talks about nightmares and drinking, and other things

[03:08 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin is hanging out in the living room, lounging in an armchair with his feet on the coffee table, ankles crossed- he at least was polite enough to take his boots off first. His cloneson is nearby, asleep on a couch, there's several wetspots all around the living room from the snow Liquid brought in and their snow-wet shoes from earlier, and Pliskin himself is apparently having a glass of whiskey. Just one, he swears, and he's only sipping at it.
[03:11 AM] Tori Marie Nygma walks downstairs. She apparently had, by some miracle, actually been /sleeping/, if the nightgown she has on is any indication. It's a flannel nightgown with long sleeves and comes down to her ankles, so no risk of awkwardness (thank fuck.) Outside of, well, lounging around in one's nightwear. It's her own house, she makes the rules, shut up.

She doesn't notice Iroquois just yet. What she /does/ notice, however, is one of the wet spots. Which she steps in. With bare feet. "...nnngh..."
[03:13 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin is aware of someone coming down the stairs, but he only glances up when he hears that terribly uncomfortable noise. Wow, Tori, you wear grandma jammies. "Hey, Tori." He says, raising an eyebrow. "You okay?"

He totally forgot about the wetspots, oops.
[03:19 AM] Tori Marie Nygma wears comfortable jammies when it's cold as fuck. This nightgown is very warm! Also, pink. Very, very pink. She is the envy of all grandmas with how bright pink this shit is.

"Cold..." she whines. Unfortunately, even with her grandma jammies, she is an immature whiner.
[03:23 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin thinks Tori's grammy jammies are kind of adorable, in a puppy dog in a doggy sweater kind of way. He laughs, though, and sits up a bit, only to spot the damp spots on the floor. Oops! "Ah, right, uh... Me, Liquid, and the kid might've kinda... dragged a snow-fight indoors earlier. Sorry." He says, looking a bit sheepish- he glances towards the fireplace for a moment. "If you want, I can get a fire going for you."
[03:26 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: That would be nice. Thanks.
[03:26 AM] Tori Marie Nygma smiles weakly at him.
[03:28 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin gets right on up, setting his glass down, and moving to the fireplace, which happens to have some wood next to it. It takes a few minutes, as he sets the logs up. And yet, soon enough, he steps away from the fireplace, and small flames are just starting to lick up from under the logs. Fucking survivalist magic. "There ya go. A place to warm your feet, kiddo."
[03:29 AM] Tori Marie Nygma moves closer to the fireplace, but not too close, sighing in relief. "...thanks."
[03:30 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: No problem. What're you doing up?
[03:33 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: I guess my body decided I had enough sleep for now.
[03:33 AM] Tori Marie Nygma doesn't mention that she's amazed that she got any at all.
[03:36 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin moves back towards the coffee table to snatch his glass of whiskey back up, taking a sip. Then, instead of going back to his armchair, he goes to sit on the floor near the fireplace. One leg bent at the knee, foot flat on the floor, and the other leg resting underneath the first, and he curls one arm forward to loosely hold onto his raised knee, while the arm holding the whiskey glass simply rests atop his knee. His eyes are focused on Tori, and he's actually looking kinda relaxed for once.

"Well, hey, at least you've got me for company right now, huh?" He says, offering her a half-smile, ice blue eyes bright.
[03:40 AM] Tori Marie Nygma smiles back at him, a little wider than before, before deciding to sit next to him. "Yeah," she says quietly.
[03:41 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin reaches over and ruffles her hair. And then he remembers something- "Ah... I probably owe you an explanation about that guy who showed up, huh?"
[03:43 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: Yeah, just a little~
[03:44 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: He's, ah... Okay. Well. Firstly, he's from the same time and place the Colonel is from. In case that wasn't obvious.
[03:46 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: ...so that's why he thought my refrigerator was weird.
[03:46 AM] Tori Marie Nygma has priorities, clearly.
[03:46 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: Heh, probably. He fell out of the sixties. Anyways, ah... He's...
[03:48 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin clears his throat, and frowns hard. This is stupid, how hard it is to say this. "... My father. From about a decade before I was born."
[03:50 AM] Tori Marie Nygma stares at him, eyes wide. "Say /what/?!"
[03:51 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: My father. The man Liquid and I were cloned from.
[03:52 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: I... but... d-didn't you...?
[03:53 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: Like I said... This is him from before I was born. He even still has both eyes- ah, my father, as I knew him- Big Boss, wore an eyepatch because he had only one eye.
[03:53 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: But that's him.
[03:53 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: My father, just... young.
[03:54 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: ...then... he's probably a really different person at the moment, right?
[03:55 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: ... That's what I'm thinking. But it's... it's difficult. Liquid's upset, too, we both realize it's not fair to hate him as he is now, but... Mngh.
[03:58 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: Damn... that /does/ sound difficult. I wish I had some super awesome advice to get both of you through it, you know?
