Chapter Two-hundred: Goose

Chapter 200

Goose

Jordi went down the hall and entered Vesper View. He scanned the restaurant to see that not many people were inside. He didn’t see Madelyn amongst the patrons. He twisted his mouth and hooked his thumbs into his pants. He turned to the waitress at the counter.

Jordi: “Excuse me, Miss?”

The waitress smiled at Jordi.

Waitress: “Yes, what can I help you with, Mr. Vaquero?”

She asked.

Jordi: “Uhm, my date that came here… Did you see her leave?”

The waitress nodded.

Waitress: “She was about to pay for her drink, but I reassured her that you paid and anything she wanted was on your tab as you instructed.”

Jordi knit his eyebrows and drew a long breath.

Jordi: “All right.”

He forced a smile.

As he turned on his heel to leave, the waitress put her hand up.

Waitress: “Oh, Dr. Sarsarelli did ask to have dinner with her.”

She stated. Jordi froze in his tracks and turned to her.

Jordi: “...Did he?”

Waitress: “She refused and left.”

She nodded.

Jordi marched out of the place. That fat son-of-a-bitch, he thought angrily as he stormed down the corridor.

~

A short, slim, elderly black man was outside of Craig’s and Makayla’s condo, cleaning and mopping the floor. He was balding with a moustache and wore navy coveralls. He was the 67-year-old janitor of that floor, Chester Washington. As he cleaned the floor, he heard Makayla and Brad inside having loud sex, with sounds of burping and farting. A stinky sock was draped over the doorknob to their condo.

Jordi approached Chester.

Jordi: “Evening, Chester. Long shift, huh?”

He asked casually.

Chester: “It’s nothin’ I ain’t used to by now.”

He drawled as he mopped up the floor. Jordi nodded and strolled by him to approach the vending machine. He looked over his shoulder to see Chester spraying the windows and wiping them clean. While he was distracted, he went down the hall with the keycard to Stefano’s office in his hand, which he swiped from Chester.

Craig jumped in front of him with a shit-eating grin across his face. Jordi gnashed his teeth.

Jordi: “Get the Hell out of my way, Craig.”

He hissed through clenched teeth.

Craig: “Oi, Kayla 'n that fat fuck got the condo now, so let's get on the beers and fuck!”

He grinned. Jordi grabbed his neck and shocked him. Craig crashed to the floor and flopped around like a fish. He checked out Jordi’s ass as he marched down the corridor.

~

Madelyn’s wrists were shackled above her head. She stood in a lonely, dark room with just a spotlight shining down on her. She had her dress, shoes, and headpiece removed and wore only her purple leopard-print bra and panties.

Madelyn: “What is this terrible place?!”

She gasped and shifted in her bonds.

Madelyn: “My flower crown?!”

She cried and then realized her clothes had been removed, too.

Madelyn: “Why am I in my panties?!”

She exclaimed.

Footsteps grew closer, and Stefano stepped into the light.

Stefano: “Hello, little lady! I brought you here since Jordi left you at that restaurant.”

He chuckled. Madelyn’s stomach twisted and turned at the sight of him.

Madelyn: “YOU! You're that creepy Ice Cream man! What are you doing to me?!”

She snapped at him. Stefano grinned at her.

Stefano: “Let’s test some reflexes, shall we?”

He withdrew a feather from his lab coat and tickled her nose with it. Madelyn shivered and winced with peals of laughter.

Madelyn: “HahahahHahahahaHehehehe!”

She squirmed and sneezed.

Madelyn: “ACHOO!”

Stefano bit his bottom lip.

He reached out and tickled her tummy with his fingers. Madelyn stumbled over laughter.

Madelyn: “HAHAHAHAAHHAHAHEEEEEEAHAHAHA!”

She squealed and wished Jordi was doing this to her rather than this ice cream man creep. He grinned as he wiggled his fingers all over her tummy and sides.

Madelyn: “HAHAHAHAHEHHEEHHEEHAHAHAHOHOOHEHEHEEEEEEEE! JORDIIII! HELP!”

She squealed and squirmed.

Stefano stopped tickling her and gave her a lecherous smile as he cupped her large breasts. Madelyn panted to catch her breath.

Madelyn: “Don't touch me, you creepy ice cream Man! I want Jordi!”

She protested. Stefano squeezed her boobs.

Stefano: “He doesn’t want you, sweetheart.”

He grinned. Madelyn recoiled and winced.

Madelyn: “I don't want yooou!”

