Adventures In Parodyverse: Triumphant Part 3

Part 1
Part 2

Adventures in Parodyverse - Triumphant Part 3

    The coffee shop was called the Bean and Donut. It wasn't a modern place but it was comfortable and dry. Old tile floors, a refrigerated cabinet containing pastries next to an old cash register, and harsh flourescent lights overhead. The tables were diner style, each a booth with a window view, and cushioned benches for seats, with a small lamp hanging over each one.

    It was dangerous for Sarah to alter the probabilities of nature for long. It had a way of taking revenge, as it was doing now. Instead of the steady gentle rain that was falling all day the stifled storm had began to spawn distant lightning and thunder as it started to rebuild and regain power.

    Those distant lightning flashes occasionally threatened to interrupt the power to the Bean and Donut. The few patrons in there weren't afraid - they weren't the usual customers. They were all friends of Sarah's, improbably all attracted to that place for different reasons.

    At the far end table sat Liu Xi Xian in a corner, not saying much yet somehow having a conversation with the Psychic Samurai. Violet recognized Lara Night even in civilian clothing, curled in the far booth next to the kitchen with a book and a cup of coffee. Ebony scolded the Manga Shoggoth in the booth next to that because the Manga Shoggoth was attempting to combine coffee and a donut with the table to see how it tasted.

    There were no big name heroes present like Hatman or Amazing Guy or even Mr. Epitome, but the Bean and Donut had become a who's who for the less famous of the Lair Mansion's guests. And CrazySugarFreakBoy!, who was cuddled in a booth with April Alice Apple, looking at magazines and giggling.

    "Are we stopping for a late dinner?" Violet asked Sarah in a hushed voice.

    "The Paradopolis Variety Theater is under construction," Sarah told her. "Nasty stuff everywhere, lots of dust, and the power's off. So we'll do the audition here."

    "Uhhh...here?" Violet asked in a small voice, looking nervously around the room. By then half the guests were staring.

    "If you want to be a star you can't mind a few eyes staring at you," Sarah pointed out.

    Violet quickly took a deep breath and composed herself, standing perfectly straight, her tail twitching. "Right," she agreed, putting on her best fake smile.

    "Well, go introduce yourself!" Sarah gently nudged her forward, and then quickly disappeared behind the counter to greet the owner of the establishment, Mr. Popadopolis.

    By then, Violet was shaking a little, though only enough for it to be visible at the tips of her ears, because everyone was staring at her expectantly. "Um...Heya guys, I'm Violet. I'm an actress. At least--" She sighed passively. "--I'm trying to be. It's a tough road but I've been sticking with it because...the hardest things in life are the most worthwhile."

    "Brilliant," Sarah said, standing directly behind her. "Honest, real, and with lots of feeling."

    Violet shrugged. "It is my life I'm talking about," she said, her voice trailing off at the end of the sentence.

    "Soon as the theater's finished I'll find the perfect part for you. I promise." Sarah noted that Violet was trying desperately to contain herself so she added, "You may squeal if you wish, we won't mind."

    Violet jumped a couple feet in the air and squealed, triggering snickers from some of the guests in the cafe. She ignored it and hugged Sarah. "Thank you thank you thank you!" she exclaimed excitedly.

    "Have some coffee on the house." Sarah told her with a laugh. "No donuts, though, an actress has to stay fit and energetic."

    "Oh yeah, I know." Violet said with a nod. She took a cup of coffee.

    "Now I'm going to show you something. Sit and watch as I chat with some of the people here and watch what they do. Remember it, because you should be able to imitate each one of them later."

    "Right." Violet nodded in agreement and slid into one of the booths, using the warm mug to soothe her frayed nerves. She nodded again to Sarah as she passed and calmly watched and waited.

---

    "Hi, Sarah," Lara Night greeted her in a soft voice as Sarah slid into the seat across from her in the booth. Lara was curled up in the seat, slouched down with a book in her lap.

    "What are you watching outside?" Sarah asked, leaning her chin on her palm, her elbow balanced perfectly on the table.

    "Just the rain." Lara smiled sheepisly at that admission. "And people and cars going by through it. I just like to watch the world go by sometimes."

    "You've been getting quite a lot more involved than that at the mansion, haven't you?" Sarah went straight to the point. "I heard about what happened with Dream."

    Lara sighed deeply and looked down. "It kind of depresses me how much people have made of what happened with Dream," she whispered.

    "I'm not going to scold you." Sarah added with a bright smile. "God, if I did I'd be just like my mum. I'm mean, it's something I thought of doing myself. It's just...unexpected from you is all."

    "Why did you mention it?" Lara asked, sounding more curious than upset.

    Sarah shrugged. "I just didn't see you as someone who'd do something so...impulsive. I'm rather impressed. You're usually so quiet mostly, you keep to yourself."

    "Oh." Lara shrugged.

    "So how're you getting on with Jay?"

    "Oh," Lara repeated in a more convincing tone. "So that's where this is leading. We just work together, hang out some."

    "I know," Sarah noted. "Maybe that's the problem. He likes you, you know, and he's very lonely. But you're also an out of reach hot blonde, and you've done nothing to show him you're available."

