In a crowded street lined with blaring lights of red, green, and gold did the group find themselves amazed. The surreal quality of decorations lambasted the once decayed ruins of the slums into a place almost tolerable to touch. A lacquered atmosphere ate away the worries once shouted from the lips of every inhabitant allowing for those worried now to smile with glee.
The day was old giving way for the night as the bespectacled group found safety in the festivities as Christas day soon happened upon them.
Jacob strutted with newfound confidence as his attire wore proudly the pointed cap with a white tuft ball at the end accompanied by the suit and buckled boots of Santa. The only element out of ordinary for the familiar costume were the set of shadowy glasses hiding his sockets. The rest of them bore some type of pointed ears accessory or color scheme similar to that of an elf.
A couple of angry mothers rushed to Jacob clawing a megaphone from his palms while chastising him for nearly disturbing the parade. His expression left blank with embarrassment as he tripped on his way toward escape.
The snow had all but evaporated away, leaving shallow pools of water in memoriam. Clear conditions, except for the bitter chill, and recent tragedies made this year's festival a particularly important one.
Isaiah hauled Jacob away in a princess' carry. Such a position bulged the veins from his forehead and arms due to the vast weight that Jacob brought to Isaiah. Their conjoined comedy skit brought them to tears laughing while the fireworks exploded overhead. The blast of brass instruments whistled to a familiar tune that only Kage could recognize.
Bottles of a non-descript substance that inebriated their senses were thrown about. Sam called it a "Mind Cleanser" followed by Daniel pleading for them to not take the drink. Considering the occasion, no one listened to his advice instead taking the largest swigs imaginable before cracking it to the cobbled street. There was nothing to fear in the first place. Not a single officer would even think to watch over the parade conducted in the lower district. However, would there be someone taking issue with their vile display may be found more wrapped in medical attention. Especially if speaking to Jacob on the matter. Even upon such a finding the public no longer cared for underage drinking much the same as the government body.
Well… that would be the case in a month after the bill was signed. Little details that shouldn't be leveled so heavily.
Huge balloons embellished in the shape of cartoon sea animals and comic book heroes plastered the sky above with groups tying them to a manageable height that did not burden the residents at their balconies. In a fit of bravery, stray fireworks launched from rooftops along with jeers as the bombs blotted out the stars, a threat that warned those managing the balloons to keep them far away. This annual event was important to the inhabitants of Corodone but was unknown to Kage and his friends. Daniel made sure that the idea would spark their interest by describing the excitement it brought to them all, and how important it was a personal joy the boy experienced.
They had stared, slack jawed, at Kage knowing what his decision would surmount to. Luckily enough, Lisa could not attend as she was gone to a friend's party.
Barren with excuses they all had no option but to accompany the two. What had been believed to be a poor recreational boredom turned to a mess of drunken fools chasing one another down the streets to the spinning of performers in brightly colored dresses.
Fingers dug in Kage's collar as Claire popped her head from a bent stupor pressing it to his cheek whispering, "Come on, hard ass, drink a bit like the rest of us."
"I-I rather not, Claire." He rustled his coat trying to shake her off but it only enticed the girl further.
She was inches away, perhaps closer. Her breath smelled of a putrid scent that burped out to his nostrils, prickling the hairs. "Always so stoic…" She backed off dropping the neck of the green shimmering bottle into his grasp. As soon as she was done with him she returned to Gan, jumping on his back which projected a force strong enough to retch the fluid up from his stomach.
Kage stuffed his collar to his nose smelling the scent imprinted from her fingers. The nails had been painted earlier that day to a light shade of pink transferring an acrylic fragrance.
"What would the rest of her sme-"
'STOP!'
He smacked his cheek killing the idea before it developed fully. Still holding the bottle, Kage uncorked the tip, chugging it until only half of what was inside remained. The effects were gradual but Kage barely noticed as his speech was no more than a slurring mumble and his complexion turned from pale to a cherry red.