She whined.

Stefano reached behind her to unclip her bra and caressed her waist. Madelyn shut her eyes and winced with disgust. As he was about to, the door swung open, and Jordi marched.

Jordi: “GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM HER!”

He roared and charged after him. Stefano froze in his tracks and turned around.

Stefano: “Wh-What the?!”

Jordi delivered a punch so hard that he fell back and tumbled over. Madelyn gasped with widened eyes.

Madelyn: “JORDI!”

She beamed with relief and was delighted to see him again.

Jordi reached up and untied her wrists, freeing her. He wrapped his arms around her.

Jordi: “Are you okay?!”

He asked her, knitting his eyebrows. Madelyn wrapped her arms around him.

Madelyn: “Oh, Jordi! I'm so happy to see you! Thank you so much for saving me from the evil Ice Cream man!”

She exclaimed, kissing his cheeks. Jordi smiled at her and drew a long breath.

Suddenly, something slashed at his back, drawing blood. Jordi crashed into the floor and gasped for air as blood dripped from his back and onto the floor. He raised his head to what stood before him and Madeyn. He gaped in horror at the sight he saw. Madelyn’s heart sank.

Madelyn: “JORDIIII!”

She cried out to him and knelt before him, tears of concern streaming down her face. She looked up at the monster with horror.

It was a tall, spindly, menacing clown robot with elongated arms and legs. His arms were segmented, cylindrical shapes. His fingers were long, needle-like, metallic claws that fanned out with Jordi’s blood dripping from them. He had a broad, manic grin, his sharp teeth showing. The eyes are small and intensely focused, giving him a deranged look. On his head were three horns curving outward and upward.

A large, ruffled Elizabethan-style collar circled the neck, and the chest and waist were adorned with diamond patterns. His boots flared out toward the bottom, ending in large, pointed, and curled jester shoes.

Stefano chuckled and smiled.

Stefano: “I figured golden boy would rescue you, so I prepared Goose to take care of him.”

Madelyn turned to him and glared at him.

Madelyn: “You monster! You're the one who is a goose!”

She hissed at Stefano.

Madelyn: “We need to find him a healer!”

She cried over Jordi.

Goose lunged in the air and dropped with his knee about to come down on Madelyn. Jordi gasped and shoved her out of the way when his pointed knee slammed down behind Jordi’s knee. Jordi yelped in pain and gritted his teeth as he clutched his leg. Madelyn gasped and screamed.

Madelyn: “Oh no! Jordi!”

She rushed over to him, standing close by him, wishing there was something she could do to fend off their attacker.

Jordi shrugged out of his suit jacket. His blood was visible on his white, pressed shirt. He clutched his head as his heart pounded. He was losing a lot of blood and getting dizzy. Madelyn gasped and cupped her mouth, shaking with terror and holding him in her arms.

Madelyn: “JORDI! SOMEONE HELP!”

She cried out.

Goose swung his leg out, and Jordi grabbed Madelyn as the kick landed on him, and they slid across the room. Madelyn screamed and clung to Jordi. Jordi panted and cried out as Goose kicked him repeatedly on his back.

Madelyn: “STOP IT! STOP HURTING HIM!”

She snapped at Goose, throwing a rock at its head. The rock bounced off his head.

Suddenly, Celeste charged in and leapt forward, delivering a hard punch to Goose’s face, smashing his exoskeletal mask, and exposing his mechanical face underneath. The robot had a gray, matte-textured skull-like frame. The jaw and mouth area were open, displaying realistic-looking human teeth and gums surrounded by intricate metal linkages and actuators.

Then Tristan shot out an ice blast, slamming him into the wall. Jaxon rushed to Jordi, knelt, and a red glow emitted from his hands as he healed him. Jordi tingled all over as his wounds sealed up and the pain exited from his body.

Jordi: “Thank you, Jaxon.”

He sighed and rose, helping Madelyn up.

Tristan: “Jaxon, get Madelyn out of here.”

He instructed. Jaxon nodded and started to escort Madelyn out. She locked her gaze on Jordi as he led her out.

Stefano rushed to them.

Stefano: “Oh, no, you don’t, Jiro!”

Deimos delivered a powerful kick to his face, knocking him back and knocking him out.

Deimos: “Fuck off, lardass.”

Jordi angrily rose and bared his teeth at Goose. Goose opened his mouth and let out a ghastly scream as he charged after them. He lunged at Jordi with his claws. Celeste grabbed his arm and tore it off, exposing loose wiring with electric currents coursing through his body. Goose kicked her, and she slammed into Deimos, where the two crashed into the wall.

