Chapter 3: The Decim Wager
It was another day at the Arbiter, and the residents found themselves with a lack of things to do. All of them, (with the exception of Decim and Clavis, who rarely left their 'posts') lie spread around the lounge.
"Hey," Quin said, for once not in her lab causing mischief. She hung upside down on an arm chair, observing Decim at the bar. "Decim...has anyone ever seen his expression change?" She asked. The others turned towards the white haired bartender in thought. Negative replies came from everyone.
"Huh…" Quin said. Silence reigned again before Quin spoke once more. "We should have a bet."
"Huh?" Ginti grunted lazily turning his head to her, the weather too hot for him to hole up in his room as he usually did.
"Oh-ho, that's not a bad idea, could be entertaining," Castra said from her perch on the couch's arm rest, where she sat fanning herself.
"I don't know, sounds impossible. I mean, does that guy even sweat?" Oona said placing a cold water bottle to her face trying to keep cool.
"Might be worth a shot." Nona shrugged, the only one not bothered by the heat.
"Sounds fun." Harada, the resident Boy Band superstar who frequented the Arbiter in order to hide from the paparazzi, chimed in.
"I'm in if Harada-kun is!" Mayu, Harada's superfan, who moved into the Arbiter in order to gain "independence" said in the high pitched voice she uses around the superstar.
"So it's settled then?" Castra asked looking around.
"What are we betting?" Quin asked. The group went silent, realizing all of them (excluding Harada, but really, he didn't count) barely had any money, and it was a surprise that they could afford the rent.
"The losers have to do the winner's laundry, and be their slaves for um, a week." Harada said nodding, agreeing with himself. Since the others didn't have any better ideas, they agreed with the teen. So the terms were decided, the first person to get Decim's expression to change, with proof, wins. And after you make your attempt, and if it fails, you automatically lose and can't try again. Quin was in charge of keeping everyone honest, an easy feat for the mad Scientist. Then the group dispersed to develop their plans.
Decim wa having a normal day so far. He practiced his usual rituals of preping the bar, washing the glasses, and watching life around him. He contemplated life, as a man who appreciated the lives of other people, it was a frequent thought he had. But then another thought came to him. What about animals? Do they live fulfilled lives? Surely they must? But what would be fullfilling to an animal? He'd never know would he? Before his mind could run further with the idea, he was interrupted when he felt killer intent coming from his right.
"Yraaaaaaa!" Ginti gave a battle cry, lunging behind the bar and towards Decim. "Caaaaat Attaaaaaaack!" He yelled swinging his arms and holding out his black cat in his hands. The cat and Decim stared at each other.
"Mrrrweooooow"
Silence filled the room as Decim continued to stare at the animal and the cat staring back. While he was certainly surprised, his outward expression didn't change.
"Oi, Oi, what's wrong with you huh!?" Ginti growled, sticking the cat in Decim's face, "Memine is irresistible! This cat is cute!"
Decim was at a loss for words and had no idea what to do.
"I am very sorry." Decim said, it felt safest to simply apologize.
"Tch." Ginti retracting the cat, turning half away and scowling. 'This should surprise him' he thought before spinning back around and throwing the cat right at Decim. The cat hurdled forwards with an alarmed screech, but Decim was able to dodge easily. As expected the cat landed on it's feet and slowly turned it's head around. Memine wasn't happy.
ATTEMPT, FAILED
Castra believed herself to be a simple person. She didn't ask for much in life, so, her plan was also simple. Invite Decim to her room, and get him to relax. It would have worked (so she believed) if she hadn't smoked too much already, and consequently passed out. So she had no idea if his expression even changed or what happened at all.
ATTEMPT, FAILED
Count: Quin, Nona, Oona, Mayu, Harada
Harada and Mayu could really be described as one person, so, their attempt was also considered joined.
The teens watched the bar intently, waiting for their moment to strike. After a few minutes of watching, the two nodded to each other and set their plan into action.
"Hey Decim!" Harada called out, walking behind the bar, "this is a nice bar, you really keep it clean, ah oops!" He swiped his arm at a few bottles sending them catapulting to the floor, and they shattered. "Oh no, my bad! Slippery hands!" Harada said, going to the glasses and grabbing them. He unceremoniously dropped them, further expanding the mess. Their plan was to attempt to anger or frustrate Decim. It wasn't working so far. Harada tried harder.
