Don’t Ruin the Moment [w/ Donovan Hastings v Blessed Vanity]
Jul 5, 2020 15:50:11 GMT -5
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Post by Eden Morgan on Jul 5, 2020 15:50:11 GMT -5
July 9, 2020
The Sonoran Desert: Oasis District
Eden: Three times. He’s managed to get in here three times so far.
Gabriel Baal watched as his wife paced within their luxurious surroundings, amused by the fact that they’d gone through all of this to get a bit of extravagant tranquility in the Sonoran Desert and it was being disrupted by a certain someone. At least for Eden, anyway.
Gabriel: I assume by “he” you’re referring to THAT MAN?
As soon as he asked the question he knew he’d made a mistake, Eden turning her glare on him. Medusa took notes.
Eden: Of course I mean THAT MAN, only I can’t call him that anymore because now he’s made it a thing. He ruins EVERYTHING!
Gabriel: Aren’t you being a touch dramatic, love?
Eden’s glare deepened, even though it shouldn’t have been physically possible for it to do so.
Gabriel: Never mind, of course you aren’t. How exactly did he manage to get through security three times? I thought you had measures in place.
Eden: I did. I made a rule that no one with unkempt beards could enter.
Gabriel: And?
Eden: He’d just had his groomed.
Gabriel: Of course he had. Alright, what then?
Eden: So I changed it to no beards.
Gabriel: That seems all-encompassing. What was the loophole there?
Eden paused a moment, rubbing a hand over her eyes.
Eden: He convinced security that it didn’t apply to him because the “s” on beards indicates plurality and he clearly only has one beard.
Gabriel blinked.
Gabriel: Well, I suppose he has a point. Alright, I assume you tightened restrictions further?
Eden: I did. I just completely banned him from the Oasis. No Donovan Hastings allowed.
Gabriel: Right, well how did he possibly weasel out of that?
Eden: Remember Thor Ragnarok?
Gabriel: I do.
Eden: He did “get help”.
Gabriel: You’re kidding.
Eden: I wish.
Gabriel: With who?
Eden: Some rando from the “Pet” section.
Gabriel: Stop it.
Eden: I can’t. Donovan got the rando to help him under the guise that Donovan could vouch for him.
Gabriel: Donovan can’t even vouch for himself.
Eden: Yeah, well, the rando didn’t know that. Anyway, Donovan somehow got him to fake being sick or something, did the “get help” bit and then slung him at the guards. Needless to say, Hastings took the distraction to make a run for it into the Oasis.
Gabriel: He didn’t get far, did he?
Eden: That’s not the point!
Seeing her distraught, Gabriel rose from his seat, his hands going to her shoulders to coax the tension away.
Gabriel: You’re getting yourself all worked up, and for what reason? If he gets in, we throw him out, it’s simple. But at some point you’re going to have to speak with him and get a plan going before you step in the ring with Blessed Vanity. I know you know that, you’re just being stubborn.
Eden: I’m never stubborn.
Gabriel: That you managed to say that with a straight face—
The two of them are interrupted by a knock to the outside of their dome.
Eden: What now?
Security: Sorry, ma’am, but Donovan Hastings is at the gate again—
Eden: AGAIN?!
Security: — and he’s insisting he needs to speak with you.
Gabriel did his best to hide his amusement at his wife’s nonplussed reaction. Actually, nonplussed was kind when Eden was very near to having a complete tantrum.
Eden: Are you serious?! Just tell him NO!
Security: He’s very insistent, ma’am.
Eden: AND?!
Security: And he’s threatening to lead a revolt of the… of the… ahem… poors.
Eden immediately pressed her fingers to the bridge of her nose as though she felt a migraine coming on.
Eden: I can’t, I can’t, I fucking can’t— don’t you have tear gas or rubber bullets or something? Can’t we waterboard him?
Gabriel: I believe those fall under war crimes in the Geneva Convention, dear.
Eden: Only because they haven’t met Donovan. Okay, okay, fine. I’ll go talk to the pest. But it’s just because I’m curious, not because he’s demanding it. I don’t negotiate with terrorists.
And so Eden left the quiet calm of the dome she shared with her husband, Gabriel somehow managing to hold his laughter in until she was out of earshot.
