08: Eventful Eve

Branches Of Sunshire

Chapter 8

Eventful Eve

Ashley sat in the backyard under the sun with Juniper and Blake.

Ashley: “Thank you so much for the mushrooms, Juniper!”

They smiled down at the basket of mushrooms she foraged for them.

Blake: “So, what happened?

Madelyn jumped down from the tree above them.

Madelyn: “Alright, let me explain!”

She exclaimed.

Madelyn: “One, two, you're under Jacqueline's shoe!”

She sang, pulling off Ashley’s sandal and tossing it aside.

Ashley: “Hahah, HEY!”

Madelyn: “Three, Four do not consume her spores!”

She picked up a mushroom, waving her finger at Ashley.

Madelyn: “Five, Six, they're filled with her Dark Majiques!”

She covered Ashley’s eyes with her hands from behind. Ashley giggled with amusement.

Madelyn: “Seven, Eight, banish her from your gate!”

She chanted, knocking against the fence.

Madelyn: “Nine, Ten, she's in your dreams again!”

She fell back, landing on the grass lawn beside Ashley. Ashley and Juniper both laughed.

Juniper: “Yep, that’s my sister!”

She nodded in confirmation.

Blake: “You couldn’t have just said keep away from her or else she will poison you and invade your dreams again?”

He folded his arms across his chest.

Madelyn: “Where’s the fun in that? Besides, jingles stick in your head, and Ashley needs to learn this!”

She stated.

Juniper: “I’m sorry she did this to you, Ashley.”

She offered.

Ashley: “Why are you sorry, Juniper? You didn’t do this to me!”

They assured her with a smile.

Juniper: “I hope it doesn’t happen again…”

She bowed her head.

Blake: “Well, it’s not going to happen again, because I won’t allow it!”

He declared. Ashley sighed.

Ashley: “Anyway, let’s have some lunch!”

They smiled, garnishing the mushrooms with garlic and herbs. They then summoned their staff and waved it over the mushrooms. A warm light of heat slowly cooked the mushrooms to a delicious crisp, and the air filled with the smell of grilled mushrooms and garlic. Ashley dug right into eating the mushrooms.

Ashley: “Come eat! There’s mush room, haha!”

They clasped their hands together. Madelyn smiled at Ashley.

Madelyn: “MUSH ROOM!”

She laughed and took a mushroom, locking her gaze onto Ashley. Ashley laughed along with her and turned to face her.

Makayla stood over the fence, locking her gaze on Ashley as they ate and laughed along with Madelyn.

Makayla: “There’s NO room for you!”

She muttered to herself, glaring at Madelyn. Makayla marched up to them by the fence, climbing up onto it to peer over.

Makayla: “Hey, Ashley!”

She smiled and waved at them. Ashley glanced up at Makayla, peeking her head over the fence.

Ashley: “Oh, hey, Makayla!”

They tilted their head, eating a mushroom. Madelyn frowned at her.

Madelyn: “What do you want?”

She pouted.

Makayla: “I was talking to Ashley, not you.”

She huffed and scowled at her.

Makayla: “We’re playing a New Year’s gig! You should come! It’ll be fun!”

She turned back to Ashley, her demeanor shifting back to sweetness as she handed them a poster. The poster read ‘HELLBENT NIGHTCLUB PRESENTS METALORIUM NEW YEAR’ and featured various illegible band logos, including ‘Nuklear Intoxikation’ as the headlining act.

Ashley: “New Year’s? Oh! You mean the new sun cycle?”

They tilted their head.

Blake: “No. Ashley is not going.”

He interjected. Ashley frowned at Blake. Makayla swung her gaze to him.

Makayla: “Why not? Andreas will be there.”

She grinned at him. Blake paused.

Makayla: “Speaking of which… you haven’t happened to see Andreas around, have you?”

She stroked her chin, staring down at Blake.

Ashley: “Oh! I know–”

Blake covered their mouth.

Blake: “No.”

He shook his head. Makayla narrowed her gaze onto him.

Makayla: “Craig is looking for him! He wants to give him his Christmas gift!”

