bakerstreet | THE BAR FIGHT MEME

THE BAR FIGHT MEME

THE BAR FIGHT MEME

HOW TO PLAY
1) Post a blank comment with your character, or post with your preferences
2) Reply to others by rolling the RNG between 1-10 to pick a prompt, or just grab one you want.
3) Are you two the ones fighting? Are you teamed up? Or are you just a bystander? Decide!
4) Have fun and don’t cause too much collateral damage.

PROMPTS
1) RAGING DRUNK WHO’S THAT ASSHOLE STARING AT ME? I’M-I’M, GUYS I’M GONNA FIH….I’M GONNA FIGHT HIM. I’M GONNA….GUYS BACK ME UP. GUYS

2) RELUCTANT All you wanted is a quiet drink alone or a nice night with your friends. You really didn’t mean to knock that person’s drink over. Now they wanna go and you just wanna go home.

3) DISRESPECT Someone’s been talking shit about someone, and you’ve got some honor to defend or a score to settle.

4) START SOME SHIT Literally the only reason you’re out tonight is to fuck shit up.

5) YOU ASSHOLE You've hustled someone at pool, or said some rude things pretty loud, or hit on someone too aggressively. Doesn't matter, you’ve been a jerk and now karma’s gonna kick your ass.

6) BLOODBATH You didn’t start the fight. You have no idea who started the fight. But now everyone’s fighting and it’s throw a punch or cower behind the bar time.

7) VENDETTA You’ve got history with this person and now they’re here in the bar with you. It doesn’t matter if they’ve actually done anything to you tonight, you’re still gonna brawl.

8) NOT MY CIRCUS Someone else actually tarted some shit. The shit his happening in your general vicinity and is threatening to get you into it like some kind of booze fuled blood katamari. You getting involved?

8) WILD Go nuts

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[He's got one alien, recently unconscious, by the front collar of his shirt and is just about to sweep it around and into another when -

everyone stops. Shiro does too. Things get very quiet, very quickly and he doesn't think that's a good sign, already turning his head to spot Lance and plot out the fastest route to the other paladin and then out an exit if he has to make one with his hand.

And then the cheering starts.

Shiro's head snaps back around and for a second -

for a second he smells the tang of cold metal. Old blood and bile. Sweat and fear. Hears the pulsing hunger of a crowd of nightmares in the cheer. Tastes revulsion and rage in the back of his throat.

But - no. No, there's only alcohol and sweat and too many bodies and dirt and dusty wood smell in the air and the cheering isn't from above, its from around him. The first person that slaps his shoulder almost loses their hand because he only stops his nerves from reacting in the split second before it but the next hearty slap is a bit more expected and then they just keep coming, rocking him slightly but easily obvious that they're not to hurt. He doesn't quite get what he's done yet but its obviously something and he gently lowers the body he was holding to the ground before straightening. The attention makes him uncomfortable, for a lot of reasons and so he turns his head, trying to see through the suddenly friendly mass around him that seems to be in the process of arguing over who's going to buy him a drink for his teammate. He's not able to move through the tight packed crowd at the moment but - ]

Lance -

[They're... definitely cheering Shiro on. It takes Lance a few seconds longer to get off the ground, head throbbing a little from the wall, but he moves just in time to watch a hoard of people swarm in to continue congratulating him. Whoever had Lance was apparently a bigshot from the bar, or at least that was all Lance could guess.

Lance looks up when he hears Shiro, then forces himself to his feet. He staggers, bringing a hand to his face to wipe away some of the blood. He's sure he looks like a mess, but he grins, bright and cheery as if he wasn't just involved in a fight, and takes a few stumbling steps forward. Someone behind him gives him a push and he just hears laughing, but he ignores it in favor of shooing the others.]

Ladies and gentlefolk, c'mon now, give the winner some space! [There's a hiccup.] We've come a long way to see you guys, don't crowd the man! Now, s'cuuuuse me, lemme... lemme get over!

[That at least gets a handful to shift back, but Lance still has to wiggle through a crowd before reaching in front of Shiro. He props an elbow on the table to his side and leans against it, looking smug--not realizing that the table is on its last leg.]

