Robert Bryar

[ it had taken a bit of time for Mikey to get re-settled in the hotel, but once he had, the bassist had far too much energy to stay cooped up for long. Maybe a day or two later is when he felt confident enough to venture back out into the city by himself. Mostly window shopping and familiarizing himself with the places he once knew, he just so happened to stumble across a place that he simply couldn't stay on the sidewalk to see. Through a window, the wags of tails and little puffs of fur running and rolling were already visible to him. A childlike excitement grabbed hold of him and he was already headed through the front door with a grin on his face ]

[ he didn't immediately notice any staff and was far too preoccupied to go searching, dropping to his knees by the first kennel he came across and eagerly stuffing a hand through the bars. He was greeted with equally excited licks and a wet nose, to which he gave a goofy little giggle and put on his best baby voice ]

Oh my goodness hello! Hello! Who's a good puppy?

[ @kill-4ll-your-friends]

[Bobby was always happy to have customers, but he couldn't pretend he wasn't surprised to see his old bandmate. He didn't quite recognize him at first, with the new hair and all, but that posture (and body size) was unmistakable.]

His name's Artie. He was rescued with a broken leg. Hey, don't I know you from somewhere?

[He stepped out from behind the curtain, wiping his hands on his little apron and smiling big as he waited to be recognized.]

[ the human voice as opposed to puppydog pants was enough to startle him a bit, causing him to quickly retract his hand from the kennel and turn to look up over his shoulder. He stared dumbly at Bob for a long few seconds, processing his face, before realization visibly washed over him. Now this was a man he remembered, thank God ]

Wait, Bob? Bobby?

[ he sprung up with all the energy of a younger man, absolutely beaming as he bounded over. You'd honestly be convinced he was about to pounce right at the man if he hadn't hit the breaks at the last second and slapped his hands down on the former drummer's shoulders in greeting ]

Man, it's good to see you! How have you been? Is this- do you own this? Was I already supposed to know that? Haha-

[It's a good thing Mikey didn't jump, because he was not prepared for it, nor would he ever be prepared for the sheer overwhelming presence of the Ways. Mikey coming alone was a blessing.]

[The larger man appreciated the hesitation to grab onto him, but he also knew how affectionate Mikey could be. He didn't mind a hug in greeting, so he gave one, pulling the other in and patting his back before pulling them both apart again.]

It's alright, it's been a while... yeah, I, uh, I own this place now! Started as just a worker, until my boss joined the front... it was really shitty before all this, actually. I'm glad I got it all fixed up. How've you been..?

It looks great! And I'm not just saying that because it's full of puppies... But that's definitely a plus. Bonus points.

[ he giggled softly at his own joke, feeling pleasantly warm even after they'd parted from the hug. He could remember Bob had that sort of effect- considering a return of physical affection was often a rare luxury from their old drummer. Mikey had always been one of the few who received the honor of such. Maybe that's why he could remember Bob so clearly despite forgetting so much about the others whom he'd even been living with for some time now ]

Me? Oh, shit, man... I don't actually know.

[ awkwardly, like there was some sort of shame to be had in admitting it, he turned his attention back towards the padding and sniffing of animals nearby as he spoke ]

I just got out of reconditioning. So... I have a pretty clean slate right now. I wish I had more interesting things to update you on. I feel like it's... definitely been a long time since I've seen you.

Oh-!

[He sounded... surprised? Upset? He wasn't quite sure himself. If he was reconditioned, well, that didn't fare well for the band...]

Hey, you know what, it's cool. I've been living a pretty average life here, all things considered. So, you know. Not much to update you on, either...

[Bob gave an awkward laugh, only then realizing that they were standing out in the open in a... moderately unclean space.]

Come in, come in! Here, this way.

[The man pulled off his rubber gloves and tucked them into his apron, then bringing Mikey in past a set of double doors and through the kennels in the back. He didn't spend long there, passing them quickly and heading out into the back courtyard, where patches of orange and green grass made space for a (currently empty) agility course.]

Alright, we should get some, uh, relative peace and quiet out here, heh.

[ he happily trailed along behind, quietly waving to the little animals that excitedly greeted either of them through their respective kennels. It'd be nice to have a job like this, he thought. Better than prancing around on a stage for the Dictator, that's for sure. Come to think of it, he'd have some free time without any shows- maybe he'd ask to volunteer or something ]

Not a bad day out, huh? I mean, a little cold- but nice.

[ small talk was cheap, he knew that. He cleared his throat to try again ]

We're on break from touring for a while. I sort of remember it. It's probably one of the most clear things I have, actually. It was a long one, hah... I'd say I wish you were there, but that would sort of also be wishing the worst on you at the same time.

