[they'll explain later. (they might not.) right now, they're just... they're grateful that nazuna is keeping them grounded, even if she is also the reason that levi needs that grounding element. they pay attention to the world around them again, letting it fade back in around them. and they take a turn as they realize that they're actually much closer to the bar than they'd realized, or maybe they had just gotten lost, or—it's hardly important.]

It's down this way. [they say it with just a little bit of that same hollow energy behind it, but the clarity, the character is returning to their words.] It's not too far. Let's just... let's get there, and we can focus on the drinks. [they press their hand over their front pants pocket to make sure the money is still there—good.]

I found out about this place from a friend of a friend who tends bar. She and I are from the same kind of world, with neon and steel and concrete... dark nights and fast motorcycles and alcohol. You know. [they're not sure if she does know.] The kinds of things that sound like they should be a lot of fun until you dig too deep into it, but... that's what living in it does to you, you know?

[levi shakes their head. it's easy to talk about things like this, to fall back on what they've explained before. but it can't be very fun. they know they're on the right path when they see a hell ampm that's staffed by an oni who they recognize; they wave at the oni from the open door.]

Anyway, it's just down this road here, and we'll be drinking before you know it.