Heeeeyyyy, fancy seein' you here--eeeeeek!

[And it snaps, table going down, and Lance stumbles down with it. The last drink on the table goes flying, which sparks up the yelling again.]

[The sooner they get out of the crowd the better. While Shiro understands that whatever's happened is a good thing and has turned in their favor, something in the back of his mind is rising bile and memories he'd rather not remember of the attention of cheering crowds and adulation after a fight. The front of his head recognizes an opportunity to win locals to their side of the fight against Zarkon - but his gut is screaming at him to get out before this reality shatters and he realizes he's back in the Arena and everything else has been a hallucination.

He's both too relieved to see Lance when the younger paladin finally gets through and alarmed at the condition his face is in. The slurred talk though - ahh, that's why Lance is still so relaxed. He's going to feel that once the alcohol wears off.

And then the table gives and the drink goes flying and the yelling starts and -

shit.

Shiro reaches out first to catch Lance's arm to keep him from just face planting into the ground and he raises his other hand and his voice, a wordless sound that demands attention, something that's half Arena Champion and half instructor at the Garrison. It works as the crowd goes silent and waiting again. Shiro tries his best to smile and make it looked relaxed and easy. And he says what he assumes are magic words in any culture in the entire universe.

The princess can take it out of his non-existent paycheck.]

Drinks are on me!

[The crowd is roaring with excitement and cheering, some yelling, but mostly just noise. There's more pounding on the table and people screaming for the barkeeps, but the chaos seems more jovial and lively. Shiro, you've officially saved yourself from another fight.

For a short while, at least.

Lance just continues looking around, a little surprised at the movements, and also that his face hasn't met the ground again. That's when he notices Shiro's grip on him, and as he manages to place his feet back on solid ground, he turns back up and just gives him another bold grin. He reaches one hand out to pat Shiro's shoulder, then grimaces as the glove leaves a smear of blood and alcohol on the material.]

Shiiiiiro, I need t'wash my hands! 'n my face, 'n... prob'ly jus' me. But then we can do more shots!

[Tonight isn't quite the night that Lance learns his limits on space alcohol, at least not voluntarily. He and Keith had been there for a while; he's long since lost track of how many drinks have entered his system but with all inhibitions out the window, he's just waiting for round two.]

[Maybe he should be offended or something but Shiro just feels relief when the attention turns from him to the alcohol and the bar keeps. As far as he knows all anyone recognizes him as is the Black Paladin. He doesn't mind being the Black Paladin. But the second his helmet comes off its possible someone might recognize the Champion instead. That's -

that's not something Shiro wants. For a lot of reasons.

Instead he focuses his attention on Lance and - wow. The princess is not going to be happy if she sees him this way. Frankly, Shiro's pretty sure Hunk isn't going to be happy if he sees Lance this way.]

Don't think so, buddy. It's time to back. [So, so many reasons not to be here any longer than necessary. Shiro shifts his grip on Lance, careful not to let go and shifts to get his shoulders under one of his arms.] You've had your quota of shots for the night.

Nuh-uuuhhhh. Jus two more!

[Lance just sees Shiro's arrival as a new opportunity and a new buddy, especially since the bar is riled up with his presence. It works for him, and seeing as he's feeling far too alive despite a slight ringing in his ears, he wants to keep going. Drinking in space has always brought for some fun adventures, despite how they end up. (And usually with a rescue.) As he tries to hold up his hand, he stumbles and his other hand grips at Shiro to keep his balanced. It makes him laugh.] I can... if I'm sitting. Makes up for whackin' my head so hard. C'mon, Shiroooo, let's get a table!

[But his slight pull on Shiro proves ineffective as he realizes he isn't really doing much at all. He brings a hand up to his face, but even by touching the blood he can't focus his eyes on it enough to notice anything.] Should... go wash it off first. C'mon, c'mon, bathroom's uh... somewhere.

Oh - we're going all right.

