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They continued on as the large group of Monsters around the table split off into little micro conversations. Sigh trying to talk Fluu down from getting more upset. Chord, Lousid and Chloe complaining about their work days with Koo chiming in with an unhinged anecdote trying to tie together the microbiological world and this one (and failing). Meanwhile Ell was staring into space as she mouthed something to herself, a million miles away scrolling through the wiki article in her head.

Eventually Chloe and Chord start to get out of their chairs after the latter signalled needing to buy some ciggies after using all of Lousid's. They both get up and leave the beer garden leaving Koo and Lousid too it. This leaves Butters and Xi, as the former just lounged on their chair as their fingers circled the rim of their glass as they smiled to themselves, grinning from ear to ear. Xi, who looked to be anxiously finding any way to start a conversation, took this opportunity to ask:

-So um, uuhh what aarreee you thinking about? Xi managed to get out eventually. Is something good making you grin like that?

Butters shakes their head as if to come out of a trance. They open their mouth as if to give some dismissive statement to draw attention from themselves, but they pause and decide to perhaps answer seriously:

-This is... Nice. They begin. And it's something I've historically never considered to be nice y'know? Do you know how'd I'd describe my life thus far?

-Go on. Encourages Xi.

-It's like i'm perpetually walking around in circles walking onto the same rake which smacks into my face. 27 constant years of that. But tonight even tho classic Butters I walked into the rake again, this time I at least had the good fortune to move my head out of the way of the stick. I dunno thats's progress, banal, unexciting progress.

Xi nods to himself before leaning in his chair, towards Butters in contrast to his anxious body language earlier.

-Yeah, I heard about your uuhh bad date. Xi explains.

-Yyyyeeaaahhh and before you ask: There are no good reasons why I keep doing it to myself. But I'd much rather be here with my kin. I know that's some Power of Friendship bullshit like, but it never really applied until... Maybe tonight?

Butters looks down a little sighs before turning their head to Xi.

-You ever just heal? You ever just be stupid and then get better? Absolutely rips dude, can recommend. Declares Butters.

Both monsters chuckle a little to themselves, before Xi starts looking down as he picks off some of the very dead skin of his fingers. A complete oxymoron of body language, leaning in close while also being closed off somehow.

-I'm glad to hear you're getting better, tho I have missed our chats when you come in here post-bad date to vent. Xi remarks.

-Oh hahaha, yeah I guess I would complain to whoever was on shift at the time huh. Butters recalls, embarrassed. You make it sound like you were running bets on me?

Xi rises his head back up to look at the Squirrel.

-Naaah nothing quite like that, just a more as you were walking up Karakaren would give a "Oooop, here we go."

Butts couldn't help but snicker to themselves. There was a slight relief people didn't react to them with complete irritation, least they were finding it funny I guess??? Xi's body language started to tense up again, yet leaning somehow more in his chair, as he visually was struggling to get the words out.

-It's just like... Thinking on it, when you were telling them stories like... When I was hearing them...

Xi stammered as he went to take a huge sip of his drink then attempted to continue:

-So like it felt to meeeeee, I dunno, it sucked cos, well sucked then it's good now cos you're better! But when you wern't I thought it sucked and someone should've really treated you better y'know. Cos your good people, well even if you wern't people should be better I think you deserve that y'know, uuuhhh yeah! Finishes Xim, with a look on his face that shows a lack of confidence if he said anything, let alone what he wanted to, in the last minute.

Butters looked over Xi's way with a warm smile, they had been on his side of... Whatever this was to know what's going on here. Oh that's so cute, makes Butters feel better about subjecting others to rambling in the past when they've fancied them, this is great. They go to take a sip of the glass the've been stimming with this whole time only to be greeted with the glass on teeth sound signifying there is nothing left of that drink.

-Aaahh, well I better had top up! Announces Butters.

The Jiangshi gives them a nod, as the Squirrel gets up to order at the bar. They're halfway out the bear garden before pausing and turning back around. Placing their palm on Xi's cheek and letting him know:

-I'll be right back tho, save my seat.

Then turn to leave as they drag their paw softy across Xi's face, who has, forgive the phrasing here: Gone stiff in surprise.