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Sylanwood, Tarrabria: Science Field BOE, Time: 7:20 PM
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In the research field of Tarrabria, Kristen finally zipped up the tent and clapped her hands together, "Great work, everyone! All of you did great today!" Kristen cheered as she brought out a party popper and popped it instantly, sending confetti everywhere.
Trevor sighed, "You're cleaning that up." He pointed at the mess on the floor.
"Nuh uh, I will just let the wind clean it up for me," Kristen stated, and somehow the wind blew the confetti away. "See?"
Everyone was baffled before they shook their heads; it's irrelevant to ask about it.
Harry decided to ask the real question, "Who's this, Lucy?" He asked, curious about who Sugar is.
"Oh, this is uhh..." Lucy was rubbing her head, forgetting Sugar's fake name.
"Goda, you silly!" Sugar stated, winking at Lucy, who just smiled back.
Dorothy threw fuel on the fire, "So, a boyfriend?" She smirked, causing a blush on both of the duo.
"No! Dorothy, I swear!" Lucy was about to choke her at this point, and Goda was holding her back.
Laughter and silverware clinked amidst the impromptu celebration as the scientists reveled in a successful first exhibition day. But mirthful curiosity still rippled regarding Lucy's mysterious crimson-clad companion from earlier.
"Suuure he's not your suitor," Kristen ribbed with a saucy wink. "That's why you two were making serious eyes all evening!"
"We were NOT!" Lucy sputtered, face burning as the others giggled.
"Yeah c'mon, Lucy's never had an impulsive streak before today," Trevor chuckled. "Dude must just bring out her wild side or something."
Goda hid his grin behind Lucy who looked ready to warp holes through the floor in embarrassment.
"Think he's where she got all those crazy publicity ideas then?" Harry wondered aloud. "Never seen her leveraging fandom hysteria so shamelessly."
Dr. Dorothy cleared her throat delicately before Lucy could explode at them all. "While I too am quite curious regarding this stranger's sudden...influence, perhaps we ought to give my dear sister space on sensitive matters of the heart-"
A resounding clatter cut her off as Lucy knocked over a tray of silverware in fury. "OK THAT IS ENOUGH!" she snarled, magic flickering dangerously around her.
"My absurd methods today were out of desperation! ANY apparent fondness lingering about my CURSED stall was STRICTLY business! PERIOD! SO YOU CAN ALL TURN YOUR WAGGING TONGUES TO-"
Her rant ended abruptly as Goda pecked her cheek, turning her brilliant scarlet once more.
"Aww, you're adorable when you're all flustered~" he cooed sweetly.
Lucy melted into flabbergasted gibberish as her coworkers roared laughing around them.
They decided to end the teasing for today, with Harry yawning loudly. "I might just go stay at the condo you bought for us. Can I get the key, boss?" He opened his palm, catching the room key for himself before walking off to the condo.
"I'm gonna enjoy the festival! You wanna come, Barbara?" Trevor asked, gaining a curious look from Barbara.
"Hmmm, I wonder what the newer stall is all about?" Barbara walked with Trevor, who put his hand on his head, walking off to enjoy the festival.
"Um, Dorothy?"
A voice rang out as Dorothy's head turned 180 degrees instantly to the voice, her face quickly flushing red.
The voice seemed to have a feminine figure with long white hair, and a small deer horn on her head. She was wearing a white sweater with black text saying 'Her Dorky <3,' while wearing a brown long skirt. She was holding a purse in her left hand.
Dorothy gasped, her eyes dazzling in the calm evening; she felt like she was seeing a goddess. "A-A-Azazael!" She muttered through her breath.
Azazeal got closer to her with a smile on her face, radiating a cute aura around her. "Are you taking me on a date with your work outfit, dummy?" She giggled, causing Dorothy's face to flush even harder.
"Oh, hey! Lucy and Sugar!" She waved at them; the duos could only wave back at her, smirks on their faces, with Dorothy getting the tease of Lucy's medicine.
"Well, I will get going now. I needed to get Enzo out of my room so he could go back to his beloved ArchSentinels. Have fun, you four!" Kristen decided to tease all of them, "And don't turn this into a four-way. Ta-ta~"
Lucy yelled at her, "I WILL NOT!" She was pissed before Goda calmed her down.
"I am borrowing your sister now, Lucy! I will give her back in the condo, alright?" Azazeal stated as she dragged Dorothy along with her on their date, leaving the two alone.
Lucia decided to break the silence, "You are the worst." She turned away from him, not wanting to stare him back.
