Drink your problems away...(Open)

[Xanatos Etanial]

His head slumped against the bar as he sat his glass of... well, he wasn't sure exactly what he was drinking at this point onto the counter. The glass wobbled but steadied itself slowly, the music of the bar was far too loud, he thought to himself.

He should leave, get up - go outside, stumble into cab, rent a room and sleep. Hmm, where was he anyway? At this particular moment he couldn't recall exactly how he'd gotten to this bar, or really, where this bar was. Frell. You've officially drank too much when you don't know what planet you're on.

He rolled over so that he was now leaning against the bar and looking out into the crowd. A wave of lights hit his eyes as the strobes flashed and people around him danced. Great, a freakin' club, it's times like this that he almost disliked the alcohol-induced amnesia. Almost. He yawned a bit, smacking his lips and trying to adjust his eyes better, maybe he could make more out and figure out where he was.

[Alaric Mirit]

Alaric surveyed the man through narrowed eyes and the locks of hair that fell across his face, completely black eyes matching the opaque shades of his hair. Obviously, he was as bored as himself, judging from the wide yawn parting his lips. Mirit shook his head in thought, lifting a full shot glass to his lips and draining it till empty.

"Are you okay?" Mirit asked, tilting his head slightly, causing the parted front of his hair to slip to the side, out of his eyes. He wore a rather apathetic expression from his nose up, his lips, however, were curved into an unfathomable smile.

"I was beginning to think you may not be breathing." He remarked, a hint of joke in his deep voice.

[Xanatos Etanial]

Talking, this guy was talking, the polite thing, or so he was told, would to be answer. Now he's hoping he's not too drunk to talk.

"I was kind of hoping I wasn't..."

Good. The mouth still works, that means he can keep drinking. He looked the talker over, Dark hair, dark eyes... psychotic smile, yeah, seems like a nice guy. The rest of his words slowly caught up to X's spinning head.

"I'm okay... just drunk, but not drunk enough. Because I'm still okay."

He grinned while he spoke, trying to return the humorous tone, or at least hoped he was grinning and being funny.

[Alaric Mirit]

Alaric considered the comment for a moment, eyebrows knitted in thought as he digested the basic language he had so recently come to comprehend fully. He really thought that if the man was drunk, drinking more would only worsen his situation, but what did he know? Perhaps he would like to be as such. He only succeeded, with his trivial thoughts, to confuse himself more.

"And what exactly has you feeling so down, mm?" He asked, tilting his head back to rights. "Not that it is any of my business.." He added a bit softly, looking away.

[Xanatos Etanial]

X pondered for a moment, not exactly sure what had made him drink like this. Ah, the sweet, sweet fog of alcohol. It lifted if only for a moment, a glimpse of a memory forcing its way through.

"NO! Please! Don't, BROTHER!!!" he heard her scream, he saw her face contort, then he saw her body fall. Just as quickly the memory faded away.

His eyes widened a bit, and his mouth ran dry. He needed to drink more, the memories were still there. Looking up he swallowed hard and raised his hand towards the bartender. "More please."

He turned back to the alien he was talking to, and let out a soft sigh. "Things of the past, should remain in the past."

[Alaric Mirit]

The bar tender looked rather skeptical but Alaric nodded his consent, as though it made everything okay. "You can fill mine as well, they are both on me, this round." He informed the man, whom nodded and filled both glasses.

"I agree." Alaric answered, gazing at the man with whom he sat beside. Completely black eyes roamed over his face and figure, taking in easily missed details. His own form slouched more into the bar stool upon which he sat, causing the legs to tip and raise with each unsteady shift of position. "However, they don't. That being your problem, yeah?"

[Xanatos Etanial]

"You could say that." He should smile, he thought to himself, but couldn't bring about one. He let out a sigh and watched the guy move, back and forth, it was nausieting actually. Crap, better not puke.

"Anyway, enough of me." He waved his hadn a bit in dismissal. "How about you? I should know about the man buying me a drink."

[Alaric Mirit]

The man seemed a bit sickened by his rocking back and forth so he ceased and reached back for the glass once it was filled. He thought for a moment, what he wanted to tell this man, whom he would probably never see again after this night anyway. So much for laying low.

