*yeehaw, somehow alive. I'm about to start a stream on twitch, hopefully it will all go well. I'll try my hardest to make it work, and see how it goes. Links for those things on discord, which is in my WebNovel bio. So, we keep everything going. Enjoy the chapter. Peace out and Deus Vult.*
Mark stood there, dumbfounded, hiding his emotions behind a mask of joy, taking care to show no negative emotions. Someone came in to hand him a written ticket that gave him the free SoulGlad. Another person even came in with a few cameras and a group to record him, taking an interview. Mark stood there, with Stelle and Firefly in the background cheering him on.
"Sir, you've won the grand prize. Is there something you'd like to say for everyone watching this?"
Mark stared deadpan at the camera, looking most serious. He showed a big thumbs up to the camera with his right hand, staring into the souls of the ones watching.
"One million SoulGlad bottles for me, people. I think I'll pass out."
Everyone stared at him, somewhat baffled by the reaction, but then the reporter, a young lady filled with life, jumped up and about with joy.
"You heard him, people," she beamed. "He's going to enjoy the SoulGlad so much to the point of passing out! Let's cheer him, everybody!"
Mark felt like he was stuck in the matrix with a bunch of NPCs that act according to the things he does. He shook his head, slowly walking away from the crowd, retreating at the height of his gambling career.
"Well, looks like I have enough drinks for the entirety of the Astral Express," chuckled Mark. Stelle patted him on the back, while Firefly looked extremely joyous on the side.
"Right after you said you never win, huh? What sort of trick did you pull?"
Mark shrugged, unsure of what to even say. Somehow a rare event had happened, and the very planets and the stars aligned in such a way that he was able to get the big prize. Still, he was bothered like never before, since he'd usually have things go downhill for him after one fortunate event.
"I'm truly glad that you had fun," said Firefly, smiling at them both. She then turned over to Stelle, smiling softly at her.
"Thank you for your help earlier today—that's why I took the chance to introduce this beautiful place to you. It was willing to accept me, even though I didn't belong here. I've grown very fond of this place, and that makes me want to... share it with others."
Mark looked at her, his expression softening. Meanwhile, Stelle paid attention to the details.
"Are you... really a stowaway?" she asked, somewhat curious.
Firefly seemed to shy away a little, holding her arms a bit up against her chest.
"I... I'm a lawful resident... at least now I am..."
Mark took a soft breath, recalling part of her story despite the pain in the side of his head. His temples felt like bursting, but he kept pushing for the bits of information. Firefly, a girl with a specific disease called Entropy Loss Syndrome, which was slowly making the one afflicted fade away. She was a sad character, that much he knew, but more information was restricted by some pain that threatened to split his being in half.
"I see... it's ok. Stowaway or not, it doesn't matter. What matters is who you are as a person. I don't judge based on those things."
She offered a tiny smile, her demeanor somewhat more relaxed thanks to his words. She glanced to the side, and Mark nodded, aware of a tiny detail.
"We're being followed, right?" he whispered, not turning to the side. He put a hand on Stelle's head so she wouldn't look around, which was the first instinct for everyone. Instead, she looked over to him, raising a brow.
"Yes, Stelle, don't turn around. We gotta catch them in the act, right, Firefly?"
They smiled to one another, sharing a lighthearted moment where they were luring their stalker.
"He's been on our tail since we parted ways with Mister Gallagher."
Mark nodded, listening intently.
"He's about 5 feet 9 inches tall, give or take. Judging from his strong build, it's clear that he's well trained. He walks in long strides, but his steps are light and barely audible. That way of walking doesn't leave footprints..."
Mark sighed, looking over to her. He kept listening to the rest of the description, but he already had a clue that the mental library of his provided on the go. Rather than waiting, Mark turned around, smirking from ear to ear. His arms were spread wide as he greeted none other than Sampo.
"Hey, old comrade. How's it going?"
Sampo answered in kind, doing the same movement, his childish behavior flaring up at Mark's open invitation.
"Hey, if it isn't my favorite duo I do business with, Stelle and Mark. What a coincidence to run into you here! Oh my! I'm in luck today!"
The situation felt sketchy. How did someone from Belobog manage to make it there? Mark knew about his affiliation with the Masked Fools, something he made known ever since they met. Still, he had to do a little test. With a big ole smile, Mark rubbed his index to his thumb, motioning for money.
"I hope you recall your little debt, my good old comrade."
Sampo smiled sheepishly, rubbing his palms together.
"Well now, my dear friend. Do you mind waiting a little more for your faithful Sampo Koski?"
That was all Mark needed. There was no debt he had, and Sampo would never forget money. Still, Mark said nothing, simply chuckling as he crossed his arms.
"Well, let's say that I can wait some more. I don't mind waiting for my good friend, after all."
Stelle rubbed her eyes, looking at the man with weird enthusiasm.
"I can't be dreaming, can I?"
Mark chuckled, nudging her in the side.
"You're in a dream, dumbass. We all are."
Firefly watched from behind, looking with her shy gaze at the others. Mark glanced at her, offering a soft nod of his head to reassure her. Perhaps a habit, or more as a way to try and offer her some closure, his palm rested on her head, ruffling her head most gently.
"It's fine, don't worry," he whispered, taking a step back to let Stelle talk with 'Sampo' and have some fun.
She blushed slightly at the touch, which left after lingering for a while. Mark simply wanted to offer at least some form of connection that held meaning. Still, Mark's palm had to retreat at some point, leaving her with a soft tinge of embarrassment on her face.