She declared.

Blake: “He doesn’t want it!”

He huffed.

Makayla: “Oh, you speak for him, too?”

She shook her head at him. Ashley bowed their head.

Madelyn: “You literally do the same thing!”

She laughed bitterly at Makayla. Makayla locked her gaze on her.

Makayla: “Alright, let’s ask Ashley and Andreas what they want then!”

She swung her gaze to Ashley.

Makayla: “Ashley, would you like to come to our gig and spend the New sun cycle with me?!”

She smiled at them, locking her gaze on them.

Ashley: “Okay, sure!”

They beamed and nodded eagerly. Madelyn’s smile faltered.

Ashley: “I’ll bring Madelyn, Juniper and Nari, too!”

They chirped. Makayla’s eye twitched. Madelyn smiled widely.

Madelyn: “Aww, you’re so sweet, Ashley!”

She smiled at them.

Makayla: “YOU want to come to Hellbent Nightclub?!”

She scoffed and laughed.

Madelyn: “Ashley invited us, and it’ll be funny!”

She exclaimed.

Juniper: “Do you want me to invite Brad?”

She smiled at Makayla. Makayla froze and turned to her.

Makayla: “...What? You know where he is?!”

Juniper: “Yeah, I saw him the other day on his birthday! He gave me herbs!”

She eagerly nodded. Makayla’s heart sank.

Makayla: “...N-NO! You’re lying! You’re just trying to mess with me like your sister!”

She glared at her. Juniper bowed her head.

Juniper: “I’m not…”

She frowned.

Madelyn: “You just don’t wanna face that your piggie ran away from you!”

She fired back at Makayla. Makayla’s bottom lip trembled.

Makayla: “No! He would never do that to me!”

She cried. Ashley knitted their eyebrows and climbed up onto the fence with her.

Ashley: “I’m sorry, Makayla.”

They offered, placing their hand on her shoulder. Makayla turned to Ashley and pulled them into a tight hug, catching Ashley off guard.

Makayla: “You’re very sweet, Ashley.”

She cried into their chest. Ashley’s eyes widened. Madelyn frowned at Makayla and shook her head. Ashley scratched their head, confused by the sudden gesture and by Madelyn's expression. Is this normal here? They wondered.

Andreas stepped out from inside with Nari and frowned at Makayla.

Makayla: “Ah, there you are, Andreas! Craig’s looking for you! He has a Christmas gift for you!”

She grinned at him.

Andreas: “Really now?”

He replied flatly. Nari glared at her.

Nari: “YOU! Shoo! Shoo! Get away from the fence!”

She scurried up to her, waving her hand at her as if she were warding off flies.

Makayla: “Ha! Your stupid block-shield can’t stop me from talking to sweet Ashley over the fence!”

She taunted smugly. Nari turned to Ashley.

Nari: “What do you think you’re doing talking to HER?! Don’t talk to her!”

She scolded Ashley. Blake stood beside her and nodded.

Blake: “She’s right!”

Ashley recoiled like a scolded kitten.

Ashley: “S-She invited us all to the New Sun Cycle celebration!”

They explained, showing her the poster. Nari rolled her eyes with a laugh.

Nari: “Ha. Ha. That is no Sun Cycle celebration. That is a Sun Cycle hell. It’s even in the name ‘Hellbent’.”

She said firmly.

Andreas: “Oh… right, the gig…”

His voice trailed off. Makayla turned to Andreas.

Makayla: “Come on, Andreas! We got A LOT to discuss!”

She waved him over towards her. Andreas drew a long breath.

Andreas: “Yes… Indeed we do.”

He frowned bitterly and walked over to the fence.

Andreas: “Thanks for everything… I’ll see you at the gig… if not, I’ll see you around.”

He nodded to them all and turned to Blake before climbing back over the fence.

Nari: “I am not spending my New sun cycle in that hell hole.”

She said firmly, folding her arms across her chest.

Ashley: “Why not?”

They knitted their eyebrows.