[04:02 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin takes a breath. "This... is the man who is gonna create Special Forces Unit FOXHOUND. Who's gonna train me personally in CQC when I'm practically still a kid, a fresh recruit. Who will betray our unit and send me, a rookie, on a suicide mission against him, try to kill me, make me fight him," His voice started quiet, but it starts to raise as it goes on- he doesn't yell, not at all, he's not really a yelling kind of guy, but his voice grows more incensed, growling, angry- upset. "And then live and try to create an infinite war fueled by child soldiers, try to kill me again right after he tells me he's my father, force me to fight him to the death with no weapons while he's armored with a fucking machine gun and all I'll be able to get a hold of is a lighter and a can of lacquer spray, and- and I'll kill him."

And all at once, Pliskin goes quiet again, for a few moments, and when he speaks, his voice is low, if a bit of a rasp. "But... not yet, for him. But that's who he is to be, who he would've been. So... it's difficult." He shakes his head and takes a sip of his whiskey, turning his head away- that's the first time he's actually told Tori about how he killed his father, or really, about his father at all. "Mngh... Sorry for getting a bit... ranty, there."
[04:07 AM] Tori Marie Nygma watches him for a few long, tense moments before she lifts a hand to grasp his shoulder gently. "...you don't need to be sorry. He's done a lot to you. If my father--my biological one--showed up here before all the bullshit he pulled too, I don't know what I'd do either. ...and mine didn't do /nearly/ as much shit as yours, you know? So you don't need to be sorry for ranting about it. I don't understand the /extent/, but... I understand the concept, I guess."
[04:10 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin ... really appreciates that hand on his shoulder. And the words, and he nods, frowning hard. "It doesn't feel fair to hate him as he is right now, for things he hasn't done yet, for stuff he might currently even be ideologically opposed to. But I look at him, and even though he's younger now, I still see the old man that fucked everything up. Especially when he smokes that fucking cigar." He scoffs in disgust, shaking his head. "I'm trying to be logical and rational, and fair. But it's hard."
[04:12 AM] Tori Marie Nygma makes a face at the mention of the cigar, even if she's trying to be understanding. It only lasts for a moment, though, and then her features relax again. "Yeah, I think I get you. I can /more/ than understand why that would be hard. I don't blame you for the inner conflict, either. I'm not /that/ much of a hypocrite."
[04:15 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin looks back at Tori, and even if he still looks a bit upset, he smiles, sets his glass of whiskey down, and leans over to pull her into a slightly lopsided and sideways hug. "Thanks." He says, voice a bit gruff, "I don't normally talk about my Father. So... it means a lot. You listening, I mean."
[04:17 AM] Tori Marie Nygma hugs him back tightly. "You're welcome," she replies, soft. "In a way, I'm really happy that you talked about it, you know?"
[04:20 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin looks a bit embarrassed, and he reaches a hand up to ruffle Tori's hair a bit. "Right... It's just really difficult to talk about. My father, and how things went for him in Outer Heaven and Zanzibar Land, it just..." He sighs a bit, frowning hard. "... It fucked me up, Tori."
[04:23 AM] Tori Marie Nygma sighs a little herself. "Things that fucked you up the most... /do/ end up being really hard things to talk about. Maybe the hardest." She knows, Irodad. She knows.
[04:28 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin snorts. "Yeah, no shit..." He mumbles, and for a small while, maybe a minute, he just slumps and lets his head fall forward to rest his forehead against the top of Tori's head. He goes quite for that while, before he finally lifts his head. "... I have. Nightmares. Have I told you this? I have them so often. Almost every night. They're vivid and violent and they make me feel like I'm still there- they're usually about him. Fighting him. The things he said, dodging his gunfire, struggling to survive, killing him and watching him burn and yell and still try to keep moving, keep fighting- Almost every night. Except when... When I drink. When I'm drunk."
[04:32 AM] Tori Marie Nygma holds him tighter. That's a lot to take in. "...so that's why..." she eventually gets out.
[04:36 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin nods quietly, cheeks a bit colored- and despite how he tries to keep his face closer to his neutral expression, he still looks just... ashamed of himself. So he's just... going to maybe hold on to Tori for a bit, just appreciate her presence, appreciate the company of the amazing young woman who first helped him feel what family should feel like.  "Yeah... That's why."
[04:37 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: ...I'm sorry. If I had known, I wouldn't have gone with the angle I did to try and help you. I wouldn't have been so... pushy.
[04:38 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: No, it's... It's fine. I wasn't exactly forthcoming, or easy to deal with.
[04:39 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: At least I know now, right?
[04:41 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: Yeah. Sorry for, ah... Not telling you sooner.
[04:42 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: It's okay! That sort of thing isn't easy to just come out and say.
[04:45 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin nods with a gruff 'mmhm' and maybe gives Tori a squeeze. "There's also, uh... another thing. That I should probably mention before I feel like clamming up and being cagey again."
[04:46 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: ...yeah? What is it?
[04:52 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin pulls away finally, looking downright sheepish, shame still all over his face as he pulls his arms to himself. "Ah... About Christmas." He mumbles, lowering his head. "That, ah... Well. The second time I fought him, when I infiltrated his fortress at Zanzibar Land, it was 1999... December 24th. Christmas Eve. So, around Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I just... It's all I can think about."
