Chapter 55
For Him, It Was a Few Months Ago
Tristan, Deimos, and Celeste watched Maxx’s reaction video to going platinum.
Tristan: “Jaxon is… going to be less than pleased.”
He chuckled darkly.
Deimos: “And I bet Ashley wishes he would forget them.”
He rolled his eyes.
Celeste: “Are you two going to ignore the cat turd floating in the hot tub?”
Deimos and Tristan gaped at her. She pointed to the cat poop floating in the hot tub.
Deimos: “...There is cat shit… with diamonds…”
Tristan: “Symbolism for underneath all the shit you find some diamonds, except I know those are not real diamonds. Real diamonds would sink, not float. So it could be symbolic of how fake Maxx is.”
He scoffed.
Deimos: “I think that analogy would fit Jaxon way more than Maxx. Sure, Maxx’s hair and tan are fake but what you see is what you get. Jaxon is the one putting on a façade.”
Tristan wagged his head and nodded.
Tristan: “Hm, touché.”
~
Blair was at The Video and Card Shop in the corner drawing. He wore a dark purple short-sleeved sweater over a magenta shirt, jeans, and loafers. He drew a man about his height and build. He wore a traditional Italian costume consisting of a white silk shirt with puffy sleeves with lace sleeve trim, a silk green vest with gold trim, black tight pants, brown knee-high boots, a cape, an Italian renaissance mask, and a cavalier hat with a feather. He used sketch markers to color it in.
Yoshi sat across from him drinking warm sake.
Yoshi: “Who is that you’re drawing?”
Blair tapped his marker.
Blair: “A superhero. I think this city needs a superhero… Someone who doesn’t kill because they can or have power but someone who saves people.”
Yoshi’s eyes lit up.
Yoshi: “Oh my God, that is SO cool! I would love to be your sidekick if you do this!”
He spread his hands out. Blair blushed.
Blair: “I never said anything about actually doing this…”
He muttered.
Yoshi: “I am going to be… Yoshiman. Isn’t that the coolest name ever?!”
He said with sparkles in his eyes. Blair reddened.
Blair turned around and saw Ivy using one of the Amigos they had set up. She wore a black dress with lace shoulders and criss-cross heels.
Blair: “She has been here a lot lately using those.”
He stated to Yoshi.
Yoshi: “Yeah, she likes the environment! She’s working on the logo for Deimos’ band! Why don’t you talk to her more?”
He gestured to him to talk to her. Blair tensed up and his breathing hitched.
He gingerly approached her and looked at the logo so far.
Blair: “Th-That’s really lovely! I love your work!”
He stammered. Ivy stopped working on her logo and smiled at him.
Ivy: “Thanks, Blair!”
He raked his fingers through his hair and sat by her.
Blair: “You’ve been coming here a lot lately! I didn’t think you’d be the type to come here.”
He laughed awkwardly.
Ivy: “It’s nicer to work here. Less distraction.”
She said, not wanting to discuss the issues she was having with Victor and Celeste’s presence. Blair held up a tiny knit hat.
Blair: “Aww, who is this for?”
Ivy smiled.
Ivy: “I knit that for Tristan’s kitten, Francis!”
Blair’s smile lit up the room.
Blair: “I love kittens and cats!”
Ivy: “Me too!”
She giggled.
Blair paused.
Blair: “Do you want to take a break and have a coffee in the shop next door?”
He offered and raked his fingers through his hair. Ivy froze and thought for a moment. She thought of Tristan complaining about the smell of coffee and how it made him sick, Victor not making it for her because it might upset Tristan, and then gloating to her about Celeste tickling his feet and crying when she sets boundaries.
Ivy: “Coffee sounds nice!”
Blair smiled a bit.
~
Blair and Ivy were at the coffee shop across the street called, “Bean me Up, Scotty!” It had a cozy, relaxing atmosphere. Blair pulled a chair out for her. She thanked him and sat down. He went up to the counter to order their coffee.
He came back with a cappuccino for each of them. They had a cat drawn in the foam milk with chocolate syrup outlining the whiskers, eyes, mouth, etc.
Blair: “It’s too cute to drink!”
He smiled and poked the little cat. She smiled a bit and agreed with Blair, but she wanted to savor the cappuccino. She took a sip. Blair smiled and took another sip.
Ivy: “It’s nice to have coffee.”
Blair bobbed his head.
Blair: “Yeah, I have it every morning!”
