It probably wasnt a good idea to tell Pete that hed been on Centurion for weeks already, and Chance really didnt need much convincing to check out his lodgings. He darted up the stairs, shooting past the first two doors. He looked between the back two, but they seed to be the sa, so he chose the one on the right and twisted the handle.
The room was plain, like hed expected. There was a single window above a bed fitted with plain white sheets. A desk and chair sat beside it, across from a wooden dresser. Chance stepped inside, marveling at all of it.
Wow, he breathed, sitting down on the bed. He laid back, a grin crossing his face as he let himself relax. Then he jumped back upright and checked inside every drawer of the dresser. They were empty, as was the single drawer in his desk.
He cheerfully went around the fairly small room, investigating every nook and cranny. It was a little larger than his room had been when his parents were still alive, but it completely lacked personality.
Once he got enough money, Chance promised himself that hed go about fixing that particular problem. Satisfied, he flopped back into bed. His bed. The corners of his mouth hurt a little from smiling so much, but he couldnt help himself.
Chance raised a hand, calling the golden wisps of energy forth. They twisted beneath his fingers, tingling as they brushed across his skin. He lowered his hand, letting it rest against his chest as a content smile passed over his lips.
A loud bang echoed through the house. Chance bolted to his feet and nearly tripped over the edge of the bed as he tried to still his thumping heart. He still hadnt completely gotten over how jumpy he was from the alleyways.
Is that how they always open the damn doors here? Hasnt anyone ever heard of closing sothing quietly?
Chance cracked his door open and poked his head out just in ti to see Bella doing the exact sa thing from her own room. She was facing the stairwell, but she spun to look in his direction even though he was fairly sure he hadnt made any noise. Her face darkened and she pulled back into the room, closing the door.
At least she didnt slam it.
Chance stepped into the hall. Voices echoed up from the first floor. One of the voices was Pete, but he didnt recognize the other. He made his way down the stairs and into the living room.
A boy sat across from Pete, bedecked in leather armor. A small sickle and chain hung from his side, and his long black hair hung in a ponytail past his shoulders. Pete had claid his plush chair and was in the exact sa position that hed sat in when talking to Chance. Evidently, he had the whole greeting-thing worked out.
Ah, Chance, Pete said, giving him a warm smile. I hope youve had a chance to relax.
Its been like five minutes, Chance said. But everything is wonderful. Thank you.
Pete guffawed. Wonderful? Its been a while since anyone called this house that. Thank you very much. I do my best, even with our limited budget.
Is this one of my teammates? the boy asked, lounging lazily on the couch and glancing in Chances direction. He exuded confidence and had an arrogant air about him. His eyes were a faint shade of purple that Chance had never seen before.
It is. Chance, this is Yeo, Pete said. Yeo, this is chance.
Chances back stiffened. Hed been hoping his other teammate would be kind, but the boy across from him seed like the type of person that thought they were better than everyone else.
Hes from Earth, Pete finished. He knows nothing about Centurion, so please help him get up to speed.
Yeos half-lidded eyes shot open and he leapt to his feet, darting over to stand nose-to-nose with Chance.
No way. Really?
Chance took a step backward. Uh, yeah.
Thats so cool! Yeo exclaid. Ive always wanted to et an Earthling! Do you really fly around in giant tal birds? Have you played football? What about the internet? Did you use the internet? What kind of truck hit you? Was it big?
The questions ca out like a verbal barrage. With every step Chance took back, Yeo took one forward until they were practically against the wall. Chance cleared his throat and slipped around Yeo, feeling the slight sting of sha. Hed completely judged him on his appearance, and it didnt look like hed been right in the slightest.
Slow down a little, Yeo, Pete admonished. Chance only just arrived, so hes probably feeling very overwheld.
Yeos face reddened and he cleared his throat. Im sorry. My mother always said I took my manners out to the barn and shot them. My na is Yeo.
He extended a hand and Chance took it.