Sugar giggled, "Come on, now! You won the first day and are probably still on top for the rest of the two days. So, my reward is giving you a peck on the cheek." Sugar stated, trying to go for one more before Lucia shoved him away.
"Shut it, you only get one because you're my 'best best friend' and helped me out today." She put an air quote on the best best friend before both of them walked together.
"So, want me to help out with the full moon stuff that Kristen wants you to do?" Sugar asked while Lucia hummed to herself.
"I would just give her the book you gave me," Lucia stated as both of them stayed silent for a bit.
"I will buy you that pork buffet." Sugar teased, winking at her.
"I know." Lucia smiled as both of them skipped along with each other. Sugar knew how to bargain with her, with their next destination being at the local buffet.
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Sylanwood, Center Tarrabria: The Festival, Time: 7:30 PM
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In the center of Tarrabria, the first day of the festival was a blast, with a parade featuring people wearing kimonos. The business was booming, with smoke rising from the barbecue and the sweet smell of cotton candy wafting from the stalls.
At the apple dunking stand, a familiar muscle man was inside the barrel. "Hwah!" It was Jhoan, as he finally got the apple to stick in his mouth.
Elizabeth and the rest were cheering him on. "We might have a new record!" Elizabeth exclaimed, with Jhoan going in again to find another apple.
It took a while, with Jhoan being the last one standing as he popped his head out again with another apple. "I... did it..." Jhoan handed the apple to the stall runner as she lifted his hand, declaring Jhoan the new apple dunking champion.
Caramels smirked at Sunop. "Alright, you owe me those 400 gold." Caramels gestured with his hand.
"Ah, I lose... well, at least that's entertaining for us," Sunop stated as Elizabeth dragged him, panting; he was so heavy...
On the other side of the festival, The Sakura Office was enjoying themselves, dressed in Japanese clothing for the occasion.
Layla eyed Cauli, who was holding a massive cotton candy. "You think he has enough?" Layla asked Don.
Don hummed. "Of course not, he said he's got that 'girl stomach.'" He put air quotes around it.
"You guys just don't have the guts!" Cauli smirked, as Don sighed and rubbed his head.
"This is like his 47th cotton candy..." Layla muttered to herself, tapping on the new bongo she just bought.
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Sylanwood, Center Tarrabria: The Shoreline, Time: 7:45 PM
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On the shoreline, Chris and Sinnodal watched the waves, feeling a sense of peace.
"Man, we've been watching for hours. You'd think we'd be hungry by now," Sinnodal stated, lying down on the sand.
"Eh, we did find this beach house for everyone to stay in. We're still waiting for my boss to come back with the food," Chris replied, sitting there and gazing at the night sky and the waves.
"I think you guys are having a moment or just a straight-up bromance at this point," November yelled out, sporting the snazziest sunnies.
"Shut up! Anyways, where is that guy coming back?" Chris asked, as November carefully watched the sea.
"In about..." November noticed something approaching the shore.
Dy'va and Rosco finally emerged from the water, shirtless and still in their leggings. They were carrying everyone's dinner, the swordfish they had beaten to a pulp before spear-throwing it toward November.
November caught it as she laughed, "Hah! Nice try killing me, idiot!"
Rosco snorted, water streaming down his chiseled bare chest as he strode from the surf towards November.
"Please, if I had aimed for you that catch would've gone straight down your loudmouth," he shot back.
November made an outraged noise, ready to pitch insult back with equal sass. But Dy'vas raised a forestalling hand.
"Peace friends!" he intervened gently. "This is time for feast, not flinging harsh words." He nodded approvingly as November grudgingly lowered the large fish. No small feat calming her temper once stoked.
Chris exhaled wryly. "Nice job defusing the powder keg there, boss. We'd be eating charcoal otherwise."
He hefted the dripping swordfish over one shoulder with a grunt. "Let's get this beauty prepped for roasting eh?"
Soon a crackling fire was built amidst amiable chatter on the seaside as the swordfish fillets sizzled. But sly glances kept drifting back towards November and Rosco bickering heatedly just out of earshot.
Sensing an invisible tension charge, Dy'vas sat beside Chris observing them. "I think battle-hardened exteriors hide softer hearts not admitting deeper stirrings," he murmured knowingly.
Chris snorted mid-swig of ale. "Wait, Rosco having actual feelings beneath all the bluster?" He eyed his lieutenant still sniping with November. "More likely they just get off yanking each other's chains."
Dy'vas smiled mysteriously, glancing upward where crystalline stars glinted overhead. "The tide ever shifts what lies buried in a soul..."
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