Ivy: “I used to.”
Blair: “Why don’t you?”
He asked her and sipped his cappuccino.
Ivy: “Tristan hates the smell of coffee. He says it makes him sick and yet he has it at his office for Mum.”
She said bitterly.
Blair: “Oh…”
He looked away.
Blair: “I don’t like Tristan. He was mean to me in high school.”
He embraced himself.
Ivy: “Oh? I thought Tristan was homeschooled in high school?”
She recalled Tristan telling her this. Blair shrugged.
Blair: “I guess so? He didn’t go to my school but Deimos did before he quit and they were mean to me.”
He pouted.
Ivy: “How?”
Blair: “I wanted to be their friend and Deimos told me to fuck off, and Tristan laughed.”
He said with bitterness and looked away.
Blair: “And Tristan… thinks he’s better than everyone but so does Deimos. And Deimos thinks Tristan is a deity.”
He folded his arms over his chest.
Blair: “And Lazaros is worse… Tristan tries to pretend to be humble. Lazaros never did. I don’t know what Ashley sees in him… or Tristan and Deimos. Ashley is very nice but sometimes… they’re too nice for their own good and pretend nothing bothers them, but I know it does… I mean, if someone made an album mocking me, I would be hurt.”
He drew a breath. Ivy listened to him and agreed with him about Lazaros. Even when she dated Deimos, she never liked Lazaros and always thought he was a pompous dick and liked him less when she read his thoughts.
Blair: “And I don’t know how to tell Ashley that stupid album went platinum. I don’t know how it’s possible.”
He drew a long breath.
Ivy: “I didn’t know Maxx made an album.”
Blair nodded.
Blair: “Lucky you. It’s all over Much More Music and Timmy and Tommy on Metal Meltdown said it. They didn’t review it yet.”
Ivy looked away.
Ivy: “I haven’t been keeping tabs on this… I was working on the logo for Deimos’ band.”
Blair: “Aren’t you an artist? Why work on it at the store and not home? Tristan can’t be home all the time or in your working space!”
Ivy shut her eyes.
Ivy: “No, but his father is!”
Blair paused.
Blair: “What do you mean?”
Ivy: “I am seeing his father, Victor…”
She said with strain. Blair gazed at her.
Ivy: “It’s not going well! Victor always cries! Victor goes above and beyond for Tristan and not me! I asked him to stop letting Celeste tickle his feet but whenever I ask something of him, he breaks down and cries! He doesn’t make my favorite meals but makes tacos, wings, nachos, and stuff for her. He gives her art supplies for her to make art mocking me! Whenever I address concerns, she and Victor and sometimes Tristan gang up on me and Deimos goes along with whatever Tristan wants!”
She ranted to him and paused. She cupped her mouth.
Ivy: “I’m… sorry for venting… I didn’t mean to dump that on you!”
Blair drew a breath.
Blair: “No, it’s fine… I’m glad you did.”
He smiled a bit.
Blair: “I am sorry they’re doing that to you… Why do you stay if you’re not happy?”
He asked and knit his eyebrows.
Ivy: “I’m sorry for dumping this on you.”
Blair: “You don’t have to apologize! I always tell Ashley to talk to me about what bothers them… I’m glad you did.”
He smiled a bit.
Blair: “Why do you stay? Do you love Victor?”
Ivy tilted her head.
Ivy: “...I don’t know.”
Blair raised an eyebrow.
Blair: “You don’t know?”
She shook her head.
Ivy: “I loved Tristan… and when Tristan broke my heart, Victor was there… and I think as my feelings for Tristan died, they did for Victor, especially when he lets Celeste tickle his feet and spends more time with her than me.”
She said with hurt. Why would he want to spend time with Celeste? Blair thought. Ivy read his thoughts.
Ivy: “Because she doesn’t make demands of him as I do and doesn’t care as long as she tickles his feet and steals my food.”
She said numbly, trying not to let this affect her.
Blair: “But setting boundaries is healthy. I always tell Ashley to do this but they never do. The one time they did was with… Maxx. Ashley thinks if they do this again, another Maxx will happen but that’s not true!”
He said doggedly.
Blair: “Maybe you should have this talk with Victor… Tell him something has to change or you’re out. Or maybe you should go and have the talk with him. When Sylvia said having Celeste be my bodyguard was good for me, I told her NO and told her I was sick of her making choices for me! I know what’s best for me. You know what’s best for you!”
