Luck lying down spread out on the sofa, scrolling through her phone. Norbert just returning from uni with Jack, the two of them going through the door. "Watcha looking at?" Norbert asked her as he took his shoes off.
"Just going through the photos at the theme park", Luck replied, not looking up and continuing to scroll through, kicking her feet back and forth in the air.
"Yeah, that was idea from Sarah. Oh, that reminds me, Jack, when did you say she would be heading over?" Norbert asked
Jack poked his head out of his room. "In about an hour, so Luck you should start getting ready", he said back into the room.
"Yes, Dad", Luck shouted back as she twirled off the couch and headed into Norbert's room. Norbert followed her in as he closed the door behind him.
"Want someone to talk to?" Norbert asked, feeling the frustration rise within Luck.
Breathing out, she went through the wardrobe, placing clothes on the bed "Nothing that you can help with, just didn't think it would take this long to go back", she said as she stood up, nodding in approval of what was there. Laying on the bed was a blue sundress with yellow sunflowers dotting it. Norbert imagined it on her with her hair down to her shoulders, the smile he remembered at the theme park when they met after the rides—imagining her spinning around on the hill overlooking his town. Down the hill, his family and friends from both Earth and Masanu were calling up to them, saying they needed to head on home. Azalea is standing by the side and just smiling.
As Norbert looked back to Luck, the two of them ran down the hill, laughing and smiling as they slowed down, running to their friends before walking off and heading back together, everyone laughing at the standing around. Nassan running looking and laughing as he took off, playing with the other kids in the village.
"I just didn't think it would take two months", Luck said, knocking Norbert out of his daydream as he nodded at the dress.
"Eh, it’s a bit long but not that much; it seems to be getting longer between jumps each time, but what can we do" Norbert finished shrugging his shoulders before continuing. "Nice dress; when did you pick it up?" Norbert asked as he nodded to the dress.
"Last week with Sarah, thought you might enjoy it. Well, guess I need to start getting ready, don't want to be late," She finished, leaving the dress there. Norbert just smiled and waved her off. He turned on his computer, wanting to finish his work for uni before going. Hearing the shower water start and the muffling sound of Luck humming to herself through the door, Norbert put his headphones on, wanting to drown the sound out as he played the track, soothing classical music coming out as his monitor lights illuminated the room; Norbert sending a slight amount of energy into his hands, allowing him to type that bit quicker.
***
"Cheers for many memories to come," Jack said, holding his beer in the air, everyone else on the table cheering him as well. Norbert took a sip as he looked over at Luck opposite him, watching as she smiled into her glass of wine. Norbert was happy that she seemed out of her funk from before, placing the bottle on the table and looking around the Japanese restaurant they found themselves in.
The light wooden flooring with the paper dividers separating the rooms, red and blue patterns covering it, art depicting some scenery. Everyone as they sat down on cushions at a table, the sliding door trying to stop the sound from the other patrons from entering but failing miserably, hearing laughter and shrieks of joy all around him. Focusing back on the table in front, he looked down at the bowls and chopsticks lying about, hoping he remembered how to use them and not make a complete fool.
As Norbert looked up, the door to the side opened, and a woman wearing a plain grey-coloured kimono came out, holding two trays filled with plates and bowls. The sound now echoing inside, Norbert could see the walkway from the other side of the restaurant. Norbert nodded as the plates were put for them; the already-eaten bowls moved off to make space. The woman bowed as she left as she closed the door behind her with her foot.
Norbert looked at the food, beef strips and chicken, split between the four bowls. Luck picked up her chopsticks again, took a piece of chicken, and popped it in her mouth as fast as a viper. Everyone was startled momentarily, staring at her as she chewed her food.
"What?" she asked the others, not seeing the reason for her current attention.
Sarah just shook her head. "Guess you're always going to be like that", she said, taking a piece of the beef and eating it, some of the sauce dribbling down the side of her lip as she licked it up. "Nice that we could all get together one last time," she said while swallowing her piece.
Jack smiled sadly. "Do you need to go?" he asked as he slowly took a piece.
Sarah just shook her head. "It's only for a week; it'll be over before you know it", she said as she took another piece.
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Norbert just snorted and rubbed Jack's back. "She's right, you know; maybe now you will get some proper sleep instead of staying up all hours of the night", Norbert said, taking a piece. As he put it in his mouth, Sarah slapped him on the back, causing it to fly out.
"Hey, what's that for?" Norbert asked as he picked the beef off Luck's plate and popped it in his mouth. Jack picked up the tablet again. "And that deserves another round," he said before placing it down.
A minute later, the same waiter as before returned with four cups and a bottle of sake, Norbert looking and knowing he would be dragging at least one person home tonight.
***
Paying the bill, Norbert held up Jack as he swayed in his arms, Sarah taking his other shoulder. Waving to the lady at the checkout, Norbert was thankful that Sarah had enough money to pay the eye-watering bill, surprised about how much they drank. Walking through the night, the street lamps were on as they returned to Norbert and Jack's apartment.
"Spending the night with us?" Norbert asked Sarah.
