Chapter One-hundred Forty-Three: Breakfast in Pink Top City

Chapter 143

Breakfast in Pink Top City

Celeste lay in bed wearing a black tank top and panties. She smiled as she watched Jaxon walk around in his silk dragon robe, which she had given him. He was drinking tea from a teacup.

Celeste: “Did Tristan give you some tea?”

She asked. Jaxon smiled and shook his head.

Jaxon: “No, babe. I went to Andreas’ shop to get some incense for the house and to get a reading.”

He replied as he drained his drink. He went out to the kitchen to put the cup in the sink and returned to their bedroom. He untied the sash on his robe, letting it drop to the floor, where it rested on his ankles. He stood before her, baring his nude body. She bit her bottom lip, admiring his toned form. Jaxon chuckled and climbed into bed with her. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed his chest.

Celeste: “What reading did you get?”

Jaxon paused.

Jaxon: “After our Los Campos trip and seeing those monsters, it triggered me to think of Kristen… and Chelsea.”

He said with pain in his eyes.

Jaxon: “I agree with what Andreas told me, but I guess I need to come to terms with the fact that it wasn’t my fault.”

He said in a plaintive tone.

Celeste: “But it’s not your fault… It’s Ichiro’s… and Ivy’s.”

Jaxon: “Ivy’s to a lesser degree.”

He corrected her gently.

Jaxon: “I knew Ivy lived with him before moving onto Tristan’s dad, but I didn’t know he kicked her out.”

He stated.

Celeste: “...I didn’t either. She sort of… moved onto Vic.”

She wagged her head.

Jaxon: “Did you find that… ick?”

Celeste gaped at him.

Celeste: “She was really, really mean to him, so yeah.”

She nodded.

Jaxon: “Aside from that, did you find it weird she had a thing for Tristan and moved onto his dad?”

He asked her.

Celeste: “I thought she was trying to make Tristan jealous, so I guess so.”

She nodded. Jaxon stared at her.

Celeste: “Yeah, I tickled Vic and was interested, but I think it was because he was hurting and I was lonely. I don’t know, but Vic kept moping about Ivy and feeling sorry for himself. He went to camp and came back. He did improve.”

She explained. Jaxon twisted his mouth, recalling how he and Victor would fight over Celeste.

Celeste: “Vic wasn’t for me, and I am not for him. If he’s meant to find love, I hope he finds it, but it won’t be in Ivy.”

She pursed her lips.

Celeste: “I think he hates her anyway, but so do most people.”

She laughed. Jaxon smiled at her.

The couple gazed into each other’s eyes and kissed. She wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. It was one of the most soothing sounds to her.

~

Jordi stepped out of his shower wearing his black silk pajamas. He heard someone knock on the door. He paused. Who is knocking at this hour? He wondered. He wasn’t going to answer, but his hunches told him he should. He strolled out of his bedroom and to the door. He opened it and saw Gina on his doorstep. Jordi raised his eyebrows.

Jordi: “Gina, what are you doing here?”

He stepped aside to let her in.

Gina: “I don’t know, Jordi, but… I don’t want to sleep alone tonight, and I don’t think you do either!”

She said, knitting her eyebrows. Jordi raised his eyebrows. He looked away, blushing.

Jordi: “I don’t know if I am ready to…”

She put her forefinger to his lips.

Gina: “We don’t have to make love…”

She whispered. He blushed.

Gina: “Not yet… but I want to be in your arms.”

She said softly. Jordi swallowed hard and pursed his lips.

Gina stepped out of his bathroom wearing a purple silk nightgown with a purple lace trim. Her stiff nipples pressed against the fabric. Jordi reddened at the sight of her in it and scooted over in his bed. She crawled into bed with him and pushed her large breasts against his chest. Jordi bit his bottom lip and inhaled sharply as he put his arms around her. She traced her fingertips over his golden Cuban link necklace. He shivered at her touch and inhaled sharply.

