Three days passed, and Evelyn was at the beach with everyone else. Several people were at least trying to have fun, even if not a lot of them had swimsuits. Granted, neither did she. She was just wearing a pair of old shorts and a black tank top with an old bikini top underneath, just in case the tank top doesn't properly do it's job in protecting her from exposure. Most of her classmates were in a similar position. Lion city wasn't really anywhere near a beach, so swimsuits were only really seen in boutique windows. Only exception was Sybil, wearing a black bikini and helping herself to the drinks. That was a big part of the party, the fact that for most of the people here it was the first one where they could legally drink alcohol. Minus Tedros and Ines, who still had another year to go. Sybil only came to the party in hopes the rich girl could score some super expensive wine or spirits or something, but the selection was all well within her price range. Granted, she couldn't afford this much at once, so she was making thw most of it.
Blair just decided to draw the beach landscape while she had the opportunity. It was scorching, and yet she didn't think to bring sunscreen. So to avoid sunburn or skin cancer or something, she sat in the shade of a tree in full clothing, just sketching away while watching her main partner sampling everything available to her. She just kept going without any indication of drunkenness. It was impressive. More concerning than impressive, but impressive nonetheless.
"So, what are you drawing?"
Blair jumped at whoever was behind her, but it was just Ulysses. The guy was shirtless but wearing jeans, which was a strange combination for a beach trip. Granted, she was the last person to complain. Although it was the first time she saw him not wearing his beanie, which alone was a strange visual to contend with.
"Oh, just the landscape. Nothing better to do."
"Not a swimmer?" Ulysses asked. He was clearly trying to make casual conversation, but his eyes were darting around.
"Never bothered learning." Blair replied, trying to seem as casual as Ulysses was attempting to be.
"Yeah. We live in a city, so why would you?" Ulysses agreed. "Just, uh…thought you were alone, so I thought I'd see what's up?"
"Nothing."
"Yeah. Well, nothing's better than…panic." Ulysses replied. He stood there with a fake smile on his face for a few seconds. The two stared at each other until he finally continued.
"Look, do you have any allies in the game so far?" Ulysses asked.
"No." Blair lied. She didn't like that the lie came so easily to her. But she was able to kick into game mode in a snap, like a simple switch in her brain flipped. That was good.
"Same here." Ulysses said in a single breath. "So…maybe we could team up?"
"You think?" Blair said. "I mean, we've been on different games for most of the games so far."
"That is true." Ulysses nodded.
"Look, I'm going to be honest. I have no plans in competing in the next game. But if you want to join up the game after that, I wouldn't be against that."
Ulysses stared blankly at her, for a few seconds.
"Well, I am the man here." He whispered to himself. "So I should be the protector, I suppose. You know what, Blair? You've got a deal."
He wandered off, flinching at the sunlight as he stepped into it. Blair just wondered how long this alliance would last.
Mateo, Ines, and Tedro rested on a sunbed. Ines was just trying to enjoy the sun, while Mateo and Glyle observed the gods standing a few feet away from them, casually talking amongst each other like friends. Kwaku was wearing teal shorts, Halford was wearing white shorts with a blue zip up hoodie, and Xaawo was wearing a black bikini that looked a little small, alongside yet another fancy pair of designer sunglasses. They were just far away enough that they couldn't make out the conversation, but it didn't seem to be related to tormenting them. Rather, it just seemed to be about the music Xaawo was recommending. Sounded like she was recommending…Sassy Jess? Seriously? Of all artists? Mateo secretly hoped they wouldn't take that on board. He did want some kind of retribution for them, but that was too much. Tedros was just scrolling his phone with an intense look on his face.
"So…everything good?" Ines asked.
"Yeah, just reading the new Space Piece." Tedros replied without looking up. From what Ines knew about Space Piece, it was a lighthearted comic series about space pirates looking for an ancient intergalactic treasure, but every time Tedros was seen reading it, his brow was furrowed and he was deep in thought. Now, he was just nodding along.
"Seems my theory that the space cops would keep Mireuron's corpse to repurpose it as a cyborg body for defense purposes has slightly more evidence behind it." Tedros finally said.
"Ah."
And so, the day continued. Leon stuck with Janet and Evelyn, coincidentally having to go to the bathroom whenever Elijah approached them. And as the sun began to set, Janet went into a small room, beckoning Evelyn alongside here. Leon just followed them both in. It was a standard storage locker, with stuff like nets for taking any plastic out
"So guys, you enjoy the party?" Janet asked enthusiastically.
