Liv had learned three things about people’s lives compared to her old one. They were fast, they were fidgety, and– most importantly– they were fun.

  All around her, even in the dead of night, Liv could see people bustling around like ants in a hill: traveling on foot, in cars, on bikes, and the occasional scooter. She saw people in conflict, at peace, young and old, all fidgeting between different stages of life, a never ending cycle, an ouroboros circling infinitely on. They had infinite entertainment in each other, in the places they could go, in the city they inhabited, in the things they could see... Magic in every crevice, each step a branching adventure that leads to more branches.

  Traveling around, while more dangerous due to demonic beasts, was entirely possible with cars, trains, or a plane if you had enough wealth. Liv walks down the streets, her eyes full of child-like wonder as she takes in unending sights and smells of the city.

  “Light’s’re awful bright tonight, dont’cha think?” Liv asks mentally, a childlike wonder fused with her voice, glee trekking undeterred in her heart. The light reflects in her eyes, dancing like thousands of stars in the night sky.

  “Quite.” Her boss responds, it's voice controlled. When she had awoken from her slumber, the unbearable aches simmered down to a dull throb, she made the long trek to her room. She was relieved to retrieve them, more than she thought she would be. But those thoughts were squashed as soon as they surfaced. She didn't need to dwell on them... Didn't want to dwell on them.

  As Liv explores, a moth caught in the light of the city, a certain building catches her eye from across the street. It's gaudy beyond belief, bold colors flashing off every surface with sign that reads “Fun and Games Co.” plastered prominently near it's lipped roof.

  The word games catches her attention, a memory flashing across her mind of Alexis. He said she’d enjoy games… Would she? If the lights are any indication, she believes she just might. With a smile, she sprints the street, cars screeching to a halt as she passes in front of them. Their horns blare, an effort that goes unnoticed by the fervent women as she continues her mad dash. As soon as her foot steps onto the concrete of the sidewalk, she bounds to the door, pushing it open with confidence, her eyes widening with awe as she gets a glimpse of the inside

  The building's interior was quite large, the esthetic of the room screaming "space" with the glow in the dark planets and LED's spattered about the place. Game cabinets are lined up shoulder to shoulder, their hypnotic tune blaring out like a siren, drawing Liv closer in. People chatter, the arcade filled even at the late hour of the night. She takes a step forward, her eyes flitting to every little thing that beeps and flashes. It was all so beautiful, so very beautiful.

  “Excuse me, ma’am!” A feminine voice calls out, forcing Liv to tear her attention away from the blinking lights.

  A young woman with bright blonde hair, blue eyes, and a checkered shirt gazes back at her. She stands behind a sort of display counter, hundreds of knick knacks and toys displayed for all to see, all with a sort of price tag. Was this some sort of shop? Liv can see the girl beckoning her closer, an impossibly large plastered on her face like a decal. Liv shrugs, walking up, her eyes occasionally flitting back to the flickering lights.

  The woman continues, her smile never falling, “Is this your first time here-?”

  She’s cut off as Liv extends her hand, her gauntleted hand grabbing the woman’s, giving it a quick pump. “Liv Boss.” Liv says, introducing herself.

  “...What?” The blonde girl questions, her smile faltering for a moment, a bead of sweat trailing down her face. “Do you want to speak to my… Manager?”

  “My name.” She says simply, a flash of recognition passing through the blonde girl's face. Her courteous smile grows further, giving a shake of her own.

  “Oh, my apologies ma’am! My name is Carol!” She says as she pulls her hand back, returning to clasp near her pelvis. “Entry fee is ten dollars, Ms. Boss!”

  “It costs money to be here?” Liv questions, her hand reaching into her jean pocket. She hadn’t needed to worry about money up until now, either being in a wasteland or having someone to cover the cost of her living. She pats her pockets, finding them empty as usual. She didn’t have a penny to her name, a hint of nervousness clawing its way into her stomach.

  “Mhm! Ten dollars!” She nods, reaching a hand out, waiting for the expected bills to be placed in her hand. Instead, she gets a blank stare. Her smile falters, her head cocking to the side. “Do you have the funds?”

  “E-er… No…” Liv says slowly, her eyes flitting to the glowing lights. “You reckon I could, uh… Work for it or somethin’?”

  “For entry?” The blonde woman asks, her eyebrow cocking, her smile falling to a confused frown.

  “Yeah.” Liv nods, her hands fidgeting in her pockets. Her eyes continue to flit toward the glimmering lights, a longing ache in her chest. She really, really wanted to get in there…

  “Well… I don’t know, I’d have to ask my boss and…” Carol sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose, “That’d be a whole hassle. I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you to leave-.”

