The Rostical Guild - Sceldrant's Comet

by Michael Rogers

  Lance: *He sat on the edge of the couch due to excitement.* (I really want to go, but Ashton's stupid manager thing is on tomorrow-)

  Kairi: *She noticed Lance stare at a blank screen, which caused her to look curious.* "Lance?"

  Lance: *He unintentionally ignored her, as he grumbled deep in thought.* (I always feel like I can sense strange things and all that stuff so, I want to check this out. I don't even want to be a manager, I'm only doing it for Ashton.) *He sighed to himself with frustration.*

  Kairi: "What was all that about, hun?"

  Lance: "Some stupid thing." (Sorry Ashton but I really want to go to this store.)

  Kairi: "Lance, it's getting cold." *She sat down and grabbed a knife and fork.*

  Lance: "I'm comin' far out." *He got up and hobbled to the table as he plopped himself onto a chair.*

  Kairi: "Luna, come on! It's getting cold!" *Her voice caused the sounds of a door opening in response.*

  Luna: "Sorry, mother." *She walked out of her room dressed in all black and covered in dark make-up.*

  Lance: (That thing is my sister-) *He watched Luna drag her feet to the table.*

  Luna: *She noticed Lance staring at her, which caused her eyebrow to twitch.* "Wat are you lookin' at?!"

  Lance: "Did ya take so long 'cause you were cuttin' yourself a little longer than usual?"

  Luna: "So, Lance, have you seen any more ghosts lately or tryin' to summon a character from one of your stupid games?" *She smirked.*

  Lance: "Wow, was I wrong? You took so long because you had to glue your face together because it broke when you tried to smile?"

  Kairi: "Lance, enough!"

  Lance: "What about her?" *He pointed at Luna like a child.*

  Kairi: "She is five years younger than you, you should know better-"

  Lance: "Yeah thanks for dinner, I'm off to bed, aye." *He pushed the chair back and made his way to his room.*

  Kairi: "But you haven't eaten anything?" *Her voice slightly echoed down the hallway.*

  Lance: "I'm not hungry anymore." *He slammed the door behind him and took a few steps into his room and yawned.* (Looks like I used more energy at that paintball thing than I expected.) *He yawned again and lay down on the bed. He fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.*

  ----------

  Luna: *She frowned in anger, intensely staring at herself in the mirror.* (That stupid idiot!)

  *Luna rubbed her left eye and dropped her arm in a defeated-like manner, smearing black makeup all down one side of her face.*

  Luna: (Maybe I'll join Kylie and Kerry-Anne tomorrow, not like anyone will care..) *She whimpered and dragged her feet to the bed, collapsing face-first into the pillow.*

  ----------

  *Nathan slowly woke up, noticing he was bound by thick rusty chains.*

  Nathan: "Huh-?" *He glanced across a jail-like cell, listening to the sounds of chains and moans echo in the background.*

  *Nathan squinted and opened his eyes wider, finding himself chained to a stone door.*

  Nathan: (I've... I've finally been captured?)

  ----------

  *Ashton and Rachael stood on the roof of Fast Food Enterprise, watching the cars drive down the street.*

  Rachael: "It wasn't cool what Lance did."

  Ashton: "He did a no show on the day he was meant to do his manager's induction."

  Rachael: "How did Twortz react?"

  Ashton: *She wasn't too impressed, but I was able to cover for him."

  Rachael: (Ash is so sweet.) *She looked at Ashton with blushing cheeks.*

  Ashton: "Thanks for today." *He smiled and held Rachael's hand, causing her to giggle.*

  Rachael: "Why're you thanking me? We just talked after your shift-"

  Ashton: "No matter what we're doing, I'm always grateful for the times we spend together."

  Rachael: "Hehe, Ash."

  Ashton: "No. I mean it, Rach."

  Rachael: (I can see why a lot of girls are jealous of me now, he's a wonder-)

  Ashton: *He looked up and watched the stars flicker, causing him to smile.* (I find the good in everyone, but with Rach, I don't even need to try. She is just amazing-) "Excuse me, Rach?"