Gina: “Jordi…”

She whispered and pressed her lips to his neck. Jordi gasped and shivered. He trailed his fingers down her back. He opened his mouth to hers, and they kissed deeply.

Jordi: “I want this, but I’m afraid… you’re going to break my heart.”

~

Jordi snapped his eyes open and turned his head. There was no one there. It was just a dream, thought. He sighed sadly, wishing it were real. He hated being distant as he felt he was, but he feared she would break his heart. So why do I keep coming back if I have these fears? He wondered.

~

That morning, after Jordi showered, brushed his teeth, and got dressed in his black suit, he went out to his car and put his Ray Bans over his eyes. He heard a high-pitched male voice with a French accent and a slight lisp call his name. He turned to lower his shades and saw Tristan standing by his red 1987 Toyota MR2 convertible. He wore a three-piece, ash-purplish Italian-cut suit, a white, pressed shirt, a dark purple tie, and black wingtip Oxfords.

Jordi: “Hello, Tristan!”

Tristan: “Would you care to have breakfast with me? It’s my treat!”

He asked genially. Jordi smiled. It beats those expensive, bland breakfasts in Megalos Tower, he thought.

Jordi: “Sure! Where do you have in mind?”

Tristan folded his arms over.

Tristan: “Alice’s Dreams.”

He replied with a smile.

Jordi: “I’ve never been there!”

He said awkwardly. It’s expensive for one, and I never had anyone to go with me, he thought. Tristan surveyed him.

Tristan: “Do you have somewhere else in mind?”

Jordi smiled and shook his head.

Jordi: “No, it’s fine! Lead the way.”

He extended his hand to his car.

~

Tristan and Jordi arrived at Alice’s Dream, which was a luxury café in Greammoom Hills. The café exuded grandeur and elegance, characterized by a dominant color palette of white, gold, and vibrant pink. The walls were made of white marble, featuring columns with intricate gold detailing at their capitals and bases. These columns frame large arched windows with a view of the street.

The ceiling was highly ornate, painted in white and gold with elaborate moldings, and adorned with gold chandeliers. The floor was polished white marble tiles, interspersed with abstract, flowing patterns of gold veins.

The chairs were upholstered in a soft, light pink velvet. They had elegant curves and prominent gold frames. The tables were round, with white marble tops and intricate, sculpted gold bases.

Pink roses were a prominent decorative element. They were artfully draped and arranged along the tops of the wall arches, cascading down the columns, and placed in vases on the tables. These flowers added a significant pop of color and a romantic, garden-like atmosphere to the otherwise grand interior.

Jordi admired the elegance of the place, and the two men sat down at a table. A waitress dressed in a pastel pink maid uniform approached them.

Waitress: “Good morning, gentlemen! What can I get you both to drink?”

Tristan: “Cherry marzipan green tea.”

He smiled at her. Jordi read through the drink menu, taking note of the various tea blends. Tristan scrutinized him and smiled, taking note of his awkwardness.

Tristan: “Do you need more time?”

He asked gently. Jordi shook his head.

Jordi: “An iced tea!”

He blurted.

Waitress: “What kind of iced tea, sir?”

She smiled. Jordi sank into his seat. Okay, now he thinks I’m stupid, he thought. Tristan reached out and placed his hand on his arm. Jordi reddened.

Tristan: “I recommend the orange papaya black iced tea.”

He suggested.

Jordi: “S-Sure! That sounds good.”

He smiled at the waitress. She took their order and left.

Jordi: “I am SO sorry about that!”

He waved his hands around frantically.

Tristan: “Don’t be! I understand.”

He folded his hands and rested his head on them. Jordi nodded and exhaled slowly. He felt calm around him as if he wouldn’t judge him. The waitress came back with their drinks. Tristan’s tea was served in a delicate china teacup, and Jordi’s drink was in a tall glass with a straw, garnished with an orange.

