[Log]

[takeittothebridge]

Who: Bridge Nocturne and Scrooge McDuck (B)
What: Someone might have had a bit too much to drink
When: Night
Other information: Shortly after this thread.

[While Bridge wasn't worried about Scrooge exactly, since he knew the elder duck could take care of himself, he was a bit curious about what was taking him so long to return from the bar that night.

...Okay, maybe he was a little worried.

So, even while knowing Scrooge could handle himself well enough, he still went out to look for him that night. If anything, he could at least use the excuse that he assumed Scrooge would be drunk enough to need some company home.]

Comments

[moneymatters]

[Scrooge might indeed need that company home. At the moment he was walking along the path quite... unsteadily, one hand working the cane and the other sliding along a wood fence. If neither were there, it was pretty clear he would've fallen on his face long before now.]

[takeittothebridge]

[Noticing Scrooge, he hurried over.]

You okay?

[Other than drunk and reeking of alcohol, he seemed fine. But it didn't hurt to ask.]

[moneymatters]

I'm fine.

[Mumbled; that and not looking up from under his hat all went a long way toward saying he wasn't fine.]

[takeittothebridge]

[He can definitely tell that's not true, but he doesn't say anything for now. Instead he takes Scrooge's free hand, having him lean against the cane for a bit before letting Scrooge lean against him. Luckily he's in his duck form, which makes him the perfect height for this.]

C'mon, let's get you home.

[moneymatters]

[He grumbled some but let himself be led on. He was more than willing to get this night over with by this point.]

I'm goin' to regret this in the morning.

[takeittothebridge]

[He glanced at Scrooge with a small frown.]

Were you eating or drinking water at all?

[He had a feeling he already knew the answer to that, but he'll give Scrooge the benefit of the doubt for the moment.]

[moneymatters]

I was doin' fine 'til I got in- verbal arrangements with the other Scrooge. Downed the rest o' the bottle 'tween us.

Knew I'd had too much tae drink when I started comin' 'round t'his point of view again.

[Just gonna stop to take a few deep breaths. Starting to feel a bit nauseous himself.]

'Least I unnerstand him better now, for what that counts. But I'm just ready to go home.

[takeittothebridge]

[He could only wonder what he and the other Scrooge talked about that would get him so drunk, but knew better than to ask. Instead he remained quiet as he walked with Scrooge back to the farm.

Once they were inside the house, he helped Scrooge to bed before heading into the kitchen, returning a moment later with a glass of water.]

Here.

[moneymatters]

[He gratefully climbed in, groaning lightly to himself. He was already starting to feel some of the effects of the eventual hangover, now that he'd stopped drinking and the walk home having sobered him up some.

Taking the glass of water, he raised it in a faint "cheers" of thanks, and started sipping away at it.]

[takeittothebridge]

[He waited a moment, letting Scrooge drink.]

Do you want something to eat. It'll help fight off the hangover in the morning.

[moneymatters]

No. [Then, rethinking it.] Yes. But somethin' light. I don't trust m'self to keep it down.

[takeittothebridge]

[With a nod, he headed back into the kitchen, then returned a moment later with a package of crackers.]

Here. These should help.

[moneymatters]

[Oh good, something cheap- er, bland.]

Perfect. Thank you.

[takeittothebridge]

No problem.

[This would normally be the time that he would let Scrooge get some rest. But he was burning with curiosity about the conversation with the other Scrooge.]

[moneymatters]

[He sensed a bit of that too, as long as they'd known each other. So he sighed lightly and looked up, waving a hand.]

G'ahead and ask.

[takeittothebridge]

[He still hesitated, because he knew it wasn't really any of his business.

But he was also a curious teenager.]

What'd you two talk about?

[moneymatters]

Mostly? Family. He's under th' impression I'm "better" than he is because I've got it and he doesn't.

[A long, slow pull off the water.]

No matter what I'd say, he'd just keep spiralin' down intae his depression. If nothin' else came out of it, at least now I'm firmly convinced he's the way I was before I ever called Donald up.

