Chapter 16
Enchanted Darkness Fest
Lazaros hired a truck to move Makayla’s belongings from the Flores guest house to his house. Jaclyn saw her belongings torn up and smashed from Lazaros’ place on her lawn. Jaclyn stormed from her house to his, angry as a hornet.
Jaclyn: “What is the meaning of this Lazaros?! WHO IS SHE?!”
She pointed to Makayla. Makayla glared at Jaclyn.
Makayla: “You must be Jaclyn.”
Jaclyn: “And you must be the green cow’s fellow fatty: the purple pig!”
She huffed.
Makayla: “Green cow?”
Lazaros: “Oh? You and I broke up.”
He said nonchalantly. Jaclyn’s jaw dropped. No, how will I get the money now?! She wondered. She approached him, grabbed his collar, and leaned into him. Lazaros shoved her away.
Makayla: “HEY! Get your claws off him!”
She snapped at her.
Lazaros: “NO! Stay away from me! You abused me when I was out late and you keep a lot from me! I don’t know why I stay with you but every time I am about to leave you, you always lean in on me!”
He snapped. Jaclyn froze turgid with fear. How did he find out?! She thought. She retraced her steps figuring out how Lazaros could have known and landed on Ivy. She fumed and her hands tightened into fists. That green cow is always following me and saw me, she thought angrily. Lazaros glared at her.
Lazaros: “Constipated, Jaclyn? Get off my property.”
He hissed and pointed to her house.
Jaclyn: “THAT GREEN COW! HOW DARE SHE?!”
She bellowed as she stomped back to her house. She glared at the remnants of her destroyed belongings. I need money fast to replace this, she thought.
Makayla: “FUCK OFF, JACLYN!”
She snapped at her, punching her onto the lawn. Jaclyn wailed when she was hit and her shoe fell off filling the air with her stink. Makayla recoiled to the stink.
Makayla: “Ugh, gross! Did something die?!”
Lazaros: “No, this is her usual stink.”
He squeezed his nose. Jaclyn took her shoe and scrambled to her feet.
Jaclyn: “MY FEET DON’T STINK!”
She bellowed and stormed into the house, slamming the door.
~
The day of The Enchanted Dark Fest was here. There were strings of orange pumpkin and purple bat lights arcing across the palm trees. Several carved pumpkins surround a scarecrow with a pumpkin head. Vendors were selling baked goods, homemade crafts, concessions such as popcorn and candy apples, there were some rides such as a carousel and a Ferris wheel, and a haunted house for guests to tour.
Andreas had set up a tent for tarot card reading in a deep purple tent. He was seated at a round table with a velvet cloth surrounded by candles and his cards. He was dressed in a black leather vest and black jeans with a bone belt around his hips. Ivy was accompanying him and wore a black velvet dress with black eyeshadow and glitter black nail polish.
Ashley was there at their stall with Blair. There was a pumpkin Blair carved with Keke’s face on it, as well as the goodies Ashley made such as black cat cupcakes, spider cookies, macarons, cheesecake bites, and sugar cookies. They also had some pumpkin pies since Demetrio gave them a recipe to make it.
Ashley was dressed in a tuxedo cat onesie resembling Keke. They wore a hood draped over their head with large cat ears and cutesy cat eyes with purple-lining on the inside. They had painted a black spot on their nose and whiskers, along with cat-wing eye makeup to resemble a cat. Blair was dressed in a sorcerer ensemble of a hooded black cloak with silver and purple accents, a vest, a metallic knit dickey that had a mock-turtleneck collar, and black boots. The vest front had metallic knit piping, and decorative silver-tone metal studs, and the faux suede cloak had geometric metallic brocade ribbon trim. He carried a fifty-inch silver staff with a purple orb.
Ashley: “Wow! Your outfit is SO cool!”
They beamed, fiddling with their tail.
Blair: “Thanks, Ashley! So is yours! I’m a sorcerer from a card game I love to play: Wizards: The Orb.”
He nodded.
Ashley: “Thank you! Ooh, can we play that sometime?!”
They smiled enthusiastically.
Blair: “I’d love that! I only play with Yoshi!”
He nodded.
Ashley: “Oh, well maybe we can all play together sometime?”
They beamed.
Blair: “Yes, we do it at The Video and Card Shop! Would love to have you come.”
He nodded.
Ashley: “I’d be delighted!”
