(no subject)

[golden_lyre]

The costume Orpheus is gifted with when he comes into the bar tonight is quite simple compared to previous years. Perhaps that is in deference to the conversation he just had.

Whatever the reason, he is grateful, both for the simplicity and for the disguise, such as it is.

Making his way to a booth in the corner, he slides into it, guitar settled across his lap. A passing rat is accosted for a bowl of heady, honeyed wine, and then he places his fingers on the strings of his guitar and...


plays nothing.

There is nothing to play for this.

Comments

[katyafeline]

She has gone with the Bar's suggestion of Sambuca, and has been left costume-free (perhaps because of a very long discussion and debate over the relative benefits of allowing the battle mage who very much doesn't care about this place's rules and who does enjoy a good drink remain unmolested and pleased with the bar). She's on her way back to her place by the fire, when she catches sight of his mask.

That is a gorgeous mask. (She's partial to silver) She'd put up with a costume for that.

Don't tell Bar.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus is not really in the mood to notice random strangers in the bar. His hands stay still on his guitar, and behind the mask, his eyes focus on nothing in particular.

[katyafeline]

"Izvi`nite," Despite being years away, Moscow is still thoroughly entrenched in her accent. "Do you know what Bar has dressed you as? In case she goes back on our deal."

No matter what Skellig or Bear might believe, she can actually do polite, and she does it quite well!

[golden_lyre]

It takes Orpheus a moment to answer. He's not exactly up for small talk.

"No idea."

[katyafeline]

She shrugs slightly - she'll just have to get ruthless with her bargaining.

"Pratsee mene, my apologies." She bobs her head and moves off, because the fire is calling.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

Steve, looking exhausted and a bit freaked out, scans the bar for familiar faces.

...okay, a particular familiar face. And the funny part is, despite the gorgeous mask, he knows him when he sees him.


Steve drops into the booth's seat at Orpheus's side and starts unbuckling his helmet. "You are not going to believe the story I have.

"Hi, honey," he adds after a moment.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus blinks a moment at Steve before answering him.

"Hi," he says eventually, his voice a little hollow, a little raw.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

...Steve's story can wait.

He sits up straighter and pushes his cowl back from his face. "Orpheus? What's happened?"

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus frowns a little. He's not sure he can say. Not yet, and definitely not to Steve.

After a moment, he shakes his head.

"Tell me your story?"

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"We caught the thing in the woods and Bucky was trapped in chocolate," Steve says. "He'll be okay, though.

"Your turn."

[golden_lyre]

"He was trapped in chocolate?" Orpheus says, choosing to ignore that last bit.

He brings a hand up to touch Steve's shoulder tentatively, like he's worried it won't actually be solid under his fingers.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

It's as solid as always, broad and strong.

"Like someone thought he'd make a great dessert."

[golden_lyre]

"Sounds like an interesting night," Orpheus says as his fingers curl around Steve's shoulder, squeezing gently.

[thekidfrombrooklyn]

"But the woods should be back to normal. Everything should be back to normal."

He studies Orpheus's face, then shifts so he can hold Orpheus to him, arms around his chest. "It's been a weird month."

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus very carefully lays his guitar on the table before slowly settling against Steve.

"Yes, it has."

[iamso_awesome]

Apollo's welcome to the other side of the booth, right?
Well, he's sitting down anyway. "Hey, you."

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus' reaction is a bit delayed.

"Hey," he says eventually, quietly.

[iamso_awesome]

"Need to talk, or just want to sit?"
Never let it be said that Apollo osn't occasionally in tune with others' emotions. (Though really, the fact that Orpheus isn't playing anything is something of a tip-off.)

[golden_lyre]

"I don't know yet," Orpheus says carefully.

[iamso_awesome]

"Take your time. It's gotta be big if there's no music for it."
Stands to reason.

[golden_lyre]

Orpheus nods, frowning. It's comforting, at least, that Apollo knows that much, knows him that well.

"It was...unexpected."

[iamso_awesome]

...Well. That gives Apollo something of an idea. (It probably wouldn't do for much of anyone else, but there's something to be said for knowing one's people.)
"This place likes to do unexpected."

[golden_lyre]

"I've noticed," Orpheus says, and his fingers move of their own accord, strumming a quiet chord that sounds like...


Home.

[iamso_awesome]

And that clinches it.
"How is she?"

[golden_lyre]

He laughs dryly. "She seemed well."