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AnimeQueen1260: You'll see more 'adulthood' in previous chapters, not in the sense of explicit situations, but more in an emotional aspect.

Guest 1: Thank you so much, I really appreciate it(:

Guest 2: Yes, I've read the biography of each character, but I felt it was lacking of some 'maturity' or so to say, because Angel's personality is very complicated, as well as Aubrey's, that's why it's seeming quite different from the personalities you see in the game, or have read on the blog. With time, they'll transform into the on-screen characters you're used to see, for now, this is the past, meaning my point of view of the previous events to the original game. I'm glad you've been liking this story(:

Please enjoy!

Chapter #8

Pride. That heavy burden taking us down. Making giants fall to their oblivion.

Isn't it sad, how something so absurd can seem so important?

However, that's not the way everybody thinks. That was not the way she thought.

He had fairly won; she knew it. And she couldn't accept it.

Why? Why did he won? Wasn't her skill enough to beat him? Wasn't she enough?! So many years of hard, painful practice, wasted in five minutes?! She, Miss Aubrey, defeated by some Latino playboy?!

Unacceptable. It was simply unacceptable.

But alas! Honor! What about her so precious honor as the, oh so respectfully called dancer she was? Was she supposed to let her honor die just because of bruised pride? …But it did hurt… and it hurt so damn much… Her damn precious pride hurt so damn much.

But why shouldn't she swallow it, instead, to regain the honor she had lost with that childish, selfish behavior?

"No, I'm better than him, I can't accept it."

Be a good loser, because you know you lost. This lost will help you improve. Don't be proud and go accept it. Swallow your pride, you little sassy lass.

"Why would I do that?" She questioned herself.

Because it is the right thing to do.

There was no possible answer that she could give to that. The missy had no sharp words to reply to that simple answer.

Conscience: 1

Aubrey: 0

"Damn it."

However, she forced herself to resign. Would it help? Would accepting the lost would help? Only to regain the lost honor, she knew. And it would be worth it, the little voice inside her head whispered. She wasn't entirely sure, however, since there was nothing so precious and valuable as the pride she was about to swallow.

The Puerto Rican wasn't entirely sure how to act about this.

Was she truly saying such things? Was she truly accepting his triumph? Was she really not angry?

Miracles are true. He said to himself, as he realized she did.

It had took some time -a lot-, but it had happened.

"…Win…bla bla bla bla… really good… bla bla bla…" Those were the words Angel actually listened when Aubrey went to talk to him. Her beautiful hazel orbs piercing his chestnut ones, garnished by those long, curled eyelashes of hers were completely stealing his attention from her words.

Stop. Dream on. Pay attention.

"…bla bla bla… Party…bla bla bla… Estate… bla bla bla…" But he couldn't take his eyes away from her. She was so beautiful…-

Wait what?

"Didn't you received some mysterious message from an unknown number some weeks ago, inviting us to a party in some estate?" Aubrey asked.

Yes, it was true. Bodie had mentioned it. And he himself had received the same message as well. It had been odd, that's a fact.

"Yes I did." Angel answered.

"And are you planning on going?"

"Of course, señorita, I wouldn't miss a party like that." He replied with a smirk.

Surprisingly, the redhead smirked too. "Well then, I guess I'll see you there?"

"You can be sure you will, your highness." He bowed, taking off his fedora.

The girl smugly smiled. Then, she left.

It was pretty suspicious, however, how the message had been sent to all the crew. Everybody was invited; it did feel good, but it had also a dark side -which no one seemed to care-.

1) Her number. Check.

2) Her address. Check.

3) Her… and Dare. Check.

The pink haired British young girl had taken the sit of the co-driver, next to his, while the redhead young lady had taken the back sits.

Dare wasn't supposed to be part of the plan, but the girl was there and he couldn't left her Alone. No, Angel is a good person; Angel is an angel. The Puerto Rican had called Aubrey, to ask her if she wanted a ride; she accepted, and he was going for her when he saw Dare wandering alone in the not-so-crowded street.

"You want a ride, chica?" Angel had asked her when he was close enough.

"Yay! Of course!" She screamed before getting in.

And Angel had honestly smiled when she jumped into the sit next to his.