[ i wish things were what they used to be. I wish we were young and playing in shitty little basement gigs again ]

[He didn't know how to feel about the small talk. On the one hand, it felt shallow and forced, like there was nothing better to discuss; on the other, it was insistence on conversation despite the lack of content. Besides, no one had asked him his feelings on the weather in quite a long time.]

Another break, huh? You think this one's gonna last as long as before?

[A faint smile, perhaps lined with hope. He has nothing against Draag, of course-- in fact, it had proven quite a lovely home for him, despite the conditions-- but he did always want what was best for his friends, even if he'd been (somewhat) intentionally pushing for isolation in the past few years.]

Oh, man- no way. They've actually already got another tour lined up for us... Now it's just sort of this uncomfortable limbo between it all. Guess they had to get one last reset in for me before letting me go for a little while.

[ he swung his arms by his sides idly, trying not to be too obvious about the way he was looking Bob up and down. He didn't mean anything by it, but he couldn't help but feel like the last time he'd seen the man he'd looked younger enough for it to be notable. Bob had certainly given himself some distance after retiring from the band, but perhaps it really had been too long since they'd last been together ]

.... We're staying in a hotel. Not sure if you knew that already. It gets so cramped in there with all of us trying to maneuver around each other. Sort of ridiculous. We've been trying to fix that but uh... you know how they are up there.

[ his eyes finally came to settle on Bob's face once more, and his smile was enough to bring one to Mikey's lips as well in return ]

Hey uh- I'd offer to go out for like lunch or coffee but I literally don't have a cent to my name right now. But if you can close for a bit we could always... maybe head to the park or something?

[Bob rolled his eyes with a smile, pulling out his wallet and walking with Mikey around to the front.]

I'd just finished up, actually. We can head over in five, if you wanna wait out here.

[It was the longest five minutes of his life. The dogs all needed something, the cats all wanted something-- it was five minutes and thirty-six seconds, actually, since he'd been counting. But finally, finally, he was able to lock up and come back out.]

Okay! You got a lunch place in mind?

[ it had taken a bit of time for Mikey to get re-settled in the hotel, but once he had, the bassist had far too much energy to stay cooped up for long. Maybe a day or two later is when he felt confident enough to venture back out into the city by himself. Mostly window shopping and familiarizing himself with the places he once knew, he just so happened to stumble across a place that he simply couldn't stay on the sidewalk to see. Through a window, the wags of tails and little puffs of fur running and rolling were already visible to him. A childlike excitement grabbed hold of him and he was already headed through the front door with a grin on his face ]

[ he didn't immediately notice any staff and was far too preoccupied to go searching, dropping to his knees by the first kennel he came across and eagerly stuffing a hand through the bars. He was greeted with equally excited licks and a wet nose, to which he gave a goofy little giggle and put on his best baby voice ]

Oh my goodness hello! Hello! Who's a good puppy?

[ @kill-4ll-your-friends]

[Bobby was always happy to have customers, but he couldn't pretend he wasn't surprised to see his old bandmate. He didn't quite recognize him at first, with the new hair and all, but that posture (and body size) was unmistakable.]

His name's Artie. He was rescued with a broken leg. Hey, don't I know you from somewhere?

[He stepped out from behind the curtain, wiping his hands on his little apron and smiling big as he waited to be recognized.]

[ the human voice as opposed to puppydog pants was enough to startle him a bit, causing him to quickly retract his hand from the kennel and turn to look up over his shoulder. He stared dumbly at Bob for a long few seconds, processing his face, before realization visibly washed over him. Now this was a man he remembered, thank God ]

Wait, Bob? Bobby?

[ he sprung up with all the energy of a younger man, absolutely beaming as he bounded over. You'd honestly be convinced he was about to pounce right at the man if he hadn't hit the breaks at the last second and slapped his hands down on the former drummer's shoulders in greeting ]

Man, it's good to see you! How have you been? Is this- do you own this? Was I already supposed to know that? Haha-

[It's a good thing Mikey didn't jump, because he was not prepared for it, nor would he ever be prepared for the sheer overwhelming presence of the Ways. Mikey coming alone was a blessing.]

[The larger man appreciated the hesitation to grab onto him, but he also knew how affectionate Mikey could be. He didn't mind a hug in greeting, so he gave one, pulling the other in and patting his back before pulling them both apart again.]

It's alright, it's been a while... yeah, I, uh, I own this place now! Started as just a worker, until my boss joined the front... it was really shitty before all this, actually. I'm glad I got it all fixed up. How've you been..?

It looks great! And I'm not just saying that because it's full of puppies... But that's definitely a plus. Bonus points.

