Vaggie let out a loud yawn as she made her way up to the roof, looking around and spotting Husk sitting on the edge, taking a quick swig from his flask before puffing on a doobie. Vaggie smiled as she made her way over and sat next to him. "I had a feeling you were up here." Vaggie said with a smile, "Everyone was wondering where you'd gotten to. You said you were just going to the bathroom, so, we thought you'd come right back."
Husk took a long drag, blowing the smoke into the wind with a sigh and said, "Had to grab my flask. The mix has gotten a bit stale, but, I figured it'd be better than going to the bar. Plus, the pain's gone down enough that this can actually help bring it down a bit more." Husk took another small sip from his flask and said, "You know, I'm not sure if it's the weed, the lingering pain, or withdraw, but," Husk paused, letting out a soft chuckle and giving the flask a little shake, "This swill's actually starting to taste almost half-decent."
"Oh-ho, oh… God, no," Vaggie laughed, resting her face in her palm, "That can't be good." "I know, it's sad, isn't it?" Husk laughed, letting out a heavy sigh as his face turned a slight pink, "I… should probably stop drinking this. Before I start to get carried away." Vaggie saw Husk holding out the flask, looking to her with a pleading look in his eyes. Vaggie knew he'd probably ask for it back later, but she figured there was no harm in taking it for now; Vaggie gave Husk a sympathetic smile as she gently took the flask from Husk's hand and sat it in her lap.
"Husk, can I ask you a question?" "Shoot." Husk shrugged. "You said Rosie was an old love. If you were so good together, why'd you break up?" Husk paused, took a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh, turned to Vaggie and said, "Politics."
"Politics?" Vaggie queried. "Yep," Husk nodded, taking another puff of his cig, "Fucking politics." Vaggie noticed how exhausted Husk was, his eyes sunken and heavy. Vaggie wasn't surprised, given all Husk had been through in the last couple of days. But the way Husk spoke, there was something about his mood that had shifted, something in his eyes that hinted at something much deeper. Vaggie reached out and gently put her hand on Husk's shoulder, asking, "What happened?"
Husk took another long drag, letting the smoke out in a heavy huff, closing his eyes and resting his chin on his wrist. Husk shook his head and said, "It was… mostly just whispers. Whispers and… the odd nasty rumor here and there." Husk turned away as he took another puff and continued, "I'd long since gotten used to it; hearing ignorant bullshit being spewed in my direction. Wasn't anything new, really. But… when I heard what was being said about Rosie," Husk turned to Vaggie with a sad, teary-eyed look, "It was some seriously scandalous shit. The kind that could destroy her; her business, her reputation. And I… I just couldn't let it go on. I knew I'd probably be fine, given that my business wasn't exactly the most above-board sort of thing. You'd expect scandals at a casino. Even though there was no shady shit going down at the Jackpot, the odd rumor or two wasn't going to put us under."
"But it could hurt Rosie." Vaggie guessed. "Absolutely," Husk nodded, "Her business, she… Rosie is the business. Everything she does has to be insanely above-board. Beyond reproach. I hated it; just the idea of having to give her up broke me. But, I wasn't going to let her life and career go down the crapper because of me. So, we… talked things over, and… we decided that it would be best for both of us… for all involved if we just… stayed friends."
"That had to hurt." Vaggie said, feeling a pang of sorrow for Husk. "It did," Husk affirmed, "It hurt something awful. Broke both our hearts to have to do it. But, given the political climate at the time… it was the right thing to do. Still, I… can't help but miss her." Vaggie gently wrapped a hand around Husk's shoulder, pulling him closer and resting her head on his right shoulder while her hand gently rubbed his left. "I meant what I said, too. Second only to my wife, Rosie was the best, most healthy long-term relationship I've ever had. Don't get me wrong, I do care for Angel, and I want to make us work. But… I just can't help but miss her sometimes. Just like I miss my wife." Vaggie smiled and gave Husk a soft hug, bringing a small smile to the old sinner's face.
"Thanks a lot, Vaggie." "For what?" Vaggie asked. "For just… listening," Husk smiled, "I know we don't always along great; fuck knows I'm not always easy to live with. But, you really are a good friend. It's been a long while since I had someone that I can just vent to. I mean, you know, besides Angel. But, for real, Vaggie… thank you." Vaggie smiled up at Husk and nodded, whispering, "No problem, Husk."
