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Leona maneuvered the minivan into the mall’s parking lot. He felt like a soccer mom, bussing his children to practice. Only these were not his children, these were his friends.
Playing passenger princess was Vil Schoenheit, who insisted on checking his makeup even as Leona ran over speed bumps.
Directly behind the lion was Riddle Rosehearts, who had been perfectly quiet and checked his itinerary and shopping list. On his right was Malleus Draconia, who peacefully read a book and defied carsickness. They’d almost forgotten him, but when Vil did a headcount and realized he was missing, they were quickly able to grab him and bring him to the car.
In the back were Jamil and Azul, also going over shopping lists, and a very scared Idia, pushed into the back seat. He did not want to, he did not know what possessed the others to invite him, but now he was here, at the mall.
Leona looked for a parking spot as Vil turned to his captives—I mean, friends.
“Are you excited?” Vil asked, like a mother about to drop her children off for the first day of school.
The car echoed in half hearted assurances.
“Well, I’m excited,” Vil said. “You spudlings could absolutely benefit from some skin and haircare advice. Lucky for you, I am willing to provide.
“I’m excited,” Malleus said. “I’ve never been to this ‘mall’ you speak of. Truly, I’ve never heard of it.”
“Honestly, me neither,” Jamil called from the back. “Shopping doesn’t work that way in the Scalding Sands.”
“Same as I,” Azul said. “It was more of a marketplace set up. But we had these caves systems that would all have little shops, so I guess that’s close.”
“There are malls in the Queendom of Roses,” Riddle added, “though I have never been to one.”
“What about you Leona?” Vil asked.
“Same as Snake Boy, actually,” Leona said. “More of a marketplace set up.”
Vil pulled out his phone and made a quick note.
List of places to take the boys:
- Makeup store
- Public restaurant
- Clothing store
While Vil continued to amass date ideas, Leona found a parking spot up front.
Vil climbed out and the rest of the group followed his lead. Leona made sure to check the back for a certain introverted gamer.
“You’re already here,” Leona reasoned. “Please.”
“I don’t wanna,” Idia muttered.
“Look,” Leona said. “You remember what Vil said. He’s only asking for you to buy one thing. Maybe you can buy a candle or something.” Leona sniffed. “Or perfume.”
“I can’t go out there, Leona!” Idia begged. “There’s gonna be people.”
“People who should be minding their own damn business,” Leona said. “Now come on. You can hold my arm or something.”
Idia perked up. “Really.”
After much more pulling and prodding, Leona got Idia out of the car and the boys went into the mall, and further…
Into the Bath and Bodyworks.
When the boys arrived at the store, Vil left them to wander. He knew where he was going, and they’d know where to find him.
Jamil and Azul drifted towards a section dedicated to fragrances. Azul popped one open to try and smell it.
“I can’t smell anything,” Azul complained.
Jamil handed him a strip of paper.
“What’s this for?” Azul asked.
“You spray the perfume on it,” Jamil said. He demonstrated. “What’s this one? Cucumber melon? I can smell it.”
Azul took a sniff, lost in thought. “I like it.”
Jamil’s eyes wandered to other ends of the store.
“Don’t leave,” Azul said. “You need to carry my basket.”
Jamil stood in shock. “Seriously? Can’t you do it yourself?”
Azul smiled. “No.”
Leona held Idia tight like a plush. It was all he could do. If he let go, Idia would be forced to stand alone in a packed store. And that was just cruel.
“Why does it smell so bad here?” Leona complained. “Seriously, why does Vil do this?”
“It does smell…overwhelming.” Idia squeezed tighter. “So many fragrances, all trapped into one little store. How does Vil handle it?”
“I believe that is his signature spell,” Malleus teased. He appeared next to the pair, scanning the items on the shelf.
“Oh, was that a joke?” Leona asked. “I couldn’t tell.”
“Guy, please don’t fight!” Idia said. “You’ll draw even more attention to us.”
“Fine.” Both said.
“And what are these names?” Leona asked. “Touch of Gold? At the Beach? Into the Night?”
“I like the sound of that one,” Malleus grabbed the black bottle.
“This one’s just called Sleep!”
Malleus gasped. “Silver!”
Malleus ran off to another end of the store. Leona laughed to himself.