Ivy looked down at her lap. All of my life I had people tell me what is best for me and I don’t know what I want, she thought.
Blair sighed.
Blair: “I had romantic feelings for Ashley.”
He began.
Blair: “Ashley is kind to me, they understand me and they also love cats but… they don’t love me back and I don’t want to force them into something they don’t want. I am happy for them.”
He said earnestly.
Ivy: “That’s very mature of you.”
She nodded.
Blair: “I’m glad they’re my best friend!”
He said earnestly and his smile faded.
Ivy read his thoughts and read he was worried about his cousin.
Ivy: “Is something wrong?”
Blair scratched his head.
Blair: “My cousin, Vanessa… She hasn’t come home since Love Day! She was hurt about Ash rejecting her… They told her to go find love and she hasn’t come home.”
He said with worry in his tone. Ivy cupped her mouth.
Ivy: “Did you check around with her friends?”
Blair shook his head.
Blair: “She just moved here and has no friends. I don’t know what to do! I would file a missing person’s report with the police but they won’t do anything!”
He cried. Ivy looked at him tenderly and put her hand on his. He froze and felt a surge of warmth course through his body.
Ivy: “We should ask around. You never know.”
He smiled a bit and nodded.
~
Victor was in his bedroom typing on his typewriter and smoking his pipe.
Victor: “So nice to not hear nagging about my smoking.”
He chuckled and pounded on his keys. Francis appeared before him.
Victor: “Oh, hello!”
He smiled.
Francis: “Grandpa, will you get my ball from the studio?”
Victor: “Sure, where is it?”
He rose from his seat.
Francis: “Ivy’s studio behind some paintings she did!”
Victor nodded and extinguished his pipe.
He carried Francis across the pedway and into Ivy’s studio. It was dark inside. Victor switched on the light and saw the sketches of herself looking at a forest at night, herself crying, and herself trapped in a bubble. Victor rolled his eyes.
Victor: “Yes, that’s how I feel right now, too.”
He muttered bitterly. Francis looked up at him.
Victor set Francis down to move the paintings to get the ball he wanted. There were the paintings of him in the nude she did for him. He moved those aside and froze. He saw a painting she did of Tristan lying in the grass on Ivy’s lap. Tristan looked up at her lovingly as they held hands. Another painting was of her and Tristan embracing by Pink Top City beach with him wearing a light purple three-piece suit and her wearing a purple sequin gown.
Francis: “Can I have my ball, Grandpa?”
He asked. Victor knelt down and tossed the ball to Francis, glaring angrily as he did so.
~
Blair drove Ivy to the Trémaux Château. She went into the mudroom and into the kitchen. Francis greeted her. She knelt to him, placed the knit cap on his head, and tied it around his chin. She saw Tristan, Celeste, and Deimos at the island with Victor at the stove.
Ivy: “Hi, I was out.”
Victor said nothing and handed plates of BLTs with fries and nuggets to Celeste, Tristan, and Deimos, removing the tomatoes from Tristan’s. She noticed her paintings of Tristan on the counter.
Ivy: “What are those doing there, Victor?”
Tristan turned around to see what she meant and he froze when he saw those paintings. Deimos looked impassive. Celeste snorted.
Victor: “Francis wanted his ball. I found them and wanted to show everyone what lovely work you do… of yourself with my son.”
He said darkly.
Tristan started chewing the fries slowly and zoning out. Deimos gaped at Tristan. He rubbed the small of his back.
Ivy: “I did those before we saw each other, Victor!”
She flared.
Victor: “And yet, if I announce Celeste is tickling my feet, you yell at me!”
He snapped.
Victor: “It’s always like this with you! It’s NOT cheating! She’s just tickling my feet! She doesn’t yell at me FOR NO REASON AT ALL! YOU ALWAYS YELL AT ME!”
He bawled. Tristan embraced himself. Celeste’s hand reached to steal his food and Deimos slapped it.
Deimos: “Stop it!”
He hissed.
Ivy: “I told you to STOP IT! You aren’t stopping it! You do for Tristan! You do for Celeste but NEVER ME!”
She cried.
Victor: “Because you’re mean to me!”
He bawled.
Ivy: “How would you feel if someone tickled my feet?!”
Victor: “I wouldn’t care!”
He cried and flapped his hands.
Tristan embraced himself, remembering how his parents always fought like this. He zoned out. Francis got on the island to eat off his plate. Deimos looked at Tristan and held him. Celeste stared at her plate.
