milliways_bar | (no subject)

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Xaldin is sitting in the bar with a sign. Xigbar wrote the sign and it reflects his taste in speech. However the sentiment is correct.

Wanted: One professional shrink who's okay with magic and shit.'

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"No problem."

Leaning against the counter, Bill hooks a thumb into the front pocket of his jeans.

"Ain't run into you or your friend in a long time, how y'been?"

"We have hearts again." he says with a true smile on his face "We haven't been around much because of duties to our Lessers."

Most of that night he spent with the Nobodies is pretty fuzzy, thanks to the Atlantean, but Bill vaguely remembers parts of their conversation.

Obviously having a heart is good, and Xaldin's smile confirms it.

"That's great. I ain't been around a whole lot myself. Been a lot of things goin' on."

It really is.

"I think it has been five months or more. I know it was long before I got ill."

"You were sick?"

Bill settles onto a stool and Bar provides him with a glass of beer.

"I always am for two weeks out of the year. It stretches over Christmas. It's how my species got ill."

"Oh, I thought you meant that flu that's been goin' around. But you're sayin' y'always get sick at the same time of year?"

He takes a drink, head tilted a bit.

"I don't catch the flu. My species got sick once a year. All of us at the same time."

"Damn, that sucks. I mean, it's lucky y'can't catch the flu, from what I've heard it's pretty bad, an' weird, but everyone gettin' sick at once... "

He shakes his head, trying to wrap his mind around it.

"How come? Or do y'know?"

He closes his magnificent blue eyes and says "I would prefer not to talk about it. I am the last of my species and it hurts to think about it."

Bill's eyes widen and he backpedals, even drawing back on his seat a bit.

"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't-- I'm sorry."

Fiddling with his glass he inwardly berates himself for his talent for sticking his foot in his mouth.

"You didn't realize." Xaldin agrees softly "And I do not fault you for not knowing. Xigbar and I are each the last of our species."

"God, that's... I'm sorry."

He has no idea what else to say. He's been through a lot, but couldn't imagine something like that.

"You said you been busy doin' somethin'?"

He's hoping this is a safer course for conversation.

"It was our fault." he won't try to pretend otherwise "Accidentally but still our fault. Yes, we've been attempting to get hearts for our Lessers."

"Oh? How'd you get yours?"

He takes a drink and is just thinking about asking for something to snack on when Bar provides a plate of Oreos.

"A lady named Rachel gave them to me and Xigbar." his voice is grave. She died near the same time. "That is not available any more - nor would we be pleased if the side-effects were spread out between more than us."

"So what're you doin' now?"

"Searching for another way. Having obscene amounts of sex with each other. Talking about adoption."

Bill chokes on a cookie.

Roughly swallowing some beer, he gets it down and is able to breath again. Bringing his hand up to wipe his mouth, and smother embarrassment, he nods.

"That uh, ain't a bad way t'spend your time."

There's a hint of smile around the corners of his eyes. "We spent ten years not being able to stand touching each other."

"Geez."

His face is warm, and he's not exactly looking at Xaldin when he comments, "Can't say I blame y'then."

Xaldin nods and smiles again.

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