Nari: “I have better things to do than be crammed in a space full of boorish oafs with overpriced liquor. Besides, someone has to hold down the fortress. We cannot leave the Manor unattended.”

She declared, folding her arms across her chest.

Madelyn: “Dalnim can keep an eye on things!”

Ashley: “And Stella!”

They chimed in. Nari shook her head.

Nari: “I don’t want to go… and it seems Andreas shares the same sentiment as I.”

She declared. Ashley’s eyebrows rose surprisingly.

Ashley: “Huh?! But he’s the performing act and lots of people are there to see him!”

They exclaimed.

Nari: “You are right; people are there to see a performance, not what is real.”

She replied. Ashley tilted their head. Why did she say it like that? They wondered.

Blake: “Did he tell you that?”

He asked. Nari shook her head.

Nari: “No, he didn’t have to. You don’t need to be an intuitive hivernal-Wielder to see he is miserable, and who wouldn’t be with Craig and Makayla?”

She stated. Blake nodded.

Blake: “Then why doesn’t he just leave?”

He asked.

Nari: “Only he knows.”

She shrugged.

~

Andreas returned home, and his jaw dropped at what he saw. Standing before him was the bedroom door completely torn off the frame, lying across the floor with axe punctures in it.

Andreas: “...What the fuck is this, Craig?!”

He blinked mutely.

Craig: “Now we don’t got a door no more, so you can’t lock yourself in the room no more! Problem solved!”

He grinned stupidly.

Andreas: “We can’t just NOT have a door, Craig! YOU! locked me in the room and you didn’t even try to help me… I had to climb out of the window myself!”

He embraced himself with a tinge of hurt in his voice.

Craig: “Yeah, I did! I chopped it down with my axe, but you were gone! It ain’t my fault you left before I could rescue you!”

He countered with a pout. Andreas shook his head.

Andreas: “Well… maybe I don’t need you to rescue me…”

He pursed his lips.

Craig: “WHAT?! But then who the fuck’s gonna rescue you then?!”

He laughed.

Andreas: “No one…”

He sighed.

Craig: “Fuckin’ oath!”

He clicked his fingers.

Andreas: “I will do it myself.”

He declared. Craig turned to gape at him and laughed.

Craig: “You can’t save yourself, Andreas! You ain’t strong enough ‘n need my protection!”

He draped his big arm around him.

Andreas: “Sure, I do.”

He deadpanned and gestured to the broken door on the ground.

Craig: “OKAY! Me ‘n Makayla gotta go see our folks, so let’s do Christmas presents NOW!”

He clapped his hands together and jumped around the living room like an excited toddler. Andreas drew a long breath.. Craig turned to Andreas and frowned.

Craig: “Don’t mope at me! I told ya, my dad would flip if he knew I was datin’ a man, so ya can’t come to Christmas! I’m doin’ this to protect ya!”

He placed his hands on Andreas’ shoulders.

Andreas: “Sure, Craig.”

He replied flatly. Like I want to be around your family and like I care about Christmas, he thought bitterly.

Makayla: “I’ll go first!”

She presented them both with $10 Voyage Burger vouchers.

Andreas: “Oh, you shouldn’t have.”

He deadpanned.

Craig: “Pfft, is this a fuckin’ joke, Makayla?”

He scoffed and laughed.

Makayla: “I know, right? Isn’t that such a good deal?!”

She beamed.

Craig: “No! Do I look like a fatass to ya?!”

He huffed. Makayla glowered at him.

Makayla: “Fuck you, Craig!”

She fired back.

Craig: “I ain’t fuckin’ Brad! I don’t eat this garbo!”

He rasped, tearing up the voucher. Makayla glared at him. Andreas drew a breath.

Andreas: “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.”

He deadpanned.

Andreas: “Anyway, here you go.”

He interjected through their tension, presenting them both with neatly wrapped gifts. Craig tore open his gift like a rabid dog, revealing a brand new pair of steel cap boots.

Craig: “Oh, fuck yeah! Wicked sick! But I already got boots, Andreas!”

He nodded to his boots through the window, sitting on the porch with flies buzzing around them.

