(Post Soundtrack: "Stay A While" by Cemetery Sun)
Daiya's head soared as she floated into her hotel suite, glowing from the high and the kiss. She made it to the bedroom door before she had to pause, leaning against it as her world spun. The warmth in the teen's chest cushioned the pounding of her beating heart, racing from something, or maybe to something. Her palms pressed against the solid door, clinging to the feeling of something reassuring beneath them.
She stayed there for a few moments, breathing until her head settled back down to reality again. Her body was still in orbit, if the way every touch and sensation felt magnified to the teen. Daiya pushed onward as best she could, changing from her swimwear to a comforting pair of pants and
a sweater that gave the impression of an everlasting hug.
For a little while longer, Daiya lingered, indulging herself by applying lipgloss and brushing out her drying hair. Her scalp tingled by the end of it, holding her attention until it was drawn elsewhere. The sunlight that had once streamed through the window was a tapestry of colors now, and the teen gazed transfixed upon the sun setting against the planet's horizon, a phenomenon so utterly foreign to her city-world life. The artificial lighting below Denon's glimmering
surface levels never dimmed or set at night, where the time of day was simply trivia.
"
Oh chit!" The growling of her stomach reminded the teen of her purpose at last, and she started with a gasp. Throwing down the brush and taking one last look in the mirror, Daiya grabbed her satchel before heading out the door. The way down to the arcadium was easier in boots instead of bare feet, putting a grateful smile on her face. She found Cartri already standing there, making her way behind him to throw her hands around his eyes and hold him tight. "
Toldja I'd get you back! Guess what I'm wearing."
“
Damn Daiya, I thought one of the guards were pulling me aside!” he said with a smile crossing his lips, unresistant to the hands covering his vision. “
Hmmm... a skirt and a sweatshirt?” Cartri guessed playfully, going along with what she was doing for now. One thing was clear though, it certainly wasn’t going to be swimwear else they’d get thrown out of the restaurant in seconds.
Before he even came down to the meeting spot his heart was fluttering inside of his chest, not from being nervous but from being in love. Daiya was special to him no matter what she felt about him in return, all he wanted was to spend more time around her. And from the looks of things, that wasn’t the drugs talking.
It took him awhile to peel himself away from his daydream by the door and get ready, one of which was a priority. Switching out of his wet swimwear into a more smart
attire he finally went to the hazardous job of fixing his hair. Thankfully, not much of the previous style had been tampered with. All it required was a quick touch up before he sprayed himself down with some pricy deodorant and smellies to keep him fresh.
Now was the hard part, making this date one to remember with a girl he admired greatly.
“
Let me guess, I'm far off ain't I?"
"
Feth, I made it too easy!" Daiya pulled her hands away, shaking them out of the sleeves that fell past her wrist. The woven material imparted an unmistakable tactile sensation, and the teen giggled at it as she folded an arm up against her stomach. "
You got close," she told him, and paraded around Cartri to show off her outfit, throwing up her free hand once she stood in front of him. "
Whatcha think?"
Blinking a few times he chuckled and turned his body to check out what the girl was wearing. For a few moments he was silent, his eyes taking in her beauty as she paraded around him to show off. “
You look perfect Daiya...” he said with a shine in his eyes, clearly impressed that she actually made an effort for him. She always looked good in his eyes, but today she had really outdone herself.
“
What do you think of me?” he grinned to Daiya, nonchalantly spinning to show off his neat attire.
"
Hmm..." Daiya brought her hand down to her chin, knitting her forehead together to look him over. She drew out the moment, stifling giggles with a serious demeanor, and let her fingers stroke her chin. Naturally, anything that covered up the boy's attractively fit body was a disappointment, but Cartri's outfit actually looked better than most she had seen on him in the past. Even if the jacket's drab color pulled down all the effort he'd made. "
Not bad, not bad. Bold move with the orange there, but you made it work with that jacket."
She burst out into giggles, unable to maintain the play-acting any longer. Daiya stepped forward, and pulled Cartri's arm toward her as she leaned against him. "
Come on, let's get a table." Her eyes pleaded to him on behalf of her stomach. "
I'm dying now!"
“
Thank you, Daiya. I’m happy a person more prettier than me is liking my style,” he said with a wink as she grew closer and wrapped an arm around Cartri, prompting him to do the same around her back. “
Oh finnnneee, I’ll put you out if your misery,” he said with a roll of his eyes and a cheeky smile.
Stepping away from her for a brief moment he extended his arm out and offered to hold her hand, hoping to walk her in like a true gentleman. “
May I?” He asked politely to his dinner date, a beaming expression coming from his face.
