The Carnival

[Victoria]

“M-my story?” the girl was shocked at Victoria’s question. She looked across the bar again and seemed to consider what to say.

“We all have a story, something about where we came from or why we’re so messed up.” Victoria hailed one of the bar tenders, a slender man who seemed unimpressed with the whole scene. “Give me some water.” She asked and hopped onto one of the stools.

“You’re going to drink water in a bar?” Sophia asked.

“Yeah, if I’m going to drink alcohol it may as well be real. I haven’t really had it before.” Victoria received her drink and took a sip. “So,” she wiped her lips on the back of her hand, “tell me about yourself.”

“I’m a Priestess.” She replied, and hailed down the bartender herself. He produced a drink, and Victoria considered her response.

“What’s a…Priestess?” She asked, perking a brow upward.

“Well, it has to do with religion, and I have certain abilities,” she tried to explain. Victoria cupped her cold drink and thought about religion. It wasn’t something she knew a lot about, just that it was something a lot of people followed. She smiled suddenly.

“Abilities? I have those.” She held out her hand and lightning arched between her fingers and against her skin. “Some of the others here can do neat stuff as well.”

“I can heal.” Sophia replied and shrugged. “I can’t show you that, though.” She looked at Vic’s hands, and the pink haired fighter ceased her ability.

“Healing sounds impressive. I can regenerate, but you can help people. I wish I could do that.” She nodded her head and drank from her drink. “You must make a lot of friends, you have a gift that would be good in a group, and you aren’t half-bad.”

“Gee, thanks,” Sophia rolled her eyes at the girl.

“That’s my way of saying that I don’t regret meeting you.” Vic quickly explained. “I’m not very good at this.” She motioned back and forth between them. “I don’t make friends where I’m from, at least, not since Joal.” She shifted on her seat and leaned her chin on the palm of her hand. “I miss him.”

“Is he your…?” Sophia let the question linger, unsure of whether the question would be embarrassing for the woman or not.

“Ah ha, no, uh, I don’t think so?” Victoria replied, confused, and smiled. “He’s just another guy, you know, they’re a whole different species.” She laughed.

“They say that about us.” Sophia giggled in response.

Victoria enjoyed the energetic music in the background, and the company beside her. It was a good way to relax, and not take things too seriously. All she needed was a clear head; she kept reminding herself of that. She would retain her focus, and give this Gamer everything she had, but while they were trapped here there was nothing she could do. Vic drank from her water again, and stared into the distance past Sophia. The plan was to make friends, because with friends she could do anything.