Tristan: “Nice weather we’re having, right?”

He cupped his mouth and gazed at him.

Jordi: “Yeah.”

He sipped his iced tea.

Jordi: “Why did you invite me out?”

Tristan: “I want to get to know you more.”

He smiled tightly at him.

Jordi: “I see. Am I correct in assuming you want to ask me something?”

Tristan’s smile remained intact.

Tristan: “Perhaps, but it seems you want my advice on something.”

Jordi froze and looked away.

Tristan: “That aside, I am interested in forming a friendship with you. You helped us tremendously and saved Jaxon from your boss. For that, you are forever in my debt.”

He said earnestly and blew on his tea before he sipped it. Jordi watched his movements and mannerisms, noting how elegant and classy he is.

Tristan: “What do you need my help with?”

He asked gently. Jordi cleared his throat.

Jordi: “You know what happened in Los Campos with… Gina.”

Tristan nodded and cupped his mouth.

Tristan: “Yes, she withheld the fact that she was dating that Russian werewolf who attacked us in that haunted maze.”

Jordi nodded soberly.

Jordi: “I decided to give her another chance… I want to give her another chance, but I’m afraid she’ll break my heart.”

He sighed.

Jordi: “Already she introduced me to her parents as her boyfriend.”

Tristan raised his eyebrows.

Tristan: “She seems to be moving at a rapid pace. Did you two agree to this?”

He asked and had a hunch that she had done it without discussing it. Jordi rubbed the back of his neck.

Jordi: “No, she sprung it on me.”

He said tersely. Tristan nodded.

Tristan: “She strikes me as someone who leaps without looking. Is it a malicious act? Not entirely, but I can see that boundaries were crossed, and you need to have this discussion with her. I won’t sugarcoat it either; you jumped into bed with her quickly. I believe these things need time.”

He said firmly but gently. Jordi looked away.

Tristan: “Do you do this because you genuinely have feelings for this girl, or do you fear loneliness?”

He asked him. Jordi raised his eyebrows and inhaled sharply.

Jordi: “I don’t know. I do fear being alone, yes, but I am not sure if I have feelings for Gina.”

He confessed. Tristan drew a long breath.

Tristan: “You may not figure it out for a while, but acting on your impulses is not the answer to your problems. It’s a temporary solution.”

He nodded and sipped his tea.

Jordi drew a long breath.

Tristan: “I don’t think Gina intended to hurt you. I think she’s a naive, sheltered girl who makes a lot of bad choices, but I don’t think she means to hurt you. I don’t know much of her history, but my hunches tell me that she was involved with that wolf man because he gave her false hope of dancing for cruise lines.”

He explained. Jordi nodded.

Jordi: “She said she had a crush on me in high school. I know I crushed on her in high school.”

He laughed a bit.

Tristan: “Oftentimes, we’re not the same people we were in high school. Of course, there are exceptions.”

He said, thinking of Blair and Ivy.

Jordi: “Do you think I should pursue a relationship with her?”

Tristan set his cup down.

Tristan: “What does your heart tell you?”

He smiled warmly. Jordi smiled a bit.

Jordi: “I like being with her a lot. I feel I can be myself with her and not put on a façade as I did with my other partners.”

He replied as his voice trailed off.

Tristan: “Then you know what to do.”

He smiled tightly. Jordi returned the smile.

Tristan: “Be gentle, loving, and kind, but make your boundaries clear. If she respects those, you mean a lot to her, too.”

He said genially.

Jordi smiled and felt better.

Jordi: “Thank you, Tristan!”

He nodded.

Jordi: “So what did you want to ask me?”

Tristan drew a long breath.

Tristan: “What are your thoughts on Ichiro Tachibana, and how well do you know him?”

Tristan cupped his mouth and bore his gaze on him. Jordi paused.

Jordi: “I don’t know him well. My boss doesn’t talk to him much, and Ichiro seems creepy. Seeing how he turns people into monsters, my hunches were correct.”

