Los Paraisos: Pellagio Hotel - First floor
Syed's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. That rumbling sound, the shaking of the floor... it was no good. No good at all! He started getting fidgety right from the get-go. They had to move they had to move now!

And then they appeared. His expression grew even more horrified.

"Oh what the fuck?! Them again?!" Moira hissed as she readjusted her stance to be much firmer. She wiped her mouth with a thumb, before bringing her fists up before her. "These guys are right pissing me off! You guys get going, we'll hold th-"

"No!" Syed grabbed a hold of her wrist and started pulling. While she was initially as unmovable as ever, wasting precious seconds, a brief electric shock put paid to that.

"AURGH WHAT NO!" she stumbled, but even then she managed to wrench her wrist from his grip so easily it was like nothing. Nonetheless, she found herself running along with the others anyway. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

"The last thing we need is for you to get arrested for assault!" He spat back, now cradling his hand as he too ran. Was he always this heavy footed? Every footfall sent shockwaves up to his poor, hurting head.

Moira snarled. The fact remained that whatever happened, she was definately one of the slowest members of the whole group. And their bond ensured that Syed was stuck at her pace too, height difference and all. Plus Selan was trying to run with a baby. The group might get out of here before they were caught, but the crowd was definately gaining on them...

Fuck this hangover. Fuck the fact that she hadn't even had a chance to have a proper wash this morning, or the fact that her hair was a mess and her makeup smudged. Fuck the constant hammering pain in her head, coursing across her entire body with every strike. Fuck everything! And especially fuck these assholes!

"This is my job, Sy! Let me fuckin' do it!" Moira skidded to a standstill. "Keep going!" she bellowed back towards the group. "We'll be right behind you!"

"Please don't hit them!" Syed's voice starting to shake again with panic. He knew that look, she was determined to do this. How they were supposed to stop a mob between the two of them, he didn't know. They were more likely to get trampled! "...And please don't get us killed..."

"Sy, you're my backup," she said, ignoring him entirely. And with that, she faced the oncoming horde.

Los Paraisos: The Pellagio - Elevator

After the elevator door cracked open again it wasn't long before clothes-swapped Thunderhawk and Aria whirred by, along with a clowny Xandra and a relatively normal-looking Marcus as well. Wonderful, so basically everyone went through absolute shit. Then Dylan just casually blurted out asking if anyone else had had sex too, but any further awkwardness that might have ensued from that cut off short from a disaster much worse than an earthquake or a flood.

The paparazzi was by far one of the worst ways to die.

Amy ran a palm over her face, listening as the stampede and snapshots grew louder by the second. She could just lean back. She could just lean back and stay in the elevator, go back to the room, and just stay there. Because fuck facing reality. But even anyone with a hangover would know that would lead to a split party splitting even further. So Amy let out a disgruntled sigh and bolted after the others passed Moira and Syed, hanging nearby the walls for balance. The cleric could feel herself already wearing out; hangovers were the worst, and as someone who has zero athleticism anywhere in her body, that bloody exit better be nearby.

"Gods." That was the only thing Amy could muster to say after everything she had just witnessed. From waking up next to Syed completely clothesless, to listening to everyone else pouring into their room, to Selan's baby and sudden popularity, to Don being Don, to whatever had happened to the four that blurred by. That was it. Gods.

Gods help them.

---

Los Paraisos: The Bucking Broncos

"Ahhh so good. So so good."

Trixie calmly set down her fork once again, laying it flat beside her emptied plate. She dotted her perked lips with one of those fancy dinner napkins [s]that she totally did not steal from Hell's Kitchen[/i]. Suddenly she froze still as a statue, her eyes still closed and her napkin held against her face.

Freddie scratched the back of his head, eying the prankster with curiosity. This wasn't an allergic reaction or something, was it? It was like someone had hit the pause button on her. At least until she finally dropped her napkin to the floor and stared back at the male stripper.

"Super-senses tingling."

A spark of determination lit in her eyes as her lips creeped into a smile. "Mister Freddie, I need to go outside right now. Where's the outside from here? And do you have a cape I could borrow?"

Los Paraisos: Pelagio Hotel: First floor

Selan supposed running into Thunderhawk, Aria, Xandra, and Marcus could be considered "the bright side", but unfortunately, they were just as disheveled as they were, among other things.

"Hey, did you guys maybe have sex too?" Dylan blurted out.

"Excuse me, 'too'?" Selan said defensively. "No one..."

*Flash!*

Who knew a single camera flash could be such a foreboding sign?

First one camera, then another, then a steady hum of voices. And it all exploded at once as the paparazzi spilled into the hallway, pushing past each other with their arms and microphones extended as far as they could reach.

Unsurprisingly, Thunderhawk was the first one to bolt, with Don following after and overtaking him.

Moira read her mind almost instantly; Selan couldn't, wouldn't, run after the others that quickly while holding a baby. It was dangerous, and it was preposterous that this mob of vultures were forcing them into a precarious situation like this.

"Keep going! We'll be right behind you!"

"Go, go!" Lisette called to Selan, starting to jog.

Selan clicked her tongue, not seeing any other choice. If Moira and Syed stayed behind, it would buy them some time. "I'm sorry about all of this! Be careful!" she said, turning to leave. It wasn't a great feeling at all to feel responsible and guilty for something but have no idea what you even did...

Lisette, being one of the more athletic members of the Pride, was more than capable of catching up to the front of the group, but she opted to stay more in the middle just in case Moira and Syed weren't able to stop the crowd. It wasn't the nicest scenario, but she figured if necessary she could take the baby from Selan and get away. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that; she had no idea how to hold a baby, and she didn't think he could latch onto her shoulder like Kapi would.

Selan was hindered by her poor choice in shoes, which she bitterly chalked up to a naive hope that settling the issues with the hotel room and the baby would have been an easy fix. But it was too late to change any of that now, so she and Amy lagged at the back of the Pride, trying their best to keep the rest of the Pride in sight in hopes of finding an exit or a room to duck into. The baby seemed to sense the urgency, and started wailing.

Los Paraisos: Pellagio Hotel - First Floor
The ground trembled and shook as the stampede bore upon the bound pair - cameras pointing, microphones pointed.

"MISS LECLAIR! MISS LECLAIR!"

Moira did not move. She closed her eyes, her face controrting to a grimace. This was too much noise. This was far too much noise. Slowly, she raised her arm before her, her flat palm facing the crowd. "STOP!!!" she bellowed with that impressively loud voice of hers, her eyes flashing open. "YOU AIN'T PASSIN'!!!"

The first row or so of reporters hesitated and slowed, finding themselves inexplicably intimidated by the short, bulky, disheveled woman before them. However they were only pushed away by the waves of reporters behind them. There was no stopping this mob. Moira's eyes burned with anger. Were they ignoring her?! How fucking dare they ignore-ARGH!

