Tlazolteotl

◈ 𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐒𝐈𝐒 | Κάθαρσις ◈

Lost in Translation

@silver21@Stanifly@Auragreedia

The bartender's head swivels toward Morgan. His mouth moves, and Morgan catches the words: "The third drawer on the left, but you'll need to check the hinges first."

Before Morgan can respond, a woman in a sequined top pushes up beside him, leaning over the bar. "I think the blue ones are better, but only if you water them twice a week," she says brightly.

He nods and reaches for bottles on the shelf behind him. "Oh absolutely, though you might want to consider the warranty extension. It expired last Tuesday."

The woman laughs. "No, no—my sister tried that and the cat wouldn't come down for three hours!"

He grins as he pours. "Fair enough, fair enough. Here's your change from the dry cleaning." Within moments, she's walking away with two drinks.

The bartender turns back to Morgan and waits expectantly.

---

The man's head snaps up the instant Teresa rises from her seat. For just a heartbeat, his eyes go wide, eyebrows raised and drawn together, before his gaze drops like a stone.

He doesn't speak as the women talk, but he's clearly been listening because when Sirpa asks if he likes going to clubs like this, his hand comes up immediately, palm down, tilting side to side. When she adds that it's pretty loud, a weak smile tugs at one corner of his mouth.

Then the hand lifts again.

His arm sweeps outward in a wide arc, encompassing the entire club—the writhing mass of bodies, the strobing lights, the speakers pumping that relentless beat through the air. The gesture completes its circle and comes to rest against his temple, fingers splayed across his forehead. He shakes his hand there, like stirring something thick and chaotic inside his skull.

Then it drops to his chest.

Thump.
The bass hit. His palm hit his chest at the exact same moment.
Thump.
Again.
Thump.
And again.

His eyes slide closed, and he keeps that rhythm with his hand—matching the beat perfectly, feeling it pulse through his sternum, ribs, whole body. Everything drowns out whatever is screaming in his head.

For now.

◈ 𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐒𝐈𝐒 | Κάθαρσις ◈

Lost in Translation

@silver21@Auragreedia@Stanifly

It takes a few more attempts—questions rephrased, gestures simplified, patience stretched thin against the relentless pulse of bass—before the man finally offers something more than silence. He won't meet anyone's eyes, his head moving in a single, deliberate shake before reaching for his drink, swallowing like it might wash down whatever else threatened to surface.

◈ 𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐒𝐈𝐒 | Κάθαρσις ◈

@silver21 like everyone said, that's 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

I hope that you'll be able to continue! Are you hoping to become a professor? Or maybe hold your own practice in the future?

@Stanifly As far as anyone can tell, the venue's indoors, but if you want to know more about the place, you gotta explore!

◈ 𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐒𝐈𝐒 | Κάθαρσις ◈

@silver21 WHOA a professor!? What do you teach, if you don't mind me asking?

My week was busy, but overall I think pretty good! Thanks for asking!

@BaronOBeefDip Oh no, I'm sorry to hear that. Are you sure it's just a cold? Did you have it checked out?

(also change the "thank" reaction to a 🙏, cause this site is severely lacking in options😭) Rest up, I hope you get better soon

@Stanifly No worries, take your time! Were you able to get enough rest?

◈ 𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐒𝐈𝐒 | Κάθαρσις ◈

@Auragreedia Gotcha, thanks for letting me know!

@Stanifly @silver21 @BaronOBeefDip @CyclingTortoise How's everyone else been doing? Good week, I hope?

◈ 𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐒𝐈𝐒 | Κάθαρσις ◈

Awesome 👍

◈ 𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐒𝐈𝐒 | Κάθαρσις ◈

Same thoughts as @Stanifly! Some more direction would be nice

@Auragreedia

Would what is posted be enough, or would you like me to make a list of what might happen if any of the characters did XXX?

◈ 𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐒𝐈𝐒 | Κάθαρσις ◈

Lost in Translation

@silver21@Auragreedia@Stanifly

The moment Sirpa's hand makes contact with his shoulder, the man's head snaps up, eyes wide. He jerks back slightly, the instinctive flinch pulling his shoulder just barely out from under her palm. But he doesn't pull away entirely. Doesn't stand or retreat.

For a heartbeat, he just stares at her.

Then his jaw tightens, the corners of his mouth twitching downward against whatever wants to surface. He turns his head sharply to the side as his hand comes up to push his glasses onto his forehead. His shoulders hunch forward over the table, fingers pressing against the bridge of his nose as he draws a shaky breath.

◈ 𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐒𝐈𝐒 | Κάθαρσις ◈

💯 🤣

◈ 𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐒𝐈𝐒 | Κάθαρσις ◈

Lost in Translation

@silver21@Auragreedia@Stanifly

The man looks up from his drink and meets your eyes. His widen. He glances left, right, over his shoulder. When he finds no one, his gaze returns to your face.

There's an awkward attempt at a smile. His shoulders creep toward his ears as he wets his lips and draws a breath.

A shake of his head. His mouth moves in clear, deliberate shapes—you can't hear him.

You lean closer. Ask him to repeat himself. He tries again, brow creasing, speaking with more emphasis, mouth opening wider around each syllable.

Nothing. The noise around you swallows every word.

He could scream until his throat bled and you would never hear him.

Then that small spark when he first met your eyes, that brief, hopeful glimmer of maybe this time, gutters out. Careful blankness settles across his features the way it does when someone gives up.

He returns to his drink as if you were never there at all.