He stated and recalled what Minerva told him about her plan. Before he could speak, Tristan interjected.

Tristan: “Do you know of anyone named Borko Brava?”

Jordi shook his head.

Tristan: “I see.”

He nodded.

Tristan: “He’s missing. My secretary’s daughter was his… ‘little’ to her ‘dommy grandpa.’ ”

He said with strain. Jordi winced.

Jordi: “Oh, uh, no comment!”

He waved his hand.

Jordi: “What does this have to do with Ichiro?”

Tristan: “The night Borko disappeared, he was in Ichiro’s car driving with him. It was during Rosemary’s other daughter’s engagement party. He came back and told the family he had errands to run and drove away. He hasn’t been seen since.”

He explained. Jordi nodded.

Jordi: “Do you think Ichiro turned him into those creatures?”

Tristan shook his head.

Tristan: “The thought crossed my mind. I thought maybe he was a guinea pig and died, but no, I don’t think Ichiro had anything to do with Borko’s disappearance.”

Jordi: “Why do you care?”

He sipped his iced tea and removed the orange to eat it. Tristan flicked his gaze to Jordi.

Tristan: “I don’t care. I only want to know what Ichiro’s connection to Borko is… or was.”

He replied.

Jordi gazed at Tristan.

Jordi: “So, Tristan?”

He asked with strain. Tristan quirked an eyebrow.

Tristan: “Yes?”

Jordi: “What happened at Seashell Cove?”

Tristan gaped at him and cupped his mouth.

Tristan: “How do you know about that? Through Ichiro?”

He asked with tension in his tone.

Jordi: “Minerva told me.”

Tristan: “I don’t… like discussing that…”

He shifted in his seat.

Jordi: “Well, we have to discuss it because Minerva wants to take Jaxon to that sanctuary to break him!”

He said tersely. Tristan’s eyes widened.

Tristan: “...NO!”

He clasped his hand over his chest.

Tristan: “That would traumatize him! That’s where Ichiro turned Chelsea into a richonoid and she almost killed Celeste and me, and Jaxon locked her in the burning building!”

Jordi put his hand on Tristan’s arm. Tristan smiled a bit at him.

Tristan: “Thank you for informing me, Jordi.”

He said sincerely.

Jordi: “I’m on your side, Tristan. I told her not to do that.”

Tristan nodded.

Tristan: “I am so certain that went over well.”

He said dryly. Jordi rolled his eyes.

Tristan smiled at him.

Tristan: “Jordi, if you need any help with anything, let me know. I will help you.”

Jordi smiled a bit. He never liked asking for help, but he did like having a friend like Tristan. He felt better after this conversation.

~

Deimos was training in his dojo, Bushido Martial Arts. He wore his karate gi with his black belt around his waist, with four yellow stripes at the end. Tatami mats covered most of the elevated, dark wooden platform where Deimos trained.

The dojo had prominent dark wooden beams and pillars that supported the ceiling and divided the space. These structural elements have a rustic, natural wood finish.

There were several square lanterns with white panels suspended from the ceiling and also placed on the floor.

On the right wall, several framed pictures depicted traditional Shin-Yamato villages and warriors. Above these framed pieces, a large illuminated sign with Japanese characters read, “武道” or bushido – the way of the warrior. In the far back, a large mural depicted the Shin-Yamato mountains.

Jaxon knelt on the wooden floor watching Deimos train. He wore a red button-up leopard print shirt with the buttons undone to expose his dragon chest tattoo, tight black jeans, and black sheer socks on his feet. Deimos had four wooden panels stacked on two cinder blocks.

Deimos: “HIYA!”

He called as he punched through the wood, breaking them all in half. Jaxon chuckled.

Jaxon: “With those moves, you can save and protect me in no time.”

He teased. Deimos brushed the wood off his hand and rolled his eyes.

