The neon lights of Neptune's Paradise lit up the street with a wild, pulsing energy. Alex arrived with Jack and Jin, the three of them already trading jokes and banter, setting the tone for the night ahead. As they stepped inside, the bass vibrated through the floor, filling the air with an electric hum that hinted at everything unpredictable and fun.
Kofi's voice chimed in, unmistakably delighted. "Ah, here we are! I can practically smell the poor decisions."
Alex smirked, nudging Jack as they made their way to the bar. Jack ordered the first round, raising his glass with an exaggerated grin. "To new ventures, old friends, and bad ideas!" he toasted, earning a laugh from Jin and a playful eye-roll from Alex.
The drinks flowed, and soon they found themselves swapping stories—Jack boasting about his latest win at the tables, Jin teasing Alex about his supposed "serious" look that never fooled anyone. Kofi kept up a steady stream of commentary, dropping in sarcastic quips and observations that only Alex could hear.
"Is he really bragging about that win? Pretty sure that was luck and not skill," Kofi muttered as Jack recounted the tale of his victory.
Alex took a sip, smirking into his glass. It felt good to be out with friends, laughing and letting go of everything that usually weighed him down. For once, he allowed himself to enjoy the moment without overthinking every detail. Neptune's Paradise had its usual haze of wild energy, and tonight, he was willing to dive in.
Then, amid the laughter, he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned, and there she was—Claire, standing with a curious smile and an expression that was half-surprise, half-amusement.
"Well, look who decided to show up," she said, crossing her arms. "Three years, Alex. Three years, and you just walk in like nothing's changed."
Alex froze for a moment, caught off guard by her directness. He could see the flicker of real emotion in her eyes, the questions bubbling just beneath the surface. She hadn't changed much, but the way she looked at him now felt different—less as an acquaintance and more as someone who genuinely wanted answers.
He put on his best casual smile. "Claire, long time no see. Guess I got a little busy."
"Busy? That's what you're going with?" she asked, arching an eyebrow. "Vanishing without a word, and then reappearing just in time to somehow expose Victor Devereux? Care to explain?"
Jack and Jin exchanged looks, sensing the tension and casually drifting away to give them space. Alex shot them a quick nod, then turned back to Claire with an easy shrug.
"Honestly, Claire, it was just a lot of luck," he said, trying to keep his tone light. "Right place, right time. Pure coincidence."
Before she could respond, Alex gestured to his friends. "Hey, let me introduce you to some of my friends. This is Jack and Jin."
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Claire smiled, extending her hand to Jack first. "Nice to meet you! I've heard a lot about you."
Jack's grin widened. "All good things, I hope!"
Claire laughed lightly. "Mostly. You're quite popular around here." Then she turned to Jin, her expression shifting to one of recognition. "Wait a minute, are you the same Jin Mazuka, the Olympian?"
Alex's eyebrows shot up, surprised. "Olympian? You?" He looked at Jin, trying to reconcile the easy-going guy he knew with the idea of an elite athlete. "I had no idea."
Jin shrugged, his expression unreadable. "Maybe."
Kofi's voice slipped into Alex's ear, tinged with mockery. "Instead of being surprised all the time, why didn't you bother to search about your new companions using Zarafi? You've been running on empty, haven't you?"
Alex frowned at the thought, briefly reflecting on the hours he'd spent searching for information on Master Kenjiro and coming up empty. "I guess I got tired of researching. Nothing ever turned up about Kenjiro, so why bother?"
Jin caught the hint of a smirk on his lips, but Claire looked unfazed, intrigued by his nonchalance.
"Wow, that's impressive," she said, her curiosity piqued. "So, are you competing again?"
Jin shook his head. "Not right now. Just enjoying a night out with friends."
Kofi, always quick with a quip, added in a dry tone, "And dodging all the questions, apparently."
Alex took a step closer to Claire, attempting to steer the conversation back to a lighter note. "It's good to see you, Claire. Tonight's all about unwinding. Care to join us?"
"I might take you up on that," she replied, her smile returning as she looked around at the lively bar. "But first, I want to hear about what you've been up to."
Kofi's voice slipped back into Alex's ear, dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, here we go. Let the interrogation begin."
