MR   Oy. Jellyfreak.

MR   Want some?

A bottle, as well as a smug grin, is thrust in your direction.

CO   hm.

You give the beverage a cursory glance. The amenities here do include alcohol, though the majority of your peers try to remain as lucid as possible. The circumstances are bizarre to them, after all.

You hold no judgment for anyone who prefers inebriation; however, the sight of them on the floor of the hallway, surrounded by a motley of drinks, strikes you as concerning.

CO   are you alright?

MR   Right as rain. What does it look like?

CO   hm hm.

CO   not particularly 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   no such thing.

CO   in fact, i find intoxication to be best enjoyed secondhand.

CO   not through experience.

MR   The fuck's that s'posed to mean?

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

MR   Where's the fun in that?

CO   hm. you would be surprised.

The past flickers behind your eyes. A warm memory to reminisce for a moment and not any longer.

MR   Come off it.

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

She keeps thrusting it at you, shaking it as if your attention span was lacking.

MR   It's camaraderie or whatever, innit?

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

MR   I know one'a mine when I see 'em.

MR   Or are you scared to take a swig?

You look down the rest of the hallway. Finally, you accept the bottle.

CO   no. im not afraid.

Their grin spreads from ear to ear as you sit beside them, carefully arranging the other drinks to make room for yourself.

MR   Finally.

MR   Go on, then. I ain't got all night.

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. Rambling incoherantly at times, reminiscing on their own distant, flickering past.

They wouldn't normally engage you so eagerly, but you suppose that the depressant has lowered their defenses. Perhaps it made you appear more amenable in their eyes, as well.

If this is how they bond, then so be it.

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

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

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.

They look at you like they've just remembered your company.

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   ah, why im out at this hour?

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

CO   and you dont seem to mind, inviting me and all.

MR   Shut up, plonker.

MR   Just feels right to drink with company.

MR   Like I'm back in a bar. Jus' havin' a regular shithole night.

They seem to be enjoying 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.

One particularly passionate rant centered on a select few peers. You recognize them. You have a special interest in them too, after all.

MR   Y’know, you’re an odd one.

MR   And not just in the obvious way.

But now, Maura's gaze is fixed squarely on you.

MR   Y'don't get pissy at things.

MR   Always with that bloody smile, like this is all some vacation to you.

MR   Psch-aw, I've called you some right nasty things.

MR   But nothin' lands with you.

MR   Why's that?

You answer honestly.

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?

What an unusual question. It prompts one from you in return.

CO   would you rather i react more strongly?

MR   Phfeh.

They lean back, looking out at the vast interior of the building.

MR   Nah.

MR   What's the point, then?

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

CO   harsh as they may be, your words are your feelings.

CO   and they are honest.

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

CO   i think you are a very refreshing person, maura.

CO   it saddens me to consider you less than a shining example of humanity.

MR   ...

MR   S'pose I am.

It's curled upwards, now.

MR   And it means you've got a spine, I guess.

MR   Bein' able to say that shit to me, with a straight face an' all.

MR   That's good.

MR   You can take more shit, too.

MR   World's full'a stuff you have to toughen yourself up to.

MR   But take too much too easily an' you're just a doormat.

MR   So don't let it get that far.

CO   i see.

CO   do you suppose my enthusiasm is... disadvantageous for survival?

MR   Maybe.

MR   'Dunno. You seem like you've been through your own battles.

MR   So, if it works for you, it works good 'nough.

They swirl their drink.

MR   B'sides, I don't mind it.

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!

MR   Look'it you! You can't handle all 'at!

CO   ...no, i am fine.

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.

CO   my weight distribution has changed.

MR   Uh, yeah, it does that.

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

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

CO   i think… you of all people...

CO   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. They storm off, taking most of the drinks with them. The halls feel much larger, now.

It stings, admittedly. But you'll get much more time with them, as well as all your wonderful peers. Tonight is just one good memory.