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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]

[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.

[royalfling]

I guess you are!

[ It doesn't stop him from watching Bolin for a long moment. He needs to ask Ryan about this later. ]

Well, I can help! Maybe I should get some for Mako...

[ Seeing as, he's starting to smoke and burn up at stuff.

Except, maybe bringing up Mako isn't the best idea. He glances back at Bolin just to check that he isn't going to freeze up again. ]

[pabugotmoves]

[Wu isn't wrong because it does make Bolin pause.

It feels awful when the mention of his brother's name is enough to make his feet go cold. It feels awful that this whole thing is happening. Wu is incredibly diplomatic and can be really clever.. maybe this was a rouse.]

Maybe um. You know, maybe I should stay here after all. I have a lot of sequins to sew..

[royalfling]

[ Wu pauses where he is, standing stalk still, his eyes on Bolin. ]

I'm not going to make you see Mako. Unless you want to! He's just-- [ Not having a good time, either. But Bolin probably doesn't need to know that, right now. That would be guilting him. ]

Come on, Bolin! You can't just stay in here.

[pabugotmoves]

[Poor Wu in the middle of all this. What an impossible situation.

And Bolin can recognize that. Which is.. growth?

He takes a moment, and a breath, forcing himself to just.. push through. You're a big boy, Bolin. Act like one. This isn't easy for any of them but here Wu is trying anyway.]

Yeah, no.. pphhh.. you're right. You're right, let's go. Maybe some retail therapy will help.