Tristan shot an arrow of ice at Goose, where it embedded in his chest. Goose howled and slashed at Tristan’s chest, drawing a lot of blood. Deimos gasped and shoved Celeste off him, rushing to Tristan.

Deimos: “TRISTAN!”

He rushed to him to heal him. Celeste on Goose’s back, grabbing his neck in a headlock, trying to tear his head off. Jordi flicked his gaze to the melting ice.

Tristan wheezed as Deimos healed him. Jordi clenched his fists tightly.

Jordi: “Celeste, get that thing into the melting ice!”

He commanded.

Celeste: “Yup! You got it!”

Goose slashed at her torso, barely scratching at it. Celeste performed a suplex on Goose, slamming him into the puddle of water. Deimos helped Tristan up.

Jordi: “Time to send the clown out, fucker!”

He shot his hand out, and a mighty bolt of purple lightning struck down on Goose, electrocuting him all over. He let out a tinny scream as he erupted into flames and slammed his clawed hand onto the circuit board, where he was shocked to death and convulsed. The power went out throughout the tower, and Goose collapsed to the floor. Smoke emitted from him as his eyes went out.

Tristan: “Jordi, do you have a flashlight?”

Jordi: “Yes, is everyone okay?”

Celeste: “Yeah!”

She dusted herself off. Jordi put on his flashlight and then left the room.

Jordi: “We can’t use the elevator.”

Celeste: “Aw, balls.”

~

As they stepped out of the dark tower, Tristan turned to Jordi.

Tristan: “Is everything okay?”

Jordi watched Madelyn from a distance, lowering his head.

Jordi: “Of course.”

He forced a smile.

Tristan: “Jordi, anytime you need to talk, you know my door is open.”

He said genially.

Deimos: “What about me?!”

He pouted.

Jaxon rushed to Celeste and hugged her. A red glow surrounded them as he healed her.

Jaxon: “You okay, babe?”

Celeste: “Yeah, that robot was nothin’!”

She grinned.

Jordi: “I should take Madelyn home.”

He nodded and left them there.

Tristan: “Take care of yourself, Jordi. Don’t forget what I said.”

Jordi turned around and smiled.

Jordi: “I might take you up on that sooner than you think.”

He nodded.

Deimos pouted.

Deimos: “What about me, Tristan?!”

Tristan turned to him.

Tristan: “What about you?”

He asked sharply. Deimos bowed his head.

Celeste: “What’s going on?”

Tristan: “I believe Jordi’s usual issues are ‘when fools rush in’.”

He sighed.

Celeste: “He’s not a fool. I heard you say Deimos is a fool, though!”

Her eyes widened. Deimos’ face contorted in rage, and he stomped his foot.

Deimos: “I AM NOT A FUCKING FOOL!”

He snapped.

Tristan: “Had me fooled.”

He said wryly.

~

Jordi walked up to Madelyn. Madelyn rushed over to him.

Madelyn: “Jordi?! Are you okay?!”

She wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheeks. Jordi hugged her back.

Jordi: “Yes, I’m fine now. Are you okay?”

He asked her.

Madelyn: “I'm fine now that you're here. Thank you for saving me from that evil Ice Cream man and his clown!”

She kissed him. Jordi kissed her back and traced his thumb on her cheek.

Jordi: “It’s my pleasure.”

He sighed and led her into the underground parking lot that was pitch dark. Jordi turned on his flashlight to look for his car.

When he found it, he opened the passenger’s door for her and went to the driver’s side to climb in. He sat in his seat and leaned back with his eyes closed as he heaved a deep sigh. Madelyn turned to him and placed her hand on his, rubbing his hand to comfort him. Jordi turned to her with a smile.

Jordi: “Thank you.”

He whispered and slid his key into the ignition. He started the engine, shifted into reverse, and looked behind his shoulder as he backed out of the parking space. He then shifted into first gear and drove through the parking lot and outside onto the road.

As he drove down the road, he took out a cigarette, lit it up, and inhaled a long drag.

Madelyn shifted awkwardly in her seat, pondering what happened at the restaurant earlier.

Madelyn: “So, what happened at the restaurant earlier? Did those mean jerks do something to you?”

She asked him. Jordi drew a long breath.

Jordi: “I was punished for punching Vasilos for pushing my patience. I danced with Govinda and said I might have a nightcap with him later. I was hurting over Gina, and I didn’t want to be alone, but I didn’t want to have sex with him either.”

