THE MOMENT
"When you say, 'My restaurant', you mean you work here?" Foley asked. As soon as he and Bailey arrived, she led him to a table, then said she disappeared for a moment. She came back and explained she was checking on her restaurant. The location was somewhat out of the way and Foley wondered if maybe she didn't choose it to keep their date a relative secret. It was a restaurant he'd never heard of on an Earth he wasn't familiar with.
"I own it," Bailey answered.
"Oh, cool," Foley nodded. He wasn't surprised she owned a business; he knew she was savvy and driven. But, it was still unexpected to learn she owned this particular restaurant in the middle of nowhere. "So, how's the team coming along? Feeling ready for the tournament?" He changed the subject. He was curious; but, he guessed she wouldn't want to talk about work. Roller Derby was usually a safe subject.
"We were...," she shrugged. "The new Court that just signed up is a group we have to take seriously, according to Jenny. So, we're putting in extra practice sessions."
*INTRUDERS IN THE GRAVEYARD*. The lights flashed red for a moment along with the notification. Bailey dismissed the alarm with a wave of her hand.
"Intruders? The same graveyard we came in through?" Foley asked. He understood a lot about the AlterNet and he could piece together how certain things were possible. Intruders didn't necessarily mean danger for them; but, he still felt like he was missing information.
"It's all one zone," Bailey nodded. "The graveyard, nuclear plant, restaurant, academy, and prison on the top floor are all connected."
"Huh," Foley nodded as he processed the information. "How does that work? I mean you own the restaurant, who owns the tower? Are the other floors independently owned?"
"I think it works pretty well," Bailey giggled. "Of course, maybe I'm biased because I designed it that way; I own it all," she said.
*INTRUDERS IN THE NUC-* The lights flashed red again and Bailey dismissed it instantly as if she were waiting for it.
"Oh," That answered a fair amount of Foley's questions; but, it brought new ones. If she wasn't concerned about the intruders in her building, he didn't need to be either. "I don't usually play this mode; but, you've got all the makings of a Kingdom here. Why'd you build it in a tower?" he asked.
"It's not normally like this; I changed the layout for a little while for team practices. When I set it up vertically like this, it counts as a dungeon."
"A dungeon?" Foley made some quick assumptions; but, he was still too slow. The alarm sounded again and was silenced before his realization struck.
*INTRUDERS IN THE RE-*
"Ohhhh," he had the epiphany as the restaurant doors flew open. Five girls skated into the restaurant at full speed knocking tables over and shoving waiters down as they barreled toward Bailey and Foley. They realized who was in their way and slowed to a stop as they reached the table.
"Are you guys dating?" Britt didn't hesitate, and she didn't hide the heavy sigh that came before her question. Foley was her half-brother; her only sibling, and not even her favorite.
"Yes," Bailey nodded, then moved past the question. "How's the dungeon working out?"
"Oh, it's rad!" Jenny said.
"Are you going to join us for practice?" Bijou asked before Jenny could say anything else.
"Not today," Bailey shook her head. "I just wanted to see how this place was working out."
"Oh, good," Bijou said. "I'm glad the team captain is making sure we're at our best."
"I agree; the dungeon has been very well designed so far. I am sure the upper levels will be even more challenging," Dread spoke up and started forward to exit to the next floor.
"Have fun on your date!" Dirge waved at them as she followed Dread.
"Or don't. That's a choice too...," Britt rolled her eyes at Foley as she walked past them. Jenny lingered because Bijou still seemed to want to say something. Behind them, the overturned tables disintegrated and reformed upright as waiters began milling about again.
"Do you need something else?" Bailey asked Bijou.
"No," Bijou waited a full three seconds before she answered. Then, she skated around them without looking back.
"See ya," Jenny waved and chuckled to dissolve the last bit of tension as she followed Bijou.
*INTRUDERS IN THE ACA-* The alarm sounded even before Bijou and Jenny were out the door. Bailey dismissed it, then turned to Foley.
"So, ready to order?"