As Friday night progressed into Saturday morning, the others came down to check in and see what we had been doing. By then we had gotten our new friends and allies fully integrated into our little farm. The three Bethelians were of course quite amazed that we had gotten a dryad to help us out. Our guild-mates were just as amazed, and thrice as curious to know how we had found her; and of course we were eager to know how they had progressed up in the Hitherlands. Once all the stories had been exchanged I sat back and contemplated it all for a few moments, wondering if there was a way we could put all of this together.
We've been busy up there and down here so much we forgot about the Wildlands; those are mostly under control now... I wonder if our holdings are intact. There was some good ore and wood down there; but there's stuff of the same quality or better up in the Hitherlands, too. We're not a guild like Gears and Wheels that depends on it, though; we could export a sum of both to them, and to other guilds like them; what would we take in, though? Or should we take in anything at all? Hmm... I wonder if there's cooking guilds for all these crops we're growing...
“Wasn't there a chef's guild or something that appeared a couple days before the competition began?” Lizzy remarked aloud, inadvertently echoing my last inner thought.
“At least two, weren't there?” Lysandra said as she turned to Sky Belle, who nodded.
“Yeppers; one of them was called Chef's Kiss, and the other was... what was it, now?” the pixie-girl frowned thoughtfully, trying to recall.
“Oh! Oh! I know what you're talking about, but I can't remember the name either...!” Derwydd suddenly exclaimed.
“It was really strange or something, right?” Belle nodded to him. “Or maybe not so much strange as not-English...”
“Hmm...?” I said with interest.
“Mm?” Anhe tilted her head as the words clicked for her. “Could you mean... mm, how to say it in English... ah! Inari's Cuisine and Desserts Club?” she asked.
“Oh right! 'Inari' for short! That was them,” Sky Belle clapped her hands.
“Right,” Derwydd agreed.
“They are another one of the guilds that wanted me, but I was set on Silvernight Queens by then!” Anhe smiled. “But I would be happy to make introductions if you want to contact them for trading,” she then said.
“Hey, Lizzy,” I called over as another thought came to my mind.
“Hmm?” she replied.
“Are there cooking or chef's utensils in your expansive repertoire of smithing?” I asked her.
“Hmm...” she pondered a moment, bringing up her crafting panel. “Sure there are; and I can probably get the recipes for others real cheap if I look in HC,” she told me.
“Go ahead and do that; use the guild coffers if you have to, though,” I told her. HC, by the way, is Harmonia City--but you might have figured that out already.
“Gotcha, boss!” our smith smiled back, heading out again.
“I am curious, Lady Lana, as to what your plans are,” Dracuoatlax, who was in his humanoid form at the moment, asked me.
“Exports,” I replied. “I think for the latter phase of the competition I want to focus on exporting the stuff we get to people who'll pay for it. Other guilds are more focused on selling products and stuff, doing all the work themselves; let's be a middle-man for those less interested in going out to get stuff on their own,” I explained.
“Except, of course, for cooking utensils.” Lysandra smiled at me coyly.
“Who else but Lana would suggest making utensils out of god-tier metal, though?” her girlfriend said with a grin, shaking her head.
“Ah-heh...” I smiled back wryly.
“Hmm...” I heard Ariana sigh as she looked through the forums. “Chef's Kiss is focused on gourmet items... they have a restaurant they operate in -- oh, they have five restaurants; one in Harmonia City, one in the Vales of Aergondi, a third here in Bethelia near the Kingsmark Border, and two others in Ur-Pom, where the guild first got together,” she told us.
“And Inari is focused in Xuanpu and the regions west of it,” Anhe nodded.
“Our top export will probably be the berwheat, followed by some of the rare metals we've found up north and down in the Untold Deeps... I bet we'll get some good money off of those for sure,” I noted.
“The sun-apples will probably do well, too.” Heali said.
“Don't underestimate the potatoes, either!” Ari nudged me.
“Ah-heh, true; was just trying to think more generally about it,” I replied.
“Ahh, I see!” Healina nodded to me. “But grains, and hence flour, are rarely the sole ingredient for anything. Still... we should have a lot of it by... Sunday, was it?” she looked over towards the window.