Ivy: “I am tired of buying MY food SHE ate! I am tired of what you do for your son! He’s an adult!”
She fired back.
Victor: “I will ALWAYS do for my son, no matter how old he gets! HE’S STILL MY SON! And you’re just like Charlotte!”
He screamed at her. He grabbed a piece of toast from the toaster and threw it at her. Ivy was startled. Her bottom lip trembled and she stormed off.
Victor broke down crying. He sank to the floor, curled up in a fetal position crying and held Oliver close as he bawled into his fur.
The words his father said reverberated in Tristan’s head. He zoned out and couldn’t react. Deimos held him close and Celeste stared at her plate, not caring if the cat ate from it.
~
Deimos carried Ivy’s luggage to the taxi that he called for Ivy. Tristan embraced himself, watching Deimos load the trunk. Ivy came outside to Tristan.
Tristan: “This should never have happened. My father is a broken man. 1972 happened fifteen years ago, but for him, it was a few months ago. He needs to be alone and heal before he enters another relationship.”
He said to her and inhaled sharply.
Tristan: “I’m sorry I led you on. I will always regret that.”
He said and cupped his mouth. Deimos closed his eyes and sighed. Ivy’s bottom lip trembled.
Ivy: “Why did you do it, Tristan?”
Tristan tightly pursed his lips.
Tristan: “I didn’t know I loved Deimos and I didn’t want to let him down.”
He admitted. Ivy felt sick to her stomach and hurt.
Ivy: “You did that because you didn’t want to hurt Deimos but didn’t care about me!”
She cried.
Ivy: “Everyone knew you loved Deimos! I knew it but didn’t want to admit it because I hoped you would love me, too!”
She bawled.
The cab driver got in the car. Well, this is awkward, he thought. Ivy read his thoughts but she didn’t care.
Tristan: “I’m sorry, Ivy. I really am.”
He said and removed his glasses to wipe his eyes. Deimos went up to Tristan and held him. Ivy shook her head and cried.
Ivy: “I don’t forgive you, Tristan! Look at what you did!”
Tristan’s bottom lip trembled. Deimos glared at her. Celeste came out with a donut in her mouth.
Ivy: “And I will NEVER forgive YOU!”
She shrieked at Celeste.
Celeste: “The fuck did I do?”
Ivy: “You have to live with yourself, Tristan! And with that menace!”
She pointed to Celeste, who just smiled. Deimos was going to say something but Tristan grabbed his hand.
Ivy: “You’re manipulative and vindictive!”
She snapped at him and went into the cab.
They watched the cab driveway and Celeste waved.
Celeste: “Good fucking riddance!”
She nodded. Tristan inhaled sharply.
Deimos: “Why did you stop me?”
Tristan: “She needs to make your logo for your band.”
Deimos looked up at Tristan.
Deimos: “You always do that. It’s just a logo, Tristan! I love you and want to protect you!”
He said and knit his eyebrows.
Tristan: “I just didn’t want to make this worse, Deimos! I want this over with! If she doesn’t want to forgive me, I am fine with that! I can’t make someone forgive me!”
He cried. Deimos shook his head.
Deimos: “But no one should ever speak to you this way! It was HER choice to get involved with your father! She knew what he was like! We couldn’t say anything! Neither she nor Victor were going to listen!”
He took his hands. Tristan sobbed and nodded.
Tristan: “This is already ugly, Deimos. I didn’t want to make this worse and I did make a mistake. I almost lost you!”
He bawled. Deimos’ jaw dropped.
Deimos: “No… You never lost me! I always loved you! I got involved with her, too, when I loved you!”
He admitted and the two embraced.
Deimos: “My love for you will never die, Tristan…”
He caressed his hair. Tristan smiled a bit to hear those words, and to know Deimos loved him as much as he loved Deimos.
~
Celeste, Deimos and Tristan entered the house and a peacock statue fell in front of them and crashed on the floor. They raised their eyes to see Victor panting on the pedway.
Victor: “She can GO TO HELL!”
He caterwauled. He marched down the pedway and into the studio. He tossed paintings out and came out tearing the charcoal sketch she made of him in the nude in half.
Victor: “You wanted this as a movie room, Tristan?! You can have it! I never should have given her ANYTHING!”
