Los Paraisos: Pallegio Casino - Roulette table
“Selan we did iiiiiiiiiiit!!!! We’re rich! We’re rich!!”

Moira's gaze slowly lifted from the table. Other than the occassional twitch of one eyebrow and the hellish fire of anger in her eyes, her expression looked pretty much neutral. She watched as Don paraded about, dancing and spinning and without a care in the world. Just look at all the money he had! For all of them to be successful, all of them except her...

Then Don began to sing. Moira looked back to the table without a word, her breathing slowing a little. Her gaze unfocused.

"Moira?"
"Hmm?"
"Will we ever be rich?"

Moira gripped the edge of the table. No, of course she wouldn't be. It wasn't something which used to really bother her too much - she was much too busy with raising her son. But now? She'll never be one of those Guilders which others will tell stories about. She'll never have the money to stay in this sort of place. So many of the people she once knew were now at the prime of their careers, rolling in money and lording it up. But her?

She'll never amount for anything.

Her gaze focused again, staring at the table surface. It's funny how detailed things are when you're really focused on them. The particular shade of green, the texture of the surface.

"We are the champions.
We are the champions.
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions of the world..."

She snapped.

Her face quite suddenly contorted into that of pure, concentrated rage. With a sharp intake of breath she violently threw the table spinning straight up into the air. Fuck. This. SHIT!

The casino was suddenly filled with screams as people fled the now decending table, which fell with a loud crash on the floor. Chips and coins were flung in every direction, raining down upon those surrounding them like hail. The roulette machine came loose from the table and rolled off in a random direction.

FUCK THIS SHIT FUCK THIS SHIT FUCK THIS SHIT!!!!! Lost in her rage she span on the spot, her fist brought back to punch that happy, clueless grin right off his fuckin' face-!

A large, boney hand suddenly pushed forcefully against the top of her back. Normally that wouldn't even faze her, but an electromage literally leaping at her and directly applying a large amount of volts into her spine certainly did. She screamed, an inhuman sound which lasted for the couple of seconds before she fell forwards to the floor, too stunned to really do anything else.



"Can't we just have one day," Syed hissed, kneeling down beside her to keep up the physical contact with her should he need to act again. Of course the pair of them were overdue getting kicked out and probably barred from yet somewhere else. However despite his words his thumb stroked against her wrist as he waited for the inevitable security to show. "Sorry, guys." He flushed. Of course now Xan was here too. What a great impression to make on someone they still barely knew. "Sorry," he added to the dealer, as little as his words were worth at this point.

Security were upon the scene within moments, taking hold of Moira by her arms and physically dragging her away. Syed could do nothing but sheepishly wave back to their friends as he followed.

Here we go again.

Los Paraísos: The Pellagio: Roulette Table

What in the name of Aislin just happened? One moment he was talking politely with Syed, contemplating maybe maaaaybe risking one or two gald on the slot machinese with him, then suddenly everything happened seemingly at once. The rest of the group was fixated on placing bets that he couldn’t even begin to understand, Xan randomly returned, and then Don had another miraculous win.

Don celebrated with his usual flare, Dylan cheering his Big Bro on. This was crazy, Don was risking his gald with little thought but it seemed to be working. He was about to encourage him on when something quite crazy happened - Moira completely snapped.

The area around them cleared completely as Moira lifted the table off the ground and flipped it. “What the hell?” Dylan yelped as he ducked behind Don. Moira in a beserker rage was a scary sight, but it didn’t take for Syed to literally shock her into submission. Peeking out from behind his meat shield, he watched as she was dragged out by security.

“Umm, was it just me or did that just kill the room?” he asked with a humorous chuckle. Though they hadn’t been the ones who flipped the table, the roulette...dealer? What did one call them? Whatever, he was eyeing the whole group angrily. “Why don’t we just clear out then...um, whatever happened to Estelle? And besides,” he said with a smile at Trixie, “why don’t we get out of this place and hit one of the ice cream shops?”

"So how exactly does this work, Lucien?" Xan arched an eyebrow at the roulette table, eyeing the chips. Everyone was cheering, and even Trixie was allowed to make a bet.

The summoner shrugged, before pumping a fist in the air and cheering Don on. "I haven't the slightest clue," he said with a wide smile. "Don's been on a winning streak though, might as well cheer, yeah?" The summoner clapped, the best were called, the wheel was spun, and miraculously, Don won, again! It was amazing. Everyone began whooping and cheering, but the boss had a deadly look in her eyes, however, only Xan noticed. Lucien was far too busy cheering his friend on as well.

Xan stared at Moira, but before she could think of anything, Don pulled her by the arm and twirled her around. The metallurgist froze, not exactly trained to deal with situations like this one. When it was over she gave Don a smile and congratulations. He was so happy, it was nice to see. The man danced and sang before giving the blonde a peck on the cheek. Lucien laughed and she did too. Then Don picked Selan up, placed her down and sang happily.

All was happy and well until Moira began yelling and cursing. Finally, she threw the table across the room and chaos happened.

"What the hell?" At the sound of the crash Lucien's gaze flitted from the happy Don to the table on the other end of the room. People were yelling and running...and wasn't that table supposed to be in front of the boss? Oh... he gaped before his awe flickered in his eyes. "Amazing," the summoner simply whispered, somehow gaining even more respect for Moira. She was one of the coolest people he had ever had the pleasure to meet. Though even he had to admit, the casino wasn't the best place for tossing tables.

Syed had to keep her down with a shock? And the summoner winced sympathetically.

Soon enough, security arrived and dragged Moira away. Xan couldn't help but stare in disbelief...really? This couldn't be happening...they had to meet up with Thunderhawk in less than two hours. This wasn't good at all, this was bad. No, this was just horrible. She let out an exasperated sigh before she chased after Moira and Syed. She needed them at that mission briefing or Thunderhawk wouldn't be pleased. "Wait, excuse me." She called out to the officer, not exactly sure about what she was going to say. She looked to Syed as if questioning him with her gaze before she returned her attention to the officer. "We're terribly sorry...but is there anyway we can forget about this? Maybe we can pay for the damage to that table and the two of us can get her out of here? I promise, we'll keep her from doing anything."

Meanwhile Lucien stared at the others, an out of place smile on his face. That was cool, but ice cream sounded cooler at the moment. "Sounds like a grand idea."

Los Paraisos: The Pellagio - Casino

Only when Don spun close by to kiss her on her cheek did Amy finally snap out of the golden machine's hypnosis, although the realization was slow.

"Did... did that asshole just...?"

Cling. Clunk clunk clunk. Brrrrrrr.

Then Amy rose to her feet, clutching tightly onto her purse in one hand while the other, her sword of death, unsheathed and prepared itself for a battering. As she made her way towards the table, however, something had completely stopped her in her tracks.

Moira had snapped, flipped over the table, scared many of the surrounding patrons, was shocked by Syed to stop any further rampaging, then escorted out by security. That other new girl - Xandra, was it? - followed shortly after.

Amy just stared as the scene played out before her, before giving Don a lingering glare. She sheathed her sword and trailed off after the Moira and the others - just quick enough to catch the metallurgist making her apology.

