Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

Chapter three
or
On Interactions

Bunnyfish Mel-Mel groaned as she finally came back to conciousness, mainly because all the pain from Tennyo Oujo's fan whacks came with it. But that pain wasn't the only reason for the groan. As the downed theif held her throbbing headm her stomach let out a loud rumble to signify its own pain. All of Mel-Mel's antics had left it painfully empty.

Not to mention that the abuse she had suffered over the last two days had left her too injured to forage through the marketplace for an easy meal. Sometimes being a theif wasn't the most efficient profession.

Before Bunnyfish Mel-Mel could coax herself onto her feet she noticed that her hat was not on her head. She made the realization primarily because it lay about six feet in front of her under a tree and on top of a slim black plastic box. Both items were placed in the shady roots of the large willow. Curiousity took over Mel-Mel, boxes had that effect on her, and she swiftly made her way to the tree despite any pain.

As she crammed her hat back on her head she took a look at the box. It had a clear plastic lid to proudly display the contents nustled within; they mad Mel-Mel squeel with delight.

"SUSHI!"

There was more than sushi in the lunch box, but it was the most distinguishable item, and that was what Mel-Mel focused on. Immediately she tore off the clear top and began devouring the obento. Chopsticks snapped apart to swiftly transport the shining Japanese food to Mel-Mel's awaiting tongue.

Only about halfway through did Mel-Mel realize where her lunch had come from. She halted with an almost audible snap at the epiphany.

"...Crap."

Dutifully she finished the obento, though her consumption wasn't as rapid as before. When she had gulped down the last bit of tempura she stared dolefully at the empty box. Her stomach gave a contented gurgle. Mel-Mel continued to stare for a few minutes more before tossing the black box forcefully into the grass.

"Damn it! And damn her! Where does she get off being so...so...so bloody nice?!" Mel-Mel demanded of the empty sky. But her anger quickly dissapated to a glum hollowness. "...I hate being the villain..."

Mel-Mel stood and brushed herself off.

***

Sedge ruffled through the massive collection of papers. "Cindy still doesn't know anything about Gambino, Sasha's still hiding Gino, blah blah blah...And just how does this Newzpop dude get this crap past the paper editor? I swear this -izzle s**t goes on for six pages..."

"I think he's got 'im brainwashed..."

Gold eyes blinked in surprise before turning down the leather cowboy hat that had appeared beside her on the at the fountain.

"Hey Mel, what's up? You not chasing net's today?"

The hat shifted uncomfortably. "..Too sore."

Sedge peered down. "So that Tennyo chick really did get you good then?" It wasn't really a question.

Mel-Mel snapped up at Sedge's comment. "How do you know? Oh, gods and admins, it's all over Barton isn't it?! All over Gaia?! I'm the laughing stock of the entire country! Waaahaaha! I can never show my face in civilzed company aga-hi-hin!" The petite theif was wailing dramatically, rushing from one plaintive position to the next in her panic.

Sedge scooted further down the fountain's rim away from the yowling girl. Several other Gaians had stopped to stare incredulously at the scene; even a cricket had stopped its chirping at the racket.

"Um...Mel? Could you calm down?" Sedge pleaded with the seemingly crazed girl beside her. Mel-Mel turned to Sedge with wide, watering eyes and a quivering lip. "But..."

"The tan girl blew away an unruly strand of green hair. "But nothing. No one knows, or will know, provided you keep quiet." The trembling lip receded a fraction before Sedge continued. "Besides, when have you ever been acceptable for civilized company. You're a theif for Demona's sake!" The last part held a distinct tease, complimented by Sedge's grin.

Mel-Mel rose to the bait and, with an angry pout, lept to gnaw on the OMFG hat that Sedge had down around her eyes. Sedge screeched as the impact threw her off balance and backwards into the fountain. Caught in her own velocity, Mel-Mel tumbled in only a few seconds later.

Naturally both girls were soaked by the fountain's standing water and Sedge had a geiser pouring merrily over her head. She spit a stream of liquid into Mel-mel's face. "Thank you." The smaller girl only replied with a sheepish grin.

It took over twenty minutes for the two to escape the fountain with its surrounding nervous crowd, wring out their clothes and stop laughing manaically at each other water-logged appearances.

"So.." Mel-Mel huffed, still laughing lightly, "if it's not all over Barton Town, how did you know about Tennyo?"

Sedge gave her hat another tight wringing. "Met her earlier. Awful polite at first but she's got a twisted streak to her...and good taste," Sedge smirked, "She likes Leon."

Bunnyfish Mel-Mel gasped in horror. "I knew it! I knew she was moving in on my man! That's why she tried to confuse me, and lied to me, and tol me that Leon doesn't guard the jail, and..."

"Uh, Mel?" Sedge interrupted, "Leon doesn't do jail duty, he's got too much other stuff."

Mel-Mel blinked, then pouted. "That can't be!" she wailed, "that ruins all my plans!"

Sedge patted Mel-Mel on the shoulder. "There there, I'm sure you'll have another crazy scheme by tomorrow. In the meantime, why don't we go find where Tennyo lives and torture her with some pranking?"

Mel-Mel brightened at Sedge's words but quickly deflated when she remembered the day's previous events. "I...can't."

Sedge was shocked at Mel-Mel's refusal; her theiving friend had never turned down revenge before...it was out of character! Sedge put her hand on her friend's forehead to check for fever.

Mel-Mel grimaced and pushed the offending appendage away. "No Mommy, I'm not sick. It's just that..."

Sedge waited for Mel-Mel to continue but when became apparant that the pause would be prolonged, she interrupted. "Just what?" She prompted.

Mel-Mel mumbled under her breath. It was meant to be inaudible but Sedge caught it. "She fed you? You're kidding right? She makes those lunchboxes for fancy cafes..." Sedge peered under her sodden hat at Mel-Mel, who looked increasingly embarrassed.

Sedge shook her head. "You know what? You're right, we'll leave her alone for today. Let's go chase down Leon, he's patrolling the western gate about now."

Mel-Mel let out a cheer and eagerly followed Sedge in pursuit of the Barton knight.