He bawled. Tristan bowed his head and sighed. Victor tore up another piece she did of him in the nude. Tears streaked his cheeks, his hair was disheveled and his clothes were a mess. He took a pair of scissors and stabbed at a piece she did of him and stabbed it over and over, until he broke down crying. He dropped the scissors on the floor and laid on the floor sobbing.
Tristan entered and knelt to his father, holding him. Victor wrapped his arms around his son and bawled into his chest. Deimos and Celeste leaned in the doorway watching them with sorrow.
~
Blair drove down Little Tokyo in his 1987 red Subaru XT. He saw Måneravn from a distance and decided to drop in for a bit. He parked his car in front and climbed out. He opened the door and it made a chime as he entered. Andreas looked up from his book and greeted him.
Andreas: “Can I help you?”
Blair cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck.
Blair: “I’d like a tarot reading.”
He replied.
Andreas: “Anything in particular you wanted to know about?”
He asked. Blair bowed his head.
Blair: “It’s my cousin. She was in your store the other day and drank all your love potion. She just moved here from Apple City.”
He began and rubbed the back of his neck. Andreas twisted his mouth.
Andreas: “I remember.”
Blair: “On Love Day, we were both upset that Ashley was spending it with Lazaros. She was especially upset. I am not happy with Ashley’s choice in men but… I want them to be happy and I will support them.”
He smiled a bit and then frowned.
Blair: “But Vanessa was really hurt. Ashley told her to go out and find someone for Love Day. She got a taxi… It has been two days and no sign of her. No calls or anything. I’m scared!”
He quavered. Andreas gaped at him.
Andreas: “Then why are you here and not out there looking for her?”
He pressed him. Blair sighed.
Blair: “Because I was and there is no sign of her! I don’t know where else to look!”
He cried.
Blair: “And I need your help!”
Andreas: “I don't know how much I can help to find her…”
He said as his voice trailed off.
Blair: “How accurate are your readings?”
He asked.
Andreas: “Not to the point where I can geographically locate someone missing.”
He answered. Blair started getting irritated.
Blair: “Would you at least try? The cards might have an answer I overlooked because I look at the big picture and miss the small details.”
He declared. Andreas sighed.
Andreas: “Very well…”
He relented. He pulled out his deck and started shuffling his cards. Blair watched him shuffle his cards. Andreas drew three cards: The Devil, The Fool Reversed, and The Moon. Blair froze when he saw The Fool reversed and his heart hammered in his chest.
Blair: “Th-That looks like… Maxx… Does this mean she went to Maxx to hurt Ashley?!”
He cried.
Andreas: “...Maxx, huh?”
He quirked an eyebrow at the card, skeptical that anyone would want to lay with that clown.
Andreas: “It could be him… or someone like him.”
He pondered aloud.
Andreas: “These three cards together indicate someone who is deceiving her with the moon and she is giving into her temptations with the devil.”
He explained.
Blair: “And… The Fool?”
He gingerly pointed to the card, nervous about what he was going to say.
Andreas: “The Fool could represent this person… or it could be her. The Fool is someone embarking on the world for the first time on a new adventure.”
He explained.
Blair: “Is that reversed or upright?”
He asked nervously.
Andreas: “Reversed… Recklessness, naivety, foolishness.”
He elaborated coolly. Blair pursed his lips and embraced himself. Maxx, he thought.
Blair: “Would she… go with Maxx to hurt Ashley? Look, I don’t like Lazaros but I want my friend to be happy and wouldn’t do anything to hurt them!”
He cried.
Andreas: “It seems to me she isn't the only one with feelings for Ashley.”
He shifted his eyes to him. Blair lowered his head and sighed.
Blair: “I know… and you’re right but I do genuinely want my friend to be happy.”
He said earnestly and raised his head to lock his gaze on him.
Andreas: “Sometimes we need to go through these experiences to learn and grow as people.”
He said, gesturing to the cards on the table.
Blair: “Yeah…”
He said as his voice trailed off.
He rose and withdrew his wallet.
Blair: “How much do I owe you?”
Andreas: “Fifty per thirty minutes.”
Blair nodded and paid him fifty dollars.
Blair: “Thank you, Andreas.”
He said glumly and left.
~
Ashley and Lazaros knocked on the door of the Trémaux Château. Tristan answered the door. He was in his silver silk pajamas and his hair was down.
Tristan: “It’s a bad time.”
He said tersely.
Ashley: “Buongiorno! Oh, no! I'm sorry you're having a bad time!”
