Chapter Fifteen: Pink Top City Tour

Chapter 15

Pink Top City Tour

That morning, Blair, Ashley, Blake, Celeste, Yoshi, and Maxx stood before Sylvia. Sylvia stood in a regal posture. She was dressed in blue pinstripe overalls, and a white shirt and placed a tall pinstripe conductor hat on her head.

Sylvia: “All aboard the Hughes Express! I shall be your tour guide!”

Ashley chuckled at how she was pretending they were riding a train.

Maxx: “I don’t wanna ride the FAT train with you, fatso! One fatty is enough, gosh!”

He snapped. Ashley looked hurt.

Celeste: “I didn’t know we had a court jester… Do we have to drag this fucking clown with us?”

She groaned.

Maxx: “Baby, don’t be jealous of Filly-babe! There’s enough Maxxy for everyone!”

He grinned. Celeste kicked him in the groin.

Maxx: “OOOWWWWWHHHH!!!”

He keeled over and cried.

Yoshi: “So you must be Ashley! I’m Yoshi Akiyama! Blair told me about you!”

He exclaimed. Ashley flashed him a grin.

Ashley: “That’s awesome!”

Maxx: “Humph! What’d he say ‘bout Maxxy?!”

He huffed. Yoshi pressed his forefinger on his chin.

Yoshi: “...Who are you?”

He asked. Maxx’s jaw dropped.

Maxx: “ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS?! I AM MAXXY MALONE OF SEX BEEST!!”

He caterwauled.

Yoshi: “So you come from Selene Valley?”

He asked Ashley. Ashley laughed and nodded.

Ashley: “Sure do!”

Maxx: “I! AM! RIGHT! HERE!”

He screamed as he stomped his foot to each syllable. Sylvia whacked him over the head with a solid wood pointer stick. Maxx fell over and faceplanted on the ground. Blair rolled his eyes at Maxx.

Sylvia: “Would you shush for a minute?”

She asked sharply. She harrumphed, twirled her pointer, and folded it behind her back. Blake nodded in approval.

Sylvia: “If you insist on acting like a child, you will be treated as such!”

She added in a firm tone.

Celeste: “Let’s treat like the trash he is and throw him away.”

She said wryly.

Blake: “I second that.”

He added. I third that, Blair thought bitterly. No wonder Ashley doesn’t like this guy, he added.

~

Sylvia drove them around Pink Top City and made a turn to Dottoat Yard—the education district of Pink Top City.

Sylvia: “This is considered the education district of Pink Top City. It has Pink Top High as well as The Science Academy. It also has our famous museums: The Earthling Museum, and The Pink Top City Museum of Reonan Natural History! Would any of you care to look through it?”

Ashley: “Sure!”

Maxx’s orange face turned beet red as he gnashed his teeth.

Maxx: “NOOOOO!!! NO, YOU FAT BASTARDS! NO, BORING MUSEUMS!!”

He caterwauled at Ashley. Ashley bowed their head.

Ashley: “Well? What do you wanna do, Maxx?”

They asked meekly. Blake quirked an eyebrow.

Blake: “Wasn’t this Ashley’s buddy trip?”

He challenged.

Maxx: “Up yours, Mr. Doom ‘n Gloom! This is a TRIP, not boring school! GOSH!”

He screamed. Ashley’s eyelids dipped as they heaved a deep sigh. Sylvia’s eyes lit up as they approached The Great American Railway Museum.

Sylvia: “Who could pass up The Great American Railway Museum?! I always make sure to visit at least twice a week!”

She said joyfully.

Maxx: “Trains are lame, ya fat man thing!”

He barked.

Maxx: “HA! You think people think you’re a chick! You’re a dude, loser!”

He cackled. Sylvia heaved a deep sigh. Ashley tried to contain their emotions as this was a sore spot for them. Blair gripped his pantlegs with his fingertips trying to control his anger. He glared hotly at Maxx.

Blair: “Well, people think you’re a clown!”

He blurted. Blake chuckled.

Celeste: “Does this piece of shit come with a mute button or do I have to rip its throat out?”

She asked dryly.

Sylvia: “Would any of you like to go to the zoo?”

Ashley: “Sure!”

Their eyes lit up. Maxx yanked on Ashley’s hair.

Maxx: “NOOOOOOOWAAAAHHHHH!!! NO ZOOS, YOU FAT ASSHOLES!”

He screamed.

Yoshi: “No offense, Blair, but this guy cries like a toddler.”

Maxx: “I ain’t a toddler, rainbow asshole!”