"Uhm... who is this gentleman?" asked Firefly, stepping closer to Stelle.
"Oh, Miss March! Don't you remember me? After all the favors I did for you all in Belobog..."
Another clue that it wasn't Sampo, but someone posing as him. Mark kept the rule of thumb, staying silent. He liked being a yapping jackass sometimes, but it wasn't the time yet. There was something bound to happen, so he kept himself silent.
Stelle crossed her arms, looking at 'Sampo' with a deadpan expression.
"You should get your eyesight checked. Are you sure March 7th looks like this?"
She crossed an arm over her chest, smiling slightly.
"My name is Firefly. I'm a stage performer from the Iris Family."
'Sampo' chuckled, nodding a little as he looked over Firefly.
"Oh, no wonder! I was just thinking, there's no way Miss March could change her appearance so dramatically in such a short time."
He did her gesture, even going as far as bowing slightly for the introduction.
"It's my pleasure to meet you! My name is Sampo, and I'm an old pal of Stelle and Mark."
Stelle scoffed, lifting her head up a bit, giving a little glare.
"Since when did I acknowledge you as my friend?"
Mark laughed, giving her a little nudge in the side.
"Come on now, don't be like that. You're making things awkward, and you know it. Sampo is... Sampo."
Firefly smiled, speaking with her usual tone, although a touch of seriosity could be felt in her voice.
"Mister Sampo, what's the purpose of your visit to Penacony?"
He chuckled, crossing his arms with a smile still plastered on his lips.
"My purpose? Hahaha, you're funny. What else can I do in Penacony? Well, I just hang around, daydream, and do the things that anyone on vacation would do."
His eyes darted back to Stelle and Mark, who were glancing at each other, silently talking about the situation with just body language.
"Speaking of which... Old pals, since fate brought us here, I'm obliged to give you a tour of the area. I've been watching you two for a long time. Miss Firefly does know Penacony well, but when it comes to 'entertainment for grownups', I think I can do much better."
Mark shook his head, letting out a heavy sigh as he smirked.
"Sampo, if you think about taking us to some 'nice, family-friendly club' I'm seriously going to tear you a new one," he growled, shaking his fist.
"Woah, woah, woah," he retorted, bringing his hands up in surrender. "I'm not going to go to such a place, so don't worry. Still, come on and follow me."
Mark sighed once more, but he chose to follow along, motioning for the two ladies to come with them.
"Don't worry, you two. If my good old friend Sampo tries anything funny, I'll be sure to smack him nicely just to teach him some manners."
The group wandered together for a while, using one of those pinball machines to pass a lot more distance. They kept walking after that, heading to a place that Firefly recognized.
"Is this... the lower level of the Commercial District?"
Sampo smirked, walking ahead.
"Bingo! Our destination is right there—Peppy Pepeshi's Salon! This is no ordinary salon. The only guests allowed to enter are the Pepeshi people, or those with VIP cards. But then again, nothing is too difficult for Sampo."
Mark chuckled, shaking his head.
"Expect finding a job that requires honest work. I'm sure that's impossible for you."
He pretended that Mark's comment wasn't there, so instead he focused on talking to the tiny bodyguard.
"Here we go again, pal!"
The little figure, who wore a nice pair of sunglasses, looked up, unimpressed.
"Eh? Oh, it's you. You here to relax?" asked the little man, turning towards Mark. "Oh, you're the man of a million SoulGlad bottles. Congratulations on winning the big prize."
Mark nodded, silently thanking him. Sampo looked at him, amazed. Still, he focused on the task at hand.
"Right. I have three friends here who want to come with me. Any seats left inside?"
The guard looked at him, the attitude more imposing than his stature.
"Show me your VIP card."
Sampo pulled out a card, handing it seamlessly with one swift flick of his wrist.
"I'm talking about your friends. I've already seen yours."
"Oh, well, how can my friends have VIP cards when they've just arrived? Can you make an exception and let them in? I'll provide my VIP card as a guarantee that they won't cause any trouble, okay?"
The tiny guard shook his head, offering the card back.
"No, I can't break the rules. Please go home if you don't have the card."
"Seems like we can't go in," said Firefly, not all that disappointed.
"Go on, Sampo. Cook that funky plan of yours," chuckled Mark, waiting for the man to figure something out.
"Ok, so we aren't going in anymore. But could you help me pick up something I left inside? 'The Moment of Betrayal', 'The Cloud of Doubt', and 'Everlasting Hatred'. Just mention the 'Clown's Items' to Miss Thunderbolt. She'll understand what I mean."
Stelle was about to ask about them, but Mark silenced her, motioning with a swift up and down motion of his palm that she should hold back for now.
The guard nodded, heading inside to deliver the message. In a few moments, he came back, offering something else besides the normal items.
"Here's the items you asked for. Miss Thunderbolt said these alone wouldn't be enough. She wanted you to have these Broken Dreams –she said to do with them as you see fit."
Sampo nodded, speaking in a somewhat humble voice.
"Miss Thunderbolt is such a thoughtful person! Thank you so much."
He turned back to the group, his expression pleased.
"Now we're short of only one item, which we might be able to find in an arcade machine. Coincidentally, there's one at the salon entrance. Let's get moving. I want to show you something fun."
Mark sighed, already imagining himself as a tiny figure with sunglasses, a cool hat, a suit, and a rocket launcher.
"Here we go again," he muttered.