"
Umm..." Daiya was confused by the boy's actions as he pulled away from her grasp, standing at arm's length to offer a hand back. Despite clinging to his arm just a moment before, uncertainty reigned in her head as the teen looked at the open palm in her direction, wondering what it meant for her. A sobering thought surfaced for a moment, what was she agreeing to by taking Cartri's hand?
Her hand fit awkwardly into his. Daiya set her jaw, gritting it as she pulled the firmly muscled boy toward her, wrapping his arm around her elbow. "
No," She grinned at Cartri and pat his hand a few times. "
But I may."
Cartri raised a brow when she refused to let him guide her like a true gentlemen into the restaurant holding hands. It appeared Daiya wanted to do it the old hook of the arm way, and that in itself didn’t bother him by the slightest. “
I don’t know what you’re thinking Daiya. Either way, at least I’ll be taking you into the establishment how a true man should.”
Daiya let out a breath of air, scoffing at the boy's stodgy notions. She didn't bother protesting, watching Cartri puff out his chest and brag about his manliness was a pleasant change from a boy who had dropped dramatic words and fists on her in times past. She let a tug on her lips pull a smile to her face, tossing her head to let him lead.
Shooting a smile to the girl by his side, he slowly began walking to the entrance, excited about what the night had going for them. “
Any idea what you want? I heard from a few people staying here the burgers are meant to be a-mazing.”
"
Oh my stars!" The teen laughed, leaning her head against his shoulder. Her cheek lit up with warmth as it laid against his drab olive jacket, and she could have sworn her chuckle resonated in her chest. "
You are so not using that word the right way." Daiya's face pulled up against itself, cringing at his off-brand use of '
amazing' the way she pronounced it. She was happy to let the boy lead her, take her to dinner, but Cartri had to know there were still some boundaries. "
Let me decide if they're worth it, I'll handle all the a-mazement from here on."
“
Hmph...it appears I’ve still got a lot to learn then,” he smirked, feeling Daiya’s warm face lean up against his shoulder comfortably. She probably hated him for stealing her little phrase, but who cared, teasing was a no mans land when it came to that. Leading her closer to the doors he was curious as to why Daiya wanted control of their “a-mazement”. She must of had something in mind, and he was all for experiencing it. “
Okay then, by all means...” he said without a single complaint.
The pair opened the doors to the fancy food place and stood before a smart waiter, who was dressed in a clean black suit. “
Table for two please. And would it be possible to get one near the window overlooking the resort?” He asked, something of which was met with a stern nod and a motion for them both to follow them. “
After you, Daiya,” Cartri offered with a friendly smile.
Daiya tossed her eyes again, reluctantly pulling away from the boy to follow their Nautolan waiter to a table on the other side of a densely populated section. Breaking through was like surfacing from underwater again to her intoxicated mind, and the teen breathed in deeply at the sight of the table and chairs. The waiter gave a spiel about the specials and set down appropriate menus, waiting for some kind of signal. Daiya just stood frozen for a moment, looking to the waiter, then back to Cartri, awash in her reverie. She let out a breath, blinking as her head cleared. "
Can I get a Meltdown?" the teen asked, taking her seat at the opposing end of the table. "
Oh, right. Nevermind, just a Jogan-ade or something."
Cartri followed Daiya through a crowded area of the restaurant, his eyes looking at the table and chairs next to the window. Their view was amazing, from where they were sat they could see most of the pretty resort in all its glory. Once he reached his seat he smoothly took off his jacket and placed it across the chair, before looking back to a frozen Daiya who seemed to be in dreamland for a few moments. Raising a brow he took his seat at the other side ad looked to the fancy waiter with a smile. “
Meiloorun Juice for now please,” he said, wanted to start off slow.
“
Everything alright Daiya?” he asked curiously with another warm smile, checking in on the girl caringly.
"
This place is just too good to be true," Daiya remarked, her eyes scanning lazily over the horizon outside their window. The twilight scene had her mesmerized, and the teen set her head down on folded arms to watch it. Her eyes drifted up to Cartri, "
It's not really possible, is it? This is just some Corpo's fantasy world, or it feels like it."
Cartri followed Daiya’s gaze to the horizon of the resort, himself amazed by how beautiful it looked. “
I know what you mean...” he replied in thought, knowing that their stay here had been far too faultless even for them. “
Who knows what individual was behind all this. This may be one persons dream to create a paradise for others. On the other hand, a corporate pig could be the brainchild of something more sinister. With something so perfect like this, you’d hope that isn’t the case.”
