Continuation for bandagedheart.

[thesettingsun]

[Very few people get this dressed up for a bar crawl. It looks like it'd be hell to wash, and the only reason you'd wear it out to the bar is an obsession with fashion.

So that's one clue about who this patron sitting at a table is, since he forgot to tell other-Dazai how to identify himself. As for him, when he sees Dazai come in with bandages visible on his arms, he makes an (incorrect) assumption that this is the injury that caused that text and thus this is Dazai.

Well, he's half right, at least.]

Dazai!

Comments

I'm also a terrible person

[hurrayformarriage]

Isn't that some dead guy?

[Yes, it is Oda's number, but since he doesn't recognize the number texting him, might as well be a little cautious. Dazai got all worked up earlier about that guy pretending to be an employee.]

[bandagedheart]

It’s Dazai Osamu.

Akira.

Though Shuji-kun certainly didn’t appreciate me pretending to be an employee!

[hurrayformarriage]

Oh, you. Sorry about that, he gets a little protective.

[bandagedheart]

[If his Oda we’re still alive he’d be just as overprotective. In fact he wouldn’t let Oda out of his sight.]

Understandable.

However I had no ill intentions in lying to you.

It’s just a bit difficult to believe that there could be two Dazai’s, isn’t it?

[hurrayformarriage]

Not any weirder than the robo-flying-whale was.

[bandagedheart]

That really was something, indeed!

How about I make it up to you over drinks sometime?

[hurrayformarriage]

Dazai'll have a heart attack if he hears about it.

[bandagedheart]

It’s up to you!

Drinks and casual conversation are all I’m offering. I’ll even have you home by midnight!

[hurrayformarriage]

Guess I can't say no to free drinks and conversation!

[bandagedheart]

Glad to hear it! I have just the place in mind!

How does tonight sound?

[Dazai frequents many bars, and considering Oda’s thick Osakan accent, he knows just the place for their first (actual) meeting. It’s a small, cozy looking bar, with traditional Japanese decor and a full menu of booze.

He’ll be waiting at the bar for Oda, balanced on a barstool and sipping at some very good sake.]

[hurrayformarriage]

[Oda will show up a little later than the appointed time - he's not great at schedules even for people he likes more than not-Dazai.

When he arrives, he hops up on the next stool to his acquaintance.]

What's good here?

[bandagedheart]

[That’s fine, because Dazai is in no hurry.]

Good evening! I’m rather fond of the sake here, but the beer is also good!

[Dazai takes another sip of his sake, eying Oda curiously.]

You mentioned an Ango. What’s he like?

[hurrayformarriage]

If he was here, he'd tell ya he's a "grand delinquent". He ain't wrong, 'cept he made that up so it means whatever he says it means.

[Oda places an order for another sake before continuing.]

Ango's the kinda guy who ain't been sober a day in his life and got no respect for anythin' yer supposed to be respectin'.

[bandagedheart]

Oh my! He sounds like quite a fun guy!

[This Oda is certainly different from his Oda, but this other Ango sounds like polar opposites to the one he knows. A delinquent that drinks heavily and has no respect, huh...]

Is he as overprotective of you as your Dazai is?

[hurrayformarriage]

Not if it ain't real bad. 'Course, Dazai don't gotta deal with Dazai, I figure it's easier bein' overprotective of yer friends if he ain't tirin' ya out.

[There is no Dazai who doesn't occasionally try to die.]

[bandagedheart]

I see. You have quite interesting friends!

[Dazai finishes off his sake before ordering another.]

You know, as odd as it sounds, I knew an Odasaku as well.

[Hoo boy. Feels...]

He was a very good friend of mine. Perhaps that’s why I was so curious to meet you.

[hurrayformarriage]

That right? Maybe yer friend got named after me.

[He is at least somewhat notable, and naming your child after Odasaku would be slightly less likely to bring bad luck on them than, say, naming them after Dazai.]

Hope I don't disappoint too much.

[bandagedheart]

Maybe!

[He’s just humoring this Oda. He knows that he and Dazai are authors, but he still has no idea about the “dead” part.]

Not at all! You’re quite handsome!

[Dazai gives Oda a playful wink. Always a flirt.]

[hurrayformarriage]

[He doesn't look old enough for an adult to be named after, he knows. But he's also not going out of his way to explain everything he says.

The flirtation gets a loud laugh and a shake of Oda's head.]

Just drinks 'n conversation is what ya said, right?

[bandagedheart]

That is what I said.

[But when has Dazai ever played by the rules?]

Do you have someone special?

[hurrayformarriage]

Nobody who's around right now.

[He'll never forget his first wife, but... He's not going to see her again, and he's accepted that.]

[bandagedheart]

I’m the same.

[Not that he’s ever been in a serious relationship in his life.

Best not try too hard yet, though.]

Do you have a drink of choice?

[hurrayformarriage]

Depends how drunk I feel like gettin'. Sake's good.

[bandagedheart]

Then order as much as you like!

[No ulterior motives here.]

Just don’t tell your Dazai!

[hurrayformarriage]

He ain't got business complainin' 'bout me drinkin' too much.

[So he'll order himself another round, and finish off his first glass]