He began and twisted his mouth.

Jordi: “But yeah, Vasilos was right about one thing.”

He inhaled sharply.

Madelyn: “Oh, why were you the one punished, though? That guy was being a jerk! And I could smell his feet from a mile away! People with stinky feet have stinky attitudes!”

She groused.

Jordi: “Vasilos is the CEO’s son, and no matter how much he craps on us, we don’t hit him.”

He muttered.

Madelyn: “Oh, that's okay if you just danced with him! Oh? What was that guy right about?”

She asked.

Jordi: “You were not making me feel better. You made me feel worse.”

He admitted. Madelyn paused, taken aback.

Madelyn: “Me? What did I do to make you feel worse?”

She knit her eyebrows.

Jordi: “I feel others’ pain as if it were my own. When I went to that warehouse with Tristan, Celeste, and them, I witnessed something very harrowing. Not only was a man having a heart attack turned into a richonoid, but the corpses in the warehouse were still alive, but in pain and agony. They weren’t quite human or richonoid. They were in pain, nonetheless. They wanted to be helped. The only way to save them is to kill them, and it took a lot out of me. I can’t shut off my emotions and retreat into fantasyland. I have a job to do: taking care of others. I have to do things I don’t want to do all the time.”

He explained. Madelyn listened in shock.

Madelyn: “Wow… that is traumatic! I'm sorry… You don't have to deal with that alone, though! This is a lot for one person to deal with! You need to take a break to rest and relax to do the things you want, though…”

She offered, stroking his hand. Jordi tightened the grip on his steering wheel.

Jordi: “Listen to me, I cannot relax and do what I want. It’s not that simple. That works for you, but that doesn’t work for me.”

He said firmly.

Jordi: “If I do that, Ichiro will turn another innocent person into a richonoid, and I cannot idly sit back and let that happen!”

He slammed his hand on the steering wheel. Madelyn recoiled.

Madelyn: “I'm sorry, I'm just trying to say that you don't have to do that alone and that you should take some time to rest and recharge, too! You need to take care of yourself, too.”

She replied. Jordi drew a long breath.

Jordi: “Sure.”

He said tersely. Why do I even bother? He wondered. Madelyn looked confused. She didn't understand why it upset him when she showed concern for him.

~

Jordi rolled into her driveway and parked his car there.

Madelyn: “Did you want to come in for a drink?”

She offered. Jordi shook his head.

Jordi: “I need to be alone.”

He sighed. Madelyn knit her eyebrows.

Madelyn: “Oh, okay… did I do something wrong?”

She asked.

Jordi: “I feel I am not being heard.”

He admitted.

Jordi: “I need space.”

Madelyn: “I'm sorry… what did I do wrong? It's okay, you should take space…”

She sighed.

Jordi: “I JUST told you! Asking me again won’t change my answer!”

He snapped.

Madelyn: “I'm sorry… I'll let you have some space…”

She said in a small voice and opened the door to get out of the car. Jordi watched her go up the steps and enter her house. He looked behind his shoulder as he backed out of her driveway and heaved a deep sigh as he drove down the road. As he drove down the road, he wiped the tears from his eyes.

~

Jordi was home, stepping out of his shower and into his black silk pajamas. He heard the door knock. He groaned, thinking it was Madelyn, and went to answer his door. He was surprised to see Tristan standing there.

Jordi: “Tristan! What brings you by?”

Tristan: “You needed me. May I come in?”

Jordi nodded and stepped aside to let him in.

They went into his bedroom. Tristan sat on the sofa in his bedroom, and Jordi sat with him.

Tristan: “Trouble in paradise?”

He leaned his head on his hand. Jordi looked away.

Jordi: “You know me.”

He laughed bitterly.

Jordi: “Madelyn is not hearing me, Tristan. What happened the other night in that warehouse had a profound effect on me…”

He hung his head.

Jordi: “She doesn’t grasp the concept that I feel others’ pain deeply, that I need to do the job I hate to keep food on the table, keep my grandfather’s medical bills paid, keep a roof over my head, or what have you. If I never taken that job, we’d all be homeless. I want to be a musician, but getting your foot in the musical door is easier said than done.”

He ranted and clicked his tongue.

Jordi: “Look, I know she retreats into lala land and does that instead of facing her issues, and thinks I need to do the same. Sometimes I envy that, but it doesn’t solve your issues or secure your future. Sometimes you have to do things you don’t like to ensure your loved ones are taken care of.”