The waiting area to get into the Oasis was comfortable, but not so comfortable that someone with the thought that they might get turned away would find it worthwhile just to wait in line, and just beyond the row of guard towers set up to screen entry was the visual of paradise. So close for some, yet so far for others. Eden strode just behind the security member who had delivered the horrible news that once again, Donovan Hastings wouldn’t just go the fuck away. It was little wonder that anyone who looked upon her stormcloud visage quickly found things to do in another direction, though she did pause a moment to smile upon the lone piranha in its massive tank displayed in the very center of the accommodations district.
Gummy had a place of honor.
But as soon as she was away from the fish that had so terrorized Donovan and Gabriel in their Valhalla Burial match, the glower was back, and that was exactly how she arrived at the gates to her perfect Oasis in the desert. It was a look meant to intimidate and to quell even the most recalcitrant of cooperative partners.
Or it would have been had Donovan not been at that very moment loudly detailing how the rejects in the line to be sponsored could easily build a guillotine with materials in the surrounding area.
Donovan: Viva la revolution!
Eden: DONOVAN!
Hastings turned around to see his cooperative partner standing there, a blatant grin on his face.
Donovan: Eden!
He held his arms out as if to hug a long lost friend, Eden shaking her head.
Eden: Don’t. What do you want? There’s plenty of other districts for you to go harass.
Donovan: I’ve been through many of them already, thank you, but yours is the only one that has shower facilities.
Eden laughed.
Eden: Sounds like a lack of planning on their part and not my problem. I don’t care if you have a shower. Bye now.
She turned to go.
Donovan: It’s in your best interest if I have a shower, you have to stand beside me!
Eden: I’ll spray you down with perfume when you’re in the corner. It’s Alan and Travis who will have to put their hands on you. I think it’s a sound offense.
Donovan couldn’t exactly argue that.
Donovan: It’s not for me.
Eden turned back, already rolling her eyes.
Eden: What are you talking about--
She never quite finished her question, because when she turned around it was to find Donovan’s twin daughters standing there in front of him, both of his hands on one of their shoulders. The girls stared up at her, one with a hint of curiosity on her young face, the other with a look of defiance. The harsh glare from the Ice Queen softened some before she looked to their father, though the face she gave him wasn’t even remotely as unyielding as before.
Eden: I can’t believe you brought these girls to the desert without a plan for accommodations. Never mind it’s you, I ca--
She stopped herself once again, her jaw flexing. Eden ran her tongue over her teeth as she considered her options before finally sighing.
Eden: Let them in.
The words were said with the same feeling as someone gargling glass.
Eden: There’s--
She sighed when Donovan was suddenly beside her.
Eden: There’s vacant domes there on the right. You have your pick. There should be plenty of room for you and the girls to stay and relax. And showers.
They approached one of the domes, the inside lavishly decorated and able to comfortably house five within while including working showers and toiletries. Eden pressed the pass she’d been given for Donovan and the girls to the black square on the outside of the dome, the door unlocking for them before she handed the pass to Donovan. The girls ran inside, squealing as they explored, leaving the two adults to speak.
Donovan: Thank you.
Eden: I didn’t do it for you. Most girls think of their father as a hero. I won’t be the one to take that from yours.
Donovan: Still. Thank you.
Eden: Hmm. Now take a shower. You already smell.
And then shaking herself and muttering about becoming a softie, she walked away, leaving the Hastings family to their newly-acquired accommodations.
Later that day…
Eden recognized the familiar rhythm of his gait, rolling her eyes as she turned to face the approaching Donovan.
Eden: I think the Oasis is large enough that you don’t need to-
She stopped upon seeing that his children were still with him.
Donovan: What do we say, girls?
Twins: Thank you Miss Eden!!!
Eden bit her lip and stared for a moment at the ground before a smile crossed her face and she looked back up.
Eden: Girls, do you know what your father was telling me before while you were getting cleaned up? He was telling me just how excited he was to take you to the Bubblegum District.
Donovan: Hold on a second…
Scarlet: We’re going to the Bubblegum District?!