[Because Shiro is already feeling the beginning crawl of something nasty from the Arena that wants to slither up from the swamp his memory's become and he's not about to stay here so that it can. The fight, the cheering, the attention and - even if all of those weren't ticking off some pretty bad things inside him, Lance looks like a walking disaster and the statement that there's head trauma involved isn't going to help with his argument to stay. Shiro's to the point he'll toss the kid over his shoulder and carry him out of Lance doesn't get his feet moving in the right direction post-haste and he's even willing to risk vomit for it.

Which says something about how determined Shiro is to exit immediately. He'll give Lance one more shot to do it under his own power, trying to use the kid's momentum and confusion to turn him and head him for the door -

but they're both about two hot ticks away from Shiro letting his instinct take over and pull the most controlled retreat in history.]

But whyyyy?!

[Lance is nothing but a slew of disjointed protests and a lack of coordination while Shiro leads him to the exit. He wants to return to where he'd been an hour or so earlier, in that back side corner, already drinking but in good spirits and chatting his way into more free alcohol from schmoozing up one of the locals. But that's what probably got him this mess. Maybe. He can't quite remember.

His feet barely cooperate as he stumbles to follow Shiro, trying to pick them up the ground enough to walk semi-normally. It doesn't fully work, but he tries nonetheless, trying to wiggle from Shiro's grip.]

Yer noooo fun. I'un wanna leave yet!

[He attempts to resist by not moving his feet, but he stumbles again over trying to resist and just steps forward, actually clutching his other arm around Shiro's side] Shiirooo!!

[Lance is tall. Out of all the paladins, he's probably the closest to Shiro's height. But he's also lean and even with all their training, he's light compared. So when he stumbles and tries to dig in his heels and just ends up stumbling some more -

Shiro simply reaches one arm down, hooks it around Lance's waist, and lifts.

It lifts Lance right off his feet. And Shiro is almost to the door. Shiro's doing his best but his chest feels tight and the back of his head is starting to tighten as well. Which means there's something worming its way up that really wants him to remember or relive or simply have the horrible feeling of remembering without remembering and here is not the time or place for it. His voice is a mutter.]

You're half a tick away from just being tucked up under my arm, Lance. Move your boots, cadet.

[The moment his feet leave the ground, Lance yelps a little, though he's quick to realize it's Shiro lifting him and not him just stumbling. His protests die off pretty quickly, but it's Shiro's words that drive it home. The downside about being so twiggy is that he's easy to lift, and no matter how much he eats or trains, he's still all lean muscle at best.

So of course he's no match for Shiro. And he knows Shiro will hold true to his threat--the man could probably throw him, quite literally, out the door. His gaze turns down as his feet touch the floor, and he cooperates.]

Yessir. [He frowns, feeling almost like a scolded child, but does his best to walk along as Shiro leads him out. He's quiet for the next few seconds. And then...

A sniffle.] But I wanted moooore...

[Lance is still a kid. An older kid but still a kid all the same. His body won't start filling out bulk, with the body type he has, until he's in his twenties. In the meantime, its mostly upward when it comes to growth, though his shoulders say he'll grow into that the older he gets. Right now though - no, he's no match for Shiro and while Shiro would never throw him, he had been getting awfully close to dragging.

Because he needs to get out of the confines of that bar and all that rowdy noise and -

the inhale he sucks in the second they clear the building and are out in the open again sounds a little like someone drowning and trying not to be obvious about it. Even his helmet feels claustrophobic but he refuses to take it off where he might be recognized. The small ground plane is still waiting not that far away and Shiro's glad there aren't any locals around it. Just a little bit more and he's in the clear.

He does hear the sniffle. And he even feels the stab of guilt for it. But even if he wasn't riding the hard edge of a break he still wouldn't let Lance stay. He digs deep and goes for humor, hoping it will serve as a distraction.]

That better not be the beginning of a Little Mermaid song.

[Lance catches the inhale and turns to glance at Shiro--or tries, really. Coordination is completely shot, along with his focus, so the most he has is his distant thoughts wondering if maybe Shiro held his breath in there. But it feels nice outside, and as Lance drops his head against Shiro's as they walk, and even though he's miserable that he's outside, he's okay with the nice breeze.

