"Lucky, we're home!" one of the small angel kids, from the game Angel Kids, said cheerfully as she and her brother walked in the door of their small cottage, closing the door behind them.
"Welcome home," Lucky beamed, "Eliza, Jeremy, we have guests."
"Who?" Jeremy asked curiously as he peeked around his sister who was strangely silent. Bad Guy.. Girl.. He pulled Eliza a little closer to him. What are they doing here?
Set laughed, "We don't bite, you know?" Well, okay.. She does. He grinned widely at Sorceress.
That earned him a smirk from Sorceress who playfully nudged his arm. I bite. Just.. Not just anybody though.. She scrunched her nose bashfully before smiling hopefully at the two children.
They were gathered around a small marble coffee table and were sitting on a white upholstered couch and easy chair. All three of which, plus many other conveniences were brought down from Lucky's castle with the help of the angelic duo and the pink rope they used to bounce their green-haired adoptive sibling to the top of each level during gameplay. The rest of the cottage interior was well decorated. Most notable was the beautiful burgundy rug under the coffee table and seats.
There had been a fire going in the chimney, though it was put out when they got inside due to Sorceress' excuse that it was hot outside.
"This place is actually a little bigger on the inside though, isn't it?" Set chuckled, "I actually didn't think it even had but one really small room when I saw it from the outside.. No offense." There's stairs leading up and everything.
"Yeah.. The physics in this game are a bit odd like that," Lucky laughed, "C'mon in kids.. Sorry about that." What's gotten into them? Is it that whole Bad Guy thing?
"It's fine, Mr. Lucky," Sorceress said politely, "I've grown accustomed to it by now." Not that I enjoy it. What did I ever do to scare anyone?
Lucky shook his head, "That simply won't do. You're good people."
"But Lucky, they're Bad Guys!" Jeremy warned in a whiny tone.
"Actually I'm neutral," Set shrugged as he dared to put his arm around Sorceress' waist and pull her into a sideways hug of sorts. She's a little bit tense..
Sorceress scoffed shyly and shifted in her seat uncomfortably before crossing her arms. It's not a big deal. It's not a big deal. It's not a big deal.
"They been here near on an hour kids," Lucky said as he rolled his eyes, "Ain't nothing happened to me yet, so I think you're overreacting on this whole Bad Guy business."
"Exactly," Set laughed, "If you really think about it, Game Central Station wouldn't be safe if Bad Guys really were bad people. Sure, there's a surge protector, but he's only one man no matter how powerful he may be." How he even runs the place by himself is beyond me.
Eliza took a deep, tense breath and broke away from her brother to go sit on the couch next to Sorceress. She shot up an uncertain smile and said, "N-nice to meet you?" She does seem nice..
"Likewise," Sorceress smiled warmly, "I don't believe you caught my name before. I'm Sorceress, from Blood and Thunder.. And his name is Set."
"Mind if I check your game out sometime?" Lucky joked. Sounds spooky.
"By all means," Sorceress chuckled in an almost haughty way before clearing her throat, "Just don't go into the woods or too close to the carnivorous plants and you should be fine."
"That cuts off most of your world, you know?" Set teased, "There must be something that could be done about that, right?" It'd be a great place to have a Halloween party..
Jeremy sighed and sat next to his sister on the couch in the same seat, on the outer side. At least we'd regenerate if they do anything bad.
"You'd have to ask Jet about that," Sorceress shrugged with one of her shoulders. Or Sonny.
"Where's Sarah?" Eliza asked curiously, referring to her adoptive sister with forest green hair.
"She went play with Leonard," Lucky chuckled, "I don't suppose you've seen him yet. Wouldn't surprise me since he's in a different zone."
"Yeah, you mentioned something like that a few minutes ago," Set said with a grin, "So how does that work?"
"It's a mystery how it works, really," Lucky shrugged with a laugh as he subtly gestured with his hands, "There's just this sort of invisible barrier that you walk through at the edge of each zone that takes you to others nearby.. We could show you, if you're not too busy."
"That sounds fascinating, actually," Sorceress beamed modestly.
The sound of liquid colliding with porcelain filled the air.
Okay, we're getting a bit ahead of ourselves. Let's rewind a bit.
"A race between you and me, huh?" Turbo asked proudly as he grabbed his glass and gingerly took a sip, "You sure you won't get mad if I win?"