Not a moment later the waiter returned with their drinks, carefully setting it down in front of the teens. “
Thank you,” He said with a quick sip, looking straight at Daiya. “
Either way, it’s certainly a far cry from Denon. Now and then I wouldn’t mind breathing in clear air and smelling air that didn’t just come out of the sewer.”
"
Denon is recycled air, at least," Daiya put in, a small smile growing as Cartri went on with his supposition. Her head rose when their drinks arrived, and she took hold of her glass before finishing. "
Real sewers are way worse, trust me." She took a sip of the juice in her cup, the sweetness and strong flavor reinvigorating the teen. It had no other properties, but Daiya's veins were still pumping plenty of those through her system from earlier. "
But I didn't just mean air. It's everything, it doesn't feel artificial or made by anyone. It's like it just is, y'know?"
“
Even if it is recycled air, at least we can still breathe it. The only downside is how much it stinks.” he said, taking another sip of his fruity drink in front of him. “
And yea, I know first hand about sewers,” Cartri grunted, remembering the times where he had to go through the stinkiest sewers you can think of to reach a mission objective. Thankfully, those days seemed to be behind him now. Nodding slowly to Daiya’s theory, he seemed to understand what the girl was trying to say.
“Hmph, It’s almost like the whole resort is naturally in that state even if it’s trying not to be. As you seem to put across, it does have a strange feeling to it.” He explained, a sudden smirk crossing his lips. “
Or, it could be that Ciggara messing with our minds. Slowly but surely driving us insane to the point where we cannot differentiate friend from foe!” He giggles with a gentle nudge to her elbow.
Daiya's smile broadened, bringing the glass to her lips again. The juice was like sweet nectar to slake her thirst, and then some. It took everything she had to keep from finishing it off, and a mournful look played out over her face when she set the glass down. "
I'll say," the teen started, looking at the glass for another moment before she raised her eyes up to Cartri. She let out a nervous giggle, "
For a second there, I'm pretty sure I wanted to make out with my drink..."
Gulping down more of his juice he couldn’t help but smile back to the other teen's antics. From the looks of things, she seemed to be enjoying her drink and seemingly was going to finish before even ordering her food “
I wouldn’t go that far with a drink,” he giggled back before gently placing a hand on hers and lightly squeezing. “
Fancy ordering some grub? I’ll let you choose, after all you did want to handle the a-mazement,” he said in a lowered tone, choosing to keep the hand there for now unless she wanted to move it away.
She giggled again at the touch on her hand, but ignored it for the moment. The teen nodded her head, her stomach far more difficult to ignore. "
That is what we came for," Daiya noted, but as she picked up the menu with her free hand, her eyes were looking for something else to satisfy her hunger. "
Did you know that your freckles spell out a word?" Daiya asked the boy, giggling as she brought the menu up in front of her face. While her eyes gazed over the options, she was biting her lower lip and waiting for Cartri's inevitably protesting reply.
Grabbing a menu himself he casually scanned through its contents with a cheeky smile, his eyes constantly going back to Daiya and locking eyes. “
My freckles? What does it say Daiya?” He said with a tilt of his head, amused by what Daiya was going to say.
"
Knuckles!" Daiya poked her head above the menu just long enough to tell him, before giggling back behind the list of food choices. Her eyes glazed over as she reviewed her options, squinting long enough to make out the title of one. Good enough. She flattened the menu on the table with a palm, grinning up to Cartri from across the table. "
So what do you want?"
“
Hmph! I should have known that was coming. But I can’t be mad, you’re too cute for your own good,” he giggled back, the menu hiding his wide smile from the teasing. “
You know what, I’ll try out the sunset burger. It has two patties, melted cheese and loads of tasty toppings. It also comes with some crispy fries and sauces too,” Cartri explained, a rumble coming from his stomach in unison.
The boy's grumpy assertion prompted another round of giggles from her. Every time Daiya teased him, watching that smirk on his mouth and glint in his eyes, it made her heart flutter. She set her eyes down on the menu, forcing a different perspective as she offered her own choice up for review. "
I'm going with the Seaside Burger. It has saltnut butter and pickles on it, and mmmm, it sounds so good." She squinted at the listing on the menu before giving up, and looking back at Cartri with a shrug, "
I dunno if it comes with fries, though, I might just borrow some of yours."