Celeste was there dressed in a white jumpsuit with a plunging neckline, slits going up the bottom part of the pants, a large black belt with a gold pumpkin belt buckle, black leather gloves, black shoes with a thick ankle strap, and a black hockey mask with eyes and a mouth that lit up green.
Tristan and Deimos walked down the path. Tristan was dressed in a long ice-blue sports jacket that faded to sea blue at the bottom. It was fastened at his navel and exposed his bare chest. Rhinestones resembling ice adorned the jacket and a long ice-blue cape that faded to sea blue at the bottom flowed behind him. He had white gloves on his hands. He also wore sea blue pants with swirly rhinestones and white shoes. His hair was tied in a braid. Deimos wore his leather jacket with his Pantera tank top, torn keats, and black cowboy boots. On his chest, he had a job application for Fred’s Burger Castle taped to it and “For Craig” written on it. Deimos looked up at Tristan and bit his bottom lip. Tristan looked down at him and blushed.
Tristan and Deimos approached Ashley’s and Blair’s table.
Tristan: “These all look delicious, Ashley.”
He smiled and surveyed the variety of baked goods. Ashley’s eyes sparkled at all the shine on Tristan like a cat.
Ashley: “Thank you! Oh wow, you’re so shiny!”
They chuckled.
Tristan: “Thank you! I am an ice prince!”
Ashley: “I’m a cat!”
Tristan: “Yes, you look very adorable!”
Ashley: “...Oh wow, thank you…”
They blushed and then looked over at Deimos and laughed.
Ashley: “Haha, your costume is funny!”
Deimos: “It’s not meant to be funny; it’s meant to be scary to Craig.”
He said flatly.
Ashley: “I don’t think he would take the job!”
They scratched their head.
Deimos: “I know. That’s the point; he won’t work there. He won’t work anywhere. He’s useless.”
He said sharply.
Deimos: “The only way he’d make money is if he made it by being an idiot everyone can laugh at but I get the feeling someone better would take his place.”
He huffed. Ashley immediately thought of Maxx and then felt bad for thinking that. Tristan smiled and Deimos looked up at him.
Celeste: “Do you have REAL spider cookies?”
She asked Ashley.
Tristan: “Do these not resemble spiders?”
He asked her.
Celeste: “No, I mean, make them with real spiders.”
She said. Tristan groused and gagged.
Ashley: “Uhh, why would you want to eat real spiders?!”
They scratched their head.
Celeste: “Cats do. It’s nature.”
Ashley: “...Are you a cat?!”
They cupped their cheeks.
Celeste: “Yes!”
She curled her hands to resemble paws. Ashley gasped and beamed.
Ashley: “Meow too!”
They beamed, swishing their tail.
Lazaros was walking down the path with Makayla. He wore a black jacket with edging and sleeve cuff insets of checkerboard print. His vest had mismatched panels—the right was diamond, and the left was stripes. His black pants had white stripes and his black top hat had a checkered band with a price card stuck in it. On his right hand, he had a black glove, and on his left, he wore a white glove. His large white bow tie had black hats and he wore black shoes.
Makayla was dressed in a pointy purple witch hat with a gold buckle and she wore a short purple dress with lantern sleeves exposing her midriff. She wore pointed heels on her feet and golden star earrings.
Lazaros left her side to see Deimos with Tristan.
Lazaros: “Hey, Deimos! Nice costume! What are you and your boy looking at?”
He smiled and his eyes glittered at the baked goods. Ashley froze when they looked up and saw him standing over them. I-Is that?! They thought to themselves and swallowed hard.
Lazaros: “Wow, these do look delicious! A lot of love and care was put into these and I can see some excellent craftsmanship.”
He nodded as he surveyed the desserts.
Ashley: “...O-oh… thank you!”
They stammered awkwardly, looking down at their feet and fiddling with their tail. Lazaros and Tristan eyed Ashley incredulously.
Lazaros: “Is everything all right?”
He asked.
Ashley: “...I-I’m fine. I can see why she loves you… you’re so beautiful…”
They blurted. Lazaros raised an eyebrow and saw Tristan. He glared at him.
Lazaros: “Yes, he is, isn’t he?”
He shot a glare at Tristan. Ashley tilted their head with confusion.
Ashley: “Huh? I meant you!”
They said to Lazaros. Lazaros raised his eyebrows.
Makayla’s voice called out as she approached them.
Makayla: “...ASHLEY?!”
