Winston’s POV
“But yours was loopy.” Winnie emphasized, making a swooping gesture with his hand. “It looked like you were drawing. I—Er…” Winnie silenced himself, realizing he had started to babble. He could get pretty passionate about art, and Remedy didn’t seem to be a fan of that kind of stuff…
Anthony shrugged as if he didn't particularly care.
"Where am I supposed to go now?" he asked in a monotonous voice, glancing around the room.
Winston’s POV
“He’s probably gonna come back with an assignment or somethin’…” Winnie trailed off, unsure of where he was supposed to go. A question that had arisen earlier sudden popped into his head. “What did you mean when you said the guard doesn’t show the fine print?”
Anthony's POV
Anthony shook his head.
"Wouldn't want to ruin the perfect image you have of the organization you work for," he snarked, gesturing towards the door. "Do I just walk out? go back home?"
Winston’s POV
“We’re going home now?” Winnie blinked, assuming Remedy was coming home with him right away.
Anthony’s POV
Anthony stared at him for a moment. “No—I mean, should I just go back to the butcher shop?”
Winston’s POV
Winnie shook his head. “We gotta wait for him to come back and give us missions.” He had given up hope that he’d get to work with Anthony. “But you’ll try out my house right?”
Anthony’s POV
He sighed, pushing away the head of a grotesque that had once been an old woman. “You have to ask your mother first.”
Winston’s POV
“She’ll say yes! We take in everyone.” Winnie exaggerated, giving Samuel an affectionate pat on the head. He couldn’t stand the thought of Remedy being stuck living in an old butcher’s shop. It was just wrong. “You can come while I’m askin’. I live ‘round the block from here.”
Anthony’s POV
I highly doubt that…. Anthony nearly considered turning on his heel and just walking in the opposite direction. He wasn’t in the mood for another rejection…. But in the end, he only nodded, slipping both hands into his pockets.
Winston’s POV
Winston beamed, getting up from the table. “Are you allergic to anything? Are any of your pets allergic to anything?” Winnie was already thinking about what to make for dinner. He wanted it so be somewhat special since there would be a lot of new mouths to feed. Something to welcome Remedy and his creatures home.
(Aww)
Anthony’s POV
Anthony shook his head—then reconsidered. “Sam—I mean, that one there, has a peanut allergy. But it’s fine.”
Winston’s POV
“Sam?” Winston repeated the name, his skin brightening a bit with excitement. Sam had been Winnie’s favorite from the very beginning. “I’ll be careful then.” He fell silent after that, happily humming.
Anthony's POV
No. No. Only I knew Samuel's name—he was my brother. Or had been, at least. This stranger, this hero wannabe? He didn't get to use it.
"It doesn't have a name," I growled, my eyes darkening dangerously. "Don't use that in front of me ever again."
Winston’s POV
Winnie’s eyes widened, his muscles tensing. “Sorry…” He backed up a couple steps, glowing fiercely. “I… I didn’t mean to upset you or nothin’…”
OpalsPOV
Opal looked around as they Sat across from eachother. Pasithea has asked for a table in the back. She didn’t know what to say until the waiter had come up to order their food.
Alec’s POV
Alec smiled at her unhappy, but apparent agreement to his terms. “What’s the plan once we get to the GameGo? Are you sure they still there?”
Anthony's POV
I swallowed thickly, turning my head away.
"Apology accepted."
Ae-Ri's POV
"I don't know," I replied to his second question, "But it's a start. The plan is as follows: you distract Pasithea, I grab Opal"
Alecs POV
“Now that’s just mean. You’re gonna make me fight the big bad villain. You must either have a lot of faith in me, or very little.” Alec play-whined as they came up on the front of the GameGo. “Either way, I’m fine with that, I’ll just escape in the confusion.” He gestured to the building. “What are you gonna do if she’s not in there, interrogate the cashier?”
Winston’s POV
Winnie fell quiet again from nerves. He cursed his cowardice, trying to force himself to man up and get over himself. “So… what do you normally eat—as long as y’all don’t mind me askin’. Is there anything you’d like me to make?”
Sienna’s POV
Sienna calmly ordered gazpacho along with a simple glass of water. She began to think of how to get Opal to open up a bit more while she waited for the other girl to order.
Anthony's POV
Anthony paused for a moment. "I normally eat anything I can get my hands on. Eating from garbage cans isn't as bad as you might think. I don't care what you make, as long as it doesn't poison me—or have broccoli in it."
Ae-Ri's POV
"I actually have no faith in you at all," she retorted, "But Opal trusts me—" No she doesn't, "And she'll come with me rather than you. And yes, I will talk to the cashier."
Opals POV
Opal smiled to the waiter and ordered the Carne Asada Fries and, following Pasitheas example, a glass of water.
Alecs POV
Alec laughed as they walked in. She had just told him her friends name, and that she underestimated him. They quietly checked through the small store, and from waythat Mirage was acting, Opal wasnt there.
Ae-Ri’s POV
Ae-Ri, realizing her mistake, let out an extremely convincing laugh at the look on his face. “You think you’re so smart, don’t you? I’d never give you her actual name, idiot.”
Winston’s POV
“No peanuts and no broccoli.” Winnie hummed for a moment as he thought. “I think I have dough at home. Y’all mind pizza?” He wanted to make sure pizza was okay with the grouchy super in front of him.
Sienna’s POV
“What’s it like— working for the World Guard?” She asked, her tone mildly interested as she leaned forward a bit.
Anthony’s POV
The healer almost smiled at the mention of the food. He caught himself just in time, though, offering an uncaring shrug. “Sure. Haven’t had it in years… I’m curious to see what it tastes like..”
Alecs POV
Alec smiled back and replied. “Ahh, that sucks, I thought I was gonna have your friends name. ” He looked around again, and pointedly gazed at the sales counter, and asked in all seriousness. “Since she’s not here, wanna play good cop, crazy cop?”
Winston’s POV
Winnie did break out into a wide smile. “I think you’ll like it.” He stared at the door, eager to get moving again. He wanted to take Remedy home as soon as possible. A warm shower, heat, a full meal, and a bed would likely do wonders for the teen. After a moment’s hesitation, he walked towards the door, preparing to open it and peak outside.
Opals POV
“It’s fun in some ways, and I luckily made some friends there.” Opal thought back to Ae-Ri and Winston. She wondered if dining with the enemy was the same as betraying them. With a slow sight she finished. “They were the ones who tried to stop you the last night.”
Alecs POV
Alec smiled back and replied. “Ahh, that sucks, I thought I was gonna have your friends name. ” He looked around again, and pointedly gazed at the sales counter, and asked in all seriousness. “Since she’s not here, wanna play good cop, crazy cop?”
“I call crazy cop.” Despite the fact that her face was hidden from view, it was evident from her suddenly lilting tone that she was on the verge of laughter.
Sienna’s POV
Sienna could see the moral dilemma running through Opal’s head. She smiled gently in response. “Ah yes, the angry girl and the glowing boy. You have quite the interesting group.”
