“It happens every time they take me to headquarters,” Rigel could barely contain his shout. That name. Oh gosh… Kate… Rigel blinked furiously as an attempt to get rid of the tears that were about to come.
Aspen sighed and sat down against her bike “sit down. Vent. I know you want to.” She grumbled
But Rigel couldn’t. He just couldn’t, not without crying, not without telling Aspen about- Rigel knew if he dare say another word he was crack. So he just turned, and went inside the party house, glaring all the way at nothing in particular. He asked no one in particular, “Where is the bathroom?”
August gave him a concerned look. "It's over there," he said, pointing at one of the doors. "Are you alright?"
Meun stood off to the side, a little concerned for Rigel. He seemed to be having a rough day, something he was familiar with
But Rigel couldn’t. He just couldn’t, not without crying, not without telling Aspen about- Rigel knew if he dare say another word he was crack. So he just turned, and went inside the party house, glaring all the way at nothing in particular. He asked no one in particular, “Where is the bathroom?”
“There.” She sighed
(Sorry, the WiFi broke for a bit)
Rigel went into the bathroom, almost slamming the door. He didn’t want to answer any of their too prying questions, not tonight, not after what Alfonzo said. Rigel had barely locked the door before the tears started to fall. He leaned against the sink, but kept himself quiet. “Kate,” Rigel breathed, barely more than silent, “Please, if you can hear me, if you’re sitting with the man upstairs looking down at me, please. Please forgive me. I can’t-“ Rigel broke even more, his forehead leaning against the cool tile of the sink. He forced himself to stop the tears. Rigel turned on the sink and splashed water in his face. His face was puffed so he waited on the bathroom for a few minutes, letting himself calm down. He took a deep breath. He only went out when the redness had left his eyes and his face was completely dry. He stepped out, and sat by the table.
August's mind was starting to get a little fuzzy. The night was still young, and yet he was already on his fourth drink. "Hey, are you okay?" He asked Rigel, sitting next to him slowly.
Aspen cane inside “I’m going to get your bike.”
Riverpaw noticed as August went to sit by Rigel, and she wondered if she should go over too. Just…wait a minute. She should let the adults talk first.
Colden looked up at Rigal and August and listened.
Rigel looked at his friend. He debated one what he should say as he looked out the window. He settled for, “Yeah, fine, just got medicated.”
August's eyebrows knit with concern. "You got drugged?"
Meun sat down next to him, his eyes widening at the sound of drugs. "I'm sorry, w-what?" he stammere
Rigel shrugged it off, trying to dredge up the calm and collected side of him, “It’s not like I didn’t expect it. Alfonzo just made a few extra threats, nothing I can’t handle.” Lies.
"Rigel-" August said, before cutting himself off. "This- This isn't okay. You need to stop doing business with him."
"He probably can't get out that easily." he said kind of mumbling.
"I can reverse the drugs," Meun offered. "I…I have a sort of spell that helps counteract them. It usually takes a minute to kick in, but it's worked when I've tried it on myself."
Rigel shook his head, “I can’t stop. I have a debt, and I’d rather be a slave to him than dead.” The words slipped out too easily, before Rigel could process them. But they were true. If he didn’t work for Alfonzo, well, the man knew where Rigel lived and he knew how to make accidents.
Rigel looked away, “I don’t mind the drugs,” Because even now, they took the bite off of- off of everything.
Meun's face fell at that. Not knowing what else to do, he held his arms out towards Rigel. "Would a hug help?" he asked softly
Rigel looked at Meun, a pain weighing down in his eyes, but he smiled, “Yes, a hug would help,” and Rigel held out one arm to his friend.
(I was dragged away to shop, and I come back to a drugged Rigel…)
(welcome back, what were you even expecting at this point)
Meun embraced him with a small smile. He liked hugs, so he always assumed hugs would help other people. He had also been told he gave good hugs before, so he figured that hadn't changed
(No less, tbh. Lol.)
Riverpaw smiled and stood quietly, going over to stand next to Rigel. "C-can I hug too?" She asked.
Rigel really did appreciate Meun’s hug, but it still reminded him of Kate. He didn’t react on that thought purely for Meun’s sake, and because the drugs were wearing off and he didn’t know what he’d do without his gang.
“Yeah, c’mere Riv,” Rigel let himself, forced himself, to relax. His shoulders sagged. He was safe here, away from Alfonzo and all what he entailed. Away from his memories. He was with his friends.
Riverpaw hummed happily, wrapping her arms around Rigel's waist and squeezing him gently. "Are you okay, Rigel?"
Belle had started yet another cup before joining the others by Rigel. She saw Riverpaw and Meun hugging him and smiled.
"Oh are we doing a group hug?" she asked with a giggle. Maybe the drinks were starting to get to her…