This is a direct continuation of my story, "Play a Little Longer?". If you haven't read that one, this story will make no sense. So, what are you waiting for, go read the other one :3
For those of you who have read the first one, this story will focus again on The Batter and a female Player. This story is also going to expand on the relationship the pair has with the other characters of the game.
As his Player pulled her hands away from his, The Batter felt his heart break. He knew her decision was made up, and there was no changing it, he closed his eyes so she wouldn't have to see the beginnings of tears forming...
And then those eyes flew open when soft lips pressed gently against his.
His Player pulled back from the kiss almost shyly, as if she had done something wrong by kissing him. Her arms cautiously wrapped The Batter's waist and she looked up into his eyes. She brought her lips to his again, barely ghosting them. In response, The Batter kissed back and pulled his Player against him. The kiss was slow and ended before either participant was out of breath. At the kisses conclusion, The Player stroked The Batter's cheek and smiled.
"Let's pretend, Batter."
"I want to take you to the amusement park."
The Batter's request was a strange one, but not undesirable. He and the Player had never gone to the amusement park to enjoy themselves, it was always for story progression. Walking around for the sake of actual amusement was a treat. They spent some time riding a pedalo, The Batter doing the work of actually pedaling, with his Player snuggled against him. The gentle rocking of the pedalo gliding through the Plastic was relaxing, and the Player drifted in and out of sleep.
After the pedalo ride, the pair walked through an area of the park that was almost like a food court. Everything sold in the shops was loaded with sugar and cost a ridiculous amount of credits. The Player's stomach grumbled, and The Batter chuckled.
"I guess you should go and eat something, yeah? I doubt any food here would work for you."
She smiled sheepishly.
"You're probably right."
She kissed The Batter goodbye, promising to be back in a couple of hours. While she was gone, The Batter went around defeating Spectres and building up his credits. He had amassed a small fortune by the time his Player returned and the two looked at all the shops. The Player was hesitant to try anything sold at the shops with the knowledge sugar came from dead Elsen's. After some careful coaxing from The Batter, she allowed him to feed her a small piece of chocolate.
"Well?"
His Player looked around guiltily.
"It's... Not bad actually."
The Batter chuckled and fed his Player more chocolates. Elsen's would look fondly their way and giggle as they passed, amused to see the proud Batter and his Player acting like two teens in the middle of a bout of puppy love. Part of The Batter felt embarrassed to be the center of attention like he was, but another part of him was thrilled to be the center of attention.
"Hey, it's no fair if I eat all the candy. Have some too."
"Come on Zacharie, not even for The Player?"
Next on their list of things to do at the amusement park was ride the roller coaster. Zacharie was the one in charge of the roller coaster, but had shut it down because running it was too expensive.
"Sorry amigo, this is business. If I'm going to open the roller coaster, you're gonna need to pay the fee."
"Zacharie," The Player whined.
"We barely even have ten thousand credits by the end of the game, how do you expect us to have that kind of money now?"
"Twenty. You both want to ride, don't you?"
The Batter gripped his bat threateningly.
"I'm sure you can be persuaded."
The Player put a hand on The Batter's shoulder and shook her head.
"I got this."
She turned to Zacharie, casually pluffed up her bust, and smiled like a predator.
"You're a businessman, running a business. Any business' goal is money, ergo, your goal is money. Opening up the roller coaster for two people, even at the price of twenty thousand credits is a poor business venture. Take into account the labour involved of opening, initiating the machines, preparing the carts, electric, then the effort to close it down. And the time! Ugh, no one wants to spend that much effort on one ride. So what if I make you an offer that would bring a steady stream of riders?"
The Batter was impressed. He had never understood the point of lawyers, even after his Player having explained them several times. But watching her talk Zacharie into letting the pair onto the roller coaster, for free even, was exhilarating. Her whole demeanor changed to some fearsome beast Hell bent on getting her way. And get her way she did.
"Is this a bad time to mention I'm afraid of roller coasters?"
"This is a very bad time to mention your fear of roller coasters."
"Um."
The Player clung tightly to The Batter. The two were securely latched to the cart as it climbed up the slope. She hadn't realized the coaster would be as big as it was, and it was too late to back out. She had never really liked roller coasters. Small coasters were no problem, but the bigger ones made her heart race a little too fast. She should've said something to The Batter, but she didn't want him to think she was lame. Or miss a chance to be pressed against him.
"Just don't look. Trust I'll keep you safe. I promise."
The cart reached the top of the slope and paused before tipping slowly over the edge. The Batter wrapped his arms tightly around his Player and gave her a reassuring squeeze.
"Focus on me."
Suddenly The Batter and his Player were whipping down the track at what felt like a thousand miles an hour. The Player screamed into the Batter's chest and gripped him as tight as she could. The Batter also screamed, but in excitement not fear. He threw one of his arms in the air and waved it around. The Player risked a glance up and saw the look of excitement on The Batter's face as the cart careened around a particularly sharp turn. She sat up in the cart more, and by the end of the ride had gotten brave enough to throw up one of her arms too.
The two climbed out of the car at the end of the ride, the Player more shakily than The Batter. She leaned against him for support as they walked away from the roller coaster. On their way out, they passed by several Elsen who were standing in line also and chattering amongst themselves and casting glances at the couple. The Batter chuckled and looped an arm around his Player's waist.
"Looks like that plan of yours worked. Maybe now Zacharie will stop charging us an arm and a leg for goods."
The Library was The Player's favourite place. There were more books hidden there than first glance, and they were all very interesting. She found several books on old Elsen law that were fascinating, and gave her a lot of things to think about regarding her own law courses. There weren't many books of fiction in the Library. The Batter explained it was because the Queen didn't want 'improper ideals' corrupting the people. He said it with a bitter tone his Player noticed a little too well. To distract The Batter, she pulled a book off the shelf and tossed it to him.
"Read me a story."
It was a boring book, one about the process and regulations of Metal distribution between the Zones. The Batter looked disdainfully at the text then to the expectant face of his Player before beginning to read. It was almost painful listening to him struggle through each paragraph. The words were tricky enough that even she couldn't read half of them without getting lost eight different ways. He had barely finished the introductory chapter when he flipped the book closed and made puppy dog eyes at his Player.
"Do I have to read this?"
She chuckled and put the book away.
"How about I tell you a story? Call me Ishmael..."
"I'm going to be gone for a few days... I'm going on vacation with one of my debate club friends."
The Batter picked up right away on an uneasy tone in his Player's voice.
"You sound uncomfortable."
"Well, I've made it a habit of spending time with you, and I'd feel weird about not being able to see you. And..."
She dug her heel into the ground. The Batter lowered his eyes. He knew what she was getting at. This debate club friend was obviously important, and The Batter knew that as soon as his Player found someone else their relationship would go back to the way it was. She would log on, they would kill spectres for a few hours, chat, and she would leave. And...
The Batter could almost accept that.
This chapter is shorter than the chapters in the first story, but I also think this story will drag on a little longer too, so the shorter chapters should just about even out. S, dearest reviewer, if this story reaches your eyes I dedicate it partially to you. And hey, make an account, drop me a message or something. You have quite an eloquent way of speaking, and would absolutely love to speak with you more.