“The way I said ‘sleep,’ and he immediately thought of the kid.”
Idia laughed.
Malleus found a shampoo he liked. He then continued his search. Vil had often told Silver that his hair could use more care. Perhaps this was a good start.
“Ah, hello Malleus.” Riddle took a stance next to Malleus. “I see you’ve already made a fine selection. Why are you still looking?”
“I wanted to get something for my dormmates,” Malleus explained. “I found this hand soap I think Sebek would like. Now I am looking for something for Silver.”
“Presents?” Riddle asked. “I never considered getting anyone a gift.”
“Why would you buy something for someone else?” Azul said. He approached the two from behind. “Unless you plan to put them in your debt.”
“I guess the twins won’t be getting anything,” Riddle asked. “I suppose that’s for the best. I won’t be getting anything from my dormmates either.”
“Me neither,” Jamil said. “Kalim can get himself something with his own money.”
Azul found something off a nearby shelf.
“Excuse me?” he asked an employee. “What is this?”
“It’s a wallflower,” the employee explained. “You plug it into the wall and it emits a scent. It’s good for a whole room if you don’t want a fire hazard.”
Azul looked at it. “I could use a relaxing scent in my office. These days all it smells of are mushrooms!”
Jamil shook his head. “Go ahead. It’s your money.”
Malleus finally hovered around the candles. He noticed Idia was there once again.
“Just grab one,” Leona complained.
Idia squeaked. “But…”
“Just pick one,” Malleus encouraged.
Leona grabbed a candle. “This? This is for my sister-in-law.”
“Oh…” Idia squeaked.
“And this is for Lilia,” Malleus grabbed one. “Althought, perhaps giving him an excuse to set things on fire is a bad idea.”
Idia scanned the selection. He finally found something he liked.
“This one!” he said. He held up a candle labeled ‘Cranberry and Pomegranate.’
“Are you sure?” Leona asked, like a mother to his toddler.
“Yes!” Idia said, like a toddler to his mom.
“What does it smell like?” Leona asked.
“Pomegranate,” Idia said. “I like pomegranates.”
“Well that’s lovely,” Leona said. “Smell this.”
“What?” Idia shrunk. “Why?”
“I can’t smell anything anymore!” Leona complained. “If I get my sister-in-law a present that isn’t nice, she’ll kill me.”
“What?!”
“I’m sure you jest,” Malleus reasoned. “She won’t kill you.”
“Listen when Sleepyhead or Croco-punk get married, I’m sure you’ll become just as crazy as her.”
“Oh my,” Malleus shook. “The idea of Sebek getting married. I can hardly fathom it.”
“Oh don’t be so cruel,” Vil interrupted. “I’m sure everyone has their special someone somewhere.”
“If Sebek is blessed enough to find someone who can tolerate his…Sebekness, I would be honored to have him as a member of our little family,” Malleus smiled. “I wish the same for your freshmen.”
“Ya mean Jack?”
“You mean Epel?”
“You mean Ortho?!?!”
Malleus blinked. “Umm, I guess all of them.”
Riddle leaned over to Azul. “Do they know Jack and Epel are…”
“How do you know?” Azul asked.
“Cuz he has eyes!” Jamil said.
“Ace and Deuce snitched,” Riddle said.
“Ortho should never date anyone!” Idia insisted. “He’s too precious. Too pure! Too–”
“That’s his decision,” Riddle interrupted. “And not a concern for us at this moment. I have everything I want.”
“Us too,” Azul added.
Vil smiled. “Then let us find the line.”
The boys shifted to the end of the roped off line and began the wait.
“Now,” Vil began. “Who’s paying for who?”
“I will pay for myself,” Azul insisted.
“And for me,” Jamil added.
“Oh?” Azul smiled. “You want to be indebted to me, Jamil?”
“No, I’ve been carrying around your stuff this whole time!” Jamil complained. “I expect compensation!”
“Ugh!” Azul said. “Fine!”
Vil smirked. “I’ve already agreed to cover Idia’s cost.”
“I can pay for myself,” Leona said. He put his hand in his pocket. A look of horror covered his face. “I…I don’t have my wallet.”
“You don’t have your wallet!” Riddle and Azul shouted. “How do you lose it?”
“Well it was on my nightstand and…” It suddenly occurred to him. “Ruggie!”
