Chapter Text
The crackling voice of a speaker echoed through the store, announcing, "Clean up on aisle 7, Clean up on aisle 7 please," the wheels of a trolley squeaked and clattered down the aisle.
The fluorescent lights overhead cast a bright, white glow, illuminating the neatly stacked shelves and colourful product displays. The faint hum of refrigerators and the rustling of plastic bags filled the air, creating a bustling atmosphere.
"Can we get chips?" Player suddenly asked as he maneuvered the trolley past the pasta section.
"Oooohh yeah, can we Carm please, please, please," Zack chimed in, agreeing with Player.
"We already have a cupboard full of chips, you dork," his sister Ivy retorted from where she was reading the prices. She had short orange hair and freckles.
"Yeah, but I want more flavours. Besides, you know they won't last me long, Ives," Zack whined. His reply was clear with an accent that revealed his Bostonian roots. Zack was Ivy's brother and also had short hair, only messier and shorter.
Carmen reassured Ivy. "It's okay, Ives, we have money to spare, and it's our break. I'm sure we can use more snacks for our movie nights," her voice filled with enthusiasm.
The infamous Carmen Sandiego, legendary, mysterious, and majestic, currently sat inside Player's trolley, cross-legged, while reading off the grocery list Shadowsan had sent on her phone.
Shadowsan had insisted he wanted to stay at home base, as he practically blackmailed Carmen with baby photos (she still doesn't know if he was bluffing or not) into taking everyone with her (she's definitely going to get him back for that), muttering something about being too old for this and needing some peace and quiet in his life.
"Player, grab us some of that pasta, will ya?" said pasta was dropped into the cart with her.
After around an hour of going through the aisles, Carmen was practically buried in goods and food up to her waist.
"Okay, I think that's all we need. We got everything Shadowsan wanted. We should go pay now," Carmen said, her voice filled with satisfaction.
As they were moving to the pay counter, "WAITTTT," Zack screeched, drawing the attention of passersby. The sudden outburst caused the team to screech to a halt. Their heads collectively turned to look back at Zach.
"We forgot the ice cream," Zack exclaimed, his voice filled with urgency.
"Zackary, I swear, you give me another heart attack like that and I'll beat you up," Ivy said, hitting the back of his head. Ivy's expression was a mix of frustration and amusement as she scolded her brother.
"Hehe, oops, sorry," Zack chuckled apologetically.
"Alright, you and Ivy can go buy the ice cream, while -" Carmen decided, playfully poking at her driver's stomach. " Player's gonna steer this trolley and all the groceries to the car. We'll meet at the entrance of the shop."
The redheads gave a thumbs-up. "Sure thing, Carm." "Thanks, boss!" and walked away in search of their prize.
Several minutes passed after paying for everything and heading out.
"Redd, my short legs weren't built for this," Player complained as he walked toward the car park.
"Nuh-uh, Player. I'm doing you a favour by getting your exercise in," Carmen retorted with a smirk. Her words hid her true motive — she just wanted to linger in the trolley a little longer.
After stowing away the groceries, Player's trolley was noticeably lighter and almost empty. They headed back to their rendezvous point in front of the shop to reunite with Zack and Ivy.
Upon arrival, Zack was already indulging in the ice cream he had purchased, causing Ivy to express her disapproval silently. As they approached, snippets of conversation drifted towards them: "Wait for everyone," Ivy said, her concern evident, countered by Zack's quick rejoinder, "It's gonna melt soon if we do."
"There you guys are! What took you so long?" Zack interrupted, a hint of smugness in his tone as he eagerly diverted the conversation.
"Carmen's too heavy," Player chimed in simultaneously with Carmen's retort, "Player's legs are too short."
In a playful yet exaggerated fashion, Carmen dramatically turned her body halfway to face her driver, a mock-offended expression plastered across her features. Player responded in kind with his own mock-offended look before both of them dissolved into fits of laughter. Their amusement was infectious, drawing chuckles from Zack and a light-hearted smile from Ivy.
Carmen's eyes twinkled mischievously as she exchanged a final glance with Player.
As their laughter subsided, Player piped up, "Hey Zack, pass us some of that ice cream, will ya?"
Team Red stumbled upon a cosy bench in the heart of the mall, right outside the grocery store. They all settled down to savour their ice cream, engaging in playful banter and conversation. Even Carmen, who initially claimed the trolley was getting uncomfortable, had joined them on the bench.