He said with frustration.

Tristan: “Jordi, you have this issue of rushing into a relationship so you can avoid being alone.”

Jordi rolled his eyes.

Jordi: “Yes, Tristan. I’m well aware of that. I guess I want someone to look out for me as I do for them!”

He said on the verge of tears. Tristan bowed his head.

Tristan: “Trauma also rewires your brain, and I believe you’re rushing in is a trauma response because of your deep-seated abandonment issues.”

Jordi drew a sharp breath.

Tristan: “What happened the other night was inevitable. I don’t know how to explain to his family what happened to their husband or son.”

He looked away.

Tristan: “They’re Ichiro’s toys to punish Jaxon and me for inching closer to the truth.”

He sighed.

Jordi: “Human lives are NOT toys for anyone’s amusement.”

He said firmly.

Tristan: “I agree with you, Jordi, but Ichiro doesn’t see it that way. He sees them as stepping stones toward his greater goal.”

Jordi: “What is his goal?”

Tristan: “Get Celeste and torment Jaxon as far as I know. Perhaps to see if he could.”

He said wryly.

Tristan: “Do you know where he lives?”

Jordi sighed and shrugged.

Jordi: “No. I don’t work under his payroll. I don’t interact with him at all at work. I work for Minerva, and she doesn’t interact with him much. I never did. I always felt the guy was a creep, and my hunches were right.”

He raised his eyebrows.

Tristan cleared his throat.

Tristan: “As for Madelyn, I think she thinks she’s helping you, but you have to communicate with her that this isn’t what you need…”

He paused. Jordi looked away.

Tristan: “Well, that went south. I don’t know, Jordi. Do you really expect someone who’s always dressed in a costume to face reality?”

He challenged.

Jordi: “Not unlike someone who wants to dance for cruises.”

He huffed. Tristan wagged his head.

Tristan: “Touché.”

Jordi turned to him.

Jordi: “Did you come here because you felt I needed it, or did you also need it?”

Tristan paused.

Tristan: “Because you needed it, Jordi.”

Jordi: “Maybe, but… Ichiro turns people into richonoids because he wants to get back at you… and he turned your friend, Chelsea, into one.”

Tristan hung his head.

Tristan: “Don’t ever think for a second this doesn’t affect me… Not a day goes by that I don’t think of Chelsea.”

He cupped his mouth.

Tristan: “I think every day of how it could have turned out if it were not for Deimos being himself or Ivy being a miserable bitch. With Kristen, that was different, but still a child had to witness his nanny turn into one.”

He huffed and clenched his fists.

Jordi: “Who’s Kristen?”

Tristan: “She was the nanny for my step-brother’s children. Ichiro turned her into a richonoid. Ichiro seems to turn women who are fond of Jaxon into richonoids… if he doesn’t lust after them.”

He laughed bitterly.

Jordi: “Do you think this stems from Ichiro being jealous that women want Jaxon and not him?”

Tristan nodded.

Tristan: “While I know Jaxon was prohibited from dating as a teenager, I do believe many girls crushed on him while none crushed on Ichiro, and I think that plays a vital role.”

Jordi: “What about that man?”

Tristan sighed.

Tristan: “He was nothing more than a casualty. Wrong place, wrong time.”

He cupped his mouth.

Tristan: “...Which leaves me to ponder about this ‘body double.’ ”

Jordi raised an eyebrow.

Jordi: “Who is he?”

Tristan: “A while back, Jaxon, Celeste, Deimos, and I attended a speech for Pink Top General Hospital that Ichiro was putting on and…”

He took a deep breath.

Tristan: “I do wonder if he’s the body double. Ichiro doesn’t work for Pink Top General Hospital… but that man was having a heart attack.”

He said, his voice trailing off.

Jordi: “Ichiro seems to be one step ahead of us, but the way to beat him is to be one step ahead of him.”

Tristan nodded in agreement.

Tristan: “We might have to look into this body double. I have this feeling he’s being blackmailed and not doing this willingly.”

He said firmly. Jordi nodded.

Jordi: “We have to exercise caution.”

Tristan: “I know. Ichiro is not to be taken lightly and would be watching that body double like a hawk.

Jordi smiled at Tristan.

Jordi: “Thank you, Tristan. I feel better already.”

Tristan nodded and smiled back.

Tristan: “That makes the two of us, Jordi. Remember: my door is always open.”