"Same goes to you, doesn't it?" Roxie scoffed back proudly as she took a small sip to test the waters before taking another, larger sip. Disgusting.. but I won't be shown up. "You sure you know how to come second?" She smirked and shot him a playful half-glare.
Turbo laughed, "Well in certain circumstances I'm more than eager to come second. Of course that's never happened on the track." Although that could be exciting in more ways than one.
"Uh huh," Roxie said with a wide grin as she finished off the glass of whiskey. Terrible stuff. May as well fix another glass though.
"Careful now," Turbo said as he raised a brow, "I'd feel bad if you got yourself sick trying to show me up." He laughed as he took another sip. She's got the competitive spirit alright.
"Who's gonna get shick?" Roxie pouted, "Not me.." I feel fine!
"Yeah, you're right," Turbo said as he briefly looked away and smirked, "This isn't a race though. No need to speed through the bottle. Savor it a bit." She couldn't possibly be getting drunk that fast..
"The bottle will be fine," Roxie said as she rolled her eyes and finished the glass in two back-to-back gulps, "I'm sure it'll regenerate on the next quarter alert."
"Let me know if you start feeling ill, okay?" Turbo said. Concern was evident in his face and voice as he cuddled up next to her, "You don't need to prove anything here. We're just drinkin' a little."
"You're a real sweetheart aren't you, Turbs," Roxie giggled as she put her head on his shoulder and sighed. Okay, maybe I do feel a little queasy..
"I'd like to think so," Turbo laughed and patted her head before finishing his glass and putting it on the coffee table, "You sure you're feeling alright?" She's trembling a little..
"I think.. maybe not," Roxie said as she scrunched her nose, "Definitely not Tur.. ugh.. Turbo-tashtic."
"You feel like you might puke?" Turbo asked softly, "It happens.." I didn't think it'd happen this fast though. That's what she gets for slamming it down the hatch. But even then, it's exaggeratedly fast.
Roxie breathed heavily through her nose and tried to smother the feeling in the pit of her stomach.. "Yeah, I think so.."
"Come on then," Turbo said as he slowly stood up. He smiled knowingly and held his hand out to her in a gentlemanly way, "I shall escort you to the bathroom." I tried warn her. She knows now at least. She can't handle alcohol in the slightest.
"I can make it on my own.." Roxie protested lightly as she shakily got to her feet before taking his hand, "Nevermind.." Even just getting to her feet was a chore, and her stomach churned even more from the unfamiliar drink sloshing around inside.
Turbo chuckled warmly and led her to the bathroom with her arm heavily draped over his shoulders for support, "We're almost there, okay?"
"I'm not shtupid, I can see that," Roxie scoffed and nearly lost it before making it there. She cringed and looked away from the toilet briefly as she lifted the seat and knelt down.
Turbo gently gathered her hair in his hands so that she could focus on more important matters. Thankfully I have short hair so I never had to worry about this kind of thing.
The sound of liquid colliding with porcelain filled the air.
Roxie groaned uncomfortably as she gagged. Well there goes my dinner.. "Ugh.."
"I know.." Turbo cooed as he freed one of his hands from her hair and lovingly rubbed her back, "I know.." He cringed as her back tensed. Let it all out.
"Remind me to never drink again," Roxie groaned as she rested her forehead on her arm, which was propped up on the end of the raised toilet seat. This is humiliating..
"Will you listen if I do?" Turbo teased softly as he rubbed her back more.
Roxie sighed exhaustedly, "Maybe.." After something like this..
"Then I'll make sure to remind you," Turbo said as he reached up and grabbed her a washcloth from a low overhead cabinet so that she could wipe her mouth.
"This leads to Leonard's level," Lucky beamed expectantly, "Don't be too surprised when you see him."
"He an interesting person, I take it?" Set asked through a smirk. Look at this guy getting all excited.
They were standing outside near the cliff, in front of a barely noticeable curtain separating two widely different realities. The curtain itself wasn't a literal curtain, but more like a barrier with a seam that could easily be slipped through. It hummed with blue code as the group passed through it, much like the hidden entrance to Diet Cola Mountain.
"You gonna be okay out here?" Lucky asked Sorceress. Being a vampire and all.. That was a shock to find out. Although it shouldn't have been with those skin tones. Still not sure what the guy is.
"It's just uncomfortable," Sorceress said with a modest smile, "but I appreciate your concern."
They were suddenly in a different area altogether. There were a couple of wooden, blue-roofed houses with a large forest behind them.