Then they headed to Aubrey's penthouse, and waited for her. The missy arrived surprisingly quickly, dressed in gold and black, astonishing and beautiful as ever.

"I see you found the way." She said, as she placed herself in the back of his car.

"Yes, I did, he replied." Smiling to her.

"Shaw we go then?"

"Right away, your highness." He said, leading them to the estate.

Music loud, Dare carelessly dancing, and Aubrey arguing with Emilia through the phone; they found Taye, also alone in the street, and asked her if she wanted a ride. The black girl accepted, and got in, sitting next to Aubrey.

"Hey, isn't that Coy?" Asked Taye after a while.

And when Angel eyed the person his friend was pointing, he realized it was, indeed, MacCoy.

"C'mon in!" Dare yelled at him, sitting down again.

The blonde placed himself between Taye and Aubrey, openly smiling at the two girls.

The girls seductively placed themselves at MacCoy's sides, carelessly flirting with the DJ, whom seemed to be more than pleased with his situation. Angel couldn't help feeling jealous about his mate; to be honest, Miss Aubrey didn't use to flirt with anyone, after all.

Music at its full, nice chattering inside his car, and a feeling of greatness filling the air. There could not be anything better at the time.

Flashing cards falling; street lights flashing with neon glint. The atmosphere of pleasure, and youth, that each of them breath.

To be young, to be beautiful, to be skillful… it felt like power, greatness, magnificence. And that's how we, being young and stupid, feel, isn't that right? Feeling the world in our hands, the time stoping in that joyful moment, and everything spinning around us. That was the world, seen from that stupid, childish, selfish perspective.

That was the world, seen from the foolish perspective their young eyes captured it all.

A totally worthwhile party, it was the one that was taking place in the magnificent estate; that was for their wishful eyes.

Bloody bastard drowning in wealth, was the owner of such magnificence.

Neon lights, dazzling floor, shining mirrors' ball, sparking water in the enormous pond (pool); glistening in the marvelous interior of the huge estate, among the excited crowd, and the beating music.

Party it was called; more than just a mere party, they said.

And they wasted no time to make themselves feel comfortable in the starting party; DJ MacCoy made his way so excitedly to the pond, splashing in the crystalline, shiny waters, while Angel took his place as the DJ with expert skill; the girls made their way to the dance floor, ignoring the rest of the crowd, dancing proudly at the rhythm of his beats; Mo, Bodie and Emilia joined them after a while, visibly enjoying the mess. The only unfitting item, lonely wandering in the estate, was the ever lonely, silent Oblio. Odd, but not surprising.

Could there be any disturb? Any imperfection, in that so seemly perfect atmosphere of fun and enjoyment?

Not disturb, or so to say, but something better.

Gracefully, seductively; she approached. Not the redhead he had been waiting for all night, but the pink haired British than had been lusting him ever since he showed up.

There was no need to waste this chance, he knew; and he wasn't going to do so.

He wasted no time to take advantage of the young gal. They danced, spontaneously, they flirted, openly, carelessly, seductively. And then she played her part. Flirty, she seduced him, using her body properly to make his interest grow.

There was no doubt of what she was looking for; and even less of what he wanted when he lead her upstairs.

The others could only stare, petrified at the scene they were witnessing. Angel and Dare. Curious little affair it was, as no one actually expected Angel to get laid with some female of the crew, although they all knew he liked flirting with Aubrey.

So they just watched them disappear through a dark hall.

He had chosen the right people. He realized, as he watched the dancers through the cameras.

And he was among them.

How interesting, the man thought, staring at the screen displaying a lonely black haired young man, silently standing against the wall.

He remembered of her.

A feeling of sadness invaded him. That had been a very long time ago, he shouldn't think about it; it was long past.

However, a curious scene captured by the cameras stole his attention. The chestnut haired and his pink haired companion had just entered one of his quarters. Disturbing.

The doctor decided to shut down the camera inside the bedroom; the matters of the youth weren't of his lightest interest, no matter if he himself had been young and stupid once… or that their were occupying his room.

Oh well… you only live once. Let the young couple be.

Until their time for suffering came.

Does anyone fancies candies?