"Yeah." Leon nodded while eating what was probably his fifteenth piece of luxury chocolate that day.
"It was pretty good." Evelyn agreed. For as much as she hated Janet's wealth and ability to just casually flaunt this, she knew how to create an atmosphere.
"Excellent, excellent." Janet said while rubbing her hands. "And as my assistants, your next job is helping me with the finale."
"What is the finale?" Evelyn sighed.
"Easy. The people here are gathered for a nice party, and they're gonna be the test audience for my new album!"
"They're gonna be what?" Evelyn asked.
"What, did I not tell you about the album I'm working on. My ska punk masterpiece?"
"I don't remember." Leon said.
"Well, that's how we're ending this little shindig." Janet replied. "Leon, you can use your powers to help us onto a tree for max distance."
"What do you mean us?" Evelyn asked.
"Evelyn, my girl, I think you could be a secret ingredient."
"What are you talking about?"
"Well I was thinking, what does the ska punk scene need? What's never been done before? And you know what isn't in a lot of ska punk? Violins."
"I wonder why?" Evelyn replied wearily.
"So, I'll play one of my songs, and you just go with it. Add some cool violin shit whenever you see an opportunity."
"Janet, I don't have my violin."
"I came prepared." Janet said with a casual finger snap. She threw a net out of the way, revealing a violin case. She handed it to Evelyn, who opened it.
Sure enough, it was a brand new violin. Smooth wood, strings in perfect condition.
"Janet, how much was this?"
"Less than a wedding dress, I'll tell you that much. And to pay me back, keep being my bodyguard and play the song with me right now. Sound good?"
"I haven't heard the song."
"You'll figure it out." Janet said as she left the room. Before Evelyn or Leon even left the room, she was already making announcements.
"Okay, North Lion graduates! And the other three! And one of the teachers! I hope you all had a great time here, but it is getting a little late. And what better way to end this than with a private concert! Sung by who, exactly? Me, performing my new single 'That guy sure was an asshole, huh?' Leon, if you please?"
Leon focused on Janet until an invisible hook formed from his hand and wrapped around her waist. Before she lifted her up, he did the same to Evelyn, and lifted them both into a tree. It was easier than he expected, which confirmed he could use his powers to lift things he himself couldn't.
"Now, to finish off, Evelyn and I are gonna perform a little song for ya. It's called 'That guy sure was an asshole, huh?' and you get to be the first to hear it live! Okay Evelyn, hit it.'
Leon pushed a button down on a CD that played the backing track, and Janet started blowing a trumpet with all the force she could muster. Evelyn tried adding violin where she could, but still wasn't entirely sure how to go about it, and when Janet actually started singing, it was even more questionable.
'And so you looked at me
And you still had to cheat
You had the fucking gall
Well, lick my fucking balls!'
The lyrics were of a similar quality for about four minutes until it finally ended. The only reaction was from Ines clapping, but even that seemed to be more out of politeness than anything else. Evelyn was hoping she'd have some kind of advantage in the next game, seeing as the others looked like they wanted to die.
"So, that was the song!" Janet yelled, continuing as if she got a standing ovation. "Pretty sure the full album will be named something like 'Blindly flailing through it all' but I haven't decided yet. Regardless, tell your friends when it happens!"
"So, I take it that's the ending." Xaawo replied, pushing past the others.
"Guess so." Janet said as Leon placed her and Evelyn down.
"Alright!" Xaawo replied as she turned to the others. "Now, I know I announce the games on the day, but I figured that for now, I'd let you prepare ahead of time! Now, at the start, there were nineteen players. And that's a strange number, right? Not really…official sounding, is it? But lucky for us, a hidden twentieth player was around, and we accidentally gave him powers!"
Xaawo looked around to see the reactions. Elijah and Valerie were annoyed at this shit getting longer, Ulysses looked borderline hysterical, and the trio of Tedros, Mateo, and Ines were exchanging glances.
"Now, this isn't another game where everyone has to take part. Leon, Janet, Evelyn, Blair, Sybil, you five don't have to compete. But the next game will be finding the twentieth player and throwing them into the game!"
"And if we don't find them?" Elijah asked.
"Well then, we kill them." Xaawo shrugged. "But also, someone is dying anyway, just a quick FYI. Anyway, we'll get you back home to rest up. See you tomorrow!"