She beamed, delighted to see them again. Ashley froze.
Makayla: “Oh my god! I thought I’d never see you again! I missed you so much! Aww, your cat costume is so adorable! You look so cute!”
She beamed and pulled them in for a hug. Lazaros’ face contorted with rage. Ashley remained frozen. Tristan cleared his throat.
Deimos: “Aren’t you with my brother or something?”
He asked dryly and folded his arms over his chest. Ashley nodded to Deimos.
Ashley: “...I know you’re in love with him and you never loved me…”
They sighed sadly.
Makayla: “That’s not true! I still love you, Ashley!”
Ashley: “...Then why did you leave with Craig and make love to him?!”
They cried. Makayla bowed her head.
Deimos: “Aren’t you living with my brother now?”
He added and looked unimpressed. Lazaros drew back and glowered at her. I see how it is, he thought. Two can play at this game, he thought and locked his gaze on Ashley. Ashley froze when they saw Lazaros locking his gaze on them. Oh no, is he going to kick my ass? Or is he thinking about what a pathetic fat ass loser I am? They thought and swallowed hard. Lazaros approached Ashley’s table.
Lazaros: “These are very lovely and they look tasty. Making food is about making delicious food and being presentable, which you excelled at.”
He said softly.
Ashley: “O-oh, thank you! I love baking!”
Celeste: “Oh, uh, Lazaros, I think Ashley can’t stop staring at Tristan’s chest or Tristan.”
She drawled. Ashley reddened and Makayla looked hurt.
Lazaros: “Shut up, you, go home.”
He shooed her away. Ashley knit their eyebrows when he shooed Celeste.
Lazaros: “Ashley was clearly staring at me and not pretty boy Tristan!”
He said smugly. Ashley blushed and Makayla looked away.
Deimos: “God, shut up.”
He whispered hoarsely at him.
Ashley: “You’re both pretty boys!”
They assured him. Makayla sighed.
Lazaros: “No, he’s taken by my brother, Deimos! Deimos doesn’t need to be hurt after Craig let him down!”
He said with desperation. Makayla observed Lazaros wondering what had gotten into him.
Deimos: “I am not jealous, but Craig is a piece of shit.”
He huffed.
Makayla: “That we can agree on.”
They heard footsteps approaching and saw Craig was with Fabien. Fabien wore black hot pants with a black tail, a white collar with a black bow tie, white cufflinks, white sneakers, and black mouse ears on a headband. Craig wore nothing but jeans and showed off his bare chest. He wrote on his chest in marker “King of the thrash metal Jungle.”
Craig: “OI! I ain’t a piece of shit!”
Deimos glared at him.
Deimos: “King of what now? Thrash metal? We haven’t picked up an instrument to practice ONCE.”
He hissed through clenched teeth.
Fabien: “Nice costume, Deimos. Love the shade.”
He snickered. Craig glared at him.
Craig: “Oi! You’re supposed to be on my side! You’re with ME!”
He pouted.
Fabien: “I call it as I see it.”
He chuckled.
Deimos: “Yeah, your stupid himbo can see you’re a lazy good-for-nothing BUM!”
He rasped. Fabien shot him a glare.
Fabien: “And yet your boyfriend is exposing his chest.”
Deimos: “He’s not shirtless and leave him out of this! Even if he was, I would love looking at him. He had nothing to do with your lazy piece of shit boyfriend!”
He barked at Fabien.
Tristan: “Deimos, it’s a costume; it’s not real.”
He reassured him and squeezed his shoulder. Deimos took his hand and grasped it.
Tristan: “He’s coming as he’s not, therefore Craig’s costume isn’t real.”
He smirked.
Ashley: “...Oh? That’s a costume? I thought he forgot to wear a costume or forgot to get dressed?”
They scratched their head. Deimos laughed. Tristan snickered. Craig sneered at them.
Deimos: “Oh, that isn’t outside the realm of possibility!”
He said bitterly.
Craig: “Now the fat pansy dressed as a fuckin’ cat is makin’ fun of me! Want me to kick your ass?”
He glared at Ashley.
Ashley: “...N-No, thank you! I don’t want that.”
Makayla glared at Craig and stood in front of Ashley.
Makayla: “Fuck off, Craig.
Fabien: “Hey, Blair, nice to see you have another friend to hang out with besides that rainbow weirdo. She needs to lay off the cupcakes, though.”
He smirked.