Lazaros: “You look like Hell, Tristan. Anyway, I don’t care how bad it is because you’re invited to Ashley’s surprise birthday party! You, Deimos, and Celeste!”
He thrust the envelope in his hand. Ashley giddily beamed. Celeste was in the back.
Celeste: “I am not going if Blair is going!”
She pouted. Ashley sighed.
Lazaros: “No, you’re not letting your grudge ruin this special day for my smitten kitten!”
He sneered at her. Ashley beamed at him with stars in their eyes.
Deimos stood next to Tristan. Tristan opened the envelope. Lazaros saw the smashed peacock statues.
Lazaros: “What happened here?”
He pointed to the smashed statues and torn-up art.
Ashley: “Oh dear… Did you guys get robbed?”
They gasped.
Tristan: “No.”
He said quickly.
Tristan wasn’t going to answer Lazaros.
Tristan: “How is it a surprise party for them when they’re right here?”
He challenged and extended his hand out to Ashley.
Ashley: “Donut worry, I’ll still act like I’m surprised, hehe!”
They chirped. Tristan drew an exasperated breath. Lazaros flipped his hair.
Lazaros: “Ashley will be surprised by my outfit and the variety of foods! And the number of people who love and support them regardless of their ill feelings for others!”
He shot his glare at Celeste.
Ashley: “Aww, you’re so sweet!”
They placed their hand on Lazaros’ arm.
Celeste: “I’m coming for the food and Tristan!”
She harrumphed.
Lazaros: “Very well, but most of that food is for Ashley.”
He smiled and nodded.
Ashley: “For me? Oh, I couldn’t eat aaaall of that food! Sharing is caring! We can ALL have a feast together!”
They spread their arms out. Deimos scoffed. Tristan folded his arms and rolled his eyes. Whatever, he thought.
Deimos: “You can’t take away from Lazaros’ special viewing.”
He rolled his eyes. Ashley tilted their head.
Ashley: “Ooh, there’s going to be a special viewing?”
They clasped their hands at Lazaros.
Lazaros: “Yes, Ashley, you are! You are the star of the show!”
He said breathlessly.
Deimos: “Try not to hide it too much, Lazaros.”
He said dryly.
Ashley: “Hide what?”
They tilted their head at Lazaros.
Deimos: “Look, we’ll be at the party. It’s just a bad time right now.”
He said firmly.
Ashley: “Yay! I hope it will help lift your spirits!”
They smiled. Tristan forced a smile. They mean well but they’re so simple, he thought.
Deimos: “See you at the party.”
He closed the door on them.
Lazaros smiled at Ashley.
Lazaros: “No one is going to ruin this for you or me, Ashley. It will be a day to remember.”
He said as he put his arm around them walking them down the driveway. Ashley shivered and beamed up at him.
Ashley: “You’re so sweet, Lazaros!”
They chirped and blushed.
As they got to the end, they saw Blair walking to them embracing himself and looking glum. Oh, God, here comes Mr. Doom ‘n Gloom, he thought.
Ashley: “Blair? What's wrong?”
They knit their eyebrows.
Lazaros: “Look, I know you’re sad but here is something to cheer you up: Ashley’s party by me!”
He handed him an invitation. Blair snatched it.
Blair: “I’ll be there for my friend but I think Vanessa isn’t going to show!”
He blurted.
Ashley: “Oh, no, why not?”
They gaped.
Lazaros locked his gaze on Blair.
Lazaros: “And why not? There is no excuse not to show up for Ashley’s special day!”
He put his arm around them. Ashley blushed and shivered to his touch.
Blair: “Because I went to Andreas to get a tarot reading on her being missing and his cards said she would ditch Ashley to be with Maxx to hurt them back!”
He cried. Lazaros glowered at Blair. Ashley gasped.
Ashley: “...Wh-What?!”
They knit their eyebrows.
Lazaros: “...Why would anyone want to spend a moment with that thing?”
He asked acidly and his face twisted with disgust.
Blair: “Vanessa was really hurt Ashley didn’t spend Love Day with her! She went away and didn’t come back! Andreas’ cards said she’s with Maxx!”
He said quickly and cried.
Ashley: “...Why would she do that?”
They asked softly.
Blair: “Because she wanted to hurt you for not choosing to be with her on Love Day.”
He embraced himself.
Ashley: “...With Maxx?”
They look dumbfounded.
Ashley: “...I already had Love Day plans…”
They glanced up at Lazaros. Lazaros flashed a smile at Ashley.
