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 Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 11:53 pm
This was the best. Day. EVER. Alexander nearly cried tears of joy when he overheard the manager. And here he was, in front of Destiny City's arcade, trying to man up and hold those same tears back as he stared at the building. Just for today, in celebration of a really old game that he had dominated the high scores some time ago, the arcade was free. No need for quarters, game pass, or anything -- just waltz in, claim an arcade machine, and play away!
...Well, except for some of them. Rather than close down for maintenance, the owners of what Alex believed to be THE BEST ESTABLISHMENT EVER decided to keep it open house and let people play the games. Of course, the machines that were shut off and had their innards exposed to the world were off limits until they were back up and running, but in the meantime... Free machines!
Granted, some people still stuck quarters in, but hey -- at least management this year decided to be kind and have the games spit the quarters back out instead of hoarding them like the world's most expensive piggybank last year. That was mean.
With a grin, Alexander waltzed into the arcade and settled on a machine.
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Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 6:18 pm
Today had to be one of the worst days EVER. Lyre loved school, loved her family, loved her friends, loved arts and crafts, but one thing she did NOT love was cooking. In fact- cooking was jsut one of those things that did not come naturally to her.
Her mother though would not hear of it- her mother was a housewife and was determined to teach lyre a task as simple as even boiling water. Today Lyre's task was simple though... at least in the morning. She was to go to the market and to pick up a few fresh ingredients. She left a hour or so early- enough time to make sure she could take forever and not get in trouble.
Looking over she saw a store she passed by often- with a huge sign saying a lot of games where...free? Huh?
Of course she meandered that direction- she was curious never been in this shop before! Of course once inside- she chose the ONE MACHINE that still required payment... the dreaded claw machine!
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Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 8:53 pm
Alex drummed his fingers as he waited at the machine, not touching the controls. He just... waited. Sure it was flashy with many exciting colors and sounds, but he wasn't here to play just yet. And -- ah, there! He grinned as he scanned the high scores list, his eyes narrowing before nodding in satisfaction. There he was: ANR. Granted, he wasn't at the top anymore, but it he was pretty high enough to leave it alone for a bit. 'sides, he had until closing to dominate all the charts!
The boy meandered around the arcade, stopping at empty machines to check his scores. Some earned a fist-pump of victory upon seeing the space next to #1 occupied. Others earned a disappointing frown, followed by a look that said simply I'll be back. Minus the cool shades, though -- baggy jeans and a smiley-faced T-shirt can only get you so far.
He stopped, staring as a girl he had never seen before approached the one machine Alex could never beat. It was so tricky that even the great Konami Code had no effect. Curious, he walked up to her and stared. "Are you... going to challenge The Claw?" He asked in a stage whisper.
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Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 9:09 pm
The machine had plushies.
Plushies.
Soft. Awesome. Colorful. poly filled adorable goodness called PLUSHIES.
Lyre secretly loved stuffed animals. She had a miniature hoard of them in her bedroom closet... she always kept at least one on her bed- never exceeding three.
Eying the change thing- she soon pulled out her wallet. She had a few quarters.... why not... she could at least attempt to see how this thing worked.
Suddenly scared out of her trance-like state, she twirled around to stare at the guy whom just approached. Her eyes once wide due to being started- she eyed him curiously "The 'claw'? Is that what this thing is called?" Turning back to face it- she pressed her face against the glass exterior to get a better look inside.
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Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 9:28 pm
"Yep! It's a merciless cold machine that sucks the wallets of kids dry by temping them with soft colorful plushies!" Alex replied, warming up to the subject. Uh oh.
"It used to have just trinkets and things 'til the company that supplied that stuff got bought out, and rather than get rid of the machine the folks here just replaced it with this one. Some get lucky, others lose everything in their pockets for one. Would you mind if I recorded your attempt? Not to sound stalkerish or anything," he added quickly, not wanting to re-experience the sensation of getting tackled by another girl. "But the last several people who've played this machine walked away empty handed. Most people leave it alone, come to think about it.
"So! Are you going to try your luck?"
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Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 9:58 pm
De-gluing her face to the 'claw' machine she stared for a little longer into the machine. "So people have issues with it then? Must be difficult." Then again- Lyre enjoyed a good challenge or two...
"Sure! Why not!" She grinned back- not really minding having an audience. Though now it meant she had to actually try.
Putting one quarter into the slot- she watched in amazement as the claw moved itself to the center of the machine. Grabbing the stick like thing she moved it back and forth- only to find her slow reactions to be met with failure as the machine went down by itself from her taking too long.
Well that sucked. Backing up with a slight pout she grabbed yet another quarter getting ready for another attempt.
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Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:06 pm
Alex grinned and pulled out his video camera. It was a battered piece of equipment, covered in a long strip of duct tape. Carefully, he peeled the side door away from the body and turned it on, peering through the viewer before unscrewing the lense cap. He hated that cap -- time and time again it cost him valuable footage, leaving him scrambling for something decent to upload. Hopefully today would change that!