She opened her mouth to say something - whether to Moira, or Xandra, or the guards, or hell even Syed - but she instead kept it closed, not wanting to add onto the situation any further until it was necessary. The new girl's polite plea should be enough, she hoped. So long as Moira didn't try to pick a fight with the guards after putting on the show that she did, the worst it could end is having her and the others booted out. Hopefully they wouldn't be pissed enough to bar her from the hotel in its entirety; as much as Amy was willing to chuck the small amount of money she had earned during her hypnosis, she wasn't sure it would be enough to get these guys to change their mind. But she was ready to anyway.

While she wouldn't feel at all embarrassed, second-hand or not, with Thunderhawk their 'leader' inevitably finding out (he must be used to the Pride's antics by now) - like Syed she was relatively troubled with the other two new girls who were joining their team. Hopefully everything that's happened so far wouldn't hamper how well they collaborate throughout the rest of their mission. Her eyes flicked between Xandra and the guards.

First impressions were fuckin everything.



Trixie immediately dropped everything in her hands the moment Moira flipped the roulette table. She plastered her tiny hands over her mouth, watching with wide, scared eyes as the berserker snapped. She wasn't - Boss wasn't gonna attack them all next, was she? Trixie immediately fled for someone nearby - anyone nearby - Lucien - and she hid behind Lucien's legs, seating her back directly against him so she would not be visible to Moira's broiling rage.

Then Syed stepped in and zapped some sense into her before they were taken away by the popo. Trixie's shoulders deflated with utmost relief, but her trembling hands never left her face. Not until Dylan and Lucien noticed the fear in her eyes and comforted her with ditching the place and snagging some ice cream.

"Y, yeah," she gulped. "Let's find Supersis. And I'd... ice cream would be nice. But..." she looked to both the artist and the summoner, tears not yet forming in her eyes - but they were damn well close to. "Will Boss be okay?"

She reached a hand up towards them, silently requesting for them to pull her up. Yeah she could help herself up just fine, but she always associated this movement with a sense of comfort.

Los Paraisos: Pellagio Casino: Texas Hold'em Poker Table

“Hmm? Dinner? With me? And my help? On something?” Josette suddenly turned towards Lisette with renewed curiosity blazing in her eyes. She was still indeed interested about this mission the Pride hinted at earlier, not to mention she couldn’t resist hanging out with Marcus and the offer of free food. Why… it was like Lisette didn’t even need to ask! “Of course I will! Dinner sounds perfect, and I’m starving too! I know a really good place we might be able to get a discount at too, actually. Trust me, you guys will love it!”

Estelle’s eyes narrowed again, and she looked towards Lisette with a pleaful look, before resigning to a heavy sigh. As much as she disliked the blue haired former bandit… she couldn’t deny that Josette was a good shot at getting information about the resort’s missing women. Or at least, she’d better be or she’d be paying for her own food…

“You okay, Marcus?” Estelle bent down and lifted Marcus up.



“How about I get back to you on that?” Aria had said. “How about I get back to you on that?”

IT WASN’T A REJECTION. THAT MEANT… THAT MEANT IT WAS A YES!! Clive had done it! He had… he had won! Big time! He was going to get to go on a date with a gorgeous babe like this?! By the gods he… he had struck lucky! Far far luckier then anyone in this casino could ever have been! This… this was the best thing to have ever happened to him in his entire life!!

“Sure! Sure! That sounds good! I’m looking forward to… oh my god, look out!!”

Clive suddenly dashed forward, and Aria became the next person to be tackled and land roughly on the ground, much to the surprise of everyone else. But unlike Don and Josette, Clive’s charge wasn’t born out of love or excitement, but rather fear. Fear at the giant thing flying through the air and heading their way, the giant thing that almost hit Aria if it wasn’t for Clive’s dramatic save.

Spiraling through the air and landing with a thunderous calamity, embedding itself into the ground at one edge with dust and debris thrown into the air. Estelle, Marcus, Josette, Lisette and Kapi looked in shock and disbelief… at the roulette table that had just narrowly missed the dealer and illusionist.

“What the hell is that?” Estelle rubbed her eyes.

“Are… are you okay?” Clive asked, his face bright red and inches away from Aria.

---

Los Paraisos: Pellagio Casino: Roulette Table... sort of

The lights around got even dimmer, with one single light shining ever brighter above him… the man.

I've taken my bows
And my curtain calls
You brought me fame and fortune and everything that goes with it
I thank you all

But it's been no bed of roses,
No pleasure cruise.
I consider it a challenge before the whole human race
And I ain't gonna lose.

Don’s hands spread out, the man giving as much power and passion as he could to this, the most important moment of his life. The moment of such accomplishment.

(And I need just go on and on, and on, and on)

He brought his hands in low. This was it. The finale!!

We are the champions, my friends,
And we'll keep on fighting 'til the end.
We are the champions.
We are the champions.
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions of the world.

We are the champions, my friends,
And we'll keep on fighting 'til the end.
We are the champions.
We are the champions.
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions!

Don’s singing stopped, and his head held high slowly drooped low.

“Thank you. Thank you very much. You’ve been a great audience.”

He bowed, expecting to hear a symphony of claps and joyous whoops… but instead there were not. It was confusing, but oh well, it didn’t matter. His head lifted itself back up again, a proud smile on his face as he sauntered to the table to pick up his chip winnings, leaning down on the edge with his elbow, smiling towards the dealer and wanting to ask him to trade them up. Until he collapsed through thin air.

The table wasn’t there. His chips weren’t there. Heck, even most of his friends weren’t there. What happened?!

“Wh-wh-where’s my chips?! Bros?!” Don screamed.

“And besides,” Dylan said with a smile at Trixie, “Why don’t we get out of this place and hit one of the ice cream shops?”

"Sounds like a grand idea." Replied a smiling Lucien.

"Let's find Supersis.” Trixie gulped. “And I'd... ice cream would be nice.”

“ICE CREAM!?” Don screamed. “WHO CARES ABOUT ICE CREAM? WHAT- WHAT ABOUT MY WINNINGS? WHAT ABOUT MY MONEY?!”

“Sir,” The roulette dealer’s hand befell Don’s shoulder. “We’re going to have to take the cost of the damages your friend did here out of your winnings.”

“WHAAAAAAAAAAAT?!?!?!”

---

Los Paraisos: Pellagio Casino: Entrance

He had shown up at the lobby a couple of hours early, decked out in a pretty fancy ensemble for the unreliable ranger. A crisp white shirt and suit, sans tie… Thunderhawk actually looked pretty suave and sophisticated for once, even if he did still wear that infernal bandana. It was an outfit borne out of need rather then personal pleasure, however, and try as Thunderhawk might to appear cool, calm and collected… he still disliked it. It didn’t suit him at all.

But then… he was trying to make a change, wasn’t he? And that included being here on time. Early, even.

But he’d overdone it and was here too early. None of the others would be here for a couple of hours yet. So it was he decided to head down into the casino and kill some time there playing the games. Maybe even be lucky enough to hear something interesting related to his mission? Not that he would ever be that lucky…

Case in point… a familiar screaming and shouting.

“GET YOUR FUCKING PAWS OFF ME YOU FUCKING FUCKS!” Moira shouted as she was roughly escorted out through the casino’s stairs towards the lobby, straight into Thunderhawk’s path. The man just stopped, and looked down at her. His expression... bewildered and agitated.

“...what did you do.”