Andreas: “...They reek, Craig!”

He groused, folding his arms across his chest.

Craig: “No they fuckin’ don’t!”

He protested with a pout. Makayla opened her gift and smiled widely at the box of sage, candles, quartz crystals, flower petals, incense and salts.

Craig: “What the fuck is that?”

He scoffed and laughed.

Makayla:: “Oooh, you made me a love spell?!”

She gasped. Andreas turned to her and shook his head.

Andreas: “No? It’s a clarifying spell. It helps clear your space and your thoughts.”

He explained. Makayla frowned.

Makayla: “Like I need that! A love spell would have been better!”

She laughed.

Andreas: “No. I can’t do that.”

He shook his head.

Makayla: “WHAT?! Why not?!”

Andreas: “Because love can’t be wielded with spells…”

He explained.

Craig: “Fuckin’ oath! Spells ain’t real!”

He laughed and draped his arm around Andreas.

Craig: “THIS is real love!”

He gestured to himself and Andreas.

Craig: “Merry Christmas, Andreas!”

He grinned at him, presenting him with a crudely wrapped gift. Andreas eyed the gift with curiosity and slowly tore off the wrapping paper to reveal a black Nuklear Intoxikation T-shirt with neon green font.

Andreas: “Oh, it’s our band shirt!”

He forced a smile.

Craig: “Yeah, you’re gonna need it for the gig! ‘Bout time you wore the merch!”

Makayla leaned over the couch, flopping her ass down onto it.

Makayla: “I hope Brad will be there!”

She sighed full of hope. Craig snorted.

Andreas: “What about Ashley?”

He challenged her.

Makayla: “Yes, Ashley will be there!”

She clasped her hands together.

Makayla: “And so will Blake.”

She added, shifting her gaze to Andreas. Andreas’ eyebrows rose. Craig’s face crumpled.

Craig: “...WHAT?!”

He groused. Andreas turned to Craig.

Andreas: “What’s the problem, Craig? More guests means more tickets sold and eyes on you. Isn’t that what you want?”

He said sardonically.

Craig: “R-right.”

He forced a big grin and nodded.

Makayla: “Come on, Craig, we gotta go! Mum’s making her special pudding!”

She interjected with a huff, grabbing Craig’s arm and dragging him towards the door.

Craig: “Alright, alright, fuck!”

He huffed.

Craig: “Catch ya later, Andreas!”

He kissed him on the lips and ran out the door with Makayla. Andreas pursed his lips and closed the door behind them. He heard the rumbling engine of Craig’s van and loud blaring thrash metal pulsing from his speakers, followed by screeching tires as they took off down the road. Andreas stood at the centre of the living room, relaxing his shoulders with a long exhale, as if he had been holding something in. The messy and chaotic house was now quiet and empty. He looked around the messy living room and pensively stared down at the Nuklear Intoxikation shirt, slumped over the couch.

~

The sun dawned on the morning of Sun cycle eve. Ashley rose with the sun and eagerly jumped out of bed, rushing to their brother in the other bed beside them.

Ashley: “Wake up, Blake! It’s the eve of the new sun cycle!”

They cheered. Blake groaned and rolled over, facing his back to them. Ashley looked around the room for something and then paused, slowly turning to Blake.

Ashley: “Uhh… have you seen our robes?”

They scratched their head. Blake’s eyes widened.

Blake: “...No.”

He pursed his lips and gazed up at the ceiling.

Ashley: “O-oh no! How can we celebrate the sun’s cycle now?!”

They panicked, cupping their mouth and hastily looking around the room. Blake shot up from the bed.

Blake: “We don’t need those stupid robes!”

He blurted. Ashley turned to him, with a look of shock and hurt.

Blake: “...Because it doesn’t matter what you wear… it’s what’s inside you?”

He cleared his throat and shifted his eyes. Ashley’s eyes lit up.

Ashley: “Aww, that’s so sweet, Blake! You’re so right! The sun is in all of us!”

They hugged him.

Ashley: “I’ll go prepare the ritual!”

They eagerly nodded, scurrying out of the room with joy and excitement.

