Dragon Riding Field/Alex and Zero Pt. IV

## disaster (17-8)

Kye Hanbyeol

He rolled his eyes, "It's your turn, right?"

Alex Bellrose

She shifted in her seat, "what's the worst way to die?"

Kye Hanbyeol

He sat still, thinking about all the possiblilties he could come up with and then his thoughts drifted off to the Enchantress and suddenly he had an answer. "The worst way to die is slowly, torn between the world of the living and the dead. There would be a constant unimaginable pain that I simply can't describe. Having not only your life put to an end, but your soul being torn apart."

Alex Bellrose

She listened, nodding at times, "morbid?" She said, "and fair enough. I suppose I'd rather die before I experience that."

Kye Hanbyeol

"I apologize... Maybe that description was too excessive."

Alex Bellrose

She shrugged, "nah, it wasn't. Just intense."

Kye Hanbyeol

"Are you sure?"

Alex Bellrose

She tilted her head, her mouth twisting into a smirk, "of course," she replied.

Kye Hanbyeol

"Alright... What have you concluded about me so far?"

Alex Bellrose

She raised an eyebrow, "concluded? Didn't realise I was doing an essay on you."

Kye Hanbyeol

"Do not subject me to using casual vocabulary, now answer the question."

Alex Bellrose

She shrugged, stretching her arms behind her neck, "oh, I don't know. Kind of pretentious with the vocabulary used around you."

Kye Hanbyeol

"You're not taking this seriously," he said, frowning in disdain. "I am genuinely interested in your perception of me."

Alex Bellrose

"I think you're observant," she said, "but you knew that. I think you're a bit pessimistic. Just a bit."

Kye Hanbyeol

"I'm anything but hopeful, aren't I?"

Alex Bellrose

"Not really, no offence but it kind of seems like you've already chosen a plot for your grave at the local graveyard."

Kye Hanbyeol

He shook his head. "I don't want to be buried... That's very unappealing."

Alex Bellrose

She smiled slightly, "cremation then."

Kye Hanbyeol

"Both sound extremely unappealing... I think I'd simply like my body to be frozen and maybe left in one of the Artic oceans."

Alex Bellrose

"That sounds so distasteful," she said with a frown, "rather my body be burnt to crisp than thrown into the ocean."

Kye Hanbyeol

"I find it more of a symbolic thing."

Alex Bellrose

"How so?"

Kye Hanbyeol

"Well, you start at the top, and as you get closer to death, you sink to the bottom. You are frozen, so you can never escape life's natural processess."

Alex Bellrose

"Are you talking about freezing yourself alive and then being thrown into the ocean."

Kye Hanbyeol

He made a face. "No, at least, not while my body is still functioning. I'm talking about when I die."

Alex Bellrose

She paused, thinking through the idea, "yeah, I'd rather be cremated."

Kye Hanbyeol

"It's all a matter of preference." He sighed and played with his HC bracelet. "What would you do after you died?"

Alex Bellrose

"Cremated," she said instantly, "have my ashes spread somewhere probably." More like spread in the river where her brothers were spread. She pushed the food around, "not as symbolic as yours."

Kye Hanbyeol

"That's not what I was asking..." he drifted off, bewilderment.

Alex Bellrose

She furrowed her eyebrows, "oh? Then what....*oh*, oh right, sorry, that ghost stuff. Whether I'd move on or stay," she said, blinking furiously, "sorry. Um...I'd move on, I think it'd be cruel on everyone to stay behind as a ghost."

Kye Hanbyeol

"That's an interesting mindset... Why do you think it's cruel?"

Alex Bellrose

"Well, say, if I fell in love and the other was in love with me as well and I died and came back as a ghost. I'd keep that person back, you know? Like they wouldn't move on, they'd keep me around not...falling in love with someone else. Plus, when they die, what happens next? Hope that someone will come along and not separate our amulets and keep us together?"