He snapped.

Sylvia: “Well, Maxx? What would you like to do?”

Maxx: “Not be in this piece of shit car with you, fat boy!”

He barked at her.

Maxx: “I WANT LADY BABES! NOT FAT LOSERS! NO OFFENSE BUT LADY BABES DON’T LIKE FAT DUDES WITH CHICK NAMES AND NOT A-RAAAAAAAAADD!!!”

He screamed at the top of his lungs.

Syliva: “You certainly are trying, Maxx… Ashley has the patience of Job to deal with you.”

She said firmly.

Sylvia: “How about… the Pink Top Aquarium?”

Maxx: “NOOOOOOO!!!! FUCK DAT BULLSHIT! WHAT, YOU AND A-RAD WANNA MEET YER FELLOW WHALES?!”

He snapped and cackled at his joke. Ashley turned the other way with tears in their eyes.

Celeste: “Can I please just kill this fucking cockroach?”

She groaned.

Blake: “Maxx, one more word…”

He said as he seethed with rage.

~

Sylvia sensed the tension and parked at Crystal Cove Park, which was a small park near Pink Top City Beach. It had a small playground, a wading pool, a skateboard ramp, and Crystal Cow Ice Cream. Crystal Cow Ice Cream was an independently owned ice cream parlor. It was a huge log cabin and had a lifesize dairy cow statue.

Sylvia: “Let’s get some ice cream.”

She nodded. Ashley brightened a bit.

Maxx: “Let’s get fatter.”

He elbowed Ashley as he got out.

Ashley: “Ow!”

Blake turned around and arched an eyebrow.

Blair: “Are you okay, Ashley?”

Ashley shed some tears.

Ashley: “F-Fine.”

They sobbed. Blake clenched his fists and punched Maxx in the stomach.

Maxx: “OOOWWWWHHH!!”

He cried and keeled over.

Celeste: “Beat me to punch.”

She huffed.

They all entered the establishment. They had a wide variety of ice cream flavors, t-shirts with cows on the beach, and a huge shirt to fit an actual cow. Maxx pointed at it and laughed.

Maxx: “Look! A shirt for the fat dude!”

People glared at Maxx. Celeste pointed at Maxx.

Celeste: “Look! A clown!”

There was a ripple of laughter.

Syliva: “Maxx, I am not sure if this was pointed out to you but I am well aware I am fat. You don’t need to remind me of my size every five minutes.”

She said exasperatedly.

Maxx: “Yeah but you’re not a chick!”

He laughed.

Sylvia: “I know what I am.”

She said firmly and walked away. Blair glared hotly at Maxx, clenching his fists tightly. Sylvia placed her hand gently on Blair’s shoulder. He looked at her.

Sylvia: “Blair, do not let this fool’s words deter you. I am not hurt. I know who I am and what I am. It’s he who is unsure of who he is.”

She said genially and smiled at him.

Celeste: “Can we just… drop him off and abandon him? He doesn’t want to go on this tour anyway! He doesn’t want to do anything! Why the Hell did he come here?!”

She complained. Ashley bowed their head and sighed.

Ashley: “It’s a buddy trip for me…”

She turned to them and raised an eyebrow.

Celeste: “...A ‘buddy trip’? You’re joking, right? He can’t be your friend; look at how he speaks to you.”

She huffed.

Blair: “...And everything you want to do, he shoots down…”

He added slowly. Ashley raked their fingers through their hair and sighed.

Ashley: “You’re right…”

They muttered.

Sylvia: “So what flavor of ice cream would you all like?”

She smiled.

Maxx: “The whole tub for you and A-Rad!”

He cackled. Ashley sighed and tried to keep their chin up despite Maxx’s behavior.

Sylvia: “I didn’t ask you.”

She said sharply to Maxx. He folded his arms and pouted.

Blair: “Oh, death by chocolate for me!”

He beamed.

Celeste: “Cherry vanilla.”

Ashley: “Bubblegum! Yum!”

They brightened.

Maxx: “More like BUBBLEBUTT!”

Blake turned around and punched him out.

Maxx: “OOOOOWWWWWHHHH!!!”

He cried.

Sylvia: “Thank you, Blake.”

She huffed.

Blake: “Chocolate is fine.”

Yoshi shot his hand up and jumped.

Yoshi: “Give me a double cone! I want lychee and green tea!”

He said giddily. Ashley took another look at the menu and their eyes sparkled at what they saw. They pointed to “Baci.”

Ashley: “Never mind, I want Baci!”