Fabien: “She might be your type, Lazaros. She’s fatter than Makayla.”
He laughed. Lazaros looked away and blushed. Ashley froze and reddened.
Ashley: “O-Oh, I’m not a girl…”
They gently corrected him.
Fabien: “Whatever you are, you’re fatter and Lazaros’ type.”
He said sharply. Ashley looked at Lazaros disbelievingly. Someone like him be into me? Yeah, right, they thought to themselves.
Lazaros: “Well, Craig’s For Your Pleasure Bunny is right! I do have a type!”
He said loftily. Fabien turned to Lazaros angrily and pointed to his ears.
Fabien: “I’m a MOUSE, DUH!”
Ashley: “...That’s a mouse?”
They tilted their head.
Fabien: “Are you sure you’re not some space alien?”
He asked incredulously.
Ashley: “Huh? No? I’m a cat! See?”
They gestured to their floppy ears on their hood and their tail.
Fabien: “Okay, I think Blair’s friend is retarded.”
Ashley looked hurt.
Lazaros: “Wait until you see Craig in action.”
He stood in front of him.
Lazaros: “You let your band die and Deimos is dressed as a job application for a burger joint to scare you! Does it?! Because you did nothing when you stayed at the guest house!”
He snapped at Craig. Craig glared at him.
Craig: “FUCK OFF! You fucked my sister!”
He countered. Ashley looked hurt and looked away.
Lazaros: “And you didn’t implore him to pick up an instrument! You want someone to kiss your ass and find a loser to fund your dream!”
He barked at Fabien. Fabien glared at him.
Craig: “Fuck off! You sisterfucker!”
Lazaros: “My sister is dead!”
He delivered a strong blow to Craig’s stomach that crashed him to the ground. Deimos heaved a deep sigh.
Craig: “OWWWW! FUUUUCK! I-I meant my sister, cunt!”
He wheezed. Makayla shook her head at Craig and looked over at Lazaros. Ashley gave Lazaros a sympathetic look over losing his sister.
Tristan: “I knew that was his grand plan but Craig is a lost cause.”
He said under his breath.
Deimos: “Can we get out of here? I want to see other vendors.”
He tugged on Tristan’s arm. Tristan gazed at them and locked his gaze on Lazaros. He had a hunch how this would unfold.
~
Tristan and Deimos went to the tarot card reading tent and entered inside. Ivy beamed when she saw Tristan enter the tent. She then frowned when she saw Deimos enter with him.
Tristan: “Hello, Ivy! Deimos would like a tarot card reading from Andreas.”
He put his hand on his shoulder.
Ivy: “...Oh, sure. He can just walk through there.”
She forced a smile and gestured to the curtained-off section at the back of the tent for Deimos to go. Deimos sighed and brushed aside the curtain to enter. Ivy turned to Tristan.
Ivy: “...So, how is the new office?”
She enquired. Tristan turned to her and smiled.
Tristan: “It’s quite a different experience to be my own boss and I like this much better. I am glad I made the move. Your graphic designs in my windows make the building stand out more.”
He replied and smiled. Ivy smiled a bit.
Ivy: “Oh, that’s nice to hear!”
She was flattered he was using her designs in his windows.
Tristan: “How do you like living with Andreas?”
Ivy: “It’s been good reconnecting with an old friend again and I think this was the best move for me… and Deimos.”
She stated. Tristan nodded.
Tristan: “Deimos has been doing better… until Nuklear fell apart. I knew it was going to. I went to discuss this issue and he and I agreed it was best to let Deimos see the light.”
He said as his tone took on a somewhat grim note.
Ivy: “Oh, I see…”
He sure talks about and thinks about Deimos a lot. He’s always with him now, she thought to herself. Tristan peered into her face.
Tristan: “I was hurt Deimos didn’t listen to me but I also realize that is out of my control. I feel Deimos did this because he wanted this to work. It’s his dream. However, this is the best outcome because he will do his own thing… as I did. Sometimes, disappointments can lead you on the path to something better. This is what life is. If we never had disappointments or faced rejection, we wouldn’t have to seek something better that will suit you.”
He said calmly. Ivy bowed her head and nodded.
Ivy: “That’s very true…”
She pondered wondering if he was trying to allude to their relationship.
Tristan studied her expression and how she absorbed what he told her. He just smiled.
Tristan: “What are you thinking?”
Ivy: “We don’t really hang out much anymore…”
She sighed.