Kye Hanbyeol

He almost snorted at Alex's ignorance. "Easy, you just fuse. You do know what fusion is, right?" *Remind me how you pass classes again.*

Alex Bellrose

She creased her eyebrows, the word ringing a bell but her mind came up a blank, "I knew of it ages ago...go over it again?"

Kye Hanbyeol

"I've been known to be terribly blunt, but honestly, you're an idiot, Alex," he muttered, facepalming. "Fusion is when a ghost or spirit fuses with a living human for battle or out of love. Most commonly the scenario you described, when someone's significant other dies and chooses to become a ghost, their lover usually searches for their amulet and fuses with them so they can remain together forever. This was literally covered two weeks ago. How did you forget?"

Alex Bellrose

She inwardly cringed and shrugged, "oh, I don't know," *the fact that my memory cortex is busted might be a good influence in that*, "not being in class might be a good reason why I don't remember." She got up, deciding she was done with the food, "reckon I should leave the rest for someone else?" She asked, wanting to change subject.

Kye Hanbyeol

"You're never going to graduate at this rate," he sighed, getting up from his chair as well. "Maybe, Will might eat the rest. I think I might rest for today, since tomorrow is Class Preparation day."

Alex Bellrose

She hummed before shoving the rest into a container, discarding the plate into the sink. "Oh, is it? I better go to that," she noted, really to herself than Zero, "well, I'll probably see you around...then?"

Kye Hanbyeol

He nodded, standing up. "Good night," he said, heading down the hallway to his room. If anyone bothered to check the time, it hilariously displayed 'five pm'.

Alex Bellrose

She did glance at the clock but she wasn't really in a place to judge considering there was a period where she'd sleep through days before waking up then going back to bed an hour later, regardless if it was morning, afternoon or night. "Goodnight," she said simply.

Alex Bellrose

She was at the cafe, ignoring the people who were shoving in front of her, cutting the line, and scratched at her neck, hoping that she could just get her drink and leave.

Kye Hanbyeol

Earlier Zero had decided to take a walk and happened to end up at the popular Spectrum Cafe. Bored, he decided to grabbing a bottle of water and lounging around inside for awhile wouldn't hurt, so he walked inside.

Alex Bellrose

She began to move forward with the line and bit back a sigh as a pair of preppy girls with bleached blonde hair and fake tan slid in front of her. Oh well, she had moved forward slightly.

Kye Hanbyeol

He spotted Alex and joined the line next to her, the rest of the customers barely noticing him slip in front of them. "Afternoon," he greeted.

Alex Bellrose

She looked over at him and instantly smiled, happy to see him, "hey," she said, "who knew a cliche coffee shop could draw you out of your room."

Kye Hanbyeol

He almost laughed but settled for a soft smile. "I was actually walking, I came to get some water. Cool down, I guess." That last sentence was obviously a lie, he wasn't even tired...

Alex Bellrose

She looked at him briefly but shrugged it off, not finding a reason to pick at a little lie like that, "just water? You could find faster places to get that," she noted, "oh well, you can wait with me."

Kye Hanbyeol

"Remember, I already told you I don't eat much. That goes the same for commerical drinks and such. I'm fine with water."

Alex Bellrose

"As I said, suit yourself really," she said with a shrug, "and so I take it you're not a coffee drinker?"

Kye Hanbyeol

His smile faltered for a second. "Coffee is distasteful."

Alex Bellrose

"Coffee," she said, "is the best thing that ever happened to me. This is my twelfth cup today," she informed him, "I always ask for more than three shots but they say that'll give my heart palpitations so I suffice."

Kye Hanbyeol

"You're insane," he muttered, staring at her with wide eyes.

Alex Bellrose

She winked at him before turning her attention back to the line and breathed out in relief. Three more people. "Do you want a bottle?"

Kye Hanbyeol

"Water bottle, yeah," he shrugged. "What did you come to get?"

Alex Bellrose

"A coffee," she replied, "long black, no sugar, three shots, large."

Kye Hanbyeol

"Why am I not surprised?" he murmured.