[ he giggled softly at his own joke, feeling pleasantly warm even after they'd parted from the hug. He could remember Bob had that sort of effect- considering a return of physical affection was often a rare luxury from their old drummer. Mikey had always been one of the few who received the honor of such. Maybe that's why he could remember Bob so clearly despite forgetting so much about the others whom he'd even been living with for some time now ]

Me? Oh, shit, man... I don't actually know.

[ awkwardly, like there was some sort of shame to be had in admitting it, he turned his attention back towards the padding and sniffing of animals nearby as he spoke ]

I just got out of reconditioning. So... I have a pretty clean slate right now. I wish I had more interesting things to update you on. I feel like it's... definitely been a long time since I've seen you.

Oh-!

[He sounded... surprised? Upset? He wasn't quite sure himself. If he was reconditioned, well, that didn't fare well for the band...]

Hey, you know what, it's cool. I've been living a pretty average life here, all things considered. So, you know. Not much to update you on, either...

[Bob gave an awkward laugh, only then realizing that they were standing out in the open in a... moderately unclean space.]

Come in, come in! Here, this way.

[The man pulled off his rubber gloves and tucked them into his apron, then bringing Mikey in past a set of double doors and through the kennels in the back. He didn't spend long there, passing them quickly and heading out into the back courtyard, where patches of orange and green grass made space for a (currently empty) agility course.]

Alright, we should get some, uh, relative peace and quiet out here, heh.

[ he happily trailed along behind, quietly waving to the little animals that excitedly greeted either of them through their respective kennels. It'd be nice to have a job like this, he thought. Better than prancing around on a stage for the Dictator, that's for sure. Come to think of it, he'd have some free time without any shows- maybe he'd ask to volunteer or something ]

Not a bad day out, huh? I mean, a little cold- but nice.

[ small talk was cheap, he knew that. He cleared his throat to try again ]

We're on break from touring for a while. I sort of remember it. It's probably one of the most clear things I have, actually. It was a long one, hah... I'd say I wish you were there, but that would sort of also be wishing the worst on you at the same time.

[ i wish things were what they used to be. I wish we were young and playing in shitty little basement gigs again ]

[He didn't know how to feel about the small talk. On the one hand, it felt shallow and forced, like there was nothing better to discuss; on the other, it was insistence on conversation despite the lack of content. Besides, no one had asked him his feelings on the weather in quite a long time.]

Another break, huh? You think this one's gonna last as long as before?

[A faint smile, perhaps lined with hope. He has nothing against Draag, of course-- in fact, it had proven quite a lovely home for him, despite the conditions-- but he did always want what was best for his friends, even if he'd been (somewhat) intentionally pushing for isolation in the past few years.]

#yeah..#my way home is through you

bobby. More like. Booby 💛

Yeah.

[ it had taken a bit of time for Mikey to get re-settled in the hotel, but once he had, the bassist had far too much energy to stay cooped up for long. Maybe a day or two later is when he felt confident enough to venture back out into the city by himself. Mostly window shopping and familiarizing himself with the places he once knew, he just so happened to stumble across a place that he simply couldn't stay on the sidewalk to see. Through a window, the wags of tails and little puffs of fur running and rolling were already visible to him. A childlike excitement grabbed hold of him and he was already headed through the front door with a grin on his face ]

[ he didn't immediately notice any staff and was far too preoccupied to go searching, dropping to his knees by the first kennel he came across and eagerly stuffing a hand through the bars. He was greeted with equally excited licks and a wet nose, to which he gave a goofy little giggle and put on his best baby voice ]

Oh my goodness hello! Hello! Who's a good puppy?

[ @kill-4ll-your-friends]

[Bobby was always happy to have customers, but he couldn't pretend he wasn't surprised to see his old bandmate. He didn't quite recognize him at first, with the new hair and all, but that posture (and body size) was unmistakable.]

His name's Artie. He was rescued with a broken leg. Hey, don't I know you from somewhere?

[He stepped out from behind the curtain, wiping his hands on his little apron and smiling big as he waited to be recognized.]

[ the human voice as opposed to puppydog pants was enough to startle him a bit, causing him to quickly retract his hand from the kennel and turn to look up over his shoulder. He stared dumbly at Bob for a long few seconds, processing his face, before realization visibly washed over him. Now this was a man he remembered, thank God ]

Wait, Bob? Bobby?

[ he sprung up with all the energy of a younger man, absolutely beaming as he bounded over. You'd honestly be convinced he was about to pounce right at the man if he hadn't hit the breaks at the last second and slapped his hands down on the former drummer's shoulders in greeting ]

Man, it's good to see you! How have you been? Is this- do you own this? Was I already supposed to know that? Haha-

[It's a good thing Mikey didn't jump, because he was not prepared for it, nor would he ever be prepared for the sheer overwhelming presence of the Ways. Mikey coming alone was a blessing.]

