New Year Party at the Safehouse

[returnher]

On the West Coast, it's not quite New Year yet, but Locke is hanging out at the Safe House with a few packs of Kirin Beer and hanging out. It's not the biggest deal for him, but it's kind of fun to watch the fireworks go off and this way he doesn't have to dodge drunks who might run him over or worse, compel him to punch the shit out of them. Right now he's pretty much drinking and watching football. If anyone asks, he's totally old enough and Shinji clearly doesn't give a shit.

Comments

[lyrids]

In past years, Misora celebrated the coming of the new year at home with her mother, in what was typically a quiet but warm affair. This year, she doesn't much feel like celebrating at all. Staying cooped up in her room for too long leaves her feeling restless, though, so now she's just sort of milling about the safehouse.

She pauses to offer Locke a small smile and a wave as she passes by.

[returnher]

Locke waves. "Headin' out?"

He holds up a beer can with a "want it?" look on his face.

[lyrids]

Misora merely blinks mutely for a moment, both at the question and the proffered drink, then shakes her head, looking a little sheepish.

"Oh, no. Just, um... stretching my legs? I think I'm going to stay in tonight..."

[returnher]

Locke sets the drink back down on the table. "Nothing wrong with that either. That's my plan too, honestly. Too much hassle, having a quiet night seems nice."

[lyrids]

Misora smiles and hums in agreement. There's a pensive note in her voice as she replies, "Yeah, it can be."

[megacurious]

While he has plans to go out and celebrate New Year with his family, Augustine decided to stop by at the Safe House to see the others. However, one thing that ruined the mood of celebration was Locke and his careless attitude with the celebration.

"So this is your way to celebrate the New Year, huh?" He said as he approaches him with a stern expression.

[returnher]

If Locke notices she seems pensive, he doesn't make any particular indication, but his smile might be a shade warmer than before.

"Did you want the TV? I'm pretty much killing time so it's all yours."

[returnher]

"Figured getting punched by cops could take the back seat for a night." Locke's smile is flippant as he stretches on the couch and tosses back a beer.

[megacurious]

His careless attitude was tolerable, but not caring about the Safe House's mess was enough to give the drunken man a glare.

"Do you even care about your family or anyone for the last day of the year? The least you can do is to visit them and join the New Year countdown or dinner."

[returnher]

Locke's expression darkens a bit and his response is decidedly neutral.

"Not gonna give 'em trouble."

[megacurious]

He would ask why, but considering how he even joined the Phantom Thieves, he decided not to divulge that information. Besides, he has to respect everyone's privacy including Locke's.

"Regardless, could you try to celebrate the New Year like everyone else? You're not exactly in a mood to do so."

[returnher]

Locke chuckles.

"Hey now, I'm totally celebrating. Gonna watch the fireworks and everything."

[megacurious]

Augustine just rolls his eyes, knowing that Locke has his own way to do something. Still, he decided to change the subject as he sighs at his carelessness.

"Well, have you seen the news lately?"

[returnher]

Locke sighs a bit. "I'm trying to avoid that shit today."

[megacurious]

Augustine sighs as well. He wanted to avoid the news due to being the day to celebrate the New Year, but he just wanted to know the current events.

"I wish I can avoid them as well. But considering what is happening right now, I can't ignore any sign of corruption."

[terraburning]

Terra could have maybe gone home for New Year's, done the whole filial piety thing and spent it with her grandfather...

Yeah, no.

So here she is, watching large muscular men fight over a ball on TV in a criminal den of iniquity.

She pretty clearly doesn't understand what's happening in the game at all.

[returnher]

"Yeah, but it can also wait until tomorrow. One day's not gonna make that big a difference."

[returnher]

Locke, meanwhile, has been crunching on some chips and watching the game with at least mild interest. Seeing Terra, he holds up the bowl - spicy Doritos by the look of it.

"Want some?"

[terraburning]

Blink blink.

"...okay."

Terra reaches out to the bowl and selects a single chip, inspecting it carefully.

"So this is...a Dorito?"

[megacurious]

"True. But as an Operator, I can't ignore any kind of corruption around the city."

He sighs at this as he takes a seat next to Locke. "Though now that I said this, I felt that I'm being too paranoid for my own good."

[returnher]

Locke shrugs. "Maybe a bit paranoid, but probably not too much. The world will still be just as shitty in the morning, it's good to take a break every once in awhile."

[returnher]

"Yep. Careful, it's a bit spicy."

[terraburning]

Terra takes that under advisement.

Nah, just kidding, the thing's gone in three bites.

"...ah. It's good."

[returnher]

"Isn't it? It's pretty essentially college snack food. Plenty to go around, help yourself. There's dip over there."

He gestures to the white and black-flecked ranch sitting on the table, which is besides a healthier vegetable platter that has barely been touched.

[terraburning]

Terra nods and wanders over to the vegetable platter, claiming all the cherry tomatoes for herself before meandering back to the couch.

Hm. What to say, what to say...

"The, um...weather? Is cold."

Yes, good. Talking about the weather! Nailed it.