Los Paraísos: The Pellagio: Roulette Table

"Y, yeah," she gulped. "Let's find Supersis. And I'd... ice cream would be nice. But...Will Boss be okay?"

Dylan smiled down at the girl, reaching down and helping her to her feet. “Yeah, I’m sure Boss will be fine, she just had to leave the casino. We’ll all be laughing about this by the time dinner rolls around.”

“WHAAAAAAAAAAAT?!?!?!”

He winced at Don’s ruckus. It seemed like his lucky streak had finally come to an end. “Yes,” he said firmly, “We will all be having a good time by dinner. For now, ice cream.” He winked at Trixie. “And yours is on me.” Nudging the girl along, he started to head them out of the casino. “Who else wants to come along? I saw one just next door.”

Los Paraísos: The Double Scoop

They stood in the ice-cream shop, starting at the board of flavors. They had everything! From the classics like chocolate chip cookie-dough to more exotic, tropical flavors like mango and even pineapple. They had toppings galore, choices of sugar cones, chocolate dipped cones, waffle cones, and for the less adventurous even plain cups.

Where did one even begin to choose?

“Hello and welcome to The Double Scoop!” the girl behind the bar said with a big smile. “What can I get you today?”

“Umm...” Dylan eyed the board one last time. “I guess I’ll take a Chunky Monkey in a waffle cone. With chocolate sprinkles! And whatever this girl wants.”

Los Paraisos: Pellagio
Of course, Moira was such a regular at being kicked out of places that she knew the proper etiquette of such things. As soon as she came back to her senses - and found herself being manhandled by two mountainous men at that - she did the right thing. She kicked off. It was the polite thing to do after all, now her rage had subsided.

"GET YER GREAT FUCKIN' MITTS OFFA ME!" she bellowed, struggling against their grip. Gotta give them some job satisfaction, the poor sods.

Syed followed silently behind, although he was a little suprised to see Xan trying to stick up for Moira. That... that was really good of her. It was more than Moira deserved as far as he was concerned. He did take note of the questioning looks though. "We're fine, Xan," he flashed her a genuinely thankful but somewhat strained smile. "We're used to this sort of thing, unfortunately... but thank you. You should probably go back to the others, I don't know how long we'll be." Not that they'd be allowed back at all, but that was the least of his concern.

Luckily, it looked like they were only being escorted out of the casino, rather than being taken out back for a discussion. Wait, the hotel is a part of this building too, right? What if they were getting escorted out of the building altogether? There was no way they'd be able to afford a room on this resort! They'd have to live on the streets during their time here, sleeping rough! Syed started to panic a little.

Moira just glowered as she continued to shout. Oh, fantastic! Here's Thunderhawk, looking odd in his formal attire. He would no doubt look uncomfortable too, if he weren't so busy looking pissed off.

“...what did you do.”

Syed shuffled his feet nervously. It's funny how similar this was to the events at Fenaru, and he didn't like that one bit. Although this time, Thunderhawk wasn't defending himself alongside them. The tables were turned.

"Moira got upset-"

"I WAS NOT UPSET!" Moira bellowed over him, shrugging both the security staff off her at last. She took a second to readjust her dress around her chest. "I was fucking pissed! The asshole was gloating! Gloating!!! The game had to be fixed or somethin', everybody was winning except me! And he wouldn't stop fuckin' gloating, just gloating and rubbing it in my face! So I lost it, alright! I lost it!"

"She... she flipped a table..." Syed continued, fiddling with his fingers. "One of those roulette ones. Well, more like threw across the room." He then looked back to the two security guards, hugging himself a little to hide his trembling hands. Please don't kick us out the hotel please don't kick us out the hotel. "I'm so, so sorry, I should have stopped her sooner," he bowed deeply, scrunching his eyes shut. He should have acted faster, the signs that she had been slipping into one of her rages were all there. How she went quiet. How she seemed to withdraw into herself. What had he been doing, hoping that some fairy would show up and make it all better? So he could have a decent convosation with Dylan? Well, Xan had the right idea as far as he was concerned. "Is there anything we can do to repay you?"

Moira glowered at him. She was mad at him as well now, mostly because her muscles hurt all over thanks to his intervention. Still, she said nothing more. She did feel a little guilty about the table by now to be honest, although she was sure as hell not going to admit it if she could help it.

Los Paraísos: Pellagio Casino: Texas Hold'em Poker Table

Seeing how absolutely joyful the man already was with her answer, Aria was quite glad she hadn’t flat out rejected the guy. She could almost see the sparkles of happiness radiating off Clive as he jumped around.

“Sure! Sure! That sounds good! I’m looking forward to… oh my god, look out!!”

“What-“

One word was all that Aria managed to stutter out before suddenly being tackled to the side and hitting the floor roughly before a loud crash rang through the casino. Wincing at where a bruise would no doubt be forming on her leg later, she stared over Clive’s shoulder at where a roulette table had embedded itself into the ground less than a meter away from she had been standing. If she had been hit by that thing- She shuddered at the image. What had just happened? Weren’t the roulette tables quite a ways away from here?

Finally managing to shake off the shock of nearly being crushed by a red and black wheel, she looked back at Clive whose face was bright red either from exertion or the close proximity their faces were in.

“I’m fine, thanks to you.” She smiled gratefully, scooting back a bit just in case the poor man ended up fainting from all the blood rushing to his face. After picking herself up and dusting off quickly, she extended a hand to help pull the dealer up. “Since you pretty much saved my life, does that make you my hero?” She teased.

Still, Aria was still puzzled over how the roulette table could have ended up halfway across the room. It was almost like it had been thrown with great force, but why would anyone do something like that?

Turning away from Clive, she addressed the rest of the guilders who were just as confused as she was. “We probably should go somewhere else…” Aria suggested slowly, eyeing the roulette table. “Just in case more things start flying at us?”

Los Paraísos: Pellagio Casino: Texas Hold'em Poker Table

“Sure! Sure! That sounds good! I’m looking forward to… oh my god, look out!!”

Lisette's breath caught in her throat as the thing spiraled through the air. She thought it might have been something like Elaine's chakram, or an axe, or something, but when the dust cleared, she definitely wasn't expecting to see what was clearly a roulette wheel sticking out of the floor.

"Are you two okay?" Lisette called over to Clive and Aria, looking around worriedly to see where it had come from. There were far too many people and tables and machines in the way to see clearly, but it was a miracle that no one had gotten hurt.

“We probably should go somewhere else…” Aria suggested slowly, eyeing the roulette table. “Just in case more things start flying at us?”

"For sure...!" Lisette agreed. "Josette, what place did you have in mind? I bet you have really good taste!"

---

Los Paraísos: The Double Scoop

With a heavy heart, Don surrendered his winnings to cover the cost of the damages, and with that, they left the roulette table in search of simpler, better things.

And that turned out to be ice cream. Selan would have preferred a nice lounge with a piano instead, but she followed along anyway, eager to leave the gambling atmosphere.

Selan eyed the board of flavors with some level of interest, seeing descriptions of fruits and toppings that she had never heard of before. The world was a vast place indeed, as some tourists were asking about ingredients that seemed commonplace to them, while ordering some of the more unfamiliar ones with ease.

"Selan...?" Don asked, waiting for her to say something.

