awesome shit I missed out on.

[ He nudges Reeve again and smirks. ]

Who do you think we can bribe to do it, huh? Gotta be some people.

[plate_builder]

I didn't do orgies then either.

[Reeve has to laugh and shake his head.]

Try that Gladio guy. He's often wandering around shirtless. His boyfriend may even thank you.

[mrsklover]

Uh huh. Sure. I totally believe you, Reeve.

[ He winks, just in case the sarcasm wasn't clear enough. ]

Gladio would be amazing. That body? Holy shi- [ Richie's head pops up, eyes wide. ] Wait. Boyfriend? Gladio's boyfriend?! Holy shit! Who is it? Tell me it's Noctis, holy fuck.

[plate_builder]

I've seen men built like him at bachelor parties. It would be quite good.

[Reeve looks interested in Richie's, well, investment. He raises an eyebrow.]

They're living together now, him and Noctis.

[mrsklover]

[ Richie punches the air. ]

OH MY GOD! YES! This is fucking amazing! Last time I talked to him, he was still too fucking scared and noble to say anything! I need to get them a housewarming gift.

[plate_builder]

[Really? Reeve watches the man with shock and amusement. How interesting.]

They moved a long time ago, but you're welcome to I imagine. Still, the man seems doting. Enough to leave men like us envious.

[mrsklover]

[Richie shrugs easily.]

Eh. I am a 40 year old comedian with a dad-bod around men like Gladio and superheroes. I got a small amount of time with Eddie awhile ago. I'm just sort of content with the fact that's all I am gonna get.

[ He's not really strong or handsome or mysterious. He's just him, unapologetically, after all the years of pretending otherwise. ]

I'm just glad other people are happy. It's nice, having love in shit like this. I'm really happy for them both.

[plate_builder]

Said as if I am much different from you. I'm not even funny. I just build things.

[But he remembers Poe, and his own expression is... distantly sad.]

We can miss the people who cared fo us together I suppose.

[mrsklover]

[Richie looks over at Reeve and snorts a little laugh, not unkindly.]

Reeve, you are not in any universe unattractive. And you're funny, man. Not in a typical sense, but you make me laugh. And you do things for us, here. Contribute. Don't sell yourself short.

[Still, he leans over and nudges his shoulder.]

But yeah. We can remember our lost loves together. [ He raises his glass up and toward Reeve. ] To Poe.

[plate_builder]

[Reeve shakes his head.]

You're attractive enough yourself, Richie. Though I argue I'm not funny.

[Mini comes over and puts the coffees on the table. Reeve pats his head and lets the construct go off.]

You sell yourself short too.

[mrsklover]

Thinning hair is all the rage in France this year, I heard.

[He smiles though, conceding more to just make sure this doesn't become some sort of compliment fight.]

Thanks, though. I appreciate it, Reeve. If a miracle happens and someone comes by that either of us fall for, we can be each other's wingmen.