Alex Bellrose

"You know what I could do," she said, an idea popping into her head, "I could just order separate shots and just pour them in myself. Now *that* could work."

Kye Hanbyeol

"I... I'm not going to comment on that."

Alex Bellrose

"Though, I suppose the drink would overflow...no that wouldn't work," she said with a sigh. "Anyways, I'm rambling, I'm sorry. How's...how're the dragons going."

Kye Hanbyeol

"Bullseye is fine. And Tetu is grumpy as always. So nothing much."

Alex Bellrose

She nodded, "right," she said finally reaching the counter and breathed out her order, adding on the water bottle, with relief, sliding over coins as payment.

Kye Hanbyeol

He noticed her addition of the water bottle. "You didn't need to pay for me, Alex."

Alex Bellrose

"I didn't need to but I did anyway," she replied with a shrug, slipping the change into her pocket.

Kye Hanbyeol

"I'd say fair enough but now I owe you a favor and you can't say anything about it."

Alex Bellrose

She looked at him, baffled, as she stepped out of the line to wait for her order, "a favour? I don't need a favour from you..."

Kye Hanbyeol

"Too bad, shouldn't have bought me water."

Alex Bellrose

"It's just water," she pointed out, smiling briefly at the attendant as said bottle was handed over to them.

Kye Hanbyeol

"I'm not changing my mind."

Alex Bellrose

"Seems to be a common trait in the dorm," she said, offering the bottle, "all of you are stubborn."

Kye Hanbyeol

"Must be a troubling trait to have around hm."

Kye Hanbyeol

He bit his lip, watching the girl with a conflicted expression before accepting the bottle of water.

Alex Bellrose

She instantly lit up, though, when her order was yelled out and she brushed past him to get it. Coming back, both hands were wrapped around the cup. "Now what?"

Kye Hanbyeol

"Have you met Brooke yet?" He asked, walking to a booth and sitting down.

Alex Bellrose

She followed him, slipping across from him, "yeah, I finally did," she said, nodding, "last night. She seems nice." Also really hot but she doubted that was on Zero's periphery.

Kye Hanbyeol

"That's good," he hummed, twisting the cap of the water bottle off. "We never did finish our game of twenty questions."

Alex Bellrose

She took a sip of the coffee, savouring the taste before saying anything, "didn't we?" She asked, "well, I'm going to assume it's your turn. Ask away."

Kye Hanbyeol

"Do you dislike Will?" he said after a swig of water.

Alex Bellrose

She hesitated, taking another sip of her coffee, "well, he's not the most...agreeable person. I don't hate him, I just...rather stay away from him," she said, fumbling over her words slightly, and sighed internally.

Kye Hanbyeol

"Dislike and hate are too different things but reasonable answer. Your turn."

Alex Bellrose

"Do you like him?" She asked, curiously, "Brooklyn said you two knew each other before this year..."

Kye Hanbyeol

His dangerously skipped a beat as a painful pang shot him in the lungs. "...He's... tolerable. Most of the time."

Alex Bellrose

"I guess," she said with a shrug.

Kye Hanbyeol

Deciding to move on from the topic as soon as possible, he asked his next question. "Going to go anywhere during Autumn break?"

Alex Bellrose

"Do you count this place as 'anywhere'? Cause I'll be in the dorm and leaving every other moment to come here for coffee then I'm going straight back," she said with a shrug, "maybe I'll visit my dad for a night but that's definitely a maybe."

Kye Hanbyeol

"I guess..." He blinked. "You could come to my place for the break. I'm thinking about inviting Brooke too. And maybe Jude... if Brooke doesn't kill him. Might even invite Bex."

Alex Bellrose

She picked up on the exclusion of Will but didn't comment upon it. Swirling the drink, she thought about it, "I mean...it sounds nice," she said, "where does your dad live?"

Kye Hanbyeol

"Out in Hallows. He has like a castle so there's room for everyone to have their own house practicaly. I wasn't too keen on going back since the place is eerily silent without anyone to talk to."