"No thank you, I don't like ice cream very much." she said in a flat, tired voice.

"U-uh, well... I meant... Could you, well, buy me some? You see, my chips..."

Selan looked away from the board and caught Don rubbing the back of his head, holding his hand out sheepishly for some Gald.

She would have done it regardless, but she was feeling especially sympathetic after watching the poor man give up the rewards of his unusual luck. "Oh... Of course. Choose whatever you like."

Don looked about ready to explode from giddiness. And yet, there were tears streaming down his eyes once again. "Oh Sel, you're so good to me!"

"Just... Not too expensive, please..." Selan added, remembering the prices on the board. Tiberius couldn't reimburse her for something she can't pay for up front!

Los Paraisos - The Double Scoop

Trixie was visibly upset and the summoner did the best he could to appear nonchalant about the whole Moira getting arrested thing.

"We're talking about boss," he stated with a dismissive wave of the hand. "She'll be just grand, I mean, she tears stuff with her fists and kicks butt! This'll be a piece of cake for her." He gave Trixie a reassuring thumbs up then strolled after her and Dylan towards The Double Scoop. He waited for Dylan and Trixie to make their orders before he bought himself a coke float. Nothing like soda with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. He plopped down in one of the spinning seats before he scooped a spoonful into his mouth.

Not long after Don and Selan followed and he waved cheerfully with his free hand.

"Bro, you should try the coke float. It's amazing~!" He raised his glass before pointing towards one of the more interesting flavors. "Or there's ketchup and tuna ice cream." He wondered what that tasted like, but didn't exactly want to try it out.



They were fine? Xan stared at the duo, and noticed how Syed shuffled.

"I'll accompany you out," she offered, returning his nervous smile with a reassuring one. Thunderhawk needed them at the meeting later on and she was assigned as their sort of guide for the day, so she wasn't just going to tuck tail and turn around. "It's not a problem." Xan was about to talk to the officer, but then Moira started screaming. Didn't she understand that bad behavior would only make things worse for all of them. Then Thunderhawk appeared out of Nowhere and Xan spun around to stare...

"Just a bit of a problem." She muttered, she really didn't know what else could be said at this point.

Moira began explaining why she was upset before Syed started apologizing when he hadn't done anything.

"Is there anything we can do to repay you?"

Xan nodded at the officer. "Can we repay you in gald, or services perhaps? It won't be happening again." The last part of the sentence she emphasized, hoping that the man would find it in his heart to just escort them out or ask them to pay. They couldn't jeopardize the mission...they couldn't get kicked out. If they did, that would have been the end it.

Los Paraisos: Pellagio Lobby: Casino Entrance

Thunderhawk’s disbelief and fatigue only started to mount and mount. They had only been here less then a day and already they had caused a scene like this? Damnit, the last time this happened he had been deranked. Fortunately that annoying bitch Marise wasn’t around otherwise she might have tried to do so again, but seriously… what was wrong with this woman that she couldn’t control herself at all?! Did she want them to all get kicked out of this hotel, or what?!

"I WAS NOT UPSET!" Moira bellowed. "I was fucking pissed! The asshole was gloating! Gloating!!! The game had to be fixed or somethin', everybody was winning except me! And he wouldn't stop fuckin' gloating, just gloating and rubbing it in my face! So I lost it, alright! I lost it!"

"She... she flipped a table...” Syed explained. "One of those roulette ones. Well, more like threw across the room."

She ripped out a roulette table and threw it across the room?! By the gods! Thunderhawk wasn’t surprised or impressed by Moira’s strength, he knew that well enough, but more then that what amazed him was how legendary her stupidity was. She flipped a table because she lost? It was a casino! More likely then not the odds were you were going to lose. That doesn’t mean destroying the place!

"Is there anything we can do to repay you?" Syed apologetically asked the security guards, who stood with their arms folded, guarding the way into the casino.

"Can we repay you in gald, or services perhaps? It won't be happening again." Xan added, wanting to help resolve the situation in anyway they could. However, she was cut short by Thunderhawk’s hand falling on her shoulder, and a silent shake of the head from him. She shouldn’t need to be doing anything to make amends for Moira’s mistake, only herself. He scowled towards her again, saying nothing but making his disapproval evidently clear.

“No need.” One of the security guards replied, shaking his head. “The costs have been taken care of. We just need you off the casino grounds immediately. DON’T. come back.”

The foursome looked at the menagerie of guards and then each other. They didn’t exactly know what they meant by the costs having been taken care of, but so long as it was…

“You. With me. Now.” Thunderhawk pointed at Moira, turning and then ascending the rest of the stairs back to the lobby. Syed and Xan cautiously followed, whilst Moira… Moira stomped up. She was still just as livid as before, and if he wanted to pick a fight with her then fucking bring it!!

---

Los Paraisos: Pellagio Hotel

Safely back on the ground floor, in the grand hotel’s bustling lobby floor, Thunderhawk sighed as Moira, Syed and Xandra caught up. Moira marched right towards him, her own finger raised, ready to sharply counter anything the ranger might shout at her with a sharp fist. He needed to say one word… only one word…!

“Where are the others?” Thunderhawk asked, deflating Moira’s expectations completely.

“Huh?”

“Still back in the casino…” Syed replied sheepishly.

Thunderhawk sighed and scratched the back of his head. “Damnit… I wanted to spend some time in there before our meeting and now it looks like I’m screwed. At the least, I could have gone down there and tried to find everyone so we could probably start this early…”

“Start what early?” A drawled voice asked from behind the group. As Syed and Xandra parted and turned, Thunderhawk, and the voice’s owner could now see each other, and both of them suddenly stood on edge. Amy folded her arms in disinterested disgust. “Oh. It’s you.”




“THUNDERJERK!!” Estelle screamed across the lobby, rudely pointing towards him. “What’re you doing here? Isn’t it early?”

“My name… is not… Thunderjerk…” The ranger’s brow twitched as a frightening scowl creased his features.

“Yup! It’s Chirps!” Aria added with a giggle.

Thunderhawk didn’t even dignify that with a reply. He just looked to her with venom.

“We met Miss Amy as we were leaving!” Lisette helped explain to the confused expressions offered from Syed and Xandra. She then slowly turned to Moira, and looked at her in confusion. “Miss Moira, what was this about you flipping a table…?”

“Yeah, what was that all about?” Estelle added with astonishment and awe.

“Well, this is half of everyone. Where’s the rest?” Thunderhawk decided to ignore the questions. “If we can find everyone then we can start things now instead of waiting… are they still in the casino?”

“Amy said she overheard everyone say they were going for ice cream at the shop next door,” Marcus answered with a polite smile. “They must have used one of exits that lead out into the street if you didn’t see them? I think everyone else should be there.”

“Okay. Okay. Then let’s go get them, I’m not waiting around now with nothing to do now that I’m not allowed in the casino.” Another angry stare was projected at Moira. “One last thing, though… who the heck are you?”



“Huh? Me? You got a problem or something?” Josette shot back, one hand on her hip and a half interested expression thrown back towards Thunderhawk. So far she had gotten on well with making friends with Lisette and Dylan, and normally Josette could be quite a pleasant person. But Thunderhawk’s arrogant and dismissive tone of voice had set them off on the wrong foot. A wrong foot that would probably never be righted. “I’m Josette Capuello. I got invited to tag along with you guys for dinner.” She folded her arms and looked away. “Your friends said you’d need *my* help.”