[The larger man appreciated the hesitation to grab onto him, but he also knew how affectionate Mikey could be. He didn't mind a hug in greeting, so he gave one, pulling the other in and patting his back before pulling them both apart again.]

It's alright, it's been a while... yeah, I, uh, I own this place now! Started as just a worker, until my boss joined the front... it was really shitty before all this, actually. I'm glad I got it all fixed up. How've you been..?

It looks great! And I'm not just saying that because it's full of puppies... But that's definitely a plus. Bonus points.

[ he giggled softly at his own joke, feeling pleasantly warm even after they'd parted from the hug. He could remember Bob had that sort of effect- considering a return of physical affection was often a rare luxury from their old drummer. Mikey had always been one of the few who received the honor of such. Maybe that's why he could remember Bob so clearly despite forgetting so much about the others whom he'd even been living with for some time now ]

Me? Oh, shit, man... I don't actually know.

[ awkwardly, like there was some sort of shame to be had in admitting it, he turned his attention back towards the padding and sniffing of animals nearby as he spoke ]

I just got out of reconditioning. So... I have a pretty clean slate right now. I wish I had more interesting things to update you on. I feel like it's... definitely been a long time since I've seen you.

Oh-!

[He sounded... surprised? Upset? He wasn't quite sure himself. If he was reconditioned, well, that didn't fare well for the band...]

Hey, you know what, it's cool. I've been living a pretty average life here, all things considered. So, you know. Not much to update you on, either...

[Bob gave an awkward laugh, only then realizing that they were standing out in the open in a... moderately unclean space.]

Come in, come in! Here, this way.

[The man pulled off his rubber gloves and tucked them into his apron, then bringing Mikey in past a set of double doors and through the kennels in the back. He didn't spend long there, passing them quickly and heading out into the back courtyard, where patches of orange and green grass made space for a (currently empty) agility course.]

Alright, we should get some, uh, relative peace and quiet out here, heh.

[ it had taken a bit of time for Mikey to get re-settled in the hotel, but once he had, the bassist had far too much energy to stay cooped up for long. Maybe a day or two later is when he felt confident enough to venture back out into the city by himself. Mostly window shopping and familiarizing himself with the places he once knew, he just so happened to stumble across a place that he simply couldn't stay on the sidewalk to see. Through a window, the wags of tails and little puffs of fur running and rolling were already visible to him. A childlike excitement grabbed hold of him and he was already headed through the front door with a grin on his face ]

[ he didn't immediately notice any staff and was far too preoccupied to go searching, dropping to his knees by the first kennel he came across and eagerly stuffing a hand through the bars. He was greeted with equally excited licks and a wet nose, to which he gave a goofy little giggle and put on his best baby voice ]

Oh my goodness hello! Hello! Who's a good puppy?

[ @kill-4ll-your-friends]

[Bobby was always happy to have customers, but he couldn't pretend he wasn't surprised to see his old bandmate. He didn't quite recognize him at first, with the new hair and all, but that posture (and body size) was unmistakable.]

His name's Artie. He was rescued with a broken leg. Hey, don't I know you from somewhere?

[He stepped out from behind the curtain, wiping his hands on his little apron and smiling big as he waited to be recognized.]

[ the human voice as opposed to puppydog pants was enough to startle him a bit, causing him to quickly retract his hand from the kennel and turn to look up over his shoulder. He stared dumbly at Bob for a long few seconds, processing his face, before realization visibly washed over him. Now this was a man he remembered, thank God ]

Wait, Bob? Bobby?

[ he sprung up with all the energy of a younger man, absolutely beaming as he bounded over. You'd honestly be convinced he was about to pounce right at the man if he hadn't hit the breaks at the last second and slapped his hands down on the former drummer's shoulders in greeting ]

Man, it's good to see you! How have you been? Is this- do you own this? Was I already supposed to know that? Haha-

[It's a good thing Mikey didn't jump, because he was not prepared for it, nor would he ever be prepared for the sheer overwhelming presence of the Ways. Mikey coming alone was a blessing.]

[The larger man appreciated the hesitation to grab onto him, but he also knew how affectionate Mikey could be. He didn't mind a hug in greeting, so he gave one, pulling the other in and patting his back before pulling them both apart again.]

It's alright, it's been a while... yeah, I, uh, I own this place now! Started as just a worker, until my boss joined the front... it was really shitty before all this, actually. I'm glad I got it all fixed up. How've you been..?