"My name is Alaric Mirit, I've lived here for a couple weeks and I am musician in a pub on the lower floor of my apartment building." He informed the man, avoiding the full truth as though the man would remember what he said after this night.

"It's certainly interesting to meet you, Mr...?"

[Xanatos Etanial]

"Etanial. Xanatos Etanial." He tried to say it proper, fitting, firmly - just like he had been taught to. 'The Etanial name is one of refinement, one of stature, it must never be said in a manner that does not reflect that.' He recalled his mother's lectures...

'Why?!' Her final word to him... He shook his head, more damn memories, more memories to drown out. Drown them with poison, brown and white poisons in bright bottles.

He looked back up to smile again, or attempt to. "A... pleasure."

[Alaric Mirit]

"I've had to learn to deal with the memories weighing upon my mind. You find out soon enough that they will never leave you. They are karma, in a way." Alaric stated, his opinion holding some sense to it, despite the fact that being sober was slipping farther and farther away. He hardly wanted to end up like this guy, he had been there once. He had dragged himself out of the hole he had dug and started a new life, ignoring the painful stab of the past that occasion slipped through into his lyrics.

"But it is different for all of us." He added, then knocked back his last shot of the night. The ripple of strobe lights faded away and people slowly began to clear from the closing establishment. Alaric's eyes drifted away from Xanatos and trailed across the mesh of overturned tables and scattered glasses.

[Xanatos Etanial]

He sighed, being just sober enough to realize that the bar, was in fact closing. He went to stand, and and was surprised by the fact that he could in fact... no. No he was falling.

*THUD*

"I'm on the floor, aren't I?" He sighed, and once more began to get up, using the bar itself to gain some stability. "I think..." He said as he got to his feet completely "I think I've got it."

[Alaric Mirit]

Alaric's smile returned, full and white, baring fangs that marked that he was indeed not quite human. Pushing himself up off the stool, he eyed the drink the man had forgotten and cast a smile to the bar tender before laying some credits on the counter top.

"Do you now?" He questioned, watching the man, close by so he could catch him if he decided to take another nose dive toward the floor. It was quite nasty down there, he could only hope that someone might do the same for him.

[Xanatos Etanial]

He began to move forward. "Easy as cake, simple as pie." He walked slowly, and a bit wobbly but wasn't fall, no... no there he went.

[Alaric Mirit]

Firm hands went around Xanatos' waist, catching him before he could hit the floor, then slid up to his arms. Drawing one limb out and wrapping it around Alaric's own shoulder, he glanced down. He offered the man a wavering smile, hoping that he wouldn't up chuck all over himself. Tugging him a bit closer and all but lifting him off his feet when Alaric erected himself to his full height, he gazed at the doorway before them.

"How far do you live from here, mm?"

[Xanatos Etanial]

He blinked a few times, surprised. He wasn't on the floor but now seemed to be upright due to a power other than his own. Oh, it was... that guy. Well okay then...

"How far do you live from here, mm?"

"In terms of lightyears or... OH... you, you mean HERE on this planet... um..."

He thought about it, trying to recall. He briefly remembered arriving here earlier that same day, and walking from the space port to... this place. Oh right.

"I don't actually, I just got here today."

[Alaric Mirit]

Well that wasn't good. Alaric tilted his head and thought while escorting the man from the bar, stopping just outside to consider the direction in which their decision might lead them.

"Do you have any money...?"

That sounded wrong. He amended the question quickly.

"So we can get you a hotel room?"

Alaric's gaze roamed over to the elaborate entrance of the hotel. They were hardly in the slum side of the city planet. Completely black eyes darted in the other direction, gazing up to the seventh floor of a condominium building. His home. That probably wasn't the best of ideas.

He winced slightly, knowing he couldn't leave the man out on the streets all night.

"Or do you want to stay at my place for the night?"

[Xanatos Etanial]

He rolled his eyes a bit. Crap, things were getting to that bad point when the full effects of drunkeness hit. He was thankful to have found someone kind, rather than what could have been the case. He asked him a question, but the words all seemed to blend together.

He stared at him for what, to him at least, seemed like an eternity... probably more like 20 seconds. "Uh... yes?"

He hoped that was the right answer, to whatever the question had been.