Deimos then stacked five wood panels on the cinderblocks. He pressed his two fingers on the wood and raised his fist.

Deimos: “YAHHHH!”

He slammed his fist through the panels, breaking them in half.

Jaxon: “Ooooh!”

He purred.

Jaxon: “If anyone comes after me, I will tell them my best friend can chop wood panels in half.”

He teased. Deimos drew a rough breath. He grabbed a cold, damp towel to rub the sweat off his head, face, and neck.

Jaxon grabbed a hair tie from his pocket and tied his hair back.

Suddenly, they were alerted to the sound of barking and turned in the direction of the noise to see a morbidly obese woman on a Rascal scooter. She had pale skin, long fire-engine red hair, and Coke-bottle glasses that hung over her upturned nose. She wore a pink sweater with a ningyo on it and looked to be in her mid-thirties.

Rascal Woman: “Huh, must be some kind of class or something.”

She said to her chihuahua, her breath smelling of tuna. Deimos gaped at her. What was your first fucking clue? He wondered.

A young man stood by her side, gazing at her with awe. His plain, mismatched clothes looked like they came from the discount stock bin at Wool-Mart. His blue hair was a matted and wild mess, and he looked fresh out of high school and no older than eighteen.

Man: “It’s a karate class.”

He stammered. The chihuahua growled at him and yapped at him. The young man moaned in fear, but the woman laughed with amusement, patting her dog.

Rascal Woman: “Aww, she’s protective over me!”

She grinned and belched. Deimos and Jaxon twisted their mouths in disgust.

A white, haggard-looking woman entered, who looked to be in her late thirties. She was slim and wore a tight leopard print jumpsuit, heels, and had several tattoos of men’s names on her arms, with most all scratched off, except for the last one, which was “Dale.” She wore thick makeup and had her blue hair still in curlers.

Woman: “Well, Jeffy, it’s your karate class! Go show your sweetheart your moves, honey!”

She drawled. The rascal woman smirked with glee.

Rascal woman: “Yeah, lemme check out your feet!”

She licked her lips at him. Jeffy reddened and beamed at her.

A young white man entered and screamed. He wore a tattered black wig with a red clip-on streak, a neon green Rat Fink tank top, Daisy Duke shorts, and socks with sandals. He had a poorly drawn dragon on his chest with a felt-tip marker.

Wig man: “EDMUND IN DA BUILDING! Line up, ladies! I can only take one at a time!”

He yelled. Jaxon gazed at him and winced. Oh God, it’s another fucking weirdo fan, he thought.

Racal woman: “Oh, Edmund is SO obnoxious!”

She whined and shook her head at him and belched obnoxiously. Jaxon winced and gagged. God, she’s so gross, he thought. Deimos cleared his throat.

Demos: “Excuse me, who are you? Dogs are not permitted in the dojo.”

He told her firmly. The rascal woman turned to him, and her demeanor shifted when she caught a glimpse of his feet.

Rascal woman: “H-Hi, I’m Ruthie Smith. Oh no! Nerissa is my emotional support animal. I need her, for I have a tragic backstory that excuses everything I do…”

She sighed, locking her gaze on him, unable to take her eyes off his feet. Deimos gaped mutely at her. Is this bitch for fucking real?! He wondered. Jaxon laughed awkwardly, feeling Deimos’ pain.

Ruthie: “And who are you?”

She purred at him. Edmund pouted.

Edmund: “Why can’t this hot redhead hit on me?”

He muttered. Ruthie rolled her eyes and pouted.

Deimos: “I’m Deimos Katsaros.”

He replied.

Ruthie: “Nice to meet you, Deimos.”

She held her hand out to shake his. Deimos flicked his gaze to her hand and reluctantly shook it. Suddenly, he felt a buzzing in his hand, pulling it away. Ruthie threw her head back laughing.

Ruthie: “HA! Got you! Gets me every time!”

