Luc asks me what I’d want, if I could have anything. I think for a moment, there were so many answers I could give… but I decided to be slightly selfish, ’chocolate… but not the stuff people claim as chocolate nowadays, no… a proper, real bar of chocolate.’ I knew that would be completely impossible for him to achieve but the thought of it, oh I remembered chocolate from when I was younger… there was something about it that just made you feel happy.
’It’s funny really, everyone’s views of the mallrats… I remember wanting them to stand for something real, wanting to help people… but as I’ve gotten older I’ve realised you can’t actually help people who want to be helped. I don’t think people saw them like that though, as helpers and such… not really.’ I shrug, ’yes, probably a bit deep.’ I pause, looking up at him for a moment, ’a night having fun… it’s been a long time since I’ve done that,’ I admit after a moment, ’so tell me… Mr Big Shot Serpent… how do you have fun?’
I should have known chocolate would come up, unfortunately, actual chocolate was long gone, though if you did find an old bar it wouldn’t taste all that good anyway.
I nod “They did, but they also pushed their ideas of whats good on people who werent ready. Everyone lost their families and became part of a world which was about survival then having to change to other peoples expectations didnt go down well. But the Mallrats ways seemed as the centre, The Chosen because a girl got knocked up by Zoot and then with The Technos there was always a Mallrat leader somehow in charge” I smiled “Its all about politics and I still remember how much my dad hated politicians”
I grinned “This place is a good place to unwind, though I do like challenging myself, there is a building in Sector 3 thats completely locked down and so far no one has gotten in. So every so often I go down and see if I can work out how to get in, its a weird kind of fun” I laughed “Though there are more intimate acitivities that are always fun”
Listening to him I can’t help but agree, I knew I wasn’t innocent when it came to pushing my ideas onto other people, especially when I was younger. I’d had a dream, but it hadn’t exactly worked out as planned. Hearing mention of the Chosen I involuntarily tense up, and pull away from him slightly, even now I still had scars from my experience with the chosen.
Listening to him tell me how he has fun I laugh, ’so your idea of fun, is trying to do the unachievable?’ he then comments about more intimate activities and I feel my face flush in response, although I hope the lack of bright lights hides it from him. ’Im sure you have your pick when it comes to intimate activities,’ I tell him smirking slightly ’I noticed the way the bartender was batting her eyelashes at you!’
I felt the shift when i mentioned the chosen but I dont acknowledge it, that was a bad time for alot of people and it was likely Danni was one of those really affected by it.
“Yes I suppose you could say that, I enjoy changelling myself and pushing boundaries and buildings or hard to find items makes me happy” I laughed, it was a fairly weird hobby when I say it outloud.
“I’m not gonna lie, I do, I was gifted with the abilty to charm women and I always use it to my advantage” I tell her honestly, thrn glance towards the bar “Me and Daisy have a mutual arrangement, there are no real feelings invovled in it, its just having sex because sex is amazing”
’But no chocolate…?’ I can’t help but smile slightly, he enjoyed a challenge but seemed to be able to recognise when something was impossible. ’What about if I asked you to find me… a copy of The Pact?’ I loved reading, being able to snuggle down under a blanket and relax was definitely one of my favourite things to do.
He tells me he’s been given the ability to charm women and I laugh, he was so sure of himself but that wasn’t a bad thing. He tells me that sex is just sex and I ponder that for a moment, I’d never really seen it like that… but then my experiences were very different from his. ’Well, why don’t you put that charm to good use and get us another drink?’ I suggest, the mention of the chosen had sobered me up slightly and I could feel the buzz wearing off but I wasn’t quite ready to let it go just yet.
“One day someone will work chocolate out again, until then we are stuck with the stuff people attempt to make from old cocoa powder” I tell before adding “But the dsy they do I’ll get you some… Deal?” I did hope thay someone would figure it out, maybe there was a book somewhere.