Ivy: “...And I miss hanging out with you.”
She added. Tristan frowned.
Tristan: “Oh, I apologize. You are welcome to come visit me anytime and I should visit you more often.”
He nodded. Ivy smiled a bit.
Tristan: “And you’re always welcome to come into the office.”
He tilted his head and folded his arms across his chest.
Ivy: “I should visit you too then. You’re always welcome at our shop.”
She said.
Deimos saw Andreas at the round table and sat on the chair across from him. Andreas observed his costume.
Andreas: “I take it things didn’t go well with Craig?”
He asked. Deimos looked away and heaved a deep sigh.
Deimos: “No. Tristan was right. I should have listened to him. I thought I could make it work but clung to a lost cause. I want to see what I have in the cards for me if everything else in my future will blow up in my face as this crap did.”
He huffed and folded his arms across his chest.
Andreas: “I understand. I’ve been in your position before. But not all is lost as you will gain something from this.”
He said, turning over “The three of cups.” It depicted three figures drinking from golden cups together. They had wreaths in their hair.
Andreas: “There is a group of you coming together to focus on a common goal. Wreaths are associated with success and victory. It looks like there will be a happy reunion with an old friend, relative, or loved one.”
Deimos smiled a bit.
Deimos: “That’s something good.”
He nodded. The next card he flipped over depicted a satyr creature surrounded by chains. “The Devil” was written across it.
Andreas: “This could be a toxic person in your life you have a destructive relationship with. It’s someone who is holding you back with these chains here, or it could represent yourself still being tethered by their chains… beware of temptations and unhealthy attachments to the past.”
He pondered. Deimos blinked and drew a breath.
Deimos: “Could this be Craig?”
He asked him. He couldn’t think of anyone else holding him back right now.
Andreas: “I don’t know, you don't seem attached to him, so it could be someone from your past or someone you have yet to meet.”
He explained. Deimos cupped his mouth. It can’t be Arnold, he’s dead, he thought. He thought of that one and brushed that away. No, I am done with that clown, he thought.
Andreas: “Be forewarned. This person and/or their effect on you can ruin this if you aren’t careful.”
He stated holding up the Devil card and the three of cups together. Deimos’s expression darkened and his face went ashen.
Andreas drew another card. He drew out “The Fool.”
Andreas: “This is where you are now. This doesn’t mean you’re a fool. This means new beginnings. You are discovering new opportunities and expanding your horizons. Listen to your inner feelings and take a leap of faith. Be open to new possibilities. Perhaps Nuklear didn’t work out so it would set you on this new and better path.”
He stated. Deimos smiled a bit when he said that.
Deimos: “That sounds like something Tristan would say to me.”
He nodded. Andreas smiled. Deimos did wonder who the devil represented. It can’t be him, right? He wondered.
Deimos: “Thank you, Andreas, for your time.”
He nodded.
He went out of the room to pay Ivy for the reading.
Tristan: “How did it go?”
Deimos: “Went well, but he said a demon from my past might affect my future.”
He said darkly. Tristan darkened and he knew who he was talking about. He dreaded that this man would once return to their lives.
Suddenly, Craig barged in with Fabien, holding his hand.
Craig: “Oi! Andreas?!”
He called out for him.
Deimos: “It’s King Nothing.”
He said dryly. Tristan snickered.
Fabien: “Oh, I always wanted a tarot card reading!”
He said genially and clapped his hands.
Andreas stepped out from the curtain and rolled his eyes at Craig.
Andreas: “No, Craig, I already gave you a reading and you laughed in my face. Look what happened. I was right. Your tower came crashing down.”
He shook his head. Craig pouted.
Craig: “It’s not for me; it’s for HIM!”
He showed off his toy boy.
Fabien: “Yes, I would love a tarot card reading!”
He gave a wave with his fingers.
Andreas: “You don’t need a reading to foresee what happens here, but sure.”
He glared at Craig. Fabien smirked and went into the room where Andreas did his reading. I think you and I have different goals with him, Fabien thought.
Andreas flipped over the first card representing his past. It was the hierophant in reverse and depicted an elderly figure on a throne.
Andreas: “You broke away from your traditions to live an unconventional life and your life seems to lack structure.”
He stated. He could see he lived an unconventional life that lacked structure being like Craig and being like him.
Fabien: “Is that… a bad thing?”
He asked.
