XXXI.

[hellshaped]

[Molotov]
[written in his dumb left-handed scrawl]

I got your invitation. I'm probably not going to show up, but thanks.

-HB

Comments

[molotov]

Why not?

[hellshaped]

I don't really feel up to it.

[molotov]

And why not?

[hellshaped]

I just don't. If I could get drunk, it would be a different story.

[molotov]

Hellboy, if you do not come to my party, I am going to kick you in the crotch.

[hellshaped]

[wow okay, now he switches to dictation:] What?

[molotov]

Because I want you to come to my party, and you do not have any good reason to stay away.

[hellshaped]

I'm going through some stuff right now, Molotov.

[molotov]

Join the club. Come anyway.

[hellshaped]

I'm just going to be moping the whole time.

[molotov]

Or you could grow the hell up and enjoy yourself for a night.

[hellshaped]

You're not being really persuasive right now.

[molotov]

Well, you are being stupid.

[hellshaped]

[HE RUBS AT HIS FACE not that she can see that.]

Molotov. Were you in the castle for that nightmare thing? Some people got to see something I didn't really want them to. I'm trying to deal. But I don't think a party ... [trails off...]

[molotov]

Oh, so dwelling on it and being pathetic is helping out?

[hellshaped]

[he snaps a bit >:[] I don't exactly have a choice. I can't focus on work, there isn't any work. I can't drink.

[molotov]

I forgot that nothing exists in the world besides work and drinking. Like parties.

[hellshaped]

Why would I want to go to a party if I can't get drunk? [HE'S MISERABLE OK]

[molotov]

For the fun. Look, Hellboy, I will make this easy for you. Either you come, or I come find you and shoot you in the face with a twelve gauge.

[hellshaped]

[sardonically] I thought you said you were going to kick me in the privates.

[molotov]

That comes first.

[hellshaped]

Well, when you put it that way.

[there's a short, almost uncomfortable pause before he continues, his tone marginally more serious.] I don't think you realize how annoying parties are where everyone's drunk and you're completely sober, though.

[molotov]

Not everyone is going to be drunk. Do you want to smoke some hash or something beforehand?

[hellshaped]

[He's been to parties you've thrown before, Molotov. B[ Pretty much everyone gets drunk.]

Err. I don't think ... well, I shouldn't say that. It might work. But no, I'm okay.

[molotov]

Then figure out your costume.

[hellshaped]

That's not really required. [right??]

[molotov]

Yes it is.

[hellshaped]

Are you sure I can't get away with no costume?

[molotov]

You could always go with the obvious, but you will have to carry around a pitchfork.

[hellshaped]

Where am I going to get one of those at this hour?

[molotov]

Better start asking around.

[hellshaped]

What'll happen if I don't have a costume?

[molotov]

I will provide one, but you will have to spend the night being my servant.

[hellshaped]

That seems like something your husband should be doing. [HB can get a little bawdy sometimes, it's not unheard of...]

[molotov]

That's a different vein.

[hellshaped]

I guess I'll see if I can find a pitchfork, in that case.

[molotov]

See you at the party.

[hellshaped]

Maybe!

[molotov]

See you there.

[SHE IS VERY AUTHORITATIVE]

[hellshaped]

Maybe.

[Hellboy is a jerk sometimes.]

[molotov]

Definitely.

[LAST WORD! She closes her journal.]

[hellshaped]

[RUDE!!!!]