Except he still wants to drink. He was having fun in there, and walking--or doing his best moving his feet in the direction of walking, he's sure, he thinks--back to the ship is not fun.

But, singing?

Lance sniffles again. And he does just that.]

I'unna be where the... people are... Wanna be--no, um. Wanna see them dancin'! [There's a hiccup.] Walkin' around on those, whadda'um... feeeeeeet! [With the hand not around Shiro's arm, he lifts it and flops it around pathetically.] Flippin' fins, y'don't get far, legs, you need 'em for jumpin', and daaaancin'! And stroooooollin' on the uh... streeeeet--

[Sorry, Shiro. Lance isn't even quiet about it. But he trips again, and grabs for Shiro again to catch his balance.]

[That -

is not at all what he intended when he brought it up.

If he'd been focused, paying attention to the situation, maybe but -

when Lance bursts into sudden song, Shiro almost drops him.

...

and it jars him right out of the creeping feeling of memories better forgotten.

He doesn't drop Lance but after the first surprise jerk he does readjust his hold on him before he keeps going.

Lance may have a nice singing voice - but maudlin drunk singing is definitely not the way to showcase it if he does. The fact that he's seriously butchering a Little Mermaid song somehow makes the whole situation even more surreal.

- all right. And funny.

Shiro knows he shouldn't laugh. He shouldn't laugh because it might hurt Lance's feelings, which are already hurt because he's being dragged away from his fun. And he shouldn't laugh because there's probably going to be the edge of relieved hysteria to it and that's never a good sign. So he chokes it down but - Lance flapping his hand doesn't really help and its a relief when they get to the vehicle and Shiro can bodily pick Lance up without opening the door and just deposit him inside. As he reaches for the harness to strap his teammate in place, he mutters:]

What I wouldn't do for a recording of this.

[Lance doesn't miss a beat even with their combined stumbling. He doesn't even notice Shiro almost lose his grip, thinking it's more him losing his own footing than anything else. Because it keeps happening. His feet don't agree with him, especially not as he tries to focus on singing too.

It's a good thing Lance knows this song by heart and in two languages already. Makes it easier to keep going.

There's a pause as he feels himself dropped into the seat, and he stares, a little surprised they made it this distance in that amount of time. As Shiro moves in to strap him into the seat, Lance brings both hands up to his shoulders, dropping them down. And he looks serious..

But then--

He lifts a hand up.]

Up where they waaaalk, up where they ruuuunnn, I wanna stay away in thaaa suuuunnnn!!

Wond'rin' free, Lance wants to beeee...

Part of yooooouuurrr woooorrrlllddd!!!

[And he nods, like he's just told Shiro a very quiet, serious secret, and not belting out drunken song lyrics at him. He decides he's good, taking a deep breath, and then tries to stand back up.]

[Shiro's eyes go wide when Lance claps his hands on his shoulder and he freezes, still feeling - a little disembodied really. Because - this has to be one of the strangest nights of his life and, given his abduction by aliens, he thinks that should count for a lot. And he's got the feeling that Lance is either going to announce the need to puke -

or deliver some kind of deep Earth changing revelation and Shiro's honestly not sure he'd ready for that currently.

Except - oh thank God -

and what a bizarre thing to feel relief over -

Lance bursts into song again.

Somebody really needs to come be the adult here. Because Shiro's done.

The desire to laugh wells up again and it really is edged with hysteria this time so Shiro swallows it down hard.

Lance wants to be, huh?

Tomorrow he's going to enjoy reminding Lance of this moment. Tomorrow.]

Nope. [His hand comes down firm on Lance's shoulder as the song finishes and Lance tries to get back up. He's got more than enough strength to hold the other paladin down but he doesn't apply it yet. Instead he uses his other hand to reach around and finish latching down the harness.] We've got people waiting for us back at the Castle. Hunk already took Keith. Now I'm taking you. Karaoke night can continue there.

[He whines as he's pushed back, but Shiro manages to strap him in completely before Lance realizes what's happening. He pulls against the harness, frowning when he realizes he's completely trapped, and, without seeing where the harness connects, he's sure it's forever. Reaching over to grab Shiro's hand, he just pouts at him.]

