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[pabugotmoves]

Huh? Oh-- You've reached Bolin!
Yeah, I'm a pretty busy guy but leave me a message and I'll beep you back

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[pabugotmoves]

[Sorry Wu. He's not mad at you in the slightest. He's mad at his brother (actually more mad at himself) and Wu is getting the rubble.

But he listens when Wu speaks and when he takes the gift the fight drops from his sails a little bit, carefully unwrapping the gift and spreading the blanket out in his arms before wrapping it around him. It smells like Fresh and Clean and Good and Bolin breathes it, exhaling heavily through his nose with contentment.]

This is so nice.

[Straight up? The hole isn't his dream home. But it isn't that bad and people have been so mean to him lately that he's pretty happy to be left alone. Before that everyone was ignoring him and before that he'd spent a whole month hiding in the club's curtains feeling homesick, in the way, and sorry for himself.

So.. yeah, the hole is lonely and dark and kind of scary but in a lot of ways it's comforting. If only because it is the one thing he appears able to control.

Finally, softer, earnestly,]

Thank you.

.. I'm sorry I snapped at you.

[royalfling]

[ Wu lets out a breath, watching him cuddle up into the blanket with a sense of satisfaction. Giving someone a gift they actually like and appreciate is one of his greatest joys in life. ]

It's okay. Clearly things aren't going so hot for you right now, buddy!

[ He looks around for somewhere to sit, and, not seeing anything, opts to lean against the wall, watching him with a soft expression ]

And you're very welcome. I'm not here to tell you off or anything. I know Mako already did that, but you know you can ask us for help, right? I mean, Mako's your brother! And I don't want to see you freezing to death for no good reason. Or at all.

[pabugotmoves]

[Bo takes the hint and pulls two seats up from the ground, gesturing from his blanket cocoon to the one nearest Wu before sitting on the other.]

I know. And I appreciate that, I really do. I'm going to find a place, I just haven't found the right one yet.

.. do you want some tea?

[royalfling]

[ Bending is so handy, isn't it? He can just redecorate whenever he wants. Wu sits down delicately on the rock stool, filing it away to get Bolin some pillows to put on these "chairs" ]

What's not right about any of them? My friend Ryan was living in this horrible apartment, but at least it was an apartment! It might be free-- no. Don't live there. It was honestly worse than this.

[ It had mold and broken stairs and outdated appliances. Honestly, a hole in the ground is better.

He lets out a breath ]

Tea would be lovely. Thank you.

[pabugotmoves]

[Bolin snorts softly and moves to set up his kitchen. A little hole in the floor, a few pebbles phase changed into lava, some water from a cask into a small but clean pot. It's a very rustic way of doing things and he would be lost for heat without his lavabending, but he's figured out a lighter touch for small domestic applications and so far it's been working just fine.

A sudden pulse of heat blooms through the small space and Bolin moves to sit on the ground so he can work. He isn't sure what kind of tea it is he's bought but it's nice enough. Distinctly Other...but nice.]

What was wrong with Ryan's place?

[Asked as he digs out the tea and drops a few large pinches into the pot.]

[royalfling]

[ Wu watches, fascinated. He's seen Bolin lavabend, at a distance, but seeing it up close and personal? Is very cool.

He only realizes that Bolin asked him something a long moment later ]

Huh? Oh. It was a dump! Everything was broken and the paint was peeling and you couldn't even go upstairs! I don't think any of his appliances worked, and he was sleeping on a mattress on the floor.

At least here, you're safe from drafts and splinters.

[pabugotmoves]

And noise and monster attacks and kidnappings and criminals,

[Bo adds in agreement and sits back while the water boils. It won't be long.

Warm, he drops the blanket back from his shoulders but not entirely, loving the feeling of security it gives. After a beat he breaks out a few buns to share and Pabu tugs Fritter over to settle near the heat.

Familiar buns, obviously, which mysteriously appeared at this doorstep last night. They taste like stubborn but unrelenting concern but he'll still eat them. ]

[royalfling]

Yeah! It's... I mean, it's not great, but at least you're safe.