  “I’ll pay for them.” A voice chimes, cutting through the noise of the arcade. A rotund man approaches from the fields of machines, his messy, burgundy hair flowing to his lower back with bangs draping fully over his obscured eyes. He wears a shirt adorning the logo of the arcade, the fabric stretched taut over his large stomach. His hand reaches into his pocket, rummaging around for a moment before it emerges with a leather wallet, flush with cash. He fishes out a ten dollar bill, sliding it across the counter.

  Liv’s eyes sparkle as Carol takes the bill, turning to reach into the display counter. After a moment of concerning whirs, she produces a small paper cup filled to the brim with coins. Liv grabs them like treasure, looking at the man with bright eyes.

  “Thank ya kindly!” She exclaims, a giddy squeal escaping her lips as she reaches her hand out, taking his hand into her own. She squeezes with the force of the devil, shaking his hand three quick times. “Liv Boss! Pleasure to meet ya!”

  “OwowowowowOW!” He screeches out, folding onto himself as Liv grips his hand.

  She quickly lets go, red marks left where her hand once was. Not her finest moment, she has to admit. She didn’t know his hand was so… Fragile.

  “My bad.” Liv says, half focused on him. Her attention is still partially rapt by the lights, the cup of coins jingling in her hand. She wants to go see what the fuss is all about now, want’s to experience “games”, even if that meant half ignoring the one who enabled her to do so.

  “It’s fine,” He murmurs, resuming a standing position, his face bunched up in a tight smile, “just a bit… Squished. I’ll be fine.”

  “Mhm…” Liv mutters under her breath, her eyes scanning the arcade cabinets. So many different choices, almost to an overbearing amount.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  “Sooo,” He sounds out, his hands fidgeting together, “Are you new around here? I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone like you around here.”

  Liv nods.

  “That’s pretty cool!" He says. "Hellfire?” He questions further, gesturing toward her shirt. Realizing the question might be rude, he flummoxes, his hands raising in front of him as he hastily adds, “It’s just with the shirt. It has their logo and stuff.”

  “Mhm.” Liv nods once more, her head tilting as she pulls at the collar of her shirt. "Didn't know these were all common."

  "Not outside the Initiative, no." He murmurs under his breath before shaking it off, his voice bounding speaking again. "I'm Anthony by the way. Should've lead with that, I guess.” He says, his hand twitching up in the beginning of a handshake. His mind quickly catches up with his muscle memory, however, his hand snaking back to his side awkwardly. “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. I also see you’re, uh… Not... paying attention." He says softly, Liv's eyes glazed over as she looks at a bleeping claw machine.

  “Whuzzat?" Liv blinks, her pupils dilating back to the conversation. Her boss quickly runs her through the basics what she missed: not without scold her, however.

  "Oh, my bad,” Liv apologizes, absent mindedly jingling her cup of coins as she speaks. “I was just lookin’ at those machines over there.” She gestures around the arcade with wide swings.

  “Never played a game before?” He questions, his eyebrow cocking up in surprise.

  “Nope.” She confirms, a bit of giddy joy leaking into her voice. “Ain’t nothin’ like it at home.”

  “Huh, sweet.” Anthony nods, gesturing to the arcade cabinets. “I could teach you the ropes. I know the in’s and out’s of this place, and of games in general. It's, uh.” He flushes a bit, his hands burying in his pockets. "All I do anymore..."

  “...Ya mean it?” Liv asks, flitting her attention between the arcade cabinets and this, supposed, arcade guru.

  “Sure. I have nothing better to do today-. OOF!” Anthony grunts Liv grabs him by the hand, not caring to let him regain his balance as she drags him across the floor. She trails around the arcade as he squawks his protest, people turning to stare at the bizarre sight. Her journey ends as she catches sight of a particularly large machine. This one was the most familiar. A basketball hoop with LEDs lining its rim. Liv stares on entranced. Home didn't have anything like this, that was for sure.

  “Oi!” She calls down to Anthony, his large body sprawled out on the floor. “How do I work this thing?”

  Anthony groans, nursing his now sore shoulder. “Insert a coin into the slot…” He mumbles, gesturing to a small receptacle on the side of the machine.

  Liv looks down, finding a small coin slot blinking red. Liv reaches into her cup, pulling out one of the many coins in its depths, the metal rubbing against the metal of her own gauntlet. She pushes the coin into the slot, a chime sounding through the arcade. An upbeat song begins to play as the scoreboard ignites to life, three basketballs sliding down from a compartment in the machine. Liv furrows her brow, putting her cup on the floor as she slowly reaches down to grab one. They’re lighter than she had expected, and they bounce way higher than the ones at home. She marvels, passing it from hand to hand with ease.

  “I believe you have to shoot the ball to gain points.” Her boss’ voice rings through her mind.

  Her eyes shoot to the hoops, then to the ball.