“Your help?” Thunderhawk replied. Looking past the annoyance of being joined by another young brat with attitude… he didn’t understand the response at first. Until he started thinking about it and then, turning to Marcus (the only person out of the group whom he had any respect towards simply because he mostly kept silent). “She know something?”

“Josette’s been working here for a few months, so it’s possible she might know something.” Marcus replied with a smile and a nod. “Plus, she’s also…”

“…also? Wait. Wait. Josette Capuello? Why does… why does that name sound familiar…?” Thunderhawk suddenly started musing to himself.

Josette’s brow raised up in interest. “You know of me? Er… why do you know of me? You’re not a stalker, are you?”

“She’s Don’s sister.” Estelle explained, cutting to the chase and beginning to walk forwards, leading the group to the ice cream shop in order to gather everyone else. They slowly started to follow, Thunderhawk rooted to the spot.

She… she was the idiot’s sister?!

Then that meant the idiot was here as well?! He hadn’t seen him with them earlier, so he just thought and hoped something bad had happened like him being arrested, but… but he was here as well…?!?

---

“PIG BRO!”



Los Paraisos: Ice Cream Parlour

Don raced out of the ice cream shop, tackling Thunderhawk and gripping him into an unbreakable manly hug as the rest of the Pride exited the ice cream shop, slurping their ice creams with content.

“Pig bro, huh?” Aria tittered. She could only wonder how he got that nickname.

“IT’S BEEN SO LONG, BRO! I MISSED YOU! WHERE DID YOU GO? WHY DIDN’T YOU CALL OR WRI- oh. Oops. Sorry bro.” Don broke free of the embrace, taking a step back to look at the unfortunate mess dripping down Thunderhawk’s suit where Don had splattered his ice cream against. “I can… I can clean that up.”

Thunderhawk couldn’t say anything.

First the idiot’s sister. Then the idiot himself. He knew where this was going. He just knew it!

---

“Welcome, bros, to the Hell’s Kitchen!! How may we serve you all today? Oh! Hello Big Sis!!”





Los Paraisos: Hell’s Kitchen Restaurant

The waiter greeted everyone as they walked in with a glamorous smile and wave, before being taken aback with excitement as she saw Josette stroll forward at the front of the group.

“This is the restaurant you were talking about?” Estelle eyed the joint up. “Looks pretty classy!”

“Yeah, the food here’s really good and it’s not badly priced either! Thankfully Cid here’s only a waiter and not a chef otherwise it’d be terrible.” Josette explained with a laugh.

“B-b-big Sis! That’s not a nice thing to say! Anyway! Pl-please, follow me, I’ll show you to a table and- oh my gods. Is that… is that…?!”

Walking in through the door behind everyone else, depressed at both the loss of his winnings and ice cream, still trying to wipe the ice cream off Thunderhawk’s suit (much to the annoyance and swiping away of his hand by Thunderhawk’s own) sauntered in Don himself. The man, gloomy and downcast, suddenly looked up, his eyes locking with that of the man he hadn’t seen in months. Tears of jubilation streaked down his cheeks, as he raced forwards, both men gripping each other in a powerful hug.

“BRO!!!!”

Across the island, twenty men, including Jerry and Clive, suddenly lifted their heads up, as if hearing a silent call that only they could hear.

Thunderhawk’s brow twitched again. He knew it. It wasn’t just the idiot or his sister on Los Paraisos. It was the whole damn family.

He had died and gone to hell.

Los Paraisos: Hell's Kitchen Restaurant
While still a little dazed that firstly of all they had somehow escaped any severe punishment from the casino (who took care of the costs?), now they had met Don's sister too? Neither Moira nor Syed had met either of the Capuello siblings back at Tabul, and it was already pretty clear that Josette had quite the spunky personality. But then again that wasn't particularly suprising. She was Don's sister.

And now they were here, at a very posh restaurant, with yet another of Don's bros as a waiter. It was a bit of a suprise really to hear it wasn't particularly expensive - the place screamed of modern sophistication, with clean lines, immaculate white tablecloths and contrasting, black chairs. Luckily, it looked like there was an empty table against one wall which was large enough to take a big party. Curiously enough, there were no tables at all in a straight line from the door to the kitchens to the wall at the other side of the restaurant. The tables were reasonably busy too, with it's many patrons tucking into plates of fine cuisine.

And fine cuisine it was - large white plates with some rediculously tiny portions of food on top. Luckily, neither Moira nor Syed were paying attention to that - Moira was still sort of stewing in her anger (and giving Don some pretty funny looks while she was at it), while Syed once more was caught completely awed, staring wide-eyed at his surroundings with his mouth slightly open.

"You say it's not badly priced," Syed asked Josette quietly once they reached their table, "but this place looks really expensive."

Moira grumbled, her eyes flicking over the menu. Suprisingly enough most of the options were pretty clearly worded, with very few long fancy words Moira wouldn't understand. Short and straight to the point. It was a small menu though, with only around a dozen dishes in total availiable as mains. The fact that the menu was in plain and easy to understand words only really hammered it home to the Beserker that these dishes were very fancy indeed.

"I bet the chef is a right poncey fuck."

"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU CALL THIS?! THERE'S SO MUCH OIL ON THIS PEOPLE WANT TO INVADE IT!!!""

They jumped up a little in suprise, only to be greeted by a plate of food flying out the kitchen doors and smashing across the floor. Some of the various diners seemed quite pleased to see this - was this a regular event in this restaurant?

Then a man popped his head out of the kitchen doors, yelled for someone to clean it up, then went back in again.

"Geez..." Syed buckled down a little. Oh. Oh dear. He was glad he didn't work here.

Moira on the other hand stared wide eyed. Holy shit...! Was that-?

---

Los Paraisos: Hell's Kitchen - Kitchen
"WHERE'S THE LAMB FOR TABLE SEVENTEEN!" the man continued to shout as he paced across the kitchen. His kitchen. The result of decades of hard work, his pride and joy. A joy he could only express in one way - by being angry as hell. It's what the customers expected at this point after all. They came for his vicious temper, they stayed for the fine food. And he would never let a dish he knew as anything less than perfect out of the kitchen, so it fed itself very well indeed.

"Done, chef!" called out a voice. The man nodded as the chef passed the dish onto a hot plate, which was seamlessly picked up by one of the waiters.

"Now, you," he turned back to the young man who stood before him. He was a fairly new employee, and very, very talented in the kitchen at that. With a little time, he'd be perfect. If only he weren't such a handful. "Do it again. We need to up the pace, looks like a fucking huge group just came in."

He clapped his hands twice.

"Yes chef!" chorused the other chefs.

Los Paraisos: Hell's Kitchen Restaurant

Like everyone else, Trixie nearly jumped right out of her seat as a man bellowed and a plate shattered along the floor. She reeled back a little, intimidated from hearing one angry person after another, but her worry quickly shifted elsewhere: the scoop of peanut buttery ice cream goodness she had brought with her into the restaurant had hopped right off and landed on the floor. Normally Trixie would have no qualms about it, but last time she tried to eat food off the ground in public, Amy nearly stepped on her. So now she was stuck with an ol' waffle cone with barely any ice cream still lodged inside it. "Aw, mannnn..."