As sturdy as she was, even she couldn't resist being swept away by a tidlewave of shouting people and cameras and flashes. They did not give a shit! Even Syed - who had far more sensibly attempted to take cover in a doorway - found himself likewise pulled downstream as Moira was pushed and shoved further down the corridor.

"MISS LECLAIR! MISS LECLAIR!"

"SHUT YOUR FACE YOU FUCKIN SHITHEAD DICKWARD ******* ****** ******-!" Moira screamed, flailing her limbs in every direction she could. She'd punch them all if she could make heads or tails of who was who. No fuck this! If she had her sword, oh if she had her sword they'd be listening! Listening or bleeding!!!

Little did she know that behind her Syed's hands were moving in swift, deliberate movements. Concentrate, concentrate. His cast was interrupted a couple of times as people pushed and bumped against him, but the third time came up lucky as he managed to cross his arms before him...

Then he clenched his hands into fists, his eyes flashing bright yellow for a split second.

Pandemonium ensued. Suddenly the loud, shrill ring of a fire alarm filled the corridor, shortly followed by the sprinklers in the ceiling activating and showing everyone there in a startlingly cold flood of water. Most of the reporters began to panic about their equipment getting wet, shouting and hunching over their cameras and microphones to try and keep them dry.

Moira faltered, somewhat beweildered by it all. She felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up on end, but that was it. "What the fu-?!"

"Don't question it!" Syed shouted urgently over the noise. His distraction had only caused them a few seconds of time at the most. "Come on!"

The pair of them began to run. Of course by now, there was no sign of their group, and the constant din of the fire alarm easily drowned out any other noise. They had no idea where they went at all. Where were they supposed to be going?

"HEY!" someone shouted from behind them. Shit SHIT was that their time up already?! That was it, they were screwed.

Suddenly Moira grasped Syed's wrist. He barely had time to even question it internally, before...

"Wait Moira no NO MOIRA DON'T-!!!"

Moira leapt out of the open window at the end of the corridor, dragging the mage along with her. The split second they were suspended in the air seemed to last forever; Moira's expression frozen in a steely, furious determination, Syed's a somewhat less flattering look of absolute terror.

The canopy which thankfully laid below them tore under their combined weight as they plummetted, the pair of them landing in a painful heap on the floor. Thank the gods they only jumped out of the first floor! Moira quickly scrambled up to her feet, pulled up her partner (who gave a gasp of pain as she did so), and dove into the masses of people now filtering out of the hotel.

"Keep your head down!" she hissed, pulling Syed down as she did so. The pair of them made their way through the crowds as best as they could, before taking shelter behind the nearby newspaper stall. Neither of them were the sort who could easily blend into crowds, after all.

”OH MY GODS THERE SHE IS! IT’S MISS LECLAIR! SELAN!!”

What the absolute hell? His head pounded at the screams and it took him a moment to understand that they were yelling Selan's name. What the heck? Was she having an affair? They yelled question after question some more personal than others. It was crazy. "Um, so...must have been a crazy night, yeah?" He let out a high pitched laugh. The summoner was breaking under the craziness of everything combined with all the yelling and his stupid hang over. He leaned his forehead against the metal wall of the elevator while Syed and Selan discussed something about retracing foot steps.

Yeah...yeah, that sounded like the best thing to do in such a crazy situation. He looked up and what he saw made him pale...last night must have been crazy if Xan was in a clown outfit. She wasn't the type for shenanigans but seeing her in pointy shoes and in horrid make up made something snap. Last night anything could have happened--even he and Dylan. Anything was freaking possible and it scared him very, very much.



“GREETINGS, GOOD CITIZENS!How are you all- why are you running so fast?”

Who was he? His voice...it sounded familiar but she didn't have time to figure things out. "Good morning," Xan tried to be polite but the irritation she was feeling was hard to keep out of her voice.Then the ground shook and they ran as fast as their feet could take them. There was no time to explain and with such a noisy crowd, thinking straight was a pain.

Lucien winced then ran after Crimson Justice as fast as his feet could take him. "C'mon, we better not wind up as pancakes...though I am kind of hungry, ha!"

Xan followed, apologizing whenever she wound up stepping on someone's feet and they all ran in terror.

"Hey, did you guys maybe have sex too?"

Lucien nearly tripped on his feet and careened into a lady in a formal dress. On normal occasions he would have apologized then probably say something about falling for her but at the moment he could only sputter out an apology in horror. He righted himself and ran like hell.

Xan slowed down, staying behind most of the pride. If anyone had to stay behind then she wanted to help. She tripped up a photographer and tugged at one's shirt when he tried to go after Selan. He fell to the floor with a thud, she apologized profusely and the cycle pretty much repeated itself until the sprinklers were suddenly activated. Next thing she knew, Moira and Syed jumped out the window! THE WINDOW? Oh, gods, were they alright.

The metallurgist could no longer see where the others were so she did the first thing that popped into her head.

"I saw miss Leclair, she bolted up the fire exit and went to the second floor!" Some of the more naive photographers rushed towards the stairs before they began ascending. Xan smiled a little before catching Lucien jumping and waving like an idiot by one of the water fountains.

"Oh! Oh! I think miss Leclair went into one of the bathrooms." He screeched despite the pounding in his head. More people rushed to check it out and the summoner let out a snicker. He raised a hand and gave Xan a thumbs up.

The two of them stared at each other before an idea hit them. They scrambled towards two entirely different locations and yelled about how they spotted miss Leclair in the janitor's closet or in one of the rooms. The confusion managed to break up the crowd and soon photographers were scrambling right and left, unsure of where to go. Hopefully, this would help make the other's escape easier. Lucien grinned then skipped out the door, and Xan followed.

Los Paraisos: Pellagio Hotel: First Floor Corridor

Moira, Syed, Lucien and Xandra’s distractions had worked to great effect. The tsunami of paparrazi were overwhelmed and confused by the Pride’s actions, with many crumbling under muttered whines that their equipment was frazzled by the setting off of the Hotel’s sprinklers, whilst others bolted in opposite directions to where the Pride had fled to from Xandra and Lucien’s shouts – the second floor and the ladies’ facilities were where the paparazzo turned their investigation.

However… the Pride were still on the first floor, running down the straight corridor with some of the quicker paparazzi behind, following behind Crimson Justice, who had Dylan’s body flail in the air behind him like some kind of fabulous cape. The superhero’s plan was… well, typical of the man beneath the mask, in that it wasn’t particularly smart and carried its own sense of ludicrous logic. He was going to run and lead his friends in a full circle back to where they were, hoping that the cluster of reporters were gone by now and that the elevator was safe to use to reach the lobby in.



