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You know, I don't mind the allusions to bein' a hound, but pissin' on things that are mine never crossed my mind. ❞

He took a long, deep drink of the canteen, praying the burn would singe away this conversation.

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⠀ ⠀⠀ 𒆜.⠀ ❝ Alright, pipe it down . . . I didn't ask for a science lesson. Jus' say you like piss. ❞

God he needs a drink. Don't mind him as he slips his canteen from his hip and works to unscrew its dog paw topper.

❝ Not my kinda thing, just shocking to see a me that's into it.

⇥

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⠀ ⠀⠀ 𒆜.⠀ That's a much better reaction. Chuckling softly to himself, he took her hand with a gentle grip and jabbed a thumb over his shoulder.

❝ Better treat ya to a good time then, to wipe away that terrible encounter. Want to start with some food and drink? ❞

⠀

⠀

⠀ ⠀⠀ 𒆜.⠀ ❝ ... no? ❞

Blinks slowly.

❝ Call it a date. ❞
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⠀ ⠀⠀ 𒆜.⠀ ❝ You wanna go grab a drink with me? ❞

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There was no way to tell her exactly why he had been gone. The details would have sickened her, perhaps even driven her off. So far he had successfully hidden the truth from her without a sweat. Never mind that she never asked questions.

❝ You really want to kick my shins? ❞ he grinned.

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⠀ ⠀⠀ 𒆜.⠀ ❝ May, huh? ❞ Suppose that was a long time. Time almost had no meaning in Penacony, especially to a man made of fiction. His palm gave her back a soft rub to assure her that he wasn't going anywhere.

❝ Yeah, sorry about that ... I guess I owe you a lot of time then, ❞

⇥

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⠀ ⠀⠀ 𒆜.⠀ It's like hitting a soft brick wall, mostly muscle but with arms wrapping around her shoulders in an assuring hug. His voice drifted with a light chuckle.

❝ I wasn't gone for that long ... was I? ❞

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⠀ ⠀⠀ 𒆜.⠀ ❝ A cold, sweet drink at the end of a rough day. ❞

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||: It was a bot follow. How lovely.

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before meandering behind the counter, quietly conversing with Siobhan for a moment, then gesturing Ari over.

❝ C'mon, don't be shy. Plenty of cake and strawberry margaritas to go around. ❞
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at least.

❝ Sapo! Your guest of honor's here. ❞

From beyond the bar, Siobhan gave a little nod of appreciation. Seemed she was the mastermind behind this whole thing. Gallagher was a tad too sluggish to put something like this together.

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shot drinks, and a decently-sized tiered birthday cake surrounded with little presents wrapped in lustrous paper.

A small crowd, both of curious guests and known faces, were enjoying what was very much a small birthday party for her sister; well, the memory zone meme of her

⇥

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