“
That does sound tasty, though I may have to think about the fries proposition,” he said sarcastically, revealing the betrayful smile which showed what he really felt when he lowered the menu. Of course he was going to share, but he wanted to see how long he could keep the teasing up for. “
IF I decide to let you have some, what will I get in return,” he said in a cheeky tone, tilting his head slightly with a warm smile.
"
You mean, a date with me isn't enough?" Daiya asked, a coy grin dominating her face. She looked at him, pausing a few more seconds to watch for his reaction, which had been a lot more fun when he was wet and cold earlier at the poolside. Her lower lip came out, and she looked away, "
Fine, I guess I'll have to get something for myself." The brightness came back in her eyes as the mischievous teen looked at Cartri. "
Oh, maybe they have some of those curly ones. Or the little tubers they roast with some herbs, mmmm, those are good."
“
Oh... I can’t disagree with that,” he replied, admitting defeat that Daiya alone was good enough for him. He nodded slowly when Daiya suggested to get something for herself, and as she listed off some of the selection he couldn’t help but chuckle. The girl had a similar taste in food to him, that alone only increased his interest in admiring the girl even mor “
The little tubers sound fantastic, maybe we can strike a trade deal when the time arrives?” Cartri offered with a crafty smirk, taking another sip of his delicious juice. “
After all, diplomacy is key.”
"
Trade deal? What are we, fething Corpos?" The teen giggled at the thought, happily teasing Cartri for his blunder. That eternal strife on Denon still followed her here, as little as she wanted it, and even enjoying the lap of luxury tonight gave her pause. It was a small one she could easily dismiss in the haze of the evening, grinning impishly at the boy instead. Daiya turned as she spotted the waiter returning to them. "
Nope, nothing weird here. Just two Corpo kids on holiday."
“
Oh, come on Daiya. You do realise not just corpos can strike strike a deal?” he said back with a giggle of his own. Either way, he was still more than happy to share a chip with the girl. The same went for everything else he owned, he wouldn’t hesitate to give anything in a heartbeat.. Looking to the waiter who was approaching he playfully nudged Daiya’s elbow from the comment, finding it hard not to smirk at the waiter before he asked for their orders. “
Can I have the sunset burger please, with fries just in case it doesn’t come with it,” the boy said, sticking out his tongue funnily to try and throw her off as she ordered.
Daiya scoffed, rolling her eyes as she turned to the waiter, whose eyebrows would have been raised if the Nautolan had any. "
Seaside burger, and if it doesn't come with fries, can you do those small tuber things that get roasted?" Now the Nautolan really looked bizarre, prompting a giggle from the teen which persisted until the tentacled man walked away from them. She slapped her palms flat on the table a couple times, laughter unabating as she tried to talk through it. "
Did you see his face?!"
Cartri looked back to the Nautolan waiter who was walking away, a small chuckle escaping his lips. “
Now that you mention it...” Cartri said before bursting out into laughter himself. “
Yea, his face really was an eyebrow raiser!” Cartri said in between breaths, leaning back in his chair to put a hand on his chest in reprieve. “
You’re a menace for saying that you know?!” The boy giggled, finally beginning to calm down. “
Never change Daiya...”
"
Never?" Daiya asked, her giggles finally slowing down. She let a few more continue while peering up at Cartri. Here was a boy who insisted he had changed, and her eyebrows rose as a quiet finally fell upon her. "
So, I should still be hating you for throwing me across the room? 'Cause that was a change..."
“
Well, probably yea. I deserve your eternal fury after doing that,” Cartri admitted with a nervous chuckle, obviously still feeling awkward from remembering that day. However, as he was silently looking at her face a thought overwhelmed him. The smile that had been spread across his face soon turned into one one of little emotion, indicating that he had something on his mind. “
I’ve been trying to find help for it you know. Xan tried to get a Jedi to train me, but it didn’t work out in the end.” he explained, his hands lightly fumbling on the table. Cartri wasn’t the only one with concerns, Daiya had also been acting quite strange recently. “
By the way, what’s up with your headaches?” the teen inquired in a concerned tone. It had happened twice now, and the way she held her head like it was about to explode wasn’t normal.
"
Eternal? Yes. But maybe I'll make an exception from time to time," Daiya told him playfully. A dark mood spread over Cartri's face, and the teen bit her lower lip, wondering if she'd gone too far. She nodded, straining against showing her disgust for his choice of a
Jedi trainer, relief spreading over her face at its failed ending. Even with the setback for Cartri, it was uplifting for her to hear he was working on improving. "
Oh," she muttered, her reverie interrupted by a more direct inquiry. Now it was her turn to feel nervous, a flush of warmth filling her cheeks as her fingers fidgeted, tracing patterns in the wood of the table. Daiya's voice was low as she admitted, "
That's personal..."
