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Alex had a bit of an earlier shift this day, finally back to work after his 5 day suspension, and not being all that eager to resume the activity. He really did not enjoy his job very much, and was already contemplating perhaps trying to find something different, something less.

The good thing about getting off a little bit early? He had time to actually do things in the maul proper, like shopping, or possibly even a little bit of activity in the scarecade, before making his way back to school.

Shift finished, he'd gone into the back staff room, gathered his backpack and skateboard out of his locker, hung up his vest and apron, and shambled back out so that he could clock out and leave, the flashing lights of the scarecade already drawing him as he glanced towards them. It was only a simple matter of cutting across the restaurant before he was standing at the inside restaurant entrance, shuffling his way across, eyes already locked on the game that he desperately wanted to play.

Dance Dance Deadolution.

With an indifferent glance towards those already playing, Alex continued his way forward, already shoving his skateboard into the top of his open back pack before slinging it over his shoulders and stopping near enough the machine to take his turn. He was so engrossed in the action, the flashing of lights, and the sounds, that he didn't even notice the small undead ghoul standing nearby, also awaiting her turn.

Alex was completely entranced by now, his gaze held steady on the game, the flashing lights washing his pale undead face with color, his almost white eyes reflecting it as well. The sound of his name being yelled out broke his attention, and he blinked a couple of times before turning his head towards the sound. "Mei!" He greeted her with as much enthusiasm as she was giving to him. Alex himself was still mostly wearing his work clothes, black pants, a white button up shirt, a black tie. He'd slipped his shoes off back at work and left them behind as well, seeing no reason to bother wearing them back to the school, so his feet were clad only in socks.

"I've been good! Just got off work, actually, so I thought I'd stop in for some fun before heading back to the school. How about you---" He was about to ask her if she was perhaps interested in a round of DDD but she had already cut him off, apparently having the same idea that he did.

A grin split his face just before he laughed, reaching out to push her pointing finger to the side. "Of course. The lady shall get what the lady asks for. Lets see here.." He glanced back towards the machines, one of which was now coming open.

"Over there! They usually allow 3 turns before the next person in line takes over. Lets see what you've got!"

Mei's enthusiasm was truly contagious as Alexander found himself grinning along with her, a little extra kick to his usual shuffle as he made his way towards the machine as well, shrugging off his backpack and placing it to one side as he climbed up onto the machine. He then reached down and began rolling up his pant legs up to the knees, exposing the bones on his left. He was a little worried that after already spending most of the day on his feet he wasn't going to be able to keep up, but he was going to give it his best shot, as he straightened up and waited, a small crowd of onlookers waiting for them to begin.

Hopefully they could put on a good show.

As the music again, Alex felt like he recognized it, almost sure that he had heard it at least once before. Wait, wasn't this one of those songs that started out rather easy but then got more difficult? Whatever, it didn't matter. He didn't usually do this to win, he did this for fun.

And a fun time he had. Stomping his feet, the bones of his left foot rattling in time to the music. So what if he missed a few beats? He was still groovin to the music, possibly spending more time goofing off and trying to actually dance with his body to the sound instead of putting his feet in the right place at the right time. He knew he could do better, but sometimes it was so much more fun to do it this way!

As the song wound down, however, he finally had a glance at his score, then over to Mei's and cringed, hunching up his shoulders though he was still grinning broadly. "Ahh, I think you may just have me beat. Shall we try another one?" He'd totally concentrate more next time.

Totally.

((Rofl, I'm pretty sure even I've DDRd to this song and I never play it))

Alex was content to continue letting Mei pick the songs, though judging just by her second choice he should have been a little more weary. Still, he stomped his foot to make sure he was on the hardest setting, because it was only ever fun that way, and though he knew he would be almost hopeless to keep up, he gave it his best go.

Really, there were more misses then hits this time, and it was a miracle that he somehow managed to get a single combo. He was still grinning, his feet still moving as fast as he could possibly make them, but it was clear that he was actually trying to concentrate more on the foot motions this time and less on trying to move his body to the beat as well. It was a good thing he had endless stamina and endurance, and that he had no heartbeat, because otherwise he was sure to collapse on the floor by the end of this song.

"What a choice, Mei!" He called over to her, giving her a quick glance and a flash of teeth before giving the screen his full attention once more. So much failure was occurring, but who really cared? He was still having a fantastic time!