Alex Bellrose

"Your dad isn't going to be there?" She asked, tilting her head.

Kye Hanbyeol

"Well... he is. He'll just be extremely busy. Besides, he told he me he doesn't mind if I bring friends over during the holidays. Look, just give me a straightforward answer. Will you come or not?"

Alex Bellrose

She thought for a moment, "fine, yeah, I can come," she said. "It'll be good to get out of this place anyway."

Kye Hanbyeol

"Good. Now, wasn't it your turn?"

Alex Bellrose

"Reckon love at first sight exists?"

Kye Hanbyeol

He shrugged. "I wouldn't know... but for the sake of hope, sure."

Alex Bellrose

She raised an eyebrow, "I'll take it," she said.

Kye Hanbyeol

"Um... What's Earth like?"

Alex Bellrose

She tilted her head, "that's a bit broad," she replied, "political wise? Environment wise? It's a lot more...violent than this place for sure."

Kye Hanbyeol

"Both," he chirped, leaning forward. "I want to compare it to Han Pyeonghwa so I know if it's worth visiting."

Alex Bellrose

She was silent for a moment, "well," she said, "it's divisive, diverse, proud. It's not united, though alliances have occurred. The lack of unification...causes conflict. You have a lot of different cultures, different worlds really, to choose from. Some have moved forward in time, some are stuck in the past century. I don't know...it's just Earth."

Kye Hanbyeol

He analyzed the information in his head, keeping a blank expression the whole time. He tilted his head, slightly confused. "So... compared to this place, it's... less... unified. Everyone is so confident in their own beliefs and differences, people haven't been able to permanently come together. Interesting... interesting... must be very entertaining."

Alex Bellrose

"Some consider it scary," she responded with a shrug, "a lot of violence, terror attacks."

Kye Hanbyeol

"When you haven't been in the face of danger often, I can see what they mean."

Alex Bellrose

"Have you? Been in the face of danger?"

Kye Hanbyeol

*It's my life.* He shrugged, "Yeah, a couple of times. Have you?"

Alex Bellrose

She paused before shrugging, "once or twice," she replied, taking another sip of coffee.

Kye Hanbyeol

"They're valuable experiences to have... make you less vulnerable to fear."

Alex Bellrose

She slowly shrugged, "that's one way to put it," she said, her nails scratching at the cup, "but you can't really block out fear."

Kye Hanbyeol

"Exactly why I said less vulnerable."

Alex Bellrose

"You still feel the same level of fear, regardless of how many times you go through it, you just learn how to control it. That's what I think, anyway, you don't have to fight me on it."

Kye Hanbyeol

"Wasn't going to."

Alex Bellrose

She shrugged, finishing the coffee. *I swear I just started this.* Sliding it onto the table, "then that's that."

Kye Hanbyeol

"Made any new friends...?"

Alex Bellrose

She hesitated before shaking her head, "just Brooklyn really."

Kye Hanbyeol

"I'm the antisocial one," he pointed out. "Don't steal my role."

Alex Bellrose

"How can I steal something that I already had? Been one for years."

Kye Hanbyeol

"No, you're the basket case artist. You can't be antisocial if you actually have a talent."

Alex Bellrose

"I am so not a basket case," she said, giggling, "and you have talent so isn't that insinuating neither of us have that title?"

Kye Hanbyeol

"What talent? Name one thing I'm actually good at," he challenged her, leaning back in the seat.

Alex Bellrose

"Writing," she said instantly, "flying dragons," she continued, counting off her fingers, "cooking."

Kye Hanbyeol

"I—" he started, but then sighed and gave up on arguing. "Okay, guess we're not the anti-social ones. We're still antisocial though. I have a reason though, this is my first year. You have been here since first. How do you not have friends?"

Alex Bellrose

Her expression became slightly blank but it quickly reverted back to cool indifference and she shrugged, "as I said, people are assholes. I use to, years ago, but we parted ways."

