012 | dictated | back dated to the 7th

[solar_absorber]

[Usually when Apollo doesn't see his husband for a few days it's because he's lurking around the town knocking out the teeth of anyone who dared to engage in criminal activity. So when a week went by without word, it didn't bother him. But as time went on he got increasingly more worried, until one day he decided to check for sure.

He really should have expected it. He's seen the way this place drags people in, only to eventually discard them. In time it was eventually going to be either the Midnighter or him. Selfishly, he just wished it would be him. A few hours later, after giving the news time to sink in-he wasn't brooding, he doesn't do that-he opens the journal to make the announcement.]

For those of you that knew him, the Midnighter has been sent back home. [There, short and sweet and right to the point. He didn't have the energy for anything more.]

[Filtered to Jenny Sparks]

I could use a drink. You in?

[/filter]

Comments

Apollo

[20thcentury]

[Oh, lord.]

That's not really something you even need to ask.

Where are you?

Jenny

[solar_absorber]

Our...my room. [Apollo has already passed through the denial stage. But that doesn't mean he's happy about it.]

You're buying.

Apollo

[20thcentury]

As long as you keep the weeping to a minimum, Apollo. [She's kidding, of course, but ... ugh. This sucks!!!]

I'll be down at the Lux shortly.

[She assumes he wouldn't want to be in the atmosphere of the Death Match right now, but ... who knows. He is very mysterious.]

Jenny

[solar_absorber]

Don't worry, Jenny. I'm planning to get roaring drunk and then cry myself to sleep like a normal person. [His delivery is completely deadpan, but it helps. Instead of getting upset he just turns to sarcasm.]

Alright, I'll see you there.

[It's not very long after their conversation that he enters the Lux and looks around for her. He doesn't care much about atmosphere at this point. As long as the place has booze, it'll do.]

Apollo => action!

[20thcentury]

Good on you, then.

[Jenny's already there at a table, where she has preemptively ordered a lot of booze. There's a bucket of beer and various bottles of alcohol, and she's in the middle of knocking back a shot when she sees Apollo.

Staying seated, she motions him over, meanwhile refilling her shot glass.]

action!

[solar_absorber]

[He barely bats a lash at the sheer amount of alcohol Jenny has acquired. That's the whole reason she's the one he went to for this and she's never let him down yet.

He takes a seat and downs a shot of his own.]

You're certainly prepared.

[20thcentury]

I've got a long, sordid history with loss and alcohol, Apollo. Next to being a shouty, bitter little woman, it's the thing I'm best at.

[She knocks back this shot, then immediately refills it again.]

I can't recall ever seeing you drink, though, so you'll have to remind me what your favourite is. Or least favourite, I suppose. Whichever works.

[goldencirclet]

....oh.

[Oh.]

D'ya need a hug?

[solar_absorber]

[Despite not being in the best mood, he can't help by smile at Goku's question. Not that the boy can see it. But his response is affectionate.]

Yeah, Goku, I could use a really good hug.

[goldencirclet]

I'm comin' right away.

[...and there's the sound of bare feet running.]

[solar_absorber]

[Apollo is already up and opening his door by the time Goku arrives. He leans against the door way and watches the boy as he comes down the hall.]

You didn't need to run all the way here, you know. I wasn't going to leave.

[goldencirclet]

[He rushes into Apollo's arms and hugs him tightly. (It's good that extra-dad is a superhero and can take it.)]

...I don't trust the castle. It brought Konzen here but now it's takin' people away.

[solar_absorber]

[He hugs the boy back, although not quite as tightly.]

Yeah. It's easier to ignore when it's not someone close to you. But it's been taking people away the whole time, Goku.

Apollo

[peacockherald]

_{[Vanyel knew what the Midnighter was to Apollo - he found out rather rapidly after the whole kissing thing way back when. He knew how much he meant to him - and he knew the pain of that loss. The feelings of being with Tylendel still echoed in his chest, vast and haunting after all these years, so immediately he began heading for the man's room even as he spoke through the journals.]}

I'm sorry, Apollo.

Vanyel

[solar_absorber]

[The worst part was Apollo didn't want condolences. He didn't want to be comforted. He didn't want to think about it at all. But Van had been nothing but a good friend, and he didn't want to take his anger out on him. Much.]

What for? You didn't send him back. Unless you're packing more serious magic than you've been letting on.

Apollo -- > Action

[peacockherald]

Believe me, if I could, I would not separate lovers. That is far to cruel.

_{[And have a knock now on your door, Apollo.]}

Vanyel -- > Action

[solar_absorber]

Yeah, tell me about it.

[He was unprepared for the knock on his door and wonders who exactly would come all the way here instead of addressing him over the journal.

But if he's surprised to see Vanyel on the other side of the door, it's disguised behind a frown and a raised brow.]

What can I do for you, Vanyel?

Le Action

[peacockherald]

I figured talking to someone in person might help more than being alone in a room.

_{[He arched a brow and stepped in, tucking his journal away and watching Apollo.]}

Action

[solar_absorber]

[Apollo watched his as he entered and stepped back into the room so Vanyel could get by. Sighing, he pushed the door closed and flopped down on the couch.]

It's not like I've been in here all day, lamenting my loss. I went out for a drink. With a friend. [Because he's sure Vanyel would have something to say about drinking alone being just as bad.]

[hellshaped]

[ :'( ]

Is that your husband?

[solar_absorber]

Yeah.

Leave it to the bastard to disappear right when I was getting too comfortable.

[hellshaped]

That sounds like the castle's doing in that case.

[solar_absorber]

Don't give the castle all the credit now. My husband has always had impeccable timing. [Or crappy timing, depending on your point of view.]

[hellshaped]

It's always kind of a mixed blessing when people leave. On the one hand they're gone, but on the other hand ... they've escaped.

[solar_absorber]

If by escaped you mean let out.

But, I do feel a little better about it thinking he's home looking after our daughter.