[04:54 AM] Tori Marie Nygma looks horrified. She can't bring herself to say anything just yet.
[04:57 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin makes the mistake of looking at Tori's face- he looks away again, frowning hard, cheeks a bit colored. "Mngh..." He takes his whiskey glass back up and takes a sip, before speaking nearly against the rim, "I shouldn't've shown up. I should've just spoke up, told you I had bad associations with the date, at the least, explained better. But I didn't. I was too much of a coward to just tell you what was wrong, and I was probably a huge fucking drain on the entire holiday."
[05:00 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: N-No! I shouldn't have pushed you to begin with! Even if I didn't /know/, I...!
[05:02 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: No, you didn't know, it's okay, I'm not... I'm not mad at you about it. I got a little annoyed, but I didn't say anything so- Mngh.
[05:02 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin just. Puts his face against his hand, rubbing at his face and growling a bit.
[05:04 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: ...are you sure?
[05:09 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: About what?
[05:12 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: About not being mad at me.
[05:14 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: I wasn't mad at your for that. Just irritated because I don't like being henpecked. But you were being pushy because you were worried... Can't really be mad at that. I mean, it's not like you were wrong in that I was absolutely going to just go drink myself to oblivion where no one would be around to stop me.
[05:16 AM] Tori Marie Nygma smiles weakly. "...yeah, guess you have a point."
[05:18 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin just... curls an arm around Tori's shoulders, maybe still just wanting that comforting contact. Not that he'll admit that aloud, but it's pretty obvious. "I'm sorry I worry you so much."
[05:20 AM] Tori Marie Nygma tries to lean into him a little bit. "...me too. I-I mean, I'm sorry I do the same thing to you."
[05:23 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: Hey, no. If I'm supposed to be acting like a dad. I'm supposed to be worrying about you. It's my job to look after you, not the other way around.
[05:24 AM] Tori Marie Nygma pouts. "Y-Yeah, well..."
[05:25 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: Yeah, well, nothin'. You know I'm right.
[05:25 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin smirks, and reaches that arm around Tori's shoulders up to ruffle her hair instead.
[05:26 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: Yeah, I /guess/ so~
[05:26 AM] Tori Marie Nygma mock-sighs dramatically.
[05:27 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin snickers, and drops his hand to Tori's shoulder again, giving her a squeeze. "... Thanks for listening." He says, voice almost soft despite how gravelly it is. "And for being understanding."
[05:30 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: You're welcome, Dad.
[05:31 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin smiles, a real one this time, and says, "I'm glad you're part of my family, now." and then kisses Tori right at the top of her head.
[05:32 AM] Tori Marie Nygma couldn't smile wider if she tried. "I'm glad you're part of mine, too...!"
[05:32 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: ((oops tense fuck up))
[05:33 AM] Tori Marie Nygma can't smile wider, even if she tries. "I'm glad you're part of mine, too...!"
[05:33 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: ((beeeeeetter))
[05:35 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin squeezes Tori again, letting his cheek rest against her hair and just. Enjoying this moment. He's a bit muffled by her hair, but he quietly says, "Love ya, kid."

Guess what, Tori! Your snakedad loves you!!!! So there!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[05:37 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: I...
[05:37 AM] Tori Marie Nygma feels tears running down her face, so happy to hear that. "I love you too, Dad...!"
[05:41 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin is mildly startled by the tears! Oh no!! He hopes he didn't fuck up. He sits up and sets his whiskey aside, turning to better face Tori and cup her cheeks. "Hey, c'mon, why the tears?" He says, brow furrowed- he worry :(
[05:42 AM] Tori Marie Nygma realizes that he's misinterpreted her tears and immediately tries to rectify this! "No, no, no! It's fine, don't worry! I... I'm just happy! They're happy tears, I promise."
[05:47 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin breathes a small sigh of relief and tilts his head with a small smile. "Oh- good. You had me worried there for a second." Still, he brushes some of the tears away with his thumbs. "I'd feel pretty shit if I made you actually upset crying."
[05:49 AM] Tori Marie Nygma smiles back. "Then it's a good thing I'm not upset crying, then~"
[05:50 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin keeps wiping Tori's face for her. "Yeah, though crying can still be kind of a bother, huh? Get all snotty and puffy-eyed 'n' stuff. I don't bother with it."
[05:51 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: Y-Yeah... yeah, it's a real pain in the ass!
[05:52 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: You gonna be alright, or do you need me to grab you some tissues or something?
[05:53 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: A tissue sounds nice. Thanks.
[05:55 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin gives another smile, before taking his hands away and picking his whiskey glass back up. And up he goes to his feet, going off until he finds a tissue box, grabbing several tissues, and heading back to hold them out to Tori. "Here."
[05:58 AM] Tori Marie Nygma takes them. "Thanks again," she says before blowing her nose into one. You gotta do what you gotta do.
[06:01 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin plops back down onto his butt on the floor next to Tori, heaving a loud sigh and taking a sip of his whiskey.