She mentions a book “We’ll see” I say mysteriously before nodding “At your command” I grinned, lightly moving my hand across the bottom of her back before hwading towards the baar to work some magic.
’I’ll hold you to that,’ I tell him when he tells me if someone ever makes chocolate he will get me some.
He trails his fingers along the bottom of my back and I shiver slightly as he walks away, it was a nice feeling.
Turning my attention back to the table I watch as the ball lands on red, another win. While Luc was at the bar I played black and won another round. It wasn’t really beginners luck, more just good choices.
I look over at Callan as he speaks. He speaks about picking colors or odds and evens. “If I pick evens, do I have to place chips at all of them?” I ask looking at him. “It seems a little confusing” I admit.
Gel asks me if they have to put chips on each square and I shake my head before gesturing to the odd and even squares, ’no, you just need to pop your chips on either the odd or even square, to simplify things.’ I smile, ’it’s not the most simple but it’s definitely easier than some of the other games. Although it won’t be too long till the dancing starts.’
Getting more drinks was pretty easy, handing Daisy over a small trinket she grinned and started filling up the tray with a variety of drinks, I thought I’d be nice and get a round for everyone. Once filled I headed towards the poker table and put a red coloured drink in front of Red, whispering in her ear “Be careful, these guys take this game pretty seriously” I tell her, she simply smiled back and told me she could handle herself.
I gave her a quick nod before moving back to roulette, I offer the tray to Danni first to give her first pick “I got a drink for you guys too” I call over to Callan, Cloe and Gel. KC and Lottie were still chatting away.
I smiled at Lottie “I wonder if they can handle the two of us at the Mall” I said with a laugh “They will probably be throwing us out within a few days” I look at my glass, I didn’t even realised that I had finished it “How about I get us another drink and we pick a game to play” I suggested.
Luc returns with a tray of drinks and I eye them for a moment before picking up a light blue cocktail, it was either going to be amazing or revolting… only one way to find out. I take a tentative sip and then smile, phew! It tasted almost like bubble gum, or at least, how I remembered bubble gum…. Which was probably nothing like bubble gum at all.
’So when you come, what games do you play?’ I ask Luc curiously, I had a feeling this wasn’t his game of choice and he’d only suggested it because it was easier than the others… which I wasn’t offended by. Alcohol plus gambling didn’t seem all that sensible, but that’s probably why it worked so well.
Looking over at Callan, Cloe and Gel I smile, it was strange being back in the city, and I hadn’t even begun to process being back in the mall, but in this moment things were quite fun.
I looked around the casino, I liked to keep an eye on who was coming in. Turning back I grinned at Danni’s face after sipping her drink, she made a good choice, I had no idea what each drink was.
“It depends on the night really, I tend to avoid poker because they can get quite intense and obviously I’m not a serious kinds guy, blackjack is a good one, 3 of 1, 4 of the other is quite good but way to complicated for you at the moment” I laughed “But there are drinking games that come out, ring of fire is good, never have I ever…” I pause “I do love a good drinking game”
Luc tells me the games he likes, and I laugh quietly. He seemed far more enthusiastic about drinking games than gambling but that made sense, I had a feeling he probably got more from the drinking games than ‘money’.
’Half of those games sound made up,’ I tell him, ok all games were made up but I couldn’t quite tell if he was just saying random names to throw me off guard… not that I was doing much to keep my guard up. Everything about this city was sending my flight and fight response haywire.
’So, we’ve had the drinking… when does the dancing start?’
Not to brag but I am incredible at bluffing, I gather my winnings into my bag and ignore the rage on some of the other players’ faces before making my way over to the roulette table just as Danni asks when the dancing starts.
I smile “I say the dancing starts now, come on, let’s go,” I say motioning to the dancing floor area “I’ve won enough to cover tonight and some future nights out,” I say happily to everyone around the roulette table. I was definitely tipsy.