They sang. Blair raised his eyebrows.

Blair: “Nice choice!”

He nodded.

Celeste: “The fuck is ‘Baci’?”

She asked.

Blair: “It’s Italian. It’s chocolate-hazelnut ice cream.”

He replied and nodded.

Yoshi: “Get a double cone like I do!”

He suggested.

Ashley: “Well…, bubblegum and Baci might not go well together. Not all flavor combinations work.”

They explained.

Maxx: “Oh, whatever, you fuckin’ fat whale!”

He growled and stormed out. Ashley heaved a deep sigh. For a “Buddy Trip”, he’s not doing anything I want and always being mean to me, they thought.

They stepped outside with their ice cream in waffle cones. Sylvia and Ashley stood by the cow. Maxx cackled.

Maxx: “MOOOOOOOOO!!! Look! TWINS!”

He laughed at Ashley and Sylvia. Celeste grabbed the back of his head and slammed it onto the bench armrest.

Celeste: “Give it a fuckin’ rest, ya spaz! Jesus! Your ‘friend’ and Sylvia are fat. WE GET IT! Just shut the fuck up!”

She kicked him in the stomach with each syllable. Maxx cried out in pain as the air was knocked out of him. Blake chuckled and enjoyed the sight. He was glad other people were not taking Maxx’s bullshit.

After they finished their ice cream, they discussed what sights to see. Maxx was away from them. He approached some teenagers.

Maxx: “ ‘eeeeey, cool cats! Did any of you see Filly-babe?”

He looked at them and smiled. They laughed at Maxx.

Teenager: “No? Don’t know her.”

Maxx pouted and approached an elderly couple.

Maxx: “Do you old people know Filly-babe?”

The old lady adjusted her glasses.

Old lady: “Wha?”

Maxx threw his arms up and stomped off.

Daniel walked by talking on his cell phone. Maxx followed him.

Maxx: “Do you know Filly-babe? Where can I find Filly-babe?”

He asked him.

Maxx: “HEY! Where’s Filly-babe!?”

Daniel lowered the phone and struck Maxx over the head with his cane.

Daniel: “Go away, please.”

He said tersely and walked away. It’s that weird lawyer again and he put Maxx in his place, too, Celeste thought.

Celeste: “Since Maxx got here, he keeps asking about ‘Filly-babe.’ Who the fuck is that?”

She asked. Ashley heaved a deep sigh. Blair patted Ashley’s back.

Blair: “Can we just leave Maxx here? No one wants him here.”

He said gruffly.

Yoshi: “I agree. He’s like… Seymour, but orange all over…”

He groused and sank into his seat. Sylvia held her forefinger up.

Sylvia: “That… is a capital idea, lad! Let’s be on our merry way without that fool.”

She nodded loftily.

They quickly and quietly gathered into Sylvia’s minivan leaving Maxx at the park. Maxx looked around.

Maxx: “Huh? Where did everyone go?”

He swerved his head around and saw some bikini-clad women walk by. He smirked and followed them.

~

That evening after they visited the railway museum, the aquarium, and other places of interest, they went to the zoo. Ashley suggested they go to the Australian part of the park to see what Australian animals they have there. They looked at the koalas, kangaroos, and wallabies. They then went to the Obis part where the lions, elephants, gazelles, rhinoceroses, gorillas, and more were kept.

As they approached the lion’s den, they saw Craig with Veronika. Ashley froze when they saw Craig. Blake stood in front of Ashley in case Craig attacked.

Craig beamed at the lion and nudged Veronika beside him.

Craig: “Ey, check it out V, it’s me! I’m a fuckin’ lion!”

He grinned, standing because of the lion, holding up his curly blonde mane of hair. Veronika’s eyes rolled upward scornfully.

Veronika: “Ha! Lions are fearless and dominant kings of the jungle, Craig… you’re afraid of DOLLS.”

She scoffed.

Craig: “I AM FUCKIN’ NOT!”

He snarled and folded his arms across his chest.

Veronika smirked when she saw Ashley with their friends.

Veronika: “Craig, what do you think of Makayla fucking that girly boy at the manor?”

She asked, loudly enough for them to hear. Ashley felt a sharp sting in their heart. Craig snorted and huffed.

Craig: “Ya know I don’t like it, V! I don’t want that cunt near my sister! It’s bad ‘nough she liked that chungo drongo who is mates with that clown cunt!”

He growled. Ashley shut their eyes tightly and shook their head. Blair knit his eyebrows and patted his back.