[06:02 AM] Tori Marie Nygma finishes blowing her nose, looking to the fireplace.
[06:06 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin will not judge Tori if she chucks the snotrag into the fireplace. "Better?"
[06:07 AM] Tori Marie Nygma nods. "Better."

And then she tosses the snotrag into the fireplace.
[06:18 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin is quiet for several minutes, just watching the fire and occasionally sipping at his whiskey- he's taking his time with that glass, for once. At a point, he even stokes the fire, and adds another log. Eventually, though, he speaks up again. "... Try not to be hard on him, okay? I'm trying to be fair."
[06:22 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: ...yeah. I'll do my best to be fair, too.
[06:23 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: I can still hate the man he'll become without taking it out on a version who hasn't done shit yet.
[06:23 AM] Tori Marie Nygma nods.
[06:27 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: I think you're really strong for not taking it out on the younger one.
[06:42 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: ... Thanks. I just...
[06:42 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin frowns a bit. "It just doesn't seem fair, so I can't let myself. Even if part of me wants to."
[06:46 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: I don't think just any person could separate it like that. It takes a lot of guts.
[06:48 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin ... looks just a bit bashful at that, though he covers it up by being all gruff, though he reaches up to scratch at the back of his neck, through his hair- it's getting a little long. He could totally tie it into a little ponytail if he wanted to.
[06:48 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: Yeah... Maybe.
[06:49 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: No maybe about it!
[06:53 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin snorts and raises a hand. "Alright, alright!" He says, shaking his head before finally finishing off his glass of whiskey, setting the empty glass aside.
[06:53 AM] Tori Marie Nygma grins widely. "Ha! I knew you'd see it my way~"
[06:54 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin snickers a bit, and ruffles Tori's hair for the umpteenth time. "You're just so persuasive, obviously."
[06:57 AM] Tori Marie Nygma looks so proud of this. "Damn right I am~!"
[07:09 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: (( also bweeehhhh theres a stranger in clinic and a whyena in ballpit WAHT DOOOO ))
[07:12 AM] Liquid Snake: ((the stranger might be that meryl looking @ their kinks))
[07:12 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: (( ohhhh!! yeah they switched accounts just now it seems ))
[07:13 AM] Liquid Snake has actually stayed in the house this time, going upstairs for a bit, and then coming back down to head for the living room. And, hey, there's Snake, and Tori. "Hey," he says as he heads in.
[07:20 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin looks over his shoulder, and gives a half smile at Liquid. "Hey."
[07:22 AM] Tori Marie Nygma looks in his direction. Oh look, it's [s]uncle[/s] Liquid. "Hello there!"
[07:23 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin not even [s]uncle[/s] tho more like just. uncle.
[07:23 AM] Liquid Snake is being kind of smiled at! And everyone's being nonhostile! Life is amazing! "How're you two doing?"
[07:23 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: Alright. Just had a bit of a talk.
[07:23 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: Right!
[07:24 AM] Tori Marie Nygma hopes her eyes don't make it obvious that she cried a little. That would suck.
[07:26 AM] Liquid Snake: Yeah? That's good. I hope, anyway, heh.
[07:26 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: I was just... telling her about some stuff.
[07:32 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: Yeah. Talking and bonding, you know~?
[07:36 AM] Liquid Snake: Hey, that's good!
[07:36 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: What about you? Anything you feel like getting off your chest?
[07:38 AM] Liquid Snake: A shirt.
[07:38 AM] Liquid Snake is a comedian.
[07:38 AM] Liquid Snake: Er, like what, though?
[07:38 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin groans at the joke.
[07:39 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: I dunno. ... I talked about Big Boss.
[07:46 AM] Liquid Snake: ...Ah. That sort of talk.
[07:47 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin gives a slow nod, and looks back at the fire. There's plenty of space on the floor in front of the fire, if Liquid wants to sit with the pair.
[07:49 AM] Tori Marie Nygma even pats the space next to her! How times have changed.
[07:52 AM] Liquid Snake looks incredibly surprised at that, but soon enough he moves to sit down next to Tori.
[07:52 AM] Tori Marie Nygma smiles.
[07:52 AM] Liquid Snake: So, uh, you know who we are, then? Like... historically?
[07:52 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: Sort of. I've told her the basics, mostly.
[07:55 AM] Liquid Snake: That makes things a bit easier then.
[07:55 AM] Liquid Snake: See, Liquid's not just a weird name!
[07:56 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: Codename, obviously.
[07:56 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: Liquid Snake... And Solid Snake.
[07:56 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin gestures to Liquid, and then to himself, respectively
[07:58 AM] Liquid Snake nods. The snakefam.
[08:00 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: ...wow. That's...
[08:01 AM] Tori Marie Nygma gestures around.
[08:01 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: ...surprisingly nerdy!
[08:01 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: Rude.
[08:01 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: How's that nerdy??
[08:03 AM] Liquid Snake: ...What??
[08:03 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: Liquids and Solids! Come on, think about it!