“Hold on… you… stupid… idiot…” Thunderhawk panted through gasped moans. The stocky ranger, whilst sprite and agile in fast paced sprints and close quarters combat, couldn’t take running a marathon any longer. Especially in a faux, illusion bred dress. And that’s when he came to a sudden realisation.

Why was he running? He didn’t care if this band of clueless, vapid reporters were interested in Selan, Don, or that ridiculous spandex clad ‘super hero’. Why would he?

He stopped running. Screw that. As he did, a mass of other paparazzi squeezed past, the last vestiges of those who hadn’t been stunned completely by the sprinklers or turned away by Lucien and Xandra’s ruse.



“Oooh, that Chirps!” Aria grunted loudly as she looked over her shoulder at him. Whilst she couldn’t deny he sort of had the right idea to just stop running (wouldn’t that be fantastic right now?) she also couldn’t just abandon these people. A small smirk crossed her lips. If that was how he wanted to play it…

Another scream echoed down the last corridor that everyone had turned off, as they started to run down the final corridor back to where they started. Aria had just dispelled her illusion powers on that irritating man, leaving him completely naked for a third time.

But, there at the very end, blocking the stairs Marcus, Thunderhawk, Aria and Xandra had ascended, and the turn to where the elevator was, was another gaggle of paparrazi who had stayed behind just in case. The path ahead was blocked, and behind them, the small collective that was left was catching up. Crimson Justice skidded in his tracks, Dylan crashing into his back with a small ‘whoof!’

“Darn!” Crimson Justice swiped his fist through the air. “This way!”

The superhero booted the down the door nearest to them, which led to a fire escape. It was their last chance!

---

Los Paraisos: The Bucking Bronco

Freddie looked back at the little girl in disbelief, whistling with amazement at how quickly and happily she had stuffed down the bevy of omelettes and apple juice he had prepared for her. Whilst she was tucking away into her breakfast, he had placed a call to the Pellagio Hotel. Or, more accurately, he had tried to. For some reason, the lines were busy and he couldn’t get through. Which was fine, he instead decided if needs be he could help accompany her to the Hotel after her breakfast was finished.

But halfway through, Trixie suddenly stopped, her eyes wide alert like a deer caught in headlights at the sense of… something happening. A twinkle sparkled in her eye.

"Mister Freddie, I need to go outside right now. Where's the outside from here? And do you have a cape I could borrow?"

“Outside?” Freddie repeated. “Child, I don’t… I don’t think it’s safe for you to go outside alone right now. Where do you need to go? I can help you.” The stripper replied with a determined nod. “As for a cape, well… I have… something you could use…? Let me go get that and sort out that hair of yours too, then we can go.”

Los Paraisos: Pellagio Hotel

This had been a very bad idea. Dylan clung to Don with all his might as the masked man raced around the hotel. Finally Don came to an abrupt stop, causing Dylan’s body to slam hard against his back with an “oof.” Whatever, it was a chance to let go and stumble to his feet. He stared at the paparazzi in front of them. “How is that even possible?” he asked.

“Darn!” Crimson Justice swiped his fist through the air. “This way!”

Don turned and booted down the nearest door which led them to the fire escape. “Oh thank Aislin!” he cried as he ran out into the fresh air. The morning sun was blinding to his tired eyes, but the feel of the cool ocean breeze more than made up for it. Taking but a second to look around, he happened to see Moira and Syed crouched behind a newspaper stall. Though they were trying to hide they still stuck out like sore thumbs.

“After me, guys!” he said as he ran down the fire escape. Moving quickly, he led the group around the edges of the crowd. He came to a stop near that ice cream shop from the day before - the Double Scoop. “You guys wait here, I’m getting Moira and Syed.”

And with that he dove into the crowd, sliding along with an elbow here and an apology there before he finally reached them. Crouching down beside them, he tapped them both on the shoulders. “Come on, let’s get away from this madhouse, eh?”

Los Paraisos: Streets
“Come on, let’s get away from this madhouse, eh?”

"AAAAAAAARGH!" Syed pretty much leapt out of his skin in suprise. Oh gods his head his poor aching head...! His poor aching everything after that fall. He was expecting bouncers, local law enforcement, or worse... He clutched at his chest in relief. "Oh... ah. Glad to see you made it out, Dylan. Everyone ok?"

"Alright, let's go," Moira nodded. "I need to fucking dry out now anyway, asshole," she spat towards Syed.

Syed wasn't listening. Instead his eyes were fixed on one of the boards, just visible from where they were crouched. With a headline like that! "Moira... Dylan? We need to buy a paper..."

---

A moment later the three of them started dodging and ducking among the crowd back towards the others - Moira wielding a rolled up newspaper like it was a sword. She used it sometimes to smack at people who were in the way. That was when Syed spotted the last remaining paparazzi, weaving their way through the crowds of disgruntled customers at the hotel and other, more oblivious journalists. Even now?! Well, they wouldn't be very good paparazzi if they gave up easily, he supposed.

"They're still looking!" he muttered urgently.

Moira cracked her knuckles. "Alright, my turn. Leave it to the expert."

"Wha-"

Syed barely had the chance to reach out to her before she span and punched a huge, bulky looking man in the back of the head. The man staggered and swore in pain before he span to look for the culprit... only to be greeted by the sight of someone else.

"Hey, what the hell was that for?!"

"What?!"

"Don't play coy with me!"

"Hey dude, that guy's my friend, if you have a problem with him you have a problem with me!"

"Sorry darlin' but I don't hit girls."

"WHAT?!"

Suddenly fists were sent flying in every direction, rapidly spreading as the fight became a growing brawl. The remaining paparazzi were forced to hold back or be sucked in by the chaos. By that point however, Dylan, Moira and Syed had already slinked away to the others, avoiding all but the odd shove every now and then. They still looked pretty ruffled up by the time they got there though.

"What the hell?!" Syed exclaimed with annoyance once they reached them. Still, Moira had always had a talent to be able to pick out the people most likely to retaliate to that sort of thing. "It's one thing to do that in a bar, but here?! What about the baby?!" She ignored him.

"Come on let's go," Moira said quite nonchalantly, quickly beginning to pace away already. Woah, had a building burned down? Whatever, she couldn't remember what it was and had bigger fish to fry. "Before I get arrested. You lot said somethin' about going back to look at places, right? I know Sy said something about a church for... some reason."

She unrolled the newspaper, flashing the headline to the group as she went. Syed quickly shoved his hands into his pockets again, frowning a little when he finally noticed Xan's bizarre outfit and Thunderhawk's absence. Geez, suddenly Don's outfit didn't look quite so outrageous!