Eden: You are! And you know what? I hear there’s a Unicorn Carousel and lots of sugary snacks, I think you’ll just have such a delightful time.
Katie: Yay! Thank you, Daddy! Thank you!
She tightly hugged Donovan’s legs, causing him to nearly trip. Donovan glared at Eden. She beamed in response.
Donovan: Yes, girls. I’m so excited. Let’s get going to the...Bubblegum District.
Eden: Have fun!
Eden faux-smiled and waved goodbye before turning away, but felt a tug at her shirt that caused her to look back over her shoulder. It was with surprise she found one of the twins standing there smiling up at her.
Scarlet: Can you come with us?
Eden: Uh…
Scarlet: Please?
Eden groaned inwardly, every excuse she instantly came up with disappearing from her head.
Eden: I suppose.
Scarlet slipped her hand in Eden’s, not noticing how reluctant her newfound friend was to join their party. Donovan’s smirk, however, did not go unnoticed by Eden.
Eden: Don’t you say a word!
She hissed it at him quietly and quickly enough not to be overheard by the girls, and thus the four of them were off to the Bubblegum District.
The Bubblegum District was every bit the rose-colored horror show that Eden and Donovan had both anticipated. As soon as they’d entered, Eden had twitched when her nose was assaulted by the overpowering scent of fake cotton candy spray, not unlike the sugary-sweet smell usually found appealing by middle school girls everywhere. Donovan had immediately regretted his first mouthful of the cotton candy they were each handed, pulling a face as he complained that it tasted like overly-sugared nothing.
But the girls were clearly enjoying the outing and so the two adults plastered on fake smiles amid the neon lights, the blaring discopop music, and the assault to the senses by everything sweet and sugary.
Donovan and Eden had managed a balance, mostly in ignoring each other or sharing veiled barbs, that is, until the girls found themselves occupied by the Unicorn Carousel, each twin insisting they had to try out every unicorn possible. That made for a lot of combinations and a lot of rounds.
Eden: Your girls are learning how to be terrorists like their father.
Donovan: You didn’t have to come.
Eden: Yes I did, that was emotional blackmail.
Donovan: You need emotions for emotional blackmail to work.
For a moment, Eden considered dumping the syrupy pink snow cone she held over his head, but that might have raised questions, at least with Katie.
Eden: It doesn’t matter, I’m here, we can at least be productive since I clearly can’t get rid of you. Yet.
Donovan: I’d like to point out that had you been able to get rid of me at Synergy, you might not have been so successful against Travis.
Eden: You don’t know that.
Donovan: You don’t not know that.
Eden: How old are you?
Donovan: You just don’t like that I helped you win, and that I have a point.
He leaned against the fence that separated the spectators just a few feet from the Unicorn Carousel, watching as the girls whirled by, this time both of them in a chariot pulled by winged unicorns. They’re not Pegasus, Pegasus didn’t have a horn. Stop it.
Donovan: I did it on purpose, you know. Helped you. It wasn’t an accident.
Eden: I thought as much. No one actually believes half the things you do are accidental. You’re far more deliberate than that. I just regret you were so obvious in it, because now not only do we have Alan and Travis, but Jet is the referee. That can only go badly for us. You know, for someone who wanted nothing to do with me and wanted me out of his life, for someone who is retired? He sure jumped back in quickly after I showed up.
Donovan: Somers isn’t our problem.
Eden looked away from the carousel to narrow her eyes at him.
Eden: He’s the referee. After all the times you’ve used Owen, can you really say that the referee isn’t a problem?
Donovan: Okay, he isn’t our biggest problem, but all of these problems are surmountable because despite what it appears at first glance? We make a great team.
The twins passed again, this time on blue unicorns with confetti streaming from their nostrils.
Eden: Are you having what those unicorns are having?
She indicated the ones Scarlet and Katie were currently giggling over.
Donovan: I’m serious. I’ve struggled with Alan in the past, but you’ve beaten him with the World Championship on the line. Whereas if there’s anything I know how to do, it’s how to get into the head of Travis Roberts and win. I’ll say it again, we are the perfect team to beat them.
Eden: I don’t like you.
Donovan: I don’t like you, either.