She grinned dumbly.

Edmund: “Yeah, I always fall for that! Isn’t she so funny?”

He laughed. Deimos glared at her.

Deimos: “Yes, what an original gag.”

He said acidly.

Ruthie: “I’m the best prankster!”

She gloated.

Jaxon: “Yeah, a real prank queen.”

He said wryly and snorted.

Deimos: “Whatever. What are you and your stooges doing here?”

He asked her.

Edmund: “Jeffy is gonna show you all his kung-fu moves!”

He grinned.

Deimos: “It’s a karate dojo.”

He corrected him.

Edmund: “You say tomato, I say to-mah-toe ‘cause toes!”

He laughed. Deimos gaped at him. Jaxon laughed awkwardly. Ruthie grinned and laughed.

Ruthie: “I came up with that one!”

She said proudly.

Jaxon: “Toes before hoes, right?”

He said wryly. Deimos turned to him with a scowl.

Deimos: “Don’t encourage them!”

He hissed.

Ruthie turned around on her scooter to face Jaxon.

Ruthie: “Oh, I’m stealing that one!”

She purred and licked her lips at Jaxon’s feet. Jaxon shifted his eyes and shuddered when she said that, and saw she was gazing at his feet.

Jaxon: “Yeah, always boasting with original ideas, right?”

He muttered.

Ruthie: “Boasting and roasting you with my pranks!”

She said with glee. Jaxon forced a smile and gave a thumbs-up.

Deimos was growing increasingly irritated.

Deimos: “You still haven’t answered my question. This is a private training session. If you want to sign up for classes, you will have to see Sensei Nishizawa.”

He said firmly.

Ruthie: “So what? I’m Ruthie Smith! I can do whatever I want!”

She declared loftily. Deimos furrowed his eyebrows.

Deimos: “Okay, can you fuck out of here?”

He asked sharply. Ruthie gasped and gaped at him.

Ruthie: “Why would you want that?”

She gaped at him.

Deimos: “Because you’re starting to really annoy me.”

He said through clenched teeth. Ruthie pouted.

Ruthie: “It’s not MY fault!”

Edmund: “Man, you should hear Ruthie and Jeffy in the sack! The farting is noisier than Apple City traffic!”

He laughed. Ruthie laughed along with him. Deimos and Jaxon gaped at him indignantly. Jaxon gagged and cupped his mouth.

Jaxon: “Man, can you just… not do that?!”

He asked flippantly.

Deimos: “I could have gone the rest of my life without knowing that.”

He said, sardonic and detached.

Ruthie: “Get a sense of humor! Farts are funny!”

She laughed and farted. Jaxon cupped his mouth and gagged. Deimos felt his fury soar.

Edmund: “OH MY GOD! Are you ‘Axion Jaxon’?! I didn’t recognize you with your hair tied back!”

He screamed. Jaxon shuddered.

Jaxon: “Yeah, a big fan of mine doesn’t recognize me with my hair tied back. You must be a super dedicated fan.”

He said dryly.

Deimos: “I think he and his entourage are all just fucking stupid. Fat wheels here, just wondered if this was a class despite her too young boyfriend wanting to show off his moves or whatever.”

He huffed. Jaxon inhaled sharply. Ruthie twisted her mouth.

Ruthie: “I like eighteen-year-old feet.”

She cooed.

Ruthie: “How old are you?”

She asked.

Deimos: “Jaxon and I are both twenty-three.”

He replied. Ruthie frowned and looked disappointed.

Ruthie: “Oh, I thought you boys were eighteen… twenty-three is too old…”

She sighed. Deimos looked blank.

Deimos: “How tragic, we’re too old for your liking.”

He said dryly.

Edmund: “Axion Jaxon, is that really, really you?!”

He asked again. Jaxon groaned.

Jaxon: “I don’t go by ‘Axion Jaxon’ anymore, but yeah, that’s me.”