[Alaric Mirit]

Alaric sighed, hardly one of annoyance. He was beginning to think he hadn't heard him, which would have indeed put a bit more stress on Alaric than necessary. Without further thought on the matter, he started to move forward, toward the building across the street. It took him a minute, but finally, he reached the front entrance way.

Moving his hand to the identity panel on his right, he placed his hand within, the com-network searching the plains of his hand. When it verified him access, he punched in his code and pushed in the front door, dragging Xanatos in as gently as he possibly could.

The elevator lift, he knew, would be most unpleasant, but it could be avoided. There was no way in hades he was dragging that man up seven flights of stairs.

Once inside the enclosed lift, he set the man back against the west wall and stood in front of him, just in case he decided to fall.

"How are you feeling...?" He asked, his voice low, his eyes scanning over his face in curious assessment.

[Xanatos Etanial]

"Less like I'm gonna fall. More like I'm going to pass out."

He held his head a bit, this sucked. He shouldn't drink like this, he KNOWS he shouldn't drink like this - but he also knows he has to...

"Hey... is the room spinning for you too?" Wait, was he even in a room? Where was he? He needed to lay down soon, that's about all he was certain of.

[Alaric Mirit]

"Not.. really." He murmured, smiling slightly down at him. In some cases, passing out was better than falling, he supposed. He'd be a lot less agreeable when Alaric had to carry him, however. So, for the time being, he preferred neither option.

The elevator let out a soft chime as they reached the seventh floor, the doors vaulting open quickly. Alaric reached for Xanatos, crushing him against his side in an attempt to side step out of the elevator. In all luck's gain, he was the first condo on the right. The door had been left unlocked and slight ajar. The building was relatively new and empty, thus he didn't worry much about break-ins.

Pushing the door open, he stepped inside, shuffled over to the couch and deposited his drunken acquaintance upon the plush cushions. Low lights revealed the richness of it all. Crystal chandeliers hung above, the candles showering the room with dim light. There were many objects the suggested his profession; a piano, a violin case, a guitar that lay atop its case, various papers scattered about the carpet made of light mauve material.

"You still conscious? Do you want some bread to soak up the alcohol?"

[Xanatos Etanial]

"Do you want some bread to soak up the alcohol?"

Thinking about it, he hadn't eaten anything all day, and despite his fullness of alcohol was surprisingly hungry. Plus, it may bring him down just enough to not pass out or puke, bother of which would be to his benefit.

"I think that'd be nice..." by now he'd realized it was his head spinning, not the room. Which, he supposed was a good thing.

[Alaric Mirit]

Alaric disappeared for a moment, obviously having moved into the kitchen to get bread and water for him. That didn't quite sound right. Bread and water, reminded him of prison. He knew that serving him anything else might prove to be a bit harder to get out of his carpet, should he so choose to internally reject them.

Removing some of the raspberry leaf loaf from the bread box near the window in his kitchen, he collected a glass from the cabinet, filled it with filtered water and then returned to Xanatos' side.

Sitting on the edge of the couch, he gazed down at him.

"Here you go.." He murmured softly, holding up the glass and heel of bread.

[Xanatos Etanial]

Steadying himself he took the glass and piece of bread, one in each hand he slowly drank the water.

He wondered if it would be wrong to ask him to spike the water? Hmmm, yeah probably. Oh well. He sipped it slowly and took a small bite out of the corner of the bread, then sat back and let out a sigh, relaxing slowly.

"Thank you." He smiled, this was a kind man. A far cry from some of the others he had encountered since leaving his home world, especially those he had met in Iziz City. It'd been a long, strange road just to this point, and looking on his journey seemed to only get longer ahead of him.

[Alaric Mirit]

Alaric smiled back, though he wasn't sure the man had caught it. He seemed so wrapped up in thought, not that he could mind. He decided it was best that the man was thinking. Perhaps he might even come to a better solution to repenting. Drinking had never been the best option, though saddness had dragged even Mirit to walk across the street and drink his pain away on several occasions. He was not the best idol in this particular situation.

"You're welcome, of course." He murmured, his eyes dancing over the man's face. He was handsome and young. Not far behind himself. Not to say that they were youths. Oh no, they had seen many years. Alaric, himself, was only twenty-five.

