"You lost on purpose?!." Exclaims Yacron with Disbelief.
Cincaid continues calm, yet wary of the person who uncover the truth. "You are clever, Vurckair."
"Sometimes. To be fair. I simply believe that nobody does anything for nothing."
"True." Agrees Cincaid. "I certainly lost on purpose. Although it's not related to Ervius, or his inexistent relationship with my sister Cailly."
"So?. Spit it out already!." Demands Yacron with impatinece.
"Why so rushy?."
"I'm hungry; So hurry up."
"Haha. Let's head to the Quartzal." The four young men stroll towards their destination, while Cincaid reveals the truth.
"Cailly's friend, Odette; Has on her friends list a certain woman i'm interested in. Cailly and her wanted to go somewhere this weekend, but their Tokens fell short."
"Then your sister challenged you despite knowing the obvious outcome; And you let her win in exchange for Odette to vouche in your favor. Their goal must be imperative."
"Sharp awareness, Vurckair. You are correct on everything. Now the woman i want is waiting in the Quartzal to discuss about a collaboration."
Yacron shakes his head in disapproval. "You dog!."
"More like, «Horndog»." Corrects Ervius.
"Why are you two so offended?." Points out Vurckair. "Those who want something, find a way to achieve it."
"You said something similar earlier. Watch out, Cincaid; Vurckair steals girlfriends."
"Interesting. Yacron. Did you woo, and lost a girlfriend in Yolia?".
"What?!. No. I'm regretfully single. Maybe i should have agreed to that thing your sister suggested.".
Cincaid makes memory. "You mean the transmission with a dating theme?".
{Collaboration?. Transmission?. Theme?. Do they have a streaming platform?}
"Yeah…" Agrees Yacron. While Ervius waves his hand, showing seven hexagonal screens arranged in a flower formation.
"I heard Dating Contest it's a rising trend in the Republic of New Cardellia, and recently has gotten popular among the Procterian Protectorate, along the territories near their borders."
The screens feature distinct ethnic groups that are very defined by their clothing.
Three of the floating hexagons show the Procterian Protectorate; A clear militarized society. Depicting discipline in their strict doctrine. Healthy, toned bodies, clad in formal uniforms reinforced with polymers, and protections present but not directly visible, such as armor or tactical gear would do.
{Their speech is polite, well-structured, and straight forward. Lacking colloquial slang to showcase their individuality}
{I see why they find it entertaining; It's a different way to experience everyday live}
{Besides, watching people get caught up in romances is as pleasurable as it is exasperating}
{Denseness plays a major role in this kind of developments. There is nothing more infuriating than an oblivious person not realizing they are getting hit on}
{Or the other type. Those who negate the truth, and prefer to believe any excuse that sounds barely plausible}
The last four screens presumably involve the Republic of New Cardellia. Their technology is already at the stage of the industrial revolution, but they still fall short to the capacity seen across the Protectorate.
Although the standard of living is lower, the common people seems to be much more active and lively.
Displays of personal character, as well as individual preferences, are a constant, non-written norm.
Lastly, the commoner's speech is full of linguistic fillers, and lacks subtlety or direction.
Nevertheless, sheer charisma, body language, and somehow even the accent tied to the tone of voice; Makes easy to follow what they are trying to communicate.
"You are very well informed." Comments Cincaid; Ervius sighs with a mix of defeat and annoyance.
"I lost a bet against my friend Godrick. He found a lover in one of this events, and his girlfriend went crazy about having a double date. Now i'm getting bugged every day, and if the proposal with Cailly goes well. I will not have a way to stall the inevitable."
"Perhaps none of you should gamble."
"Come on, Vurckair. You can't be vanid. Life is short, and without recurrent sparks of risk and excitement; The road will be as boring as the end."
{When you don't have a say; Fun is the least you can think of…}
{On the other hand. If there is no control at all. Why would i refrain, or restraint myself?}
Vurckair smirks, his bright blue eyes show slit constricted pupils, a feature related to his Ascension Animal Affection.
"«Sorry, Not Sorry», Cincaid. I'm not laughing at you. Thanks for remembering me what i already knew. «Enjoy what you have as if it would not last»."
Yacron pats Vurckair's shoulder. "You are totally right!. Maybe we should organize an event too."
Ervius interjects. "Don't count me in. I don't want to have a double date. Couples should spend time alone."
"That is precisely why Yacron's idea is worth the hassle for you, Ervius." Says Vurckair with thoughtfulness. "While is possible that the Lady you end up dating might be okay with a double date; It is equally likely that she hates the idea. You can even make it a requirement".
"Vurckair is up to something." Admits Cincaid with mild surprise. "Bet or not. Your girlfriend has priority over a Best friend. Convenient, isn't it?."
"I can't deny it sounds… «Acceptable»."
"What can possibly sound acceptable for an, Hypocrite?." Asks the sensual voice of a feminine, voluptuous blonde bombshell of bright silver eyes.
In silence, Ervius faces the female; It's a fact that at the time, he acted like a hypocrite.
Cincaid intervenes. "Come on, Naíndra. Let him off the hook. If the talks go well, Ervius will be part of the Family."
"You mean the other side of your Family, «The Cyannûss»."
"Always sharp like a razor edge." Comments Cincaid with a smile. "We may have found your match… However!. What brings you here, Naíndra?. Not like i hate the view."
"Still with a crush on me?." She snorts in an unladylike manner. "«Jha». Look as much as you want, is all you'll get, «Silde»."
"For «Nafil»?." Questions Vurckair, dragging Naíndra's attention. Her eyebrow rised with genuine curiosity.
Yacron and Ervius look the other, unaware of Sildenafil being the active ingredient in Viagra.
"Someone has invested time in develope the only muscle that matters."
Vurckair steps forward. "I received help in the practice."
Naíndra ogles Vurckair's body with high scrutiny. "This Adarga belongs to the Zagrioth. Jha. Aren't you boasting too much for how little you carry?."
"Probably. So assist me in the corroboration process. I abhor delusion."
Naíndra snorts, standing two steps away from Vurckair, evidencing she is six inches taller.
Yet, the stalemate is ephemeral; Broken by the seductive, Vixen Bombshell bending forth in a ninety degree angle; Her gorgeous face a centimeter away from being rubbed against Vurckair's scaled groin…