Andreas: “It depends. Some rules exist for a good reason, but not all of us can fit inside a box that was laid out for us. You have to trust your instincts and what feels right for you.”
He stated. He felt he couldn’t fit inside a box either, but he doubted Fabien’s abilities to make good life choices.
Fabien: “I’ve always been a rebel.”
He smiled.
He turned over the next card which was the page of swords reversed. Andreas looked unsurprised.
Andreas: “There seems to be a person currently in your life who will create challenges for you. They aren’t who they seem, as indicated by the sword behind his back. This person is manipulative and deceptive and lacks mental agility to process information and communicate.”
Andreas pondered. Craig is too shallow to be deceptive, he mused.
Andreas: “Or perhaps, this person could be you? Perhaps you aren’t being forthright about your intentions and like to indulge in gossip for amusement and trickery to get what you want?”
He challenged. Fabien smirked and his shoulders shook as he chuckled.
Andreas: “I’ll take that as a yes.”
He said and turned over the final card for the future: “The Devil.” Another reading with this card? He mused.
Andreas: “Judging by the previous cards in your reading, this card is about you. The Devil is about passion and rebellious fire, but living a hedonistic life with no boundaries leads to chaos. The advice of this card is to face your demons and resist temptation, no matter what form it’s taking.”
He stated. The temptation has to be Craig, he thought. It seems Craig has met his match, he mused to himself. Fabien just smiled tightly and clapped his hands.
Fabien: “I don’t know why Craig laughed at your telling because you’re right and say what you will but our self-proclaimed ‘king of thrash metal’ made me $1200 last night.”
He rose from the seat and pulled out several one-hundred dollar bank notes from his hot pants.
Andreas: “Well, Craig has truly met his match.”
He said dryly.
Fabien: “See that pretty boy, Tristan? He is why I have to resort to this so blame him. In the meantime, I will make a buck off Craig so I can fund my horse ranch. You and Tristan take these men at face value when they could be exploited to further your goal.”
He winked. Andreas blinked mutely.
Andreas: “I don’t see what any of this has to do with Tristan or anyone else. We are responsible for our own choices and mistakes in life. You do realize Craig is broke, right? He’s not a millionaire, so I don’t see the logic in your plan here.”
Fabien: “I didn’t stop Veronika from burning all his stuff but the stuff I didn’t need. I’m $1200 richer and all I needed was my friend to make a listing. I know Craig is technically broke but he still made me all this money.”
He grinned.
Andreas: “And what will you do when he runs out of money? He has no band anymore and no job.”
He challenged. Fabien laughed and leaned over.
Fabien: “Do you think I am as stupid as he is? If I did what you think I am doing, of course, he would run out. I am pulling the strings here.”
He smirked and rose putting the money back in his pants
Andreas: “I always foresaw that one day Craig would meet his match that would deliver his karma. I thought it was Veronika, but maybe it's you.”
Fabien: “Then you’re right. Good reading, Andreas. You know your stuff.”
He nodded and left the room.
Fabien came out and pulled banknotes out of his pants to pay for the tarot reading. Tristan groused that he did that. Ivy twisted her face and begrudgingly took the money with the tips of her fingers.
Ivy: “...Thank you.”
She forced a smile and immediately washed her hands.
Tristan: “You seem happy.”
Fabien: “He does good readings.”
Tristan bore his gaze on him that could melt ice. Craig sauntered over and put his arm around Fabien.
Craig: “Oh yeah? What did he say?!”
He pressed him.
Fabien: “He said I’m doing very well achieving my dreams to get my horse ranch.”
He smiled. That could have many meanings, Tristan thought.
Deimos: “How will you make that on your salary at Danny Donger’s? You gonna use King Nothing as your sugar daddy? Hah, what a joke!”
He laughed. Craig glared at Deimos.
Craig: “Fuck off! Sounds like someone’s JEALOUS!”
He huffed at Deimos.
Deimos: “Yes, I am very jealous my band crashed and burned before it got started and I am financially dependent on a server from a sleazy tavern. You’re truly living the dream.”
He said dryly. Tristan observed Fabien and didn’t think Craig was depending on him at all.
Craig: “HA, that’s what I thought! Wait…”
He paused, pointing at him, thinking he “got him”.
Craig: “You’re a server at a sleazy tavern?”
He asked Tristan. Tristan glared at him. Ivy rolled her eyes at Craig.