  Rachael: *She looked up, admiring the stars with Ashton.* "Yeah?"

  Ashton: "How come you never complain or ask why I'm Lance's friend?"

  Rachael: "Why should I question who you should be friends with?"

  Ashton: "Ha ha, that's what I like about you." *He smiled and shook his head, as if it didn't matter.*

  Rachael: "Oh? So you only like me because I don't question anything about you?" *She spoke in a playful-like manner, looking at Ashton with a smile.*

  Ashton: "Ha ha, you got me." *He stepped back and swayed his arms, as if Rachael was right.*

  Rachael: "Hehe, sure did, arsehole." *She smirked and playfully turned away, folding her arms.*

  Ashton: "You're amazing, Rach."

  Rachael: "That's Rachael to you."

  Ashton: "Oh, sorry. Ahem. You're amazing, unacceptable face."

  Rachael: "Hehe! Unacceptable face?" *She turned around and faced Ashton, trying not to laugh.*

  Ashton: "Ha ha, that's the best I got. Leave me alone."

  Rachael: "You halfwit." *She smirked, causing Ashton to turn red.*

  Ashton: "All you do is pay me out, jeez. Give me a break."

  Rachael: *She smirked, stepping forward.* "Sorry?"

  Ashton: "Acceptable." *He smirked and leant forward, kissing Rachael on the lips.*

  ----------

  *Luna, Kylie and Kerry-Anne drank from alcohol bottles, watching the sunrise.*

  Kylie: "This feels like a public holiday."

  Kerry-Anne: "Sceldrant's Comet.. It kinda is."

  Luna: "Yea." *She grunted in agreement and violently rocked the bottle up, taking a sip of alcohol.*

  Kylie: "We've all been hurt, so why do we seriously continue to rot?"

  Kerry-Anne: "Wither and waste our parents' money?"

  Luna: (Wasting our parents' money? She's right! I never thought of it like that-)

  Kylie: "It would be easier to end it.."

  Kerry-Anne: "Damn right." *She spoke in a sorrowful-like manner, taking a sip from the bottle.*

  Luna: "Such a waste of space and resources, aye."

  Kerry-Anne and Kylie: "Damn right."

  ----------

  *Lance stood outside Fast Food Enterprise and sighed, before opening the door.*

  Lance: *He stepped inside and instantly felt cool air brush past him.* (That's better.) *He noticed Ashton standing with his arms folded and his face filled with disappointment.* (He doesn't look happy-)

  Ashton: "Lance! I will not accept this." *He stormed across the dining room and up to Lance.* "I was made to look like a fool in front of Tyler and Twortz."

  Lance: "Why does it matter?" *He spoke as if he didn't care.*

 

  Ashton: "It matters because I'm the one who suggested promoting you. I really don't know why you are my best friend sometimes!"

  Lance: *He picked up several napkins to wipe the sweat off his face.* "So wat, I ain't gonna get promoted?"

  Ashton: *He sighed and looked away.* "Lance-"

  Lance: "Well?"

  Ashton: "Well luckily for you Twortz said, since you are our best worker Ashton, I will let this no show slide. If he wants this position to let him know that myself and a few other employees will be here tonight. We will begin the assessment then."

  Lance: "OK-"

  Ashton: "You are so lucky."

  Lance: "I'm sorry, Ashton."

  Ashton: "One of these days I won't forgive you.. What flaming fudge were you doing anyway? I was calling non-stop?"

  Lance: "Ah, I, umm? Overslept. I'm sorry, man.... And thanks for sticking up for me." *He threw the napkins in the bin.*

  Ashton: *He sighed and adjusted his belt.* "If you don't turn up tonight I won't forgive you." *His voice was stern and his face filled with seriousness.*

&n
bsp; Lance: "Yea, I will."

  Ashton: "Well I have rosters to do so I'll be on the computer all day. Come back at around nine thirty?"

  Lance: "Yea kool, I'll see you then."

