It had been 20 years since their queen had taken the throne and made her changes to the Sugar Rush. And Lodhi could say that he had never been happier. Sure, he missed racing and his sisters very much, but it was all for the best. After all, he was a father and a courtesan now, he didn't have time for such frivolous activities or relations. Lodhi was sure that his sisters understood this and if they didn't he would be more then happy to explain it. Or, at least, he could if he knew where they were in the first place.
Doesn't it seem the least bit odd you don't know where they are though? Lodhi thought, and instinctively he tensed up at the invading opinion. Programmers, he was doing it again, questioning things that didn't need to be questioned. It was a bad habit that him and the others had which especially got bad during this time in the year. Thankfully his queen didn't mind this oddity, but it still bugged Lodhi that none of them could stop it. Everything was fine, he didn't need the answers to every little thing. No, it's not fine! You deserve answers! If you're too scared to ask Vanellope then ask them!
"Tsk! I'm not scared, I don't have anything to fear when my queen is around. She loves me and would never hurt me," He mumbled, frustration and shame in his tone. There he went again, thinking that he deserved anything. Why did his mind insist on such silly things when they weren't true? He didn't deserve anything, his queen had given him everything he could want, anything else besides what he always had was a reward he had to earn. If this keeps up I'll be unable to focus on the queen's party. This probably means I need a cleansing soon. The others have been had theirs and their state has improved tenfold.
"Hey Lodhi! Are you doing okay?" A voice spoke up, and Lodhi snapped his head up to see Sebastian eyeing him curiously. His hands full with the handle of a mop as him and the other former male racers mopped up the large ballroom floor.
"Yeah, you seem kinda out of it. Do you need a break?" Rancis added in, as his bedazzled mint green crop top, long sleeved gloves, knee high socks, and black daisy duke shorts shined in the light. Which contrasted against the undecorated and far more plain versions of the outfit Lodhi and remaining 5 wore. And, with all eyes on him, Lodhi could feel the heat rising to his cheeks. He didn't intend to draw attention to himself but it seemed as though he must have froze mid-work due to his thoughts.
It was no wonder the others noticed this and decided to check in on him. They probably had been worried that something was wrong with Lodhi.
Well, they aren't wrong, and I'd hate to lie to them. This really is the final nail in the coffin in regards to me decision. I'm not productive like this. I need to get a cleansing, now. The blueish-grey eyed man thought, while his shoulders sank and grip on the mop handle loosened. "Honestly, I'm not doing okay, my mind keeps bugging me with these ridiculous notions."
"Like what Shaman and I were dealing with last month?" Simon questioned, his usual hostile and aggressive mask slipping to allow some compassion to surface on it,
"Yep, I'm going to get a cleansing already, before it gets worse," Lodhi confirmed, with him dropping the handle of the mop and allowing it to clank on the floor. Then, without wasting a moment, he walked towards the double doors for the ballroom. However, before he could open the door, he felt a hand latch itself onto his should. Lodhi whipped his head around his shoulder and saw Akio staring back at him with a concerned yet loving look in his eyes. "Heh, yeah you can come. I shouldn't be walking alone while I'm like this anyways."
"Good luck, Lodhi!"
"Say hi to the kids for us!"
"Try the blueberry scented cleansing, it's awesome!"
And, with a loud creak and thud from the doors, the voices and encouragement of the other courtesans were cut off. "Ready to go, brother?" Akio quired, which Lodhi responded with a trepidations nod before they walked down the castle halls. The trip in of itself fairly relaxing and enjoyable especially since he was able to spend this time with Akio. So, it was no surprise when the two brothers found themselves at the throne room doors. And, as Lodhi reached out for the handle, he looked at his brother and smiled. Who stared back at him with joy and caution twinkling in his eyes. "Stay safe."
"Of course I'll stay safe Akio, I'll be with our queen." The blueish-grey eyed man reassured, secretly glad that his brother still worried for him even when it wasn't necessary. It really is sweet. He always says it to me and our kids when we go to see our queen. The only other person who does it more then him is Sebastian. And, with a deep breathe, Lodhi knocked on the door and walked inside when they opened up for him. But, upon getting a good look around the room, he paused at the sight of the Fudge and Kit in the room with the kids cheering behind them.
"Thank you so much, my queen!" The couple said, as Vanellope smiled down at Fudge, Kit, and the children. Then, after giving the kids a moment to settle down, the couple thanked the queen a few more times and turned towards the youth.
"Now, come on kids, we should get going! We have a lot of work to do!" Fudge added, before ushering the kids towards the door. A look of joy and glee still plastered on her face. "Oh I can't wait to see what you all come up with!"
"Just as long as it isn't sappy or anything, I don't want to puke at the anniversary party." Kit stated, which garnered him laughter from the kids and a look of disapproval from Fudge. And, as they got closer, Lodhi moved to the side waving goodbye to the group on their way out. "Seeya Lodhi, we got our project approved."
"I can see that," Lodhi chuckled, his smiling brightening even more at the sight of his own kin waving back at him. "Make me proud!" And, while the doors slammed once more, he walked towards Vanellope who eyed him expectantly. "Hello, my queen, I'm here for my cleansing."
"Thought as much, less get you to the chambers, Lodhi." Vanellope mused, with her quick to lead the former racer to the fungeon. "Would you like the blueberry scented one? It is quite popular with the others so far." Lodhi nodded, wanting his experience to be as pleasant as possible. But, if you asked him what he remembered past that point, Lodhi wouldn't be able to tell you. He simply tried his best to clear his head as he was led into the chamber, strapped in, and left inside while the thing started running.
No! What are you doing!? Don't trust her! You're so close to breaking free from this potion! You need to get out of here before it's too late. Lodhi shook his head, but that did little to clear his thoughts. Please, you don't want this! Neither does Akio or your friends! He just needed to ignore it, soon those thoughts would he drowned out by the cleansing process. And afterwards they wouldn't be so bothersome like it was now. What about your sisters? Akio? Your kids? They don't deserve this!
"Thank you for everything, my queen," The racer said, as the cleansing process began with needles being injected into his arm and a blueberry scent filling the room. That didn't stop the defiant conscience, though, as it managed to cry out one last time before Lodhi blacked out. Someone, help me! Please, I don't want to live like this anymore!