Amy too jumped when the head chef made his call almost immediately following Moira's assumption. Eyes closed, she placed her hand over her chest to steady her breaths again before letting out a chuckle. "Well. This will be entertaining." Although, she noticed, the berserker's expression was more than alarmed than most. "You all right, Moira?"

"Your drinks, bros and sises!"



Any further conversation had been cut short by a waiter approaching their table, a jubilant smile plastered across his face after finally reuniting with his bro after what felt like centuries had passed. More surprisingly he balanced a single yet largeass tray on one hand, topped with 14 uniform glasses, all filled to the brim with sparkling water and bendy straws. In his other he balanced a tray smaller in size, holding tiny bowls of lemons, a bigger bowl for a certain capybara to drink from, and... a sippy cup.

Amy stared in disbelief, not only at the bro's dexterity, but at how many bloody glasses he was holding. Was their group really that big...!?

Quickly the man set down the trays on neighboring tables and began sliding glasses down to each member, with just perfect enough velocity that they would stop on their own just inches before reaching their respective consumer. Even Cid's kicks had enough balance to them that Kapi's drinking bowl was sent underneath the table without knocking over a single drop. Amy continued stare wide-eyed with perplexed eyebrows. Surely this man was not related to Don in the least bit.

Then, finally - he reached for the remaining cup and handed it off to Trixie. Who refused it, defiant with her arms crossed and cheeks puffed. "Hey! I don't need a sippy cup!"

"Sorry sis," he said, eyes shifting away from the group. His perfect streak was about to be shattered. "One of the other sises told me to make sure I bring one along..."

Immediately the prankster whipped her expression at Amy, who merely winked back with an impish grin crawling on her face. Trixie spoke again, fish-faced, lips barely moving. "No. I don't. Want. A sippy cup."

"Ah. Um. I'll - I'll be sure to bring you back a regular glass." Beads of sweat began to trickle down Cid's neck. Not good, not good. Please, no more complaints, please, oh gods, no more complaints. "But, um, in, in the meantime - could I get you bros and sis's anything else to drink, any appetizers...?"

Like the others Amy glossed over the menu sitting before her at the table, eyes flicking back and forth between the only two photos in the entire thing. She waited for Cid to take off before finally speaking up. Considering the situation at hand they were to discuss, she opted out of ordering any alcohol this round. Perhaps later.

"So... Josette, was it?" Amy looked towards Don's sister, eying her carefully though not so obviously that she would throw a fit at the scrutiny. "Now that we're all here together with some time to kill, would you mind telling us if... you've heard anything about a—"

The same booming voice from before erupted yet again from inside the kitchen, "CRISPIN! GET YOUR ASS BACK IN HERE, YOU NEWBIE FUCK! THIS MEAL IS SO UNFINISHED THAT EB SPORTS TRIED TO PUBLISH IT!"

A young man sporting a stupid baseball cap had jutted his head out of a kitchen door, gaping at the Pride's table in utmost awe and disbelief. He waved over towards Cid as he departed from their table - "Yo Cid, make sure you share the tips with the rest of us!" - to which Cid gulped, pulling at his shirt's collar as he did his best to ignore the chef's demand. Luckily for him the chef was immediately yanked back into the kitchen and sent back to work, finally returning the restaurant and its customers to peace. At least until the head chef spurred something up again.

Amy's shoulders deflated with a sigh. She had gone back to stirring a lemon inside of her water glass. "Figures."

Los Paraisos: Hell's Kitchen Restaurant

Well this restaurant was...intense. Dylan quickly finished off his ice-cream cone, glad that he had decided to order a small, and wondered just what the hell had happened to the extra two hours that seemed to have vanished. Had he known that they would be getting dinner so soon he would have saved the ice-cream till afterwards!

But judging by the size of the food coming out and how sparsely they arrived (unless they were thrown out across the floor) he doubted that it would be much of a problem. Soon enough their drinks arrived, Dylan this time opting just for water. He had drank enough for one day and knew that if he didn’t turn it around he would hungover as hell tomorrow.

"So... Josette, was it?" Amy looked towards Don's sister. "Now that we're all here together with some time to kill, would you mind telling us if... you've heard anything about a—"

The same booming voice from before erupted yet again from inside the kitchen, "CRISPIN! GET YOUR ASS BACK IN HERE, YOU NEWBIE FUCK! THIS MEAL IS SO UNFINISHED THAT EB SPORTS TRIED TO PUBLISH IT!"

Dylan jumped in his seat. How were people supposed to enjoy a nice meal in such an environment? Noticing that Cid was still standing there awkwardly, he looked around the table. “Maybe we’ll start with some calamari? How does that sound for everyone?” He waited as the others finished up giving their orders for appetizers, then leaned forward to continue the conversation that Amy had tried to start with Josette.

Keeping his voice low, he began. “So you’ve been working here a while, right? Have you heard anything about mysterious disappearances?”

Los Paraisos: Hell’s Kitchen Restaurant

Judging by the patrons, the screaming chef and flying plates of food were a regular occurrence here. Aria watched as one of the waiters quickly grabbed a mop and a dustpan, getting to work before the chef started shouting again. It was a strange contrast from the posh and pristine interior of the restaurant, but that was all part of the restaurant’s charm. Probably.

She sat up as a waiter came by with a very large tray of their drinks, noting once again that the man addressed them using ‘bro’s and ‘sis’s. Was that just a coincidence or a thing the resort made their employees do? Speech mannerisms aside this particular waiter was obviously skilled; Aria watched in wonder as her cup slid to a stop right in front of her.

"CRISPIN! GET YOUR ASS BACK IN HERE, YOU NEWBIE FUCK! THIS MEAL IS SO UNFINISHED THAT EB SPORTS TRIED TO PUBLISH IT!"

Aria jumped, nearly spilling her drink but steadying her hand just in time. This would certainly be an interesting dinner experience no doubt, she just hoped nobody would end up choking out of surprise after the food comes.

“Calamari sounds great,” she nodded in agreement. “how about some-“

“WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD? BECAUSE YOU DIDN’T FUCKIN’ COOK IT-”

The illusionist had to muffle some laughter before continuing. “How about a shrimp cocktail to share? Those are always good.”

After everyone had finished ordering appetizers, the pseudo-meeting began. “So you’ve been working here a while, right? Have you heard anything about mysterious disappearances?” She couldn’t say she cared much about discussing business over food, but then again it was as good a way as any to get the conversation started while they waited.

“More specifically, female disappearances.” She added quietly, sitting back and toying with the rim of her cup. “Our group didn’t find anything about the matter today. Everyone seems to have their mouth shut pretty tight over this subject.”

Los Paraisos: Hell's Kitchen Restaurant


For Selan, it certainly was odd to finally see Don's sister in person. They hadn't caught so much as a glimpse of each other back in Tabul, and surely to Josette, she had no idea of the woman's existence. She seemed relatively unassuming, all things considered. But she had heard Estelle mutter various vagueries about the girl under her breath quite a bit in the days after that mission had ended.