  *Ashton nodded his head and quietly walked back behind the counter to the office. Lance turned around and walked to the door.*

  Lance: (Oh no-) *He stopped and sighed, realising he had to walk all the way back to his house in the heat. He opened the door and hot air engulfed him.*

  Tyler: *He eavesdropped on Lance and Ashton's conversation, as he spied through a display cabinet.* (Why is Lance Ashton's best friend?)

  Lance: (I suppose this is karma.) *He sighed and braced himself, as he took a few steps outside.*

  Tyler: (He always hinders Ashton's performance....)

  ----------

  *A man and woman in dancer-like garments ran through an ancient forest with their arms swaying behind their back.*

  ?????: *She looked at the darkly tanned man, frowning in a worried-like manner.* "I'm worried, Lehi."

  Lehi: *He looked at the woman with red hair, shaking his head.* "We have to get to the city before they do."

  ?????: "But-"

  Lehi: "Don't worry, Elizabeth. Victoria, Cortax and the others will be there."

  Elizabeth: "But, Holy Neurons, the Consultant!-"

  Lehi: "We'll worry about that when we get there."

  Elizabeth: "Okay." *She frowned in determination and started to run faster, causing her robes to rapidly flap to each side.*

  ----------

  Luna: *She sat on the end of her bed, listening to the crickets sing in the night's breeze.* (I can't believe I passed out and slept for the entire day!)

  *Luna moaned and looked up, watching Lance step into the bathroom.*

  Luna: *She looked down and held her head up, listening to the shower turn on.* (I even left my door open? Gah.. I can't believe-)

  *Lights suddenly spiralled out of the bathroom, instantly catching Luna's attention.*

  Luna: "W-Wat the-?!" *She unintentionally screamed in shock, intensely staring at the swirling lights.*

  Kairi: *She power walked down the hallway and looked at Luna, catching her attention.* "Hun?"

  Luna: "Th-There's lights!" *She pointed behind Kairi, causing her to turn around.*

  Kairi: *She stared at the bathroom door with an unimpressed expression on her face.* "There's nothing-"

  Luna: "I-I saw lights!" *She rubbed her eyes, ignoring the smeared black make-up on her face.*

  Kairi: *She took several steps into Luna's room, instantly sniffing the air.* (Alcohol...) "Let's go to the couch."

  Luna: "But-"

  Kairi: (Why does she do this to herself?) *She grabbed Luna by the arm and gently lifted her up.*

  Luna: "But-? Gah!" *She frowned in pain.* (My head-)

  Kairi: *She walked down the hallway and gently placed Luna on the couch.* "There-"

  Luna: "No! Just check the effin' bathroom!"

  Kairi: *She sighed in a defeated-like manner and turned around, walking towards the bathroom.* "Lance?"

  Luna: *She awkwardly looked over the couch, staring at Kairi with anticipation.* "What if there're aliens-"

  Kairi: *She knocked on the door, ignoring Luna's suggestion.* "Are you okay in there, hun?"

  Lance: "Wateva, go away." *He shouted with an echoing voice, stepping into the shower.*

  Kairi: "Okay."

  Luna: *She shook her head, watching Kairi walk back towards her.* "I'm freakin' serious, all these lights spiralled out of the door."

  Kairi: "Shh, it's okay." *She walked up to Luna and hugged her.*

  Luna: "It's not OK. I know what I saw."

  Kairi: ".. Are you taking drugs again?"

  Luna: "Drugs? What? No."

  Kairi: "Maybe Lance played a trick on you?"

  Luna: "My stupid brother doesn't have the intelligence to play a trick like that."

  --

  *Lance stood in the fogged up bathroom and listened to the cheers outside, which filled him up with excitement.*

  Lance: *He chuckled and shook his head.* (Stupid crazy old fart.) *As he changed, he gazed upon faded crystal-like purple stone with a guilty face.* (I will show Ashton the cool crystal.. I will tell him the truth about the no show.)

  *Lance opened the door and walked down the hallway, catching Kairi's attention.*

  Kairi: "Where are you going?" *She spoke in a curious tone.*

  Lance: "I'm off to work." *He walked past her, blatantly ignoring Luna.*

  Kairi: "I thought it was your day off?"

