A Get Together (III)

"Yes, I did, but I didn't do it alone." Ben reminisced as he looked at the table in between themselves. "It was me and nine other people who created an indie game called The Old Days: Medieval Times, Ashley." ((1))

Veronica covers her mouth while Ashley looks confused as she hurries to look up the game on her phone.

"Really?!" David opens his mouth so that it could fit a whole egg inside. "You were a part of Joy's Solutions and created that game everyone's been talking about for three years straight! Even Vee, who doesn't play video games, talked about it as well."

"Yup, we created the game with all of our hearts." Ben said with a proud, but wistful smile. "But I think we should end with this last question, since we should enjoy the festival."

"We can talk along the way rather than being cooped up in the house, too."

The gang looked at the clock near the living room's window. It was already 11:34 AM.

---

"Come on, let's go." Ben gestures to his friends.

The gang nodded their heads and left the house with Ben. 

David looks at the car, but Ben already knew what he was thinking. "David, we shouldn't take your car. There won't be any parking for you once we get there."

"Okay, I know I know." David said.

"But don't worry, the festival is only twenty minutes away from my house." Ben chuckles as he locks the door. He throws his hands into the air and starts walking in the direction of the festival. "I can finally take a break, exercise and talk with my friends."

The gang walks side-by-side with him. Ben suddenly asks them a question, "Before I forget, is that really the only reason all of you came to my house?

The two girls look at David, David answers Ben with a playful smile, "Well, next month Odette is throwing her birthday party and high school reunion on her own yacht."

"Is that it?" Ben turns his head to the side towards David. "There should be more than two reasons, right?"

David and Veronica smiled while holding each other's hand. This time, Veronica tells Ben, "After Odette's birthday, we are getting married, Ben." 

"Wow," his mouth dropped slightly, "that took you guys long enough. But congratulations to you both!"

"I know right, Ben? I thought they were going to get married in two years or less."

David and Veronica both chuckle at Ben and Ashe's antics. They both thanked Ben and David asked Ben his own question, "So, Ben what happened to Medieval? Is it still updating and stuff?"

"Probably not," as Ben shows that wistful smile again. "We've already sold it to a company called RoseRoot about a month ago."

David's words become stuck inside of his throat. While the girls stopped their cheerful conversation. 

"I'm sorry, Ben." Those were the only words David could say, and after that he offered Ben a pat on the back.

"Don't be sorry, but I'll tell you all about this another time, okay?" Ben wipes off his sad look on his face and replies, "We should talk about something else. So enough about me, what did you all do for the last six years?"

Ashley hurries to begin a conversation, "Well, I…

Soon they had forgotten about the game incident from all the talking and arrived at the festival's entrance.

---

The gang stood in place of the FED festival's entrance. 

It has been a while since David, Veronica, and Ashley had been there-- especially since David and Veronica had forgotten how it all looked like. Seeing it once again, they can both agree and describe the festival as vivid as a rainbow after the rain stops. 

"Did the festival expand and become larger, Ben!?" Ashley exclaims and looks around on her tiptoes. "I don't remember it being this big the last time I've been here?"

"Well, it is their one hundredth anniversary today, so maybe they put in the extra effort for the event."

A girl next to the entrance sees the gang and comes to hand them out flyers and maps. With the usual standard, she told them what information they needed to know: the gifts, food, raffle and playing booths stationed at the festival.

"If you need any help we are located at this place on the map." She pointed and left with a final note before she went back to hand out more flyers and maps to other people. "So, have a good rest of the day staying at the FED festival everyone!"

The gang's attention goes back inside of the festival to see everyone else hustling and bustling about: 

Children cry, beg, or drag their parents or grandparents toward booths to buy them a toy and high doses of sugar food to fill their cravings. 

Some couples drag their boyfriends around while handing them their phones as they start posing in front of the camera. The gang gives them their condolences as they walk past them.

On the other hand, the gang also sees and points to some children groaning at their parents for the constant photo takings. 

"Oh, I remember that when I was young just like those kids!" David chuckled aloud. "Those were some good times."

"Me two and three, David." Both Ben and Ashley agree.

"However, my mom still takes pictures of me and Ling on some occasions." Ben then looks at Veronica. "So, what about Veronica? Do you take family photos too?"

Veronica averts her gaze from the happy family. "What did you say, Ben? I didn't quite catch that."

"Do you take family photos too, Veronica?" Ben repeats the sentence like a parrot.

"Well, sometimes we do and sometimes we don't." Veronica pretends to feel hungry and tells David, "David, I'm a bit hungry."

"Why didn't you tell me that you were hungry?" David asks in concern. Ben and Ashley look concerned too. However, Veronica winks at David to play along with her act.

"Ben, Ashley, I will take Vee to get a quick bite, okay." David understands Veronica's signal. "So, enjoy the festival without us and we'll catch up later."

David and Veronica seemed to zoom like a tiger beetle when they found prey. Ben and Ashley look at each other confused, but they dismiss David and Veronica's odd behavior. 

Ben and Ashley continue to look at the booths until they stop at a booth with a variety of cute items.

