Just The Streets, Day 3 (02/04/2317)

[Lithium]

(Okay!)

Matthew
"I mean, no one's ever defended me. Why did you?" Cassandra asked. Matthew ran his fingers through his hair, thinking.

"It's just my instinct. You know. You get that feeling that you're supposed to do something. Plus... I don't want anything bad to happen to you. I feel like it's my job to protect you. And I think you're worth protecting."

He picked up the clothes she was planning on getting and started to walk to the cash register. "So, we'll pay for these then hit the food court. Are you hungry?" He set the things down on the counter and while the lady scanned the price tags, he dug for his wallet.

"Your total is 347.86. Would you like a bag for these?"

Matthew nodded, handed her his debit card and turned to Cassandra. "Pick one to wear out. We can shove my clothes in the bag."

[Cytherea]

I feel like it's my job to protect you. And I think you're worth protecting."
Cassandra pondered on this, unsure what to think. I think you're worth protecting?
Why don't I feel upset that I didn't defend myself. Why am I glad that Glen did? This doesn't make sense.
They walked to the lady (who had returned from hiding in the dressing room) and Glen said something about food. Cassandra pushed her thoughts from her mind and tried to focus.
"Pick one to wear out. We can shove my clothes in the bag."
Before Cassandra could respond, the lady behind the counter gave a small sigh.
"You're lucky, you are, miss, to have a boyfriend like him."
Cassandra blushed and her tongue tied itself in a knot.

[Lithium]

Matthew
He blushed crimson as the woman said the word "boyfriend." But he made no effort to deny what she had said. He just couldn't bring himself to do that.

Instead, he wished her a good day, grabbed Cassandra's hand and they walked out of the store.

Matthew smiled at her. I hope this isn't the last time I see her. What is it with me today? She's just a girl you're helping out... Just some girl. Named Cassandra. With beautiful red hair.

"So, what are you interested in eating? Burgers? Chinese? I hear the sushi place here is pretty good. Pick anything you want. Then, we'll need to talk in private, all right?"

[Cytherea]

"All right. Thank you."
She ordered a burger and some french fries while Glen ordered some Sushi. Then they walked to a more inclosed place and sat down.
"So, what's the matter?" Cassandra, asked, not quite sure what else to say.

[Lithium]

Matthew
"So, what's the matter?" Cassandra asked.

Matthew paused and finished chewing his sushi. "Two things. You only need to know one if you agree to the other, all right? I've been invited to this party and since I don't want to leave you alone at home while I have fun at a party, I'd like to take you with me. The problem is... it's in Royalia. Would you like to come or....?"

[Cytherea]

Would you like to come or....?" Glen left his sentence in the air.
"To a party...?" Cassandra looked down at her food. "I'd like to, but I never have been to one before. I never had friends who invited me. What's it like?"

[Lithium]

Matthew
"Loud and sometimes boring, but mostly fun. There's food and dancing and beautiful lights and it gives girls excuses to dress up and flirt with boys and boy the excuse to strut about and flirt with girls. That's for the young people, at least. I'm pretty sure it'll be that kind of party."

He looked down and fiddled with his chopsticks.

"That brings me to the next point then and I'm just going to say it fast, because I don't expect you to trust me because of it. My name isn't Glen and I'm not really a Subterrean. I mean, I'm half and half, but I was mostly raised a Royale with training in being a Subterrean. My name is Matthew Fletcher and I own and run Fletcher Inc. There. I said it. I didn't want you to know because if you had run away from being a Royale and hated Royales, I didn't want you to hate me. And... My name is a bit too common to do me any favors."

He looked up at her to see her reaction.

[Cytherea]

"Your name is... Matthew Fletcher???!!!" she stared at him, and her jaw dropped. "Fletcher?!!!!! Oh my goodness, that's... that's so bizarre! I can't believe that! You're sure it's Fletcher?"

[Lithium]

Matthew
Matthew grinned. "Yeah. I'm pretty sure. Anyways, we'll need to run up to Royalia and buy you some new clothes. Although... we'll have to make sure those stupid gossip magazines don't start to stalk us. It's annoying. I've had to go after them over a lot of stuff. I've actually been thinking about buying them all so that I could maintain my privacy... Anyways..."

He quickly ate the rest of his sushi and then looked up. "Ready?"

[Cytherea]

Cassandra bit her lip hard to stop from bursting into laughter, but a smothered giggle escaped her lips. She quickly finished her meal, still trying not to laugh.
Finally, she couldn't hold it in any longer. She started laughing uncontrollably, and wondered whatever Matthew thought of her.

[Lithium]

Matthew
Matthew looked at Cassandra perplexed. "You know, I don't really like being laughed at, but under the circumstances, I'll let it slide. Let me guess, you guessed that's who I was from the moment we first made contact, or something like that?"

[Cytherea]

"No..." Cassandra said, still laughing. "It's not that at all. I just never knew that my new best friend is who my dad works for!"
She blushed when she realized what she had said, but still continued to laugh.

[Lithium]

Matthew
Matthew grinned and started laughing. "No kidding!" He paused. Best friend...? I've... I've never had a best friend. Maybe I should have gotten one sooner.

"So! Now I've got that off my chest, Cassandra, would you care to accompany me to Royalia and the O'Shea's party this evening?"

[Cytherea]

She smiled back and slipped her arm into his.
"Now that you have, I'd love to, Gl- Matthew."

[Lithium]

Matthew and Cassandra have exited Subterria. Find their next posts here...