Edmund: “I am your BIGGEST fan ever! I love seeing your feet getting tickled on Fu’s Feet Links, and I want to be like you!”

He hollered. As soon as Jaxon heard the name “Fu’s Feet Links”, his disgust slowly turned to anger.

Ruthie: “Oh I saw those videos, I cummed all over my computer and had to get a new one.”

She said proudly. Jaxon waved his hand at her.

Jaxon: “SHUT UP! Stop talking! Get out of here!”

He snapped, wanting her to go and stop humiliating him.

A wry smirk crept onto Ruthie’s face.

Ruthie: “I’d like to see you try!”

She laughed, pulling out a bucket of glue and tipping it all over the floor and all over their feet.

Ruthie: “MWHAHAHAHAHHA I AM THE PRANK QUEEN!’

She cackled proudly. Jaxon’s and Deimos’ eyes widened when the glue was beneath their soles, and they tried to lift their feet.

Jaxon: “WHAT THE FUCK?!”

He snapped as the glue stretched as he lifted his feet.

Deimos: “Not again!”

He huffed.

Ruthie: “Now your feet are stuck in glue!”

She cackled.

Deimos: “No shit, Sherlock!”

He snapped.

Jeffy: “Hahahha, you’re SO funny, Ruthie!”

He marveled at her.

Edmund: “Now I can do what I always wanted to do to Jaxon!”

He reached out and tickled his sides. Jaxon shrieked and laughed.

Jaxon: “AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA OHOHOHOHOHO FOHOOHOHOR FUCK SAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAKE!”

He laughed hard. Ruthie rolled over to the men and grinned at them, using her claw reacher stick to tickle their sides. Jeffy followed suit and tickled Deimos’ feet. Jeffy’s feet blushed orange-red. Deimos and Jaxon both burst out laughing. Florence grinned and started filming them.

Florence: “I am so proud of my son!”

Jaxon: “AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA NOHOHOHOHOHOHO!!”

He laughed and struggled to get away.

Deimos: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAHAA!! FUCK OHOHOHOHOHOHOFF! YOHOHOHOU FUHUHUCKING IDIOTS!”

He screamed through furious bouts of laughter.

Ruthie: “Coochie-coo bitch!”

She grinned inanely, grabbing at them with her claw reacher stick.

Jaxon: “AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!! NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!!”

He whined as tears welled in his brown eyes.

Deimos: “ARGH! NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO FUCK OHOHOHOHOFF! AHAHAHAHA!!”

He laughed furiously, hating that he couldn’t move and was stuck. They all stopped tickling them and panted.

Ruthie: “So, uh, Jeffy, do you want to go on a date to Voyage Burger now?”

She stammered.

Jeffy: “S-Sure! I’d love that!”

He smiled at her.

Florence: “So cute.”

She silently squealed.

Edmund: “Hey, wait up! I want a Lil’ Berserker meal!”

He hollered as he chased them.

Jaxon and Deimos glared down at the glue.

Jaxon: “How the fuck are we going to get out of this?!”

He rasped.

~

A half-hour later, Celeste arrived at the dojo. She wore a Pantera tank top, jean cut-offs, fishnets, and ankle strap boots. She came with a super glue remover and poured the solvent over the glue, gently peeling it off their feet.

Celeste: “Didn’t know the circus was in town.”

She quipped. Deimos folded his arms across his chest and scowled. Jaxon heaved a deep sigh and groaned.

Jaxon: “Thanks, babe. It’s a good thing I had my cell phone in my pocket.”

Deimos: “I hope that’s the last we see of those fucking losers.”

He huffed. Jaxon wrapped his arms around Celeste when he was released.

Celeste: “Tristan wants to meet us in his backyard patio.”

Deimos raised an eyebrow. Why do I get the feeling this is dire? He mused.

~

Celeste, Jaxon, and Deimos met with Tristan at his backyard patio and sat at the table with him.