Blair: “Are you okay, Ashley…?”

He asked with concern.

Celeste: “Huh? Oh, yeah… When Makayla got off the jet, she was right in bed with Lazaros.”

She stated and shrugged. Blair heaved a deep sigh and wished Celeste hadn’t said that.

Veronika: “That’s right, Makayla wasted no time.”

She smirked. Craig turned to face Ashley with a snarl.

Craig: “Oi! What are you doin’ here, chungo drongo?! Followin’ my sister like a creepy lil’ shit?! Like your clown cunt?!”

He barked. Blake stood in front of Ashley.

Blake: “Correction: They came here because Maxx offered them a ‘buddy trip.’ It has nothing to do with Makayla.”

He began firmly.

Blake: “In fact…, I’d rather they stay away from the whole lot of you. They have enough drama from Maxx.”

He added in a tone indicating that Craig does not push him too far. Veronika smirked and locked her gaze on Blake through a half-lidded stare. Now that’s a real man, she thought. Craig threw his arms up.

Craig: “Whatever, cunt! I’m glad I got rid of that chungo drongo! Now to get rid of the magician cunt!”

He snapped and stormed off to the Iwai part of the zoo where the tigers, pandas, sloths, and other animals were.

Tristan and Deimos were at the snow leopard enclosure. They overheard Craig.

Tristan: “Snow leopards and tigers are solitary animals. Unlike lions, they don’t travel in groups; they do their own thing.”

He said softly and formed a little snowman for the snow leopard cubs to play with. They slowly peeled their gaze away to look at Craig.

Deimos: “The Hell do you want? Obviously, it’s not to practice.”

He huffed.

Craig: “F-A-B-I-E-N! Obviously!”

Tristan’s eyebrows rose surprisingly.

Tristan: “You can spell his name. Fascinating.”

He said dryly.

Craig: “Tell your skinny-ass brother to stay away from my sister, short stuff!”

He snarled at Deimos, patting his head condescendingly. Deimos smacked his hand away.

Deimos: “Don’t touch me.”

He snarled.

Craig: “You think you’re hot shit, huh? ‘Cause you cheated in that fight with me? How stupid do ya think I am?”

Tristan: “He’s trained in kendo, Craig.”

He replied.

Ashley, Blake, Celeste, Sylvia, and Yoshi followed.

Yoshi: “Look, Blair! It’s Deimos and Tristan!”

He called and pointed to them. Blair groaned and rolled his eyes. Veronika caught up with Craig.

Veronika: “That fat loser is mad Makayla is fucking your brother!”

She said scathingly to Deimos and pointed to Ashley. Deimos looked impassive. Ashley’s head spun as they were feeling overwhelmed and emotionally flooded from everything. Maxx’s awful treatment, hearing about Makayla again, and being in a new place. They felt their chest tighten and breathing hitch.

Ashley: “..I-I think I want to go home now!”

They blurted, rocking back and forth.

Deimos: “Why is she angry?”

He asked Veronika.

Veronika: “Because, DUH, they ‘liked’ each other but Makayla fucked your brother right away!”

She scoffed. Ashley looked over at Deimos and observed him. Oh… he’s his brother?! They thought.

Tristan: “If Makayla was so haste to get intimate with another, she was never into this person in the first place. You don’t drop your true love just because you relocate.”

He said evenly. Ashley bowed their head.

Ashley: “I know… Maxx was right, I’m fat and ugly…”

Blair: “No, Ashley, you’re not! Don’t listen to Maxx!”

Tristan: “Look, if Makayla was haste to get involved with another on a dime, she was never your person. There are plenty of fish in the sea and your person is out there waiting for you.”

He smiled at them. Ashley smiled a bit and nodded. Deimos looked up at Tristan. Veronika snorted.

Veronika: “Yeah, okay, Tristan, he or she or it’s person is a fat fucker!”

She laughed. Ashley scratched their head.

Ashley: “...So what if my soulmate is also fat?”

Craig: “Plenty of fish, more like plenty of whales!”

He cackled. Tristan and Blair glared at Craig and Veronika.

Blake glowered at Veronika.

Blake: “You… You sent those pictures to Ashley to taunt them.”

He hissed through clenched teeth at Veronika. She smirked and flipped her ponytail.

Veronika: “Maybe I did and maybe I didn’t!”

Veronika flexed her muscles.

Veronika: “Are you impressed, hot shot?”

She winked.

Blake: “No.”

He said tersely. Craig came barging in like a wrecking ball.