“I think so,” I said. “We'll have to check for seeds when we harvest it all, I guess, and then we'll plant more to get a good store going.”
“No one else has these specific kinds of crops, by the way, so if they do well we'll have a small monopoly going,” Lysandra told us.
“Berwheat, sun-apples, galbasi potatoes, golden maize, and conini carrots... you'd think someone would have run into at least one of them by now,” Ariana remarked.
“Some things, can only be found, with certain quests.” Myanihia softly smiled. “We're lucky, that the Ragamis, decided we were the ones, that they wanted.”
“I did hear something about moon-apples, but those are something on the Isles of Selene to the east of Harmonia.” Derwydd said with a shrug.
“I have heard it said that those are a worthy prize, for those who can claim them,” Dracuoatlax told us.
“Indeed.” Myanihia nodded.
The Isle of Selene? Ohh, right, the one with the very-hostile Sea Elves... I recalled; none of us had actually been there, but I had seen a forum post about it a while back. A group of adventurous players had been repulsed from visiting it thirteen times straight; others had tried to get there as well, all of them drawn by one sort of rumor or another. Moon-apples were one of the more popular ones.
“What about shipping?” Lysandra then asked.
“Good question...” I returned, leaning back again to think about it.
“I am certain that Friend Fyu, with his newfound gift of flight, would prove a most excellent bearer of goods. I myself might also be persuaded to help in such endeavors, should you need me to do so, Lady Lana,” Dracuoatlax remarked.
Air delivery, huh? That would make things expedient; but there's only two of them, and if we get more demand... putting stuff up for auction to the highest bidder is also a choice we can make; “highest bidder” would put the buy-cheap-sell-high people off of scavenging, at least. Of course, with the auctions, there's an auctioneer's fee for us, and as long as the competition is going there's a delivery fee split between buyer and seller. There's a similar fee for other system transits like the train and caravans... hmm...
“We need to find the most profitable option for us that doesn't compromise the integrity of our goods being delivered, I guess...” I said aloud.
“In that case, 'Air Dragon' may be the way to go,” Healina said, earning an amused glance from our friend.
“Honestly, though, it'll come down to what's between us and our buyers, if we deliver things the old fashioned way.” Derwydd said. “Bandits, outlaws, terrain, natural obstacles... these sorts of things contributed to the prices of goods way back when, and the same general rule applies to this world's economy as well.”
“Well observed.” Myanihia said to him.
“Hrrmm... so we want to play it safe but not too safe?” I wondered, trying to figure it out.
“There's a high risk, high reward situation going on; but there's also long distance and rarity of goods,” Derwydd explained. “And, of course, monopoly.”
“We can definitely monopolize the foodstuffs,” Ariana nodded.
“If we keep a tight guard on our farmstead, for sure,” I agreed.
“Hmm?” my partner looked back at me.
“Remember how Clara hinted that she could indirectly damage our farm? I bet part of that includes stealing crops if we don't claim them by a certain time,” I said.
“Ohh, didn't think of that.” she frowned. “Do you think we have enough helpers here to thwart that sort of thing?”
“Allow me, Lady Lana, Lady Ariana, to keep watch here.” Dracuoatlax then spoke up. “I am sure none would bother this place if there were a dragon about it.”
“That'd be a big help,” I nodded back. “Between you, Fyu, and Melasine guarding it, I doubt many people would want try sneaking around.”
“Indeed!” he returned with an amused grin. “A dragon, a dog-beast, and a dryad; none with ill-intent would dare venture near!”
“Here go the forums again,” I heard Lysandra whisper. Belle giggled, and Myanihia softly smirked.
“More importantly,” Maryn said as she came into the room, “You two have a performance at two today, yes?” she asked us.
“Gyeck.”
“Ahh...” Ari and I wryly grinned at each other.
“I'll, go get them, when it's time.” Myanihia said. “Your homework; all done?”
“Not even remotely,” I sighed.
“Tsk, tsk,” Maryn smiled as she sat down with us.
“Oh, like you have yours all done?” I softly retorted, then froze, remembering who I was talking to.
“Of course I do. Well... most of it,” she returned with a faint grin, and I relaxed.
“Heh-heh! Caught!” I smiled victoriously.