He rose from his seat.

Jordi: “Drive carefully.”

Tristan: “I will.”

He said gently as he left.

~

The following day on that afternoon, Jordi’s car pulled up to Lazaros’ and Ashley’s house. Jordi parked his car and stepped out. He wore a dark gray sports jacket, a black button-down shirt, gray jeans, and black zip-up boots. He saw that Ashley was in their greenhouse tending to their plants. They were dressed in a white paisley blouse with velvet orange paisley bellbottom pants. Ashley’s face lit up when they saw Jordi.

Ashley: “Hello, Jordi!”

They smiled with a little wave. Jordi waved back.

Jordi: “Is my order of carrot muffins and banana bread ready?”

He asked them.

Ashley: “Oh! Yes, uno momento!”

They chirped, rising to their feet and scurrying into the kitchen by the greenhouse to grab them for him. Jordi eyed them and was delighted by how delectable their food looked.

Jordi: “Ah, thank you, Ashley.”

He bowed his head and sighed. Ashley knit their eyebrows and tilted their head, gazing up at him.

Ashley: “What’s wrong, Jordi?”

They asked. Jordi cleared his throat.

Jordi: “Do you feel like chatting for a bit? I got Tristan’s point of view, and I agree with him, but I’d like yours, too.”

He nodded. Ashley’s eyebrows rose surprisingly.

Ashley: “Oh?! Sure! Wow, you want my opinion on something with someone as smart as Tristan?!”

They gasped.

Jordi: “Of course, I do. I value your input.”

He nodded.

They led him up the steps and onto the patio loveseat. Jordi folded his arms.

Jordi: “Do you remember the time in the mall when Blair announced you two were going to get married and that mall Santa turned into a monster?”

He asked them. Ashley’s smile dipped into a frown.

Ashley: “...Yeah.”

They said lowly and in a shade above a whisper as they embraced themself. Jordi patted their back. Ashley felt comforted by his support.

Jordi: “I apologize for bringing this up, but… that happened again the other night. Tristan, Celeste, Jaxon, Deimos, and I went to a warehouse, and a man was turned into a monster. I couldn’t save him.”

He said bleakly. Ashley’s heart sank.

Ashley: “...It happened again?! Oh no! I’m so sorry!”

They wrapped their arms around him and pulled him in a hug. Jordi hugged them back.

Ashley: “W-why does this keep happening? Isn’t there anything anyone can do to save them?!”

They cupped their mouth in horror.

Jordi: “Ichiro is Jaxon’s older brother, and he wants to punish Jaxon and Tristan. I want to save them, but right now, there is no way.”

He sighed. Ashley knit their eyebrows.

Ashley: “Why does he want to punish his own brother?! And Tristan? Tristan and Jaxon are nice! I don’t understand why anyone would want to hurt them! And those innocent people didn’t do anything to deserve that! It’s so wrong!”

They cried. Jordi nodded in agreement.

Jordi: “And I tried telling Madelyn this, but she wouldn’t listen to me! She said I need to focus on myself, stop helping others, and do what I want, but I can’t do that!”

He cried. Ashley tilted their head.

Ashley: “Oh?! But how can you not help someone who needs it?”

They gasped.

Ashley: “If I were really strong and could fight and all that, it would hurt my heart to just leave someone in danger. I couldn’t not help them!”

They added. Jordi nodded.

Jordi: “I agree, Ashley. This is what I try to do, and you do in your own way, too.”

He put his hand on their shoulder. Ashley smiled a bit.

Ashley: “I try to, even when there’s not much I can do because I’m not very strong…”

They looked down at their hands.

Jordi: “There is not one way to be strong, Ashley. You may be physically strong, but you are emotionally strong.”

He nodded and smiled. Ashley’s eyes widened.

Ashley: “R-really? I’m emotionally strong?!”

They gasped. Jordi nodded.

Jordi: “You can save and help others in many ways. You saved my grandfather’s life.”

He reassured them. Ashley smiled.

Ashley: “Really?! I’m glad I helped save him! You do, too! You’re saving him every day!”

They declared. Jordi smiled and sighed.

Jordi: “Thank you for acknowledging that, Ashley. So why do you think Madelyn is not listening to me or trying to understand my perspective? I don’t tell her not to wear costumes every day or dictate what she should do.”

He stated.

Ashley: “Hmmm… well, I don’t think she understands! And she doesn’t seem like she is someone who would do this on purpose… I just think she doesn’t understand, and she’s off with the fairies!”

