CH5: A Whole Circus

I see something I did not want to see – Grace laughing like a hyena.

“Hahahahahaha!! Haaaah!” She giggles and points at me as I feel hot in the face. “Grace… what the… hell?!” I try but she keeps laughing and leans on the wall and finally manages to say something: “Haha! G-gotcha! I got you with your own trick too!” I roll my eyes and walk over to her and lean on the wall. “Nice to see you made it. And thanks for holding Arleth back.” She stops laughing and crosses her arms: “Uh huh. I felt I kinda owed you guys a little bit. She’s wicked good. I almost died! I don’t think I hit her once. Sheesh…”

The threat of Arleth is still very alive in the air. I have not had a moment to think about what happened yesterday too much. Arleth ambushed us and made Vinora’s eager trigger finger slip. The initial shot wasn’t even enough to take her out though, she was only eliminated for shooting into the safe zone. Vinora could’ve survived that, and she would still be here if she wasn’t so angry and spontaneous all the time. It makes me angry thinking about it.

“You… good?” Grace asks and I realize I’ve been staring at the floor and snap out of it: “Y-yeah… I was just thinking about what happened yesterday. Vinora… I didn’t want her to lose.” I look at Grace who gets a frown on her face: “Oh, I had already forgotten that hag bit the dust. Sorry, but I couldn’t care a rat’s ass. Frankly, I am just glad she’s not around anymore.” I am quite offended by Grace’s sudden bold comment and demand an answer: “Why would you say that? She was my friend! We were through a lot together! She even saved me once! Probably multiple times!”

Grace seems a bit distant and walks over to the drums and sits behind the drumset and plays some kind of drum beat I recognize from somewhere, but it makes Grace giggle. “Haha! Oh man… well, Lilah. You remember what happened in the bathroom for one? My throat still fucking hurts. You should’ve told me something… ugh, anyways… also, don’t you think she was being a bit bitchy? I mean, in general? Also…” She swallows and holds her hat and I get now where she’s coming from – she and Vinora certainly did not have the best relations.

“Yeah… I think she was very stressed yesterday. Losing her friend hit her pretty bad. I did not like that version of Vinora either. Still! Don’t be rude!” Grace shrugs and I notice Faye sitting idly next to us and looking cute. “Oh… I see. So, am I allowed in your team, girls?” Grace asks cheekily and bites her lower lip which annoys me and makes Faye blush.

“We… do not have a team… but yeah, I was thinking we could go together. So… come on, let’s get out of here.” I say and look at Faye who doubles over and moans and then I realize my mistake. “Oh crap. What’s up with her?” Grace asks and I don’t think I have it in me to say. Faye moans and pants and crawls over to hold my leg. I look at Grace awkwardly as she looks thoughtful and suddenly her eyes light up. “Wait! Was it something you said! Say it again!”

I don’t want to and shake my head. “So it IS something you said! Was it… was it when you said ‘come on’?” I gasp and she bursts out laughing as Faye squeezes my leg. I am in deep shit now. Grace should’ve never found out. “Ok… fine, yes. That seems to be the case. I can’t say that or she will get like this.” I admit and Grace can’t stop laughing like a bratty little shit she is. It’s dumb, it’s uncomfortable and lewd, and she is just laughing. I guess it’s funny to her and I decide to just ignore it. Faye looks up at me and I blush. This is just ridiculous.