"Hey, this is Joker. Leave a message and I might get back to you. Unless you're trying to sell me something or I really just don't feel like talking to you-- in that case, take a hint and quit calling me."
So, it wasn't Tali, it wasn't Kasumi, it wasn't Wrex, because, face it, subtlety just isn't his specialty. It wasn't Bakara, since she's definitely way too mature for that kind of thing. Mordin would've just snubbed you. It definitely wasn't me, though I am kind of hurt you didn't ask.
[He shouldn't be angry at Garrus because his family survived the war; he shouldn't, but couldn't help it. Garrus' family got out alive from a full-scale invasion on Palaven, but his sister couldn't make it out of a small one on a backwater colony-- it wasn't fair, and it felt like he was going to choke on his own goddamn bitterness.]
[Joker punctuated that sentence by slamming his tumbler down onto the bar top hard enough to make cracks spiderweb across the glass. He may or may not have also broken a finger or two, but he wasn't paying attention.]
[Despite that, however, there was an underlying twinge of concern when he spoke next. Joker, as much of an ass as he could be, never got explosively angry. Not like this.]
[He had to very carefully make himself let go of the glass, because it was already cracked and if he kept putting pressure on it, he might just end up with a hand full of shards.]
[This was a bad idea, the alcohol was a bad idea, he should've locked himself in the helm until he'd gotten his shit together. And he was going to get it together, he would damn well man up and deal with it, because didn't need anyone's help even when his life was turning into a mess. This was his mess; he'd made this bed and he was damn well going to lie in it.]
[Joker forced his voice into something sort of like calmness, but he couldn't make it not sound tense.] I'm fine, Garrus. Nothing happened, it's just been a long couple of days.
[Joker is not good at this whole 'sharing is caring' thing. When he has a problem, he keeps it to himself and fixes it, he doesn't start talking about his feelings.]
I need a drink.
[Stalling tactic is go. He's going to get up and get himself another glass of kerosene.]
[ACTION]
Date: 2013-01-27 08:40 pm (UTC)[ACTION]
Date: 2013-01-27 09:07 pm (UTC)[Gonna divert that topic again.]
Maybe I should put this on my resume. 'Pissed off Commander Shepard and didn't get shot for it'. Sounds like a marketable skill to me.
[ACTION]
Date: 2013-01-27 09:13 pm (UTC)[He knows who helped Joker out (thanks to Jim's angry mutterings), but here's where the probing comes in.]
So, who was it? Kasumi? Tali? She has been getting sneakier lately.
[ACTION]
Date: 2013-01-27 09:24 pm (UTC)[Wow, he sure is dodging that subject.]
[ACTION]
Date: 2013-01-27 09:34 pm (UTC)[He just gives Joker a knowing Look]
[ACTION]
Date: 2013-01-27 09:39 pm (UTC)So why're you asking if you already know the answer, Batman?
[ACTION]
Date: 2013-01-27 09:45 pm (UTC)Hell, if it was me and Sol, I'd be bragging about her.
[ACTION]
Date: 2013-01-27 10:00 pm (UTC)[He shouldn't be angry at Garrus because his family survived the war; he shouldn't, but couldn't help it. Garrus' family got out alive from a full-scale invasion on Palaven, but his sister couldn't make it out of a small one on a backwater colony-- it wasn't fair, and it felt like he was going to choke on his own goddamn bitterness.]
[ACTION]
Date: 2013-01-27 10:09 pm (UTC)[It's probably safe to say that he hit something there. He tries not to let Joker's tone faze him, taking the liquor in front of him into account.]
What is it this time? Another fight?
[ACTION]
Date: 2013-01-27 10:32 pm (UTC)No, it's not, and fuck you for asking.
[Speaking of that alcohol, now seemed like a good time for him to take another pull.]
Me and Gunny are none of your damn business, so try to keep your flat nose out of it.
[ACTION]
Date: 2013-01-27 10:36 pm (UTC)[Then this happens]
Congratulations, Moreau, you just made it my damn business.
What the hell is wrong with you?
[ACTION]
Date: 2013-01-27 10:48 pm (UTC)Drop it, Vakarian.
[ACTION]
Date: 2013-01-27 10:53 pm (UTC)[HAH. BEAT THAT.]
Now tell me what the hell is going on.
[ACTION]
Date: 2013-01-27 11:14 pm (UTC)[Joker punctuated that sentence by slamming his tumbler down onto the bar top hard enough to make cracks spiderweb across the glass. He may or may not have also broken a finger or two, but he wasn't paying attention.]
[That sure escalated quickly.]
[ACTION]
Date: 2013-01-27 11:30 pm (UTC)[Despite that, however, there was an underlying twinge of concern when he spoke next. Joker, as much of an ass as he could be, never got explosively angry. Not like this.]
Like hell, Joker.
What happened?
[ACTION]
Date: 2013-01-28 12:05 am (UTC)[This was a bad idea, the alcohol was a bad idea, he should've locked himself in the helm until he'd gotten his shit together. And he was going to get it together, he would damn well man up and deal with it, because didn't need anyone's help even when his life was turning into a mess. This was his mess; he'd made this bed and he was damn well going to lie in it.]
[Joker forced his voice into something sort of like calmness, but he couldn't make it not sound tense.] I'm fine, Garrus. Nothing happened, it's just been a long couple of days.
[ACTION]
Date: 2013-01-28 12:25 am (UTC)[Garrus pushes his own drink aside carefully, as if anything but would cause even more damage]
Damn it, let me help you.
[ACTION]
Date: 2013-01-28 01:41 am (UTC)[Locking himself in the helm was looking like a better and better idea.]
[ACTION]
Date: 2013-01-28 01:51 am (UTC)So take your pick.
[ACTION]
Date: 2013-01-28 02:39 am (UTC)[Wow this conversation totally got out of his control at some point.]
[ACTION]
Date: 2013-01-28 03:00 am (UTC)[But at least they've made progress]
Like what?
Come on. Talk to me.
[ACTION]
Date: 2013-01-28 03:33 am (UTC)I don't even know where to start.
[ACTION]
Date: 2013-01-28 03:37 am (UTC)[ACTION]
Date: 2013-01-28 03:59 am (UTC)[Joker is not good at this whole 'sharing is caring' thing. When he has a problem, he keeps it to himself and fixes it, he doesn't start talking about his feelings.]
I need a drink.
[Stalling tactic is go. He's going to get up and get himself another glass of kerosene.]
[ACTION]
Date: 2013-01-28 04:01 am (UTC)[ACTION]
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