We walk around and come across the food court.

“Hey you guys want anything I’m a little hungry” Sparky grumbles.

Tallius hands him some money, “Get me that one thing you got me before… The drink.”

“Ah you mean the apple slushy thing?” Sparky asks.

“Yeah… Get yourself and Oran anything you want, I’m sitting here.” Tallius replies.

“Come on Ori!” Sparky smiles, “What do you want?”

“Oh… Umm… I’m not sure. I don’t usually eat this kind of stuff.” I answer.

“You should try this place’s burger! It’s really good!” Sparky smiles.

“Oh… I’m vegetarian so I can’t.” I awkwardly laugh.

“Aw man that sucks, it’s really good!” Sparky laughs, “The fries are good too! That’s what I’m getting, don’t wanna fill up too much before the party.”

“I’ll just eat later, I’m not so hungry right now.” I answer.

Sparky nods and orders the food. Not for long and the order is ready. We go sit down with Talli.

“Here you go!” Sparky hands Talli the drink.

“Thanks.” He pokes the straw in the lid and slurps the drink while scrolling on his phone.

“We still have about two hours left, there’s an arcade in here somewhere. Can we go there after this Talli?” Sparky asks.

“Yeah, sure.” Talli answers.

“Is there anywhere you wanna go Ori?” Sparky asks.

“Ah, no I’m fine going anywhere.” I say nervously.

I’ve never been to an arcade… But I do enjoy games.

“Is there anywhere you wanna go Talli?” Sparky asks.

“Yeah, after the arcade I need to go to Thorns’ shop. I’ll buy Kiyoshi something from there.” Tallius answers.

“Oh yeah! I forgot about that. It’s like a magic store.” Sparky smiles.

Magic store? Like magic tricks? Maybe that’s his hobby…

They finish up their food and we head over to the arcade.

“Play this one with me Ori.” Sparky points to a zombie shooting game.

Tallius heads on over to another section.

I sit down and we play the game together.

“Ah you won! You’re really good at this game! How are you not flinching when they come for you?” Sparky laughs.

“I like to play this sort of game at home too…” I smile shyly.

“Wanna play this dance game with me?” Sparky points.

“Oh… No, I’m no good at those. It’s too embarrassing.” I blush, “I’ll just watch you play.”

“Okay!” Sparky, “Watch me beat this person’s high score!”

I watch as Sparky jumps all over the pads not missing a beat, he actually did it. He beat the highest score that day! He steps off and gives me a high five.

After a while of playing we gather again.

“Talli I want something from the claw machine, can you help me.” Sparky pouts.

“I can try.” Tallius sighs, “That one? It’s going to be difficult.”

I used to love these machines when I was little, but I haven’t played one in ages. I watch as Tallius fails twice.

Get out of your comfort zone, speak up, you can do it.

“Can I try?” I ask.

“Sure.” Tallius says stepping away.

I go up to the machine and win on the first try!

“Aha!” I smile.

 “THANKS ORI YOU’RE THE BEST!!” Sparky shouts with excitement and pulls me into a hug.

I’ve never been hugged by someone who isn’t family. This feels so weird, what do I do? I pat his back awkwardly. He eventually lets go.

“I’ll repay you somehow, one day!” He smiles, “We should head on over to Thorns so has time to look.”

I nod and we walk on over. We enter the sort of shabby looking shop. The inside has cute but creepy figurines and rocks. There are rows and rows of books.  Wind chimes hang all over the ceiling and candles line the walls. So it’s this kind of magic shop.

“I’m going to talk to Nemy.” Talli says as he passes through the beaded curtains in the back.

“This place is kinda cool, kinda creepy!” Sparky smiles touching all sorts of fragile things.

I walk over to the books and look at a few. ‘spell casting for beginners’ ‘helpful herbs and plants’ ‘capturing your familiar’ weird, but interesting stuff. Sparky sneaks up behind me wearing a mask.

“AH!” I say dropping the book.

“HA! Got you!” Sparky giggles.

I laugh, “yeah…”

“What are you looking at? Books?” Sparky says picking up the book I dropped, “you want a familiar?”

“Ah, I was just looking around.” I laugh, “this stuff is interesting to me.”

Tallius comes out of the back room with a paper bag. What’s in there?

“Got what you needed? How’s Nemy? Is she going to be at the party?” Sparky asks.

“Yes and no, she doesn’t like parties remember? Her daughter might join in for the cake later.” Tallius answers walking outside, “Kiyoshi and the others are already here. The party starts soon so I guess we can go inside.”

We walk around to the back of the store which is the nightclub part. We walk through the doors and there are already too many people to count. Kiyoshi rushes over in a party hat and gives one to Sparky and me.

“Thanks for coming!” he smiles.

“T-Thank you for inviting me, it isn’t much but I got you a present.” I smile back.

“Oh no Ori you didn’t have to!” he gasps, “Thank you so much! You can put it on the table with the others.”