Mai Legacy
1.5 - Geekcon
It’d been half a year since that fateful day at the pool, and in that time, James had really had the chance to expand his small home. He now had his own separate bathroom, and had put up a wall between his bed and the kitchen, even managing to purchase some cheap carpeting and tile to decorate the main entrance.
He was well enough established in Windenburg now that he went through periods where he considered calling his parents. Oddly enough, every time he considering it, something put it off. Had to paint something to pay the bills, Akira or Salim would call, Victor would show up with a new way to expand his influence as the founder of a legacy family… he was just too busy, he told himself.
Finally, he felt as if he was building towards achieving something his parents wouldn’t be able to put him down for.
One day, while looking at his phone, James frowned, then almost hit the number labeled ‘Ed’. Shaking his head, James put the phone down. There’s no telling what they would try to pull to get him back in Oasis Springs.
Sure, he didn’t feel as lonely as he had when he'd first moved to Windenburg with Akira and Salim in his life now, but moments passed where he wanted to show his dad a painting, ask his mom questions about how to come across as more composed to people like Victor, but he could figure it out. He knew he could. He had to!
James put the finishing touches on a painting, then his phone buzzed. It was Akira.
So, this thing called Geekcon is on today! It's basically an event full of games and activities that are great to play with a group of friends. You should totally join me.
James really loved Akira. He was the one person who could always get him out of the house.
You’ve got me intrigued. He texted back
There’s prizes and money to be made, too... and I know both of us well enough to bet that if there's money involved, we'll both be there. Am I right?
I’m there!
Knew you would be, James! Invited Salim too, but he can’t. He’s got a meeting with a publicist.
Sucks for him, he’s about to miss out on a great time.
You’re so right.
James put the finishing touches on a painting, then headed to the mainland to visit a library that allowed him to display and list selling prices for his paintings on the walls. Following that, he packed up and headed for the ferry that would take him to San Myshuno.
As soon as he walked into Geekcon, James was struck by the vibrance and color of the people roaming the festival. He’d had no idea that when Akira had mentioned Geekcon, it implied he needed to wear some sort of costume. Oh well.
He walked further into the festival, seeking out Akira. Eventually, he spotted him, talking to a vendor at a cart towards the rear of the festival.
“James!” Akira exclaimed. “Where’s the costume?”
“I had no idea by geeky you meant costumes,” James laughed.
“Well, you're going to look totally lame compared to the rest of us. Anyway! I got you a souvenir t-shirt.” Akira passed James a paper bag containing a black shirt bearing the Geekcon logo.
“But Akira-“
“Don’t even start! Nope! I won’t hear any of it. I may be broke, but I’m not broke enough to not buy one of my best friends a t-shirt.”
Akira pointed out various aspects of the festival, such as the programming competition and the ultimate gaming challenge, even the massive rockets that dominated the plaza, set up for people to explore space. From what Akira said though, most people just used them to have sex.
Akira and James roamed the festival, playing against each other in games, helping out with the rocket ship building, enjoying a quick meal from one of the food vendors...
Suddenly, a voice came on over the loud speaker. “The Ultimate Gaming Challenge is on!” Following that, a series of computers across the plaza suddenly lit up.
Akira shook James’s shoulder excitedly. “That’s my call! I’m gonna win this thing! Can you just hang around on your own for a bit?"
James nodded. “You’ve got this Akira.”
James watched Akira head over to the computers, a look of determination on his face. James smiled, then drifted over towards the VR competition. Sure, he wasn’t very knowledgeable when it came to video games, but his mom had forced enough on him growing up that he might have a shot.
James spent a good hour trying his best to beat level after level, throwing up his fist up triumphantly each time he beat one. Each and every victory was a total shock.
“Stick around to see if you’ve won anything!” an attendant told him as he left the VR machine.
James nodded his thanks. He walked over to the ultimate gaming challenge and saw Akira still completely focused, so he headed over to the food vendors to buy another snack. He'd share it with Akira when he finished the challenge.
James made his purchases, turned around, and was met with a familiar face.
“Uhhh… hi, James,” Susan said quietly.
“Um... how have you been?” James asked, more out of courtesy than interest.
“I’ve been…”
The dude behind them in line glared angrily at them. “Some of us are in this line for food, not catching up.”
James and Susan quickly moved out of the way.
“What were you saying?” James asked.
Susan shook her head quickly. “Nothing. Nothing at all James.”
“O-Okay.”
Just then, Akira rounded the corner and stopped cold at the sight of Susan and James interacting. Unbeknownst to them, he'd actually invited the both of them to Geekcon in hopes of encouraging them to make up, but... he'd hoped he'd get to mediate their initial interaction. Them running into each other on their own was less than ideal.
“Wow… James… and Susan! What a pleasant surprise!” Akira said, trying to maintain his upbeat attitude. “You two don’t mind hanging around each other, right?”
Susan and James shook their heads. Neither one of them wanted to be rude.
“I was thinking we could… er… go try a game on that screen over there together!” Akira grinned.
“Yeah, sure,” James said.
Susan nodded.
The three of them played a game, the tension in the air between them obvious to even the people watching them play.
Eventually, Akira stood up then turned to face James and Susan. “Listen, I like both of you guys, but its clear you two have some serious issues to work out. So I’m going to turn around, and you two are going to talk this out, okay? Being a friend with two people who hate each other is exhausting, alright? I can’t stand this tension any longer.”
Akira turned around, then Susan and James looked at each other.
"I'm... I'm sorry for reacting as suddenly as I did that day," Susan admitted. "I... Looking back, it's been clear to me that I may have lead you on a bit that day, and I'm so sorry for that."
"No, no. It's all on me," James said. "It was stupid of me to think that it was okay to ask out someone I'd only spend two days with."
“I miss you,” Susan blurted out.
“I miss you too Susan,” James said, completely taken aback. This hadn’t been what he expected at all.
There was a long silence before Susan spoke again. “I… I know that we didn’t know each other for long. It’s just… those two days were a lot of fun, looking back. It was like we were kids again. Running around, having fun, not a care in the world! I miss that.”
“I... I couldn’t have said it better myself,” James said, honestly shocked.
Akira turned back around and gestured dramatically. "See? Look at how easy that was! That was exactly what you guys needed to hear each other say to each other. You've both been bemoaning your mistakes from that day for way too long, so please, please tell me that given a little more time, I can stop being the friend of two people who don’t like each other?”
James and Susan shared a look, and nodded. They owed Akira this much and a whole lot more. And... it was probably about time they tried to be friends again.