Tristan: “My, my, it’s a good thing you are a dolt, or Fabien’s plans for you will blow up in his face.”
He said scathingly. Fabien glared at him as his eyes narrowed into thin slits.
Deimos: “He’s a lawyer, Craig. He doesn’t wait tables for drooling men.”
He hissed.
Craig: “A lawyer? Pfft, boring.”
He laughed mockingly. Tristan looked impassive.
Tristan: “You might have to explain it to him, Fabien, and probably use books intended for preschoolers.”
He waved his hand at him. Craig glared at Tristan.
Craig: “You think you’re so high ‘n mighty ‘n think you’re better than me with ya fuckin’ glitter?!”
He sneered at him and poked his costume and bare chest mockingly.
Tristan: “Yes.”
He said tersely. Fabien rolled his eyes. I can’t argue with him but Craig made me $1200 last night, he thought. Deimos admired Tristan in his ensemble and I love a hint of his bare chest. Ivy read Deimos’ thoughts and sighed.
Deimos: “Yes, Tristan is majestic and graceful, and you’re fucking KING NOTHING!”
He barked at Craig. Craig glared at them both.
Craig: “FUCK YOU! YOU’RE BOTH KING NOTHING!”
He fired back at them.
Tristan: “You’re an idiot who isn’t worth my time.”
He scoffed and flicked his cape.
Outside the tent was a minivan with Larry standing outside it. He had white paint on his face with black inverted crosses on his eyes and a black frown over his mouth. He wore red contact lenses with inverted crosses. He wore a leather trench coat that resembled a raincoat with chunky boots that looked like rain boots. Seated beside him was an obese man with ginger hair, dressed in a clashing ensemble of army shorts, a baseball hat, and a denim vest. The man seated with him was Bobby O’Sullivan, Larry’s “special” friend and business partner.
Larry: “I don’t need to pay the vendor fee. I am trve kvlt and we made shirts for LORD KRADULA OV KHAOS!”
He said in a gravelly voice to appear intimidating. He opened the back of the van.
Larry: “BEHOLD! THE MERCH!”
He presented a variety of t-shirts that had the Nuklear Intoxikation logo with “SUCKS” scrawled under it.
Larry: “Wh-What?! WHAT?! WHO-WHO RUINED MY BRUTAL T-SHIRTS?!”
He screamed.
Larry: “WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SHIRT OF ME STANDING IN FRONT OF A BURNING CHURCH?! I SPENT HOURS WORKING ON THAT PHOTO MANIPULATION!”
He caterwauled. Craig seethed with furious anger to match his.
Craig: “WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK IS THIS SHIT?! WHO THE FUCK RUINED MY MERCH?!”
He rasped. Veronika cackled like a witch. Their furious rasping was music to her ears.
Deimos: “They would be cool shirts… if Nuklear Fuckitation took off and wasn’t a waste.”
He glared at Craig. Veronika smirked at them.
Bobby: “OOOOOHHHH!! Ronnie!”
He hollered.
Veronika: “I had to do something with those pieces of shit shirts, Craig. Couldn’t let them go to waste.”
She grinned.
Craig: “YOU CUNT! You’re gonna pay for this!”
He seethed and glared at her.
Tristan: “No one is going to know who Nuklear Intoxikation is except a handful of people. Craig never did anything to make it a reality.”
He said to her.
Veronika: “If they don’t sell, I’ll burn them along with Craig’s other shit.”
She wagged her head at him.
Craig: “DON’T YOU FUCKIN’ DARE!”
He rasped.
Larry: “WHAT DID YOU DO WITH MY SHIRTS?!”
He screamed at her. Veronika punched him out.
Larry: “WAGH!”
Veronika: “Put them in a nice fire for the homeless people, loser! No one would buy that garbage!”
She barked at him as he lay facedown on the ground.
Tristan flicked his gaze to Fabien and Veronika.
Tristan: “Veronika, you mentioned you burned Craig’s other belongings. When was this?”
Fabien turned to Tristan. What are you doing?! He thought angrily.
Veronika: “When I dumped his shit off at that motel where he was staying. Craig’s boy toy said I could burn everything I brought but not his stinky socks! He was insistent on keeping those stinky socks!”
She explained and smiled smugly at Craig. Tristan cupped his chin.
Craig: “...What?! Yeah, right. I don’t have stinky socks, so!”
He laughed, dismissively.