Cartri glanced down to her nervous fingers and frowned. Whatever Daiya was hiding about the headaches clearly made her squirm, something that made the ginger teen worry even more. Gently, he moved his hand over and placed it on hers. “
Daiya... I’m just worried alright? If you don’t want to tell me then so be it. But, if you choose to keep it to yourself I won’t be able to help you,” he said, lightly squeezing it to comfort the girl and let her know he could be trusted. “
Seeing you in pain like that tears me apart, I just want to know you're fine.”
Daiya nearly flinched at the touch, her hand pinned beneath Cartri's own. Even while kind words traipsed from his mouth, the teen couldn't help alarms ringing within her head. As much as she wanted to silence them, it raised her hackles even to consider ignoring them. "
You wouldn't understand," she said defensively, slipping her hand back to fold them both against her chest. The tangible comfort from her arms quelled some of her feelings, Daiya could feel her heart beating more steadily again. She took a breath in, easier to do now, and offered one recourse to the boy. "
I'll tell you...but I need a drink first."
“
Trust me Daiya, there’s a lot of things I understand. Some way more than other people,” he said calmly, not trying to be pushy or intrusive to the girl in question. Shooting another warm smile her way she suggested a drink first, probably something that would help her settle a bit more. “
Fine, I can sort something out for you,” he said with a crafty wink. Then, with his right hand close to the fork he pushed it off as if he did it by accident. The waiters always carried a small ordering device in their pockets, one that sent drink orders to the bar. All he needed was an overly detailed waiter to come and pick up the dropped cutlery and he’d be set.
“
Name any drink on the menu, preferably before someone comes over.”
Daiya watched curiously at Cartri's gambit, recognizing it as one that was —as an old spacer once told her— 'the oldest trick in the book.' A small smile grew on her face, and she hid it by pulling the menu up in front of her amused expression. "
I'll make it easy," the teen said without looking, "
a Meltdown."
A sly grin broke out in the corner of his lips when she ordered a meltdown, something of which he was more than happy to get himself. “
Two Meltdowns it is,” he said in a lowered tone and a giggle as the funny looking waiter approached. Tutting in annoyance, he slowly leaned down to grab it and replace it with another. Keeping his eyes on Daiya, his arm suddenly reached over with immense speed, snagging the small device from his pocket without a hitch. It was that fast you’d probably miss it if you blinked, sleight of hand never seized to disappoint him.
Eventually, the waiter grumbled off and left Cartri to have freewill of the ordering. Swiftly, his hands punched in some numbers and sent a signal to the bar, indicating the staff to prepare their free Meltdowns. “
Your wish is my command Daiya...” he smirked, hiding the device in his pocket for now. “
Maybe we can get more later,” the boy winked, hoping it would be enough for Daiya to spill her secret.
Daiya had to clamp a hand over her mouth to stop the giggles from giving Cartri's game away. As the waiter approached, she turned her eyes out the window, her innocence gained by looking completely ignorant of the situation. The young shadowrunner managed to glimpse the boy's lightning fast reactions, or at least their aftermath, and bit her lip to keep from gasping in shock. She giggled with sweet relief when the waiter walked away, grinning like a bantha at the boy's success. "
Who says your training didn't work out?"
“
Believe it or not, but that skill has been long perfected way before I joined Darkwire. Garos market stalls are the key to my success,” he chuckled, happy to see a smile return back to the face of Daiya. He wanted to wait till the drinks arrived before he asked about her condition again, but thankfully their food had arrived to fill the waiting gap. “
Ah, thank you,” he said to the waiter, before looking down to his tasty looking burger. “
Care to have a chip?” Cartri said, humorously waving a crispy chip in his hand to gain her attention.
Daiya snatched the chip from his fingers before he could pull it back, biting down on the chip's crunchy exterior. "
Mmmm. Y'know, if I didn't know you Cartri, I might mistake you for a gentleman sometimes." The teen's grin stayed fixed to her face as she surveyed her food, a mountain of a burger that brought her hunger back in full force. She wasted no more time in tasting one of the roasted tubers on her plate, letting out a pleasurable sound as the mushy texture inside melted in her mouth. "
Ohhhhh, these are so good," Daiya told him, and the thought of any
trade deal was the last thing from her mind. "
Try one!"