[takeittothebridge]

[He frowned in concern; having just heard stories of how Scrooge used to be before calling Donald, he still had an idea of how bad that time for him was.]

Sounds pretty rough. How's he doing?

[moneymatters]

I don't think I left him in any better state than he was before. I got 'im home, that's abou' all I can say for our time together tonight.

[takeittothebridge]

Hmm.

[One could almost hear the gears in his head turning.]

[moneymatters]

[That he could.]

I've already warned ye once. You be careful around him, lad. Don't push him, or y'may find a fight on your hands.

[takeittothebridge]

[He held up his hands.]

I'm not trying to push anything. I was just thinking he might have a hangover tomorrow morning and might need a bit of help.

[moneymatters]

[Non-committal grunt.]

Fine. Just keep what I've said in mind.

[takeittothebridge]

[He nodded.]

I remember. I promise, I won't talk about anything like that.

I just...y'know, wanna help him out.

[moneymatters]

[He breathed a deep sigh, and nodded- oogh, shouldn't do that. One hand goes to his head as he closes his eyes.]

I know the feelin'. But I also know where he's coming from.

I'm no' saying he shouldn't be helped. But it's not going to be as easy as just showin' up and shoving yer way in.

[takeittothebridge]

...I know. I don't really think he'll let me help as much as I want to help him.

So I at least want to do small things to help him here and there, like helping clean his barn or dropping by if he's sick.

If anything else happens, then that's fine. If not, though, then I can at least make life a bit easier for him.

[moneymatters]

[He was quiet, thinking on that for a while. Then he sighed.]

He's convinced any family will turn on him, or only see him for his pockets.

[takeittothebridge]

[He nodded.]

Yeah, I know. He pretty much told me so when I met him.

And I know there's nothing I can do to really convince him otherwise. Even me just showing up all the time won't do anything.

But...we can't really just leave him, right?

[moneymatters]

[He breathed in, held onto it for a moment.]

...I don't know.

[takeittothebridge]

[He frowned, tilting his head a bit.]

Don't know?

[moneymatters]

[Not the answer he would've expected out of himself, either.]

I want to help him, if only because I've stood in the exact same spot he has. I even had the same worries he had about bein' seen only as money, Louie can tell you that.

But on the other side o' the coin, I also know what pushing him would do. An' no matter what, none of us are from his reality. I don't know how much we say even gets in. He seems absolutely deadset on staying in his retirement exile.

[He put a hand to his head, rubbing his fingers in.]

I cannae think very clearly right now.

[Which isn't helping.]

[takeittothebridge]

[With another frown, he took the empty glass and headed back to the kitchen, returning with more water.]

Here.

[He remained silent for a moment, letting Scrooge drink. He wanted to keep trying to figure things out, but he knew now wasn't the best time.]

You should get some sleep.

[moneymatters]

[He stared at the glass for a while, contemplating if he could even fit any more liquid in him. Then he sighed lightly and started drinking it.]

T'morrow. Hangover or no, you'll probably find him tendin' to his animals. I wouldn't put it past him to try and power through even the worst rager of a headache.

[A dry chuckle, after a moment.]

Wouldn't put it past me, either. Which is why I have a feeling he might try.

[takeittothebridge]

[He snickered a little.]

From some of the stories the guys have told me, I'm not surprised.

[His smile softened a bit.]

I'll make sure to check on him. But right now, you need to get some rest.

Because I'm pretty sure you'll have a hangover too.

[moneymatters]

So'm I.

[Resignation all over about that. He's old enough to know better about proper drinking by now, isn't he?

He finished the water and set the glass aside, next to the partial pack of crackers, and started to settle in.]

Just be quiet when you leave tomorrow. Goodnight.

[And with that he turned over in his bed, yanking the covers up.]

[takeittothebridge]

Goodnight.

[Waiting a few moments to make sure Scrooge was fully asleep. Then he stepped closer to the bed, carefully tucking the sheets around him a bit better before quietly heading to bed himself.]