Tristan: “Oh…”
That’s where he got the money, he thought. Also, if Craig doesn’t have anything else to his name, he’s more in Fabien’s control, that is a… devious plot but well-thought-out, Tristan thought. Fabien tried to contain himself. Stay calm, Tristan is not going to win this time, he thought. Ivy read their thoughts in the room and said nothing. She didn’t care about Craig and felt he deserved whatever this man had planned for him.
Deimos: “I will take a shirt in black and size large.”
He said to Veronika. Craig glared at Deimos.
Craig: “OI! Don’t buy that shit!”
He rasped. Deimos paid Veronika and she handed him a shirt.
Tristan: “I’ll take a blue one in size medium.”
He smiled. Deimos looked up at Tristan and paid Veronika for him.
Craig: “HEY! STOP BUYIN’ THOSE! THEY’RE COUNTERFEIT!”
He roared, waving his arms.
Deimos: “What will you do, Craig?!”
He challenged.
Deimos: “Because during the time you stayed at the guest house, you did jack fucking shit!”
He roared.
Craig: “What did you do, huh? It ain’t like you got the drums out ‘n started playin’!”
He fired back at him.
Deimos: “As if that would have mattered. You didn’t say anything about jamming or playing. You fucked Fabien and now your boy toy is playing you like a fiddle. That is so not metal, cunt!”
He said wryly. Fabien glared at Deimos and Tristan. Would you both shut up?! He thought.
Craig: “Oh, I thought you were waitin’ for your shiny ice cunt in shining armor here to tell ya what to do. You needed him to come hold ya hand ‘n drop ya off at our rehearsal like he was your mommy dropin’ ya off at kindie! You gotta wait on his command ‘n ya worship him like he’s a god or somethin’!”
He fired back, gesturing to Tristan. Deimos glared hotly at Craig, his eyes burning like hot coals. Deimos lunged at Craig and delivered a sharp uppercut to his face.
Deimos: “FUCK YOU! AT LEAST TRISTAN LOVES ME AND ISN’T USING ME TO FURTHER HIS GOALS! AND YOU’RE THE LEADER! AND I DROVE TRISTAN TO OUR FAKE REHERSALS!”
He screamed. Craig crashed onto the ground, getting dirt in his mouth. Tristan cupped his mouth and blushed. Ivy froze and looked away.
Craig: “FUCKIN’ OATH I’M THE LEADER!”
He barked back at him and spit the dirt out.
Deimos: “Leader of what, Craig?! NOTHING! You are KING NOTHING! Fabien is clearly using you! I saw him pull out a wad of cash from his pants and he asked Veronika not to burn your socks. Do the math, dipshit!”
He rasped. Fabien bared his teeth at Deimos and fumed.
Tristan: “I figured this out when Fabien left the tent. He wouldn’t keep Craig for nothing.”
He shrugged.
Craig: “WHAT?! You’re just sayin’ that ‘cause you’re jealous! The fuck has that got to do with anything?!”
He huffed, not following anything.
Tristan: “It’s a good thing he’s braindead, Fabien. You might have to work harder otherwise.”
He said wryly. Fabien rolled his eyes and hated that he was right.
John swung through the trees using his bullwhip. He wore a black hat with gold lace trim around the crown and at the edge of the flat brim, a black eye mask, a black cape, and black hot pants. He was shirtless and barefoot. He jumped in front of Tristan and Fabien, Tristan drew back and his heart thundered in his chest. John spritz some cold cock powder in their faces, and they passed out. John grabbed them and swung his whip, swinging away with them.
Deimos: “WHAT THE FUCK?! GIVE ME BACK TRISTAN!”
He barked and chased after John who did a flip in the air as he swung away with them.
Ivy: “TRISTAN!”
She cried and hollered out, chasing after John and using her mind reading to track him down.
Craig: “OI! FUCK OFF, THAT’S MINE!”
He rasped, running after him like a rabid dog.
John flipped and landed in front of a purple haunted house. He ran up the path with tombstones, ghosts, and pumpkins on each side and entered the house.
Deimos: “GIVE HIM TO ME!”
He bellowed and ran over Larry as he ran toward where John went. Ivy also ran over Larry and Craig followed, stomping on his head.
Larry: “Uuuugggh…”
He groaned. Celeste jumped and pounced on Larry’s head, plunging it into the ground.
Celeste: “WAIT FOR ME! I AM COMING, TOO!”
She hollered.
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