  “Reckon that makes sense.” Liv pulls her arm back, planting her foot with a steadying breath. Her eyes lock on the rim. Then, with all her might, she chucks it right at the rim.

  THUD

  The ball impacts against the rim, flying out of the machine and over Liv’s head, bouncing on the floor three times before tumbling to a stop.

  “What was that?” Her boss questions, genuine surprise leaking into its voice.

  “I ain’t a sports player!” She exclaims. She swore that would've worked. Grabbing the next ball, she loosens her stance. Maybe she'd just have to be gentler.

  THUD

  The ball impacts against the rim, flying back to slam into Liv’s face. She yelps, falling onto her back, her hand coming to clutch her nose as she writhes on the floor. Her nose, luckily, wasn’t bleeding. It still hurt, though! Liv sits up, nursing her nose with a growl, her eyebrows furrowing. She felt like it was possible, but didn’t know if she could get it in one more shot. Liv rubs her eyes, trying to think of how to score well. If she threw it harder, maybe…

  SWISH

  DING!

  Liv’s head perks up as she hears the distinct noise of a ball swishing through a hoop, a positive chime dinging from the scoreboard. Anthony pumps his fist, the ball rolling back to his person as he extends his hands, grabbing it with a smile.

  “How’d ya do that…?” Liv mutters, her face scrunching up in confusion as she walks up beside him, her hands coming to rest on the rim of the machine. Anthony looks over to her, a smile of triumph on his face.

  “It’s pretty simple. All you have to do is imagine your line of sight,” He says, his arms propping the ball up, “Crouch down,” He says while crouching, “And swish!” He exclaims, throwing the ball toward the hoop

  SWISH

  DING!

  Yet another chime sounds out, the ball easily swishing through the net. Liv looks on, her eyes wide as the ball rolls back down to Anthony’s expecting hands. He looks to her, his smile only growing as she extends his hand, placing the ball in her rigid arms.

  “Give it a go.” He says, stepping aside to give Liv a chance. She looks at the hoop, then at the ball with wide eyes. How the hell had he done that?

  Liv takes a deep breath in, then out. Focus, she has to focus on this one action. With steely resolve, she opens her eyes, crouching down as she imagines the trajectory of the ball. She imagines it over and over as she prepares herself for the shot.

  THUD.

  Liv chucks the ball again, said ball bouncing off the rim to slam into Anthony’s waiting face. He reels back, landing on his pudgy back with a loud thud. Liv looks on in a mix of horror and disappointment. Horror in the aftermath, disappointment in the result. Not only had she not made the shot, but she had injured her new friend in the process. She crouches down, unsure how to navigate the situation.

  “You ok? I didn’t mean to hit ya with that!” She explains, hoping against hope he was fine. Liv was expecting the typical responses she got when she messed up. Anger, disappointment, pity, the usual. What she didn’t expect was the genuine laugh that bubbles up from Anthony’s throat as he sits up, blood trickling down his nose. Liv cant help but awkwardly giggle along, her own mood improving. At least he wasn’t hurt, but he might be brain damaged.

  “You got me pretty good!” He says in between chuckles, pushing himself up with a considerable effort. The machine dings three times in succession, a handful of tickets pouring out the side. Anthony walks up, plucking them with a small grin. Then, he inserts another coin, the song restarting with a passionate fervor. He grabs one of the basketballs, tossing another to her. Liv catches it, caught between asking him what he was doing and immediately chucking the ball right at the rim.

  "Here," Anthony says. "Just watch what I do. It isn't that hard, really." He goes through the motions of his shot once more, the ding of a made basket ringing through the already loud arcade. Liv watches on, a hum escaping her mouth. Now that she was actually watching... It didn't seem all that hard.

  "Lemme try." Liv says, excitedly pushing him out the way. It was ultimately redundant. He had started moving the moment she approached. She focuses on the rim, trying to recall his exact movements. He'd just crouched like so... Then he'd-.

  DING!

  The machine dings as Liv's basketball swishes through the hoop. Liv woots triumphantly, warm pride blossoming across her chest. Anthony cheers as well, clapping his approval.

  "That was a good one!" He says. Liv gives him a wide smile, picking up another ball to shoot. Dings abound, the final ticket amount practically pouring from the sides. Liv scoops them up with pride, hugging them close to her chest.

  "I'm starting to think you just wanted to hit me in the face." Anthony jokes, a snicker escaping his mouth. Slowly, he looks around the arcade, his own smile growing a bit more hopeful as he juts his thumb out to the other machines. "Would you, uh... Wanna play some more?"

  Liv felt a strange giddiness in her heart, pumping through her veins like a drug. She hadn’t felt like this in a while, not since the Strata, and not this powerful since she was a kid. She nods enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling with excitement as the two walk toward a new machine labeled "Road of Destruction II". There was so much to do, and she set her heart to do it all.