"There they are!" Eliza hollered cheerfully, "Leonard! Sarah!" She waved for added effect, though they were on the other end of the zone so it wouldn't have been a surprise if they hadn't taken notice.. Although Leonard did.
Leonard paced a mere five steps in their direction and was already there, since he was a literal giant. To put their sizes in perspective, the angel kids would be about the size of one of his eyes. He was named Leonard because.. well.. He looked like Leonard Nimoy of Star Trek fame due to unknown reasons.
Leonard sat down cross-legged nearby so that it would be easier to speak. It was hard to ignore that he was only wearing a red speedo and shoes.
"It's like the sun, Sorceress," Set whispered into her ear in a teasing way, "Don't stare at it directly." The poor guy probably doesn't even have any other clothes.
"It is curious, the people you can find out in this 'Game Central Station' I've heard so much about.." Leonard said matter-of-factly, "What's that, Sarah?" He looked onto his shoulder and raised his hand to it, palm facing up then lowered it carefully to the ground. A small green-haired girl hopped down and gave a salute.
"Can he hear us from up there?" Set laughed.
"Quite well, in fact," Leonard sad while raising a brow.
"So play nice!" Sarah chided playfully, "I don't see why you guys are so scared of Bad Guys. They seem fine to me." Not that we have any of those in this game.
Jeremy sighed. I'm outnumbered on this one, I guess. Eliza changed her mind so fast..
"You're looking pale.." Turbo said as he felt Roxie's forehead with his. Well she doesn't feel too hot or anything.
"Sorry.." Roxie mumbled as she got back to her feet and leaned on the white tiled wall of his bathroom, "I wasn't expecting it to affect me like this." I feel like hell. She clutched her arms around her stomach and shuddered.
"You want me to bring you home?" Turbo asked softly, "A nap might make you feel better."
"I'm not going out there like this," Roxie scoffed dryly, "I'm shocked you didn't just suggest I sleep here." I would have.
"You wanna?" Turbo teased, "I suggested it before and you didn't want to."
"You wanted me to live here," Roxie said as a smirk played on her lips, "I'm just gonna take a nap in one of your guest rooms." She patted him on the head. Hope he doesn't get mad at that. "And just for a little while."
"Well it's just across the hall," Turbo laughed, "I'll go get you a glass of water. You lost a lot of liquid.. and food."
"Thanks, Turbs.." Roxie sighed as she went into the guest bedroom across the hall. It was painted a light shade of blue, the color hardly evident next to the dark blue sheets and pillows on the queen-sized bed. There was a mahogany dresser and nightstand in the room as well. It's okay, I guess.
She slowly made her way to the bed and sat on its edge before taking her boots and socks off. Next, she took her jacket off and tossed it onto the dresser and stretched. She narrowed her eyes and looked to the doorway to see if Turbo was there. It wouldn't be the end of the world either way.. I just can't sleep with these on. She stood up, then unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans, needing to sit back on the bed to forcibly pry them off.
Turbo arrived with a wide, toothy grin on his face while Roxie was folding her jeans and placing them on the dresser, "You're unwrapping my present kind of early, aren't you?" They're white.
Roxie jolted and facepalmed before turning around. Well I saw that coming anyways. "Do you have any idea how uncomfortable it would be to sleep in these jeans?" They're tight, you know?
"I can about imagine," he beamed as he handed her the glass of water he went collect. I could game over happy right now.
Roxie gulped it down and placed the empty glass on the night stand. "So you wanna take advantage of this situation?" She grinned and draped her arms around his neck.
"I'm not that stupid," Turbo scoffed, "You'd regret it later when you come back to your senses, and then you'd take it out on me for letting it happen." He gave her a hug. "You go on ahead and take your nap. I'll be in the other room if you need me." I can wait.
"You sure about that, Turbs?" Roxie teased as she tightened her hold on him.
"Quite sure, Roxie," Turbo pouted, "Don't make it any harder." It's almost as hard as it gets.
"It's already too hard to handle, huh?" Roxie teased. Naughty Turbo.
Turbo laughed, "Well that would depend on how well you drive.. but I'm not about to let you drive drunk." I'm still amazed at how rapidly that happened.
Roxie giggled as she rubbed her nose against his and lightly pushed him away, "Fine. Be that way." You and your wordplay.
Turbo made his way out of the room and smiled back at her as she got into bed. "Sweet dreams," he cooed as he turned out the light.
"Goodnight," Roxie laughed and waved.