Blake: “Ritual? I told you no Majique!”

He huffed.

~

Madelyn sauntered down the stairs dressed in a green and yellow dress resembling a flower with elf-like shoes on her feet and a flower in her hair. She heard bickering coming from outside and skipped over to the backyard to see Blake and Ashley, and a table full of delicious baked goods. Her eyes darted to Ashley standing up on a chair over the table, holding their staff up above their head. They were dressed in a red, lantern-sleeve shirt and orange paisley bellbottom pants she had wielded for them. Her eyes widened at their soft tummy peeking out from under their shirt.

Blake: “Put the staff away, Ashley!”

He protested, reaching for it. He was wearing the same clothes Andreas had given him. Ashley pouted, shaking their head as they waved their staff over the food, cooking it with the light and heat vibrating off their staff and hands. Blake drew a breath. Madelyn slowly crept up from behind Ashley, tickling their sides.

Ashley: “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAEHEHEHEHEHEHE HEHEHEHEHehe!”

They gasped and stumbled back, losing their footing.

Madelyn: “Woah, I got you!”

She gasped, catching their fall and gazing down into their eyes. Ashley reddened and chuckled.

Blake: “HEY! Watch it!”

He scolded her, grabbing Ashley’s arm and yanking them away from her. Madelyn pouted at Blake.

Madelyn: “What are you doing?!”

Ashley: “OH! I’m setting up the Sun cycle ritual!”

They spread their arms out with a wide smile.

Madelyn: “Where’s all the decorations?!”

She picked up a honey lemon cooking and looked around the backyard.

Ashley: “Uhh, I don’t have any…”

They bowed their head.

Madelyn: “Not to worry! I got you covered!”

She clicked her fingers and summoned her staff. She waved her staff over the geraniums, fluttering their petals in the air and freezing them in motion. She then draped a chain of flowers around the tree and transformed the daisies into ribbons. Ashley’s cerulean eyes widened.

Ashley: “W-Wow!”

They exclaimed and clapped their hands together. Madelyn smiled down at Ashley, draping a crown of marigolds onto their head.

Ashley: “O-oh my stars! I love marigolds!”

They smiled widely. Blake shook his head.

Madelyn: “Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten about you!”

She smiled at Blake, draping a chain of daisies onto his head.

Blake: “Don’t!”

He huffed, tearing it off his head and throwing it across the table. Madelyn laughed.

Madelyn: “I’ll show you how WE celebrate the sun cycle!”

She teased Ashley, waving her staff over the flower petals, swishing them around Ashley, tickling them.

Ashley: “HAAHA AEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE HE HEEHE EHE OHOHOHOOH MY!”

They giggled and flopped to the ground. Blake rolled his eyes.

Blake: “So, not much different to Sole-Wielders then.”

He groaned.

Madelyn: “How do you Sole-Wielders celebrate the sun cycle anyway?”

She plonked down beside Ashley, eating their cookies. Ashley turned to smile at her, their eyes lighting up with enthusiasm.

Ashley: “Oh my stars! It’s the most amazing thing ever!”

They clasped their hands together.

Ashley: “We make gifts and gather around, eating delicious food together!”

They spread their arms out, presenting the table of food. Madelyn smiled at their enthusiasm.

Madelyn: “Oh, we do that, too!”

Ashley: “And then we cast our desires into the fire!”

They explained. Madelyn had a bewildered look on her face.

Madelyn: “Um, what?”

She asked.

Ashley: “Oh! We write our wishes for the next sun cycle and cast them into the fire, sending the message to the sun to come to be!”

They beamed and clasped their hands together.

Madelyn: “Fire, huh? Didn’t you say you don’t wield that stuff?”

She asked. Ashley tilted their head.

Ashley: “Oh, no, no, the sages cast the fire by rubbing Majique quartz crystals together!”

They explained.

Juniper stepped into the backyard dressed in a long flowing ivory lace dress with a beaded crown around her head.

Juniper: “Ooh, that sounds fun! But why don’t you just use light and heat Majique to make a fire?”