“What's that, cutie?” Maryn returned, giving me a look even as she smiled at me.
“Ahh...”
“I'm not helping you.” Ariana quickly said.
“Hyeck?!”
“Oh dear,” I heard Sky Belle remark as I slowly got up from the couch to back up towards the door. Maryn got up slowly as well, poising in the tickle-stance I had come to dread from each of the girls.
“I believe it is time I took up my post,” Dracuoatlax said. I perked up my ears, keeping my eye on Maryn. As soon as Dracky had opened the door, I spun on my heels and dashed out of the door right before he did, Maryn chasing after me for ten meters before I remembered I had stealth skills.
“Drat!!” I heard Maryn sigh as I vanished from sight.
“She's getting better at getting away, huh?” Sky Belle said.
“Pfft!” Lysandra chuckled.
“Saaandraaa, help meee!” Maryn pleaded.
Uh-oh.
“I was going to, but now that you've asked for my help in earshot of Lana we'll be lucky if we find her!” the werewolf girl remarked as I sped off, still invisible, for Derry.
As I ran along the road, it struck me that an invisible caravan might be an interesting idea, if you could somehow silence the noise and keep tracks from forming on the ground. So maybe not a total stroke of genius. But maybe something to ponder.
***
An hour later, I had safely escaped to Harmonia City. At the moment I was idling in the bathhouse, blissfully soaking myself in the warm water and quietly giggling about how quickly and cleverly I had gotten away this time.
“You're in a good mood, huh?” a familiar voice said, and another person joined me in the baths. It was Angelfire.
“Hm? Oh, Angel, hey!” I smiled back.
“Hey!” she smiled. “What's the good news?”
“Nothing world-bending; I just escaped, is all.” I told her.
“Escaped?” she looked at me confusedly.
“From tickle-torture...” I returned in a soft voice as a frazzled grin took over my face.
“Ahh, okay,” she grinned back. “From them, at least,” she quickly commented.
“Gyeck!?” I tensed up, ready to spring out.
“Kidding! It's not my thing anyway.” she patted my head.
“Ahh--huh...” I returned. “Are you taking a break from the Hitherlands, too?”
“Yep. I mean, there's nothing for me to really do up there; it's my guildies who are the craft-oriented ones, not me.”
“Hmm.”
“And your quest was on a cool-down, or at least that's what Lizzy said,” Angelfire said.
“Yep. Can't get the next chapter until... this coming Thursday.” I nodded.
“That's long.” she remarked.
“Ehh. I think I get it, though; the Ragamis need some time to settle in more.” I shrugged.
“Ahh, that's true... there's a whole town of them up there, now,” she recalled.
“I wonder if it has a name...”
“I think the residents are calling it Annadale, after the one who came with us on the voyage.” Angelfire told me.
“Oh, cute,” I softly smiled.
“Right?” she agreed.
We lapsed into a silence for a while, quietly enjoying the baths. There weren't many other people around at the moment. I was probably due for a breakfast log-out myself. After this I'll get off for a bit, and then maybe get on again until lunch... unless Sabrina comes over early... in which case it's homework... I thought to myself with a faint shudder.
“Say, Lana,” my companion said to me then, and I looked over at her. “If you hadn't met Ari, and the Garth-thing hadn't happened... do you think...” she began, then trailed off hesitantly.
I knew what it was she wanted to ask, though. A gentle sigh escaped me as I laid back, looking up at the ceiling. How do I answer her? This one isn't as murky as the version I got asked at club that one time...
“Sorry, that was bad of me.” she then apologized, and I turned to her again. “I'll just--” she started again, but then I pulled her close to give her a hug. Angelfire hesitated for a moment, then wrapped her arms around me tightly.
I won't answer her. Not with words. But I think she knows what I mean by this. I don't know what I would have said if things had been different; but I appreciate your interest in me, and I'm glad we're friends now.
“I'll take this answer.” she whispered softly. “Just know, Lana, that I also...”
“I know.” I whispered back as she trailed off a second time. I let go of her, drawing my hands up to her shoulders as we looked at each other. Angel was smiling, tears in her eyes.
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“Thanks.” she said to me, and then took a deep breath. “You wanna, visit one of the restaurants here?” she asked me then, and I smiled back.
