A Simple Question

Khalus and Emily arrive at the Psychopomp Arcade. From the outside it looks abandoned and the inside isn't much different. Dead machines, flickering lights, and faded decals make the arcade look like something straight out of a zombie movie. Emily waves at the old man behind the counter, "Hi Mr. Talaria." He responds in kind. Emily then grabs Khalus' hand, "C'mon, I'll show you my favorite game." She takes him over to a game cabinet with name 'Silver Saber' adorned at the top flanked by images of a woman in skimpy clothing carrying a sword and a muscular man riding a giant crow.

Emily puts some quarters in the machine and gestures Khalus to play with her. "Emily selects the sword wielding barbarian lady and Khalus picks the spell-slinging wizard. Together they spend hours fighting through hordes of ghouls and goblins, slaying dragons, and battling necromancers. "Yes!" Emily yells in excitement as they defeat the final boss, "I can't believe we did it! I've been trying to beat this game for two months!" She high fives Khalus.

"Well, they don't call me a 'god of games' for nothing." Khalus says with a smirk. Emily playfully shoves Khalus, "Pfft, don't let it go to your head." She giggles. The sound of her laughter ignites a flame in the trickster's heart that he's never experienced before. He doesn't understand what he's feeling and tries to bury it. Emily notices that he looks uncomfortable and asks if he's okay. "Yes, of course. Just a bit hungry is all. Care to get something to eat?"

Emily agrees and they walk down the street to the Ambrosia Diner. They sit down at a booth and a beautiful waitress in a short frilly skirt asks what they want. The two each order a burger and shake with a side of fries. As they wait for their food Emily poses a question, "So....I know we just met. but....is this a date? It's cool if it isn't. I'm just wondering how you see it."

A date?! Khalus' mind races at the thought, I'm a god, I don't do dates, I just take what I want // Why am I not taking what I want? // I do want her, don't I? // What the hell is happening to me?! Khalus, having a mental breakdown, vanishes right in front of Emily.

He reappears in the office of Club Cobalt.

"Fuck."