“
Damn Daiya! You were quick to grab that weren’t you?!” He said giddily, a smile keeping on his own face as he examined his food. Licking his lips he didn’t have any hesitation to take a bite out of the burger, savouring its rich taste and flavour from every bite. “
Mmmmm, now that’s tasty. But not as good as my favourite burger joint on Denon,” he hummed, taking a glance to one of the roasted tubers she was raving about. “
Oh, if you insist,” the boy rolled his eyes playfully and reached over, taking one of the tubers and giving it a try. He crunched on them for a few moments and shrugged slightly, showing it was decent but not as good as he thought. “
Not bad...” he teased, trying to play them down a bit. Only moments after, the sight of a waiter carrying meltdowns came into view, calmly coming to them professionally. “
Here we are...”
It sounded to her like Cartri was enjoying her food just as much, commentating on it while Daiya arranged the burger on her plate. She grasped the edges of the bun, which slid and gooped more than the Denonese teen was used to. She leaned over, taking a deep bite, eliciting a noise of surprise as some of the saltnut butter dripped out of the bottom and onto the table. Daiya put it down, giggling and hurrying to wipe up her mess, examining her sweatshirt with a mild terror that it had been laid victim to the messy burger as well. Relief was palpable on the teen's face as it came up clean, just as the pair of drinks were set down in front of the two. Daiya managed to chew enough of her burger to take a sip of the cocktail, and then sat back in her chair, chewing slowly with the glass in her hand. "
Pretty good."
Cartri gulped down another big bite of his burger while his glare kept on Daiya, who seemed to be making a hash of eating her burger. A section of saltnut butter fell from the end of the burger and splashed off the table, forcing a short giggle to escape his lips. “
Damn Daiya, do you ever eat clean?” he smiled before the alcoholic drinks were carefully placed on their table without a fuss from the waiter. Lifting the glass up to his lips, he took a sip and glared directly at the girl with a more serious look now. “
Alright, I’ve fulfilled my end of the bargain,” Cartri said with a slight smirk, placing a crunchy chip into his mouth to chew on. “
You can trust me Daiya, whatever you say won’t leave this table.”
"
Cleaner than your fething mouth," Daiya shot back, taking another sip and rolling it around her mouth. The saltnut butter stuck in odd places, but the salty, savory spread comforted her taste buds like nothing else. The sweet liquor of the drink made for a combination that made the teen want nothing more than to alternate between the salty and sweet sensations. She groaned as Cartri brought up his question again, prompting another, longer, sip before Daiya sat up straight again. "
I was hoping you'd forget about that," the teen said bitterly, and set the drink down. She took a dramatic pose, flanking her plate with palms flat on the table, and leaned slightly forward. "
So you wanna know the answer? I'm cursed."
Cartri rolled his eyes to the bite back of Daiya, but in some ways she was right, sometimes he didn’t when to shut up. The ginger teen could only grin from the look on her face when he mentioned the deal again “
What can I say, I’ve always had a good memory,” he sarcastically considering their talk only happened recently. Taking another sip of the delicious liquor he straightened his body and listened to what she had to say, his brow raising from when she considered herself cursed. “
With what exactly Daiya? Are your headaches to do with it?” Cartri asked with a more stern tone.
"
Yes, the voices told me you'd say that," Daiya suggested, smirking at the boy. She watched for his reaction, then laughed at her own joke. A sip of her drink held her interest for another moment, savoring the sweetness against the bitter truth to come. "
No, for real though?" the teen said at last, a haunting quality in her eyes now. She let out a breath, letting her shoulders slump and her eyes turn down to the table. "
I See things sometimes. Visions, premonitions, whatever you want to call it. Chit that might happen, that will happen, and I'm supposed to fething fix it. I hate them, and every time they come," Daiya pointed to her forehead, "
It hurts."
“
Voices?!” he said almost too loud, only calming down when he saw the smirk cross her face. Shaking his head he took another quick sip and listened again to what she had to say, providing her his undivided attention. As she explained her curse, his face slowly turned into a clear frown as well as one of revelation. Visions... how could that be possible? No one could possibly see the future unless they... were one with the force. How did Cartri know this? Well thanks to his many hours of horror films he had been able to gather knowledge on certain subjects as a whole, abilities of a Jedi being one of them. A specific film, Heretic Dreams jumped out to him. It was about a lowly Jedi who was constantly getting tortured by visions fabricated by a Sith entity. Most of it was based from fact, the story probably wasn’t real but the powers certainly were.
“
Daiya... I-I think you’re a force sensitive,” he almost gasped before taking a big gulp of his meltdown to drink down some sorrow. “
Actually no, you... you are,” Cartri said in a more lowered tone now. “
You’re just like me.”
