Conversation · Horrific Necktie

"No harm? In drinking 98.7% alcohol with a god-knows-how-old tie in it? I wouldn't be so sure." The lieutenant tilts his head slightly. "However, I'm not here to judge. Let's go."

"In my family when someone dies you put a piece of clothing in a bottle as a sign of eternal respect."

"That makes absolutely no sense." He thinks for a moment. "But I guess every family has its own traditions."

"Let us not linger. We have a great big mess to figure out." He turns to face the road ahead.

"Mind your own business, binoclard!"

"Alright." The lieutenant's face stiffens as he turns to look at the road ahead. "I won't ask again."

Feels good. Feels safe.

Necktie?

There is silence.

But... why?

Trust me -- just trust me. You and I are going to have so much fun it should be illegal!

But that's too much fun.

Just put me in the bottle, bratan. I'm not gonna let you down. You and I are, like, the same person.

I suspect that it might be.

Wait, right now? Ruby's gone. I don't really think there's anything to celebrate here.

Hush-hush, bratan, now is not the time to celebrate, now is the time to get ready. Trust me on this. This is what it's all been building towards. It's gonna be off the hook. Off all hooks.

Go away necktie. You're just a figment of my imagination.

Bratan, don't push me away. I want to be there for you. Also -- how can you be sure you are not just a figment of my imagination?

Okay, then tell me -- it is time for what?

Get lost, necktie! I don't want to be your friend.

But, bratan... I... I understand. (The tie loosens around your neck.) I just wanted you to have fun. I... I never meant to be a burden.

Necktie... I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that.

No, bratan, no need for that. You and I are bratannoi -- brothers. Brothers fight. But when they're done fighting, you know what they do? They party. They fucking party!