The Lucky Lilac was closed when Skyler walked in. She held up a stack of pizza boxes. She was wearing a pair of headphones with cat ears. "I have secured our sustenance!"

Jackie whooped from across the store where he and Ourias were moving some tables and chairs to the edges of the room.

Skyler spun around as she walked through the store. She set the pizzas down on the counter and pulled her headphones down around her neck. She leaned against the counter, gesturing around the room. "Okay, so, what're we doing here exactly?"

Jackie grinned. "We're playing games."

"Yeah... most games I'm familiar with can be played on a table. Yet, here you are," Skyler gestured, "moving the tables away."

Ourias sat down in one of the chairs. "Jackie brought his game console."

"...Still doesn't explain the big table-less space in the middle of the room."

Jackie leaned against the table he stood in front of, watching Skyler. He eventually reached over to a chair pushed up against the wall. He pulled up a bag. "I brought karaoke and Only Dance."

Skyler's eyes went wide before she ran over and snatched the bag. "No fucking way!" She threw her head back with a cackle. "Oh my god, this is going to be hilarious." She pulled out one of the cases and flipped it over in her hand. "I understand now."

"We needed a stage."

"Obviously." Skyler snickered. "This definitely makes the pizza run worth it." Skyler put the case back, digging through the rest of the bag. She stopped suddenly, looking around. "Where is everybody else?"

"Oh. They're just next door with Mateo. They should be back in any minute."

As if on cue, Anatase burst through the door (with Rangoon). "Skyler's back?!"

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

"The one and only." Skyler flipped her hair over her shoulder.

"Does that mean there's pizza?"

Skyler blinked, "Is that all I'm good for?"

Anatase shrugged. "I'm hungry."

"I'm wounded." Skyler gestured behind her. "But yes, there is pizza."

Anatase ran across the room. She pulled a chair over before standing on it to reach the pizza.

As she grabbed food, Mateo, Zacharius, and Myrtia followed inside. Mateo frowned as he looked around. "...What's happening here?"

"Karaoke and dancing." Skyler lifted the bag up partially before setting it down again.

"Ooh." Mateo went up to join her. "What kind of songs?"

"That's what I'm checking out."

Zacharius came up to Anatase. "Do you want me to hold your crab while you eat?"

Anatase handed Rangoon to him. "Thank you."

"Of course."

Myrtia approached them, glancing at Zacharius. "Do you think he'll show?"

"Possibly. I doubt he'd have other plans."

Anatase tilted her head. "Who are you talking about?"

"A new hire. We invited him to come in to meet us here." Zacharius knelt down on one knee to speak to Anatase.

"What's his name? Is he nice?"

"His name is Abe, and we think so."

Anatase nodded through a mouthful of food. "I met somebody named Abe. He was big and scary-looking, but he was very nice. He answered all my questions without getting annoyed." She perked up. "He also gave me one of his rings. I put it on Rangoon since it was too big for me to wear."

Zacharius looked down at Rangoon with a frown. "...When did you meet Abe?"

"When we went to pick up Ourias from the airport and I asked to sit at the bus stop while you were on the phone. He was sitting on the bench. I thought he was in the mafia." Anatase shook her head. "He's not."

"...That's good. Could you tell me what he looked like?"

"Really big? He also had long hair with braids in it and a beard. And he wore lots of jewelry."

Zacharius looked at Myrtia, just as Abe opened the door, leaning down into the doorway. Abe hesitated in the doorway, as everyone watched him. "...Hello."