Feylore

Tipsy Rabbit

Arlo does not often come to the bar. But when the situation goes awry and a drink is needed to get through the rest of it, they travel to one of the more hidden spots.
Most of the time, there were people inside trying to cope with Showtime's rituals. Some even use the area for practice.
Today however...it was just him and the bartender. Luckily, those two were friends already.
Arlo Lop Rabbit
He's...difficult. Always trying to rope me into more messes than I can deal with.
Arlo Lop Rabbit
So what, a customer of his didn't like the quality of the package. Said something about how the taping was shoddy.
Arlo Lop Rabbit
Why do I have to be the one doing the talking?
Lately, Arlo and one of the mailmen have been having more heated arguments. So, he would come to the bar more often than he normally would.
For Rigel, who has been a friend of theirs for a while now, this was worrying. Especially because they've been drinking a lot tonight.
Rigel A Bartender
A-Aestus isn't one for confrontations, I-I think...
Rigel A Bartender
Wh-Which really makes me wonder why he always makes you d-do the dirty work.
Arlo Lop Rabbit
I guess...he's just trying to bond with me more?
Rigel A Bartender
Mmm...Maybe?
Arlo Lop Rabbit
But it's such a shitty way to go about it! Can't he deliver me something I actually like?
Arlo Lop Rabbit
Ah, never mind. It's useless trying to reason with him at this point.
Rigel A Bartender
Y-You don't NEED to deal with it, y-you know.
Rigel A Bartender
I-I know you'd rather just run off, and...it...it means a lot, having you as a regular.
Rigel A Bartender
B-But why wait until it blows over?
Arlo slumps onto the counter, sighing heavily. They really don't want to deal with the mere idea of just leaving. Properly leaving meant having to face the issue. And right now, he'd rather wait until the mailman is back on his feet.
He can't admit this. Was it cowardice? Or perhaps, he had no right to be vulnerable.
Arlo Lop Rabbit
...Another drink, please.
Rigel A Bartender
Y-You've had enough for the night.
Arlo Lop Rabbit
Come on. What's one more, yeah?
Rigel A Bartender
No way. Y-You're already up later than you should...be.
Arlo Lop Rabbit
Pfft. Not like anyone's worried.
Rigel A Bartender
There is...literally...never mind. L-Let me just pick you up.
Rigel hurriedly uses his hands to clean and pack up, grabbing everything needed like his keys and the drunken friend of his that was now on the floor.
Pulling Arlo up, he walks them towards the outside. The night was quite dark.
Rigel A Bartender
W-Where do you even live?
Arlo Lop Rabbit
Nooo...I don't want to go home yet.
Rigel A Bartender
Nnn...Not what I asked.
Aestus Cautious Snail
Arlo!
And sure enough, Aestus was running towards the two of them. Though his expression was a neutral smile, his eyes speak of worry for Arlo and something darker towards the stranger.
He reaches out to grab the other, but Rigel stops him. Aestus raises his hands.
Aestus Cautious Snail
....
Aestus Cautious Snail
My apologies. Who are you?
Rigel A Bartender
A friend.
Aestus Cautious Snail
How strange! He never told me he had friends.
Aestus Cautious Snail
Now, Arlo. What did I tell you about running off like that...?
Arlo Lop Rabbit
Don't.
Aestus Cautious Snail
Exactly. Now, shall we go home?
Arlo Lop Rabbit
No, I mean...don't. Don't do this.
Arlo Lop Rabbit
I'm not sober enough to deal with you yet.
Aestus Cautious Snail
Ah! That is alright, I can wait until you—
Arlo Lob Rabbit
No. I want to stay here.
Aestus blinks at that, confused. A little afraid for them, but more confused.
His body begins to melt slightly, not wanting to deal with such stress.
Aestus Cautious Snail
Arlo...it's late. You know that.
Aestus Cautious Snail
Unless you want to stay over with your..."friend"?
Arlo Lop Rabbit
....
Arlo Lop Rabbit
Are you okay with that.
Aestus Cautious Snail
Well...
Arlo Lop Rabbit
Not you.
Rigel A Bartender
Y-Yes, it's alright. I have a sleeping bag.
Rigel A Bartender
...Give him some time.
The mailman smiles...and gives Arlo a nod.
Unable to take it, he hides his hands behind his back. It was clear he wasn't in the mood either.
Aestus Cautious Snail
I suppose he can stay with you for a day.
Aestus Cautious Snail
But I'll be picking him up tomorrow.
Arlo Lop Rabbit
Eugh.
Arlo Lop Rabbit
Fine. Okay.
Aestus Cautious Snail
Great! See you then. It was a pleasure.
His body melts, and travels away from them. For Rigel, he can't help but wonder how snails can do something like that. But for Arlo, it was a bad sign.
Arlo lets out a deep sigh. They're sobering up already.
Rigel A Bartender
A-Are you alright?
Arlo Lop Rabbit
...Let's just go. I don't wanna talk about it right now.
There wasn't much of a choice but to proceed. The two of them remained relatively quiet for the rest of the night, only talking a bit with reason.
They can only deal with so much pent up feelings. Love, affection, a massive headache.
For once, Alro dreaded going back home.