Sitting down on the curb, Ella hands us a paper bag with a waffle inside. "How do you eat this?" Marie asked with her claw stabbing through the waffle. "Simple. You grab a napkin, wrap it around the waffle, and dip it into the syrup."
Taking a bite, Ella smiles widely eye to eye at us.
"Mhhh... It's like I'm eating a cloud. How do you make it so soft?" The cat asked.
Explaining to her some baking nonsense, I decide to change the topic. "How about we introduce ourselves? I'm Ken, 17 Years, I'm a disciple of the Faint-Hearted Dojo."
Turning to Ella, she smiles. "I'm Ella, I'm also 17 and I run this store with my father. I'm a student of the Yesod Seph." Looking at the Dragonoid woman, we see her turn to the cat.
"Well then, I'm Lucy, 16, my mother was infected with black rose, and because of that, I have cat features. And Marie and I are trying to get out of Aquaria."
Sighing, Marie shows her hand change into a claw. "I'm Marie, almost 16. My mother was a noble, but during her expedition, she met this dragonoid... After I was born, my mother went into depression and soon died at the hands of her husband. I was kicked out and met Lucy hear at the refugee camp."
"And ever since, she and I have been best buds!" Lucy exclaims as she hugs Marie in a tight hug.
Chuckling about it, Ella remarks on how nice it must be to have such reliable friends.
"Isn't Raven your friend?" Marie questions, as we turn to see Raven sitting alone inside the store facing the bar. "No..... He's more of a teacher? He's kind don't get me wrong. But he's also really weird, mainly his blue veins. Every time I see them they creep me out."
Looking at Raven, I ask what blue veins she's talking about. "Next time you're close to him, look at his forearms. They're covered in blue veins!" Joining her, Marie nods her head from side to side. "I also saw a glimpse of them when we fought, but I didn't think too much about it."
Now getting really curious, I hear Lucy's question. "How old is Raven anyway? He looks like he's about to reach his 30s." Nodding my head, I remark on his middle-aged demeanor. Only for Ella to laugh.
"30s? Raven is 17 and he's gonna be 18 this January. What are you talking about?" Almost choking on the waffle, we look at Ella in disbelief. "18?! Now fucking way!"
Shrugging her shoulders she tells us to ask him ourselves if we don't believe it. But the sudden sound of the door opening catches our attention.
It's Raven, standing at the door.
Not saying anything, he just looks over us, only stopping at Ella. "What are you doing?"
Looking at me for help, I quickly shoot the first taught which comes to mind. "Gossiping about you?" Raising his eyebrows, he asks. "Gossiping? Look I don't really care, but why are you outside in the cold? It's December for crying out loud."
Moving out of the way, he hushes us inside the store.
"Yeah, but what about my dad?" Ella asks. Rolling his eyes, Raven replies. "Why do you think I'm the only one in the store? When was the last time Will left this place?" Ella's eyes go wide as she realizes what he means.
"You convinced him to leave? For us?" Sighing, he just told us to get in.
Getting up, I think..... if I've misjudged Raven. He doesn't seem so bad. Or at least that was until I saw his hand twitch at seeing Marie and Lucy walk in.
Sitting down at a table, Raven brings over cups with the coffe jug. Pushing the jug into the middle of the table, I see his sleeves move slightly back. Revealing a huge strand of blue veins.
Turning on the radio so the background is not so silent. Everyone starts to chat.
"So, what brings you here, Raven?" Marie asks, trying to start up a conversation. Rubbing his chin, Raven replies. "I don't know. I'm here because there isn't much else I can go."
Confused Marie and Lucy question him, as to why he doesn't leave the country like they're trying to do. "I like it here. Aquaria is not a bad country for its citizens. After all, we're a democratic monarchy. But if you're depraved like you two are, you might as well be slaves."
While they're discussing their lives, my brain sones out and listens to the radio.
[The investigation into the mysterious drug is still in progress. Please note any symptoms your close friends may show, Lack of awareness, lack of tiredness, and Blue veins.]
"Blue veins..." Turning to Raven, I see him waving his hand. A small blue line on his forearm is revealed. I think of grabbing him and questioning him, but a stern look from Marie stops me.
"D-o-n-t" Not knowing what to do, I make eye contact with Ella. "You saw it didn't you?" She whispers. Nodding my head, she whispers. "Then don't worry, He's no longer doing it."
"You sure?" Feeling a hand on my shoulder, I see Raven yelling at Lucy. "I bet 50 Aquars that Ken here can kick your domesticated ass!"
"What?" The three of us are suddenly brought out of our little conversation by the arguing between Lucy and Raven.
"What are you arguing about here?" I asked just to make sure, but Raven's answer made me less than happy.
"Lucy hear said that if she fought 1v1 against you, they would have won, because they could then team up on me. So I'm telling her that she stands no chance against you!"
Only managing to voice my protests, I get joined by Ella. "That's right Raven! Ken won't be fighting anyone!" Agreeing with Ella, or at least until I hear.
"Hmm, I see, Ken is so weak that he needs to hide behind others!" Grabbing my sword, I tell Ella to move out of the way as my Asian genes are telling me to make dinner out of that cat.
"This is gonna morning," Marie comments.