Kye Hanbyeol

"...Sucks," was all he said before his eyes flickered to the clock. "Got any friends outside of school?"

Alex Bellrose

*Do you count my drug dealer?* She slowly shook her head, "I'm loving this line of conversation, puts my isolation and friendless life really at the forefront," she said with a grin.

Kye Hanbyeol

"The term of actual friendship was nonexistent to me until like a year ago."

Alex Bellrose

"When you meet Brooklyn," she guessed, "guess she's redefining both of our definitions."

Kye Hanbyeol

"She really is... Met her half a year ago though.

Alex Bellrose

"Oh. So what happened a year ago?"

Kye Hanbyeol

*I was still under the control of a psychopath.* "Er... well, this is kind hard to explain since technically they don't have a main gender...? I made a friend who made my life not so miserable."

Alex Bellrose

"Genderfluid," she guessed, "and, oh, well that's nice of them."

Kye Hanbyeol

"They could've been bigender, agender, etc. But of all things you chose genderfluid...? Either you can read minds or you've met the person I'm talking about."

Alex Bellrose

"There are millions who are in that spectrum, it'd be a bit of a coincidence if I were to know it and...sure, but I took a guess and said gender fluid."

Kye Hanbyeol

"Nope, you read minds. Accept the inaccurate compliment!"

Alex Bellrose

"No, it's inaccurate."

Kye Hanbyeol

"It's a *compliment,*" he pointed out. "Accept it."

Alex Bellrose

"Nope," she said shaking her head.

Kye Hanbyeol

"C'mon. Please."

Alex Bellrose

She stuffed her finger in her ear, pretending to clean it out, "I don't hear a compliment I can accept."

Kye Hanbyeol

"I don't hear you not accepting the compliment," he shot back, mocking her with narrowed eyes.

Alex Bellrose

"I'm not accepting the one you supposedly gave me a matter of seconds ago."

Kye Hanbyeol

He sighed and crossed his arms, pretending he heard nothing.

Alex Bellrose

She glanced to the side, watching the other people.

Kye Hanbyeol

"Let's just... forget that ever happened. Your turn."

Alex Bellrose

She glanced back to him, thinking, "what would you change? About yourself that is."

Kye Hanbyeol

*Everything. Why?* he thought snarkily. "My misfortune. As you can guess I'm not a very lucky person."

Alex Bellrose

"Luck doesn't exist. We created it as a scapegoat," she said.

Kye Hanbyeol

"Then I guess my life just sucks for no reason."

Alex Bellrose

"No, that's call perspective."

Kye Hanbyeol

"Is this dry humor again or are you just mocking me?"

Alex Bellrose

"Everything I say is dry."

Kye Hanbyeol

"So I should never take you seriously? Gotcha."

Alex Bellrose

She winked, "that's exactly what I do and it's been working great for me."

Kye Hanbyeol

"...No comment. What's your favorite beverage?"

Alex Bellrose

She raised the coffee cup and gave him an expression like that answer should have been obvious.

Kye Hanbyeol

"Let me rephrase that. What's your favorite beverage *besides* coffee?"

Alex Bellrose

She paused, "well, I have a soft spot for whiskey but I don't think that counts," she said, "I like milkshakes?"

Kye Hanbyeol

"I've never had a milkshake," he mumbled. "What type? Did it taste good?"

Alex Bellrose

"Caramel," she said instantly, "I love caramel," she idly noted before shrugging, "they taste good...you could have one now? They sell it here."

Kye Hanbyeol

He shifted, glancing up at the counter. "Maybe..."

Alex Bellrose

"They're good," she said, "you won't regret it, I swear."

Kye Hanbyeol

"I guess it won't hurt..." he mumbled, standing up.

Alex Bellrose

She smiled, slipping up with him, "won't hurt anyone," she agreed.

Kye Hanbyeol

Keeping head down, Zero approached the counter, skipping the whole line. While others grumbled, most were too distracted with other things to notice or even care. "Er... what type should I get?" he whispered to Alex.