Alex took a long sip of his drink, fighting back a grin as he shook his head. It felt good to be surrounded by friends, and as the music thumped in Neptune's Paradise, he allowed himself to get swept up in the night. Whatever questions awaited him could wait a little longer; for now, he was just happy to be here.
Jack and Jin had made their way over to the gaming area, animatedly discussing the best strategies for a high-stakes round of blackjack, leaving Claire and Alex at the bar.
Claire leaned in slightly as if to keep their conversation private.
Alex chuckled, relieved by her casual tone. "Honestly? Just trying to keep my head down and figure things out. I kind of disappeared for a while."
"Yeah, I noticed. But I get it. Sometimes, you need a break from everything." She offered him a warm smile, her eyes filled with understanding. "But I'm curious—what's been going on in your world?"
"Not much, really. Just some soul-searching, I guess. Trying to figure out what I want to do next," Alex replied, taking a sip of his drink. "How about you?"
"Oh, you know me—keeping busy with work and trying to enjoy life," she said with a light laugh. "It's been a whirlwind, but I wouldn't have it any other way."
Before he could respond, Jack and Jin returned, grinning as they carried fresh drinks. Jack plopped down next to Claire, giving her an appraising look. "Claire. Heard a lot about you from Alex."
"All good things, I hope," she said, a teasing glint in her eye.
"Mostly," Jack quipped, winking at Alex.
As they settled into a comfortable rhythm, Alex took a moment to observe the dynamic between his friends. Claire and Jack seemed to hit it off instantly, exchanging playful banter while Jin remained relaxed, sipping his drink with a smile. Alex felt a sense of relief wash over him; the night was shaping up to be exactly what he needed—a chance to unwind and reconnect.
"So, what's the plan, gentlemen?" Claire asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Are we just going to sit here, or are we going to make some poor decisions?"
Jack grinned. "Well, the night is still young. How about we take on that poker table? I could use a challenge."
Jin leaned in, clearly intrigued. "You're on! But I want a fair warning before you unleash your 'legendary' poker face on us."
"Psh, my poker face is unbeatable!" Jack declared, his bravado filling the space around them.
Claire laughed, the sound light and infectious. "I'd pay to see that."
Kofi piped up from inside Alex's ear, a hint of mischief in his tone. "Now we're talking! Let the games begin! Just remember, you're going to regret some decisions tonight, kid."
Alex stifled a grin at Kofi's remark. "Not if I play my cards right."
As they made their way to the poker table, Alex felt a rush of excitement. The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation, and the thrill of competition was palpable. He took his seat among friends, the tension of the past few years momentarily forgotten.
Jack shuffled the deck with practiced hands, teasing Jin about his serious game face while Claire exchanged knowing glances with Alex. The cards were dealt, and the night unfolded with laughter, light-hearted jabs, and a few friendly bets that quickly escalated.
"Okay, Alex," Claire said, leaning closer as the first round played out. "You have to tell me what it's like being a mastermind behind the scenes. It sounds a lot cooler than it probably is."
Alex smirked, reveling in the camaraderie. "It's not as glamorous as it sounds. Most of the time, it's just about being in the right place at the right time."
"And yet you managed to pull it off. I'm impressed," Claire said, her expression genuinely admiring.
As the night wore on, laughter filled the air, mingling with the music and the clinking of glasses. Jack, Claire, and Jin brought their own brand of energy to the table, and Alex found himself relaxing more with every hand dealt.
"I really did miss hanging out with you. It feels like old times," Claire said, her tone warm and nostalgic.
Alex smiled, warmed by her words. "Me too. It's nice to reconnect, especially after everything that's happened."
Jack raised his glass in a toast. "To old friends and new beginnings!"
"Cheers!" they all echoed, lifting their glasses and clinking them together.
Kofi chimed in again, a teasing lilt to his tone. "Ah, the classic 'I'm fine' maneuver. Come on, Alex, let's be real."
Alex shot a glance at the empty seat beside him. "I'll figure it out, Kofi. Just let me enjoy the night, okay?"
With the banter continuing, he found comfort in the noise of the crowd, the laughter around him, and the familiar warmth of friendships rekindling. Whatever lay ahead, he decided to face it head-on, one hand at a time, with friends by his side.
As the last round of poker wound down and Jack celebrated a particularly good hand, Alex couldn't help but feel grateful for this unexpected reunion. The weight of the past still lingered, but tonight, he was determined to enjoy every moment of it.