The club was filled to the brim; the music was bumping against Marv's ear while Lace was hopping to the beat and serving drinks. Marv was making drinks on drinks, it was Saturday night and the club was filled with lustful eyes and dancing bodies. Lace called out rainbow shots which made the group that gathered around the bar scream, they were dressed in sparkles, mash tops, and silk dresses.
Marv grabbed Lace's arm. "I got it" Marv began to pull out the ingredients.
The distractions brought her a sense of gratitude, as the numerous bodies caused her anxiety to rise and drained her social energy. She calmed her mind and began to pour the grenadine into a glass before leaning down and grabbing some ice. She watched the red liquid coat the tiny ice cubes and poured the pineapple juice over a spoon that sank through the ice but didn't mix with the grenadine. Marv poured in a light sweet vodka that made her mouth water before placing a cocktail strainer and pouring blue Curacao on top of the sunset mixture.
"OK! RAINBOW SHOTS!!" Marv shouted, alerting the group, who screamed in excitement.
Lace had lined up shot glasses all the way up the bar, Marv began to pour them, and the liquid changed colors in each glass. The group screamed and shoved a guy forward, and Marv's smile vanished. A look of dread settled on her face.
The man with silky black curls and sad bright eyes threw a blue shot back. A smile erupted on his face and Marv crumpled.
…
Nandi stood at the window in Arioch's office, her waistcoat cinched while flaring pants a chain hung crossed her waist. She looked into the garden lit with fairy lights, tinkled in the night while Arioch brooded behind her, huffing and puffing at her request. Minjun lay across the divan with his leather jacket dramatically hung and his mash top over his sculpted body. He was watching Arioch slouched over papers, but his mind was far away. Nandi crossed her arms and turned to the vampire dress in a three-piece suit and black painted nails.
"I can't believe I didn't recognize her sooner" Nandi moved to the front of his desk.
"I mean, without the tarot cards, crystals, and glowing gold eyes, she is a different person," Minjun added, which made Nandi look his way.
Arioch looked up at her. "does mean we need to involve her in this ridiculous plan" Nandi wiped her head to look at Arioch.
Nandi walked over to Minjun and sat next to him "the woman already has a death wish, so why not ask, just ask" Nandi spoke with her hands but Arioch shook his head "and we just need her as bait, that's all".
"But taking advantage of a person who is clearly mentally vulnerable," Arioch said while flipping through the book.
Nandi clicked her tongue. "she seemed mentally fine to me," she explained.
Minjun spoke up "I thought you of all people with sympathize with her, since you are on the same path"
Arioch was steaming, he couldn't believe the words coming out of their mouth "you know there is a difference between me and her, she is innocent in all this and I am not" they just stared at him, Minjun has pity on his brow while Nandi was determined "she wants to get rid of herself from the world but I want to get rid of myself for the sake of the world"
Nandi couldn't take the guilt anymore. "you really gone soft" she didn't mean for the words to sting, but they did.
Arioch stood abruptly "and you want me
to be him again, to kill without a remorse"
Nandi took him ahead on "Yes, for the sake of your clan" Arioch just stared at her "remember, the clan, the one you killed so many to built" she moved to the door, not wanting to have this conversation again "don't kill them because of your guilt"
Arioch slumped down into his seat as Nandi left the room. He couldn't understand her plea. It wasn't right. For years he did what he thought was his right, but now, he couldn't do it anymore. He turned his chair, looking out into the garden when Minjun sat next to his desk.
Minjun exhaled. "it's been awhile since we have seen her" Arioch tried to ignore him. And turn back to his work. "It is quiet without her"
"it has always been quiet," Arioch whispered, his temper long gone. "just be happy, she gave up" he went back to flipping through his book.
….
Marv laid in the midst of her room, on the floor. She kept replaying those sad eyes in her mind. The shock of seeing him again made it hard to breathe. His smile was so pure, but she could see his sadness in them. She wanted to cradle his face and tell him that everything is ok but he wasn't him.
He wasn't here anymore, but she could still hear his voice and carefree laugh, teasing comments. If he walked into her room now, he would accuse her of having a pity party and then join her with a bottle of coconut rum. And sweet words. The air around her smelt like salt. A headache sat between her eyes and her body was finally going numb from laying on the floor for hours. So she turned to the side and let the sleep take her.