#shalfei

“Maybe… this isn’t where we should be.”  Kalluto commented, looking around at the overly brightly colored atmosphere of the city of Aiai. “When you said we would be playing a game to find the boss, I didn’t think it would it would have something that my older brother would even enjoy.”

“Relax Kalluto!” Shalnark said, giving the young boy a smile. “We’re here to relax and have fun! And what better way to do it than to do it in this city?”

Kalluto frowned, but didn’t comment as he stepped back to get out of the way of a girl running by with a piece of bread in her mouth. Shalnark mocked the typical stereotype in his head as Phinks shifted awkwardly on his feet.

“Fun you say? What’s so fun about it?”

“Hmm, well if this isn’t your thing I suppose… we can make another game out of it?” Shalnark asked out loud, and the whe group nodded, none of them seeming interested in what the city had to offer for them. “Ouch, okay! If you hated it so much you could’ve said so already. But since that’s the conclusion,” he said, turning to look at the sun in the sky. It was almost sunset; he smiled at that. “We can play hide-and-seek!”

“Hide-and-seek? Here?” Feitan asked next to him, Shalnark turning to look at the shorter man as he spoke up. “What exactly makes this place ideal for that?”

“Why Feitan, I’m glad you asked!” Shalnark said cheerily, poking his nose. “Anything and everything is a distraction! It’d be hard for the seeker to find anyone if they use all of this to their advantage! Plus, it’s almost dusk, which means parties and balls and such are going to be good places for hiders to lose the seeker in! It’s perfect for hide-and-seek!”

Feitan smiled at that, a hand going to his chin as he did.

“Now that you mention it, those are very good things… for the hiders, of course. Too bad you’re going to be it Shalnark.”

“I figured.” Shalnark said, smiling back. He turned to the group, and everyone already looked about ready to dash off and find a spot to hide. “Do we want to put any stakes on this or just do it for some plain ol’ fun?”

“It’s not fun without stakes, but let’s do this round without it. I’d rather be out of here before the sun hits the horizon.”

“Gotcha. I’ll start my search when it does!” Shalnark said, and without much else from any of them, they disappeared, Shalnark losing track of their forms jumping across roof tops or darting through the roads in only a few seconds. “Well, might as well watch the sunset while I’m here.”

Shalnark waited a good few minutes after sunset had ended before he started his search. He wanted them to be ansty by the time he got to them so he could have a good chase. It wasn’t hard finding some of them, like Kalluto and Phinks, who either really didn’t know how to socialize well in these settings or were to loud about it. When they were found, he sent told them to get a hotel in Masadora and wait for everyone else there. When they left, Shalnark continued with his search.

Two hours passed, and he had found everyone but Feitan, but Shalnark had somewhat expected this. Feitan was small, this he could hide virtually anywhere and be missed when overlooking for him in crowded areas. He was also faster than Shalnark, which made it hard to actually tag him to finish the game.

Just as Shalnark was about to give up, Feitan appeared on his own a few feet away from him with a grin on his face.

“Having trouble?”

“If that’s what you call yourself, then yes.”

Feitan’s eyebrows shot up, his smile disappearing to form a poorly concealed portrayal of shock on his face.

“That… was unexpectedly smooth. Do I praise you for that?”

“I do like a few rounds of applause for my accomplishments, yes, but I don’t think that’ll be necessary.” Shalnark said, taking a step forward. Feitan got the hint of what type of game they were playing now, and he smiled again.

“Maybe because you know they’re not that good in the first place?” Feitan took a step back.

Shalnark shrugged.

“At least I still look good.”

Shalnark took a step forward.

“Are you calling me ugly?” Feitan asked, then cursing himself at not taking the opportunity to continue his streak.

“No, that’d be blasphemy, because no words can ever accurately describe you.” Shalnark said, taking another step forward. He was only one more step away from Feitan now, and it was making him nervous.

“Calling me a god isn’t even far from the truth, but at least you know you’re not on my level.” Feitan smirked, stepping back quickly. His back hit a wall, but he had no concern for it; he would win this.

“You’re right; you’re so far out of my league I’m blessed just even being in your presence.” Shalnark took a step forward, a smile on his face as if victory was assured. Feitan smiled back.

“Then let me bless you with more than just my presence.” he said, stepping forward and catching ahold of Shalnark’s vest, pulling him down to where he could place a kiss on his lips. He let go almost immediately afterwards, letting Shalnark stumble back from the kiss, his face a shade darker than before. Or maybe the was due to some lanterns being lit up around them. Probably not.

“Wow.”

“Is that really all you have to say to that?” Feitan asked, crossing his arms as Shalnark composed himself.

“Do you want me to compliment you on that or something?”

“I do like a few rounds of applause for my accomplishments, if that’s what you’re asking.” Feitan replied back, smiling almost evilly as he reused Shalnarks words. Shalnark pouted.

“Hey! That’s not fair!”

“Life’s not fair.”

“This is a video game, it’s gotta be somewhat fair.” Shalnark complained, and Feitan almost wanted to kiss him again. Almost.

“Whatever, let’s just get going.”

“Yeah yeah, the rest of them are probably bored out of their minds by now! Oh, and Feitan?”

“Yeah?”

“That kiss was great.”