[Video]

[sleight_of_hand]

So, uh... that blackout was somethin', hunh?

[ Adachi's been busy, between parsing together what he pulled out of the investigation, to just recovering after all that time running on bare minimum sleep, so his response to it all is late in coming. Even now, he still looks like the dark circles under his eyes are permanent fixtures, and he paused a moment to rub at his eyes, as if it would help. ]

I've been thinking about it for the past few days, and I realize I'm pretty rusty with my judo. I uh...

[ He hesitated, making a face that was more directed at himself. It didn't matter what he did or who he talked to: asking for things like this and forcing himself to be a social human being was hard. ]

I-I could use someone to practice with. Get back into shape, you know?

[ Adachi sunk back a little reaching to rub at the back of his neck. ]

Also, it's my birthday today. I could use a drinking buddy for later; I don't want to spend turning thirty by myself.

Comments

txt.

[raw]

[ That last line is excruciatingly pathetic, which Elliot judges and identifies with all at once. ]

I'll buy you a drink, if no-one else offers. But someone you already know probably will.

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Hey, it was better than the drunken ranting he did last year. ]

Hey, it's company. I won't say no to it.

[raw]

Yeah. I'm not a lot of fun, that's all. But I need to practice meeting up IRL.

[ Drinks are normal, right? He can be normal!! ]

Where do you drink?

[sleight_of_hand]

Anti-social? I can relate.

I have a few bars I like in the porter cities. Where you at?

[raw]

I live in De Chima. There's a bar and grill I've been to, once. During the blackout.

[ And that's the extent of his local knowledge. ]

video

[monge]

Happy birthday, zuraa~!

[Wow, the big three O. Adachi is growing up so fast.]

[sleight_of_hand]

Heh, thanks, Komasan.

[ Physically, yes. Mentally... ]

[monge]

[It's okay Adachi, one day you will be as old and mature as Komasan.]

So... Are you gonna invite a bunch of friends over to play with you, zura?

[sleight_of_hand]

[ Seriously, Komasan, how do you function on your own? You are way too damn innocent to be real. ]

Uh, not really. Probably going to go out.

[monge]

Ah, so you're going to them, zura. That's good too, that sounds like a lot of fun, zuraa~

[Maybe Adachi and all his friends are going to go play at a park or something. Or go see a movie! Oh...or fancy dinners... The possibilities are endless.]

I hope you get a lot of presents, zura!

[darwinatrix]

Looking for someone to kick your ass?

[sleight_of_hand]

Gh...!

[ Adachi held the communicator away from him the moment that familiar face popped up on the screen. ]

It's called practice, and you'd be the last person I'd ask.

[ He was pretty sure the RISE investigation was enough for it to be less practice and more him suddenly waking up in a hospital. ]

[darwinatrix]

Shame. I was almost going to offer.

[sleight_of_hand]

Look, as much as I would love the chance to get my hands on a woman, you will probably literally flatten me into the ground.

[darwinatrix]

Probably. Scared?

[fourlevels]

[ Viktor spares him this time from any Ooey Gooey Love Grossness by being on the video by himself today. There doesn't seem to be any hard feelings about their previous call either with the smile and sentiment Viktor greets him with. ]

Ah, many happy returns to you! I don't know anything about judo, but I do know athletic training programs that anyone can use. I also know a lot about drinking if you really want someone to go with!

[sleight_of_hand]

[ ...well, at least he was a goodnatured kinda guy. ]

Oh right, you're a skater too? Something to get in shape is a good first start.

[ Nevermind that he'll probably whine and complain the whole time. ]

I'm not sure bragging about knowing a lot about drinking is a good thing though... it's not exactly a science...

[fourlevels]

Mmm! Ice skaters have to stay in shape like any other athlete. I can forward some basic programs if you want them.

[ He laughs at the next part though. ] But you're talking to a Russian, my friend. We take drinking very seriously.

[sleight_of_hand]

Yeah, I bet. I mean you're flying around on freaking knife shoes. That's gotta take some intense training.

[ Adachi let out a snort. ]

Okay, okay, fine; I'll give you that. Let's see if you being Russian is enough to get me under the table.

[fourlevels]

[ Viktor laughs. ] You call them that too? I'll have to tell Yurio.

Ah, is that a challenge? I think you might come to regret that.

[fourlevels]

[ TIMESKIPPING to whenever Adachi and Viktor are done drinking and he staggers home back to Heropa #17. Prsumably at some ungodly hour of the night/morning.

... Only Viktor doesn't actually make it inside because he can't figure out how to unlock the door. He ends up thumping and cursing softly against the door. ]

[nextlevel]

[ It's a good thing Yuuri waited up for him. He'd considered going to bed, wondered if this might be too controlling ... but he's a little worried, okay. He doesn't want Viktor to get hurt out there.

Or ... at their front door, for that matter. He goes to open it carefully. ]

Viktor?

[fourlevels]

Yuuuuuuriiiiii, please let me—

[ When Yuuri opens the front door, Viktor spills across the doorframe onto the floor. He must have been leaning on it heavily. As it is, he just laughs once he realizes he fell over; the bright flush to his cheeks is a sure sign of how drunk he is. ]

—in! Hahaha ...

about two hours after his post

[redigere]

Happy birthday!

I know it's not Halloween anymore but...here!

[And she attaches an image of the two of them in their Halloween costumes from their first meeting, sitting on a huge pile of cupcakes.]

It's not that much but I hope you like it.

[sleight_of_hand]

[ ...that is so pure and precious. Adachi let out a little squeak at that despite himself. ]

...I do. Thanks, Nami-chan.