“Sure. Let's go,” I nodded, and with that we dried off, got dressed, and left the bathhouse to make our way to one of the places we had visited during the Grand Tournament.
When we got to the “Food District” of the Arena Quarter, Ariana had finally tracked me down, smiling as she found us. The three of us then headed to the Roasted Mallet and had a small feast together.
“This is always so good.” Ari smiled as we dug in.
“Right?” Angel agreed excitedly. “How did you know Lana would be around here, anyway?”
“Intuition,” Ariana smirked. “There's two things she really loves here besides me: the baths, and the food.”
Hahh... I'm predictable... even without Myanihia or Lysandra, she found me all on her own, I thought bemusedly, but... mostly pleased at the result.
“They're good, right?” the other girl smiled. “It'll get easier this summer; they're adding a tracking feature for friends and guildmates, so long as you keep your status online.”
“You mean as long as they stay online, right?” Ari wondered.
“Nope.” Angelfire shook her head.
“Even now, you can set your status to 'Offline' to keep from appearing in player searches and stuff.” I told her. “I think a lot of PvPers do it, especially in the Borderlands.”
“Exactly.” Angel nodded.
“Oh, I see it now,” Ari exclaimed as she found the window from the menu. “Neat! Hee-hee... soon we'll all be able to find you, stealth or no stealth,” she said to me with a smug grin on her face.
“Ah-heh... I think I might be using that offline feature, then...” I risked saying.
“Boo.” my partner returned, laying her head on my shoulder. Angelfire smiled as she watched us.
I can't imagine how it feels... seeing the person you love most be so intimate with another friend... it's gotta suck. I know what Mary told me a while ago, but still... it's really gotta hurt, I thought to myself, hiding any change in my expression with a large bite of roasted beef sandwich.
“Oh, we decided that, when the time comes, we'll be using Dragon Express for certain deliveries; that's fine, right?” Ariana then said.
“Hmm? Oh, sure, so long as he wants to do it,” I returned after I had gotten the bite down.
“Okay!” she smiled back turning her attention to food as well.
“Going for a new angle in the competition?” Angelfire asked us.
“Yep!” I nodded back.
“Hmm...?” she looked at us knowingly, a smile on her face. “I hope your buddy gets something nice for being the 'Dragon Express',” she then remarked.
“Ahh--!”
“Uhh...” we exchanged a sheepish look with one another.
“W-we'll definitely think of something!” I nodded.
“Pffft! The two of you, I swear!” our friend laughed.
“Whaaat?” Ariana called back teasingly.
“So adorkable!” Angelfire smirked.
At least it's both of us this time, I thought to myself with a grin.
“True!” Ari agreed, returning her attention to the food once more.
***
As it turned out, when we got off to eat real food I found out that Sabrina was indeed coming over early with Christina to make sure we finished off our homework before they took us to the city council building for our brief performance. Rachel and I made quick work of our breakfast, the twins arriving about half an hour after we had eaten.
“No no, like this,” Chrissy told me as she jotted down an example on a spare piece of paper.
“Ugh, how do you do that?” I wondered with a groan.
“I'm planning on going into space, kiddo. Math like this is the least of troubles I've gotten through.” she said as she gently poked my head.
“Space, huh?” I returned, trying to make sure I followed the example in order to solve the problem before me.
“And Sabrina's going into nursing; it's not as math-heavy, but it's math-adjacent, in some ways.” she added.
“It's true. Though you've definitely gone, for the harder road,” Sabrina said with a smile.
“Hmm.” Christina nodded back, then looked at my paper. “There you go, see?”
“Hahh...” I sighed wearily.
“And you didn't even need me to filter it for you.” Rachel grinned. “You sure you don't want to be a teacher, or even a tutor of some kind?” she then said to Christina.
“That'd be more trouble for me,” the older girl smiled back.
“Teaching certificates, are stricter these days, considering...” Sabrina remarked.
“Hmm... that's true.” Rachel agreed. “Though I think we're better for it.”
“Absolutely.” Sabrina smiled. “Here, like this,” she then said to Rachel.
“Hm? Oh!” my girlfriend exclaimed as something clicked for her. Christina smiled, then looked over at me.