The Dress Shop, Day of the O'Shea's Party

[Anwen]

"I wish that still wasn't illegal. I mean, this is the 24th century."

Will pondered that a moment. "Yeah." he said quietly. "It shouldn't be illegal to know how to cure someone." Just then Sol nearly ran into him trying to take care of all the parts of breakfast.

"Sorry!"

Will stopped getting in Sol's way in the kitchen and went to visit Sydny. "So, Puck, are you feeling any better?"

[Cytherea]

"So, Puck, are you feeling any better?" Will said as he came into Sydny's room.

"I feel... absolutely wonderful. In fact, I think I can get up. I think I can travel the world!"

He got partially out of his bed and then slowly inched back into it, a slight grimace crossing his face.

"I'll travel the world... tomorrow, how bout?"

[Anwen]

After breakfast, Will left Camri and Sol's house and began the walk back home over the uneven streets and alleyways. He needed a change of clothes before he went into Royalia for work. He heard sounds of scuffling and fighting coming from an alleyway. He hurried towards it, wondering if it was gangs or just petty theivery or what.

He came upon a fairly common sight. About five men were ganging up on one young man. He was doing fairly well, but he needed help.

Well then I'll help him.

[Cytherea]

Sydny sighed. Sol, Will, and himself had just had breakfast and then Will left. He was all alone in his room again.

He was finally feeling tired, and actually able to sleep. He closed his eyes and almost drifted off...

"Meow! Meow!"

His eyes opened and he lazily looked over at the window. A perfect white kitten sat in the tree outside his window. The window was shut, but the kitten was still excruciating loud to his sleepy ears. He shut his eyes to fall back asleep, but the kitten yet out a yowl.

"All right, all right!" Sydny said and painfully pushed himself up. He stumbled to the window and opened it. The kitten's clear blue eyes stared at him pitifully. "Well aren't you coming?" he said to the kitten.

"Meow!" it wailed.

"Fine." Sydny reached through the window to get the cat. He almost had her when she jumped back, and Sydny reeled forward. His hands stopped him from falling out, but half of his body was inside the house, and the other half was hanging on for dear life outside.

Now with his body like a bridge to the tree, the kitten gave a little purr and walked across his back. Sydny felt its tiny feet walk along him, and he wished he wasn't where he was. He could look down and see people crossing the street. Someone looked up at him and he smiled, sheepishly.

He stood there a few minutes, until his legs grew sore and his injury started protesting.

"This is bad." he groaned.

[Lithium]

Camri's heart had sank to her toes. Another job gone. How could Royales run out of money? I thought on Subterreans were able to be poor. She kicked a rock down the street and turned to Olivia.

"Dinner won't be for several hours, but you can come and hang out. I'm pretty sure we're going to have a full house. Sol's fiance is coming over for dinner, then our family friend Archer and Sol's got a patient who's laid up in bed."

She looked up. "We're ho––"

Sydny was leaning out of a window and a white kitten was walking across his back.

"Sydny!?! What are you doing up there?" Camri shouted. "You're going to rip your stitches. Sol will have your hide!"

Sol walked into Sydny's room. "Why do I hear shou–– Sydny! Are you all right?"

She scooped the kitten up, then helped him stand up straight and come out of the window.

"Aww, aren't you precious?" she scratched the kitten's ears. It leaped out of her hands and landed on Sydny, then used its tiny claws to climb up his shirt.

[Cytherea]

Sydny

"I think she likes me." Sydny said, clenching his teeth as he said it. He gently took the kitten from his shirt. "How nice."

He looked out the window and waved to Camri and another girl with her, and gave them a smile.

Olivia

Olivia looked up at whoever Camri was yelling at. her eyes got wide as she saw a young man leaning out from a window with a white kitten on his back.

Someone pulled the man inside, and Olivia turned to Camri.

"Is that the patient in bed?"

[Hwin]

Tucker attempted to hurl one of the darkly dressed men out of his way, but instead the man grabbed his wrist and threw him to the ground. Cringing, Tucker picked himself up, realizing it was becoming more and more difficult to fight off the thugs. If only I had some help, he thought, right before getting kicked in the stomach, causing him to fall backwards onto the cement once again.

[Lithium]

Camri bit her lower lip. "Yeah." She shook her head and laughed. "He's always getting into trouble."

A young man with dirty blond hair came walking up the other side of the street. "Hey, Camri," he said in his rumbling, deep voice.

"Archer! Long time no see. You going to stay for dinner?"

He stopped and looked over at Olivia. Slowly scanning her, he nodded and said, "Sure, if you'll have me."

[Cytherea]

Olivia
"Archer! Long time no see. You going to stay for dinner?"

The man named Archer stopped and looked Olivia over. She smiled warmly at him and walked towards him.

"Hi. I'm Olivia."

She held out her hand.

[Lithium]

Archer eyed Olivia's outstretched hand before he took it and shook it. "Archer Nelson. Pleasure."

He let go of Olivia's hand and turned back to Camri. "So was that doofus hanging out of your window your latest patient?"

Camri nodded. "Yeah. But don't call him a doofus. He's just a bit of a klutz and a trouble-maker."

Archer shrugged. "Can we head up now? I think I need some stitches. Guy pulled a knife on me in a no-weapons fight."

"Oh. Oh dear. Did they––"

"He's facing prison for assault with intent to kill."

Camri nodded. "Were you on either of the D.S. streets?"

"No. I'm not that stupid."