Eden: Although… the prospect of shutting Travis and Alan up is an appealing one. It won’t last, because them, but even for a moment it’s worth it.
Donovan: There’s already fragmenting in their team. Rumor has it Wallace signed on for that Cross-Hemisphere debacle. Travis will be imploding over that revelation.
Eden: There’s not really a reason for him to, Alan’s a fan of any title as long as it isn’t Chaos, or he’d have been a Grand Slam Champion before now. Still, if it’s something we can potentially use to further the divide between them, I’m all for it.
Their talk came to an abrupt end as soon as the ride did, both girls clamoring off and talking excitedly in a rush of gibberish about which ones had been their favorites, and then they were off to the next thing and the next and the next, fueling themselves on gummy bears, macarons, ice cream, and more cotton candy. Eden even managed to find a coffee shop, though she threatened the barista with physical violence if he put the pink whipped cream and sprinkles that were standard decor on top of her iced caramel macchiato. Meanwhile the twins played the most brightly colored game of Skee-ball anyone had ever seen, the balls made to look like the big white pastel-speckled jawbreakers, the rings like gummy life savers or elaborately frosted donuts.
Donovan was close to pulling his hair out when he saw it, the most beautiful sight imaginable.
Bumper cars.
Granted, these bumper cars looked like candy land rejects, but the premise was still the same, and for once, both he and Eden seemed to be on the same page. They waited in line, each making a beeline to their chosen car with a twin in tow, Scarlet with Eden and Katie with Donovan.
Scarlet: Have you ever played bumper cars before?
Eden: I have, I love bumper cars. Have since I was your age.
Scarlet: My Dad likes them too. He gets really competitive.
Eden: Oh, I do too. I don’t like to lose.
Scarlet: Oh boy.
As soon as they felt the release holding the cars in place, they were off.
Scarlet: Are you sure you know what you’re doing?
Eden: What? Of course I do, don’t be sill--
Wham!
Eden and Scarlet were rocked, both gasping and looking over to find Donovan grinning maniacally from another car with Katie giggling hysterically.
Eden: Oh, that’s it.
Scarlet: I don’t think you should go that way.
Eden: Why not?
Scarlet: Because my Dad will expect it.
Eden: You can’t expect things in bumper cars, it’s too chaoti--
Wham!
Eden’s fingers tightened around the wheel as she slowly looked over to find that once again… Donovan.
Scarlet: Are you thinking of saying bad words?
Eden: What? No. Of course not.
Scarlet: Hmm.
Eden: Alright, you seem to know your dad’s strategy so spill.
Not long after their luck turned, Eden and Scarlet celebrating as they’d managed to push Donovan and Katie into a corner, ramming them repeatedly, and then the ride was over with no hope for retaliation. In fact, Eden was still gloating when they exited, the bumper car arena, a bounce in her step. She high-fived Scarlet, the two of them singing what started out as Queen’s “We Are the Champions” and eventually turned into some entirely nonsensical song full of made up lyrics.
With the Bubblegum District thoroughly explored and the sugar starting to wear off, the twins’ energy was flagging right along with Donovan’s. For the second time that day, Eden felt a tug on the hem of her shirt, glancing down to see Scarlet looking up at her.
Scarlet: Miss Eden? I’m tired.
Katie: Me too.
Donovan: Me three.
Eden rolled her eyes and crouched down to speak to the girl.
Eden: Well, how about a piggy-back ride back to the Oasis, hmm? You can get some rest before you’re off on your next adventure. What do you say?
Scarlet immediately grinned and threw her arms around Eden’s neck, clambering on her back. Eden stood with the girl, hoisting her up as she looked back at her cooperative partner.
Eden: Your turn. Come on, we can’t wait for you all day!
Donovan: But I’m tired too-- fine!
He stooped down to take Katie up on his back as well, rushing forward with her to catch up to Eden and his other daughter.
Donovan: You know, we should probably talk more about the match--
Eden: Shut up, Donovan. I’m managing to tolerate you right now, and you’re ruining the moment.
Donovan sighed.
Donovan: Fine. Hey, those signs that were up in the Oasis, telling sponsors to remember to pick up after their sponsees-- was that over an outline of Wallace holding a leash for Roberts while Roberts was squat--
Eden: Donovan.