SINGING SENSATION STUNS LOS PARAISOS

Los Paraisos: Outside the Pellagio Hotel

SINGING SENSATION STUNS LOS PARAISOS

“Huh? What happened here?” Marcus replied, looking at the typed headline and the article that followed, casting a curious gaze at the photo adorning the front page. As the bedlam in front of the hotel escalated, with fists flying and bodies falling everyone, the Pride retired to a nearby café table to sit down and put their feet up as they glanced over the paper. “Singing sensation?”

Marcus looked up, blinking first at Selan and the baby she cradled whom was she was drying, and then at Crimson Justice, who was flexing brilliantly in front of Lisette.

“What happened to you guys last night? And where did the baby come from?”

“What’s the newspaper say, citizens?” Crimson Justice asked, walking forwards and looking over his friends’ shoulders to stare at the picture… a picture of a certain leather jacket adorning man and beautiful songstress. Were they famous? “I… er…” Crimson Justice started fumbling. Staring at the photo was as far as he could get, not being able to actually read any of the printed words.

“Hold on,” Aria added, as she walked forwards, tickling the chin of the baby wrapped in Selan’s arms. “As busy as all of those people at the hotel are… if you guys are now famous, then you’ll need a bit more help in avoiding people staring at and harassing us.”

“You mean… disguises?” Crimson Justice looked up.

“I can help with that,” Aria winked, before magic wafted over and around Selan and the masked superhero’s body, changing their appearance to anyone not a member of their group.

“This just gets stranger and stranger…” Marcus collapsed back in his seat and took a heavy sigh. “What happened to everyone last night? As ashamed as I am to admit it… I don’t remember anything. And it looks like we’re missing Estelle, Trixie and Kapi…”

“And Miss Josette!” Crimson Justice added with a pointed finger.

“What happened to Mr. Thunderhawk too?” Lisette added. “We sort of just… lost him?”

Los Paraisos: Outside the Pellagio Hotel

Dylan sat at the table, eyeing the article in front of him. His head was pounding and his body sore from being knocked around on their way back through the crowd. Damn, Moira could really cause a distraction when she wanted to.

“Singing sensations?” he asked out loud, but it appeared that the others had things in hand, thought neither Selan or Don seemed ready to offer any explanations. From the corner of his eye he saw Aria cast some spell, apparently altering the duo’s appearance. ‘Well that’s handy.” 


“Well,” he said after they listed everyone who was still missing, “I’m ashamed to say that I don’t remember anything either. But this,” he pointed at the newspaper, “might help us. It says that last night’s performance was held at Los Parasios’ largest venue. Why don’t we head over there and see if anyone knows anything?”

“Unless someone else has any other clues?”

Los Paraisos: Cafe
“What’s the newspaper say, citizens? I… er…”

"We ain't actually had a chance to read it yet," Moira sighed, pushing the newspaper away from herself. "So it might be a load of shit, I dunno."

And then Aria came up with an idea. She winked and... nothing happened.

"Uh..." Moira stared, frowning a little. "Go on, as you were saying? You said something about disguises."

"No, she's done something, I felt it," Syed gave a small smile, before subconciously trying to pull his ring off again. "It's really subtle though, I probably wouldn't have noticed if I weren't paying attention."

"What?" Moira looked completely lost.

The discussion moved on to the missing members of the group. Syed turned to look out the window, eyes wide with concern. The fact that they still were nowhere in sight was pretty worrying. The hotel was being evacuated after all thanks to the fire alarm, right? They couldn't be there anymore. He started to panic, his breathing becoming rapid and shallow. What if they were all alone and disorientated? What if-

"And Don," Moira huffed. "We're missin' him too."

Syed slapped both his hands on his face, dragging them down to his chin in exasperation. "No, we're not! He's right there!" He pointed to Crimson Justice. Moira just tried to look past him.

“Well, I’m ashamed to say that I don’t remember anything either. But this,” Dylan pointed at the newspaper, “might help us. It says that last night’s performance was held at Los Parasios’ largest venue. Why don’t we head over there and see if anyone knows anything? Unless someone else has any other clues?”

"Uh..." Syed seemed to lock up sitting up straight, his gaze slowly shifting to Amy. Oh no. No they can't tell them. Hadn't he hurt her enough? The last thing he wanted to do is humiliate her too. "Well... I think a few of us should check out... I think it was a Saint... Drega's church? Yeah." He flushed spectacularly, shrinking down in his seat.

"Saint Drega's church? You pulled that from your arse or something?"

"...No."

"Well, where'd you get that from then?" Moira pulled a face.

"I uh... remember it?" he lied horribly. Moira raised an eyebrow.

Syed somehow managed to flush even more. "Please don't ask me how I know it," he cringed, looking desperately to Amy again before having to avert his eyes. "Please don't. I just know we met Lisette at some point last night, so we might have met Estelle too. You two are really close," he added, looking to Lisette. Well, they probably did. She woke up in their room one way or the other, and to him it made the most sense.

He started fiddling with his ring again. Moira frowned, having only just noticed it. That was a new ring. What?

Los Paraisos: Cafe Outside the Pellagio Hotel

While the others were seated, Selan paced around the table trying to calm the baby. The poor thing was understandably startled by all the ruckus, and was particularly put off by the sprinklers suddenly triggering overhead on their way out. She pat his back and bounced him a bit, her eyebrows furrowed in concern.

We'll find your parents soon, I promise...

Aria was kind enough to assist them with preventing them from being recognized and chased around again.

Lisette stared. "I don't think it worked, I can still tell it's you, Miss Selan."

"I believe that's the point, Lisette. That's actually very interesting, thank you Aria." Selan said, wondering how she appeared to strangers now.

“Well,” Dylan said after they listed everyone who was still missing, “I’m ashamed to say that I don’t remember anything either. But this,” he pointed at the newspaper, “might help us. It says that last night’s performance was held at Los Parasios’ largest venue. Why don’t we head over there and see if anyone knows anything?”

"Hm... Let me see?" Selan said, walking behind Dylan's chair to glance over his shoulder.

She immediately grimaced at the photo. It was... actually a rather nice picture, and she still couldn't remember a single thing about that moment in time. When the photo was taken, her hair and dress were still immaculate, and she and Don were smiling brightly, the lighting hitting them in a dramatic fashion and posing, microphones in hand. There was no baby in sight.

"'Los Paraiso's night life scene was lit up when this talented pair, pictured above, stormed the stage of La Macabaret unannounced...'" Selan skimmed the page, stopping at the bottom of the paragraph where it called to turn further through the newspaper to read the rest. The latter half of the article probably mentioned the 'proposal' she had heard about from the paparazzi. "How embarrassing. 'La Macabaret', huh?"

Lisette, who was quite taken with Don's new persona, finally tore her eyes away from the Crimson Justice's impressive physique and presence to pay attention to Moira and Syed's discussion.