Blair: “I’m here for you, Ashley.”
He smiled. Ashley smiled at Blair.
Ashley: “I’m here for you too, Blair!”
Lazaros: “Blair, would you be a lamb and walk Ashley home? I have stuff to do. Preparations to make… and so on.”
He said with strain. Blair had a bad feeling in his stomach and just sheepishly nodded. Ashley tilted their head at Lazaros.
Ashley: “Oh? Uh, okay! For the big ‘surprise’, huh?”
They winked at him. Lazaros just smiled.
Lazaros: “Have a good night, Ashley.”
He said tenderly and petted their head, marching to their car. Ashley blushed and shivered to his touch, watching him go.
~
Maxx was in his mobile home masturbating to pictures of his head taped to BJ Hardon’s body during the sex scenes in American Pizza. He heard a rapping on the door. Maxx’s eyes lit up.
Maxx: “IT’S DA LADY BABES!”
He screamed and ran to the door.
Maxx: “FILLY—”
Before he could finish the sentence, Lazaros grabbed him by the throat and slammed him against the wall. Maxx choked.
Maxx: “R-Rock! H-Help me!”
He choked and gagged.
Lazaros: “You are NOT going to ruin Ashley’s party, you understand me, you creature?! I have worked SO hard for this event! Your stupid album and you keeping Vanessa away will NOT hinder my work!”
He said through clenched teeth and slammed Maxx’s head against the wall.
Maxx: “OOOOOWWWWWHHH!!”
Lazaros: “Where is Vanessa?! She will come to Ashley’s party!”
He barked. Maxx’s eyes grew large and he moved his head.
Maxx: “A LADY BABE?! WHERE?!”
Lazaros grabbed Maxx’s hair and pulled off his wig. He pulled a face and tossed it aside.
Lazaros: “EWWWW!”
Maxx: “NAH-AH! MY SEX BEEST MANE!”
He whined.
Lazaros: “Let me ask again… WHERE IS VANESSA?!”
He bellowed.
Maxx: “Dere’s a lady babe?! WHERE?!”
Maxx swerved his head, looking around. Lazaros bared his teeth. He removed his glove, grabbed Maxx’s arm, and broke it when he grabbed it. Maxx cried in pain.
Lazaros: “STOP DOING THAT!”
He rasped as his teeth chattered. He grabbed his other arm with his bare hand, breaking it. Maxx howled in pain and Lazaros winced, cupping his ears.
Lazaros: “STOP IT!”
He cried. Maxx screamed and thrashed in pain.
Lazaros couldn’t handle the throbbing pain his ears went through. He grabbed Maxx’s neck and broke it. Maxx fell limp and the screaming stopped. Lazaros slowly rose and put his gloves back on. His heart hammered in his chest as he gazed at Maxx lying on the floor limp. I can’t lose everything I worked for or Ashley for this… thing, he thought. Maybe Celeste knows someone who disposes of bodies, he thought and backed away.
Suddenly, Maxx’s neck and arms twisted and contorted. Lazaros’ jaw dropped and he backed into a corner. Maxx rose from the floor and looked around the room grinning.
Maxx:: “Filly-babe?”
Lazaros: “Wh-What the hell?! I JUST KILLED YOU!”
He screamed and pointed to Maxx with his trembling forefinger. Maxx gaped at him.
Maxx: “Uh, who are you?”
Lazaros bared his teeth as his back hugged the wall. He slid across the wall until his trembling hand turned the knob and he bolted out of there. Maxx gaped at him.
Maxx: “WHERE DA FUCK ARE DA LADY BABES?!”
He screamed and stomped his foot.
~
In a facility, Dr. Wolfgang Duerr stood over an Indian man who was on a computer. He had a headset on and inhaled sharply at what he saw. He marveled at Maxx surviving Lazaros’ bone-breaking ability and witnessed Lazaros wincing in pain at Maxx’s screams, which weren’t enough to cause any damage, unlike what he did at Anthony’s cabin. Ah, a weakness of your work, Dodd? He wondered and stroked his chin.
Dr. Duerr: “This is most fascinating… He’s breathtaking… and everything I have sought my entire life.”
He whispered and his smile spread. He put his hat on and folded his arms behind his back. He straightened his posture and jutted his chest out.
Dr. Duerr: “Good work everyone, keep monitoring him.”
He said to the room full of people who were in front of screens watching Maxx at every hour.
Comments