Donovan: Fine.
They made their way back to the Oasis in silence.
The Sonoran Desert: Oasis District
Eden: Three times. He’s managed to get in here three times so far.
Gabriel Baal watched as his wife paced within their luxurious surroundings, amused by the fact that they’d gone through all of this to get a bit of extravagant tranquility in the Sonoran Desert and it was being disrupted by a certain someone. At least for Eden, anyway.
Gabriel: I assume by “he” you’re referring to THAT MAN?
As soon as he asked the question he knew he’d made a mistake, Eden turning her glare on him. Medusa took notes.
Eden: Of course I mean THAT MAN, only I can’t call him that anymore because now he’s made it a thing. He ruins EVERYTHING!
Gabriel: Aren’t you being a touch dramatic, love?
Eden’s glare deepened, even though it shouldn’t have been physically possible for it to do so.
Gabriel: Never mind, of course you aren’t. How exactly did he manage to get through security three times? I thought you had measures in place.
Eden: I did. I made a rule that no one with unkempt beards could enter.
Gabriel: And?
Eden: He’d just had his groomed.
Gabriel: Of course he had. Alright, what then?
Eden: So I changed it to no beards.
Gabriel: That seems all-encompassing. What was the loophole there?
Eden paused a moment, rubbing a hand over her eyes.
Eden: He convinced security that it didn’t apply to him because the “s” on beards indicates plurality and he clearly only has one beard.
Gabriel blinked.
Gabriel: Well, I suppose he has a point. Alright, I assume you tightened restrictions further?
Eden: I did. I just completely banned him from the Oasis. No Donovan Hastings allowed.
Gabriel: Right, well how did he possibly weasel out of that?
Eden: Remember Thor Ragnarok?
Gabriel: I do.
Eden: He did “get help”.
Gabriel: You’re kidding.
Eden: I wish.
Gabriel: With who?
Eden: Some rando from the “Pet” section.
Gabriel: Stop it.
Eden: I can’t. Donovan got the rando to help him under the guise that Donovan could vouch for him.
Gabriel: Donovan can’t even vouch for himself.
Eden: Yeah, well, the rando didn’t know that. Anyway, Donovan somehow got him to fake being sick or something, did the “get help” bit and then slung him at the guards. Needless to say, Hastings took the distraction to make a run for it into the Oasis.
Gabriel: He didn’t get far, did he?
Eden: That’s not the point!
Seeing her distraught, Gabriel rose from his seat, his hands going to her shoulders to coax the tension away.
Gabriel: You’re getting yourself all worked up, and for what reason? If he gets in, we throw him out, it’s simple. But at some point you’re going to have to speak with him and get a plan going before you step in the ring with Blessed Vanity. I know you know that, you’re just being stubborn.
Eden: I’m never stubborn.
Gabriel: That you managed to say that with a straight face—
The two of them are interrupted by a knock to the outside of their dome.
Eden: What now?
Security: Sorry, ma’am, but Donovan Hastings is at the gate again—
Eden: AGAIN?!
Security: — and he’s insisting he needs to speak with you.
Gabriel did his best to hide his amusement at his wife’s nonplussed reaction. Actually, nonplussed was kind when Eden was very near to having a complete tantrum.
Eden: Are you serious?! Just tell him NO!
Security: He’s very insistent, ma’am.
Eden: AND?!
Security: And he’s threatening to lead a revolt of the… of the… ahem… poors.
Eden immediately pressed her fingers to the bridge of her nose as though she felt a migraine coming on.
Eden: I can’t, I can’t, I fucking can’t— don’t you have tear gas or rubber bullets or something? Can’t we waterboard him?
Gabriel: I believe those fall under war crimes in the Geneva Convention, dear.
Eden: Only because they haven’t met Donovan. Okay, okay, fine. I’ll go talk to the pest. But it’s just because I’m curious, not because he’s demanding it. I don’t negotiate with terrorists.
And so Eden left the quiet calm of the dome she shared with her husband, Gabriel somehow managing to hold his laughter in until she was out of earshot.