  *Lance ignored her and slammed the front door, as he jogged his way to work.*

  Luna: "It came from the bathroom.." *She grunted on her breath and started to watch TV.*

  Kairi: *She looked at Luna and sighed, causing her to slowly walk into the bathroom.* (Huh?)

  *Kairi stared at the fogged up mirror, noticing glyphic-like hieroglyphs on them.*

  Kairi: (He is twenty-one and he still writes on the mirror?) *She sighed again and reached for a cloth.*

  *Firework-like rumbles echoed outside, followed by cheers of excitement.*

  Luna: *She frowned, tapping the remote on the side of her head.* (They're too noisy.)

  Kairi: *She switched on the bathroom's fan and started to wipe off the glyphs on the fogged up mirror.* (Wait a minute.. These glyphs!?!) *She gasped and stepped back.*

  Luna: *She heard Kairi gasp, causing her to mute the TV.* "Wat's wrong?"

  Kairi: "I-I need you to get Lance now!"

  Luna: *She frowned in a rebellious-like manner, as if she didn't want to.* "Excuse-?!"

  Kairi: "Go, now!" *She shouted out of character, causing Luna to slowly stand up in shock.*

  Luna: "O-OK?" *She spoke as if she didn't know what to do.*

  Kairi: "He's headed for work, go!"

  Luna: "Umm, OK..?"

  ----------

  *Excitement filled the atmosphere, as if it was a holiday at Dee Highs.*

  Lance: *He looked up and squinted his eyes, staring at the night sky.* (No signs of that damned comet yet.)

  *There were posters, bulletins, newsstands, radio adverts, mostly all media outlets, advertising the arrival of Sceldrant's Comet.*

  Lance: *He walked past a group of kids holding glow sticks and shirts with the words 'Sceldrant's Comet' on them.* (The store's closed a little early tonight-)

  Guy: "Yeah! I'm Sceldrant's Comet!" *He spun in circles pretending to be a plane.*

  Lance: *He let himself into the store through the back door and walked into the break room to find everyone in multiple conversations.* "Wow, everyone's lookin' all fancy, it feels like we're going out or somethin'."

  Tyler: *He turned around and stared at Lance in disgust.* "You're so immature, Lance."

  Lance: "You're like, so immature, Lance." *He pretended to be an idiot, mimicking Tyler in a condescending-like manner.*

  Tyler: *He rolled his eyes and scratched several pimples on his face.* "Idiots say what."

  Lance: "Wat did you say, your highness?!" *Sweat dripped off his face and on to the floor.*

  Tyler: "Eww, is that what someone looks like if they don't have their driver's licence?" *He raised his nose and stormed out of the room.*

  Lance: "I need to find the right drivin' school!" *He yelled out, as he watched Tyler walk away.*

  Rachael: *She snickered.* "So anyway, how have you been, Lance?" *She walked up to him.* "I haven't worked with you in ages."

  Lance: "I'm off the floor, gettin' trained up to be your boss." *He poked out his tongue.*

  Rachael: *She rolled her eyes and silently left the room.* (I don't know what Ashton sees in that fool.) *She grunted, as she climbed up a ladder to the roof.*

  Twortz: *She left the manager's office and walked past the break room, noticing Lance.* "Oh, Lance!" *She sounded surprised.* "Too bad you weren't able to make it today."

  Lance: "O-Oh hello, yea.." *He nervously chuckled and looked to each side.*

&nb
sp; *Melinda slid down the ladder and rushed into the room.*

  Twortz: *She faced Melinda with urgency.* "What's the rush, Melinda?"

  Melinda: "Come quick, guys! Mum said it will happen in ten minutes!" *She jumped up and down on the spot in excitement.*

  Twortz: "Ten minutes?" *She sounded excited, while keeping a professional-like expression.*

  Melinda: "I will see you both up there." *She turned off her phone and ran out of their sight.*

  Twortz: "We'll begin the management induction once all this comes to pass, understood?"