"... I just know we met Lisette at some point last night, so we might have met Estelle too. You two are really close." Syed suggested, hoping Lisette might recall something.

She was just as hopeful too. "I... I don't really remember seeing Estelle or a church though," Lisette said, scrunching her face up trying to dig through her already-poor memory. "And I still don't know where Kapi could be... Whereever you guys are going, could I come along? Kapi might be waiting..." She ruffled one of her pigtails, and a few crumpled up silk flowers tumbled out. "That's weird..." she mumbled, checking the rest of her hair and finding several more.

"Estelle and Trixie are still unaccounted for, maybe we should split up into a couple groups," Selan suggested. "I'm not too worried about Josette, she might just be working right now. But I'd like to head to that nightclub now, the baby might have belonged to someone who was there last night. Don-- I mean, Crimson Justice, could you escort us?" she asked, rifling through one of the complimentary map pamphlets stacked on the table. "It's only a few blocks from here, past the restaurant we were at last night."

Los Paraisos: Outside the Pellagio Hotel

While the others chattered away about what to do next, Amy stood off to the side and wrung out whatever bits of water got into her hair when the sprinklers went off. Luckily for Syed she had completely missed his gaze when his eyes wandered over to her - at least initially. But then the mage continued to embarrass himself further by going on about it. Amy noticed him looking her way a second time, but he quickly turned away again.

Amy exhaled deeply through her nose. She caught a glimpse of something red smeared under his ear, though most of it had faded away. Gods.

As Selan read off the newspaper in hand, Amy took to scanning her surroundings for a sense of direction, any sense of direction. Their next step gravitated towards splitting off - to check Saint Drega's church for reasons none of the others had to know about, as well as La Macabaret. Aside from their wakeup shenanigans and sudden mob chase, there were others missing from their group (including Thunderhawk who was previously with them), and they literally had someone else's baby still in their hands. But even with those priorities in mind, the cleric had already set her own agenda from the moment she woke up, and the patience she never had was completely gone now. Especially since one of her heels had broken during their runaway.

Rather than wait for a decision to split, or even a plan on how they should meet back up later, Amy immediately began to walk off away from the group - though she quickly took a turn into the nearest building, some lowly bookshop. Its modest and delicate atmosphere was interrupted with Amy's boom into the open-doored entrance: "Can someone tell me where the fuck Saint Drega's is?"

One block down, take the detour to the right, and head straight towards the monument topped with a giantass angel. It's unmissable, they said with a gulp. Amy emerged a brief moment later and continued walking off away from the group, slightly limping, and arms crossed tightly beneath her bosom. Those inside the store continued to watch the angry blonde with wide-eyed bewilderment before returning to their own business.

As Amy walked, she glanced over her shoulder to see if anyone else followed after, but did not stop to wait. "Moira, Lisette, Syed - and whoever else. You coming or not?"

Los Paraisos: Cafe outside Pellagio Hotel

"Estelle and Trixie are still unaccounted for, maybe we should split up into a couple groups," Selan suggested. "I'm not too worried about Josette, she might just be working right now. But I'd like to head to that nightclub now, the baby might have belonged to someone who was there last night. Don-- I mean, Crimson Justice, could you escort us?" she asked, rifling through one of the complimentary map pamphlets stacked on the table. "It's only a few blocks from here, past the restaurant we were at last night."

“You’ve got it!!” Crimson Justice jumped to his feet, knocking his chair and sending it flying behind him. He reached over the table to take the map pamphlet from Selan, giving the baby held in her arms a little tickle on its tummy in an effort to cheer the infant up, before straightening back up and inspecting the map. The pamphlet then began to be turned around in multiple directions every which way, as he tried his hardest to work out where exactly they were supposed to be going. La Macaret? Which of those funny squares of the map was supposed to be that place? Even if he wasn’t absolutely terrible at reading, his geography was appalling too.

“Ah… this way,” Selan motioned, carefully standing up with the identity less child nestled in her arms. Crimson Justice turned his head to where Selan nodded towards, and then he jumped onto the street with a magnificent pose, fistpumping the sky.

“Certainly! In justice we trust!”

For everyone else who were passing by, unable to see the red spandex covered superhero’s real form, they could only look in bewilderment at the strange man in a white unitard with tassles and a big, billowing hair and shades start leading the way, followed by Aria, still dressed in Thunderhawk’s smelly, disgusting clothes, Dylan, whom had been quickly finishing up the breakfast he had ordered whilst they were waiting, and a stunning blonde woman in a pearl white, flowing dress carrying a small… teddy bear.

For once, the eyes of people around them were not on them, thankfully.

“Hmm…” Aria muttered quietly, as she continued to read the newspaper as they walked forwards. She was concerned for Xandra, having been left behind in the hotel to provide a distraction for their escape. She hoped she was alright, as hopelessly left behind in that silly clown outfit as she was. She knew she would be, Xandra was a reliable Guilder unlike any other she knew. And she was with that guy she knew who liked to smile a lot and crack bad jokes, Lucien. They’d be fine.

But then they were also stuck in the same hotel as a naked Chirps, so maybe not… oh well. She’d just have to trust Xan.

As the group pressed forwards, they walked past the same smouldering restaurant wreckage as the one she had seen before with Thunderhawk and Xandra. The crowd that had gathered around it had thinned out in the time being, but there were still some people, taking photos of the simmering Hell’s Kitchen. At the same time, she was reading an article on Page 3 of the newspaper Moira had grabbed. Continued from a small section of Page 1, it detailed the rise of the island resort’s mysterious protector… a boisterous vigilante named Crimson Justice, who had…

“Hey, Mr. Superhero,” Aria called out. “What’s all this about you putting the restaurant fire out and saving some peoples’ lives?”

“Huh?” Crimson Justice replied. Selan and Dylan echoed the sentiments. They did seem to recall one of the reporters shouting that out earlier…

“I mean, er, yes! Of course! I’m a superhero! Naturally I’d be saving lives and putting out fires!!” Crimson Justice explained. He continued twirling the map about, trying to find where they were.

Aria just blinked, looking towards her other two companions she hoped were far more sane. Selan she had spent some time with yesterday during the beachball game, but Dylan she had yet to really speak to. She smiled at both of them, before leaning first towards Selan.



“Hey, Selan, would you like some help with the baby?” Aria asked. “I can carry him for you for a little while, if you’d like.” She then smiled towards Dylan. “He sure is a cutie, huh? Just like you. What do you guys think his name is? Don’t you think we should call him something, even for a while? Better then ‘him’ or ‘it’ or ‘the baby’, right?”