Alex Bellrose

"Chocolate," she said instantly, "always the safest choice."

Kye Hanbyeol

He turned to the person behind the counter. "Can I have a chocolate milkshake?" The employee nodded and set off to make the order. Minutes later, a tall glass of what looked like chocolate ice cream sat on the counter. He took it and thanked the employee before paying and returning to the booth. "Are you sure this will taste good...?"

Alex Bellrose

She came back, nursing another coffee, and slipped in back into her original seat and nodded. "I use to love them. Well, in Earth that is. I use to have them as a child, every Sunday, I'd be taken out for a milkshake. Though...Mirrorworld could have different recipes."

Kye Hanbyeol

"I'm sure the Otherworld and the Mirrorworld aren't that different when it comes to beverages. The Otherworld is an alternate universe, is it not?"

Alex Bellrose

"I guess," she said with a shrug, taking a gulp of coffee, "you gotta finish it, either way."

Kye Hanbyeol

He stared at it as if it was going to eat him. "I have to?"

Alex Bellrose

"You gotta," she said, "it's the rules."

Kye Hanbyeol

"Rules? There's rules to a milkshake?"

Alex Bellrose

She nodded, "first one, you got to finish it, two...well, there's only one rule."

Kye Hanbyeol

"I... guess, I have to follow these rules," he mumbled, sighing. He stared at the straw for a few seconds before leaning down and taking a sip. He lifted his head after a few seconds with a mixed expression.

Alex Bellrose

"I'm not going to declare it's the best thing ever, but it's not bad."

Kye Hanbyeol

"It tastes interesting. Rich, sweet, like creamy chocolate milk."

Alex Bellrose

She nods, "that's the attraction."

Kye Hanbyeol

"I don't know if I like it."

Alex Bellrose

"You're an alien."

Kye Hanbyeol

"...I haven't decided that I didn't like it though."

Alex Bellrose

"You should have fallen in love with it if you were human."

Kye Hanbyeol

"I am human though."

Alex Bellrose

"No, you're an alien."

Kye Hanbyeol

"I haven't even decided yet, let me drink more of it, alright?"

Alex Bellrose

She raised her hands in defeat, "alright, alright."

Kye Hanbyeol

He went ahead and finished the milkshake, of course, with an expressionless face that didn't help determine how he felt about it. "It's tastes... good. I guess."

Alex Bellrose

"You guess?"

Kye Hanbyeol

He shrugged, flicking the cup lightly. "It tastes good, happy?"

Alex Bellrose

She beamed, "yes!"

Kye Hanbyeol

"You're so fucking weird," he muttered, leaning back and ruffling his hair.

Alex Bellrose

"And you're really rude, what's your point?"

Kye Hanbyeol

"You make me half consider go finding Will and talking to him."

Alex Bellrose

"That's impossible," she said, "and lying is a terrible thing."

Kye Hanbyeol

"Wanna bet, Bellrose?"

Alex Bellrose

"No one willingly talks to Will and yes, I'll bet on that."

Kye Hanbyeol

"I could get up right now and go talk to him."

Alex Bellrose

"Yeah? Go then, tell him I said hi."

Kye Hanbyeol

Zero stood and literally walked out the door to head back to IIYM.

Alex Bellrose

She raised her eyebrow, watching Zero go, and took another sip of coffee. Now what was she meant to do?

Will Deneris

"Where's he going? Didn't upset him, did you?" He asked, coming up behind her. He'd been in there ~~picking up girls~~ wanting his usual order, coffee and cake.

Alex Bellrose

She slowly turned to look up at him, "are you kidding me?" She whispered and sighed.

Kye Hanbyeol

Zero didn't go anywhere. Halfway down the street he paused and leaned against a building, out of sight from the cafe windows. He didn't exactly know why he had stopped, but he had a feeling Will wasn't even at the school so it would be pointless walking all the way back. He didn't want to go back either because he didn't feel like sitting down and wanted to walk around anyway.

OOC: time-skip?