[08:03 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: But how is that [i]nerdy[/i]??
[08:03 AM] Liquid Snake: Nerdy if you're a tiny child, maybe.
[08:04 AM] Liquid Snake: I... might not be the best at scientific things but that's incredibly basic.
[08:11 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: Okay, okay~ you two win.
[08:12 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin snorts. "Anyways, I told you my real name a while ago too. Ah... Liquid doesn't have to share his."
[08:13 AM] Liquid Snake: I, uh, prefer not to use it.
[08:13 AM] Liquid Snake: You wouldn't believe how happy I was when I was able to get it classified.
[08:14 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: It must be pretty damn bad if you prefer /Liquid/.
[08:15 AM] Liquid Snake: It's... not so much the name itself as the connotations behind it.
[08:15 AM] Liquid Snake: And what's wrong with Liquid???
[08:16 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: It makes me think of water. How do you /think/ you got that nickname?
[08:16 AM] Tori Marie Nygma is grinning playfully, at least!
[08:17 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin snorts.
[08:17 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: My relationship with my name is... weird. Hard to explain. More positive lately, though.
[08:19 AM] Liquid Snake: I've had some... bad experiences regarding mine, so I much prefer to not really have a name.
[08:19 AM] Liquid Snake: A codename functions just as well.
[08:19 AM] Liquid Snake does laugh a little, though.
[08:19 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: ...I can understand that.
[08:21 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: Lately I feel more like... A real person, when the people I'm close to use my real name. Like I'm not just a soldier, a weapon. It's... grounding.
[08:22 AM] Liquid Snake: Yeah? Must be nice.
[08:22 AM] Liquid Snake says that with absolutely no trace of sarcasm or anything like that.
[08:31 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: ... It is, yeah. Simon and the Colonel, at least, pretty much use it exclusively when I'm alone with either of them.
[08:32 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: Wow...
[08:33 AM] Liquid Snake: I don't think I'll ever stop feeling like a soldier, but, well, so it goes. Would you like me to call you that, then, or just stick with Iroquois?
[08:37 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin suddenly gets a bit flustered, and maybe a little put on the spot, and he rubs at the back of his neck through his hair. "Ah... Me neither, honestly, though that's probably why it's so appealing in the first place. The only relief, you know? But, er..." It's a bit conflicting, isn't it? The thought of having Liquid calling him by his real name, despite how smoothly things have gone lately. And yet because of that, it's also really tempting. "... Still don't feel right having David out there in the open, but maybe when it's just you and me hanging out. Sure."
[08:41 AM] Liquid Snake always wants to make sure to at least try to call people the right things, because boy does he understand. He nods when Snake answers. "Alright then, you got it."
[08:42 AM] Tori Marie Nygma , for the moment, just watches the sweet, sweet brotherly love unfolding before her.
[08:45 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin's mouth twitches into a small, lopsided smile. "... Thanks, Liquid."
[08:49 AM] Liquid Snake offers him a smile in return. It's still pretty hard to believe they're getting along. "No problem."
[08:51 AM] Tori Marie Nygma thinks this is so sweet.
[08:56 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin rubs at his neck a bit more, and looks away back at the fire. "So, ah... What else were we talking about again?"
[09:05 AM] Liquid Snake: Er... things.
[09:05 AM] Liquid Snake is not entirely sure.
[09:11 AM] Tori Marie Nygma snorts.
[09:12 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin glances at Tori and shrugs.
[09:17 AM] Liquid Snake also shrugs.
[09:22 AM] Tori Marie Nygma shrugs as well! Might as well join in!
[09:34 AM] Liquid Snake snorts. Looks like they're having a shrug party.
[09:35 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin is maybe a bit tired, and sleepiness is showing on his face. But he doesn't dare go to bed.
[09:40 AM] Liquid Snake: Hey, er... you alright?
[09:40 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: Hmn? Me?
[09:41 AM] Liquid Snake can tell he's tired! He has that same face!
[09:41 AM] Liquid Snake knows the face very well!
[09:41 AM] Liquid Snake: Yeah, I dunno. You look a bit off.
[09:41 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: Just a bit tired. I had a drink, so that's probably not helping.
[09:42 AM] Liquid Snake: Ah. Maybe you should sleep, then.
[09:42 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: I'd rather not.
[09:42 AM] Liquid Snake: Fair enough.
[09:48 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: Well, if you don't think you can make it back to your place and need a place to crash, I'm sure I have at least /one/ guest room up for grabs...
[09:49 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: Mmh... I'd rather see how far I can push it.
[09:51 AM] Liquid Snake: Oh yeah, there's definitely an empty room up there. I was just sleeping in it, actually. Sorry. Didn't feel like going home.
[10:00 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: It's fine. I'll let it slide /this/ time~
[10:02 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: Oh, only this time, huh?
[10:03 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin smirks at that.
[10:05 AM] Liquid Snake: Well, I appreciate it [i]this[/i] time then.
[10:14 AM] Tori Marie Nygma laughs. "Well, good!" She looks over at Iroquois. "Yes, of /course/ only this time!"