"
Trust me, you don't wanna be like me. I know it's the Force, but feth if this isn't the chittiest Force power ever." The teen's grumbling launched her back into her chair, her arms folded across her chest. She ignored the drink on the table, her burger and tubers, and even the nerves in her heart and hands. For so long, Daiya had only ever shared this in the deepest confidence, terrified of anyone finding out. For fear that they'd treat her power as
a tragedy, or
an opportunity for them, she kept it to herself, not expecting to be met with understanding or camaraderie. She didn't even care if it was Knuckles she shared it with, this time the teen refused to be afraid. "
That time you saw it in the Abyss? That's the first time I ever got a Vision to come when I wanted it, and I still sent us straight into a spider nest!"
Out of all people Cartri was probably the one to understand her pain most. He had been struggling to control his power for years, not only did it bring pain to himself but other people too. “
We’re more a like than you think Daiya, both of us don’t know how to control the damn thing,” he said reassuringly, his upper body leaning forward to get a better look at her face. “
When I’m mad, I can’t control my power because of how accelerated it gets. In turn, I switch into the very thing I despise most,” Cartri said sadly, taking another gulp of the alcohol to calm himself. “
I can’t help it, but its made me realise how much help I really need,” the teen smiled now, putting a hand on her end of the table. “
You’re not alone Daiya. I can help you get through this like you unknowingly did for me...”
"
I don't need your sympathy, and I don't need help from someone who can barely handle himself," Daiya spat bitterly. She grabbed for the Meltdown again now, and took a long gulp of it. Her eyes stared at Cartri after she pulled the glass away, her words direct and earnest. "
I can figure this out on my own." The teen finished her drink and set it down on the table. A fresh boost of confidence and apathy coursed through her veins, kindling the desire for more. "
What I need is to get drunk and enjoy myself tonight. We get back to work tomorrow, when the feth are we ever gonna be on vacation again?"
Cartri seemed taken back from her straight forward reply, one that stung but rang true. He still didn’t know how to handle his powerful gift, and fully containing it still had a long ahead. Sure, Daiya was more than capable of sorting this on her own, but she needs the emotional support and someone who could be there on her worst days. No matter what, even if she didn’t want it he’d be there to comfort her. “
You’re right Daiya, we rarely get a chance to be like this,” he said with a renewed smile, choosing to leave this rough subject for a better time. “
Care to join me in downing our drinks?” The boy chuckled with a raise of his glass. “
Then maybe we can get a few more, on the house of course,” he said with a wink, lightly tapping the device in this pocket.
A mirthless chuckle loosed from Daiya's lips, letting the tight lines of her face relax a bit. Cartri's agreement surprised the teen, reinforcing her mood. She liked the boy, but sometimes he lived in another world of nobility and compassion that simply didn't exist for her. The young shadowrunner was far more loyal than she was noble, and only to the people she trusted. She allowed herself a smile at him, that was something Cartri was slowly earning back. "
Nothing but ice," Daiya mentioned, raising the glass and wiggling it until she heard a light tinkling. "
Go catch up, and then we'll hit the next round."
“
Nothing but ice...” he repeated back before downing the rest of his drinking in one go. He placed the glass back down and pulled out the device, licking his lips in excitement. “
Now, let’s really get serious,” the boy chuckled before placing down their next few orders, knowing full well they were going to be there awhile.
An hour passed and the groggy teens walked back out of the restaurant. Cartri, who had lost count of how many drinks he consumed, stumbled beside Daiya with a sheepish smile “
O-oh man... did you see... did you see their faces as we w-walked out?” He said, both stumbling over his feet and words. “
T-they... spoiled us... ha!” He giggled, lightly nudging Daiya with the edge of his elbow
"
That's 'cause you called the waiter 'Slim Pickings' and gave them back their ordering gadget," Daiya giggled back, jumping a little at Cartri's nudge. She was full of food, liquor, and giddiness, riding high back into a resort that looked far more vivid and fuzzy all at once. The teen pulled up close to the boy, slipping her arm under his and back around his shoulder. A similar pose to the first time the teen had walked a drunk Cartri home, but now she leaned her head against his shoulder, grinning and giggling the moment away. "
Lucky they don't give a chit about a couple a' drunk kids." She poked him with her free hand, and giggled again, "
Prolly won't let us back in there!"