It was an exhorbitantly fancy restaurant, though. Even surrounded by expensive tourist magnets, the place was on an entirely different level. As usual, Selan blended in well with the posh environment, but on the inside she was feeling a bit stiff and uncomfortable with how utterly luxurious everything was. It was nice, yet part of her deeply missed her modest home back at in Clockwork. But as these sorts of things always tended to be, there had to be a fly in the ointment somewhere...

"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU CALL THIS?! THERE'S SO MUCH OIL ON THIS PEOPLE WANT TO INVADE IT!!!"

Lisette ducked low to the table the moment the shouting began, crossing her pigtails at her chin. She hadn't been expecting that at all!

"This place is sc..."

"Your drinks, bros and sises!"

Any worries that Lisette had evaporated by the revelation that the bigger bowl was for her beloved companion. "Oh wow, thank you Mister! What a nice place!" She sat Kapi on the edge of the table next to the bowl, which he lapped at gratefully. The contrast brought up some fuzzy, possibly-nearly-blocked-out memories of Kapi being forcibly taken away from her back at the Manor. Having accommodations made for the capybara like this was just... nice! So nice, that Lisette suddenly brought up her menu fast enough that she almost flipped it forward and hit her nose.

The yelling continued every once in a while, interrupting their attempts at conducting the business meeting most of them had been waiting hours for.

"Those all sound fine," Selan said in regard to the appetizer suggestions, barely looking up from her menu. There were just too many options, and she wasn't sure whether to order something plain or fancy, familiar or new... She eventually settled on ordering the risotto, seeing as the word and the dish itself were being flung about every few minutes or so.

Having decided, she could now focus on a much more important matter. She nodded at Aria's reference to their attempts at asking around earlier in the day. "Mm. I can't say for sure, but it seems like there's some kind of cover-up happening here. I could be wrong... In fact, I'd like to be wrong, but..."

Selan's voice was suddenly drowned out by more shouting coming from the kitchen. She trailed off and reached for a sip from her water glass. The bendy straw lay unused next to her utensils, still wrapped in her napkin.

The restaurant looked expensive, nice, and interesting. Lucien held the menu close to his face, examining the choices while Xan looked around, taking note of the place. Everything was pretty normal until Don and one of the workers rushed off to give each other a brotherly embrace. Lucien stared at them with a smile while Xan wondered how many siblings Don had. Were they all working on the island or something? The mettalurgist picked up her own menu and began looking through the meals when a loud yell came from the kitchen.

She straightened up and narrowed her eyes, wondering if something was going wrong. She stiffened but relaxed when she noticed how calm the other costumers were acting. Was this a daily occurrence or something? It was new...she'd give them that.

Lucien didn't act as calm as her and as soon as the yell echoed throughout the restaurant he hopped in his seat and fumbled with the menu. "Whoa," he exclaimed with a chuckle, calming himself just in time. The guy who had hugged Don arrived with drinks and whoa...he had so many glasses. He sent the glasses to each of the pride members expertly and both Xan and Lucien stared at him, obviously impressed. "Thanks, that was pretty cool by the way." The summoner stated with a thumbs up.

Xan stared at her glass and gave Cid a polite smile and thank you.

He tried to hand Trixie a sippy cup and more screams came from the kitchen. Xan ignored the screaming and stared at Josette. The others were already questioning Don's sister and the metallurgist wondered how much Josette knew. If she had crucial information, it would be a great help to their mission. She listened intently while a certain summoner couldn't stop flipping through the menu.

Los Paraisos: Hell’s Kitchen Restaurant

Once Don and Cid’s heartfelt reunion had concluded, it didn’t take long for the large group to settle down at a table and have their drinks ordered and delivered. Each of the Pride were mesmerised in their own way at the glamorous and stunning décor of the restaurant, marvelling at how tasteful and refined it all looked, knowing no doubt that the food must have been just as divine, too. For some, like Estelle, it was all a bit too much and overwhelming. It was too posh, far too out of her league for her to dine at a place like this… until the shouting began.

"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU CALL THIS?! THERE'S SO MUCH OIL ON THIS PEOPLE WANT TO INVADE IT!!!""

"CRISPIN! GET YOUR ASS BACK IN HERE, YOU NEWBIE FUCK! THIS MEAL IS SO UNFINISHED THAT EB SPORTS TRIED TO PUBLISH IT!"

“WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD? BECAUSE YOU DIDN’T FUCKIN’ COOK IT-”

Plates were smashed and food was thrown all over the place. In one section of the restaurant’s walls there was a partition where a counter for the completed food was to be placed for waiters such as Cid to take and carry to their patrons. It offered customers a ringside seat at the entertainment unfolding within from the chefs doing their utmost best to work and cook… as well as a front row view to the antics going on inside. They could hear the head chef quite clearly, even if he hadn’t stepped into view yet, but they most certainly could see pieces of meat and vegetables flying from one side to the other- one even hitting a chef in the back of the head.

Estelle quietly sipped her orange juice, not sure what to make of the whole thing. Impressed? Horrified? She didn’t know… but she was definitely a lot less nervous and on edge at being somewhere far too refined for her to dine at. She looked across the table, and suddenly jolted once she saw Josette’s blissful expression, her eyes closed, soaking in the atmosphere and sound. Estelle finally understood why this was Josette’s favourite restaurant. It was probably one of the few places on the resort where she truly felt peaceful and content.

Marcus meanwhile quietly sipped his tea as the others looked over their menus, placing orders for starters as well as contemplate their mains, and questions were quickly directed Josette’s way regarding the topic of missing women. Marcus simply observed in silence, noting all the details as best he could. Don, who sat next to him, looked at the menu with a furrowed brow. He couldn’t understand a single thing written on it, and the scant few pictures on there didn’t offer any help at all. But Don finally felt peaceful and relaxed once he realised it didn’t matter – because his good bro Cid knew exactly what to order for his Big Bro. What a guy.

Thunderhawk’s hand, clasping the glass of water in front of him, started to shake again. He felt like he needed a drink.

“Mysterious female disappearances?” Josette repeated, after taking a big slurpful of her smoothie. “So that’s what your mission is, huh? Hehe…” A sly grin crept up her lips, before it cooled down and returned to one more serious. “Yeah… tell you the truth, I know something about that…”

“You do?” Estelle replied, incredulous at one of the Capuello family actually knowing something that could be considered helpful.

“Yeah. Well… I don’t know too much, but… I started working here about three months ago. When I first started I was being trained by a nice girl called Alicia. I didn’t really get to know her that well, but she helped me settle down and at the casino. She seemed really happy to be working and living here… and then one day she left a note saying she was sick and never came back again,” Josette replied, a sad expression clouding her features. “It sucked… and it also didn’t feel right. I went to my bosses a week later and asked about it, and they told me Alicia quit and went home, but that didn’t sound right to me. Los Paraisos was her home… but again, I didn’t know her well… and that’s all I managed to learn. Whenever I tried to talk about to anyone else, they either didn’t know anything or told me not to ask questions.”

"Mm. I can't say for sure, but it seems like there's some kind of cover-up happening here. I could be wrong... In fact, I'd like to be wrong, but..." Was what Selan had said, and Marcus and Thunderhawk, who looked to the songstress, agreed in silence. Even if the resort was large and the number of missing women low, the response to this didn’t feel right at all… especially the way in which people either seemed to know nothing, or just didn’t want to talk about it fullstop. But why?

