starter for @ghostgrcy !
It didn't entirely take too much for Gene to get tipsy this particular night.
Not that he believed himself to have a problem with alcohol, but he had decided to cut his intake when he noticed he was using it. Primarily when he was upset. Not a good habit to have.
Granted, he was almost always upset over something. His appearance, mostly. He looked down at his torso as he sat down at the bar. Yup, those extra pair of arms are still there. He wiggled his mandibles with ease. Well, fuck.
He looked over his shoulder to see if anyone was paying attention to him. No one was, as far as he could tell. He tucked his second pair of mantis limbs against his torso, forcing them to take up less space. He traced the rim of his glass and sighed. The bartender heard Gene and gestured at the whiskey bottle he already poured out for the bug earlier. Gene flashed a quick smile and shook his head gently, his palm outstretched and fingers facing the ceiling. Maybe it was time to go home. Better to stop while he was ahead.
The bug placed the empty glass on the bar mat and swung around to leave the bar stool he sat on. Slightly dizzy from the turning, he carefully got up and walked toward the exit. Once met with the crispy Autumn air, the man pulled out his phone and instinctually tapped at the ride share app he was oh so familiar with.
Only, he didn't want to leave. Not quite yet.
Gene knew if he went back inside, he'd order another whiskey. So instead, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigarette carton and lighter. Using his mandibles, he leaned his head down to pick up a smoke from the carton and position it in his mouth. Once it was between his lips, Gene brought the lighter up to the end of the cigarette. Took a few tries from his impaired state, but ultimately successfully lit it up. He walked back to the brick wall of the building and leaned against it, a cloud of smoke escaping his teeth.
The bug just needed a few minutes before the inevitable awkward encounter with a stranger in their own car.














