Ok two chapters in one day…how rare is that?
Anyway its short cos I want to get the depressing part out of the way before the real chaos commences ^^ oh and blame the dancing blade for some of ratchets behaviour, she gave me the ideas ^^;
It had been one week since Richard and Mai had that argument outside of his temporary home. And since then ratchet had been running up and down the town like a headless chicken, looking for a young girl that Mai said was her sister, as well as trying to repair his ship, all the while having to deal with Mais now apparent harsh nature.
But this chance at getting the equipment had a downside. That whole week he had been sitting with Mai in class and walk with her after wards, leaving Scarlet alone the whole time.
It was the Friday after when Scarlet was heading to class head hung sadly as she half-heartedly took notes in class. Richard and Mai whispering away in the row above her in the lecture hall. Her thoughts immediately going to the possibility that they her making fun of her, and thus causing her heart to sink farther. Not even Cassie could bring her out of her obvious depression, not even with her Daxter impressions that she was so good at. It was 5 minutes til the end of class and there was barely half a page of notes in her book, and this was her best subject, art and animation. Giving a final sigh she packed her bag with only her notebook inside, passing Richard and Mai on her way not even glancing over to them as she passed. Head hung low and bag just barely on her shoulder. Her eyes were red with the crying she did in the bathroom after being beaten again.
She just kept walking ignoring the others mocking calls to her, she even tried to ignore the running footsteps over to her from behind when someone grabbed her arm and swung round trying to use her as a shield for someone.
Looking up, she saw it was Richard. Panting and sweating looking exhausted as if he hadn't slept the entire week.
"Oh…Richard…." She started before looking back down "hey…"
"No time for formalities scar… just keep that evil thing away from me!" he hid behind her more pointing behind her.
Looking confused Scarlet hesitantly looked behind her and sighed.
It was only Mai holding a spray bottle pointed at them, looking more than a little annoyed. "Come on Richard, don't make me spray you again, I thought we were going to look for my sister more today?"
"WE'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR HER THIS WHOLE WEEK, AND I WANT A BREAK!" Richard yelled back annoyed.
Scarlet sighed, finding herself in the middle of what was looking like a master-slave situation, and just stood to one side beginning to leave not wanting to be involved if a fight broke out and she was stuck in the middle of it and losing…never mind losing it…I never really had they're friendship to begin with…
She was about to leave them when Richard grabbed her arm with both hands looking at her pleadingly "don't go please, she's torture" he moaned with big puppy dog eyes. But froze when Mai's voice was heard again
"oh Richard~" she said in an sing song voice with mischievous intent holding the bottle up threatenly making Richard take a step away from her
Scarlet, although confused sighed seeing no way out of this and spoke up. Sadness clear in her voice "Mai….maybe…its best to give him some time…to relax? He isn't your servant after all" she asked gently looking down. But what she said somehow made Mai freeze looking confused "but…he's my kitty..."
That sentence made Richard cringe and somehow that made Scarlet a little angry,
"Kitty?"
"Yes, kitty, he's my kitty~" Mai cooed getting a cat like smile
Scarlet hung her head down a bit before speaking though somehow her depressed aura seemed to alter to a more angry one slightly "are….are you two dating?"
That sentence made them both jump and yell in protest "NO, NO WAY ON EARTH NO!" they both yelled in unison.
Scarlet's anger seemed to dub down with that protest making her look up in confusion as Mai spoke again
"I would…never…date….him" she pointed out clearly disgusted by the thought
Richard nodded "same here"
Scarlet sighed again "then don't boss him around calling him your kitty Mai…or people will think that…" she turned to leave again still sad, but not as sad as she was,
Mai was about to protest when another cat passed and caught her eye making her watch it with big eyes for a few moments before composing herself clearing her throat "alright…I guess we can take a break from searching…"
Richard literally melted with relief leaning on Scarlet a bit as Mai spoke again "so…pizza?"
Scarlet shook her head "sorry… I'm gonna have to skip it this time… I'm meeting Cassie somewhere else for lunch…" she turned again, and this time actually left them in the corridor, for about 3 minutes before they started to follow her back to Valakare.
But not a word was said between the three. Giving an air of uncomfortable silence, until Richard went next to Scarlet, leaving Mai in the back of them. "hey…look…I'm seriously sorry about not being able to hang with you scar… if there's any way I can make it up to you at all…just say"
Scarlet didn't say anything, but she did nod to show she heard. And sighed again "probably not tonight though… I've got a sleepover with Cassie for this weekend"
"A sleepover? Can I come?" Mai spoke up asking like a little girl would ask for a cookie.
Scarlet looked behind her and nodded after a few moments "alright…I guess you can join in…" she said quietly not really sure herself not knowing her as well as Richard.
Richard smiled a little and looked at Scarlet and rubbed the back of his neck "maybe I could come, but…stay in another room?" he asked trying to make it sound decent that he wouldn't try to do anything indecent.
Scarlet immediately blushed and looked down, making Richard previous hopeful smile fall and look down himself "I know stupid idea never mind" he said in complete embarrassment before Scarlet spoke up again "n-no…it's a good idea…it's just…I never expected you to ask…to come to a girls sleepover…" she said, not realising that they passed Gordy on their way who heard every word and was now stomping down the road fuming so much his ears were practically smoking.
After a while they stopped at a forked road. Mai was already heading down the left road as Scarlet and Richard took the right in a sort of comfortable yet strange silence. Until they reached their final destination "well...I guess I'll be seeing you around?" Richard asked as he turned
"Maybe…tonight even? Is…six o'clock alright for you to come over?" Scarlet asked shyly with a small smile
If he wasn't facing away Scarlet would have seen his bright red blush with a goofy smile "y-yeah…sure…see you later then" and with that he left into his house
Scarlet's heart was pounding but she had a small smile playing on her lips as she spoke quietly "see you later then Richard…" and she left into her own house immediately picking up the house phone to tell Cassie to bring some extra food and drinks for tonight.