>>5780657Though nowhere near as exciting as your ride in the <span class="mu-s">APC</span>, the <span class="mu-s">GOLF CART</span> takes its time making its way back to the <span class="mu-s">MANSION</span>. By the time you return, Pepper’s asleep against your shoulder again and Raj is looking pretty haggard too, but as you crest the hill leading to the front entrance, you’re roused from your half-sleep by the cheers of all the surviving partygoers lined up with drinks in their hands!
Some of them you recognize immediately: <span class="mu-s">BILL, JAKE, TINA,</span> and even <span class="mu-s">DARREN AND MINA</span> stand separate from the crowd–the latter with a proud smile on her face that barely hides her fatigue. While Secretary Tina is inscrutable as usual, Bill and Jake aren’t… and though you expected a warm welcome from the Treasurer, you can’t quite believe your eyes when Jake’s eyes fall on his sister…
It’s an odd look on him given how you’ve interacted all night, but the guy looks… <span class="mu-i">relieved</span>. Happy, even. You wonder if he knows how close his sis came to being gone for good?
Then there’s the other misfits: <span class="mu-s">AYLA AND TERRA</span> wave at you with polar opposites of energy: Terra half-dead on her feet, but still managing to give you a warm smile from behind her smudged glasses, and Ayla only being held back from leaping onto the cart with you by the <span class="mu-s">SEPSIS</span> bandmates standing in front of them!
Though you only recognize half of the band, you’re still happy to see them all in one piece–<span class="mu-s">FRITZ</span> and <span class="mu-s">REESE</span> raise their drinks as you approach, though you’re not sure how Reese can enjoy any of it through his jungle of hair…
Next to them stand the big drummer from earlier–<span class="mu-s">OMAR</span>, you think they said his name was–cheering his head off while the green-haired girl beside him nods at you in modest approval. Based on her spiked leather jacket and gruff expression you don’t think <span class="mu-s">DIDI</span>’s much of a cheerleader…
Towering over the rest is <span class="mu-s">VIVIAN</span>, of course, not that you had much difficulty picking <span class="mu-i">HER</span> outta’ the crowd! Trying your best not to stare too much with Pepper eyeing you like a red-feathered hawk, your efforts prove to be in vain when the chef shakes up a bottle of champagne and sends it blasting all over the crowd!
… and dripping all over herself. Golly, what a <span class="mu-i">woman</span>...
Thankfully you’re able to slurp up your drool before Pepper notices thanks in no small part to <span class="mu-s">RODNEY</span>. Situated in the group of cheering simps crowded around Vivian, your ‘<span class="mu-i">ARCH-RIVAL</span>’ looks over his shades at you and nods in approval as a cheeky grin forms on his face!
You’d be lying if you said you weren’t somewhat glad to see him in one piece…
>CONTD. 