She doesn't sound all that serious.
[10:15 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin snorts a bit, and leans back, planting his hands on the floor behind him to prop himself up.
[10:32 AM] Liquid Snake: Don't worry, I'll stay confined to my cold office room back at the warehouse.
[10:32 AM] Liquid Snake looks incredibly amused.
[10:34 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: You better!
[10:34 AM] Tori Marie Nygma sticks out her tongue.
[10:35 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: Hey, maybe you should invite people over some time, warm the place up. Make a bonfire or something.
[10:36 AM] Liquid Snake: You think? I suppose I could do that. Or something, at least.
[10:41 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: Well, why not? It's a warehouse, it's huge, right? Just need furniture for people to sit on, and that's not too hard to get if you're not picky.
[11:15 AM] Simon-Blackquill is going to that there Jebri house.
[11:15 AM] Simon-Blackquill is knockin' on the door. He's got nothing but Taka with him.
[11:15 AM] Taka Blackquill: (°<°)
[11:15 AM] Liquid Snake: Yeah, I suppose you're right. I've got a few folding chairs, but I don't think they're so great.
[11:16 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: I could go with you to grab some couches or someth- Tori, I think someone's at the door.
[11:17 AM] Liquid Snake: Sure. I mean... I'm not exactly on budget for some expensive things but maybe a charity shop or something's got something I could use.
[11:17 AM] Tori Marie Nygma stands, sighing a little and going to the door. She's in a hot pink flannel nightgown, she's not ready for this shit yet. Oh well, door's getting opened anyway!
[11:18 AM] Simon-Blackquill's eyes widen at seeing Tori in that nightgown. Oh.
[11:18 AM] Taka Blackquill: （ꉺ▿ꉺ）
[11:19 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin lets Tori go answer the door while he chats with his brother. "Or the sides of roads, or by dumpsters... People throw out perfectly fine couches all the time because they don't know what else to do with 'em when they buy something better."
[11:19 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: ...what?
[11:22 AM] Liquid Snake: Hm. That's also a good idea. I think we'd need a truck or something though.
[11:23 AM] Simon-Blackquill: [[or an undyne]]
[11:23 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: Could rent one. That fish woman could help, too.
[11:23 AM] Simon-Blackquill: What?
[11:24 AM] Tori Marie Nygma: ...nothing.
[11:26 AM] Simon-Blackquill: Am I allowed in?
[11:28 AM] Liquid Snake: Sure. Recruit her, drive around for a bit on trash day, and see what we can scrounge up.
[11:28 AM] Tori Marie Nygma nods, stepping aside so he can come in.
[11:28 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: I'm pretty sure that's how she got most of her furniture.
[11:31 AM] Liquid Snake: Ah, so she's got experience in the matte.r
[11:31 AM] Liquid Snake matter.
[11:31 AM] Simon-Blackquill takes a few slow wobbly steps inside, scratching Taka affectionately. "Who's here at the moment?"
[11:32 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin glances away from the toasty fireplace to look who's coming in- "Hey, Simon."
[11:33 AM] Simon-Blackquill's question has been answered with Snakebros!
[11:34 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin is sitting on the floor by the fireplace, which has a nice toasty fire in it! Liquid is sitting with him. Lookit themmmm, all getting alooooong.
[11:37 AM] Liquid Snake glances over at Simon and nods. "Ah, hello."
[11:39 AM] Simon-Blackquill starts approaching them! "Now this looks rather eventful."
[11:39 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: Eventful? Not really. Mostly just relaxing. It was pretty quiet for a while.
[11:40 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin looks pretty tired, actually, but he still refuses to go to bed.
[11:41 AM] Liquid Snake: Yeah, not a lot going on right now, really.
[11:41 AM] Simon-Blackquill: So it appears to be. I was merely being sarcastic, but it's interesting to see the two of you co-existing peacefully.
[11:42 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: We've... Worked things out.
[11:43 AM] Tori Marie Nygma closes the door behind Simon. Let's pretend that this happened ages ago because Lexi needed some damn coffee and got caught up in a conversation with her old man yaaaaay /o/
[11:44 AM] Liquid Snake: Yeah. Trust me, it's a bit odd for me as well, heh.
[11:46 AM] Simon-Blackquill: I think the state of peaceful co-existence is a surreal thought to any sibling.
[11:46 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: Well, obviously a bit more for the two of us.
[11:46 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin considering they tried to kill each other. A lot.
[11:47 AM] Simon-Blackquill: Obviously. You've the troubles I experienced... multiplied by ten.
[11:47 AM] Tori Marie Nygma just listens to them talk for the moment.
[11:47 AM] Liquid Snake: I think we've performed some sort of miracle or something here, heh.
[11:49 AM] Taka Blackquill flaps over toward Pliskin and perches on his shoulder. +1 hawk for Pliskin!
[11:49 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: Probably. Mostly, I just never expected you to... Well, uhh. Try so hard to- oh.
[11:49 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin has a bird on him. Welp.