Jaxon: “Yo, what’s up, Tristan?”

Deimos kissed Tristan.

Deimos: “Everything okay?”

He caressed his soft hair.

Tristan: “No, it’s not.”

Deimos frowned. Jaxon felt a knot form in his stomach.

Tristan: “I had breakfast with Jordi this morning. We spoke. I asked him if he knew Borko, and he didn’t, but he mentioned something else.”

He knit his eyebrows. Deimos rubbed his back.

Tristan: “Minerva knows about Seashell Cove.”

Jaxon looked away. He recalled her mentioning that if he teamed up with her, incidents like this wouldn’t occur again. Deimos bowed his head. Celeste blinked.

Celeste: “Well, she works with Ichiro, and he did it.”

Tristan: “I know this, Celeste, but Minerva wants to take Jaxon back to the sanctuary… where it began and ended.”

Jaxon knit his eyebrows and cupped his mouth. He started to tremble.

Jaxon: “NO!”

Tristan: “Jaxon, we’re not going to allow that to happen.”

He said doggedly.

Jaxon rose from the table and paced around. Celeste gazed at him.

Jaxon: “NO! Why is she doing this to me?! What does she want from me?! Isn’t this going a bit far just to tickle me?!”

He cried. Celeste rose and embraced him. Jaxon hugged her back.

Tristan: “It is, Jaxon. Jordi informed me, and we’re not going to allow it.”

He nodded.

Deimos: “Jaxon, it wasn’t your fault… It was Ichiro’s.”

He reassured him.

Jaxon: “People tell me that and I know they’re right, but I think in the back of my mind, if it weren’t for me, she’d still be alive!”

He cried. Tristan looked away and sighed.

Tristan: “Ichiro’s goal was to break you, Jaxon. I don’t believe it would have mattered, but I do wonder if Ivy didn’t drug Celeste, would Celeste have prevented it?”

He inhaled sharply and stared down at his lap. Deimos reached over and held him. Celeste rested her head on Jaxon’s chest, and he placed his hand on Celeste’s head.

Jaxon: “I think so, but I think she’s getting her karma with that blue bitch.”

He huffed.

~

Jordi lay in bed that night, wearing his dark purple silk pajamas, and read a book. He heard knocking on his door. It’s like my dream, he thought. He rose from his bed to answer the door. When he opened it, he saw Gina standing on his doorstep, embracing herself and crying. She wore a light purple silk robe. She wrapped her arms around Jordi and bawled.

Jordi: “Gina?! What’s wrong?”

He asked softly as he caressed her hair. He closed the door.

Gina: “Jordi, I was SO scared!”

She sobbed on his chest. Jordi caressed her hair and her back.

Jordi: “Talk to me. What happened?”

He asked gently. She sobbed on his chest. He embraced her tightly.

Gina: “Don’t let me go, Jordi!”

She whimpered.

Jordi: “I won’t!”

He said earnestly.

He guided her to his bedroom and pulled up the sheets to crawl into bed. Gina untied the sash on her robe and dropped it to her ankles. She wore a purple silk nightgown with a lace trim and climbed into bed with him.

Jordi: “What happened?”

He asked as she clung to his chest.

Gina: “I was sleeping in my bedroom and felt someone’s hand go in my bedsheets and on my boobs!”

She cried. He held her close as she gazed up at him with tears in her eyes.

Jordi: “Do you know who did it?”

She shook her head as he caressed her.

Gina: “No, but I am scared, Jordi!”

She cried.

Jordi: “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

He reassured her.

Gina: “Will you protect me, Jordi?”

She sobbed. Jordi smiled and nodded.

Jordi: “Of course, I will!”

He nodded. Gina smiled and rested her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

Gina: “I don’t want to be alone tonight.”

She murmured.

Jordi: “You’re safe with me.”

He framed her face with his hands.

The two gazed into each other’s eyes and kissed deeply.