Craig: “OI! FUCK OFF, MATE, THAT’S MY GIRLFRIEND!”

He barked at Blake like a rabid dog. Blake rolled his eyes.

Blake: “Take her away then and both of you stay away from me and Ashley!”

He glared at them both.

Craig: “STAY AWAY FROM MY GIRLFRIEND, SHE’S MINE!”

He rasped.

Deimos shook his head.

Deimos: “Well, if Makayla and my brother had sex right away, then she never liked Ashley much or thought much of her.”

He said sharply. Ashley bowed their head.

Ashley: “Oh… I’m not a girl…”

They said meekly.

Deimos: “Okay…, they never liked Ashley much or thought much of him.”

He corrected himself. Ashley went to correct him again when Tristan cut in.

Tristan: “Deimos, I believe they’re nonbinary.”

He whispered.

Deimos: “Oh, my apologies. This is new to me.”

He said.

Ashley: “It’s okay, I appreciate this.”

They smiled a bit and thought of how Maxx didn’t correct himself when pointed out and yet this stranger did.

Deimos: “Makayla never thought much of them.”

He said and nodded. Ashley bowed their head.

Deimos: “Same goes for you, Craig. You don’t think much of Veronika for the same reasons.”

He said evenly. Tristan smiled smugly. I knew he would do this, he thought. Veronika quirked an eyebrow at Deimos.

Veronika: “Craig worships the ground I walk on, little man!”

She laughed in his face. Craig laughed.

Deimos: “Is that why he fucked Fabien, the Danny Donger’s waiter the night they met?”

He challenged her. Craig froze stiff as a board and his dark skin went pale.

Veronika: “...WHAT?!”

She rasped, shifting her fury onto Craig. Craig shifted his eyes and held his hands up.

Craig: “N-no, I didn’t! He’s lying, V!”

He pleaded with her.

Tristan: “No, he’s not, Veronika. I can confirm this. Makayla can and so can Vicente, the concierge.”

He interjected.

Tristan: “This is why Deimos hired Lazaros; Craig spent close to one thousand of your money at Danny Donger’s.”

Veronika’s eye twitched.

Veronika: “CRAAAAAAAIG!”

She rasped, marching up to him and backing him into the corner.

Veronika: “I thought you STOPPED this pansy nonsense with that pansy ANDREAS!”

She rasped in his face. Craig recoiled and now resembled a lion cub.

Celeste: “Oh, Craig wanted us all to tell Andreas he fucked Fabien and I told him at his record and tarot card store!”

Tristan: “I can confirm this.”

He added for good measure.

Tristan: “Andreas told me quite a bit about Craig.”

Veronika: “WHAT?! That fucking pansy is here too?! YOU’RE STILL CHASING HIM?!”

She screamed and delivered a hard punch to Craig’s chest.

Craig: “OWWWH! N-No, V! They’re all lying!”

He pleaded, trying to block her punches.

Veronika: “FUCK YOU, CRAIG! You’re not a real man! You’re an even bigger pansy than those pansy men over there or the fat thing!”

She rasped, pointing at Blair, Deimos, Tristan, and Ashley. Craig saw red and shoved her to the ground.

Craig: “FUCK YOU! I’M A REAL MAN!”

He roared. Veronika glared at him and dusted herself off, charging at him and the two got into a brawl, gaining the attention of gawkers as if they were a zoo exhibit. Celeste was munching some peanut mixture. Tristan gaped at her.

Tristan: “Isn’t that from the gumball machine with feed for the deer?”

He pointed at what she ate.

Celeste: “Yeah?”

Deimos rolled his eyes. Tristan shuddered. Gross, he thought. Ashley chuckled, finding her funny.

The two swung at each other, Craig crashing into a bench. Craig delivered a punch that sent her crashing into a peanut vendor.

Veronika: “YOU MOTHERFUCKER!”

She slammed her fist so hard into his face, that he tripped over a railing and landed into the snake pit. Craig let out a high-pitched scream that sounded like a little girl. This alerted the attention of zookeepers, rushing over to the scene.

Zookeeper: “Come quick! There’s a little girl in the snake pit!”

Veronika cackled loudly.

Veronika: “There may as well be!”

The Zookeepers’ demeanor shifted when they saw a fully-grown adult man lying in the pit as snakes crawled away from him.

Zookeeper: “Oh, it’s just some drunk bum. HEY! YOU! Get out of the snakepit!”

The zookeepers growled and yelled at Craig to get out. Tristan and Deimos sniggered. Craig sobbed and screamed.