“And exactly why doesn't this click so well for you?” she quipped as she grabbed me in a gentle headlock, messing with my hair.
“Nyrrrgghhh--!! Chrissyyy...!” I grunted back. I saw Sabrina let out an amused sigh, while Rachel simply grinned.
“It's almost like they're siblings. Which would make him yours, too!” Rachel said to Sabrina.
“It... practically is. Mother, rarely does anything for anyone, outside of family,” she said in reply; Christina stopped her antics and patted me on the head.
“That's true; in terms of how she perceives things, you may as well be our little brother now,” she added, and her sister nodded.
“Exactly.” Sabrina smiled.
“In that case, I don't suppose big sis would mind letting go of my head so we can finish sealing this evil wizard's tome?” I quipped, and the three of them laughed.
“Let's get back to it, then!” Christina agreed, and we returned to the hazardous task -- okay, okay, strenuous task, of finishing off our homework with their assistance.
At a quarter after one, we had finished our homework, along with a lunch that had been brought up for us. Fifteen minutes later we were on our way to join our fellow thespians at the city council building. There were definitely a lot of vehicles on the road today, but Victor navigated the busy streets with an ease, casually dealing with the frenzy of traffic as if it was no more bothersome than a rainstorm is to a duck.
“I forgot how rough some high school homework could be,” Christina sighed as she gazed out at the rush of cars streaming by.
“I think Mary has it the worst, though...” I remarked.
“I bet she does. And she's the most popular candidate for the graduation speech this year, don't forget.” Rachel agreed.
“Right?” I nodded back.
“Good for her,” Christina said with approval. Sabrina poked her chest, her twin giving her a curious smile. “What's that about?”
“You really don't wear one,” Sabrina said in quiet amazement.
“Of course not. I can't breathe in those things,” he sister shrugged back.
Hm? Hmm...? Hyeck?! Oh... I realized internally, gazing out of the window to distract myself.
“I don't really care for them either, but the ones I have aren't too bad.” Rachel said.
“Must've actually been designed by a woman, then.” Christina replied.
“Oh def.” Rachel nodded. “You okay, Lana?” she turned to me with a smirk. I couldn't even think of a quip, so I did the only thing a guy should do; I kept my mouth shut.
“Heh... I bet Lana's at least a B.” Christina softly grinned.
Oh boy.
“No way--definitely a C.” Rachel returned at once.
Ahh...
“Hmm? Oh, I guess so, huh?” the other said.
“I agree.” Sabrina quietly smiled.
Not you too!?
“Oh, I should have asked; your costumes, will be there, yes?” Sabrina then asked.
“Hm? Oh, yeah, I think,” I replied, eagerly jumping in on the change of subject.
“Miss Holly will really yell at us if we were supposed to meet them at school.” Rachel reminded me.
“Well when we went to the park they did it that way,” I returned.
“Mm... that's true.” she agreed. “I hope we don't get there too close to two, then,” she said.
“Victor,” Sabrina called up to her driver, who slightly turned his head to indicate he was listening. “The shortcut.”
“Of course, madam.” he replied, and a few seconds later we diverted to the Underways, a system of underground roads and train-lines that goes under the city. It has the advantage of being restricted to most traffic, except for public transit (of course) and carpooling. Which I guess we kind of fit under?
“It's been a long time since I've seen this part of town,” I said as we entered it.
“Oh wow,” Rachel remarked as she looked around.
“They're debating on reopening this to pedestrians, right?” Christina asked.
“I think so,” her sister replied. “There is a bit, of an under-city here, after all,” she continued.
“That sounds pretty neat,” I said with interest, then a thought came to mind. “It isn't like the movies or something, where everything is more sinister and run by crime gangs?”
“Pffft!” Christina clapped her hands and began laughing.
“No, it's not like that,” Sabrina smiled back. “Some parts, though, are in disrepair; mostly the walkways--hence the pedestrian ban.”
“Ohh, gotcha,” I nodded.
“I was thinking the same thing,” Rachel whispered to me with a faint grin, which I returned.
“Right??” I whispered back, and she giggled.
A few minutes later we emerged from the Underways, popping up right next to our destination. Victor parked the limousine on the edge of the parking lot. I suddenly noticed our fellow students and actors had taken notice of it.
