Having done their tasks for the day, Luck had her sim and playing around with her phone; the only contact in it so far was Norbert's as he waited around and prepared dinner for four people; Jack finally coming back to the apartment soon after gallivanting around the country with his girlfriend.
The beef currently in the oven with the potatoes. Norbert prepared the salad and finished setting the table. Looking around at his effort, the oven beeping behind him; turning around, he brought out the mitts and placed the meat on the cooktop, smelling it and his stomach grumbling.
Hearing an engine rumbling outside going down the street, Norbert wondered if that was Jack or some other hooligan going around. His phone buzzing, Norbert saw it was Jack, saying they would be in soon. Getting the cups filled with water, Norbert looked around for anything else to drink. Found the bottle of wine he bought earlier that day, a red to go with the beef.
A knock on the door sounded through the apartment as he brought the glasses out. Hearing Luck move off the sofa, Norbert shouted, "Come in", as he walked to the door opening. Jack is standing there, a goofy smile on his face and motorbike helmet under his arm, in full black protective gear.
Norbert, smiling, walked forward, clasping hands together as he patted his friend on the back. Now seeing the person behind him, just wearing a black motorbike helmet, Norbert could not see any of the features on them.
"And who might this be?" Norbert asked as he stepped away from Jack and looked at his partner.
"Ah, this would be Sarah", Jack said as he stepped to the side, allowing her to wave at him. Bobbing his head around, he piped, "And who are you trying to hide?" He asked in return.
Norbert spinning around, saw Luck standing behind him, beaming with joy. "Oh, that's Luck," Norbert said as he stepped backwards, allowing everyone to enter the apartment.
"Ahhh, the one that gave you that cute little bird; wondering where it is now?" Jack asked as he looked around the apartment, trying to find Obsius and if it was hiding somewhere.
"Sadly, Obsius isn't going off on its adventures in a moment." Norbert said, "I'm sure it will return eventually", He added, not wanting to give Jack the false impression that the bird was dead somewhere.
"As long as it isn't dead, what's that amazing smell anyway. Doesn't smell like pizza, that's for sure," Jack said as he started sniffing around and walking to the kitchen.
"A leg of beef, potatoes and a salad", Norbert said as he walked into the kitchen, taking the bottle of wine. "Wine, anyone?" Norbert asked.
Hearing three confirms on the wine, he poured out into the glasses and handed them off. Jack took two glasses and walked over to Sarah. "You're going to need to take the helmet off to eat?" He asked a playful tone in his voice.
Receiving a sigh as Sarah reached under her chin, taking the straps off. Her chestnut hair fell out of the helmet; Norbert looked at her as more and more face was exposed. A soft face rounded face as he looked at her. Unable to put off the feeling that he remembered her from somewhere but unable to pinpoint it, Norbert just dismissed it with a wave in his mind.
As Sarah turned around, Luck just stared at her, mouth open. Sarah took her glass and sip of wine. "Oh, this is truly fantastic", She added while tapping the side of her nose to Luck to stop her from yelling something terrible out.
Norbert only saw Luck's reaction as she shut her jaw so quickly he could hear her teeth snap shut. Wondering what could happen but knowing he would need to ask later about it. "Glad you enjoyed it", he said as he turned to look at Jack. "Now it's time for everyone to dig in and eat", He finished as he put his glass down at the table, took out the mitts and brought the meat and potatoes to the table.
Once finished the meal, everyone sat around on the couch, Jack sitting with Sarah lying in his lap and leaning on his back. Norbert had Luck's legs draped over him like a blanket, just relaxing after everyone's day; the TV sounded in the background as the news went on.
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"So, where have you been off to for the last who knows how long?" Norbert asked Jack, pointing the question to them over on the other side of the couch.
"Going on a bike tour around the place, got my license and have driven around the country, looking at the scenery and people", Jack replied, gently squeezing Sarah, sitting in his lap.
Norbert just nodded. "That's nice." He continued to nod, then thinking about his words, "Wait, license?" Norbert asked
"Yeah, license and a bike as well", Jack replied, nodding.
