[ Look, there's...there's shouting. And a maze. And Alex, for all his cautiousness, is a bleeding heart idiot, at times. So, like...he'd be forgiven for rushing in and finding a dead-end...or two. Or three? ]

'Least they aren't trying to kill me? [ Yet, he adds mentally, as another shout punctuates that far-too-optimistic thought. Okay, time to try and read the...well, if this world-or-whatever runs like his, then there should be signs, right? Things he can look for to lead him through the maze. Time to get looking for those.

Or, maybe someone else, because jeez he's hopelessly lost. Once he runs into someone, he sheepishly grimaces and shrugs, rubbing at his neck. ]

Sooo, you found any weed-whackers around here?

[ If you'd asked him when this all started, Alex would not have thought saving the world- worlds, multiverse, whatever- involved skulking around for a masquerade mask.

And he is skulking. There's no other way to describe it, since he's still not quite used to being in the open, around people, any of it. Three months of self-imposed house arrest will do that to a guy. It's more trying to dodge others than actual hunting for a mask that brings him to the questionable mask shop. And really, honestly- he should've known better. He should've seen the signs, but maybe death made him soft, or...shit, something besides dead or something.

The point is, he doesn't mean to be cursed by a mask. He doesn't mean for a lot of things, but they still happen. ]

Shit, damn it. [ He'd just been trying the thing on and suddenly it's just, like, stuck. Despite the fact that he's been tugging on it for, like, an hour, he's gotten nowhere. ] Rookie move, dude.

[ At least he can see out of it. Even if it seems to be...really itching his ears? Or, maybe it's something in the air. Or, something he ate. Or, the anxiety that's settled into the corner of his head in the past year, whispering all the awful things that can - and, in his experience, probably will - happen if he makes one wrong move.

Not here. It doesn't work like that here...as far as he knows. It already killed him, it's not like it can follow him across universes, or- fuck, it really itches, fine!! As he stops pulling on the mask, Alex lets out a frustrated gurgle mixed with a growl, one that sounds a little...strange, honestly. A literal more guttural than usual. He takes note of that, as he just casually scratches at the base of his left ear, right where the fur meets his skin and-- ]

What the jesus FUCK?!

[ Like he's been electrocuted (again), Alex jerks his hand back and practically spasms in shock, not really caring if he runs into anyone or not. He may have chosen a mask that looked quite similar to Clear's old dog, but still, but no, that doesn't mean he wanted to spout fucking German Shepherd ears! ]

[ ...So anyway, that stupidity over, it's time to find a damn Battle Wagon and not spend another day chasing his own tail and licking his own balls.

Should the universe be restored, he is never telling Clear about this. Ever.

That little adventure, however, has made him a liiiiittle hesitant about his original plan of just stealing a Battle Wagon. (...What, it's for the best, or...whatever, don't judge him--) Kinda funny that instead it sends him down to that kinda seedy bar. He has to wonder, only after he's inside and listening to that cat-man with the strange accent, if his brush (okay, collision) with the afterlife's given him a death wish?

Look, it's fine, it's- it's cards. He can do cards. That's all about looking for signs, which is all he's been doing, so...it works, alright? And if he loses, then the price is just a little-- wait, did he just say blood?

...

Luckily it doesn't come down to that. (Now he knows Death didn't follow him here, because that'd be the perfect opportunity for a good ol' round of Tetanus.) A little while after walking into the seedy bar, Alex is leaving the vicinity, to claim his prize. Nice, shiny and blue, not red like flames, so that's already a good sign! His very own-- ]

Okay, seriously, this is just a weird car. [ A beat. A genuine smile, for the first time in awhile. ] Oh, man. I finally got my own car!

[ And, well, ya know, if you have any ideas, hit me up, of course! PM this journal or message kabunevermind, I'm happy to play with you. c: ]