[ Well, he won't say no to a bun. Mako makes great buns, and he's been stress cooking a lot and Wu feels that it's his due to benefit from all that stress.

A beat as he stares down at the bun ]

Do you like it?

[pabugotmoves]

Of course I do.

[Kneejerk. He doesn't look convinced. It's terrible, Wu. You know, he knows, everyone knows. But if he keeps telling himself that it's fine then it has to be fine.]

Yeah, I was thinking about putting in like a hot tub [Holding his hand out from his face like a view finder.] and a sauna.. a real.. subterranean palace.

[royalfling]

I'd definitely visit more if there was a hot tub! Better than having to go all the way to the hot springs to enjoy the heat.

[ Stop encouraging him, Wu.

Wu watches him, he can tell that Bolin doesn't really mean it, by his expression and by the emotions that Wu can feel from him. He frowns a little, narrowing his eyes, but he's not going to call him on it just yet. ]

[pabugotmoves]

Your reality is what you make it, buddy.

[Also Bolin has zero object permanence and focuses on the present. So it is what it is and that's that.

Which is probably one of the reasons he's still down here and not house hunting.]

[royalfling]

[ Oh, no. Don't teach him the Secret, Bolin! ]

Is it..?

[ He shakes his head, then lets out a sigh. Time to try, at least ]

You know, I've been thinking about going to look around the Cellar Door, see what else is out there. My costume room is already overflowing for the show.

[pabugotmoves]

Of course it is. You're the only one who can steer your boat. But how do you mean?

[royalfling]

Well, I need more space. We could go look, together.

[ Wink wink, nudge nudge ]

[pabugotmoves]

For more space or more clothes?

[But he does finish his tea and start the process of stowing his beautiful new blanket and pulling on his jacket.]

[royalfling]

Obviously both.

[ And a place to stash his brother in law. He accepts his tea gratefully. ]

I think the show's going to be a hit. You know, when the whole cast is alive.

[pabugotmoves]

[He is confused but you know what... it doesn't matter. It would be nice to spend some time with him. Assuming this isn't a MAKO TRAP AFTER ALL.

But still watch him foxtrotting right into it if it is.]

Yeah? Honestly, I'm feeling good about it, man. This cast have some real acting chops.

[royalfling]

[ No Mako trap, just a house trap. You know, a safe place to live that isn't an airless bunker in the ground. ]

They do! All that talent was just sitting there, untapped. We have to release it, Bolin. We're the only ones who can.

[ Dramatic, much? ]

[pabugotmoves]

[... sssnnnnnrrrrrkkkk don't think about it, don't think about it, don't make it gross, no, bad, don't do it Bolin.]

[royalfling]

[ Wu certainly catches that laugh. And looks at Bo. And double takes.

And then leans over to slap him lightly. ]

Bolin! Bolin, gross!

[pabugotmoves]

I'm sorry!!! I'm sorry, it's Ryan's fault! He makes everything dirty all the time

[royalfling]

[ Oh, Ryan... and yet, Wu has to jump to his defense ]

It's not all the time.

[pabugotmoves]

[Oh, Ryan. The universal revelation.]

It's most of of the time, bud.

We spent all night making sex jokes about the show.. oooh that reminds me. I need to buy him some flowers.

[Which in Trench is apparently the equivalent of Tiffany diamonds but here we are.]

C'mon, let's head to the market.

[royalfling]

Why do you need to buy him flowers?

[ Wu isn't exactly thinking that, but he also isn't thinking that. Ryan has a boyfriend, after all.

He finishes his tea and pushes himself up, dusting himself off. An unfinished, earth-bent chair isn't the neatest thing ]

Ryan does... know a lot. [ About sex. And other things. He really is a revelation ]

[pabugotmoves]

Well, we're a stage couple now.

[And a good boyfriend shows he cares!

Bo cleans his ear with his pinkie as he speaks and opens the door for them with Pabu chasing up behind with a small coil purse in his mouth.]

Plus I said I would.