Craig: “GET ME OUTTA HERE!”

He wailed. The zookeepers laughed at him and reluctantly grabbed their equipment to get him out.

~

When they pulled Craig out, he was given a bill for their services. He was charged with wasting their time and taking away precious resources.

Craig: “WHAT?! $300?!”

He pouted. Veronika laughed at him.

Veronika: “And that’s US dollars, so it’s close to $400 Australian dollars, Craig. Good luck with that, I won’t be paying for it. That’s what happens when you think you can play me for a fool.”

She said smugly. Craig pouted.

Craig: “W-Wait, please V! Gimmie another chance! I fucked up!”

He pleaded with her.

Tristan: “Why on Reona would you want that? Deimos and I were picking up an order from there for Monica and we both witnessed some man flirting heavily with Fabien.”

He smirked.

Craig: “WHAT?!”

His ears perked up like an alert rottweiler.

Craig: “OH, NO THEY DON’T!”

He rasped, foaming at the mouth and storming off to find Fabien.

Veronika gritted her teeth and threw her arms up with anger. Deimos sighed as he watched him run off.

Deimos: “Rest in peace, Nuklear Intoxikation.”

He said despondently. She turned to him, angry as a hornet.

Veronika: “Fuckin’ rights! He can find his shit on the lawn and his fatass sister can follow suit! It’s OVER for them! You can go back to Ouro Novo or make your own wussy glam metal band!”

She bellowed. Deimos hung his head. He knew this would happen. He knew Tristan was right, but he wanted to save him, and he let him down again, he thought. Tristan put his arm around him and smiled.

~

At Danny Donger’s a tall bodybuilder white man in a sports jersey was hitting on Fabien at the table he waited on. Craig barged into the establishment like a vicious animal escaped from the zoo. He locked his gaze on Fabien and saw red when he saw the man next to him.

Craig: “OI! Back off my man!”

He snapped his fingers in his face. The man scoffed at him and rose standing almost a foot taller than him.

Man: “Who the fuck is this drunk bum? Do you know who I am?”

He laughed.

Craig: “Drunk? Bum? Do you know who I am?!”

He fired back.

Man: “No, moron, this is why I called you that!”

He fired back.

Craig: “I’m the leader of Nuklear Intoxikation, cunt!”

He huffed.

Man: “Oh, yeah? Never heard of ya! I’m Ronald ‘Rowdy Ron’ Tanner, the all-time boxing champion!”

He laughed.

Craig: “It’s a thrash metal band, Rowdy Retard!”

He huffed. Ron delivered a right hook to Craig’s jaw and he crashed into the jukebox. There was a ripple of cheering from the patrons.

Craig: “Y-You f-fucking cunt…!”

He wheezed. Ron grabbed Craig, lifted him over his head, and flung him into the screens, where they smashed upon impact. Cuts and bruises covered him. Blood dripped down his nose. He had a swollen black eye. Blood burbled from his swollen lips. Craig saw a blurry vision of Fabien standing over him. He groaned and blacked out.

~

Lazaros and Makayla were cuddling in bed after making love. Lazaros was smoking cigarillos and raked his fingers through his hair.

Makayla: “Lazaros? Can I tell you something?”

Lazaros: “Yes?”

She laid her head on his chest.

Makayla: “Your chicken fettuccine alfredo is better than Ashley’s.”

Lazaros chuckled.

The door kicked open. Lazaros sat up fully intending to see Craig but saw Veronika.

Veronika: “Pack your shit and get the fuck out of this house! I am not paying for Craig’s lying, cheating PANSY ass! Get the fuck OUT!”

She bellowed.

Makayla: “What the fuck is going on?! What the fuck is your problem?!”

She covered up and snapped at her.

Veronika: “Oh, I dunno, Makayla, Deimos, and his pansy boyfriend told me your brother was fucking another pansy from Danny Donger’s!”

She snapped back.

Veronika: “AND HE’S STILL CHASING ANDREAS! HE LIVES HERE!”

She barked and stomped her foot. Makayla heaved a sigh.

Makayla: “He ruins everything he touches!”

Veronika: “Well, get your shit and get the Hell out of my rental!”

She clapped her hands. Lazaros rubbed Makayla’s back.

Lazaros: “You can come stay with me.”

He said softly. Makayla smiled at him.

Makayla: “I’d like that. I don’t want to stay here and take your shit or his shit anymore, Veronika! I’m done!”

She fired back. Veronika rolled her eyes.