“I did a bit of digging around after that, though,” Josette continued. “I asked some questions… got a bit of information but other then that, nothing, so… I guess I just had to let it go.”

“Information?” Marcus pressed.

“Yeah. Apparently something all these women who went missing had in common was they had gone to a certain three nightclubs sometime. It might have something to do with it, or not at all. So I went and checked it out. Didn’t find anything though… but the music and drinks are bitchin’!”

“WHAT THE FUCKING HELL IS THIS? YOU, YOU AND YOU. OVER HERE!”

“Yes, Chef?”

More shouting came from the kitchen, and as the Pride turned to look, they could finally see the source of the shouting appear, screaming at three timid looking chefs, holding a crab swaying from side to side, clapping its pincers.



“WHAT IS THIS?”

The three chefs looked to each other but said nothing.

“I SAID WHAT THE FUCKING HELL IS THIS?”

“A crab, Chef.”

“I KNOW IT’S A FUCKING CRAB, I HAVE EYES! WHY THE FUCK IS IT STILL MOVING? THIS CRAB IS SO UNDERCOOKED IT’S STILL SINGING “UNDER THE FUCKING SEA!”” The Head Chef swung his foot out and booted one of the kitchen’s bins, sending it somersaulting through the air and crashing into a long slide along the floor, debris of undercooked and charred meat and vegetables spilling everywhere. “GET OUT! GET OUT OF MY FUCKING KITCHEN NOW YOU DONKEYS!”

“Yes Chef!” The three chefs all ran away, an airborne crab sailing after them.

“You know, we should go clubbing sometime.” Josette’s eyes flickered to Estelle, Lisette, Xandra, Aria and Selan. “Girls’ night out!”



“Here are your starters, bros!” Cid returned, carrying stacked trays upon trays and once more effortlessly sliding them across the table just in place for everyone who had ordered one. “Anyone want to order their mains now too? Or want more drinks?”

Los Paraisos: Hell's Kitchen Restaurant

Usually Trixie would be terrified out of her mind and hiding under the table from all the rage within the kitchen, but considering every other patron out there was mesmerized by the chaos, this must mean either no one understands that the big scary guy could come after them any second, or this was like some sort of play for them. Yeah, a play. And improv-cooking food was on the script? The chefs were especially screaming in fear as the big scary guy sent a crab flying after them, followed by a couple more. A few chefs fled out of the kitchen, crying in agony as they tried to rip the sea critters from their hineys. It really didn't seem the chefs enjoyed their job very much though - that or they were very good actors. Then again there was one chef who remained in the kitchen with a crab pinching his butt, though he looked a little bit too happy in comparison.

Trixie just cocked her head at the sight, like a confused dog. If the chefs hated working here so much, why were they there? Wow, getting a job sounded really horrible. She shuddered, finally understanding just how lucky she was to be a guilder. What a scary play, having her understand the reality of adulthood in one single sitting like that.

Though Cid's return startled her more than the head chef's screams. "Ah!" she called, nearly fumbling her uneaten ice cream cone. It still had precious ice cream in it. "Oh, uh. Uh." Again her eyes returned to flicking between the only two pictures inside the menu, which lied flat atop the table. "I want... um..."

Syed couldn't help but loom over the prankster's shoulder as she struggled to decide what to eat. Then, calmly and deliberately he reached over and spun her menu 180 degrees - after which let out a loud "Ohhhh..." and proceeded to jab her finger at one of the photos. Lasagna. "I want that one."



Amy on the other hand listened closely to Josette's explanation. She definitely had the kind of lead they needed. So... nightclubs? Why was that not surprising? Amy continued to sip from her water glass' bendy straw as she continued to speak, completely ignoring the shenanigans within the kitchen. Then Josette offered for the other girls to go clubbing with her? Is she mentally sane? Or is she thinking about a similar baiting maneuver the others rejected much earlier...?

Suddenly the chef in a baseball cap burst out of the kitchen, not due to being booted out like the other lot, but he managed a handful of plates on his own with no trays, careful not to tip them over. Screaming something about "not late, not late, not late" as he blurred passed the Pride's table - obviously with no time to wait for a server to assist him. No one batted him an eye however. He was just another member of the act.

This place was much too chaotic to be having a discussion of any sort... then again it was useful in keeping the other parties from listening in? Whatever. No use in mulling over it. Amy opened her mouth to say something, but then Cid arrived with appetizers and requesting to take orders from anyone who was ready. She rolled her eyes and immediately requested for some sirloin, cooked well done. She hadn't even looked at the menu, but that was something every restaurant should have, which Cid himself confirmed.

Right. Back to the discussion in question. Cid still waited around, taking down the orders of the others around the table, but Amy pressed on with the topic anyway. Might as well not waste time while they're still grouped together like this. "A certain three nightclubs? Is there anything about these clubs that—"

"Missing women? Oh man I've heard about that." The chef that scrambled by them earlier had returned at a much calmer pace, this time towering a stack of ceramic plates in his arms. "Yeah, my last ex went missing recently too. Bout time though. She was such a jerk!"

"Um... Crispin, b, bro..." Cid tugged at his collar again, motioning with his eyes for the chef to hurry and return to his place back in the kitchen. "Come on, bro, you gotta..."



"Yeah yeah, I know. Ligthen up, Cid!" Crispin clicked his tongue, eying the table a final time. "I really hope it's aliens." Then he darted off back into the kitchen, where the loud booming voice erupted once again, followed by a domino effect of shattering plates.

Amy hadn't even looked neither the chef nor the waiter in the eyes; she had her own scrunched shut, waiting for the silence before speaking again. "The clubs. The nightclubs. Did any of them—"

"Heeey," Trixie cooed, observing the kitchen through its open window again. She too had become part of the mesmerized audience. "That was the guy with the crab on his butt earlier."

"Oh my gods. Fuck it. Never mind."

Los Paraisos: Hell's Kitchen Restaurant

Dylan leaned into to listen to Josette’s response, thrilled that someone actually had information to share. She revealed that the disappearances went back at least three months, when Alicia disappeared. That was bad. There was a sinking feeling in his stomach that the girls were probably did and gone after so long.

But at least she was able to give them some connection - three nightclubs. Perhaps a night of investigation was in order...

“You know, we should go clubbing sometime.” Josette’s eyes flickered to Estelle, Lisette, Xandra, Aria and Selan. “Girls’ night out!”

“You sure that’s wise?” Dylan asked as the appetizers slid in front of them. “Ooh, calamari!” He reached for the food before continuing, carefully dipping it in the marina sauce. “What I mean is, if girls are disappearing, wouldn’t it be safer to not go where it’s risky?”

He popped the breaded squid in his mouth, where it practically melted on his tongue. The batter was light and flavorful, enhanced with some exotic spices that gave it just a bit of kick. “Oh gods, this is fantastic!”

Then, though, Cid was standing over him, awaiting his main order. What to choose! Clearly the seafood was the right choice, so he snatched his menu and quickly scanned it. “I’ll have the seafood Alfredo!” he said gleefully, already picturing the promised scallops, shrimp, and crabmeat.

“Excellent choice, bro!” Cid said with a thumbs up.

The waiter moved on, and Dylan turned to see Amy give up on continuing the conversation. “No, don’t do that! Come on Josette, what where the nightclubs? Do you all think we should scope it out?”