They assured him, placing their hand on his shoulder.

Ashley: “It’s like… when I try to tell Lazaros about something, and it’s like… he’s off in Lazaros land and doesn’t understand what I’m talking about…”

They sighed in sympathy for Jordi’s plight.

Ashley: “Then he will cook me food and compliment me, but… sometimes I just want to talk? I don’t know…”

They sighed. Jordi put his hand on Ashley’s shoulder.

Jordi: “I understand that, and do you know who else would? Tristan.”

He nodded.

Ashley: “R-Really?”

He nodded.

Jordi: “Well, you’re talking to me now, and I understand your plight as well as why you did what you did with… Blair.”

He rolled his eyes. Ashley went pale at the mention of Blair.

Ashley: “Oh… you do?!”

They looked at him, shocked, as they didn’t think anyone else would understand it. Lazaros certainly didn’t.

Jordi: “You wanted to save Lazaros from whatever Blair threatened to put on him, but if anything, you exposed Blair’s true colors.”

He nodded. Ashley pursed their lips and nodded.

Ashley: “Yeah, I felt like I had to do it to save Lazaros, but… it turns out Blair was lying the whole time, and Lazaros was… crying the whole time…”

They bowed their head.

Ashley: “But, I’m glad something good came out of it if I showed the world that Blair isn’t really a nice guy like he says he is, so no one will have to date him again!”

They smiled a bit. I wouldn’t count on that, Jordi thought, and smiled at Ashley.

He rose from his seat.

Jordi: “Thanks for talking to me. It gave me something else to think about.”

He nodded.

Ashley: “Of course, anytime! I’m always happy to help!”

They chirped.

Jordi: “Take care of yourself, Ashley.”

He said as he went down the stairs and to his car.

Ashley: “You too, Jordi!”

They waved at him.

When Jordi drove away, Tristan stepped out onto the street. He wore a white pressed shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, a blue ascot tucked in the collar, a gray waistcoat, black pants, and black wingtip Oxfords.

Tristan: “Hello, Ashley, how have you been?”

He smiled as he ascended the stairs. Ashley’s eyes widened, and they lit up when they saw him.

Ashley: “OH! Hello, Tristan! Did you want some cookies?”

They smiled.

Tristan: “Perhaps later. I just wanted to catch up.”

He sat by them.

Ashley: “Of course, let’s CAT-ch up!”

They chirped, petting Stella’s head as he rubbed up against them.

Tristan: “Were you speaking to Jordi about his plight?”

He asked.

Ashley: “Oh, uh, yeah… he’s going through a hard time…”

They frowned, feeling bad for Jordi.

Tristan: “I feel you would understand that, dealing with someone else who is off in lala land.”

He smiled.

Ashley: “Haha, yeah….”

Their voice trailed off as they ran their fingers through their hair. Tristan peered into them.

Tristan: “I take it the way Lazaros handled that Blair ordeal is troubling you?”

He asked them.

Ashley: “Well… he made up for it when he saved me in the end, and the best way to apologize is through your actions.”

They scratched their head.

Tristan: “It sounds to me like you feel something is missing.”

He tilted his head. Ashley paused.

Tristan: “You wished he had taken more action than he did, correct?”

He asked.

Ashley: “...Maybe.”

They nodded quietly.

Tristan: “Do you ever notice how Lazaros refers to either Deimos or me, namely me, as ‘good ol’ reliable Tristan’?”

He asked as he leaned back in his seat. Ashley nodded.

Ashley: “Yep, why is that?”

They turned to Tristan, looking up at him.

Tristan: “Lazaros is a traumatized man, Ashley. He doesn’t know how to deal with these situations, so he freezes up, watches those home movies of you eating, and hopes that someone will fix his problems for him. I’m not saying he doesn’t love you. I think he does, but he doesn’t know how to express his love for you properly.”

He explained. Ashley bowed their head and sighed.

Ashley: “I know… his mother really affected him, so I try to be kind and patient with him and not be hurt when he does things that hurt me… I feel like he loves me though…”

Tristan: “He didn’t cheat on you; that is one plus, but I feel his inaction affected you. I’m not excusing it, but explaining it. Lazaros doesn’t know HOW to deal with problems, so he retreats into fantasyland and uses rug-sweeping methods, not unlike his mother.”

He added.

Ashley: “I guess that’s what the problem with Madelyn is, too, then? I’m sorry that Deimos cheated on you! I know he was traumatized like Lazaros, but it’s not fair that he hurts you when you didn’t deserve it. That was mean…”

They hugged him. Tristan paused and hugged them back.