“
Whoops!” He said in a drunken over dramatic fashion. He looked to the side and smiled down down to the girl, slowly wrapping his own arm around the lower half of her back. “
I-I doubt we’ll be coming back here anytime soon anyway,“ he giggled with a small burp, which in itself forced him to chuckle. Raising his arm up, he gently brushed her hair and staggered towards the lifts close together. “
Daiya... we’re going to be shit in the morning...” Cartri giggled, remembering they had a mission to do tomorrow. “
It... It will be worth it though,” Cartri smiled, placing a kiss on her head.
"
No, you'll be chit," Daiya corrected him, swiping his nose with a finger. She pressed the call button for the lifts, and leaned back against the wall. She pulled Cartri toward her with her hands, using them to tip his chin down as she brought hers up to meet him. "
I'll be an a-mazing fething mess!" Daiya giggled again. Until then, she just wanted to enjoy the moment. She leaned in to kiss him on the lips.
All Cartri could do was giggle lightly to what she was saying, hanging onto every word his frazzled face could understand. Feeling her hands pull him closer, his chin tipped down to face her with a warm smile. With no resistance he moved his lips closer and met her kiss, happily keeping it there for a few seconds before pulling away slightly. “
I can’t argue with that,” he said softly with a stroke of her cheek. Although, as he was leaning forwards to kiss her again the lift arrived and the doors swung open, forcing the boy to snap himself away from Daiya and stand straight in a humourous fashion. Two security guards walked out, giving the two love birds a funny look as they walked past them towards the main lobby. Cartri swayed on the spot as he looked back to daiya with a quiet giggle. “
T-talk about a buzz kill...” he whispered in her ear, lightly squeezing the girls hand and guiding her inside the lift.
"
Not to me," Daiya giggled, rolling her eyes at the security guards as they stepped past and into the lift. She brushed a hand against the button for their floor, the last thought she gave before leaning her body against Cartri again. Her arms wrapped around his neck, and she kissed him again. The teen tingled all over, the warmth of the liquor and touch setting her body alight. "
Just do what I do," Daiya told him, pausing to kiss him again. "
and just ignore everyone else."
As soon as Cartri had staggered back into the lift he felt Daiya come close again, wrapping her arms around his neck to continue where they left off. The ginger happily accepted her attention and offered a beaming smile when she pulled back to follow her lead. “
Whatever you say Daiya, nothing else matters other than you,” he said back before planting another long kiss on her lips. Eventually, the two teens reached their floor with a ding. Cartri kept close for a few more precious seconds before withdrawing his lips, giggling from the alcohol in his system and from how happy he was right now. “
Come on, we can’t stay in here forever,” he said with a grin, wrapping his arm behind her back and walking out with her towards their rooms “
S-so... what would you rate that attempt of a date?”
Daiya let out a long whine when Cartri pulled away from her. Her lower lip came out in a pout as they left their private sanctuary of the lift, strolling back into the public floor of the resort. The teen felt the night ending for them, already feeling lost without the comfort of company to come. "
I rate it highest on my list of dates so far," the teen admitted, straightening up as best she could. She grinned at him in admission. "
Top one out of one!"
“
Hm... at least I have the honor of being your first," he said proudly as they stopped outside of Daiya’s room. With a sigh that their wild evening had come to an end, he extended his arms out and pulled Daiya into his embrace for one of his signature hugs. “
T-thank you... for tonight,” Cartri slurred, letting her stay there for as long as needed. “
You really are a special girl.”
"
And you're a very drunk boy," Daiya whispered into his ear, giggling as she soaked up the embrace. She let her arms wander over his back, memorizing him for later. "
It was a lot of fun, we need to steal drinks more often." She leaned back, gazing into his face. Then she leaned in for one last kiss. "
And kisses." The teen giggled, pulling back slowly as she kissed him again. "
I need...to steal...all your...kisses."
“
I’m... I’m not drunk at all, what are you on about,” he said sarcastically with a bout of unsteadiness. Nodding slowly to what she was saying his face only formed a bigger smile as it went along. “
Stealing d-drinks and kisses is something I can get to,” he proclaimed, leaning forward to plant one final kiss before they departed. Pulling back he cheekly prodded her nose and stepped away from her. “
You can try, sweetheart,” he winked to Daiya as he walked backwards to his door. The two youngsters waved at each other groggily and giggled at one another’s expense, before slowly opening their doors and gazing at each other’s eyes until it closed. Cartri could feel his heart beating fast, fluttering with joy from the time he spent with a girl he admired greatly. Right now, even through his rough state all he could think about was her...
Daiya
/
Kal
/
Marcella Fiora
/
Ivory Stroud
/ Gabriel Lynch /
Diocletian Kahmen’’a