Gyeck!?! Oh boy... here come ten-billion questions... I suddenly realized as the chauffeur got out to open the door for us.
“I wonder who's in it?” I heard Herby say.
“It's gotta be someone important! They're in a freaking limo, man!” Matt replied.
“Yeah, no, but really!” the other boy returned.
“I bet it's someone who's come to watch us,” Leslie remarked. “See? She looks important!” our friend continued as Sabrina and her sister got out first.
“Wow,” Matt exclaimed.
“You're telling me!” Joey agreed. Then the two of us got out of the vehicle.
“Hey, that's--?!”
“Ehh??”
“Wha--!?”
“HUH?!” came a chorus of baffled voices upon recognizing Rachel and myself.
“Hahh...” I sighed.
“Ahh...” Rachel smiled back bemusedly.
***
“Duuuuuude!!” Matt grinned as he patted my back for the umpteenth time. He had been grinning ear-to-ear since Sabrina had explained why we had come out of a limo with them. Well... kind of explained.
“My mother... is treating them, to show her support, for the arts--do a good job, okay?” Sabrina had told them.
That was all she said about it, but it was enough to stop most of the questions I expected to come our way. They had eaten the statement up like a rare dessert, and then we had gotten changed for our upcoming performance-in-brief of the musical we would soon be doing.
One week left, huh? I thought to myself anxiously as “Little John” kept patting my back.
“Matt! Calm the heck down, 'kay?” Herby tugged at him.
“Alright, alright!” the taller boy whispered back. “So when's the engagement party? The bachelor's? The after-wedding celebrations?” he smiled at me broadly.
“Guhyeck!?” I tensed up as Herby sighed.
“So much for calming down...” he lamented.
“Matthew Jackson!” Maggie hissed as she grabbed his ear.
“Ack!! A'wight, All-right, I get it!!” he hoarsely quipped back. She let his ear go and gave me a wry smile.
“Can you believe this guy has about half of Shakespeare memorized?” she said.
“Some days less than others,” I returned with a grin of my own. We broke out laughing, Matt included, and then quickly brought ourselves under control.
“Now that was a burn.” Leslie grinned.
“Heh-heh!” Matt smiled proudly.
“What are you so cocky for? It was you that got burned!” Herby nudged him.
“Just being proud of our little wallflower finally taking center stage!” the other boy grinned back in reply.
“Eh, I'll agree with that!” his friend said, holding out a thumbs-up.
“Hsst! We're almost on!” Allie called, and we settled down for sure that time.
“Regretfully, our friend Mr. Saint-James could not be in attendance today on account of certain issues, so it falls to me to introduce to you the cast of 'Sherwood's Merry Men, a Robin Hood Story'! Today we will see them perform a selection of three scenes, including one of the musical numbers that is in store for us when they perform it next weekend at Horace Mann Academy!” the announcer said, and we heard a sizable applause in response.
“The announcer's done his job; now it's our turn!” Malcolm said with a strong nod, and we all gave him a nod in reply.
Certain issues, huh? I repeated inwardly, thinking back to the announcer's opening words. Heh... can't say I'm too sorry to hear that... but I wish you could see us blow your mind as to how far we've come! I then grinned, determined to do my utmost for this performance and all the others to come.
“Whoo!! That went super-duper well!” Matt whooped as we got off stage some forty minutes later, returning to the room that had been set aside for us as a changing room.
“Of course it did!” Maggie remarked from the girl's side of the curtain.
That's dangerous, huh? Though I guess some of us are used to it...
“No no! You don't get it! My dad always says Greg Abner never smiles or laughs!” Matt said emphatically.
“Hmm? Ohh, the bald guy in the white suit, huh?” Maggie said.
“Exactly!” the other nodded.
“He definitely looked like a tough customer.” Leslie agreed.
“Good job, Herby!” Lacey called.
“Aw, shucks; tweren't nothing.” he modestly replied.
“Ugh! How do you get this off again??” I heard Rachel say with exasperation.
“Here, let me,” Joanna said to her.
“Whew! Thanks!”
“No problem!”
“What do you think happened to that Saint-James guy, anyway?” one of the other girls wondered.
