The Tower had its fair share of twists and turns, endless impossibilities that all culminated in full force. But the grand casino that took up an entire dimension and then some was nothing like the other Floors prior to it. In fact, there were quite the many oddities that plagued the gambler’s paradise. Something just felt off, wrong….but for people like Kanbaru, Akiko, and even the descendants of Gradon and Eris, there was nearly a buzz of familiarity and warmth that engulfed their body and soul. Or maybe that was just the overtly bright lights from this stimulus nightmare.
Still, there were anomalies all the same. Akiko’s currency of bees stalled and faltered the slot machines a few times. Some of the casino’s customers gave her annoyed looks but didn’t press on the matter, as if sensing what her relevance was to the grand casino but almost as if they looked down on such paltry currency. Eventually the machines did work, and through time and effort-though what time was there truly in this world?-a feline card was granted to Akiko. By sheer impossibility, the potential and probability of obtaining a Windela card was perhaps only possible in a chaotic place like this. Still, the card was hardly friendly.
The cat on the card’s printed surface seemed to be glaring right at Akiko. And when she eventually rejoined Kanbaru and the rest of the group, it looked like the card was bristling too. Perhaps if it was paired with its partner the cat wouldn’t look so sour in the company of lesser crowds. Speaking of such crowds, Marianne was in herself left unamused with her fellow Vassal child. By sheer improbable luck she was laying in Farris’ arms like some sort of blushing bride.
The annoyance flashed in an instant, replaced with a coy look.
“My, my Farris. I didn’t think you had such strong feelings for me~ Best not let Rama see us before I have to rattle your chain with hers~” Marianne slid herself out of Farris’ grip; as soon as her feet touched the ground the casino Floor(?) reacted in kind. Her outfit shimmered with a maddening light and soon she adorned a new
attire much more fitting of the décor. The very same transformation latched onto Farris, demanding she look the part meant to be played.
“Seems Aunt Harley doesn’t like freeloaders. If we’re to be expected to work, why not have a little fun with it~” she mused, also noting her flesh was real now and data no longer.
“Ah, so that’s the game…fufufu~ Come along my chocolate bunny. I can sense the turmoil in my host’s heart and, ahhh, it frets me to see him lost like a cub in the woods.” Marianne didn’t ask for permission. She’d drag Farris off towards Thomas’ direction. It wouldn’t be hard to bump into him for despite the casino’s intricate navigation, finding those meant to be found was shockingly easy.
Such was the case of the two cousins, Katie not even surprised Erika located her so easily. Her mood didn’t dampen but it didn’t exactly improve either with the blonde making a scene, nor did she deny the order Erika placed for them. The
casino’s staff only giggled for Erika before moving along to fulfill the Heir of Entropy’s order. Soon enough they returned with the milkshakes in hand even as more of them gathered around Kanbaru and Akiko’s group to fulfill any desires their twisted little hearts craved for.
Katie put aside her glass full of, no doubt, stronger stuff than a milkshake. She traded it for the creamier drink and sipped.
“Not in the mood Erika,” she said with a sigh. The dark-haired girl appeared just a bit more ragged than what was seen minutes before. For anyone else, one could assume she was just exhausted from the fight but Erika knew better. Erika could see Katie’s time was different than the last instance she saw her, as if it was fast forward and displaced. Indeed, it had been quite a while since Katie visited the Tower, time advanced as she left it in the heat of Nephuna’s battle. And now she was back(?).
“You can feel it can’t you,” Katie continued.
“This isn’t the Tower. This is the worst possible place that makes the Tower look friendly.” But that was neither here nor there. Another round of moody silence passed between them but Katie wouldn’t remain tight-lipped for long.
“Why did you come to the Tower by the way?” The question bothered her more than she realized. There was no need for Erika to come all this way so why now.
Xaltwind,
Snowdrops,
BlazingBark,
Red Hood,
ShadowSunRisen,
Izurich,
Lonewolf685,
McFazzer,
ColdAtlas,
CamiCat
