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[If the mist hadn't evaporated from Archie's feelings, they would have from Nanu's. His side of the bench is uncomfortably warm, as if heating up. Yet at the same time, small puddles subtly form on the ground within a few feet of him; from the bottom-up, as if it were raining. The water is cloudy and muggy, much like how he feels about the entire situation.]

[Any immediate response is silenced when he hears Archie tell another part of his own story. He doesn't interrupt, only nods when asked about seeing the event in the news. (In truth, he'd known via his job, because it had been near the same time as Team Rocket's nonsense. It kind of clues him in to the time difference between them.) But he doesn't seem surprised by what the initial plan was supposed to be, even scoffing and shaking his head when Archie glances over.]

Well, we wouldn't have had to clean it up.

[That's...well, his particular brand of dark humor, except with all of the humor sucked out of it. And as Archie continues, Nanu can put two and two together, reminding him of why he started associating with the pirate in the first place. Leaders of these teams that crop up far too often never feel remorse for what they've done or tried to do. Archie's clearly wracked with guilt every hour of every day, and if it weren't so insulting to say it out loud, Nanu would call it refreshing.]

It's easier when you're at the top, making the decisions that trickle down while you sit behind a desk and read reconnaissance reports. ["You" being figurative here, of course, and not a jab at Archie.] If you ask me? My higher-ups wouldn't have given two shits even if they were there in person. And believe me, I gave them hell. It's all numbers and opportunities to them. I'd sooner have them in her place instead.

No love lost for 'em, eh? That thing would've done the world a favour to take them instead.

[he scrunches his eyes shut for a moment, staring down at the concrete in front of him, clenching is fists and digging his nails into his palms. he did the same, didn't he? not intentionally, but he did it to may. her going into the cave of origin then never coming back out is certainly a nightmare scenario that hangs in his mind a lot, especially when his emotional effects get bad enough to almost replicate the atmosphere outside the cave.]

I'm... sorry. For what it's worth. [man being empathetic sucks. he feels like shit.] Thanks for telling me. I guess it was hard, huh?

[Nanu sighs, the anger and heat ebbing away and leaving grief and regret in their wake. He can't tell what atmosphere effects are coming from him or Archie, but he supposes it doesn't matter. They've both confessed some heavy shit tonight, and his money's on the insomnia that brought them together in the first place sticking around for a long while more.]

Figured if you coughed up your problems, it was only polite to reciprocate.

[It's about as much of a thank you as Archie will get. His tone is a little softer, however much that can be, considering; he does appreciate it. But wait, there's more! If you've ordered Nanu's Backstory in the past ten minutes or less, you also get a free bonus!]

And, wouldn't you know it... it came back. Was about to confront it right before I was whisked away to this world. [Absol lets out another huff, before jumping up onto the bench inbetween them and plopping himself down without a care of whether or not he's happened to lay on parts of them. He acts aloof, but knows both men need some sort of comfort right now. The mist has gotten thicker.] And considering how long and hard you've been dwelling like this, I had an inkling that you were dumped here pretty close to your own source of self-disgust, too. Am I right?

Oh.

[that's... not good? the cold mist descends again. is nanu going to die? he hates that idea, even if nanu might not care. maybe he's just accepted it. he digs his nails into his palms again -- they're blunt, it doesn't hurt -- and exhales. crobat looks over at him with concern.]

It was... a couple weeks ago. Yeah. I mean-- half a year with the time here, but I can't count that.

[he doesn't care about that, though. he looks over at nanu with concern.]

Are you... gonna be okay?

[Nanu just nods, his assessment apparently correct. Being dropped here on the cusp of some serious emotional bullshit like this is so much worse. Knowing he might go back home just to get eaten kind of isn't a great thought? He plays off his own garbage as no big deal, but it's hard to hide it between them right now. So he doesn't even try.]

[Absol leans his head—the non-scythe part—on Nanu's leg. Then he stretches out one of his back legs, gently kicking Archie's fists. Very entirely super accidentally, of course.]

Here, or if I get coughed up back home? [another...bad joke that doesn't really work...] 'M fine. Anabel's the only other one here who knows. Whatever happens, happens.

[The look he gives Archie doesn't exactly inspire confidence in that claim, though. But he knows that, and he knows Archie knows that. What else can he do?]

Are you?

[he nods, understanding. kind of sucks to know that, but there's literally nothing he can do in the meantime. none of them will know until nanu goes back and... as he says, whatever happens happens.]

No, [he says flatly.] After shit like that, you just-- don't get okay.

No. But it can get better.

[The fact that this is Nanu saying so, completely seriously and with genuine care toward Archie might make it seem like he's been replaced by a pod person. But, no. He means it.]

Hey. If a wretch like me can get back to basic functionality, I think your chances are good.

[Okay, that one was a joke...but still for Archie's benefit.]

[the joke works-- he can't help but smile a little.]

Yeah. Guess so. I'll just have to reflect on it a bit more when its not... ah... [he frowns, then glances over at the big town hall clock in view.] Hey!

[he grins at nanu.]

Sixty-nine hours! Nice! [anyway:] Uh-- thanks, though. I think some cafés are gonna be opening for the day soon if you wanna hit 'em up.

[archie this was so close to being a nice sentimental evening]

[nanu pinches the bridge of his nose and goes quiet for like a solid minute and a half]

...Yeah, alright. But you're paying.

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