fandomtownies | Caritas, Monday Evening

Current Mood: confused
Current Music: zombie jazz, heavy on the sax

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$caritas

Caritas, Monday Evening

Jarod opened the bar and waved to Tino as he tried to figure out why the bar only had siding on one side. Tino grunted in response and sank lower into the lounge sofa he'd spent the night on, arms folded across his chest, turning his face towards the back cushion. He hadn't showered or shaved, and generally looked like he was homeless. He was surrounded by empty glasses, which upon inspection Jarod discovered contained the remnants of virgin strawberry daquiris.

The zombie band was still playing jazz, heavy on the sax.

Caritas was open.

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"He was talking about making soap, when we first starting rooming," Alec said, watching Tyler. He reached out, pointing to the scar on Tyler's hand with a curious look. "That from the 'research'? Pretty nasty chemicals in explosives."

Tyler jerked the hand under the bar. "It's his mark," he said, trying for lightness in his tone. "Lye. So yeah, from making soap. We did it to a couple other people, too, to show loyalty, I guess."

He traced the scar on his cheek with one finger before Alec could ask about that, too. "And this is from me trying -- well, to kill him, or myself. Mostly to show I could do something without him."

Alec wrinkled his nose. "Ouch. Lye burns like a bitch."

He watched Tyler trace the scar as he had another drink, then nodded. "Yeah, we talked about scars once. Kind of makes more sense now - was wondering why a guy would bother putting a gun in his mouth and not point the right direction." Finishing his beer, he signaled the bartender and asked for a scotch, then turned back to Tyler. "The 'Fight Club' was his idea, I guess?"

Tyler also needed another drink. "The lye was the worst pain you can imagine," he said, wondering if there was an explanation, deciding there really wasn't one. Beyond that he was crazy, which Alec already knew.

"And yeah, fight club is him, too. He said you couldn't know yourself unless you got in a fight." A shadow of a wry grin crossed his face. "I'm not sure I was wrong about that."

Alec picked up his scotch when it came, tilting the glass as he eyed Tyler. "You talk about him like he's someone else. He have a name?"

He considered the other part of what Tyler said, nodding finally. "You learn a lot about yourself, fighting. But I've been doing it all my life, so I think I can say there's a hell of a lot more to knowing yourself than just that."

"...yeah. Yeah, he does," Tyler said, staring into his drink. "Tyler Durden. He used it when we enrolled here. I was trying to go with it to make things easier. My real name's something else." He didn't especially relish Alec knowing it, either.

He took a long sip of beer. "You're probably right. I'm working on being one person. Trying to save the philosophy for once I can manage that without scaring anyone."

If Alec cared about the omission, he hid it well behind a sip of scotch. "So you don't want to be like him anymore? You're still using his name," he pointed out, raising eyebrows wonderingly.

"It's ~~canon~~ a memento," Tyler shrugged. "It means something about my history. And besides, I own the body, I should get the name. Even if I'm not trying to blow up credit card companies anymore."

He aimed a half-smile at Alec. "Think I should pick a new one?"

Alec shrugged, smirking somewhat. "Does the girl know you by that one?"

"Depends which girl you mean," Tyler said cautiously. "Marla, back home, only found out my other name at the end. Here, I'm Tyler to everyone except my shrink."

"Marla," Alec said, nodding. "You didn't tell me her name, just mentioned psychotic behavior, support groups and the mutual loathing."

He leaned his elbows on the bar as he shot Tyler a grin. "Guess if you wanted to avoid her, changing it would be an option. Otherwise you'll just be correcting everyone until they get it straight. Still-" He had another sip and chewed at his lip, hesitating. "...If the name means something to you, I'd keep it. Fuck everyone else."

"Mutual loathing," Tyler agreed, feeling rather drunk. "She met me at a very strange time in my life."

"And fuck them. It's my name now." He finished his beer. "Thanks for listening to me, man. I'm really trying to do better, I am. Getting help and everything."

He snickered. "No problem. Glad you're getting help - you seem like you need it."

Tyler considered feeling insulted but decided Alec was probably right, so he just nodded.

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Caritas, Monday Evening

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