[11:49 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin hopes he doesn't get pooped on. :I
[11:50 AM] Liquid Snake tries not to laugh too hard when the bird perches on his brother. "Trust me, I didn't expect it either."
[11:53 AM] Taka Blackquill is not pooping on Pliskin! He is, however, walking around on his shoulder a tiny little bit, and with those sharp talons, it might not be too pleasant.
[11:53 AM] Simon-Blackquill: Seems Taka wants to spend a little time with you, David.
[11:54 AM] Tori Marie Nygma can't help but let out a tiny giggle.
[11:54 AM] Taka Blackquill looks up at Simon when the man utters his name, and freezes in place for a second... before resuming his previous behaviour.
[11:54 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin isn't wearing his coat or scarf, by the way! But he IS wearing a collar- black and blue leather and black nickel, with a blue, heartshaped metal tag bordered in rhinestones with 'Sobachka' etched onto it. The buckle in the back is hidden, because his mussed hair is covering it... it's gotten kinda long, actually, maybe even long enough for a small ponytail.

"Mngh..." He grunts, moving just slightly while Take scoots along to hopefully make this less uncomfortable. "Well, he better not poke holes in this shirt, I happen to like it."
[11:56 AM] Simon-Blackquill: If you don't want to get your clothes ruined or become injured, it'd be best if I called him back.
[11:56 AM] Simon-Blackquill: to become injured*
[11:57 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: Well, this is one of my warmer cotton shirts, if I had my coat on- Auuugh, fuck.
[11:57 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin slaps his face with his hand.
[11:57 AM] Taka Blackquill notices the collar and he starts staring at it.
[11:58 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: ... I left my scarf and jacket outside. From when I chased the kid.
[11:58 AM] Simon-Blackquill: There was a child here?
[11:59 AM] Iroquois-Pliskin: No, the- a kid like how Tori's a kid. The kid that looks like me.
[11:59 AM] Liquid Snake: Ah, that. Fun time, there.
[12:00 PM] Simon-Blackquill: ...Another twin brother?
[12:00 PM] Iroquois-Pliskin: Not... a brother.
[12:00 PM] Tori Marie Nygma: ...does that mean he's /my/ brother?
[12:01 PM] Iroquois-Pliskin: Probably, yeah. Apparently he was cloned from me. Who knows when.
[12:01 PM] Liquid Snake: Clones all the way down.
[12:02 PM] Iroquois-Pliskin hasn't noticed the bird staring at his collar.
[12:04 PM] Simon-Blackquill: Heh. Maybe in some off future, my sister created a robotic clone of me, and I'll get to meet him some day.
[12:04 PM] Simon-Blackquill: Then I will know your clone woes.
[12:05 PM] Iroquois-Pliskin: I wouldn't say woes. He's a good kid, I like him.
[12:05 PM] Tori Marie Nygma eyes Simon. "Would your sister really /do/ that?"
[12:06 PM] Simon-Blackquill: Who is to say? There's no reason for her to now, but in some other future...
[12:08 PM] Liron- is wandering past, and... does he sense something familiar? It's very hard to now, but he's very cold in his light jacket. So it's need more than anything else that has him knocking on the door and hoping that if it's not someone familiar, it's at least someone kind.
[12:08 PM] Tori Marie Nygma: This clone thing is still beyond me, but...
[12:08 PM] Tori Marie Nygma is probably lucky to not possess the knowledge that Lilith is the clone of an alternate her. c:
[12:08 PM] Tori Marie Nygma hears the door! She goes to open it.
[12:09 PM] Liron-: T... Tori?
[12:10 PM] Tori Marie Nygma: Liron! Woah, you shouldn't be out there in something that light. Come on, get in here right now!
[12:10 PM] Tori Marie Nygma immediately moves to usher him inside.
[12:10 PM] Liron- heads in and tries to shake off the snow. ... Ooh. A fire?
[12:11 PM] Simon-Blackquill ...recognises Liron?
[12:11 PM] Tori Marie Nygma closes the door behind him.
[12:11 PM] Liron- recognizes him and Iroquois but not Liquid. "... Oh. H... hi."
[12:11 PM] Taka Blackquill starts gently pecking at Pliskin's collar. What is thissss.
[12:11 PM] Liron- is shivering a little and moves towards the fire to sit on the floor.
[12:12 PM] Liquid Snake raises an eyebrow. Hm, this person isn't familiar. "Hello there," he says nonetheless.
[12:12 PM] Liron-: Hi. Ah... I'm Liron.
[12:12 PM] Iroquois-Pliskin vaguely recognizes this kid. Sort of. He just doesn't really care- especially when he's got a bird pecking at his collar. "Tsst! Hey. Stop that."
[12:12 PM] Tori Marie Nygma is following closely behind Liron because CONCERN.
[12:13 PM] Liron- just has a t-shirt and jeans under this WHAT IS DRESSING FOR THE WEATHER.
[12:14 PM] Liquid Snake: That so? Liquid Snake, good to meet you.
[12:14 PM] Taka Blackquill pecks at Pliskin's neck instead then!!!
