Like A Family

On the ship, Nana rushed Hakken, Jaivva, and Vanessa into an inner room while Mimi and Steven began steering the ship back into the sea. It was there that Hakken laid the soaking prophecy out on a table for all to read.

Vanessa hung her head, "Is wet".

Jaivva scratched her hair, "Yeah, we can say goodbye to actually winning if we don't get Logan to pull through".

Nana opened the prophecy from its wooden case, "Yeah. It's badly wet. The ink is even coming off. For future reference, wrap these things in something like a cloth or your cloak. You're gonna need to do that if you go to the pro leagues".

Hakken nodded, "Noted".

Nana turned towards her, "Aren't spies really good at that? Not to be rude, I just expected you to know how to do a lot of things, including keeping a book form of material dry in bad weather".

Hakken smiled, exposing her teeth, "Sorry. I almost never do anything as a spy. Logan and Andres are the ones that have been pushing for me to really practice that side of things for me this past month".

Nana sat, leaning on her chin, "Makes sense. They'll definitely make sure you know how to handle these things better. Not saying you didn't do good. You did. But, I don't know... We're kinda screwed right now".

Jaivva carefully flipped a few pages, "We can try to let this dry and see if the good pages are readable".

Nana looked up, "Seriously though, these people in the game are boujie. We can try. But there isn't much for us to do".

Jaivva planted her face into her hands on the table, "How much will we even be getting paid from all of this"?

Hakken looked up, "Quite a bit actually. Normally for a theme like this, it would be like 3,000 - 5,000 coins if we win. But since Saya is here and we have more viewers than usual, it should be a lot more".

Jaivva looked up, "So we need to win," she laughed, "Why are we making so little money. February and March were banging. We'd make like a thousand in a day".

"They were busy months," Nana ran her fingers through her hair, "It's not that hard to make a thousand in a day during the busy months. But during dead months like April, you'll be looking at maybe a hundred bucks. Like, July through I think January was like that. December was the worst because of the holidays".

"We made a lot in September", said Jaivva, "I think I've been making roughly three thousand a month. Maybe four thousand in February and March excluding the Spring Event".

Nana was nodding in a rhythm, "Yup. That's life. It's been fun".

Vanessa shook her head, "I never exchange my coins for money. I only save them".

Nana's mouth dropped as she placed a hand on Vanessa's arm, "Girl, do not keep all your coins in this game. Ten thousand is the most you should ever have on you. Don't you know you can get mugged"?

Jaivva had little energy, "That's what Logan said. But I don't get who would really mug us. The top teams don't even mug each other".

Nana looked up, "I mean, it's not bad now. But back in the day, there used to be groups of guys that would come, jump players, take their coins, and sell them for quick money. Back then, you were not allowed to go anywhere without your crew".

Jaivva pulled her head back, "Y'all had gangsters running around in here"?

Nana shrugged, "We never knew who they were, but it was random men that would come and do that".

Hakken smirked, "Random casual happens to be a 35-year old built boxer comes and sucker punches your friend and takes their money. Leaves before you can do anything about it".

"Yup," laughed Nana.

"And we were in middle school," added Hakken, "That was another reason I didn't play until high school".

Nana chuckled, "I used to throw down back then among my peers. But then I get some random older chick to come and check me".

"Got your titties beat out?" asked Hakken.

Nana burst out laughing, "I don't even want to talk about that. It was better in high school though. Most of those people were gone or leaving," she covered her mouth to hide the laughter, "But yeah, never have more than ten thousand coins on you. Stuff happens quick. And you can always use your money to buy coins".

Vanessa's eyes were wide open, "Is a lot you did when so young".

Nana's smile was famously resembling a kitten again, "Yeah... I'm about to leave all of this to be a broke college girl making video games".

"What kind?" asked Hakken.

nana tilted her head, "That's hard. Right now I'm working on a game called Love Brawl where basically you go to a club and brawl it out for a date".

Jaivva whispered, "I know a snack on this ship that I would be taking for a night".

Vanessa looked down and smiled, "I would beat Logan again".

Nana gasped, clutching Vanessa's hands together, "Have you heard of Lil Cam K? He's an artist".

Vanessa looked around, "Mmmm, what ki-"?

"Doesn't matter," Nana shook her head, "Look him up and let me know what you think".

Hakken covered her mouth chuckling, "This is why she can't be on y'alls team".

Nana smiled, "Actually, our team broke up. This Alice in Wonderland Cosplay Party might be my last event".

"Why?" asked Hakken.

Nana tilted her head while looking down, "Well, I got exams to get into my university and a few deadlines. So if I fail those, then I can't really participate in the May event, nor the June event. It was actually perfect timing that we disbanded the Paragon Sisters now because it gives me time to study without worrying about Pattie".

"Well, hopefully, you pass," Jaiva was nearly asleep, "It be nice to have your help around here if can".

"Definitely," smiled Nana, "I want to play in at least one more magical theme so that I can morph freely into different animals and play as them. I've always wanted to do that".

Hakken nodded, "I'm pretty sure you will".

"So... what about this month's theme?" asked Jaivva, "Where are we going and what are we doing"?

Nana exhaled, "I guess we're going to Constantine again and try to recruit people. We only have 24 hours left".

Hakken nodded, "Yeah, we can't afford another conflict until we're ready. To make it worse, I think we'll have to fight a level five boss".

Vanessa shook her head, "No, we send Carter and Logan to fight that one. Not us".

Nana snapped her finger, "Yup. Not us. Let them two kick that guy in the gut".

Jaivva's eyes were shut, "So I guess we'll get some sleep before we arrive".

"I can make sure Mimi knows to give us time before we hit port," Hakken stepped towards the door.

"Please," Nana pleaded, "I need all the sleep I can get these days".

Vanessa walked out behind Hakken. The rain stopped, but the mood among the crewmates was the same. She wandered past all the girls who were sitting down, moping for God knows what reason in various spots.

Jeff walked by, "Yo, everything good with the prophecy"?

Vanessa shook her head, "Is wet...".

Jeff nodded, "We can probably figure something out at the next town. That's where we're headed".

Remembering Magnus in the church, Vanessa stepped to Jeff's ear, "Is not Logan. The other man help us escape".

Jeff was silent for a moment, "Look, if you really think-".

"Is not," she said, "He has no reason. And he don't like everyone here and still helps them. Like Hakken".

"I mean," Jeff stared down, licking his lips, "That's a good point... He didn't want her on the team but he's been watching over her and making sure she is put to good use despite her drawbacks".

"Yes," Vanessa thrusted her hips, "So stop lying to him".

Jeff looked around nodding, "Okay. You're right," he looked her in the eyes, "I'm sorry for what happened earlier. You know I ain't that kind of person. We just have a lot going on and there's a lot going on with Dani".

"I know," Vanessa spoke in a lighter, yet stern voice, "But we are a team and we need to stick together".

Jeff held a hand up, "Didn't your ghost say there was a traitor"?

"She did," Vanessa gulped, "Is not smart to fight each other because of one traitor. We need to do better and find out who they are to stop them".

Jeff stared off, squeezing his lip, "You're right. Maybe Andres and Logan can figure something out if I brought them together".

"Maybe bring everyone together," Vanessa looked out into the sea, "Is beast if we all come and work together".

"like a family," Jeff nodded, "Later this week, "I'll bring everybody in during lunchtime at school and we'll figure this out".

"Yes, like a family," Vanessa nodded as she slowly walked back, "Have a good night. I will go to sleep before we go to Constantine".

Jeff waved her good night before doing the same.