The waiting area to get into the Oasis was comfortable, but not so comfortable that someone with the thought that they might get turned away would find it worthwhile just to wait in line, and just beyond the row of guard towers set up to screen entry was the visual of paradise. So close for some, yet so far for others. Eden strode just behind the security member who had delivered the horrible news that once again, Donovan Hastings wouldn’t just go the fuck away. It was little wonder that anyone who looked upon her stormcloud visage quickly found things to do in another direction, though she did pause a moment to smile upon the lone piranha in its massive tank displayed in the very center of the accommodations district.
Gummy had a place of honor.
But as soon as she was away from the fish that had so terrorized Donovan and Gabriel in their Valhalla Burial match, the glower was back, and that was exactly how she arrived at the gates to her perfect Oasis in the desert. It was a look meant to intimidate and to quell even the most recalcitrant of cooperative partners.
Or it would have been had Donovan not been at that very moment loudly detailing how the rejects in the line to be sponsored could easily build a guillotine with materials in the surrounding area.
Donovan: Viva la revolution!
Eden: DONOVAN!
Hastings turned around to see his cooperative partner standing there, a blatant grin on his face.
Donovan: Eden!
He held his arms out as if to hug a long lost friend, Eden shaking her head.
Eden: Don’t. What do you want? There’s plenty of other districts for you to go harass.
Donovan: I’ve been through many of them already, thank you, but yours is the only one that has shower facilities.
Eden laughed.
Eden: Sounds like a lack of planning on their part and not my problem. I don’t care if you have a shower. Bye now.
She turned to go.
Donovan: It’s in your best interest if I have a shower, you have to stand beside me!
Eden: I’ll spray you down with perfume when you’re in the corner. It’s Alan and Travis who will have to put their hands on you. I think it’s a sound offense.
Donovan couldn’t exactly argue that.
Donovan: It’s not for me.
Eden turned back, already rolling her eyes.
Eden: What are you talking about--
She never quite finished her question, because when she turned around it was to find Donovan’s twin daughters standing there in front of him, both of his hands on one of their shoulders. The girls stared up at her, one with a hint of curiosity on her young face, the other with a look of defiance. The harsh glare from the Ice Queen softened some before she looked to their father, though the face she gave him wasn’t even remotely as unyielding as before.
Eden: I can’t believe you brought these girls to the desert without a plan for accommodations. Never mind it’s you, I ca--
She stopped herself once again, her jaw flexing. Eden ran her tongue over her teeth as she considered her options before finally sighing.
Eden: Let them in.
The words were said with the same feeling as someone gargling glass.
Eden: There’s--
She sighed when Donovan was suddenly beside her.
Eden: There’s vacant domes there on the right. You have your pick. There should be plenty of room for you and the girls to stay and relax. And showers.
They approached one of the domes, the inside lavishly decorated and able to comfortably house five within while including working showers and toiletries. Eden pressed the pass she’d been given for Donovan and the girls to the black square on the outside of the dome, the door unlocking for them before she handed the pass to Donovan. The girls ran inside, squealing as they explored, leaving the two adults to speak.
Donovan: Thank you.
Eden: I didn’t do it for you. Most girls think of their father as a hero. I won’t be the one to take that from yours.
Donovan: Still. Thank you.
Eden: Hmm. Now take a shower. You already smell.
And then shaking herself and muttering about becoming a softie, she walked away, leaving the Hastings family to their newly-acquired accommodations.
Later that day…
Eden recognized the familiar rhythm of his gait, rolling her eyes as she turned to face the approaching Donovan.
Eden: I think the Oasis is large enough that you don’t need to-
She stopped upon seeing that his children were still with him.
Donovan: What do we say, girls?
Twins: Thank you Miss Eden!!!
Eden bit her lip and stared for a moment at the ground before a smile crossed her face and she looked back up.
Eden: Girls, do you know what your father was telling me before while you were getting cleaned up? He was telling me just how excited he was to take you to the Bubblegum District.
Donovan: Hold on a second…
Scarlet: We’re going to the Bubblegum District?!
Eden: You are! And you know what? I hear there’s a Unicorn Carousel and lots of sugary snacks, I think you’ll just have such a delightful time.
Katie: Yay! Thank you, Daddy! Thank you!