"Sooo, cute!" Ashley shows Ben a small, stuffed animal penguin with a flower on the side of its head while holding a coconut.

"Do you want that penguin Ashe?" Ben asks and prepares his wallet. "I can buy it for you if you want."

She ponders for a moment before she shakes her head and puts down the penguin back where it belongs. "No, Ben, we can still look around some more. Maybe I will find something I like."

"Okay, Ashe."

The two stroll around to each booth that catches their eyes. Though until the aroma of food captures their stomachs instead. 

"Do you want some food Ben?" With her mouth-watering, Ashley eyes on the food booth that has grilled ribs and fresh baked meat pies.

"No, but I can cook for us instead." 

"You can cook Ben?!"

"Yup, I can." Ben looks at Ashley. "I've been practicing for the last six years."

"No, you're lying right, Ben? David and I have never seen you cook at least once!"

"Well, seeing is believing right?" Ben smiles and shrugs at her. He moves somewhat of a brisk pace to another stand.

"Ben, wait for me!" Ashley hastens her steps to catch up to Ben. She then gives Ben a stern stare, "Bad Ben! Don't leave me like that!"

"Okay okay, I won't." Ben beamed.

Ben and Ashley continue on their stroll and window shopping with smiles on their faces. David and Veronica were right on their tails. 

Though Veronica felt more annoyed then she had to. "Why aren't they doing anything yet?"

"Give them a chance Vee," David calms her down with a cold water bottle. "Let's just wait and see what happens, okay?"

"Okay, I'll wait and see." Veronica takes the water bottle and takes a quick sip before following Ben and Ashley again.

---

Ben and Ashley can hear music coming from the center of the Fed festival. They can see various old couples dancing several dances, while there are only a few younger couples who know the very basics to dance.

Ashley looks at the center, but Ben knew what she was thinking. He looks at her and asks, "Do you want to dance Ashe?" 

Ashley widens her eyes before disappointment fills in. "But I don't know how to dance."

"I can show you how to dance," Ben offers her his left hand. "If you want to, that is."

Ashley struggles as she looks at the center and at Ben. "Okay, I trust you Ben, so don't laugh at me when I said I couldn't dance."

"I won't." Ben takes her hand. "Just follow my lead."

---

Ben had shown her the footsteps though she stumbled for quite a long time.

"I'm sorry Ben, I think I'm not cut out for dancing," as Ashley let's go on Ben's hold. 

"No, don't say that," Ben grabs her hand and shakes his head. "Let's try the slow dance then."

There wasn't a noticeable blush on her face, but Ashley felt like a whistling tea kettle. Her bashful nod makes Ben blush as well.

As gentle he can be, he takes her within his hold and they sway side to side. Their hearts felt like fireworks in the air.

Ben whispers in her ears, "Looks like I failed to make your dream come true."

"No, you didn't." Ashley rubs her face on his neck. "Even if it's not like those fantasy novels, I love this dance of ours, Ben."

"You do?"

"Yes, I really do." Ashley gives him a kiss on the cheek and looks at him affectionately. 

"Ben, don't do that ever again."

"I promise I won't leave, Ashe."

---

David gives Ben a thumbs up while Veronica grinned like a crazed fool.

"Fu*k! Look at that fatass dancing with that hot chick you guys!" The random bystander laughed with his five friends and threw some lewd gazes at Ashley.

David and Veronica frowned and looked at the person's direction. If looks could kill that person, he would've been deadlier than dead.

The random bystander and his friends walk up to Ben and push him aside. "Hey, babe. You can have a better time with me than this Asian fatso!"

"Ben!" Ashley wanted to go to Ben, but was blocked by those random wannabes on the streets.

"Hey, you better not touch her." Ben got up and dusted himself.

The random wannabe turns around, "What did you say fatso?"

Ben spits in his face.

"Oh, you're dead! Get him, boys!"

Ben being surrounded didn't make him flinch. He studies them the moment they move towards him: with no flashy moves he hits two of them on their throats and wrists; he kicks two more in between their legs with full force; and grabs the last of the random wannabe's friend's hair and plants his face to the ground.

It all happened in almost an instant. Ashley, the wannabe, and the other bystanders couldn't believe what happened. 

"Hey, buddy, you got something to say to me?"

"Well, fu*k." Those were the last words the  wannabe could say before Ben punched him in the stomach.

---

Ashley stood in one place and still couldn't believe what just happened. Ben walks up to her and waves in her face, "Are you okay Ashe?"

She looks at the innocent-looking Ben and the "dead" bodies behind. 

"I think another dream of mine came true." Ashley mumbles.

"I didn't quite catch that Ashe?"

"It's nothing!"

David and Veronica rushed up to Ben and Ashley's side. Even they couldn't believe what they just saw too.

"How did you do that, Ben! You almost look like your mom just now!"

"Well, you're exaggerating David, I'm not quite there just yet."

Veronica and Ashley wanted to say something too, but the crowd of people seemed to be coming out of nowhere as fast as reproducing bacteria.

"I think we should get out of here and head back to my place."

The gang agrees and flees the scene.