She smiled at Ashley.

Ashley: “Uhh, that’s not possible for us?”

They ran their hands through their hair.

Juniper: “Oh? I thought since fire is a source of light and heat, it’s connected?”

She fiddled with her hair. Blake gaped at her.

Blake: “...It can’t get that hot.”

He interjected.

Juniper: “Oh!”

She nodded. Blake cleared his throat.

Blake: “Anyway! Here’s my Sun cycle gift for you, Ashley.”

He leaned forward, presenting Ashley with a handcrafted wooden box with engraved sunflowers along the sides. Ashley’s eyes widened.

Ashley: “Ooh! It’s pretty, Blake, thank you! I can put my cookies in here!”

They smiled at him, rising from their seat and pulling him into a hug.

Juniper: “...Wow, how did you wield that without Harvestial majique?!”

She asked him. Blake slowly shook his head.

Blake: “No Majique. Our dad taught me…”

His voice trailed off, gazing up at the sky. Ashley paused, thinking of what Jacqueline told them. What did she mean he doesn’t want to be found? He thinks so fondly of Dad, they pondered.

Juniper: “Oh, that’s so sweet! Commonfolk can be truly amazing!”

She rested her head on her hand.

Ashley: “This is for you, Blake.”

They presented him with a handcrafted wreath made of twigs and citrine stones.

Blake: “Thanks, Ash. I will hang it on our door.”

He smiled and nodded. Ashley smiled.

Ashley: “I also made some wreaths for you guys, too!”

They smiled at Madelyn and Juniper, presenting them with their wreaths. Juniper’s had mushrooms and jasper stones, and Madelyn’s had wisteria and amethyst gemstones.

Juniper: “Ooh, so pretty! Thank you, Ashley”

She smiled at Ashley, hugging them.

Madelyn: “Aww, you made us gifts, too? That’s so sweet, Ashley!”

She wrapped her arms around them, pulling them into a tight hug.

Ashley: “Hehe! …Where’s Nari?”

They looked around for her.

Juniper: “She’s cleaning the floors!”

She explained.

Ashley: “...What?!”

They tilted their head with a bewildered look on their face.

~

Nari was in the living room, mopping the floors. She was dressed in a black velvet dress with a lace trim and a gemstone at the centre of it. Ashley approached her at the doorway, holding her wreath behind their back.

Nari: “Ah! Ah! Don’t come in here! I just mopped in here!”

She waved her hand at them.

Ashley: “O-oh, right! Come celebrate the eve of the sun cycle with us! I baked cookies!”

They beamed.

Nari: “I already am!”

She held up her broomstick. Ashley tilted their head.

Ashley: “Uhh? Are you going to fly on that?”

They scratched their head. Nari scoffed with a laugh.

Nari: “If only.”

She rolled her eyes.

Nari: “I am doing a cleansing ritual!”

She explained, gesturing to the glittering water.

Ashley: “Oh! Do you need some help?”

They offered.

Nari: “NO! You will mess it up!”

She held her hand up at them. Ashley recoiled with hurt.

Ashley: “Oh...okay… I’ll leave you to do that then.”

They nodded, placing the wreath they made for her onto the bar by the door. Nari glanced down at the black wreath with black gemstones.

Nari: “...What’s this?”

Her tone softened, and she picked it up.

Ashley: “I made you a wreath… they bring hope and happiness.”

They explained. Nari traced her fingertips across the wreath.

Nari: “Why did you make this for me?”

She looked up at Ashley.

Ashley: “Because I wanted to. I want peace between us.”

They admitted, pressing their fingers together. Nari drew a breath, staring down at the wreath.

Nari: “I don’t just mean you. I mean anyone. I don’t want anyone interfering in my rituals! It’s just something I need to do on my own and in my own way...”

She clarified, clasping her broomstick. Ashley tilted their head.

Nari: “I suppose you wouldn’t want anyone interfering in your baking either?”

She explained. Ashley paused.

Ashley: “...Oh my stars, no! My cousin once put tomatoes in my cookies, and they tasted really bad, and I had to bake them all over again! I hate tomatoes!”

