interstellar5555 | "La vita va avanti."

[ Long story short, he'd beat up a Carnie. No regrets. ]

[ He'll watch the other get in the bath, pretty closely, almost with a bit of a leer - but it'll be gone as soon as they're both submerged in the water. He just might casually put his feet up on Koumei's legs if it's a comfortable reach. Then he'll pour another drink and push it toward him. ]

Let's start with the less fun part, then. Tell me about the parties. Have you noticed anything... new?

New? No.

[Koumei sprawled out in the bath, enjoying the sense of closeness with another human being on terms that had no restrictions. It was....comfortable.]

By that, I mean nothing strange happened at all. They were just ordinary parties, with the usual silliness. No violence, no attacks.

Hmm. I was sure she'd attempt to strike back, but perhaps that was too soon.

[ The "she" in question is obviously Lesedi, but he'd rather not mention her name under her own roof. It should be obvious anyway. ]

Also... I understand these were organized by musicians themselves?

Who knows? She still might.

[Because he didn't put anything passed Santiago anymore.]

But you're right-- the last one was put together by some bright minds from Pride and Virgo. No incident.

Oh, I'm actually sure she will. But it's reasonable to give us some time to feel... safe. It's easier that way.

[ He makes a thoughtful sound and drinks from his glass. ]

Suppose I should save my suspicions for label-organized events from now on.

Yeah, because that's where she might get her revenge...

[He trailed off, and let out a frustrated little noise at the thought of another inter-label party.]

My primary contact on Virgo's side was kicked recently. You have no idea how...how mad I am about it.

[Slipping deeper into the warm water, Koumei submerged himself until only his eyes and nose were above the water. It was a childish reaction, but his connection with Yan had hit a visceral level that he couldn't yet define. There were times when it felt like he was close...but, now he never would know.]

I'd think she could do it anyway, but perhaps it's cumbersome without their own people in the right places.

[ He'll nudge the free drink closer toward Mei encouragingly, but if he still doesn't take it, he'll leave it at that. ]

...I can imagine. [ Pause. He quickly goes through the implications of this. Someone assertive enough for Koumei to decide to join forces with. Someone willing to cooperate across labels. Someone who was "fired", though at this point Squalo wondered if it didn't involve a firing squad. ] Do you think they caught on?

[ That might mean you're in danger too, moppy friend. ]

[Koumei took that drink now, surfacing just enough so he could sip at the sharp, biting liquid and still enjoy the warmth of the bath.]

I don't doubt it. This wouldn't be the first time for him, either-- although he's not gotten into nearly the problems that Xan has.

....We may have been related. The traditional characters in his family name are an alternate reading of mine, and we both have natural hair like this...although he also wanted a stupid little goatee, and he didn't have his hair nearly this long.

And yet he's still here. I'm beginning to think it's not the amount but the kind of problems one causes that matters.

[ A long pause. He's just going to finish his glass, pour himself a new one, and let it stay on the edge of the bath for a bit while he sinks deeper into the bath, enjoying the comforting mixture of heat and light buzz. ]

[ He keeps his eyes closed when he talks again. ]

Not impossible. I believe there's a few people who feel like they know someone else from... another time, or life, or whatever it's supposed to be. I've overheard something between... Garnet and that kid. Tiger? And then there's me as well.

[ His expression grows darker and he starts drinking again. ]

[The sentiment deserves a long pull from his drink to punctuate it-- and it burned all the way down as Koumei regarded Squalo with darkened, worried eyes.]

I've been trying not to butt into Garnet's affairs, but she's been having more than her share of problems in all this. I don't want to see her hurt...

[Except she already was-- and he couldn't see the full extent of it.]

What's your deal?

Hn. I don't think our wishes mean much around here. If they forget how to be smart, we can't do shit for them. Just try to cover your own ass, yeah?

[ He chuckles at that expression, probably because they're both buck-naked right now. ]

Figuratively speaking.

[ Taking a few more sips, his expression going serious again. ]

I know Xanxus.

Oh, do you? It's kind of hard not to around here.