“Is this it?” Crimson Justice asked, pausing outside a building with flashing neon lights. The building’s name was signed in a expressive, cursive writing, whilst at the end of the sign was an illuminated silhouette of a woman holding a pole. The building was covered in pictures of half naked people, and the symbols ‘XXX’ appeared everywhere.

“No, that’s not?” Aria just blinked again. She pointed across the street, at another building, much more grand and fabulous with the words ‘La Macaret’ signed outside. That was their destination.

Los Paraisos: Cafe outside Pellagio Hotel

“Well then, let’s say we’ll all meet back here at noon,” Marcus smiled, nodding and waving to the departing quintet. “Hopefully we’ll have some information to share and we’ll have found Estelle, Trixie and Kapi.” Marcus turned his attention and smile towards Lisette, hoping to reassure any ill worries she may have had to her companions’ safety.

"Moira, Lisette, Syed - and whoever else. You coming or not?" Amy barely even stopped to wait, strolling on ahead in the direction of the Saint Drega’s Church she had found from the hapless customers of the bookstore she had questioned. Marcus stifled a short laugh and began to follow, smiling once more at his companions.

“I believe this is our cue?”

The group started to move forwards, with the Pride following behind in Amy’s steps. As Moira questioned Syed on why he thought they should investigate a church, an uneasy atmosphere started to linger in the air. For Moira and Lisette, it was almost unnoticeable, one being rather dense to subtleties in group atmosphere, the other still reeling from her first hangover to really tell. Any weirdness that might be happening within the group felt like, for them, an effect of the consequences of last night. Except for Marcus who, even nursing a debilitating headache of his own, paused to consider the information that had been presented to him by everyone, using it to mull the possible whereabouts of Estelle.

And a church…?

“I can’t imagine Estelle would have gone to a church… ever.” Marcus chirped up. He hoped his happy demeanour would ease any frustrations gripping his friends and help to lighten the mood somewhat. Even then, he was racked with worry and concern over his missing partner. “Why do you think a church might be a good place, Syed?” He asked, the man almost instantly straightening bolt right at the question. Amy’s shoulders too almost seemed to tense after hearing him starting to ask.

“Did something happen to you all at a church last night?” Marcus asked, having no knowledge of anything his friends did before meeting them at the Pellagio’s first floor. A finger stroked the underside of his chin, before laughing at his next absurd joke. “You and Lisette didn’t happen to get married, did you? Haha.”

---

Los Paraisos: Saint Drega’s Church

Ahead of the Pride’s arrival, a figure moved throughout the church’s floor, his feet gliding atop a red silk carpet and moving in-between several pews all erected to face a wooden altar furnished in dazzling gold, with a beautiful stain glass window depicting one of the gods to the north to complete the picture. The Church was fairly small and cramped, but was made homely. Candles were lit at the ends of each pew, glowing lightly and marking the path forwards.

The figure’s footsteps strode forwards with rhythmic confidence. A smile grew upon his gladdened, whistling features. He was happy.

At the end of the aisle, he turned to his right, moving towards a small wooden cabinet and bending down to open one of the doors. Inside laid a record player and a collection of records. He pulled one out of its sleeve, and after blowing away the dust on it, gently laid it down on the player, starting it up.

Music started to fill up the church.

Los Paraisos: The Group with the Baby

He jogged after the group, his bottle of juice shoved into a pocket, his slate under his arm, and the rest of his breakfast sandwich in his hand. He was thankful that he had ordered something fairly portable, and that Don had taken so long with the map - what was up with that by the way? It wasn’t that complicated. Maybe the helmet impaired his vision or something.

They moved along fairly well, not even stopping to look at the burnt husk that used to be the Hell’s Kitchen resturant, discussing it on the move. He didn’t speak much during the walk, taking the time to eat and hydrate.

He finally felt a little bit more like himself. Seeing that they came to a stop at last, he turned to Selan and beamed at the baby.

“Hey, Selan, would you like some help with the baby?” Aria asked. “I can carry him for you for a little while, if you’d like.”

“Hold up there!” Dylan said with a smile. “I want a turn to hold him too!” Leaning in, he made a series of silly faces at the kid, who gurgled at him with a laugh.

“He sure is a cutie, huh? Just like you. What do you guys think his name is? Don’t you think we should call him something, even for a while? Better then ‘him’ or ‘it’ or ‘the baby’, right?”

“Yeah, a name would be good.” He looked at Selan. “No idea who this kid is, then? Still, since you and Don found him...how about...Sawn? No that doesn’t work. Delan?”

“Is this it?” Crimson Justice asked, pausing outside a building with flashing neon lights.

“Hmm?” Dylan turned to look at the building and his jaw dropped. “Seriously Bro? That’s a strip club. Are you okay? Can you see properly through that helmet?” Aria quickly pointed out the correct building, just across the street from them. Laying a hand on “Crimson Justice”, he turned his bro around. “Maybe we can check out the strippers later. Come on, we have an investigation to complete.”

Los Paraisos: Walking towards Saint Drega's Church
“Did something happen to you all at a church last night? You and Lisette didn’t happen to get married, did you? Haha.”

Syed didn't know it was possible to straighten up even more than he was already. But in his shock he managed it, a large spark of electricity jumping from his head to a nearby lamppost, causing the bulb inside to blow.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" he laughed a little too loudly, his eyes a bit too wide as he looked back towards the mage. He looked a little demented if anything, especially in his unkept, unshaven state. "No, of course not! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Moira was initially quiet, the cogs in her head almost visibly turning. Now Marcus mentioned it... "You got a new ring though."

Syed instinctively shoved his hands in his pockets again. "So? I didn't marry Lisette! Maybe I just... got a ring last night..." he faltered, pushing his arms into his sides as if in an attempt to make himself as small as possible. "A ring I can't get off..." he added in a much quieter voice.

Moira narrowed her eyes, before turning to Lisette. "Girl, is that why you were hidin' under the bed? Come on, show us your hands."

They rounded the corner after Amy as she strolled mercilessly (and a bit wobbly) ahead, and sure enough were greeted by the angel-topped monument. The thing was huge, far too big for the small church which stood behind it. It was only then when Syed found his footsteps slowing, staring up at the monument in horrified realisation.

What if it wasn't a church of Vayu? It'd be like the icing on the cake if it weren't - a betrayal of his faith to top it all off. He didn't recognise the name Saint Drega. He wasn't optimistic.

He caught himself and had noticed the others had slowed too - Moira was giving him one hell of a curious look. He cleared his throat and hurried after Amy.

Once they stepped into the church grounds, the jarring difference between the church and those surrounding them only became all the more obvious. It was almost as if the church had been here for years and years, with the rest of the resort growing around it. Even the doors seemed too big for the rest of the building.