They groused and shuddered.

Nari: “Well, I am glad you understand then. Your cousin is an idiot.”

She shook her head. Ashley laughed and nodded.

Suddenly they were alerted by the doorbell ringing.

Ashley: “Ooh, who could that be?”

Nari turned towards the door through the archway, knowing who it was. Ashley opened the door to see Andreas standing there, dressed in a black denim jacket with moon patches on the back and black jeans with his ‘Nuklear Intoxikation’ shirt.

Ashley: “Oh my stars! Andreas! I’m super excited for your show tonight!”

They eagerly greeted him with a hug. Andreas returned the hug.

Andreas: “Really? That’s nice, Ashley.”

He smiled and nodded at their enthusiasm. It felt like many moons ago that he was that wide-eyed.

Ashley: “Come on! Blake’s in the back with everyone celebrating the sun cycle!”

They exclaimed, leading him through the house.

Andreas: “Oh, uh, sure!”

He ran his hand through his hair.

~

Ashley led Andreas into the backyard.

Ashley: “Hey, Blake, look who’s here!”

They announced, gesturing to Andreas beside them. Blake froze.

Andreas: “Hey.”

He nodded to them all.

Blake: “Andreas? What are you doing here?”

He swallowed hard.

Andreas: “I just thought I’d stop by before the gig.”

He ran his fingers through his braid.

Andreas: “I never celebrated the Sun cycle with other Sortileges before…”

He said slowly. Ashley’s eyes widened.

Ashley: “What?! Oh no, that’s so sad!”

They gasped. Andreas paused. Is it? I suppose I don’t know what I’m missing to know? He wondered. Madelyn rose and pushed an empty chair next to Blake.

Madelyn: “Take a seat, Andreas!”

She gestured for him to sit and winked at Blake. Blake reddened and glared at her. Andreas reddened and slowly sat down beside Blake.

Andreas: “So… how do you celebrate these things?”

He asked.

Ashley: “Eat tasty food together and write down what you wish for in the new sun cycle!”

They exclaimed. Juniper smiled at him, handing him a piece of paper and a purple marker.

Andreas: “...What I wish for, huh?”

He stared down at the blank piece of paper.

Ashley: “Yep, and then we send them to the sun with fire, and it comes to be!”

They exclaimed, scribbling down ‘peace and love’ on their piece of paper in orange marker and folding it over. Madelyn peered over their shoulder.

Madelyn: “Ooh! What did you wish for?!”

She playfully tickled their sides, trying to pry the paper off them.

Ashley: “HEHEHEHE! HAHAHAH If I told you, it wouldn’t come true!”

They chuckled, playfully tickling her back.

Madelyn: “HeheheHAHAHEHEHEH! HEY!”

Blake: “It never comes true...”

He interjected, clearing his throat.

Ashley: “Huh?”

They paused to turn to him.

Ashley: “Well, not with that attitude, Blake! You’ve gotta believe in yourself!”

They exclaimed.

Andreas: “What if you don’t know what you want?”

He pressed them.

Ashley: “How do you not know what you want? Everyone knows what they want!”

They gave him a bewildered and saddened look. Andreas shook his head.

Andreas: “If they did, then I wouldn’t get people coming to me for their fortunes read.”

He pulled out his deck of tarot cards, spreading them out onto the table.

Ashley: “Maybe they know what they want; they just want confirmation or guidance or something…”

They scratched their head. Andreas waved his staff over his cards, flipping them over to reveal ‘The Tower’ followed by ‘Death’ followed by ‘The Fool’ and ‘The Sun ’. Ashley glanced down at the cards.

Ashley: “Oh, whose fortune is that?!”

They tilted their head.

Andreas: “I think it might be mine…”

His voice trailed off.

Ashley: “Oooh, I like this one! It’s Blake and me!”

They beamed, holding up ‘The Sun’

Blake: “What does all this mean?”

He pressed him. Andreas paused.

Andreas: “Well… The Tower represents destruction and chaos–”

Suddenly, he was interrupted by a loud horn tooting. Craig’s booming voice bellowed over the honking, calling his name.

