Rachael: "Okay, there are thirty-three combatants. There are two ways of winning, when twenty minutes are up, everyone is to line back here and whoever has the least amount of paint wins."
Player: *He raised his arm before speaking.* "Is that all?"
Rachael: *She shook her head.* "Or, if everyone is covered with paint before time is up, then the last person wins. Any questions?"
Teenager: "Yeah, why is a hot little chick like you running a place like this?"
Rachael: "Why are you here? Do you have a permission slip from your parents or guardian?"
Teenager: "..." *His friends giggled at him, causing him to look away in a defeated-like manner.*
Rachael: "Alright, there is a first and second winner prize. We will issue out these white shirts." *A man started to hand out white shirts to everyone.* "And one last thing, play fairly. You all have thirty seconds to get ready after the buzzer. You will get disqualified if you leave the boundaries."
Lance: *He squinted his eyes and stared at Rachael with confusion.* "Isn't she that chick from our work?"
Ashton: "Yeah, Rachael has two jobs, she works here every Tuesday-"
Lance: "Why?"
Ashton: "Because her dad does office work, so she comes out to cover for him."
Lance: "Wateva."
Rachael: "Could I get all of you to position yourselves outside. Each person will be supplied with one litre of black paint, and don't worry it's user-friendly."
*All the players started to walk outside, causing them to scatter across the arena to hide.*
Rachael: *She noticed Ashton and Lance.* "Hey, Ashton." *She walked up to them and smiled, brushing her hair back.* "And.. Lance."
Ashton: "Hello, Rachael."
Lance: "'Sup?"
Rachael: *She noticed the sword and shield in their hands.* "Too bad guys."
Lance: "Ah wateva." *He rudely grunted and walked outside.*
Ashton: "Lance usually fails sometimes-"
Rachael: "Fails sometimes? Hehehe."
Ashton: "Haha, but when it comes to these type of things.. I always end up underestimating him."
Rachael: "Okay." *She giggled and blushed.*
Lance: *He glanced across the arena and noticed different shaped blocks.* (Where to hide?)
*Speakers which were placed high on poles started to play music loudly.*
Rachael: *Her smile faded, as she became alert to the music.* "You better get in position it's starting."
Ashton: "Okay.. Oh and Rachael, thanks for letting us in." *He raised the shield, as he walked outside.*
Rachael: "Hehe, of course." (Good luck, Ash.) *She pushed a button on a control box and a loud buzzing sound echoed throughout the arena.* "Begin!"
Ashton: *He ran up to Lance who hid behind a stack of multi-coloured boxes.* "Are we teaming up?"
Lance: "Was that even a question?"
Ashton: "Okay it was, it will be better-"
*Two teenagers ran across the opening and were shot from all angles.*
Rachael: *The speakers which played the music, faded into silence.* "Out." *Her voice caused the two teenagers to walk back into the waiting area, as the music started to play again.*
Ashton: (Their shirts were completely saturated within four seconds.) "Lance, what are you doing?"
----------
*Luna walked into her bathroom and slowly closed the door behind her, glaring at the mirror as if she was afraid.*
Luna: "I-I hate lookin' at myself." *She whispered to herself and walked up to the mirror, staring at her image with an emotionless face.*
*Luna slowly grabbed the bottom of her shirt and took it off, instantly revealing the numerous cuts all over her body.*
Luna: *She threw her shirt onto the floor and leant forward, placing her hands on the side of the sink.* "No matter how many times I wax or shave, I'm always hairy! A girl shouldn't look like a gorilla!"
*Luna started to heave, causing sweat to run down her forehead.*
Luna: "And I always sweat. I'm so disgusting-"
?????: "Is everything alright in there, hun?"
Luna: "Yes, mother." *She grunted on her breath and turned around with watering eyes, walking up to the shower.*
?????: "Are you sure-?"
Luna: *She twisted the taps, turning the shower on.* "Yes, Kairi." *She grunted in an annoyed-like manner, stepping into the shower.*
Kairi: "Okay. Let me know if you need anything."
Luna: "Wateva." *She lowered her head under the water, hiding her tears.*
----------
Rachael: *She observed the paintball field from the roof, watching Lance being surrounded by five players holding shooters.* (Lance has a sword with paint, while the other team members have shooters-)
Player: "Let's get him-" *He smirked in a smug-like manner and pulled the trigger, causing the other members to shoot at Lance.*
Lance: *He swayed to the side, closely avoiding the first barrage of paintballs.* "Aha, pathetic, aye-"
Player: "Shut up!" *He squinted one eye, shooting black paintballs at Lance's head.*
Lance: *He sliced the sword around him, causing strings of black paint to splash away from him.* (This is for Ash!)
Rachael: *She watched Lance skilfully avoid the continuous barrage of paintballs, while slashing each player.* (Wow-) "Out... Out... You're out." *Her voice echoed and sounded static, due to the poor speakers inside.*
*The players on the bench in the waiting area all looked up and stared at the next announcement.*
Rachael: "The game is now over! Everyone to the waiting area and the winner will be announced." *She walked down metal stairs from the roof, closely followed by the staff.*
Staff Member A: "Have you seen a guy move like that before?"
