Moonshine made me blind to this pyramid scheme (BL)
Mani had a lot of secrets. Hiding in his office, he pretended to be someone he was not until his safe space disappeared in a day.
Coworkers that he ignored for years pulled him along to participate in saving their world.
None of them knew what they were doing, yet they marched forward together. Once out of his shell Mani stepped into the greatest adventure of his life.
(Included: mature topics of young adults self discovery, middle age identity crisis, and senior citizen moonshine addiction. Consider yourself warned.)
***
Mani swirled pink liquid in his cup "This is called a moonshine right? Moonshine.. it should not make us blind right?" he drank it while still pondering pros and cons of drinking it in their current situation.
"Well, did not make me blind," Yax offered his expert opinion "and I've been pilfering it from my dad since like.." he really could not remember, seemed like forever already. He reached to get another bottle and tumbled all the empty ones to the ground.
Cid pulled him back by his shoulder "Sit down, I'll do it." he refilled Yax's cup on the right and Mani's cup on the left, then filled his own in the middle. With closed eyes, he enjoyed strawberry aroma wafting up from this holy drink.
Mani bravely emptied his cup "Did we really saw it back there" he whispered from left "it was so much bigger than.." he trailed off in search of proper example.
"Yep, we saw it" Yax's answer came from the right "it was absolutely huge."
Mani leaned over Cindy and looked at Yax seriously "Do you think we will need magic to move it?" He did bring along his beads.
Yax also leaned over to give his most serious answer "Naah, it should have an engine somewhere in there to move it. I heard" he looked around carefully and whispered so only Mani could hear "my dad said it's technology so ancient that it was sealed away, to keep it safe. It's better than magic."
At the other side of their campfire, Ivory huffed while trying to snatch last bottle of holy moonshine from Jone who gently pushed him back while seriously stating "All technology at certain point starts resembling magic to those who do not understand it."
"Hear, hear" Blaze confirmed from his spot on the ground with one hand waving up and showing a peace sign for some reason. Next to him, twins were out and snoring already.
Mani pursed his lips and looked up into the sky. He could not see any real moonshine, leaves blocked the sky, but it should still be up there somewhere. He still hoped to get some magic, it would be awesome to get some real superpowers.
He hiccuped, while leaning on Cindy next to him. Well, he kinda did have some already, or those do not count?
Yax leaned fully on Cid, snuggling. He had to admit some parts were rather mystical. Like this holy potion. Or Mani.
Mani was most definitely something magical. But he is not going to say it. And no one can know what he thinks to himself. He grinned, satisfied by himself and his skill to keep secrets.
Squished between two drunks, Cid rolled his eyes, there goes Yax, spilling the beans to whoever wants to listen his 'secret thoughts'. Not like anyone was sober enough to pay any attention.
"Time to end this party." Cid said while standing up and dragging Yax towards the tent he shared with Ivory.
"Tomorrow is another day where we have to rise up and do our best to save the world." Even though he knew that all they were saving is themselves. And their friends. Well, that is his whole world, really.
The forest was silent, darkness was endless, beasts were hiding. With closed eyes and half asleep, Blaze was sure that he can hear gods above laughing, louder and louder from that abyss they call home.
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