They came to a stop before these huge doors, in the shadow of the great monument behind them. Amy had waited for them somewhat impatiently, those scarlet nails of hers tapping against her folded arm. Syed looked around to the others nervously. They were all looking at him, waiting for him to make the first move. It was his suggestion to come here after all.

"You can't hide whatever it is you're hiding forever," Moira grunted, looking increasingly annoyed by the minute. She didn't like being kept in the dark at all.

"Okay." Syed took a deep breath, straightening up again. There was something which terrified him about the idea of trying to find out at least something which happened last night. Especially here. But it had to be done. Not only for the benefit of his friends, to try and find any sign at all of those who were missing... but for his sanity too. Once he had opened his eyes again his previous, shaky nervous self was gone, replaced with a look of quiet determination. "Okay, let's go."

And with that he pushed the door open... then froze, arm outstretched as he held it open for the others. Okay what. Was that... was that the sound of guitars?! What kind of church was this?! Well, he could see someone who looked like they might be a priest. If you discounted the strange hair anyway. And just like that, it threw him right off again. "Um... excuse me?" he called.

I want to go, I want to know
Oh, won't you please take me home?
I want to see, oh, look at me
Oh, won't you please take me home?

"Oh fuckin' get a move on!" Moira shouted, roughly pushing Syed through the door entirely. She then cast her eyes across the building, her eyes too settling on the wierd-haired man. Whom she promptly swept a finger down to point at somewhat dramatically. "OI! YOU!"

Los Paraisos: Saint Drega's Chuch

Tried as she did, Amy was unable to remove her ring either. She had eventually given up fumbling with it altogether. Though she wanted to strangle the poor electromage every time he spoke, especially after Marcus made his joke, she remained silent throughout their entire trek. Poor, poor Syed. As the one leading in front, Amy was blessed with not showing her face, or seeing anyone else's for that matter. Her cheeks flushed with crimson all the while - whether it was from shame, embarrassment, or brewing anger was a question on its own...

When they arrived at Saint Drega's, a man inside started up some rather unchurchly music. And of course, Syed just stood there, not really doing anything useful. On his hopeless behalf, Moira stepped forward and called out the priest(?). He looked their way, his gladdened features unchanging.

"Hm~?"

Immediately Amy stormed towards him; any heavier steps would have set fire to all the pews from the pure ferocity in her pace. Once she was within arm's reach of the man clad in black, she slammed her left hand atop seat closest to them and began pointing at her ring with her other hand - as if she were stabbing her own finger with an invisible dagger. Something she probably would have preferred over being stuck as...

Fuck figuring out what happened first. She had an agenda to take care of.

"Annul this. You annul this right. the fuck. now," Amy leaned in, baring her predator's teeth. If she curled her fingers any further, they would dig right through the pew's precious mahogany. "Or I'll paint your face redder than blood."

---

Los Paraisos: Outside the Bucking Broncos

Just then, the double doors to the stripper club burst open. One would've expected someone with a bull's size to have that kind of power; the doors were nearly knocked off their hinges. But no, it was a tiny girl with her two arms outstretched before her. A tiny girl with a fancy napkin wrapped over her eyes like blindfolds, only uneven holes were carved in to allow for eyesight. She beamed upon being greeted with sunlight and stepped out into the open, her cape - a pair of leather pants pinned to her shoulders - billowing in the breeze behind her before resting atop her back.

"C'mon Mister Freddie, superheroes can get out of mazes just fine!" she glanced back into the room briefly. "What kinda sidekick are you if you get lost now?"

Sure, Trixie was still without her weapons, but at least her hair was totally symmetrical now. Braids and all.

Her smile widened even further as she turned to see a disguised man in red beside her; luckily for her, Aria recognized the pint-sized prankster from an earlier meeting and lifted the ploy from Trixie's sights right away.

The prankster clasped her hands against her cheeks, puckering her lips. "Cri... Cri... Cri... Cri... Crimson... Justice!? Oh. My. Omelets. Mister Freddie told me all about you and I'm your BIGGEST FAN! Quick, somebody, gimme something that I can get Crimcrim to sign it! Imma call you that, is that okay? McCrimcrim? A cool nickname for a cool pal. Cuz we both superheroes, so we both buds now, yo. Gotta keep it cool. Fresh. Squeakay."

Then someone cleared their throat. Trixie the Wondergirl leaned to the side, peeking behind Crimson Justice. Ah, so there were other people too! They must be his fanbase. "Oh hi! Are you guys part of his paparazzi or something?"

Well, seeing that she could never hold in fake acts for long, Trixie began the shudder with uncontrollable giggles. "Pffft. Nahhh I keed, I keed. Nice to see you guys here! Where's everyone else though?" Man oh man did they look like total wrecks. Especially Aria; she smelled really bad. "Miss, why do you have Thunderspock's clothes?" Whatever was in her arms began to smell really bad too. "And what's with the ugly meatbag?"

"Ah!" Crimson Justice called, shooting a finger to the sky. "That is no meatbag! That is what we call... a baby."

The caped crusader nodded with her newfound wisdom. "Ohhh. Okay. So what's with the ugly meatbaby?"

Los Paraisos: Saint Drega's Church

“Did something happen to you all at a church last night? You and Lisette didn’t happen to get married, did you? Haha.”

"What, no way," Lisette laughed, figuring Marcus was merely making a joke. "Right Syed--"

CRASH!

Lisette flinched at the explosion of glass, and wasn't prepared for the sound that followed next.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! No, of course not! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Syed howled. The look on his face wasn't one of joy, it was one of panic, and he looked back at Marcus with a wild expression in his eyes. Was he okay?

Moira pointed out that Syed was in fact wearing a new ring, and demanded that Lisette show her hands. She immediately complied, holding her palms up as if she were under arrest. There was absolutely nothing on her fingers or wrists. Even though she was pretty sure there was no way she had gotten married last night, the way everyone was making a big deal about it was freaking her out a bit, and she shared the relief on Moira's face when she confirmed the absence of a ring.

They stepped onto the church grounds, and Lisette was taken aback by how natural it looked compared to the glitz and glamour surrounding it. It was nice to see that someone cared enough to keep it looking the way it probably did when it was first built.

"This place is pretty," Lisette said, much calmer than the others. She wished she could have admired it a little longer, but upon seeing the large, heavy doors of the building, Amy charged forwards and threw open the doors. Lisette wasn't exactly a devout person herself -- her pragmatic father encouraged her to study religion rather than practice it -- but she had a feeling that the music that suddenly filled the room wasn't exactly traditional for the setting.

Unfortunately, at first glance the only person inside was a funny-looking man with a fascinating, purple hairstyle.

"OI! YOU!" Moira shouted, pointing her finger at the odd-looking man (a priest?) as if she recognized him.

"Annul this. You annul this right. the fuck. now. Or I'll paint your face redder than blood." Amy hissed dangerously, pointing at a...