"Yeah, too late to be driving around now. I'll head off in the morning before Jack wakes up. Don't want to deal with this all over again," Sarah said, hoisting Jack up for emphasis at the end.
Norbert looked aghast. "So you're just going to dump him all on me? Wow, what a great girlfriend you are," Norbert shot back, his lips slightly loose due to the alcohol he consumed throughout the night.
Before Sarah could respond, Luck shot between them, "Can the two of you stop it? Some of us here aren't on magical juice that allows them to stay up all night and day," She said as she continued walking.
Norbert and Sarah looked at each other "Guess someone's cranky", Norbert whispered to Sarah.
"I heard that", Luck responded. Norbert looked around ahead of them, seeing Luck shaking her head at the two of them. Holding onto Jack a bit more, Norbert increased his pace to a fast walk, going through the streets and finally making it to their apartment.
Taking the keys out of his pants pocket, Norbert slid them into the lock, a resounding click echoing through the corridor at night. The door swung open; Norbert looked inside, turning on the lights so everyone could see before heading to Jack's room.
Still sharing the carry, Norbert and Sarah dumped Jack on his bed, turning him around so he was facing up, placing the covers over him as Norbert left the room, closing the door with Sarah already out and sitting on the couch, the TV on.
"Not going to share the bed with him?" Norbert asked Sarah as he leaned on the kitchen table.
"Nah, he stinks of booze, and I'm not feeling that tired anyway", Sarah replied as she leaned forward, taking off her stiletto black shoes, the black leather straps wrapping around her ankle. Norbert watched as she placed them on the couch, now able to see the commander from before shining out through the visage of this modern woman.
"Guess you're finally relaxing," Norbert said. Only receiving a nod in return, seeing the light flick off in his bedroom, Norbert knew that Luck had finished changing. "Well, I'm heading to bed. Guess I will see you when I see you," Norbert said.
Only receiving a wave back in kind, the TV still shows news on some parts of the globe. Norbert heads into his room. Taking his clothes off, not bothering to shower, Norbert jumped into bed, cuddling around Luck.
As he stared up at the ceiling, light engulfed the room. Feeling Lucky squeeze him tighter, saying, "Took long enough", Norbert was once more engulfed in darkness. When he could move around, he fell onto the floor, Luck within his arms.
Looking around, Norbert found himself in a familiar white room; turning around, Norbert stared up at the ceiling; in his peripheral vision, Norbert saw Luck sitting in her chair. Hair around her shoulders and wearing a pink puffy jumper, her legs crossed over underneath herself, just seeing her bare feet.
"Took you long enough," Luck said to him. Norbert looked around, seeing he was the only one on the floor, Luck’s double having disappeared sometime no trace of her showing. Slowly getting to his feet, Norbert headed to the bag he had left before, rummaging around, taking his clothes out, and putting them on. Everything in its place, Norbert pulled out his mask and bag of coins, not wanting to lose them here, when he jumped again.
"Not like I can control when it happens", Norbert said, sitting into the chair, hearing it squeal underneath him. Taking the cup from the table, Norbert saw the drink bubbling from carbonation. He was surprised to see that here he took a sip, tasting precisely like Fanta.
Raising an eyebrow, Norbert sipped again, confirming it was the orang Fanta he gave her once in his hometown. "Someone enjoyed the Fanta", Norbert said as he took a third sip.
"So what if it's Fanta? Ok, I enjoyed it, and wasn't that the entire point of me going over there?" Luck said as she reached down, taking a sip of her drink.
Norbert just nodded, getting the kick out of her that he wanted. "So, how far is the play progressing now? Still in act one?" Norbert asked Luck.
Luck looked back at him, Norbert seeing her face change as she delicately placed the cup on the table. "The beginning is still here, held off to allow the characters to properly develop. To have the most entertainment, but pieces are moving across the board, so prepare." She finished, leaning forward and picking up her cup again, touching it to her lips and taking another sip. Norbert saw her face relax again from the stern nature of before; he was so used to the smile coming out from behind the cup.
Norbert just smiled, not understanding what just came over Luck but happy she was back to normal. "Feels like there was something I meant to ask you, but I just can't remember," Norbert said, mostly talking to himself.
"Guess it wasn't important then", Luck replied, the two laughing and finishing their drinks.
Setting the cup on the table, Norbert leaned back in his chair, nodding towards the cart "No extra kick today?" Norbert asked Luck.
"Not today Norbert, don't get too greedy on me. I'm cooking an extra good one, so look forward to it," she responded.
Norbert just nodded in response, not wanting to get the wrath of Lady Luck on him; looking down, Norbert saw the light surrounding him standing up. Norbert made sure he grabbed everything of his, weapons attached, mask on his face and sack of coins over his shoulder.
"Well, I'm off," Norbert said.
Luck just waved back at him as he was surrounded by darkness. In the emptiness, feeling pressure engulf his entire body; unable to breathe, he was locked still, squeezing his eyes shut as he felt something's attention fixed on him.
Light surrounded Norbert, finding himself leaning against the door, breathing heavily. Norbert leaned against it, the door closing with a resounding bang as he lay on the floor. Trying to put his thoughts together.