#wtnc august

Hunter Scopic made a sound between a laugh and a wretch as she slammed her drink on the bar and shook her head. “You’re looking at this the wrong way, General. I’d say this was our best idea ever.”

Gus cast their partner a sidelong glance. Even with their indigo-streaked hair falling carelessly into their metallic eyes, they looked too serious.

“How in the world is that so?” Gus muttered. Their head was pounding too hard for them to gesture to the messy state that the both of them were in.

Scopic wasn’t doing any better, yet she had the bartender pour her another drink. “General, look at us.” She bowed her head a little. “We’re failures.”

Gus opened their mouth to protest, but Scopic wasn’t finished.

“No matter how sharp my instincts are or how fast I can move…ha.” She drank. “Forget it, August.”

Gus straightened their spine a little. “No, Hunter. Go on. I’m listening.”

Scopic stole a glance before setting down her glass and sighing. She turned on her barstool so she could face August a little better. The General didn’t expect her to reach out her hand and gently push their roaming bangs back behind their ear.

“No matter how much your eyes and sigils glow with all your power…” Despite the heat rising in August’s face, they held Scopic’s somber gaze. “All of that wonderful, unique power…” She let her hand fall.

Don’t say it, Hunter, Gus thought, though they didn’t dare stop Scopic from making her point.

“Our comrades will never be safe.”

Gus wanted to comfort her in some way. But they failed to find the right words in time. Scopic was already back to nursing her drink. The raw sadness was nowhere to be found in her expression now. Though the bitterness was evident despite the humor in her eyes.

“So drink up, General,” Scopic said. “Let’s drown ourselves tonight. Forget the ones we couldn’t save. It’s all we’re good for anyway.”

Scopic slammed her drink down again and roared over the throbbing between her temples.

“Eee-gahhh! I take that back, Gus. I take it back.” Flashing them one more bittersweet smile, she corrected herself. “It’s all I’m good for. You, though, well. You’re golden, Gus. General, I mean. You’ll find a way. I probably won’t be around to see it, but…” She hummed lightly and shrugged.

While Scopic was muttering off into her glass, Gus waved down the bartender and silently mouthed the words, Don’t give her anymore.

The General was pretty sobered up by the time they left the bar with Hunter Scopic. She could mostly walk, but Gus had to hold onto her shoulders and steer her in the right direction back to her apartment.

“We should do this again sometime, General!” Scopic giggled as she stumbled along.

“On one condition, Hunter.” Gus said with the same firmness with which they gave commands. “Next time we do this, we’ll have something to celebrate. Is that clear?”

Gus came beside her and looped their arm around her shoulders so they could lean a little on her too.

Scopic released a small sigh that sounded somewhat hopeful as she met their gaze.