Norbert sat up, not believing what he heard. "You just went and got a motorbike?" He asked. He was receiving a nod in response. Norbert shakes his head. "Man, I can't believe you did it. All that talk, and I guess she pushed you over the edge then." Jack smiled as he hugged Sarah, the two of them slightly blushing.
Norbert smiled, happy at the two of them, as he looked over to Luck, wondering if she should play up their supposed relationship. Calling quits on it, and it is too much effort for him to try.
"So, how's home?" Jack asked Norbert.
"Same old same old", Norbert replied. "Also told the fam about Sarah, and that's why you couldn't come up. So expect to be lectured by your Mum the next time you go up," Norbert said, an evil smile growing on his face.
Jack just stared at Norbert, clutching his heart in pain. "How could you do this to me? We have been through all that together, and to abandon me and through me under the bus like that. How could you" he exclaimed, horror tinting his voice.
Norbert just waved him off. "Calm down, drama queen. But seeing everyone was good, and you should come up to meet them. And also Frankie's is still there," Norbert said, the last part in a half remark as he remembered.
"Of course, the old geezer is still around", Jack said, shaking his head.
Luck spoke up. "Oh, Norbert, will there be enough time to go to a theme park so we can go on a rollercoaster together," She said, completely changing the topic of the conversation. Norbert looked around and saw that Sarah was staring at the TV.
Kicking himself internally for being a rude guest and just being about his and Jack's adventures around town and what they did without the girls saying anything. Smiling and nodding to Luck, thanking her for the save, Norbert pulled out his phone, looking at the date.
"Guess that would be tomorrow if that works for everyone?" Norbert asked around. Received nods in reply, as it would be a Sunday, the last day of the holidays before the term started, and they wouldn't be able to go gallivanting across the country.
Sarah spoke up, "Does Amasgi Park good for everyone? I went there once as a kid and haven't been there since. Great times made there."
Norbert looked up at his phone, and the easiest way to see it would be by train as there wasn't a car; Norbert thought to check, "Want to go by train, or rent a car, unless someone has one?" Norbert asked.
Looking around, nobody raised their hands regarding the car. "Train it is", Luck said, everyone nodding in agreement.
"That's a three-hour train ride then. Park opens at nine if I remember correctly." Jack just nodded in response, also looking at his phone.
"Guess that's gonna be getting at the station at six then," Norbert said, calculating the time to get around the place. Whistling to himself, he leaned over to Luck. "Gonna be an early get-up tomorrow, up at five at the latest to get there." Luck just smiled in anticipation, Norbert feeling her excitement affect him a little.
As he looked at the time, Norbert looked at the time. "Shit, it's already ten. Where did the time go?" He asked himself.
Sarah and Jack just looked back, not believing it as well. "Guess we're going to need to head out now, then, to pack everything for tomorrow", Sarah said, as she started getting off Jack and walking to where her jacket and helmet lay on the table.
Jack got up and got his things on. Norbert looked at them. "Not going to stay the night?" Norbert asked, still staying on the couch, unable to move, trapped by Luck's legs.
Norbert looked at the two of them putting on their gear, and Norbert just smiled and gave a wink to Jack, who had a grin on his face as well, until the helmet covered it.
Norbert waved to the two of them. "It was nice seeing the two of you. Can't wait to see you tomorrow at the station," Norbert said, receiving waves and nods.
As the door closed, Norbert and Luck sat in silence as they heard the two engines come to life and drive off, leaving them once more alone.
"Nice to see the commander finally unwinding a bit," Luck said to the quiet apartment.
Norbert just nodded before turning his head. "Commander?" Norbert asked
"Yeah, Commander Sally, from the Frontier. Believe you've met her," Luck said.
Norbert twisted under Luck's legs until he sat on the couch. "WHAT!" he shouted, disbelief as his brain started tying over. What was someone from Masanu over here? Remembering back to Elizabeth and the light surrounding her, the same one transporting him around.
Luck saw the cogs tick in Norbert's head; when he was about to open his mouth, she just nodded before moving her legs off him and walking around, trying to think of what to pack for their trip tomorrow.