[Xanatos Etanial]

He glanced over towards the other man. Who seemed to be examining him. He was feeling a little better now, and his eyes were adjusting, skirting his eyes away from the man's gaze he turned to look over the apartment.

Nicely decorated, with an almost expensive feel to it. He had to admit he felt at home, he'd been in so many seedy bars, and run down hotels since he left home, he'd almost forgot the look and feel of comfort and lavishness. Smiling he leaned back and closed his eyes, slowly falling into a drunken slumber.

[Alaric Mirit]

While Xanatos snoozed, Alaric moved away from his couch and into his bedroom, his eyebrows knit downward in thought and his lips locked firmly. He had a stranger laying on his couch, whom would no doubt wake up wondering where he was, and have a horrible headache. What a time to be out of drugs. Alaric cast a glance through his open doorway to the sleeping man, his eyes wandering down, then back up. What had he been thinking?

He hadn't been, obviously.

Alaric snatched the comforter from his bed and slipped out of the bedroom, shutting the door behind him gently. He approached the couch, laid the feather stuffed blanket across him and plopped down on the floor in front of his legs. It had been a long day and sleep tempted his senses.

Angling his arm on the couch cushion that Xanatos didn't occupy, he lay his head upon it and watched him until sleep took his vision.

[Xanatos Etanial]

Hours passed. Maybe days, who could tell? Xanatos slept a quiet sleep, for once. One that wasn't plaqued by nightmares. Against his own subconcious will he slowly awoke, the dim brightness of the room, just enough to make him squint.

He was in an unfamiliar place. Just like he usually was when he woke up, he glanced around curiously. The settings were nice, for an offworld home, perhaps he had found himself at a nice hotel for once. It was at this point he noticed the sleeping man laying somewhat at his feet. He blinked a few times, not sure what to make of this particular scene.

What exactly had he DONE while he was drunk? He watched the man with interest, examining his features and clothing. Certainly not a pauper, but not of the noblest of lineage, he'd wager. Still, he guessed it was nice to wake up and not be alone for once. The memories of the night before would return slowly, he was sure. They usually did, just like all his other memories. Those he'd prefer to just forget.

He rubbed his forehead, a numb pain had already began in the base of his skull. It was going to be one of those days, he just KNEW it.

[Alaric Mirit]

Black eyes opened and assessed the man before him. He seemed to be feeling a bit better, no doubt inflicted with a hellish headache. Karma from the previous night, he mused, though it was hardly a laughing matter. Hang overs were horrid and he wished that no being had to experience them.

"You seem to be feeling a bit better." He murmured, not lifting his head from the couch cushion. It was morning, or so his body cried, and he needed more sleep than previously had. His eyes opened and closed, adjusting themselves to the dim light filtering in through the closed, white curtains draped decoratively over the windows.

[Xanatos Etanial]

He couldn't help but smile, his face lighting up just slightly. It seemed like such a silly thing to say, for some reason.

"Yeah, I suppose I am." He'd actually had a peaceful sleep for the first time in a long while, as long as he could remember in fact. which given his current half awake, drunk induced state, wasn't very long at all. "I'm sure it'll all come back to me later... but... whose company do I have the pleasure of being in?" He seemed friendly enough, and perhaps a name would help to job his memory.

[Alaric Mirit]

Alaric's eyebrow lofted and twitched, remaining as so until he gathered his freyed thoughts. The man honestly didn't remember him? Well, he had been quite drunk, he reasoned with himself. Sitting up, he rested his chin on his palm, supported by the vertical set of his elbow.

"Alaric Mirit. We met at the bar last night." He smiled, a wicked thought filling his head. Oh, this could be quite fun. His smile took a turn toward flirtatious.

[Xanatos Etanial]

The name did in fact seem familiar. He let his mind wander to the night before, the name and face slowly took shape. Alaric Mirit...

"You bought me a drink." He acknowledged, hazy memories slowly coming back. "And... I ended up at your place." Before, during and after those events were still a haze to him however. He caught the man's smile, and found his gaze trailing up to the man's dark eyes. He held the glance just a moment too long however, and quickly looked away, a small warmth against the inside of his cheeks.