"Please, you shouldn't-" Decim began trying his best to keep up with Harada, but there wasn't a drastic change in his expression, only a perceptible widening of his eyes. Mayu decided it was her turn now, she grabbed a pitcher she held at her side and dashed towards the bar.
"Take this!" She cried beginning to throw the water, but slipped on the liquid already spilled on the floor! Causing her aim to move and the water to hit Harada instead. He yelped, shocked by the cold liquid, temporarily blinded he flailed a bit, slipping as well and knocking into Mayu.
"Oof!" They landed on each other in a heap on the floor.
"Excuse me, I'll get a mop." Decim said bowing and leaving the room.
ATTEMPT, FAILED
Count: Quin, Nona, Oona
With only three left, Quin decided it was her turn. She had been working on an elixir in her lab, and trusted it would work. She laughed evilly to herself and took another swig from her flask. Quin could be found constantly drinking alcohol, so it was no surprise her plan had to deal with the beverage.
"This'll *hiccup* work." She said, drinking some more. She poured the elixir into a bottle of rum and recorked it. Quin headed upstairs to the bar and directly to her target.
"Yo Decim." She greeted sliding into a stool. "It's late, have a drink with me." Quin said.
"I'm sorry, but I can't. I'm still working." He replied politely.
"Pssh, come on. Please?" She asked again, "one drink, that's all I ask." She said holding up her pointer finger. Decim eventually gave in, seeing no other alternative, and, not wanting to get on the scientist's bad side.
"There's a good man!" She took out the bottle of rum and placed it on the counter. "Pour this, it's for special occasions." He nodded, taking out two glasses and pouring a good amount of the amber drink.
"Cheers!" Quin saluted lifting her drink to her lips, pretending to take a sip, she kept her eye on Decim. The bartender grabbed the drink, lifted it to his lips and...before he could take a sip, it was suddenly stolen from his hands.
"You shouldn't drink on the job." Clavis scolded playfully, "but I can." He downed the drink. Quin blanched shocked, 'shit!' she thought. Clavis gave a content sigh before walking off, albeit a little unsteady as the drink took effect. Quin groaned frustrated, and in one of her single dumbest moments, took a sip of her drink. Suffice to say, the rest of the night was interesting.
ATTEMPT, FAILED
Count: Nona, Oona
Only Oona and Nona were left. Nona wasn't worried, she had a full proof plan. It would take some manipulation, but it will work and secure her win. She just had to wait for the perfect moment to take action.
Oona was tired. She didn't get the chance to enact her own plan, mainly because she had been busy taking care of a wasted Quin, and trying to stop Clavis from getting the lift to go sideways because he believed himself to be Willy Wonka and apparently the Umpfulumps weren't doing their sighed, and relaxed in her bath, she surely deserved the rest considering the day she's had. After a long soak she got out and wrapped up in a towel, heading back to her room, failing to notice Nona trailing her on the way. It was time to set her plan in motion.
Decim had been given a message from Oona that she wanted to see him, and that it was urgent. He wasn't sure why, but, if she needed him he would go. Trying to stay polite he knocked, but didn't receive an answer. Figuring he was expected, he opened the door and walked in….and was met with a very surprised and very naked Oona. Decim may not understand many human emotions, and at the time he didn't completely understand his body's reaction, but he did have the grace to be embarrassed and very flustered. The two stood staring at each other, until the silent stare was broken by the shutter of a camera.
"Click," Nona said, "and done." She smiled impishly.
ATTEMPT, SUCCESS!
The next morning the residents reconvened in the lounge, most nursing their heads (Ginti patching his scratched face) and others nursing hangovers (from various substances that will not be disclosed here). Nona smiled happily holding up a picture victoriously. The picture is of Decim, although minute, his expression had changed, his eyes widened, mouth slightly agape, and his face tinted pink. Something had flustered him.
"I still don't get how you did it." Ginti grumbled.
"He, he, I have my ways." Nona replied. Oona sent a heated glare her way, face flushed and arms crossed. Nona just laughed.