Day 23, Two Beers (Clown cont.). Izzy takes a clown out for a beer.
All the good things belong to MonolithSoft.
"Two beers," Izzy called to a waiter zipping past. He and his rescuing angel, name of Cross, had gone out a few times. At first, it was just one dinner, by way of a thank you, and featured the promised egg rolls as well as the rest of the Curators. After that they met regularly, casually for a beer or two, or Izzy would invite him whenever there was a pop-up restaurant and Izzy was collecting a big crowd to attack the menu. It was edging towards friendship and tonight Izzy was going to ask the big question.
"So," he said, feeling his hair start to curl even more from sweat, "I have to ask. What's with the makeup? Why are you wearing it?" There. He'd said it, and if Cross walked out and they never spoke again, Izzy'd have deserved it. But there was only so long a guy could ignore the shining red nose on the zinc white face across the table.
Cross slumped a little, but showed no signs of leaving. "Iz, I can't even begin to explain where it came from."
"Sure, sure," Izzy said, relieved that Cross hadn't thrown beer in his face or burst into tears. "We all have pasts that feel alien to us. But you don't need to keep it. There's this guy..."
"Would you believe me if I said I was bad at managing my credits?"
Izzy shook his head. "I've seen the rewards you rack up. You couldn't spend it fast enough if you bought a new skell every breakfast." Cross laughed, a very gentle chuckle that the makeup twisted into something hilarious. Izzy ignored the disconnect and focused on Cross' bright eyes. "Even if you were short of credits, I know people would loan you what you needed to change your face. Just supposing you wanted to, that is."
"I can't," said Cross. "I mean, I can, and yes, you're right, I have the credits. But this face, we have history. I can't start over, because I don't want to give it up. You understand."
They were quiet a moment. Izzy knew he should drop it. Cross had given him an answer, better than he deserved, but it was killing Izzy. Cross wasn't happy with his face, it was clear. He flinched when he caught sight of a mirror, and he steeled himself when meeting someone new. The face wasn't doing him any good. "I don't understand," Izzy said. "What's so important that you can't move on?"
"Lotta firsts, Izzy. I have a photo of me and my first skell, and even under the makeup you can tell I am over the moon, all five of them."
"Baby's first mech," Izzy said fondly. He had good memories himself, but he had to point out the obvious. "We loved them and we dumped them the minute something better came along."
"Too true. The poor thing's been in mothballs since I could get a level 30. But there are other firsts, and those I can't do better." He looked a little sheepish, if a guy with a Bozo-face could look that way. "I was the first on the Roost, you know," he said quietly. "First to take down Telly. I helped Elma against ..."
"Hold on," said Izzy, plunking his glass on the table with a clang. "You're that guy. Elma's Rookie. Him." He stared at Cross like he'd never seen him before.
"Yeah." Cross stared back. "You didn't know?"
"No. I mean, yes I know what Elma's Rookie looks like, sort of, but I never worked with him. With you. Wow."
"Izzy. Come on. This face, this nose? You didn't recognize me?"
"There are a lot of copy cats. Not that I thought you were one of those," Izzy hastened to add. "I just thought, small world, it happens. It took me a month to figure out there were only two Laras."
"Oh my god, you've been buying me beer out of pity." Cross should be looking angry but he seemed thrilled. Maybe the makeup was making it too difficult to read his expression.
"No! I was buying you beer because you saved my skin," Izzy defended himself, before adding, "And because you're an okay guy. Not exactly easy on the eyes but..."
Cross was laughing for real now. The tears rolling down his cheeks in no way disturbed his makeup. "You didn't know so you bought me beer just because."
"And eggrolls. I bought you those first."
Cross leaned over, suddenly serious, although his eyes glowed with emotion. "Elma excepted, I haven't been just a guy for over a year, and I am thrilled that's what I am around you. Let me buy you a beer."
Izzy stared back. The blue triangles actually went nicely with Cross' eyes. "I'd like that."
a/n: You know, Izzy is a good guy.
Next up: Daniel. Oh come on. I already managed John. I may switch to the fluffy Trick or Treat prompts...