[Alaric Mirit]

"Yes. Such events proved to be quite interesting, don't you think? Or perhaps you don't recall.." He murmured, his lazy smile brightening slightly. He hadn't missed the aversion of eyes or the flush, though light as it was, that crawled up his cheeks. Alaric grinned and stood, stretching his body and releasing a soft yawn, that bore the sharpened points of his first and second canines.

"Not to worry, Xan, dear. I didn't take to much advantage. You rather dominated the elevator shaft, if I do say so myself."

[Xanatos Etanial]

Was he implying that they had...? No, that wasn't possible... he couldn't have... well he was VERY drunk, but even still he'd remember something like THAT. Wouldn't he? His silence spoke more than words ever could, confusion and slight disbelief evident on his face. The warmth behind his cheeks grew, and he tried to fight it down. He was joking, he had to be. The events were slowly returning, and so far he recalled nothing like that happening...

"Er. I, um - I... what?" He stumbled over his words, probably looking about as stupid as he felt right now. "No... nothing happened... though..." he froze for a moment, "right?" What was this guy trying to do exactly? If it was to embarrass and confuse him, he was succeeding. He caught the man's gaze again, and averted his eyes. He would have to try to avoid those eyes, those dark, cool eyes like a starless... gah! X hadn't had a thought along this sort of line since...

"NO! His eyes snapped wide for a moment, and his head sunk to the side, looking away. Those memories had caught up with him again, those horrible memories. His lips drew into a thin line, and he suddenly felt the call of the drink, the song of intoxication playing in his mind. When he was drunk he didn't remember as well, couldn't see what he'd done replaying over and over in his mind. When he was drunk he didn't remember their murder, or that he was their murderer.

"I... I need to go." His tone had changed completly, it ws hushed, and the sunny smile and bright look of his face had given way to an expression as pained as any could be.

[Alaric Mirit]

"If you'd like. I'm not keeping you here." He murmured, his expression dulling at the mention of his departure. He hadn't meant to upset him. No doubt now that he really had no idea about the events that took place last night. Alaric wasn't the nicest person in the universe, but he was considerate enough not to take advantage of the drunk. The very thought sickened him.

"Your full memory should return in no time, ne? Just be sure to be more careful. I will admit to being worried when you collapsed. I brought you here for that reason alone. Nothing out of the ordinary transpired between us. You were good company, perhaps we will run into one another again, under better circumstances, of course." He mumbled out, rubbing the back of his head, his fingers toying with the tussled strands of black hair.

[Xanatos Etanial]

He looked at him slowly, then glanced away shaking his head as he did. "I... I know, nothing happened." He stood up slowly, composing himself. "That's not why I need to leave." He could see them, see their frozen faces, their shattered frames, and the blood on his hands, he needed to go. Needed to drink those images away. Alaric didn't understand, he couldn't understand.

"I don't want you to think it was anything you said or did." He forced a smile, he needed to smile at him, to let him no it was okay, even if he wasn't. "You were very nice to me, and I... I do remember most of it, now." He turned towards the door. "It would be nice if we would meet again... though I doubt it'll happen." He began to step towards the door. "I usually don't stay on any one planet very long."

And he walked towards the door, knowing he was alone again.

[Alaric Mirit]

He was going out to drink again. Alaric knew it suddenly as though he were standing there, watching him as he had last night. And Alaric might not be the one to pick him up this time. He might go somewhere far so he couldn't reach him. What dren was he spouting to himself now? Shaking his head when Xanatos turned, he clenched his fists. He wanted to know what tormented him so. He wanted to help him because he couldn't quite help himself. Wanted share that stabbing pain with someone who knew its course exactly. But that one person was going to walk right out his front door.

A sudden energy set the air and room a miss, a lamp clattering to the floor as he rushed past, though he was a good distance from its location. Hands extending, he guided his arms around him and halted his movements for the door. Firm strength held them both still and a awkward silence had just about settled. Then..

"I want to know everything, Xan. I want to help you. This pain that you feel, it is yours, you created it... but.. you don't have to face it alone."