[12:14 PM] Taka Blackquill isn't causing any pain or anything, he's just being a tit.
[12:15 PM] Simon-Blackquill: ...P-pfffft.
[12:15 PM] Liquid Snake thought he was a hawk.
[12:15 PM] Liquid Snake BADUM-TISH
[12:15 PM] Taka Blackquill IS A TIT HAWK.
[12:16 PM] Taka Blackquill shakes dem tatas
[12:16 PM] Iroquois-Pliskin growls, and subconsciously moves a hand over his closest ear- one of his ears has a damn nick in it from this bird. "C'mon. Cut it out."
[12:16 PM] Iroquois-Pliskin: (( the ear closest to taka* clarification ))
[12:17 PM] Tori Marie Nygma: Do you need a blanket, Liron? I can get one for you...
[12:17 PM] Liron-: That... that'd be nice. Thank you.
[12:18 PM] Tori Marie Nygma is off to get Liron a blanket!
[12:22 PM] Liron-: So how have you all been?
[12:23 PM] Tori Marie Nygma comes back with the blanket and drapes it over Liron. Precious child. She does not care if you are an angel and technically older than her. PRECIOUS CHILD.
[12:24 PM] Liron-: Thank you, Tori...
[12:24 PM] Taka Blackquill pecks at Pliskin's index finger, but after that, withdraws. He's done playing, because this guy isn't as fun as Simon. Taka flutters back over to Simon and swipes at him.
[12:24 PM] Tori Marie Nygma: You're welcome. Just tell me if you need anything else, okay?
[12:25 PM] Liron-: Okay.
[12:25 PM] Liron- smiles at her and snuggles into the blanket.
[12:25 PM] Iroquois-Pliskin breathes a sigh of relief, rubbing absently at his long-healed nicked ear and relaxing.
[12:25 PM] Simon-Blackquill sees Taka coming and duuuucks! The hawk lands on his upper back.
[12:25 PM] Tori Marie Nygma smiles back.
[12:25 PM] Taka Blackquill screeches.
[12:28 PM] Yevgeny Volgin arrives, quite on purpose, though he parks his scooter rather closer to the door than usual-- he's not going to be stuck without transportation if David's father is here again, and still waving around guns-- and opens the front door without knocking, but with a small call of, "Who all's here today?"
[12:28 PM] Liron-: Hello?
[12:30 PM] Iroquois-Pliskin perks up a bit, straightening right on up from where he sits on the floor by the fireplace, and he turns to look behind himself- it's a boyfriend!! He gives a halfsmile, though he looks pretty tired. "Hey. I am."
[12:30 PM] Iroquois-Pliskin also did not come home at all last night.
[12:31 PM] Tori Marie Nygma groans. Why is it that all the company's coming while she's still not properly dressed for the occasion?
[12:33 PM] Simon-Blackquill is here, and gives Volgin a nod of the head.
[12:33 PM] Taka Blackquill jumps up onto Simon's head when he does that.
[12:33 PM] Liquid Snake also nods in greeting at Volgin. Hey, brother's boyfriend, we're getting along!
[12:33 PM] Simon-Blackquill doesn't respond.
[12:33 PM] Yevgeny Volgin's heart leaps at the sound of his boyfriend's voice, and he steps inside, already grinning. "Hey yourself," he says, and nods to the unfamiliar fellow, and Liquid and Simon and-- "... Tori. You're adorable," he informs her, delighted, and moves to his boyfriend's side, sitting next to him.
[12:34 PM] Yevgeny Volgin says, to his boyfriend, "<Hello, handsome. I missed you last night,>" and kisses him under the ear.
[12:34 PM] Tori Marie Nygma: ...thanks?
[12:35 PM] Liron- just smiles at Volgin. He heard that. It's cute.
[12:36 PM] Iroquois-Pliskin is plenty pleased to be minus -1 prickly bird and plus +1 handsome boyfriend. He shivers a bit at the kiss, and shifts so he can sit a bit closer to Volgin. "<Sorry, I decided to stay here and stay awake.>" He says, that half-smile still on his face. "<I missed you too, though, my sunshine.>"
[12:46 PM] Yevgeny Volgin makes a warm little sound and nuzzles his boyfriend's neck. Ugh, he loves it when David calls him his sunshine. "<Careful with where you put those pet names, lover,>" he scolds, in the softest, sweetest way he can manage, "<or I might have to kiss you silly.>"
[12:51 PM] Iroquois-Pliskin tilts his head a bit at those nuzzles- he's wearing that collar you gave him, Volgin! He loves it very much. At the 'threat', he laughs a bit, leaning slightly against his boyfriend. "<Oh no. Not kissed silly. Anything but that.>" He replies in the most smarmily deadpan voice, a smirk on his face. "<I'm not sure I could withstand it. What do you think, Sunshine?>"
[12:51 PM] Liron- does his best not to chinhands.
[12:54 PM] Liquid Snake looks slightly amused. While he might not be completely fluent in Russian, Mantis was, and he picked up quite a bit from him. Enough to understand what's going on. Awwwww, adorable.