"Stop running in circles, Casiopea! You're making me dizzy." Despite her words, Casiopea continued. "Nope! I don' feel like it, Gota!" Gota grabbed Casiopea by the arm. "Enough! My head hurts enough as it is. Just- play with some of your toys. I brought a few, they're in the leather case." "Uhh... what's leather again?" Gota sighed and got up, taking a plush puffer-fish out of the leather case. She handed it over to Casiopea, who swung it around while making that BRBRBRBRB sound (I've got no idea how to describe it).
Casiopea was aged 9, Gota aged 26. The two were in a cramped one room apartment, which reeked of an odd smell that neither could locate. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Casiopea's parents were no longer around to take care of her. Therefor, Gota had to take it into her own hands and begin to raise her sister herself. After two minutes of playing with the squid, Casiopea threw it onto the ground, and said, "I hate this place! When are we gonna go back to Mom and Dad's?" Gota sighed, "Never, likely. So get used to this." Casiopea groaned as she fell back on the stiff bed. Gota reached into a bookbag and pulled out a worn out notebook. She flipped through the pages, all containing designs for machinery which Gota had written herself. She looked at Casiopea, who's stomach growled with hunger, and put it back in the bag. "C'mere. I'll fix something up for you."
...
Alija was sitting on her front porch, sipping a costly drink while rocking back and forth on a rocking chair. Although Alija is only about 22, she has a relatively powerful presence, given her Dad's status as an octarian politician, as well as her wealth. Unlike other wealthy youngsters however, she was strong, and usually used her influence for good. She's mostly nice to whoever she's talking to, however, she does have a dark side that you wouldn't want to get on. Rarely any have seen this side, however. Most of the time, she keeps her cool.
Suddenly, a taxi had pulled up in front of her house. The doors opened, and a few familiar faces exited the vehicle. They were Ammoses Shellendorf, and Casiopea Yashiki. Alija got up from her chair to greet them, asking, "Hello there, Ammoses and Casiopea! What is it you two need?" Ammoses sighed, "Erm, can we talk about this inside?" Alija smiled, "Sure!" She let the two come inside her home, both still in awe at the fanciness of it. They all sat down at her table, which stood below a beautiful chandelier. "So, what is it?" she asked.
Ammoses gulped, "I was uh, wondering if you could perhaps do another favor for us... if you can't, it's completely fine!" Alija asked, "What is it you need?" Ammoses replied, "Well, Gota, who I believe you also rewarded... she's been fired from her job. For an unjust cause, as well. She doesn't have much money, so she kinda needs that job back. She works for the Arowana Military Academy, which you obviously know about, since you decreased the years we needed to pass." Casiopea said, "SO we're wonderin' if you could maybe jus' go down there and tell that geezer to give Machine Girl her job back!"
Alija slowly nodded while staring at the squeaky clean table. "I didn't even know Gota worked at the Academy. She must've hardly gone to work. Sure. I can do that." Ammoses sighed a breath of relief, "Thank you! We really appreciate it!" Alija smiled, "It's really no problem!" Ammoses and Casiopea both got up to leave the house, and Alija exclaimed, "Take care!" As soon as the two left, she said, "Fuckin' hell, Hendrix. Another thing for me to do. Thank you. If any of them ever come to me for more favors, I'm going to start having them do things for me in return as well!"
Later that day, she went down to the academy, specifically walking towards Hendrix's office. "Oh, Alija. What's it you need now?" Alija sighed, "Heard you fired Gota. What'll you need to hire her back?" Hendrix said, "Oh? Did she send you? Heh, I dunno, what'd you think I need?" "I'll pay you." "Really? How much?" "5,000 coins." Hendrix laughed, "That's it?" Alija stood silent for 10 seconds, before saying, "10,000 coins." "That's more like it! Tell her she's welcome to return!" Alija sighed, "You're a prick." "Heh. Funny to see you drop the nice facade. See ya."
Alija returned home, and began to write her letter to inform Ammoses. While writing the letter, she thought to herself, "Those six, Gota, Craig, Octavio, Ammoses, Casiopea, Louis... perhaps I could get their help on something. Like my current situation with Tallyhall... they were a group of six and able to defend themselves against eight crooks. If I pay them enough, perhaps they could help me with the Tallyhall situation..." Eventually, Alija was done writing the letter. She mailed it to Ammoses, and he received the envelope on a cold and cloudy morning.
Excitedly, he and Casiopea walked into the dining room, which Machine Girl was currently eating in. Right as she finished her sandwich, Ammoses exclaimed, "Hey! We have fortunate news! We got you your job back! Alija talked to Hendrix, and you're now rehired! She says you're welcome to go back in!" Machine Girl put her plate in the sink, and picked up a few bags which lay around her. She simply said, "I refuse." Ammoses was taken aback by her answer. "Huh? What do you mean by that?"
Machine Girl smiled, "I'm not going back. Also, I'm moving out. It was nice living here, Ammoses. If you would like to find me, I'll eventually mail you my location, if I feel like it." She opened the door and got out the house, waiting for a taxi. Casiopea ran outside, yelling, "Machine Girl! What the fuck are ya doin'!? Whaddya mean you're movin' out?!" Machine Girl sighed, "It's time I turn my life around, Casiopea." "Whaddya mean?! Your life is fine as it is! Don't be lame!"
Machine Girl laughed, "Who knows what I'll be capable of now. With you out of my life. I'll be destined for greatness." "With me outta your life?! That's fucked! C'mon, I'm your sister!" "I know. I love you and all, but, all you ever did was wear me down. You were always a pain to deal with, even now as an adult. Bye, Casi." The taxi arrived right after she finished speaking, and she put her bags inside and got in. She shut the door, and the taxi went off. Casiopea didn't know what to do. As I'm sure most people do when unsure on how to feel, she screamed her lungs out, sounding as if she was being torn apart by the blade of an axe.
To Be Continued