OOC: sure

### Timeskip

Alex Bellrose

She was walking through the streets, not with Will, and holding nother cup of coffee, making her way back to IIYM.

Kye Hanbyeol

Zero found himself standing in front of the hoverboard shop again, studying the intricate designs on each board. He'd wanted one since forever, but couldn't afford it. He had the money now but for some reason, he felt hesitant on buying one.

Alex Bellrose

She turned her head to spy Zero t the store and wandered over, "hey,"s eh said, "nice stuff," she recited as she gazed up at the boards, "don't you have one?"

Kye Hanbyeol

He blinked, having registered Alex's words and her presence a second after she began speaking. "No..." he drifted off as if it was obvious.

Alex Bellrose

"If you're going to stand here staring at it, you probably want it," she said before wincing as the realisation he probably wanted to be left alone. "How was Will?"

Kye Hanbyeol

"Annoying like usual," he sighed. "Tolerable, I guess."

Alex Bellrose

She nodded slowly, "was he watching that soap opera again?" She asked.

Kye Hanbyeol

He nodded, letting out a sigh of clear annoyance by Will's obsession with the show. "Gee, how'd you know?" he responded sarcastically.

Alex Bellrose

"I introduced it to him a couple of years ago and...he never stopped, I guess," she said without thinking that comment through, "then every time I saw him this year, he was watching it again. So I figured he'd be watching it again."

Kye Hanbyeol

Zero turned and glanced at Alex, suddenly curious. "How long have you known Will?"

Alex Bellrose

She paused, realising what she'd just said, and took a sip of her coffee. "We were acquaintances. Years ago."

Kye Hanbyeol

*That's funny. Looks like Will's been out more than TE has been aware of.* "That's... interesting."

Alex Bellrose

She breathed out in relief that he didn't ask any more questions. "Not really," she said with a shrug. "He's not that interesting."

Kye Hanbyeol

"I wasn't referring to him," he started but never finished, deciding it was better to leave it be then elaborate. "What are you doing out?"

Alex Bellrose

She shot him a small glance, "going back to the dorm, you know...back from the cafe."

Kye Hanbyeol

"Thought you already left," he hummed, turning to walk into the shop.

Alex Bellrose

She followed Zero in, "nope," she said, "I stayed for a bit, had a couple of more cups of coffee."

Kye Hanbyeol

"How are you not dead yet?" he mumbled under his breath. He approached a board, reaching out to run his fingers over the ridge.

Alex Bellrose

She turned to raise an eyebrow at him, "good metabolism," she teased.

Kye Hanbyeol

He had a response but didn't share it, just continued to study the board.

Alex Bellrose

She gazed at the boards frowning. She preferred to stay either on her feet or in a car that was controlled by a wheel. Stuff like hoverboards (and dragons) seemed like something Alex would just end up with a snapped neck if she ever tried using.

Kye Hanbyeol

"I don't know which one I should buy," he sighed. "They all look nice, but there are no speed or height properties listed here."

Alex Bellrose

She turned to look at the ones he was looking at, "maybe they have like a...booklet, listing all of them. Or maybe they have an attendant."

Kye Hanbyeol

Zero looked around, frowning when he saw no one who looked like an employee around. "Maybe..."

Alex Bellrose

"You'd think it be compulsory to have one on the ground or else risk someone just grabbing a board and walking out..."

Kye Hanbyeol

"Security systems around here are microscopic and top notch, it would take an extreme amount of tech and magic to get past them," he explained. Literally, the only reason he knew this was because he spent a good chunk of his life thwarting said security systems.

Alex Bellrose

"Stil," she said with a shrug before looking around them, "what if you do want top buy one? Still no one to ring you up."

Kye Hanbyeol

"I'm sure there's something around here th—" He stopped mid sentence when a hologram materialized in the air above the board. "Oh. The shop is run by artificial intelligence... That's why no one is around."

Alex Bellrose

"Oh," she echoed and studied the hologram before sighing, "I hate these things. I've watched to many of the terminator movies to like them."