Hunk took Keith?! He, he left me?!

[He isn't sure on the explanation of why, but he really doesn't care. His breath hitches, eyes wide, and they grow watery immediately.] Can't b'liiiieeeve him! My bestest best friend! Just... just ditched me!

[There's another sniffle. Then those dreaded things--the start of tears.]

Shiro, let's stay out here. I'm upseeeet! I'm not gonna be part of Hunk's world no more, oooonly Shiro's.

[oh.

oh God.

oh God, no.

He's not ready for this. Shiro's really not ready for this. Lance grabs his head and the tears well up and - Shiro feels a small swell of panic inside his own chest. He's not -

he's not emotionally stable himself right now thanks to the bar and if Lance's singing has somehow managed to snap him out of an impending flashback the damage from it is still there. He can't -

Except his paladin needs him.

Even if only in a soppy, drunken, illogical way and Shiro can't ignore that. So he sits on the edge of the door, balancing as he pulls Lance's head against his shoulder with one hand, trying not to mash anything that's already mashed on the teen's face.]

Hunk had to go back. You were in a fight and he might have gotten hurt. That's what I'm for. You - trust me, [it was a low mutter, for himself not Lance's ears.] You really don't want to be part of my world, kiddo.

[Light he scrubbed his hands over the back of Lance's head. Spoke in a more normal tone.] Come one, buddy. I need to get you back to base before you start feeling what's been done to your face.

[Lance sways into Shiro's hold, forehead resting against Shiro's shoulder as he just whines. His tears aren't even normally upset, as they've taken on an edge of misery and hysteria of his own. He's on some sort of emotional high that's riding with the high level of alcohol in his system, and waning from the adrenaline of the fight, he just feels like whining. He's used to Hunk's pats on the back and logic to get him to stop being illogical.

But Shiro? He gives hugs. Lance lets out another pathetic whine.]

Tha's 'cause Shiro's the best. Best best best...

[But when Shiro mentions his face, Lance sits up, eyes wide as he looks at Shiro.] Huh? Wh'appened? It's just my nose...

[He doesn't even know that. But he touches his nose again, then looks at his gloves, which are already a mess, and his expression takes on a tone of surprise. He glances back at Shiro. And then makes another startling revelation:]

He punched me... Shiiiiirooo, I gotta punch him back! I gotta--gonna go back inside. [He tries to pull the harness off... by just tugging at the straps. It's not very effective.]

[Good thing its not very effective but watching Lance struggle at it does lighten Shiro's mood a little. There's something about someone that's all arms and legs at this point of their life flailing that just - well, it's probably not the kind of thing he's supposed to find a mix of funny and endearing as an adult but it's helping. He plants a hand firmly in the center of Lance's chest, not needing to apply pressure to keep him in place thanks to the harness.]

Not today, Lance. He's not conscious right now away. We already took care of that, remember?

[And, hopefully Lance will need to deal with trying to remember because Shiro needs a bit of time as he strands up and walks over to the other side of the craft, slipping into the drivers seat and pulling the door shut. And then, and only then, does he finally reach up and take his helmet off, pulling in a deep breath as he does.]

[Lance halts in his wiggling movements when he sees Shiro's hand, and he stares at it for a moment before looking back at Shiro. He's amazed--Shiro stopped him from getting up really fast, with just a touch. Nevermind the actual harnesses, but this is just a magical move to him. He listens quietly, but doesn't seem quite like he can believe it.

So they already beat up the guy... Lance doesn't remember punching anyone. But he also doesn't quite remember the entire sequence of events leading to himself getting punched, so he's sure there's some story out there. He just mulls on it while Shiro lets himself into the craft next to him, but finds himself facing it with a small whine.]

Shiiiiiroooo... I wanna go baaaack.

['We' is probably pretty generous of Shiro in his story but currently, he thinks that's fine. His heart rate is finally starting to come back down and the longer he's out of the bar and away from a cheering crowd the more the rising worms in the back of his memory quiet down. Lance is helping ground him in his own way, even if its simply by being... Lance.