“It was in the news yesterday, wasn't it? All that embezzlement stuff, and the worker-contract violations in his businesses and stuff,” Joey remarked.
“Oh, is that it? No wonder my mom looked so happy yesterday and today,” the other returned.
“Pfft! Steffy!” one of her friends giggled.
“Yeah, there was a ton of other crazy stuff going on too; my father thinks he's sunk for good this time.” Malcolm shrugged.
This time?! There were other times!?
“Good news for you, huh, Jo?” Allie said.
“Hmm.” the other girl sighed in reply.
Ohh, right, because she was engaged to that -- to Oblivious Narcissist Guy the Second, I mean, I recalled. Come to think of it, does this have anything to do with that word Sabrina said to him that one night...?
“Not quite...” Malcolm sighed quietly as he finished changing.
“Your mother has back-up plans, huh?” Stephen said softly, shaking his head in disgust.
“Of course she does,” the other boy nodded. “Even if the engagement with Constantine falls through because of this, there's at least three other young men she wants Jo to get married to for business reasons...”
“Tch, what is this? Turn-of-the-century Japan? Who gets married for business reasons in this day and age?” Stephen scoffed.
“You'd be surprised.” Malcolm told him.
“I guess I would.” the other shrugged as he shouldered his bag. “Right, gonna put these away and then head home. See you all Monday,” he said as he took his costume to the rack.
“See ya,” Matt and a few others replied as Stephen headed out with a wave.
“Well, Sean, how's stardom and fancy treatment and all that?” Malcolm said, giving me a studious look.
“Ehh...” I returned uncertainly as I finished getting my normal clothes on.
“Must be nice; none of us ever got a fancy limo-ride or got put up by some rich business-lady...” he went on, almost as if he was trying to test or provoke me.
“I'm still not used to it any time I see it, just so you know. The limo, that is.” I said, deciding that was the most middle-road answer I could take.
Since you brought it up, that is.
“Hmm...? But you're used to being in a fancy hotel, with a girl? All by yourselves?”
Gyeck!?
“Ahh...”
“Malcolm, grow up.” his sister Joanna said, providing an unexpected source of relief as she walked by and lightly slapped him in the chest.
“Ow! Hey!” her brother retorted angrily.
“I don't know exactly what's going on with them, but I'd bet it has something to do with our biggest detractor; so I'd doubt there's any funny business going on.” Joanna said to him.
“Hmm,” he frowned, thinking about it himself for a few moments.
Boy you're sharp, was all I could think as Joanna turned to me with a smile.
“Don't mind him, Sean. He's just mad because he once got caught with--”
“Hey! Whoa! Okay! I take it back!” Malcolm quickly cut her off.
Something tells me I don't want to know, I thought to myself as a crinkled look came to my face. Joanna relented, patting her brother on the shoulder before heading out.
“I'm walking home.” she told him as she left.
“Be safe.” he called back.
Rachel came out a few moments after I was done, and we went to put our costumes away after saying our goodbyes until Monday. We found the twins waiting for us outside, the two of them smiling as we approached.
“Well done!” Sabrina told us, and Chrissy nodded.
“Very well done.” she agreed. “Hah... do we have to take them back right now?”
“Hm? Well, we do have things, in Panarena, we should do; but, let's go, to that place for a while, if you like!” Sabrina grinned in reply.
“Ooh, good idea!” Chrissy smiled.
“Ahh... 'that place'?” I wondered.
“I think I know. And I approve.” Rachel said with a big smile.
Uh-huh... that can only mean...
Yep. About twenty minutes later, we were at Cozy Cat Corner, where we ran into Mandy. She had brought Mary and Anhe with her this time as well. And wouldn't you know the very same attendant greeted us at the counter? She gave me a grin as we entered, and I weakly smiled back in reply.
Then again, I thought to myself as I settled in, watching the girls play with all of the cats and kittens that came running to them, well, I'd never say it out loud... I think... but they're all so dang cute right now. It just... makes me happy, seeing them like this, I smiled. A little orange fellow with white paws came up to me and squeaked.
“Hiya, bud,” I said as he came crawling up to snuggle.
“Mew!” the kitten said, and I laughed, quite content in the situation at hand.