[The commentary was light, except he knew that Squalo meant a 'knowing' of a different sort was intended here.]

...My contact in Virgo. I think I 'knew' him too.

You know what I mean.

[ He actually sounds annoyed. Guess it's a touchy subject. ]

[ He'll let it go, though, and nod. ]

Yeah, I figured. Most relatives know each other, if that's indeed the case. [ a pause. ] Sorry for your loss, I guess.

[A solemn nod is his only reply.]

If I'm supposedly military, then so is he; we're both prepared for what fate may bring....although I suspect his is going to be especially cruel.

But thank you for the sympathy. It's appreciated.

[ ...considering Koumei seemed to think his own fate would end up in being paraded around the streets dead by the enemy, the "especially cruel" part piques his interest. ]

Were you... tipped off about him, too?

It's only rationality, [Koumei said, glancing up at Squalo from his position in their shared tub.] Everyone knows that history is told by those who win battles. Those who lose are often painted in ways that conseal their true intents.

...Besides. That world is less than pleasant. I've seen things that would give nightmares to some of the children here, and I can't begin to imagine what else has yet to be uncovered.

[ He nods. ]

Those who win, or those who survive. They usually coincide.

[ He's not entirely convinced about the second part. ]

Some of the children here would get nightmares from fucking unicorns. That's not exactly a good measurement. [ He shakes his head. ] I think I know what you mean, though. [ A pause. ] Do you prefer this kind of life?

[He shrugged. That was...a hard question to answer.]

Do you? This life is....relatively peaceful, but there are more unknowns.

And it's more quiet.

[ He frowns, focusing on something to the side. A spot on the farthest wall, probably. ]

I think I do. I'm alive, I'm famous, I'm adored, I get to create and make a difference... and nobody's routinely giving me cranial trauma.

[ Ah yeah, that. ]

.....Probably for being 'lazy' and sleeping on the job, right?

[It was a viceral flash of a memory-- someone sharply whacking him upside the head and yelling at him to Wake up!. They couldn't afford to let anyone see their petty squabbles anymore!]

[ He frowns, as if considering it for a moment. ]

...no. I think I was pretty damn good at my job. Whatever it was.

....I know I was good at mine, [he said quietly, recalling that flash of that strange kid yelling at him to take better care of 'his country.' Whatever that meant.]

I just feel like it was exhausting, but there was a certainty to it. Like I could see an outcome....whatever it was.

[ Maybe he was a (gasp) prince or something. :0 ]

Hmm.

[ Sounds like a brainy kind of job. Squalo has a vague impression that he enjoyed his job, but he's pretty sure it's nowhere near the levels he enjoys making music, so whatever. His expression lightens up a bit and he smirks again, canting his head slightly to the side and motioning the other man over with one hand. ]

Come here.

[Brainy? Perhaps-- Koumei was quite intelligent underneath that wild mop of hair that he hid himself underneath, and he was the sort who liked to keep his mind occupied regardless of what was going on. But he was also tired lately. Sleep had been evading him worse than usual because of a sense of worry that came from a place he couldn't quite define.

Getting it off his chest to someone who wouldn't judge him was nice. He trusted his band, but he didn't want to show weakness in front of them either.

Returning Squalo's grin with a tired smile of his own, Koumei shifted to the other side of the tub and settled in next to Squalo.]

...You really are quite nice to look at, [he said, idly running a hand up Squalo's chest as he spoke.] And touch.

Thanks for listening. That's been bugging me for a while.

[ He looks like the kind of person who would enjoy chess, or go, or that kind of games, actually. Maybe they should play sometime. Well, Squalo will probably string out and flip a table within a few turns, but still. ]

[ Clearly he needs something to help him sleep, then. :0 ]

I know. [ Handled like a true gentleman. He looks very pleased at the touch. ] So are you, you know.

[ He makes a vague "hn" sound which probably means some kind of "you're welcome", and gently brushes his fingers along the side of Koumei's neck before his hand rests on the back of the other's head, his grin growing wider. ]

Take a dip.

[ Well that took an unexpected turn. ]

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