Staff Member B: "No, he was obviously determined, huh?"
Staff Member A: "Sure was. I wonder who over?"
Rachael: "Thank you all for playing." *She spoke to the players inside the warehouse and looked outside, watching the remaining players walk in.* "They're coming now."
Ashton: *He waited on the bench with the other players, mumbling to himself in thought.* (I wonder how Lance went?)
Rachael: (How did he do that?) *She thought to herself in shock.*
*Five players walked in with black slash marks all over their shirts.*
Ashton: *He closely observed the smear marks on the player's shirts.* (Was that from Lance?)
*The players on the bench started to chatter amongst themselves until Lance trotted in.*
Lance: (Too easy-) *The players noticed no trace of paint on his shirt, causing them to gasp in disbelief.*
*One of the five players took his shirt off in anger and threw it on the ground.* "It was five against one and we all had shooters." *He looked at the four players.* "You're all pathetic." *He stormed out of the warehouse.*
Lance: (Pathetic alright.) *He chuckled to himself, as he walked over to Ashton.* "Let's go, I'm gonna head home 'n' get changed."
Ashton: "Okay, let me quickly talk to Rach for a sec."
Lance: "Wateva." *He rolled his eyes and took off the shirt.*
Ashton: *He slowly walked up to Rachael, as she bent over a table and shuffled papers.* "Hey."
Rachael: "Oh, hey." *She faced him and blushed.*
Ashton: "I know Lance somehow won, but he-"
Rachael: "He's bored and wants to go home?"
*They smiled and awkwardly giggled.*
Ashton: "Well, I better go-"
Rachael: "Bye." *Her face became redder.*
*Ashton and Lance casually left the warehouse, covering their faces due to the sunlight which shined in their eyes.*
Ashton: "So, how did you do it?" *His car lights flashed, as he unlocked the car.*
Lance: "Do wat?"
Ashton: *He opened the door and placed his hands on the steering wheel.* "How you were able to take them all out?"
Lance: "I dunno, it's just a game."
Ashton: "They all teamed up against you."
Lance: "I know." *He spoke on his breath as if he didn't care.*
Ashton: (Lance being Lance.) *He sighed and started to drive towards Lance's house.*
----------
Cortax: "What are you doing here? We aren't due for tax for another three weeks."
Kath: "Actually, we're not here for tax." *She smirked in an evil-like manner, listening to the trees move in the cool night's breeze.*
Ridley: "Do you think a Consultant would bother themselves over something so petty?"
Victoria: "Then why?"
Ridley: *He looked at Kath and waved his hand around Cortax, as if he was implying something.* "Would you like to go first?"
Kath: "Indeed." *She stepped forward, drawing all attention towards her.* "This visit is about your abilities."
Victoria: "Our abilities?"
Kath: "The way you channel Neurons and Astragons, we know this can also be done through Radiatons."
Cortax: "Radiatons?" *He spoke in confusion, slowly shaking his head.*
Ridley: "Don't take us for fools."
Cortax: "How do you know about Radiatons?!"
Ridley: "Hmm? I don't know much about my colleague's past, but, shouldn't you recognise her? This is The Ruins of Estel, right?"
Kath: "No need to press on any further. It would be very unprofessional to bring up the past." *She smirked and pushed her glasses up with one finger.*
Cortax: "What about the Radiatons?"
Ridley: "You see. Your powers are something to be feared-"
Victoria: "Feared?"
Kath: "Do you honestly not know the power you wield, or do you seriously take us for fools?"
Ridley: "This entire city has the potential to ruin our plans-"
Kath: "Therefore, we must eradicate the problem."
Cassandra: (Eradicate?)
Cortax: "Problem? We've had no intentions of causing you problems!"
Ridley: "If you're struggling with a question, take out the problem, and the answer becomes quite clear."
Victoria: "What are you saying?"
Ridley: "The folly, can't you understand yet?"
Kath: "This is no longer discussable."
Cortax: "You haven't told us anything! We can't read your mind!"
Ridley: "Maybe you can? Your powers may be unethical to Remenistal Users or Elementalists, but your potential is unimaginable."
Victoria: "So, we're a threat?"
Ridley: "Ahh, not as half-witted as I originally thought."
Cortax: (If they plan to attack, a fight of such magnitude could destroy this entire city!)
Kath: "Unless you have furthermore questions, actions speak louder than words." *She formed fists, causing her hands to burst into flames.*
Victoria: *She gasped and stepped back, quickly hiding her intimidation.* (Her Neurons! She just released her Neurons and I've never felt something so powerful in all my-)
Ridley: "Shall we dance?" *He chuckled in a condescending manner and focused with squinted eyes, causing swirls of shadow-like darkness to envelop his hands.*
Cortax: (My worst fear!-) "Everyone!" *He shouted, queuing everyone to start dancing.*
----------
*Luna anxiously waited on a long silver bench in the middle of the park and looked up, staring at the stars.*
Luna: *She exhaled nervously and wrapped her arms around her stomach.* (Every person who seemed to care for me turned out to be false..-)
Carlo: "'Sup?" *He smirked, slowly walking up to the bench.*
Luna: "Carlo-" *She smirked and quickly stood up, causing Carlo to chuckle.*
Carlo: "So."