She tightly hugged Donovan’s legs, causing him to nearly trip. Donovan glared at Eden. She beamed in response.
Donovan: Yes, girls. I’m so excited. Let’s get going to the...Bubblegum District.
Eden: Have fun!
Eden faux-smiled and waved goodbye before turning away, but felt a tug at her shirt that caused her to look back over her shoulder. It was with surprise she found one of the twins standing there smiling up at her.
Scarlet: Can you come with us?
Eden: Uh…
Scarlet: Please?
Eden groaned inwardly, every excuse she instantly came up with disappearing from her head.
Eden: I suppose.
Scarlet slipped her hand in Eden’s, not noticing how reluctant her newfound friend was to join their party. Donovan’s smirk, however, did not go unnoticed by Eden.
Eden: Don’t you say a word!
She hissed it at him quietly and quickly enough not to be overheard by the girls, and thus the four of them were off to the Bubblegum District.
The Bubblegum District was every bit the rose-colored horror show that Eden and Donovan had both anticipated. As soon as they’d entered, Eden had twitched when her nose was assaulted by the overpowering scent of fake cotton candy spray, not unlike the sugary-sweet smell usually found appealing by middle school girls everywhere. Donovan had immediately regretted his first mouthful of the cotton candy they were each handed, pulling a face as he complained that it tasted like overly-sugared nothing.
But the girls were clearly enjoying the outing and so the two adults plastered on fake smiles amid the neon lights, the blaring discopop music, and the assault to the senses by everything sweet and sugary.
Donovan and Eden had managed a balance, mostly in ignoring each other or sharing veiled barbs, that is, until the girls found themselves occupied by the Unicorn Carousel, each twin insisting they had to try out every unicorn possible. That made for a lot of combinations and a lot of rounds.
Eden: Your girls are learning how to be terrorists like their father.
Donovan: You didn’t have to come.
Eden: Yes I did, that was emotional blackmail.
Donovan: You need emotions for emotional blackmail to work.
For a moment, Eden considered dumping the syrupy pink snow cone she held over his head, but that might have raised questions, at least with Katie.
Eden: It doesn’t matter, I’m here, we can at least be productive since I clearly can’t get rid of you. Yet.
Donovan: I’d like to point out that had you been able to get rid of me at Synergy, you might not have been so successful against Travis.
Eden: You don’t know that.
Donovan: You don’t not know that.
Eden: How old are you?
Donovan: You just don’t like that I helped you win, and that I have a point.
He leaned against the fence that separated the spectators just a few feet from the Unicorn Carousel, watching as the girls whirled by, this time both of them in a chariot pulled by winged unicorns. They’re not Pegasus, Pegasus didn’t have a horn. Stop it.
Donovan: I did it on purpose, you know. Helped you. It wasn’t an accident.
Eden: I thought as much. No one actually believes half the things you do are accidental. You’re far more deliberate than that. I just regret you were so obvious in it, because now not only do we have Alan and Travis, but Jet is the referee. That can only go badly for us. You know, for someone who wanted nothing to do with me and wanted me out of his life, for someone who is retired? He sure jumped back in quickly after I showed up.
Donovan: Somers isn’t our problem.
Eden looked away from the carousel to narrow her eyes at him.
Eden: He’s the referee. After all the times you’ve used Owen, can you really say that the referee isn’t a problem?
Donovan: Okay, he isn’t our biggest problem, but all of these problems are surmountable because despite what it appears at first glance? We make a great team.
The twins passed again, this time on blue unicorns with confetti streaming from their nostrils.
Eden: Are you having what those unicorns are having?
She indicated the ones Scarlet and Katie were currently giggling over.
Donovan: I’m serious. I’ve struggled with Alan in the past, but you’ve beaten him with the World Championship on the line. Whereas if there’s anything I know how to do, it’s how to get into the head of Travis Roberts and win. I’ll say it again, we are the perfect team to beat them.
Eden: I don’t like you.
Donovan: I don’t like you, either.
Eden: Although… the prospect of shutting Travis and Alan up is an appealing one. It won’t last, because them, but even for a moment it’s worth it.