Kye Hanbyeol

"Terminator....? I think I've watched one or two. Brooke brought a movie from Earth once for me to watch and I think it was Terminator or something along those lines."

Alex Bellrose

"Was it about a bunch of robots trying to take over the world?"

Kye Hanbyeol

"Yes, pretty much, why?"

Alex Bellrose

"Probably terminators," she said with a shrug.

Kye Hanbyeol

"I always found those movies disheartening. Makes me slightly paranoid when I walk into places like this."

Alex Bellrose

"I hated them," she said making a face, "and like you said...slightly paranoid with places like this. I always think they're going to chop my head off every time I turn my back or something."

Kye Hanbyeol

"Whoever decided to make terrifying movies, I hope they suffer for what they've done," he sighed, cracking his neck.

Alex Bellrose

"My sentiments exactly," she said, finishing the coffee.

Kye Hanbyeol

"Well... Er, can I see the board's length and speed?" he asked the holographic screen. It flickered for a few seconds before bringing up a picture of the board. Besides it was the properties listed. "Um, thank you...?"

Alex Bellrose

She watched it, "do you need to be polite? Like, does it acknowledge it?"

Kye Hanbyeol

"I don't know and I don't think I want to find out in case this thing gets offended and starts trying to take over the world."

Alex Bellrose

She snickered, biting back even more laughter, "that'd be a new one. World domination cause the lack of thanks."

Kye Hanbyeol

For once, Zero allowed himself to laugh. "That would make an interesting movie."

Alex Bellrose

She grinned over at grin, "interesting wouldn't be the word I'd put on it but it would be," she agreed, "the climax would definitely be saying 'please stop'."

Kye Hanbyeol

"If all you had to do to stop world domination by saying please stop, life would be so much easier."

Alex Bellrose

"Also kind of boring, but I guess it would be easier."

Kye Hanbyeol

"The boring stuff is the easiest stuff. And people wonder why there's no thrill in the office life."

Alex Bellrose

"They're the people that would rather the no-thrill-life. I can see the appeal."

Kye Hanbyeol

"Life is boring without the thrill. It's basically pointless."

Alex Bellrose

"Sure, I agree, but...people like structure. A lot of them flock to it, even if it oppresses them."

Kye Hanbyeol

"Structure can be an advantage, but if not used at arm's length, extinguishes the flame of the human soul."

Alex Bellrose

"Makes them into sheep," she said with a shrug, "but we can't tell people how to live their lives. They do what they want."

Kye Hanbyeol

"Kind of contradictory when you think about it, considering how many people are oppressed by the false structure of tyrants."

Alex Bellrose

"Are we actually? I've been told this place is great in comparison to Earth."

Kye Hanbyeol

"It is for the most part. There will always be the people living in the olden days and the close-minded people, but it's much more open than you would think it would be."

Alex Bellrose

"And are those the people in the government?" She asked, curious.

Kye Hanbyeol

"Possibly. I don't pay attention to politics too much so I'm not very concerned."

OOC: LIES

Alex Bellrose

"Neither, please don't ask me who the Empress is. I can't tell you."

Kye Hanbyeol

"I won't, I already know."

Alex Bellrose

"Then you know more than me," she responded, "are you buying them...I think it's impolite to keep the terminator waiting."

Kye Hanbyeol

He chuckled, tapping the screen and reading the list before scrolling down to a blue button that clearly said **BUY** on it and tapped it.

Alex Bellrose

She walked through the store, regarding the hoverboards. *Joshua would have loved these.* At the thought of her twin, she took a sip of the coffee. Well, tried to. She'd finished it before and frowned down at it.

Kye Hanbyeol

The screen faded away and Zero walked over to Alex, watching her for a few seconds before peering at the counter, wondering where the board would come from.

Alex Bellrose

She went back to following Zero and followed his gaze at the counter, curious to see how it works.

Kye Hanbyeol

"Think the terminators control this too?" he asked