Luna: "So.."
Carlo: *He noticed Luna's ball-like dress, causing him to smirk in an impressed-like manner.* "About the ball-"
Luna: "We should go-"
Carlo: "Well, maybe I was thinking we could skip that."
Luna: "Skip?"
Carlo: "Well, yeah."
Luna: "Why?" *She spoke in confusion.*
Carlo: "Well, you're good looking."
Luna: "Wait, wat?"
Carlo: "Yea, I was wondering if we could, ya know."
Luna: "Ya know? Ya know wat?"
Carlo: *He grabbed Luna's waist and smirked, slowly stepping forward.* "Fun?"
Luna: "Didn't you want to go to the ball?"
Carlo: "We can have fun other ways?"
Luna: "I-I've liked you for ages-"
Carlo: "Cool, so, where do you wanna go?"
Luna: *She shook her head, instantly looking sad.* "I'm goin' home-"
Carlo: "Huh?"
Luna: "This is what you wanted the whole time, right?"
Carlo: "Yea? Aren't you into that stuff?"
Luna: "I've never-" *She spoke with quivering lips and pushed Carlo back, instantly running away.*
Carlo: "Fine-" *He frowned in disgust, as if Luna was in the wrong.*
Luna: (I knew it.. I knew it!)
Carlo: "That stupid slag." *He sighed on his breath, as if he no longer had any plans.*
Luna: (I hate...) *She ran with a tensed up body and scrunched her eyes shut, causing tears to run down her cheeks.*
*Luna ran across the street and straight towards her house, angrily opening the fly screen.*
Luna: (Why can't I find anyone?!) *She stumbled into the house, catching Kairi's attention.*
Kairi: "Hun-?"
Luna: "Gah!-" *She screamed with emotion and started to violently rip off the dress' accessories.*
Kairi: "What's wrong-?"
Luna: "Nothin'! Just stop!" *She sniffed, storming into her room.*
Kairi: "..." *She awkwardly smiled to herself, before focusing her attention back into the kitchen.*
Luna: *She sobbed, dropping to her knees.* (I can't believe this...)
*Luna fell to her side and stared at the wall with an emotionless face, ignoring the tears which streamed across her face.*
----------
*Lance's room was as messy as a teenager's. There were clothes scattered on the floor and cables tangled from his electronics. He had stacks of DVD's and games. He also had a wooden table with all sorts of crystals and piles of spiritual magazines. The room was dimly lit.*
Lance: *He sighed and sat on the end of his bed.* (There's nothing to do.) *He looked around with a bored expression and his stomach growled.*
*An hourly alarm beeped, causing Lance to moan with boredom.*
Lance: *The bed squeaked as he leant up and walked to the living room.* (I shouldn't have come home so early-) *He jumped on the couch and changed the channel on the TV.*
Anchor Man: "And now Mrs. Hambridge will be giving us an update on Sceldrant's Comet."
Mrs. Hambridge: "Thank you. Now that Sceldrant's comet is closer to Earth we're able to grasp more information from it, we have also gathered the most intelligent meteorologists and have found some interesting findings relating to the comet."
Lance: "Not the news again."
Mrs. Hambridge: "Firstly, I have been receiving emails asking the same question and well let me tell you all, that there is no chance of the comet actually hitting us. Next, we believe the comet may cause some disturbances in the weather as the comet emits an abnormal energy signature our computers can't register."
Kairi: *She made noises in the kitchen, as she took the roast out of the oven.* (Almost ready-)
Mrs. Hambridge: "We also have pinpointed that the comet will be viewable around ten 'o clock at night, local time."
Lance: (At ten, aye?)
Mrs. Hambridge: "Once again, you'll be able to see all of the comet's glory if you pop down to the local library or public schools, as we're allowing people to freely use the telescopes!"
Anchor Man: "Thank you Mrs. Hambridge, we will continue the interview after a short message."
*A mysterious advert caused the screen to glow aurora colours, catching Lance's attention.*
Kairi: "Din-Din's ready, hun." *She sliced the roast onto three separate plates.*
Lance:
"Shh this kool show is on!! I'll be there in a second!"
Kairi: "Okay, please make haste before it gets cold." *She walked over to the table and placed the dishes in their respective places.*
TV Advert: *The advert showed pictures of products and a map on how to get there. It played on a continual loop with a voice over.* "Don't miss our one-day-opening! Spirit attachments, curses, unwelcome guests, we specialise in all that stuff. We will be opening at eleven in the morning to one in the afternoon. If you're into this type of stuff, this is a must see!"
The Rostical Guild - Sceldrant's Comet Page 3