Donovan: There’s already fragmenting in their team. Rumor has it Wallace signed on for that Cross-Hemisphere debacle. Travis will be imploding over that revelation.
Eden: There’s not really a reason for him to, Alan’s a fan of any title as long as it isn’t Chaos, or he’d have been a Grand Slam Champion before now. Still, if it’s something we can potentially use to further the divide between them, I’m all for it.
Their talk came to an abrupt end as soon as the ride did, both girls clamoring off and talking excitedly in a rush of gibberish about which ones had been their favorites, and then they were off to the next thing and the next and the next, fueling themselves on gummy bears, macarons, ice cream, and more cotton candy. Eden even managed to find a coffee shop, though she threatened the barista with physical violence if he put the pink whipped cream and sprinkles that were standard decor on top of her iced caramel macchiato. Meanwhile the twins played the most brightly colored game of Skee-ball anyone had ever seen, the balls made to look like the big white pastel-speckled jawbreakers, the rings like gummy life savers or elaborately frosted donuts.
Donovan was close to pulling his hair out when he saw it, the most beautiful sight imaginable.
Bumper cars.
Granted, these bumper cars looked like candy land rejects, but the premise was still the same, and for once, both he and Eden seemed to be on the same page. They waited in line, each making a beeline to their chosen car with a twin in tow, Scarlet with Eden and Katie with Donovan.
Scarlet: Have you ever played bumper cars before?
Eden: I have, I love bumper cars. Have since I was your age.
Scarlet: My Dad likes them too. He gets really competitive.
Eden: Oh, I do too. I don’t like to lose.
Scarlet: Oh boy.
As soon as they felt the release holding the cars in place, they were off.
Scarlet: Are you sure you know what you’re doing?
Eden: What? Of course I do, don’t be sill--
Wham!
Eden and Scarlet were rocked, both gasping and looking over to find Donovan grinning maniacally from another car with Katie giggling hysterically.
Eden: Oh, that’s it.
Scarlet: I don’t think you should go that way.
Eden: Why not?
Scarlet: Because my Dad will expect it.
Eden: You can’t expect things in bumper cars, it’s too chaoti--
Wham!
Eden’s fingers tightened around the wheel as she slowly looked over to find that once again… Donovan.
Scarlet: Are you thinking of saying bad words?
Eden: What? No. Of course not.
Scarlet: Hmm.
Eden: Alright, you seem to know your dad’s strategy so spill.
Not long after their luck turned, Eden and Scarlet celebrating as they’d managed to push Donovan and Katie into a corner, ramming them repeatedly, and then the ride was over with no hope for retaliation. In fact, Eden was still gloating when they exited, the bumper car arena, a bounce in her step. She high-fived Scarlet, the two of them singing what started out as Queen’s “We Are the Champions” and eventually turned into some entirely nonsensical song full of made up lyrics.
With the Bubblegum District thoroughly explored and the sugar starting to wear off, the twins’ energy was flagging right along with Donovan’s. For the second time that day, Eden felt a tug on the hem of her shirt, glancing down to see Scarlet looking up at her.
Scarlet: Miss Eden? I’m tired.
Katie: Me too.
Donovan: Me three.
Eden rolled her eyes and crouched down to speak to the girl.
Eden: Well, how about a piggy-back ride back to the Oasis, hmm? You can get some rest before you’re off on your next adventure. What do you say?
Scarlet immediately grinned and threw her arms around Eden’s neck, clambering on her back. Eden stood with the girl, hoisting her up as she looked back at her cooperative partner.
Eden: Your turn. Come on, we can’t wait for you all day!
Donovan: But I’m tired too-- fine!
He stooped down to take Katie up on his back as well, rushing forward with her to catch up to Eden and his other daughter.
Donovan: You know, we should probably talk more about the match--
Eden: Shut up, Donovan. I’m managing to tolerate you right now, and you’re ruining the moment.
Donovan sighed.
Donovan: Fine. Hey, those signs that were up in the Oasis, telling sponsors to remember to pick up after their sponsees-- was that over an outline of Wallace holding a leash for Roberts while Roberts was squat--
Eden: Donovan.
Donovan: Fine.
They made their way back to the Oasis in silence.
x2