A Lance that's currently pretty unhappy with the situation and Shiro is kind of glad there isn't a rear view or side mirrors on this thing because if Lance could see how bad his face looks it would be even worse. He starts the craft and turns it, heading back for the Castle. And he stays quiet for a long moment before simply, quietly, asking:]

Why?

[And Shiro is still leading them forward. Lance lets out a whine, leaning back in his seat as they drift forward. The idea of returning to the castle means his eventful evening returns to somewhat normalcy that they've found on their journey.

Lance just wanted another evening out. He's been having fun with them, even though his many trips have started getting him into more trouble than what they're worth. But he finds he can't pout as hard as he wants to--his face feels a little stiff. That's weird... Shiro's question surprises him though, and he thinks about it for a moment. He's just making up justification now.]

Castle's gonna be booooring. Coran's gonna make me clean.

[His hands grip at the harness again, but then his face turns a little pale and he reaches a hand out to pat Shiro's arm as his stomach lurches uncomfortably.] S-stop, stop! [He's getting a little nauseous from wiggling around so much.]

[Shiro's about to comment that he's pretty sure Coran's not going to make Lance clean. Not with a face like that and still mostly drunk. That sounds like a recipe for disaster. But before he can get it out, Lance is wiggling more dramatically than he had been before and -

Right. He doesn't have to tell Shiro twice. The pod pulls over to the side of what passes for a road here and Shiro triggers the door on Lance's side open in almost the same motion, reaching over to press a hand to the kid's back and guide him into a lean that will take him over the side of the door's lip.]

Keep it outside the car if you can -

[Lance's stomach lurches again when Shiro moves the pod to the side, and he manages to clamp a hand over his mouth to avoid letting anything spill out. Shiro barely gets him situated before he leans over, immediately expelling a mouthful of barely-digested alcohol and bile. He keeps one hand gripped on the side of the pod to steady himself, though he he seems all but steady as he does his best to avoid getting sick all over the side of the pod.

It takes Lance a few long minutes before he manages to pull back, and he merely leans on the side of the door, trying to catch his breath. He hadn't quite regretted his evening out until this moment. There's a soft groan.]

Quiznak... I drank a lot.

[Shiro has to fight down his own sympathy gag as Lance empties his stomach on the side of the road. Apparently his time with the Galra got him better at it though because its not as much of a struggle as it used to be when he was at the Garrison. Probably - hopefully - something to do with food being important and necessary to keep down.

He hopes.

But he keeps his hand on Lance's back, more for moral support, and - wow. That - is a lot coming out. Which is probably a good thing. He's not sure what alien alcohol does to the human body, though nothing too detrimental or Coran would have warned them off it before the ship had even landed but - its probably better to get as much of it out of Lance's body as possible.

He still feels bad for the kid and his hand shifts from simple support to a rub once Lance is groaning.

He's worried about Lance's drinking. Not just because the kid tends to get in trouble when he is, though there is that. But he worries that Lance is using it to escape or hide and that the more it happens, the more he's going to turn that direction. Lance, all of his team, have plenty of reasons to want to escape and hide sometimes. They're teenagers that had been ripped from their homes and everything they know about normality and their lives and they're fighting a war, just five of them, seven if you count the Alteans, against an empire that literally spans the entire universe.

No one in their right mind would agree to something like that.

But his team had to, because there was no other option, because none of them are the kind that can stand aside and not take action against something like that. And - its got to eat at them. He knows it does. His hand keeps rubbing soothing circles and he turns off the pod's power, letting it settle gently down.]

Yeah. You did. [The pods all come with small survival gear packs and Shiro fishes this one's out with his other hand, digging around in the small bag until he finds something that's probably not supposed to be used that way but hands it over to Lance like a handkerchief or small towel.] Here. Be careful with your nose.

THE BAR FIGHT MEME

I think papercuts would be kind at this point -also nice Lance, doing the upside down wave for Shiro

Except they'll get all sting-y and stuff. Let's just go with punching! ~waves again~

okay probably last tag for the weekend

/o/ I HOPE IT WAS FUN!!

had a blast! Thanks :Db

8D Good!

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good place to wrap?

Sure thing!

I just had to add it

ooc

Re: ooc

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