“See ya later alligator,”

“Screw me sideways! You just left then walked back in!” New Guy jabs at me with a flurry of spittle, “Plus, you used those phrases wrong! ‘See ya later alligator’ is used when leaving and ‘It’s been a while crocodile’ is for greetings!”

Foul play I dare say.

He dares to blatantly declare that I used those long practised verses in the incorrect context. That’s just an insult to my intellect.

“Hoho, ignoring that, are you finally feeling like saving this pitiful hostage now?” He spreads his arms wide, going the extra kilometre and even pressing a foot on Laffer’s back.

Why do I feel like the mood suddenly changed?

I swear to the gods we were just having a petty argument a minute ago.

“Sigh, because it seems that you are under the impression that I actually care, I gathered that you are in dire assistance of a reality check,” I try to get into the theatrical spirit, but yeah no. I just spit the words out tonelessly, “I know a good psychologist you can visit. Gotta keep your demons down, y’know,”

I hand New Guy a thick paper business card.

He accepts with both hands. Glazing over the card, his eyes light up as he breaks into exclamation.

“Oh damn! I know about this guy! Yeah, I’ll definitely check him out, though I heard that he became an alcoholic… Too bad honestly,” New Guy contemplates.

Through it’s only a second later that he tosses the card up as he backpedals, “You! When did you get so close?!”

Uhmm, I don’t know what to say except, “I walked?”

New Guy makes me question myself. Which is NOT good. Such a man… Able to induce doubt within a strong willed individual such as myself—

“Holy shite, you got my bu’iness card? Can’t remember the last time I saw one a’ ‘dese,”

Wills; Resident Alcoholic enters the fray!

My lord?!

Getting up from behind the bar counter, the alcoholic massages his temples lifting his card up.

You were here the whole time? So there were FOUR of us the whole time?! Why couldn’t you help me out man?

Actually, scratch that, you were probably passed out, as always.

But more importantly, you were that psychologist?! I take two steps back in sheer shock and awe.

“Uhm, dunno why you guys ‘re gettin’ so worked up, but I used to be a psychomologist," He slurs with a slight shrug, "Shizz ‘appened ‘n now I’m sad ‘n tired ‘n outta booze,” The drunk drawls as he leans over the countertop, “Anyhooo, you wan’ a checkup?”

New Guy is about to deny the offer, but he knows. He’s not in a great state of mind right now.

That checkup…

It’s like the sweet dew the Devil uses to dazzle your eyes. New Guy wants it, but all his other faculties refuse it. They deny its grace. It's alure.

“Sigh, I knew you were always a slow ‘un…” Wills pops open a flask, eyeing New Guy, “Tomakin,”

Tomakin… I don’t know what that means or it’s significance, but for New Guy, it’s what tips him over the edge. His body trembles, his eyes water, and his jaw gapes in disbelief.

“W-What?”

Holy crap, New Guy’s trembling is starting to border on manic convulsing. And… Am I the only one concerned about this? Why is everyone so calm?

Where’s an adult when you need ‘em?

“Tomakin. You heard me right,” Wills’ eyes, they take on a clear semblance, no longer muddled with intoxication.

I swear this is the first time I’ve seen him sober. I always knew Wills has a track record of being strangely reliable at all times but damn. His noninebriated state catches me flat footed.

I’m just not sure if I can handle this.

“Same,” The hostage echoes my sentiments, watching the scene by my side.

“Y-You… Wills… You know my name…?” With wide eyes, New Guy steps toward the counter.

“Of course I do. I wouldn’t have been renowned as the Final Will if I couldn’t even tabulate that much,”

Now that’s a cool sobriquet! Not that stupid Spiteful Sleeper New Guy falsified.

“Tomakin, the Minted Nark, I know why you’ve been doing this, but how about you tell me instead?” Wills finds himself a stool on the inside of the counter, exuding an aura of absolute placation, contrary to his usual ruffian feel.

Holy crap! Even New Guy has such a spiffy sobriquet… It really makes me think. Why… Why is mine so petty sounding?

Who's the one messing with me? Is it you, Fate! You ugly bastard!

“Th-That’s a lie! How would you know?! HUH? Drunk!”

“Tomakin, mah boy, no need to delude yourself,”