MR   Oy. Jellyfreak.

MR   Want some?

A bottle, as well as a smug grin, is thrust in your direction. You give it a cursory glance.

CO   hm. thats not healthy.

MR   Ah, piss off.

MR   When have you been the arbiter of health, doc?

MR   And I mean your own. Not whoever's guts you dig around.

You hold your tongue. This appears to be a rhetorical question.

MR   Bwa ha ha!

MR   Seems like they know when to keep their trap shut.

MR   Or are you itchin' for a drop, too?

CO   i find inebriation to be best enjoyed by observation.

CO   not through experience.

MR   The fuck's that s'posed to mean?

MR   You just like takin' a gander at whoever's knackered, is that it?

MR   Where's the fun in that?

CO   hm hm. you would be surprised.

MR   Come off it.

MR   Here. I'm offerin' it to you, for Christ's sake.

MR   It's camaraderie or whatever.

CO   ...

MR   C'mon. I bet you’ve been ‘round some strong shit, too.

MR   Too scared to take a swig?

You look down the rest of the hallway. Finally, you take the bottle and side down beside them.

CO   no. im not afraid.

You try to temper your consumption with small, manageable sips. Luckily, the maroon one either doesn't mind or doesn't notice, as they're busy talking. They wouldn't normally engage you so eagerly, but you suppose that inebriation has lowered their defenses. Perhaps it made you appear more amenable in their eyes, as well.

MR   The fuck were you doin' out this late, anywho?

MR   Gonna go gut a fish for breakfast or somethin'?

CO   hm hm.

CO   no, that isnt it.

CO   but i could ask you the same.

CO   is it not wiser to localize this within your dormitory?

CO   for your convenience, and for others.

MR   Fuck the others.

MR   I'm just shootin' the shit. If trouble finds me, let it.

MR   'Sides, we're off the grid, here.

MR   No cameras. No bloody producers.

MR   Everythin's peachy at the dead of night.

MR   Bweugh.

MR   I guess I didn't account for freaky science blokes doin' their midnight rendezvous.

MR   Which you haven't given a right answer for, by the by.

CO   perhaps it was to come across a sight such as yourself.

CO   and you dont seem to mind.

MR   Shut up, plonker. Just feels right to drink with company.

MR   Like I'm back in a bar. Away from any Program.

They seem to enjoy themselves as well. Perhaps it's the alcohol speaking, but you feel in good spirits, having this back-and-forth with them. It's almost effortless. You feel the night slip through your fingers.

MR   Y’know, you’re an odd one.

They were in the middle of a passionate rant about a select few peers. You recognize them. You have a special interest in them too, after all. But now, Maura's gaze is fixed squarely on you.

MR   ‘Feels like my insults don’t really land with you.

MR   Why's that?

CO   because you are inebriated, and i assume this is your natural state of being.

MR   Nah, bellend, I ain't talkin' 'bout just now.

MR   I mean, in general.

MR   I've got shit to say, all the time. I don't fuck with most anyone.

MR   But it jus' bounces off you like rubber.

MR   Do you jus' not care? Not worth a damn to listen?

CO   ah. no, that isnt it.

CO   i like your honesty.

CO   you are willing to engage with me, and that alone is enough.

MR   Phfeh.

Their mouth forms a grimace. You wonder if your answer wasn't satisfactory.

CO   is that... strange?

CO   to welcome such a thing?

MR   ...

MR   Nah.

It's curled upwards, now.

MR   ‘Means you have spine, I guess.

MR   That's good.

MR   You can take more shit, too. Almost too much.

CO   too much?

CO   do you suppose thats disadvantageous for me?

MR   Fuck no.

They swirl their drink.

MR   'Least, I don't mind it.

MR   Not a bit.

CO   ...

Feeling the dawn approaching, you stand up. Finding your footing requires a couple of stumbles, to the giddy cackles of your drinking partner.

MR   Bwa ha! Lightweight!

CO   ...perhaps i drank too much.

To your surprise, they stand up as well. There's a hand on your back, now. Steadying you.

CO   i feel strange.

MR   That's the point, bellend.

MR   What’s the matter? Never been knackered before?

You turn and face them, feeling a dazed flush darkens your cheeks.

CO   i think… you of all people would know how unwise it is to act without inhibitions.

Their eyes widen. You haven't had a good look at them, before, since they're behind those large glasses of theirs. When did you get so close?

MR   Oh yeah?

MR   And what’re you holdin’ back, exactly?

They sneer, leaning in closer. Perhaps they're trying to intimidate you. But all you can focus on are those darkened eyes. You brush some hair out of their face so you can see them better.

CO   something wonderful… but very, very regrettable.

You can smell the alcohol on their breath.

MR   ...

MR   …mrph.

MR   I’ve done enough regrettable things.

A hand is placed on your chest, shoving you backwards. It stings, to see them leave. But you'll get much more time with them, as well as all your wonderful peers. Tonight is just one good memory.