No harm done, Chance replied. And I dont mind. The giant birds are planes, and we did, although its been a while since I was in one. Ive never played football, but I used to love the internet. There were a lot of cool things on it. As for the truck it was a semitruck. How do you know all this about Earth?
Yeo straightened up and thrust a proud thumb into his chest. My dads from Earth too! He told all about it. Ive always wanted to visit, but the path only goes one way. No way to get back. Will you tell about it?
Uh, sure, Chance said, starting to relax. Yeo was like a Earth-weaboo. He suppressed a laugh at that thought. I never really registered that other people from Earth might have told you about it. Thats weird.
There are so many things I want to ask you, Yeo said eagerly. Oh, I know! We can trade questions. Thats fair, right? You ask sothing about Centurion, then I get sothing about Earth.
That works for , Chance said with a grin. Maybe we should get you moved in first or sothing, though?
Already did, Yeo said with a thumbs-up. Im speedy.
Showing up with nothing but the clothes on your back does not make you fast, Pete said as he got out of his chair, grabbing his staff and walking over to the kitchen. It just ans you didnt have anything to move in.
Yeo rolled his eyes. Whatever you say, gramps.
Pete sighed, and Yeo tugged at Chances sleeve.
Co on. Lets get our third teammate in on this too. I bet theyre curious as well.
Chance cleared his throat. That might not be a good idea. I dont think she likes much.
What? Thats dumb. Did you do sothing to her?
Well, no. I think its more the idea of than anything else.
She doesnt like Earthlings?
I dont think she likes people.
Nonsense. Everyone can be won over, especially with my charming personality. He flashed Chance a wide grin, then dragged him up the stairs. Then, to Chances horror, he strode straight up to Bellas door and rapped on it.
There was no response.
She must be busy, Chance said.
Yeo squatted, bringing his eye down to the keyhole and squinting through it. Nah. I see her. Shes just staring at the door.
The door opened and Bella pierced them with a cold stare. Go away.
Despite himself, Chance peeked into her room. Shed been here longer than him, so he figured shed probably had ti to decorate it. To his surprise, it was completely barren. It looked just like his.
We arent going anywhere. Youre our team mber, and we need to get to know each other, Yeo said, crossing his arms. Are you going to make drag you out?
You couldnt make do anything, Bella replied. And mind your own business. Im not interested in getting to know either of you. Go do what you want, but keep out of it.
Hmph. Then well just hold our eting in your room, Yeo said, starting forward. Bella snapped her fingers and a tendril of dark water shot out from behind her, pressing into Yeos chest and stopping him in his tracks.
No.
She slamd the door in their faces.
You cant ignore us forever! Yeo threw his hands up. And Chance, what was that? You didnt help at all!
I dont think she wants to talk with us, Chance replied. If thats the case, we dont have any right to force her to.
Yeo scrunched his nose. Then he sighed and shrugged. I guess thats true. Her loss. We dont need her to have fun. Co on, lets get to that ga.
He waltzed over to Chances room and opened the door, glancing around before darting inside. There wasnt even an ounce of hesitation, even though it wasnt his room. Chance threw one last glance at Bellas door, then followed his new teammate in.
Yeo had claid the chair at the desk, so Chance sat down on his bed.
Okay, I get to go first, Yeo said, tapping his chin in thought. Oh, Ive got one. Whats the coolest thing on the internet? Its been years since my dad was on Earth, so I bet its changed a lot.
It looked like Yeo had completely forgotten his annoyance with Bella and had returned to the over-chipper attitude that Chance was starting to fear was his normal form.
Thats kind of subjective I think, Chance said. Its been a while since I used the internet, but I think video gas are probably up there. I was a big fan of the ones where you could play with a bunch of people and pretend to be a wizard or a warrior.
Oh, an MMO? My dad loved those!
Chance stared at Yeo. The boy looked like had been pulled straight out of an MMO. He wasnt sure hed ever get used to people in what was essentially a magical world talking about things from Earth like they were just common knowledge. It just wasnt right.
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