"Good luck to you, soldier!" He said, giving the girl a quick salute before angling his camera, trying to get a good view of the machine's work. He winced as the machine retreated, empty. "Aw, c'mon! Put your back to it!"
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Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:32 pm
"Im trying im trying!" exclaiming- getting evermore frustrated as the stupid machine failed time and time again.
She was seeing now why this machine for its bad rep. Clearly the claw part was just loose enough to were it was nearly impossible to just grab one of the items so easily.
She was down to her last few quarters....
Finally about ready to fall it a day- she sighed as she reluctantly pressed the down button and turned around to face her new friend. She didnt bother to look at the claw. "Im Lyre by the way."
Thats when she heard the THUNK of something behind her.
Wtf. She turned around and saw a medium sized stuffed animal in the bottom of the drop area.
Even better was the second one- somehow stuck to the ACTUAL CLAW.
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Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:44 pm
Alex winced at the second unsuccessful dip. It seemed that The Claw (or as he preferred to call it, The Great Tyrannical Overlord of the Plush Kingdom) had claimed another victim. It was a shame, really -- a new kid wandering in, emerging victorious? It was a clip that would be excellent if set to proper music, if it happened.
"Nice t'meetcha, Lyre!" He replied cheerfully, "I'm Alexander, though feel free to call me Alex. I haven't seen you ar-" he stopped. Did the machine just... echo with the thud of a rescued plushie from the tyranny of The Claw?
He zoomed into the drop area, laughing. "Looks like you hit it big, Lyre! The Claw has been defeated! 'bout time, too!"
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Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 12:41 pm
"H-holy carp!" She exclaimed- still dumb founded. Reaching into the depths of the machine she pulled out a brand new (rather poorly made but who cares!) stuffed rabbit. The rabbit was a pale green in color with black eyes.
"Aaaaiii it is sooooo cute!" She blushed- clinging to the plushie tightly. She was grinning broadly before she remembered one last thing... a second stuffed animal was attached to the claw.
"Uhhm.... Alex... did i fail at that one too?" She poked the machine- pointing towards the trapped teddy bear. It looked like it was caught by the copyright labels loop of fabric on its back end.
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Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:16 pm
...Cute? Alex zoomed the camera in on the green rabbit. "Well, well," he said softly, zooming the view out and focusing on the trapped bear. He arched an eyebrow, whistling. "Nice going! I haven't seen anything like that happening before."
He took a step closer to the machine and peered. Did the claw get jammed that way? Alex looked around the arcade, took a step back, and delivered a swift kick to the side of the machine. "Oop! 'suze me! Maybe that'll fix it loose?"
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 5:48 pm
Lyre flinched as Alex kicked the machine- was that....even allowed?
Though that was all soon forgotten- because the bear fell with a soft thud into the winners tray. Stuffing the rabbit into her pure (it was still handing out slightly), she reached down for the second prize. A wicked grin on her face- she turned back to alex. Shoving the bear towards him she gave a innocent smile. "Here! For you! Thanks for helping me." Lyre was just too nice sometimes eh? But hey! two for one deal- least she could do was give it to him for his help.
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Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2009 6:40 pm
Allowed or not, it got the job done. He preened, pleased at himself. That is, until the bear was shoved into his arms. Alex was caught by surprise, nearly stumbling as the bright pink bear found a new home. "Wha? H-hey, you sure about this?" He asked, looking at the bear as if even holding it contaminated him with an incurable disease that struck the confidence of men.
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Posted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 9:11 pm
Completely oblivious to the fact she just questioned his masculinity- Lyre just grinned broadly and nodded. "Yup!" She just gave him that look- the look someone gives that if they refused the gift... she probably would be a little hurt. Though knowing lyre she'd bounce back instantaneously and go hug a kitten or something.
Looking down at her cellphone she flipped it open and gave a little squeak. "Ah shoot! I need to go- im so sorry." She forgot she needed to get those ingrediants.... ew...cooking. She'd rather skip the cooking but if she didnt haul it right now- she would be late. She hated being late.
Waving rather stupidly- she darted out of the room. Making a vow to try they claw machine again- maybe she will meet up with Alex again someday.
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Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 8:16 pm
Alex wanted to whimper. Here he was, stuck with a bright pink bear and -- wait. Wait, was that LACE?! This bear had LACE on it! And a bright yellow ribbon! Oh crit, crit, knock out! There was that look, too! Alexander was speechless, managing a squeak and a wave before she darted out.
...Well great, what was he supposed to do now? Stuff it under his shirt and run around with a bear-belly? Or... or what? Was it cool to give a gift from a girl to another girl? Alexander didn't know and wished that the Unwritten Girl Codes were written down somewhere so he could look them up. Giving the bear away would be the fastest way to get rid of it, but on the other hand...
He grinned, then went to go settle onto a machine, eager to reclaim his place as #1 from... well, whoever this "STAR" person was. Brat. He'd reclaim his title from her, him -- whatever it was!
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