Vil groaned. “And you Malleus? Did you remember your credit card?”
Malleus looked puzzled. “What is a credit card?”
The six looked at him like he had grown an extra head.
“You don’t know what a credit card is?” Riddle asked.
“No,” Malleus admitted. “In Briar Valley, we use physical cash.”
Vil showed Malleus his credit card.
“Oh that!” Malleus realized. “Lilia has one of those. He needs it to buy games.”
“Is that…” Vil was frozen in confusion. “Whatever. I can’t cover you both.”
At this point, they reached the front of the line. A cashier called for the next person. Riddle sheepishly snuck ahead.
“I have cash,” Malleus said. “It isn’t that big a deal.”
“Guys…” Idia shrunk behind Leona. “You’re causing a scene.”
Malleus pulled out a dozen thaumarks.
“That isn’t even enough for the candle!” Vil shouted. “You’re such an idiot!”
“Next?”
Azul and Jamil moved up. Riddle was almost done paying.
“Seriously?” Vil complained. “I’m not paying for both of you!”
“Why not?” Leona asked. “You were willing to pay for Idia.”
“I thought Idia was gonna just get a hand sanitizer!” Vil screamed. “You bought far more than that.”
“Guys…” Idia muttered.
“May I have the next person in line?”
The boys turned. Riddle slowly inched away from the register. Vil handed the employee and his basket. Leona put his basket next to it.
“You idiot,” Vil said.
Malleus stood there sheepishly. He eventually surrendered his basket to the cashier.
Vil sighed. “I’m making you pay me back. Both of you.”
“Seriously?” Leona asked. “You’re so petty.”
“Oh what?” Vil asked. “You can afford it?”
“Of course we can!” Malleus said. “It’s just—”
They were once again causing a scene. Idia stood behind them all, cradling his candle.
“I…I’ll pay.”
The trio turned to Idia. “Excuse me?”
“I’ll pay for you guys if it means you’ll stop fighting in public.”
Idia waited for all the items to be checked. He used his credit card to pay for it.
“I did not expect that,” Leona muttered.
The employee didn’t react. They just packed their items and sent them on their way, with a fake smile and a “thank you for shopping.”
Idia grabbed Leona’s arm who dragged him out the door.
Vil stopped them before they could get back in the car. Taking out a red spray bottle from his bag, he uncapped it, and unleashed a spray of cherry blossoms upon Idia.
“Hey!” Idia shouted. “What was that for?”
“You smell like gamer sweat and pizza,” Vil said. He handed Idia the bottle and took his rightful seat shotgun. “You can keep it. It was supposed to be a gift, but you ended up paying for it.”
Idia took the bottle and shrunk back into the back seat of Leona’s minivan.
“Thank you, Shroud,” Malleus said. “I appreciate it.”
“Can I send you the repayment?” Vil asked.
Idia opened his mouth, but Azul whispered into his ears.
“Idia, you have three of the most popular kids in school who owe you big time. Don’t waste it.”
“Don’t encourage him!” Riddle shouted.
“It’s fine,” Idia said. “But in exchange, all I ask is I get to plan the next date or two.”
Vil sighed. “What do you have in mind?”
“Game night,” Idia said. “We order pizza and play board games. It’ll be fun.”
Azul smiled. “Not what I was expecting, but it’ll do. Jamil? Riddle?”
“I’m fine with that,” Jamil said.
“I haven’t played a board game in a while. But I’d like to try it,” Riddle said.
Malleus shared the sentiment.
“Fine!” Vil said. “We’ll meet in the Ignihyde lounge.”
“Wait a minute!” Idia shouted. “Why my dorm?”
“Cuz it’s your idea.”
“We could hold it in Diasomnia,” Malleus said. “Though, you may have to deal with Lilia’s…snacks.”
“Heartslabyul has a nice table we could use,” Riddle suggested. “But I don’t want to encourage rule breaking.”
“We can use my dorm,” Vil said. “Worse comes to worse, we move into my room and have a full slumber party.”
“Ooh!” Riddle smiled. “I’d love that.”
“Yeah,” Azul said. “They sound super fun and then it’s with the twins. And it’s a night of chaos.”
Leona sighed. He turned the music up louder.
This was going to be a long drive back.