Tristan: “Well, uhm, Madelyn dresses in her costumes all the time, and this isn’t what most people do, and I’m well aware her methods and dealing with issues are not unlike Lazaros’, and I know this is a coping mechanism.”

He shifted his eyes. Ashley nodded in agreement.

Ashley: “Yeah, it seems Madelyn is off in Madelyn Land, and Lazaros is off in Lazaros Land, haha.”

Tristan: “Well, everyone in that house seems a bit off, so they found each other.”

He muttered. Ashley smiled a bit.

Ashley: “That’s good! People need to find their people! Like your group! I’m glad you all found each other! You’re like a cool little family!”

They exclaimed. Tristan nodded.

Tristan: “You’re right.”

Lazaros stepped out dressed as the Mad Hatter.

Lazaros: “Tristan! Are you and Ashley discussing what dish they’re going to eat today?”

He smiled. Tristan cleared his throat.

Tristan: “You’re close but no cigar.”

He said wryly. Ashley turned to Lazaros with a gentle smile.

Ashley: “Not quite.”

They stroked Lazaros’ hair. Lazaros pulled a coupon book from his jacket and handed it to Tristan. The front said, “A coupon book for Tristan,” with the faces of Lazaros and Ashley drawn on it.

Lazaros: “This is for saving Ashley from Blair!”

Tristan opened the book. Ashley laughed awkwardly.

Tristan: “Unlimited tummy rubs for Ashley. Redeem to watch Ashley eat every day. Redeem to rub oils on Ashley’s tummy.”

He forced a smile. Ashley shifted their eyes and reddened.

Tristan: “Lazaros, it was no trouble at all.”

Lazaros: “I know, you always save the day! So you get to pick the scent of the oil to rub on Ashley’s tummy!”

Ashley shifted their eyes and ran their fingers through their hair.

Tristan: “Uhm, maybe later, Lazaros. You didn’t have to do this for me. As I said, it was no trouble at all.”

He smiled politely.

Lazaros: “Will it be rose or vanilla?”

He grinned. Ashley took Lazaros’ hand.

Ashley: “Um, how about you rub oil on my tummy, Lazaros?”

They said gently, taking his hand and placing it on their tummy, to divert him away from Tristan. Lazaros grinned inanely. Tristan rose.

Tristan: “That sounds like a splendid idea. I’m a busy man, and as I said, it was no trouble at all.”

He said genially.

Tristan: “I have matters that need my attention. Have a nice day, Ashley.”

He nodded and went down the stairs.

Ashley: “Have a nice day, Tristan!”

They smiled and waved.

~

Fabien was in his bathroom, getting out of the shower, with a towel around his waist. He filled the sink with warm water, then squirted shaving cream onto his hands and lathered his face. He took his razor and started shaving his face. Celeste stood in his doorframe. She wore a white tiger bustier, a denim skirt, and leather mules. Fabien turned to her, surprised to see her there.

Fabien: “Hey, what brings you by?”

Celeste: “I wanted to see you. I missed you.”

She lowered her head to her feet.

Fabien: “Oh, did you?”

He asked her as he shaved, smiling a bit.

Celeste: “Well, I think I was angry when you stayed behind at that mall and crap, but I knew how to fix your arm because I remember Dr. Horowitz taught me how to do that for your power and stuff.”

She muttered. Fabien paused.

Celeste: “I was… mad because I didn’t want you hurt. Blair is crap, and he’s not worth it.”

She reddened and pressed her forefingers together. Fabien swished his razor in the water and finished shaving. He wiped his face clean with a towel, with some spots of blood that healed up before his eyes. He applied some aftershave lotion and massaged it into his face.

Fabien: “So you were mad because you were worried about me, huh?”

He smirked. She twiddled her thumbs and nodded. He put his arms around her and held her close.

Fabien: “I’m sorry… You’re right. Blair is a loser…”

He caressed her hair.

Fabien: “He and Deimos had a huge fight in my server.”

Celeste: “Yeah, I saw it. I think my mind wandered when I read it.”

Fabien snorted and shivered when she caressed his bare chest.

The two locked eyes and kissed. As they shared a deep kiss, Jaxon saw it from his house, and his jaw dropped. Tears of anger welled in his eyes. He stormed to his car, got in, and gunned the accelerator down the road, causing the tires to squeal on the pavement.