[[ Cosmo Canyon - Cosmo Candle ]]
Spider is settled by the fire, looking bored.

Axl has a bit too analytical an eye on Spider; something not usually seen on him except in the heat of battle(everyone was usually running around, so it wasn't even seen -then-)...

Spider looks at Axl and notices the gaze. "...Everything alright, kid?"

Axl softens the look, though anyone who knows him(or has an eye for detail) can tell he hasn't dropped whatever accusation he's forming. "Yeah, fine."

Spider says '...You're not planning something, right? Because if I wake up with a pink hat again you -die-.'

Axl grins, looking more towards the Candle. "Nah, I don't pull the same thing twice. It'd be too boring."

Spider shrugs and leans back. "...Care for a quick game of poker?"

"Rather not." /Probably end up shirtless again.../ Axl's posture changes -just- slightly, shoulders hunching in an effort to hide his utter -horror- at the last time he played that game...

Spider grins. "C'mon, I wouldn't even make you transform into Marino this time! After all, the real thing's here now..."

Axl mutters something before finally outing with, "Really, I'm fine."

Spider says 'Fine, fine...'

Spider grins. "Then what about a drink?"

Axl pauses to consider the offer, then how the drink involved tended to get his mind off things like ridiculous wars against Koopas... He settles with a smirk and a nod. "I'm sure one couldn't hurt."

[[ Cosmo Canyon - Starlet Pub ]]

Spider settles at the bar. "Hey, bartender. Two of the special, please."

Axl turns a little pale at that, but doesn't say anything against it despite having tried 'the special' before with remarkably dignity-killing results...

Spider grabs his glass when it comes, downing it in one go. "Ah..."

Axl starts on his a little slower, though even what little he takes is enough to make him wince. /Yeah, it won't be so bad, just do it slow.../

Spider grins at Axl. "C'mon, kid. You can handle more than that."

Axl glowers a little and throws back the rest of his drink challengingly. "Yeah, yeah, 'm just... taking it easy." /I bet people'd pay to see -him- leave his dignity on the floor.../

Spider continues to grin. "So, tell me, kid. What's with all the staring at me this evening, anyways? I don't look anything like Cinnamon, so..."

Axl glowers -more-, but decides to direct it at the far wall. "You just... remind me of someone."

Spider tries to hide his sudden worry. "...Hmn? Who?"

Axl glances back at Spider. "...Not sure. -Someone-."

Spider says 'Well, it doesn't help much if you don't know who, hmn?'

Spider orders another drink.

"I guess not." Axl waves over a drink of his own, something a little lighter than Cosmo's famed reputation-killer...

Spider downs the rest of the drink. "...Shame Signas isn't here. He's a bit of a lightweight. It's fun to watch."'

Axl grins widely, starting on his second round. "Yeah... great General an' all, but he's the cheapest drunk -ever-."

Spider orders another drink. "Heh... Lahst time we were here, he deshided my name should be "Trebor"..."

Axl laughs a bit, deciding not to comment on just how many drinks Spider's had already -- he wasn't the one about to pass out. "Hehe..."

Spider gulps down the next drink. "'s stupid, though. Just because Redips has a first name doesn't mean I have to..."

Axl doesn't realize the few cracks spreading through his glass from his sudden tensing. /I -knew- it./ "...Yeah. Right."

Spider suddenly realizes what he just said and seems to sober a bit. "...aw, crap."

Axl finally regains eye contact with Spider, usually bright green eyes harboring dangerous accusation. "Yeah, it was real fun sacrificing yourself back there, wasn't it?"

Spider turns away. "I did it for you guys, really. It was so I could make sure you were doing alright -without- you guys feeling tense about having a Commander with you. The sacrifice was because I couldn't do both at once anymore."

Axl stands, though looking a little less intimidating than he would've liked. Not that it mattered to him; he knew his words would do the job where his height failed. "Oh yeah, -real- believable."

You say 'So why -were- you so into the Supra-Force Metal anyway? Hm? Care to explain -that-?'

Spider says '...It can boost the power of the Copy Chip. Helped me keep up the dualism. That's all.'

Spider says 'I realize it was stupid, but it sounded like a good idea at the time, alright?!'

Axl keeps his gaze affixed skeptically for several stretched moments, but decides to give it up and goes back to hovering over the counter. "...Alright, I'll take that. For now."

Spider manages a grin. "And plus, this form's more likely to get the ladies..."

Axl makes a little noise somewhere between a laugh and what someone would sound like after waking up, pretty much ignoring that his glass is on the verge of falling apart. "...Yeah... sure..."

Spider studies Axl. "You need sleep. You also need to get out of here before the barkeep notices what you did to your glass."

Axl mutters and drops a few gold coins(he's been around a while, surely he had to make money -somehow-) on the counter and just kind of shuffles off. "Yeah, sleep sounds good..."

Spider stands and sighs. "Guess he had to find out eventually..." He then follows Axl out.