[Xanatos Etanial]

His eyes were wide in disbelief. What had just happened couldn't have, it just... couldn't have happened. Sure enough, however, he was wrapped in Alaric's arms, being held firm, snapped sharply out of his solitary walk. He could have pushed out of the embrace, pushed Alaric away or worse, but for the silent moments that followed he was content to just hold there, warm arms around him for the first time in years. For what seemed like the longest time they just stood there, and then Alaric spoke, breaking the silence.

He wanted to know? Was this a trick, some ploy? "Mr. Mirit..." Xanatos began, "release me." he took a sharp breath. He couldn't tell him, how could he possibly understand, or even look at him if he knew...

[Alaric Mirit]

You're a coward...

A simple force whisper edged with disappointment. Agile grace and anger brought him around to the front of the man, his back against the door, ebon eyes locking like glacial shifts in spring's first breath. There was a honed madness there, twined with a torment that had plagued him since he was a child. It was the same torment he found in Xanatos' eyes.

His grip, when it landed upon Xan's shoulders, was shockingly gentle, far more surprising than that of violent movements.

"How could you do this!? We're your family, we love you!"

"What a shame that love isn't mutually felt for any of you. You had the chance to care but it has been replaced by the ultimate alternative. I will see you in Hell, papa."

Eyes clenched as a painful assault rammed from the back to frontal portion of his mind. He had almost forgotten. The bittersweet agony reminded him of old scars and fearing to allow weakness into his gaze, he averted them swiftly. Gripping his side, he shoved a shaken sigh from his lips and shifted around slightly, obviously in discomfort.

"I understand, Xanatos."

[Xanatos Etanial]

The whisper caught him off guard and he suppressed a growing rage. He shook his head once as Alaric's words filled his ears.

"You understand? YOU UNDERSTAND?! How could you possibly understand?! You didn't kill your fami.." The last syllable caught in his throat. These were words he had never spoken out loud, not even to himself - and now he had told this to a man he barely knew. He bowed his head slowly and sank down into himself "...ly." He finished his sentence and looked away. No doubt Alaric would push him away now, decry him as the monster he was, perhaps worse.

He hugged his arms sadly. "You wanted to know. Now you do."

[Alaric Mirit]

He saw no monster. Only a slightly younger version of himself, more angry and confused than he had ever been. He knew not the reasons for which he had done what he obviously did, only knew the exact stages of this anguish that was slowly eating away at Xanatos' mind and body. The cure had been his music, his paintings that were now locked away in some museum somewhere or another. He couldn't exactly tell him to go paint a picture and it would make him all better, but he did know that drinking only made the pain worse when you were sober again. And the universe would run out of liquor at some point.

"I do." He murmured, his black hair shrouding the equally dark shadow of his eyes. "And so, I'm still standing here, waiting for you to walk out or let me help you. I can't do it unless you let me, however, Xanatos."

[Xanatos Etanial]

He stared blankly at the man... Alaric. He wasn't pushing him away, treating him like a criminal, and he said he still wanted to help him...

"I do." It caught him off guard, pulling back slightly. He still said he understood? How could he unless... X's eyes widened in realization for a moment, as if suddenly staring at a reflection of himself, and he looked to the ground once more.

"Oh..." He didn't know what else to say, what else to do. He had been given a choice, walk out the door, be alone again or... walking towards Alaric he guided his hands around the taller man's waist, and clutched him tight. Letting his head fall in the curve between his shoulder and chest. He wasn't sure what came next, he didn't care. Alaric knew what X was going through, he wasn't alone.

[Alaric Mirit]

The mixed emotions felt battled for control over his expression, finally settling on a warm smile that was meant with every muscles used to make it. Burying one hand into his hair, he inhaled deeply and wondered where this great muddle of past would lead them, if he would ever be able to open himself up and admit his own wrongs to him.

Naturally, it would be hypocritical for Xan to run from Alaric in fear. There was so much more than the murder of his parents and brother staining his hands. So many sins and he was exempt from the cleansing for destroying all those who could forgive or wouldn't.

[Xanatos Etanial]

He let out a soft sigh. Closing his eyes, he had no idea where things were going to go, what was going to happen now. He let a small smile creap onto his lips, his eyes wet with partial tears.

Maybe... maybe he was going to be okay. At least he thought to himself, I'm not alone anymore. And for the first time in years, he wasn't.