Abruptly, Zack handed over what remained of his ice cream to Ivy. "Gotta go bathroom," he announced suddenly, making a beeline for the mall's public toilets.
"I'm gonna eat the rest of your ice cream!" Ivy shouted after him, a mischievous grin on her face.
"Don't you dare!" Zack retorted, still in a race against his bladder.
"It's melting anyway!" Ivy yelled back triumphantly, using the drop of ice cream that landed on her pants as evidence.
By then, Zack had already disappeared into the bathroom, leaving the rest of Team Red collectively sighing in amusement and exasperation.
Resuming their discussion, the trio picked up where they left off, their conversation flowing easily amidst shared laughter and occasional glances towards the bathroom where Zack had vanished. Carmen interjected with a witty remark, prompting playful banter and more laughter, creating a warm and light-hearted atmosphere despite the ice cream mishap.
"Think about it, Player! If we're all made of stardust, doesn't that mean we're technically all glitter?" Ivy tossed the idea out playfully.
"Glitter? Seriously, Ivy? That's the most absurd thing I've ever heard. We're not walking disco balls, you know," Player countered, amusement colouring his voice.
"I don't know, Player, I think she's got a point," Carmen teased, a mischievous grin lighting up her face.
"Come on, Red, don't encourage her!" Player laughed, shaking his head.
"Nuh-uh, Player, this is payback for saying cereal is a soup," Carmen teased further, enjoying the banter.
"It IS a soup. Let's be real, it's got milk, it's got chunks of stuff floating in it—what more do you need?!" Player defended his stance.
"Nah, I'm not buying it. Soup is like, warm and savory. Cereal's sweet and cold. That's, like, a TOTALLY different vibe," Carmen countered, crossing her arms in playful defiance.
"I see what you're saying, but like, soup is all about the cooking process, right? Cereal doesn't go through that whole simmering thing, so I'm not convinced," Ivy added, siding with Carmen.
"But think about it," Player hurriedly exclaimed, eager to make his point. "Cereal's in a bowl with liquid, just like soup. It's basically the breakfast version of soup!"
"I hear you, Player, but I still think they're in totally different food categories. Cereal's in the 'cereal' category, and soup's in the 'soup' category. Case closed," Carmen declared decisively.
Ivy and Carmen exchanged a fist bump, signifying the end of their light-hearted debate.
"YOU!" Player suddenly called out to a passing stranger. "Is cereal a soup or not?"
The stranger did a confused expression and looked around before tentatively pointing at himself and replying, "Um, yeah, I think it's a soup."
"Haha, yes! I told you guys!" Player exclaimed in victory, turning back to the stranger. "You can leave now; thank you for your input!" Player waved him off with a grin.
The stranger shrugged before continuing on their path.
"Alright, Player, agree to disagre—" Carmen started, ready to end the debate amicably.
"IM BaCk~" Zack singsonged, announcing his return. It had been a good ten years since Zack's ice cream vanished mysteriously, but for the sake of ivy’s safety, nobody dared to remind him.
Strangely, Zack had also brought another trolley along with him.
"Uhhh, Zack, we don't need another trolley. One's already enough for our resident baby thief," Player remarked, disregarding Carmen's cry of offence in the background.
With a roll of his eyes, Zack explained, "It's not for Carm, it's for Ivy! See, while I was busy, I was thinking, and—" Ivy quickly interjected, "That's dangerous."
"We should have a trolley race!" Zack continued undeterred.
"I'm not sure that's a good id—" Ivy started hesitantly, but Carmen cut her off excitedly, "It's a great idea, Zack Attack! Come on, guys, it'll be fun! And don't worry, Player, this time I'll steer," she reassured before Player could object.
"Well, yeah, I'm down for it then," Player happily agreed, already anticipating the thrill of the race.
"I don't know, we could get hurt," Ivy expressed her concern.
"Ivy, Ivy, Ivy," the trio chanted playfully, trying to persuade her.
"Ugh, okay, okay. But I hope you all know I was peer-pressured into this," she relented with a smirk, unable to resist the contagious excitement bubbling among her friends.
Zack's eyes gleamed with excitement as he set up the second trolley, already imagining the competitive thrill of the impending race. Player eagerly hopped in the trolley carmen was previously seated in, while Carmen wore a mischievous grin, secretly thrilled at the prospect of the impending chaos. Ivy sighed in mock resignation but couldn't suppress a tiny smile.