THAT EVENING, THIS WALL OF TEXT OCCURRED!
Alex knocked lightly on the apartment door. He carried Snowball.Ashley was laying on his bed, he hadn't moved for a couple of hours, he was pretty sure, but wasn't sleeping. He picked Mr. Friskers off his chest, and placed him on the bed somewhere else. He'd then go to open the door. He seems paler than usual, and hadn't bothered with his top buttons on his shirt.Alex-
"Evening, Sir! I brought Snowball to meet Mr. Friskers!"
Ashley-
"I didn't know you had a cat."
He speaks quietly, and looks over Alex with dull interest. He seems subdued. His black eyes are less glittery and wicked than usual, and have instead settled into a dull, snake-like gaze.Alex-
"We just adopted him."
He stepped into the apartment. "I heard you guys went out today, while Micah and me visited El Corazon."
Ashley-
"El Corazon. I've heard some strange things about those folks after they left."
He breathes, frowning."I did, we had to get some supplies for the colony."
Alex-
"What strange things?"
Ashley-
"Something about Satanism, though I hadn't talked with any of them. They had an odd look to them, I just wasn't sure at the time."
His tone is difficult to discern, and he stares at his hands quietly.Alex-
"Oh. Those things. Hey, do you want to talk about it? I don't mean El Corazon."
Ashley-
Ashley shakes his head. "I got what we needed, that's all. What were you hoping to find out from those people?"
Alex-
"Company, mostly. Me and Micah had to get out."
He pulled out a piece of string and dangled it over Mr. Friskers and Snowball. "We had a couple drinks, talked a bit. They're low on supplies, and the Pan Pac crew bothered them near Whole Foods."
Ashley-
Ashley grunts. "Company?"
He half-closes his eyes. "We aren't going to stop Pan pac without coming to conflict. I doubt they will listen to reason, but I trust the others."
Mr. Friskers pounced the shit out of that string, and made a friendly PURROW? sound at snowball. He had no idea what was going on in this room.Alex-
"Sometimes it's nice to be around people my age."
Ashley-
"...Satanic people your age."
He seems to resent the company for some reason, but makes another growly noise.Alex-
"Yeah, uh, I think you're right about Pan Pac."
Ashley-
"They are a selfish colony, and I have no doubt they are working under order of some kind, or enjoying their own self importance. They are all scum not worth their weight in bullshit. I wouldn't shed a tear if any of them died."
He shifts his gaze to Alex and stops looking at his hands. "...Alex, to survive, we have to support one another, and think of the future. It doesn't matter if other people are awful. We must be good."
Alex-
"What would you sacrifice to protect this building?"
Ashley-
"Why are you asking me that, Alex?"
He stares at him intently, and becomes more serious.Alex-
"Because it's an important question."
Ashley-
"I will do what I can, I hope it doesn't come down to killing. Did you have something in mind? I'd rather not be a common thug."
Alex-
"Yes. Would you sacrifice your life? What about your soul?"
Ashley-
"...My...soul? How would that be taken from me?"
He seems more concerned about this idea than dying.Alex-
"It wouldn't be taken. You'd give it willingly."
Ashley-
"WHAT? Who am I giving it to?"
Alex-
" ... "
Ashley-
"...THE SATANISTS? You...you believe in that now?"
Mr. Friskers hops onto his lap, unaware of the tension. He looks like he wants to push the cat away, but he doesn't.Alex-
"I don't believe there is a Satan anymore."
-Ashley
Ashley turns a shade paler. "What do you believe then?"
Mr. Friskers-
Purrrooww? Raoow...
Alex-
"I believe that life is worth protecting."
Ashley-
"I see...and what does this have to do with losing my soul?"
His voice has changed tone, if only slightly. "I would certainly die to protect these people. The location means nothing to me, but they need able bodies."
He pets Mr. Friskers again, and the cat stops making noise.Alex-
"I just wanted to know how much you'd be willing to lose."
Ashley-
He stares into Alex's eyes for a long time, and he doesn't seem to have an expression. Alex may be aware that the expression he usually wears while they are together is a slight smile, but this is truly expressionless.Alex-
"I haven't told you why I play baseball, right? How about it? When I was six, my dad said, 'Let's teach you sports!' So he gave me a grown-up aluminum bat, stood close, pitched slow, and said, 'Swing!' I did. And guess what? The ball broke his nose. Lord Almighty, I thought I killed my dad. There was blood everywhere ..."
He smiled, but it was a sad smile.Ashley-
"I'm glad you didn't. It's hard not to have a father."
He says quietly, and then looks down at his shiny dress shoes and his clean, but somewhat wrinkled suit pants and shirt he is wearing, covered in cat hair.Alex-
"That's not the end of the story, Sir. I was crying, and he took me by the shoulders and said, 'That's how it's done! This stings, but I'm proud, so stop crying.' That made everything better. Except his nose. It healed crooked."
Ashley-
He looks back up towards Alex. "You've grown up a lot, I don't know what you need anymore. I hope you did not find something terrible to replace the hole you have been feeling."
Alex-
"Nothing can replace the people we've lost. We gotta fight to protect those we still have."
Ashley-
He seems to have perked up a little bit, at the very least, though he still seems dull. "I hope you don't stoop too low for that, Alex. I trust your judgement, and your goodness most times."
There is the vague threat of deep disappointment in his dark eyes.Alex-
"You're so much like my dad."
Ashley-
"Apart from my niece and nephews, and DARE, I wouldn't know about being a father. I just hope I am some good for this community."
His voice settles into a low grow, and he touches his cross idly, and a ring on one of his other fingers.Alex-
"Mr. Friskers thinks you do just fine. Goodbye."
There was a finality in his tone.Ashley-
"....Where are you going, Alex?"
He asks, following him with his eyes.Alex-
"My room, probably. Unless you want to sit around and play cards."
Ashley-
"Why not."
They played poker together until late night. Ashley let Alex win.