"Wait everyone, please don't... Oh! A ring!" Lisette exclaimed, joining the others in pointing, this time at Amy. "Wait a minute, so Miss Amy and Syed are... Wow...!" she trailed off, thoroughly confused.

---

Los Paraisos: En route to La Macabaret

“Hey, Selan, would you like some help with the baby?” Aria asked. “I can carry him for you for a little while, if you’d like.”

“Hold up there!” Dylan said with a smile. “I want a turn to hold him too!” Leaning in, he made a series of silly faces at the kid, who gurgled at him with a laugh.

"Alright," Selan conceded, secretly noting that her arms were getting quite tired from carrying the baby for so long. In hindsight, if she had spotted one in the hotel room, she definitely would have brought a stroller along. She passed the baby to Aria's waiting arms.

“No idea who this kid is, then? Still, since you and Don found him...how about...Sawn? No that doesn’t work. Delan?”

"Ahah, 'Delan'...?" Selan laughed at Dylan's suggestion. "Wouldn't that be confusing? It both rhymes with my name and sounds a bit like yours..."

To her surprise, the baby broke into a smile at the sound of the name.

"I think he likes it!" Aria smiled back.

Selan's heart might have melted a bit, but she recomposed herself quickly. "Oh, my... Alright then, Delan it is, then? It's only temporary, anyway."

They began to pass an especially gaudy-looking strip club, which wiped the smile off of Selan's face. The especially close proximity of the strip club to the night club naturally worried her, considering they were still in the process of reconciling the events from last night. She took solace in the fact that there were no clues yet to suggest they were there.

Bam!

The strip club's double doors flew open and they all looked to see who was standing there... Only to have to adjust their sight downwards a bit to accommodate Trixie's shorter stature.

"Trixie!" Selan gasped, surprised to see her of all people emerge from such a place. "What... are you wearing?"

The girl ignored her and made a beeline straight for Crimson Justice, gawking like a fangirl and asking for an autograph.

Dylan cleared his throat, grinning and waving at Trixie. This caught her attention, and started to ask the first questions that understandably came to mind upon seeing them. Including pointing out that the "ugly meatbaby", now named Delan, finally needed some attention. As though Delan realized it himself, he started crying and squirming in discomfort, squeezing tiny tears from his big, round eyes.

Selan was a little glad that Aria was the one holding him now, but she did call to Crimson Justice for the baby bag. "I think we might need to duck inside the club for a moment, just to get him changed?"

Los Paraisos: Saint Drega's Church

The priest’s eyes lit up in bewilderment at first, his whole body jumping into the air as soon as the doors to Saint Drega’s Church slammed inwards. He stared dumbfounded at the silhouettes that emerged from the bright sunlight outside, first a loud woman pointing and shouting at him, followed by another beautiful blonde woman stalking through the aisle in his footsteps, grabbing the nearest top of the seat and digging her fingers into it, pointing with her free hand to the sparkling silver ring resting atop her finger. Her eyes betrayed the venom and rage broiling beneath.

"OI! YOU!"

"Annul this. You annul this right. the fuck. Now… Or I'll paint your face redder than blood."

"Wait everyone, please don't... Oh! A ring!” Lisette gasped, blushing as she too started pointing. "Wait a minute, so Miss Amy and Syed are... Wow...!"

“Ahaha.” Marcus almost bowled over, collapsing in laughter. He held his stomach tightly. His suspicions were half correct. With Syed’s peculiar behaviour, and the way in which he continued to rub and fondle the strange ring of his finger and his suggestions to explore a church, Marcus had surmised it possible that in their wild drunken reverie, he might have gotten married. But to Amy, the one woman in the group who seemed to revile all men? “Congratulations on your wedding, Amy, Syed.” Marcus smiled. “I think you two make a wonderful couple.”

Amy’s face shot back from the far end of the church, a vision of a pure demon.

“Oh… oh! Hey! It’s you guys! Wow!” The priest clapped his hands together, a wide smile forming. Before Amy could react, she found a hand wrapped around her shoulders and holding her arm, walking her back down to her friends and the other people the strange haired priest, Tom, was happy to see. “Amy, my dear, you look beautiful still! And Syed! Bro! You are one lucky, lucky man, y’know that?”

Tom laughed even harder. As Amy’s hand swiped out to deliver stinging vengeance against the priest, he had already let go and started walking towards the other, narrowly missing the harmless slap by divine luck and inches.

He grabbed Syed, taking the man in a powerful, tight hug, squeezing him and patting his back. “Man oh man, you guys are just the best! I’m guessing you all had a hell of a night after the wedding, huh? Moira!” Tom threw his hand out, Moira finding herself reflexing by throwing hers out for a firm handshake. Bewilderment had gripped everyone. “It’s good to see you again too! Don’t worry, I managed to clean the sick out of the carpet.”

“And hey there, Lisette. Who’s our favourite little bridesmaid and flower girl, huh?” Tom bent over, laughing as he rubbed her hair. “You find your prince charming yet, or does the bouquet still have to work its magic? Haha. Wait. Wait. Is this him? Your boyfriend?”

Tom rose up, extending his hand out to shake Marcus’ own. “Hey there, bro. My name’s Tom, and I’m the priest of Saint Drega’s Church here. How are you?”

“I’m doing wonderful, thank you.” The wind mage replied with a smile. “My name’s Marcus. You… don’t remember me, do you?”

“Remember you, bro?” Tom blinked, closing his eyes and scanning his memories. “Hmm, no, you weren’t at the wedding last night… that was a blonde man and blue haired man instead. Dylan and Lucien were their names, I think? Where abouts are those guys? Anyway… Marcus… Marcus… hmm… did we meet somewhere else before then…?”

Marcus laughed and shook his head. “It’s not important.”

“Hmm… well, if you say so, bro!” Tom slapped Marcus’ shoulder, and then turned, spinning on the spot as the catchy song continued.

“Anyway, I’m glad you guys came! I managed to get everything that you guys wanted fixed up already! Told you we like to present the best wedding service in all of Los Paraisos, didn’t I?” Tom strode back down the aisle again, long strides that took him to the altar in seconds. Bending over, he lifted up a large box bulging with goodies inside, ripping off the masking tape that held it closed and opening up its contents. Contents that caused a certain two to panic even more.

“We’ve got all of your wedding photos right here, your commemorative mugs, t-shirts and baseball caps… oh, and I posted those cards you guys wanted me to send to all of your friends and family sharing the wonderful moment with them… man. It was just beautiful, bro. I get all teary-eyed just thinking about. Was beautiful. Really, really beautiful.”

Tom pulled out a hanky, wiping his eyes and blowing his nose, his hair shooting up as he did.