Craig: “ANDREAS! ANDREAS! ANDREAS! ANDREAS!”

He hollered between each honk. Blake rolled his eyes and groaned. Madelyn laughed.

Andreas: “Well, it looks like it’s show time.”

He gathered his cards, putting them away and rising from his seat.

Andreas: “Who’s coming?”

He turned to them all.

Ashley: “Me!”

They eagerly shot up from their seat, raising their hand.

Madelyn: “I’m coming, too!”

She exclaimed. Blake rose and nodded to Andreas and Ashley.

Blake: “I’ll be there.”

He said firmly.

Juniper: “Oh, no, you go ahead! I’ve got plans tonight!”

She waved her hand with a smile. Madelyn arched an eyebrow at her.

Madelyn: “Sure, Juniper.”

She laughed.

Ashley: “Oh ok, have a good night! We’ll be back later!”

They waved at her and left with the others.

~

Andreas led them outside to the curb where Craig’s rusty van idled with a rumbling motor. The neon green paint peeled in places, exposing the rust along the panels. ‘Nuklear Intoxikation’ was spray-painted along the sides of the van in crude black spray paint lettering. Craig stuck his head out the driver’s seat window like a barking dog.

Craig: “Finally! It’s ‘bout time! Ditch these weirdos ‘n let’s go!”

He gestured for him to come over.

Andreas: “They’re coming, too, Craig.”

He said firmly. Craig gaped at Ashley in their paisley orange clothing and Madelyn in her dress resembling a flower, and then there was… Blake.

Craig: “You gotta be shitting me! You wanna bring some fat fairy chicks ‘n THAT drongo to a Nuklear gig?!”

He laughed bitterly. Blake rolled his eyes at Craig. Makayla slid open the side door of the van with a wide grin on her face. She was seated amongst a drum kit and their guitars in cases, and Voyage Burger boxes and wrappers.

Makayla: “Get in, cutie-pie!”

She demanded, grabbing Ashley’s arm and dragging them into the van with her.

Ashley: “W-woah!”

They stumbled onto her in the van. Blake and Madelyn both glared at her.

Blake: “HEY! Let go of them! Ashley!”

He exclaimed, jumping into the van with them.

Craig: “OI! GET OUTTA MY VAN!”

He barked at him over the seat. Andreas climbed into the passenger seat of the van beside Craig and shook his head.

Andreas: “Why? Are you going to call him ‘hot stuff’ again?”

He challenged him, boring his cold gaze on him. Craig shifted his eyes.

Makayla: “Leave HER behind.”

She hissed and glared at Madelyn and went to close the door on her when Ashley put a halt to her.

Ashley: “What?! But she’s my friend, and I want her to come, too!”

They pleaded with her.

Madelyn: “Yeah, Ash invited me!”

She taunted her. Makayla narrowed her eyes at her.

Makayla: “Sorry! I don’t make the rules!”

She feigned sadness.

Madelyn: “Yes you do!”

She huffed. Ashley knitted their eyebrows.

Ashley: “If she can’t come, then I won’t go then!”

They protested, scrambling for the door. Makayla gaped at them.

Makayla: “W-what?! No, please, Ashley! You have to come!”

She pleaded with them, grabbing their wrist.

Ashley: “Only if Madelyn can come, too!”

Madelyn smirked at Makayla and poked her tongue at her.

Makayla: “Alright, alright, FINE!”

She pouted, folding her arms across her chest. Madelyn smirked at her as she climbed in beside Ashley.

Ashley: “YAY!”

They cheered, sitting in between Madelyn and Makayla.

Makayla: “She will come to regret it.”

She mumbled under her breath, locking her piercing green stare onto Madelyn.

Craig: “Alright, let’s fuckin’ GO then!”

He huffed, turning up the volume on his radio, blaring heavy distorted guitars and flooring the accelerator down the road. They all flung forward to the momentum of Craig’s chaotic driving.

Andreas: “CRAIG!”

He rasped, and they took off into the sunset.