When the song came to an end, he bent over to place his hands on his knee's, the crowd of waiting patrons murmuring and shaking their heads. He didn't really blame them, because that had been rather pathetic. Still, he had somehow managed to beat Mei by a single point, and he narrowed his eyes at her suspiciously.

"Did you just let me win that time?" He teased, though he didn't really mind if she had.

"Okay, this one is the tie-breaker. I don't want you holding back on me now, Mei!"

Alex was doomed from the start. Really, it served him right for accepting a challenge from a Jiang Shi, and for believing that just because he had won a silly contest more then half a year ago that he could actually stand a chance at beating her. Still, that wasn't the kind of thing to get him down, and since he did this for the enjoyment of it, for the sheer fun and relaxation and joy that it brought to him, he wasn't about to get upset just because she was the superior DDDer.

Still, when she chose that particular song...

"Mei, no!" He gasped, staring at her in mock bewilderment, amusement glittering in his eyes. "Seriously? This song?" He laughed now, and stared at his screen, seriously considering putting himself on easy this round. But no, it was all or nothing, and if he was going to back down like that, he might as well just admit defeat before they even began and take her for that eyescream. He left it on the hardest setting, rolling his shoulders, swinging his arms, pretending to stretch while the game loaded up, and casting a quick glance and a large grin Mei's way before the game began.

"May the best and most awesomely terrific undead dancer win." He said, and then the music had begun, and there was no time for anything else. Just foot movements, pounding down on the various arrows, trying to stay in time. He was...rather proud of himself, really. He was actually managing to keep up! Maybe that training on thunder road had done him some good, after all!

Still, there were times when his feet got a little tangled, when he lost a few steps, but that was okay. He was just impressed that he didn't fail the song completely, and that when it was over, he had landed a fairly solid score. A little nervously, he glanced to Mei's score as well. Wow..she just..wow! That was insane. She was a pro!

"Haha! Nice! Well, I guess I probably owe you that eyescream, hey?" He didn't mind, not one little bit. He had planned on going out into the maul proper after a couple of rounds of dancing, anyways.

Alex was still grinning, and he shook his head lightly at the ghoul, "Thanks,I..didn't actually know that I had it in me myself. Still, I've obviously met my match." But had he really actually thought he could defeat the much more flexible, sure footed, and gymnastic undead ghoul in a dancing game? Ya, not really. Still, it had been very enjoyable to try.

He shambled off of the machine, more then ready to let somebody else give it a go, snagging his backpack up from the ground and slinging it over one shoulder before sticking his other arm through and pulling it up on that one as well.

"You'll have to show me where you want your eyescream from." He admitted. "Though they do serve some in the restaurant where I work, if you would like to just order some from there. Otherwise, i'm sure someplace in the food court must have some, and probably in more flavors then we have here." Alex had never really been the biggest fan of eyescream, but he found that blood or candied brain flavored didn't sit too badly with him.

As for other things in the maul...well, yes, Alex did actually need to do a little bit of shopping. "Thanks, I might take you up on that! I was actually considering spending some of the silver seeds I've managed to save up on getting something special for Yin, though I'm not quite sure what to get him yet. In any case, I need to go to the minipet store and get some more food for the kittens too."

Alex had a sudden urge to reach down and mess up Mei's hair for her little comment, much like he might have done to his little sister back home, but he had a feeling she probably wouldn't appreciate it much, considering that despite her size she was actually quite a bit older then little Isabella.

"Scary Queen it is, then." Alex had heard of the shop, of course. It was vastly popular, but he had never had a reason to go to it before. He followed along side her out of the restaurant and towards the other food establishments in the food court, veering towards the one that Mei wanted. He had to chuckle at her 'ghouly opinion' remark, and he gave her an amused look.

"The problem is I just never really know what to get him, or rather if he'd even appreciate the gesture. He doesn't really like it when anyone spends money on him. He needs clothes, though. Maybe a hoodie or something." He was really just thinking out loud, but bouncing ideas back and forth off of Mei would likely be helpful anyways.

Nearing the shop, he stopped, head tilting slightly to one side as he stared up at the massive selection. "How do you know what to pick?" He asked, a frown creasing his forehead.

"Tell you what, just order me whatever you think I'll like when you order yours, and I'll pay for both." Not a fan of eyescream, but still willing to try it.