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Alright, so maybe the warm up round was all Sparrow needed. Though Mei would chalk her low score to her trying to be a snoop and half listen to Yin and Alex's mom's little chat.

When their scores popped up she wrinkled her nose. "Alright alllllrrriiighhhttt. You win that one~ So no we're neck and neck. It all comes down to this!" If she was going to loose she'd at least do it to one of her favorite songs.

Score: 23

He hadn't expected to win that round, and in spite of the fact that he was now quite exhausted, Sparrow was having a grand old time.

"All right," he said with a determined grin. "Next song it is!"


(( 25 28 - (2,4,4 even combo) +3 I think 8| wat idk ))

She nodded still smiling despite knowing that her son was miserable and she was likely only adding to his pain. Secretly she was hoping he'd just smarten up and come over to chat with them, but knowing how stubborn he could be that was probably an extreme fantasy.

"Your game looked very interesting, and entertaining, from what I could see of it. Though I wouldn't want to take any of your prizes without paying and playing first." Her eyes widened a little at the thought of Yin just giving her a prize without doing so.

"Maybe if I could get my son to play for me, would that be okay?" She sounded hesitant though, because she really did not wish to upset the boil sitting across from her. Chances were she'd never be able to drag Alexander over there..but maybe if she promised him something in return she could wheedle him in to doing it.

"Strangers?" She frowned, wondering why that would be bothersome. The festival was open to the general public to attend, after all. But then she remembered that this was Yin, and how horribly nervous he had been when faced by her large family. Perhaps it was just large crowds of unknowns that he had difficulties with.

"Yes, I will be, as long as Alexander wants me to stay." She pursed her lips again, having another quick glance behind her towards the tall and lanky zomboil who was still staring adamantly up at the sky. She hadn't planned on staying as long as she had, but his moodiness and his missing eye had her worried. He seemed to have a few very good friends, however, like Mei and this Mort that she had yet to meet. Though none of them seemed to be quite as close to her son as Yin had been, even when they had just been friends and nothing more.

"How has school been for you?" She decided a change of topic was in order, else wise she might start confiding her worries in the one boil she was fairly certain her son would not appreciate her telling. "Have you any exams coming up soon?"

Yin flushed at the compliment. Really, his game was not that great compared to others he had played, but the more carnivorous students seemed to enjoy it. "I could not take money from you Lady Van Rotte, and you are welcome to anything you would like...or...or he could play it yes, that would be fine, I would not stop anyone from playing a game at my booth..."

And yes. Strangers. Too many of them. Too many unaccounted for faces. Students he simply did not know and faces to those that no one seemed to know. Too many strangers.

"I am sure that your presence is appreciated." What he did know was that Alexander loved his mother, and even if her talking to Yin had his bonded studiously ignoring them he was doubtlessly still glad that she was there.

As for school..."I believe it has been going well. There is a reaper boil here, Mot, he often wears leather, that has been helping me study. I helped him construct his booth." He thought about the exam question for a long moment. "It...it might be time for an exam. I shall have to check after tonight to see if I should be taking one soon. If so I think I will be ready for it, if it is not too reading extensive." There, that was enough about him. "Um...your daughters are also in school now, yes? Are they doing well?" Evil, cruel wenches that they were.

She frowned heavily. The emotions rolling off of Alex were palpable and it broke her heart to see him like this. Mei hated to see anyone she cared about emotionally or physically hurt. And the emotional hurt that he was feeling cut deep every time he saw the other boil. While she didn't dislike Yin, she was closer to Alex so of course her side was drawn. But she wasn't a jerk like some people were and would still treat Yin with as much consideration as she would anyone else at the school.

Reaching out, she pried his hands away from his face. Holding them by the fingers since her hands were so small was about the best she could do. "It will hurt less as time goes by." The ghoul tried to be reassuring the best she could. It was just hard when Alex was so up and down, it felt as if any effort to console him was instantly thrown out the window once he wandered off. "You've got great friends who care about you and worry about you. Mot and Leo....me." A small smile flickered across her face. "And we will do whatever it takes to get our old Alex back. Especially me. Besides, who's suppose to keep me from getting my butt kicked when we're facing down Hunters hm?"

Giving his fingers a tight squeeze, she hoped her words would help even just a little. Even if it was just for a short time.

Senga needed to blow off steam after the scario kart conversation, and DDD seemed to be closest.

Sadly, his concentration was split down the middle like it had been hammered through with a large axe, and he ended the game terribly, scowling at the poor attempt. Oops. Pride somewhat damaged, the executioner folded his wings, only glad that his sister hadn't seen. With a sigh, the young horseman decided he'd just come back again, and turned to find another booth to blow off steam at in the meantime... hadn't there been one with a punching bag or something somewhere around here?

Score: 20 wtg senga

Ev returned to the platform to work those rooty legs of hers!

Score: 29

Alex allowed his hands to be pried away from his face, and he blinked up at his friend with a very exaggerated pouty look on his face and the biggest hang dog expression he could possibly muster. "Only less? It won't just all go away?" Because clearly, Mei would know all the answers to questions of heartbreak and teenage emotional strife.

But really, she had a point. He did have some amazing friends. It was just that...he hadn't just lost a boilfriend. He had lost his absolute best friend that he had committed himself to being with forever. He would have just been best friends with him, if that's what Yin had wanted. He had even told him that from the very beginning. He would do what Yin wanted.... But no, he couldn't even have that now. It had become all or nothing, and nothing was painful and hard to deal with. Not that he didn't understand why it had happened. He did. But that didn't make it any less difficult for him to come to terms with.

"I don't know if it's even possible for me to be 'old Alex' anymore, Mei. We've all changed, and grown, and circumstances just won't allow for things to ever be the same again." He paused for a moment, staring at the hands that were stil grasping at his fingers before looking into Mei's face once more.

"But I can try..."

At the mention of hunters, his face contorted into a much more sour look. "I'll always do everything I can to keep you and all of my friends safe from them." He growled. That was one thing that was never going to change, at least.

"Come on, it looks like my mom and Yin are finished. Let's play a quick round to cheer me up then I'll get out of your hair for a little while." He pulled one of his hands away from hers and reached over to muss her hair up to emphasize his point.

--------------------------------------------

Alexander's mom's look softened, though in her eyes it was clear that she did not think that what Yin said was true. "He is....at times." Not often, though. No, not nearly often enough.

When Yin stood up to leave she also rose from her chair, smoothing out her long skirt as she did so. "It has been a pleasure speaking with you again as well, Yin. As always." She gave him a smile, the warmth of it chasing away the doubt in her eyes from before.

"Oh, I will make sure to stop in to say goodbye before I leave." She replied with a wave of her hand. "We will see you later, Yin Cang."