Veronika: “If your shit is not out by nine, I am burning it.”

She said before storming out of the room. Lazaros drew a long breath and slid out of bed.

Makayla: “I FUCKING HATE THEM! They ruined my life!”

She snapped and sobbed. Lazaros put his arms around her.

Lazaros: “I am sorry… We’ll figure something out…”

He said softly.

Makayla: “Thanks, Lazaros…”

She smiled a bit.

Lazaros: “My brother lives across the street, too. Deimos is also affected by this. I do have to take care of him, too.”

He nodded as he started to get dressed and helped her gather her things.

Makayla: “Sure, that’s fine, but…”

She began.

Makayla: “What about the elephant in the room? What about your girlfriend?!”

She pressed him.

Lazaros: “Jaclyn and I are done. There is no coming back.”

He said to her.

Lazaros: “Fabien was always a dickhead but I think he’s right. She isn’t what I am into and I draw blanks when I think of why I stay.”

He cupped his chin.

Makayla: “Then leave her!”

She exclaimed.

Lazaros: “I am going to. Don’t fret. I have this all under control. I manage my own business, have written a few cookbooks, and take care of my big brother! Well, Deimos is ten minutes older than me! I handle a lot.”

He smiled.

Lazaros: “I also had a cooking show but that had to go on hiatus. Might be good to bring it back.”

Makayla: “Oh! Nice! Ashley was into that stuff! They wanted to run a cat cafe! The most that I can cook is toast!”

She chuckled.

Lazaros: “I see! I understand that! Deimos can’t even make toast… and Tristan can’t do anything so Deimos needs me to help him.”

He smiled tightly.

Makayla: “Well, that’s kind of you to help him out.”

She smiled.

Lazaros: “My brother and I are very close. We’re all we had growing up and dealing—or not—our mother.”

He said with strain.

Makayla: “Oh… you’re lucky you have a close bond with your brother… I can’t relate to that.”

She frowned thinking of Craig with resentment.

Lazaros: “Sorry to hear that… It will get better. Meanwhile, Craig has nothing.”

He said and started to gather her stuff.

~

Ashley, Blake, Blair, Celeste, Yoshi, Sylvia, Deimos and Tristan left the park. Tristan looked sympathetically at Deimos and Deimos embraced himself, feeling he let Tristan down.

Sylvia: “So did you boys know about the Enchanted Darkness Fest?”

She asked Deimos and Tristan. Blair pouted at Syliva. Why is she asking them? They don’t care, he thought.

Deimos: “I don’t care.”

He grumbled. Tristan put his arm around Deimos.

Tristan: “You love Halloween, Deimos.”

Deimos: “You don’t.”

Tristan: “I will support you and whatever you want.”

He nodded.

Deimos: “If I’m donning a costume, I am going to post a job application to my chest to scare Craig.”

He huffed. Tristan chuckled.

Celeste: “It’s because Craig did nothing when he came here but fuck Fabien!”

She nodded. Blair groaned.

Sylvia cleared her throat.

Syliva: “In any case, Ashley is hosting a stall here selling their delicious treats and they would love your support!”

She chirped. Ashley was pleasantly surprised and taken aback by her announcing this. They thought no one would care about this. They didn’t think those men would care though.

Tristan: “I’d be delighted, Syliva.”

Deimos: “I just love how the ‘fat lazy chungo drongo’ is working and Craig doesn’t. He loved to call them that.”

He said wryly. Tristan sighed and hugged Deimos. Ashley was surprised by their reactions.

Syliva: “Blair will be accompanying them and running it with them.”

She added.

Tristan: “So Ashley, what desserts and stuff will you be selling?”

He smiled and asked them. Ashley was pleasantly surprised by his question.

Ashley: “Oh, I like to make cat-themed desserts… there are cheesecats which are cheesecakes, there’s also meowcarons which are macarons and there are cupcats which are cupcakes!”

They spoke with passion and enthusiasm. They then paused when they heard Maxx’s voice in their head telling them it was “laaaaaaammeeee and booooooorrring! No one cares about your lame cat desserts for old ladies, you fat whale!”

Ashley: “...Sorry for rambling, I know it’s dumb…”

They sighed. Tristan smiled and tilted his head.

Tristan: “No, you’re not rambling at all. It’s a delight to see someone as passionate about their craft as you. Don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise.”

He said genially Ashley’s eyes lit up with tearful glee.

Ashley: “R-really? Thank you!”

They beamed.

Deimos paced around.