I laughed “They aren’t made up” I tell her just before Zan came over, clearly chuffed with winning, I did glance towards the poker table, they didn’t seem happy but were starting another game so they must be getting over it.
Not many girls joined the poker table and even less won so I was impressed that she’d come away with winnings. Some of these ex-Mallrats could come in handy.
“I agree, I think you guys should start dancing straight away” I grinned.
** So guys, I am doing a jump post, just to the next day so we can get everyone back together again **
Zandra laid in bed
I have no idea what time we actually got back from the casino but I remember drinking, dancing, and winning a lot more chips, though my winning got a mix of reactions, some impressed with my poker skills, others raging and suggesting that I used my ‘womanly ways’ to lower their guard.
After the last game, I dedicated myself to drinking and dancing, for the first time in a really long time I felt like I was actually living and not just going through the motions of just being alive.
It was sometimes really hard remembering being genuinely happy, spending so much time as a prisoner of Ric distorted my reality and even though I escaped a few months ago there was always the worry in the back of my head they would come looking.
After all, I was there when I first started getting the red letters, what if Ric or one of the Axes got one when I had left?
Sighing I push myself up from the bed, sleeping wasn’t something I got much of, and lying in bed wasn’t going to do me any favors.
I don’t know what the shower situation is but I needed to clear my head. Grabbing one of the towels I had found yesterday I head out my room and straight to the shower, the moment the water hit my skin I let out a sigh of relief.
Even though I wouldn’t admit this out loud, last night was definitely a highlight of having the former Mallrats back, the drinks flowed all night thanks to my connections and Red’s surprising winnings, and even though I wasn’t usually a dancer, but Danni definitely gave me enough reason to spend time on the dance floor.
I would say that I don’t kiss and tell but that wouldn’t be true… She was a good kisser.
I grinned as I laid in bed, I’d usually be up and done my workout by now but it was a late one so I was enjoying a lie in for a change.
A big part of me also really hoped breakfast would be sorted by the time I’m up.
I peeled myself off from the keyboard and desk. “Eurgh… eurgh! Where am I?” I wiped the drool from my mouth.
I then realised I was in the room that was heavily used by the Chosen. After snooping around I had discovered what I believed to be Jack’s old computer. Playing minesweeper into the early hours must had been enough to make me get some zzz’s. I expect Tally was beginning to wonder where I was. I had to get my ass back to Rossini’s shoes, the room Tally and I had claimed.
However, what I saw on the computer screen got my attention… From where I had fallen asleep, it seemed I had logged into perhaps that ‘Paradise’ program.
“Let’s see what this is all about… You’ve got one minute Andy, starting now…”
I pick up the headset and take in what I see… I was flying! “HOLY $h!t” Beneath me were zebra’s and giraffe’s running, the sun was shining so bright above us… Ahead I see a crystal clear waterfall that I whisk in and out of screaming with delight… Landing into the pool of water below, the zebra’s and giraffe’s come cascading into the water…
I remove the headset, a smile plastered across my face. “That was defiently paradise! I will be back later that’s for sure.”
Quickly and stealthily I get down to Rossini’s shoes unnoticed.
Rossini’s shoes
I step into the room and say, “Wakey wakey, rise and shine.” For all I know they might already be up and out somewhere else around the mall…
When I went out last night I was lucky and found most of her things a little bit further down at the beach. Having brought it all back to where Brady and Aurora were waiting, I tried to find something we could place the bags and such in for the mornings walk. I found one in one of the dark corners, it was in a worse shape then the one we had earlier, but would have to do. With everything packed into the carriage I went and got some sleep.
We woke up early the next day, had to get going. Having been up for hours I notice that Aurora is starting to get tiered again. I stop the carriage and pick the child up and place her into the carriage. ”I think we will see the city soon” I tell them both. Im starting to realize that Im the only one of us who can remember what the mall looks like. Brady wasn’t old when we lived at the mall, and from what I have understood she wasn’t old when they had to leave the city. @Trudy