    "C'mon Sarah," Lara looked at her sideways, yet still seeming amused. "He had his heart shattered pretty badly recently, and now he wants Zdenka, and he'll be willing to wait till the end of the Earth for her. I wouldn't have a chance, and I wouldn't try. We get along great, trying to get too ambitious would make things...awkward. Plus I'm not even from here...I'd go home someday and his heart would break again."

    "Maybe," Sarah pushed further, "Or maybe you'll give him something to remember for a lifetime. And you'll be back to visit, right?"

    "Yes, I will." Lara nodded. She looked up as she thought about how to reply to the rest. "See, Sarah, if I think about being physically involved with someone I consider whether they'll be smiling and happy after. Yeah, I probably could give Jay 'something to remember' if really tried. But if I did? He wouldn't be smiling after. He'd be miserable for what he did, and I can't live with that. So I wouldn't even try, it would end in heartbreak for both of us."

    A rare moment passed when Sarah was actually speechless. She finally nodded slowly as she stared across the table at Lara. "Yes," she whispered. "Yes, I suppose that makes sense." She looked across the cafe at Con Johnstantine who somehow made his way there and was sitting in a booth. "I should apologize, I guess--"

    "No, don't worry about it." Lara smiled and waved her hand to dismiss the possibility. "I know why you tried. Jay's been a mess, he almost never smiles anymore. I've tried hanging out with him, taking him places, but he's always too distracted to get into it. Believe me, if I could put a smile on his face I would."

    "It's wonderful that you want to take care of everyone." Sarah nodded and smiled. "Which reminds me, I have some things to take care of here."

    "Nah, go ahead," Lara said with a friendly laugh as Sarah stood. "You've probably been talking to me way too long."

    Violet met Sarah near the counter. "I think I can imitate her," she said.

    "Splendid. But here's who I really want you to imitate." Sarah nodded her head toward Mr. Popadopolis. "You see, the part is an alien immigrant. So it's either him--" She pointed toward Liu Xi. "Or her. Or anyone with an accent and a foreign language, actually."

    "Oohhhhh." Violet nodded sharply and smiled. "Gotcha."

---

    Lara's next guest at her table was completely unexpected, and triggered an automatic response of her craning her neck to make sure Liu Xi was okay. The Chinese elementalist was still under the watchful eye of the Psychic Samurai. It was perfect arranging the two to sit together with Exu on the loose.

    "Hello," the god of murder greeted her.

    "What's up?" she asked him, trying to be friendly though feeling suspicious. "I hope you're not here to mess with Liu Xi."

    Exu looked behind him, and then back to Lara. "Sadly, no. I'm here for you. Someone you're familiar with will be here soon. Marvellous Marv to be exact."

    Lara shrugged. "Oh, that'll be a wrong turn," she replied. "Why are you paying attention to that hack anyway?"

    "He's been stepped on by a lot of people," Exu told her. "Had his money and his girlfriend stolen. He's a man with murder in his heart. He'll do anything to get the power that's been waved under his nose and then taken away."

    "Well if he comes here he'll lose it again," she noted. "He probably won't make it as far back as my table." She looked at the Psychic Samurai in particular. "Thanks for the warning though. You're turning out not to be so bad."

    "I am trying to impress someone," he admitted. "You're a friend of hers so if I impress you I also impress her. And also I wanted to ask you something rather...delicate."

    "Go ahead and ask," Lara urged him.

    "I overheard your conversation with Sarah, and there's something I don't understand."

    "You mean the conversation about Jay, right?" Lara asked.

    Exu nodded. "Jay likes both you and Liu Xi. And you both like him. But he also has a girlfriend. So how do you all share his attention?"

    Lara smiled, looking amused. "You can be friends with more than one person, you know."

    He nodded and stared at Lara as he said, "Yeah, about that. I think I just learned that today."

    That sounded rather sad to Lara, and her smile disappeared. "The secret is this, Exu. Talking to someone else like you're their equal. You'll make a lot of friends if you talk to everyone like this."

    Exu nodded once. "Before I go, I have to ask...I've spoken to you twice and you haven't tried to capture me for the Lair Legion. Why not? I know you have the power to."

    She nearly laughed at that. "In case you didn't notice, I'm not in the Lair Legion," she replied. "In a practical sense, though? I didn't capture you because I want you to learn something."

    "Learn what?" Exu sounded uncharacteristically lost.

    "That's for you to figure out," Lara said as she picked up her book again. "Just make sure you learn the right thing so you don't waste this chance."

    By the time Chiaki and Liu Xi noticed Exu talking to Lara and they got up to intercept him he was gone.

    And Sarah could be overheard greeting Marvellous Marv.


TO BE CONTINUED?

-- Story written and copyrighted (C) 2007 by Jason Froikin, and may not be
-- reprinted without permission.
-- Yuki Shiro designed by Jason Froikin, based on designs by Masamune Shirow
-- Liu Xi Xian and the Psychic Samurai are original design by Jason Froikin
-- Lara Night is an original creation by Jason Froikin

Post By Anime Jason Sat Feb 03, 2007 at 08:00:41 pm EST	Subject Adventures In Parodyverse: Triumphant Part 3

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