Deimos: “At least they’re passionate about what they do. Craig? Nah. We never picked an instrument ONCE to practice! But that piece of shit picked up Craig’s dong to shove in his mouth! Nuklear Intoxikation is a joke. FUCK CRAIG AND FUCK NUKLEAR INTOXIKATION!”

He barked and kicked over the trash can. Tristan sighed. Celeste blinked. Ashley recoiled to his strong emotions but understood his pain towards that band.

Tristan: “I apologize. His emotions are high and we should take some time for space. We will be at the festival tomorrow.”

He reassured them. He and Deimos walked away and Tristan waved as they left.

Sylvia: “Dear me, he may be upset now but I think in the long run, this is the best outcome for all parties.”

She nodded.

Celeste: “Ashley’s cupcats will cheer him up.”

She suggested. Didn’t think anything would cheer Deimos up, Blair thought.

Ashley: “Oh, that’s a great idea!”

~

When they all arrived back at the Donari manor, Maxx was waiting for them.

Maxx: “Where did ya go, fat boy?!”

He asked Ashley sharply. Ashley’s smile immediately dropped when they saw Maxx.

Celeste: “We got rid of you because all you did was scream like a monkey and didn’t want to be with us. Did you find ‘Filly-babe’?”

She asked wryly.

Maxx: “No, baby! I didn’t ‘cause of the fat boy and the fat man!”

He pointed at Ashley and Sylvia. Ashley sighed and rubbed their temples.

Ashley: “I’m not a boy… and she is not a man.”

They hissed with strain.

Maxx: “PPFFFFFFT, you’re not lady babes! Havin’ chick names don’t make ya a lady babe!”

He cackled.

Syliva: “You said that several times, Maxx. I know what I am. I am not taking the word of someone who doesn’t know what he is.”

She said firmly.

Blair: “Why don’t you go away?!”

He snapped.

Maxx: “I know what I am! I know you’re not a chick!”

He laughed.

Ashley: “STOP IT!”

They snapped and cried.

Maxx: “What’s his fuckin’ problem? Did you eat his Big Freds? He needs to eat all da hamburgers and donuts!”

He asked Celeste and laughed. Celeste punched Maxx’s head into the ground. Ashley cupped their mouth, taken aback by how she did that and that someone stepped in for them.

Celeste: “Now, he’s mute for a bit.”

She dusted her hands off.

~

Craig lay in a bed, feeling bees buzzing around his head. His head was throbbing and it ached all over. His eyes fluttered open as he saw a blurry vision of Fabien looking down at him. Craig’s eyes snapped open and he bolted upright.

He was at Highway 666 Motel. Parked in front of the room was a blue 1970 Shelby Mustang. The bedroom had a queen-sized bed, a red armchair with cigarette burns on the arms, a TV, and a desk. There was a large stain on the carpet and the wallpaper was peeling off the walls. The ceiling fan was moving slowly.

It was part of an apartment room with a kitchen/dining room combination, a TV room,

Empty bottles, fast food bags, hamburger wrappers, beer cans, and clothes were strewn all over the floor.

Fabien: “How do you feel?”

He asked Craig. Craig groaned and rubbed his head.

Craig: “F-Fabien?! Better now that I’m lookin’ at you!”

He grinned. Fabien chuckled and caressed his face.

Fabien: “So, Veronika kicked you and Makayla out of the guest suite.”

He said softly.

Craig: “WHAT?!? But all my shit is there!”

He exclaimed.

Fabien: “Not anymore.”

He held up the neck of a bass guitar with some strings from it and pointed outside his window to the burned remains of Craig’s stuff.

Craig: “NOOOO! THAT BITCH BURNED ALL MY SHIT! SHE’S GONNA PAY FOR THAT!”

He wailed and sulked. Fabien patted his back.

Fabien: “There, there, Craig…”

He said softly.

Craig: “Where the fuck am I? What is this place?”

He asked, looking around.

Fabien: “Oh, this is where I live. I live in a motel.”

He muttered.

Fabien: “It’s not like where you were staying with your sister but it’s something until I can afford my ranch.”

He shrugged.

Craig: “Ranch, huh? You wanna be a farmer or somethin’?”

He asked. Fabien smiled and nodded slightly.

Fabien: “Yes, but mainly, I want to start a horse ranch and enter competitions for horse shows. I might start horseback riding lessons. I used to own several horses when I was a boy.”

He sighed and looked out the window.

Craig: “Don’t worry, you can get new horses again!”

He patted his back. Fabien smiled at him.

Fabien: “Thank you, Craig!”