The two just sat there for a while before pulling away as Husk turned and took another puff of his doobie before tamping out the fire and putting it away in his cigar case. Vaggie gasped as Husk reached over, grabbing his flask and taking a tiny sip before tucking it away in his pants pocket before offering Vaggie a hand up. "So," Husk said helping the angel to her feet, "You been practicing?" "Practicing?" Vaggie asked. Husk smiled and lifted his wings, giving them a small flap. "Oh, right, that," Vaggie nodded and said, "Yeah, I spent a good portion of yesterday doing some light stretching and stuff. I didn't get to do too much hovering, but I did figure out the breathing thing."
"You did?" Vaggie smiled and nodded eagerly, earning a happy chuckle from Husk, "That's great. Proud of you, Vaggie. How'd you figure it out?" "Well, I didn't; not by myself, anyway. Charlie helped me… sort of." Vaggie explained, turning away and pushing back her bangs as a slight blush graced her cheeks, "We just sort of… talked, and, now I don't feel as scared or lonely when I do it. I just have to remember that even when I'm physically separated from my flock, I'm never completely alone."
"That's excellent," Husk chuffed, "Means you're ready to move on to more complicated training techniques." "Great!" Vaggie cheered, "When can we start?" Vaggie's excitement was quickly cut short as Husk felt his knees starting to go out from under him, forcing him to get down on the ground and lay on his back. It wasn't just his knees, either; his hips and shoulders were also starting to spasm. The pain wasn't nearly as intense as yesterday, but he was still experiencing the effects of the flare-up, as it was just starting to dissipate.
Vaggie got down on the ground and gently put a hand on Husk's shoulder as the sinner let out a pained groan. Vaggie just stayed there, carefully rubbing Husk's shoulder and made soft hushing sounds as a heartbreaking croaking noise bubbled up from Husk's throat. "Fuck," Husk cried, "I hate these damn mini flares. Every time, man, every time! It hurts so damn much!"
The cat demon took a few deep breaths, doing his best to ride out the pain and focus on Vaggie's hand as she reached up and began carefully running her fingers through his hair; it wasn't quite the same kind of soothing as when Angel did it, but it brought him some comfort and helped keep him calm as it let him know she was there for him. "Ugh, great," Husk groaned, reaching up to rub his face and run his claws through his hair to push it back; Husk let out an annoyed huff as he slowly sat up and said, "As if this wasn't enough of a pain in the ass, Nature's calling… again."
Vaggie took Husk by the hand and helped him to his feet, slinging his one arm around her shoulder to support him and asking, "Your room or Angel's?" Husk looked at her in confusion, arcing a brow as Vaggie said, "Don't worry, I'm just going to help you get into the bathroom. I'm sure you can take it from there." Husk let out a sigh, relieved as he nodded and flashed a small smile. "Thanks, Vaggie. In that case, let's go to Angel's room. It's closer." Vaggie nodded and said, "Works for me."
Vaggie helped Husk down the stairs, making their way to the elevator, when Husk felt his phone vibrate in his pocket, making a sharp rattling noise as it buzzed against his flask. "Is Angel looking for you?" Vaggie asked as Husk pulled out his phone. "Uh, yeah," Husk sighed, "He's wondering where the fuck I went. I'll let him know I'm heading back to the room now." Vaggie waited while Husk quickly sent Angel a text before guiding him the rest of the way to the elevator. Once inside, they rode it down to Angel's floor and spotted Angel coming out of his room as the doors opened; the spider demon flashed the duo a smile and waved as he spotted them. "You going to be okay from here?" Vaggie asked. "Yeah, I'll be okay," Husk nodded, "My knees aren't screaming anymore, so I can take it from here. Thanks, Vaggie." "Don't mention it." Vaggie smiled and waved at Angel as Husk carefully stepped out of the elevator.
"Oh!" Husk quickly turned back and put a hand between the elevator doors, forcing them back open and said, "I almost forgot. 5:00 am, I want you up on the roof and doing warmups. Stretches, deep breathing, the works. I'll be up around 6:30 to get you started on the next phase of your training. Got that, cadet?" "Sir, yes sir." Vaggie and Husk saluted each other as Husk backed off and let the elevator doors close.
"What was that about?" Husk turned and saw Angel coming up behind him. Husk just chuckled and said, "Don't worry about it, Angel. Let's just say… it's a sign that I'm almost over this shit." Angel smiled and took Husk's hand in his, giving him a little bit of support as he led him back to his hotel room. "So," Husk chuffed, "About those doughnuts."