[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/rQ4KMaS.png?1[/img]
[sub]A [@LovelyComplex], [@Venus] & [@metanoia] Collaboration || featuring [color=19C8AC]Niles Sinclair[/color], [color=C81935]Caitlin “Cece” Cleary[/color], & [color=635687]Mikhail “Honey Badger” Zima[/color][/sub]
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[color=silver][indent][indent]Up until this point, Niles and Caitlin had only video chatted and called one another. They never sat in a cafe together to talk about their daily woes. They never went to each other’s houses for family gatherings. They never spent more than a minute or two in the hallway to talk about their shared classes. Hell, they didn’t even have projects together. True quality time with one another was not in their fates, at least not until now.

Usually, at school, when Cailtin approached Niles, she was passing out a flyer or waving him to buy one of her strawberry cupcakes. When she opened up her mouth to say something, anything, even a small hi, Natalia barked. That’s just how things went and at the time, Niles didn’t have the mental space or energy to act on it. At the time, Natalia was all he really had and he didn’t want to compromise that with a girl he didn’t know.

Niles truly believes he and Caitlin connected right when they needed to. If they had crossed the bridge any earlier to bond, he doubts she would’ve been as open with him. He sure as hell wouldn’t have been honest with her, so why should he expect the same? 

Even so, it was phenomenal how distance, being states away, is what brought them together. He felt like she was the closest person to him — the one that understood how he felt, without saying much. All she did was look at him in a way that showed she too lived through a painful journey. 

They absolutely did talk about plenty of topics, from his love for motorcycles to her fondness for baking. They couldn’t stop talking, which is impressive for him because he used to hate conversations because more often than not they felt incredibly artificial. But that’s not what they had. He [b]knew[/b] she wasn’t like most girls and that deep down, there was something behind that beautiful smile that told him: [i]it’s going to be okay. We’re going to be okay. Let’s get through this, together.[/i]

This.

Whatever [i]this[/i] was. 

Made him feel whole. 

Strange how they grew up in the same small town, didn’t live too far from one another, a couple blocks apart, and never got to know one another until after graduation. Caitlin was a Cleary: she was a legacy to one of the great founding families of Edenridge, and everyone knew the faces and names of the big four. Niles? Niles was the doctor’s son. They were known for better or for worse. It took them growing up to find each other, her, in Boston, pursuing pre-pharm and him, in Chicago, embarking on the long journey of becoming a doctor. An OB/GYN doctor specifically. 

Here they were on their first date, before they headed to the 5 star luxury hotel, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, that Niles booked under his father’s name. Damn right he was going to make this a night to remember. He had to set the bar high so she didn’t want to leave him for anyone else. 

Sure, Niles had months to plan and most of the money being spent was his own, having worked overtime at his uncles’ firm as a part-time legal secretary. All he needed his dad to do was give him a copy of his ID and make the hotel reservation. Luckily, his girl had a fake ID and since this was a Friday night, the Seaport District was lively, which meant a busy night for any food place. As expected, their waitress only glanced at their IDs and brought out their wine. Moscato for Cece and Chardonnay for him. He was likely going to get Chilean sea bass and oysters, so a dry, white wine paired well with both. 

Sitting at a private table, on the second floor, the floor dedicated to intimate experiences, at Legal Harborside Restaurant, Niles held Caitlin’s hand from across their small table and absentmindedly grazed his thumb back and forth on her skin. He watched her smiling while looking out at the Boston Harbor-- observing her sweet honey lips, her sun kissed hair that tumbled over her shoulders, and her sparkling blue green eyes, lit by the candlelight.  

He chose this restaurant because the design took full advantage of the harbor view and is reminiscent of a ship’s dining room. While the bottom floor was for casual dining and the top floor was for the bar and snacks, the middle floor was extremely romantic and gorgeously scenic. 

Engrossed, Niles contained all his excitement with a half smile. The night felt absolutely perfect, not only was there good weather, but her presence, her soul, was like sunshine to him. He hoped this meant a good omen. He hoped this meant there would only be smooth sailing for them from here on out. He hoped this meant… 

Niles wasn’t the optimistic type. Honestly, he leaned more toward being a cynic than anything else. With Cece, though? He wanted to be positive. He wanted to believe because he wanted her. [color=19C8AC]“Thank you again for picking me up. I hope this isn’t too much,”[/color] he wondered out loud, breaking the silence and going against his desire to continue and take in the view. 

While her thoughts had ventured away with the breathtaking sight of the sparkling waters of the Boston harbor, it was Niles’ velvety voice expressing his gratitude at her deed that pulled the redhead back to reality. Caitlin flashed her boyfriend a sweet smile, and reassuringly squeezed the hand holding hers a few times. [color=C81935]“You don’t need to thank me, love. After this beautiful evening you've planned for us, I should be the one thanking you,"[/color] she said with a laugh, her eyes sparkling even brighter as she felt the weight of her nervousness start to fall off her shoulders. Beaming, she took both of Niles' hands in hers and locked her eyes on his. [color=C81935]"Thank you so much for everything, Niles. Truly. I'm sure we're going to have the most wonderful night."[/color]

[color=635687]“Oh, isn’t this just sweet?”[/color] From behind Cece’s side of the table, a lone Honey Badger with the expression of someone who might’ve been listening in on the two lovebirds talk about how much they meant to each other and blahblahblah.

The sound of a familiar deep, masculine voice sent chills down Cece’s spine. Out of the many scenarios she had pictured about things that could go wrong during this date, the presence of Mikhail Zima was certainly not one of them. During the spring of their sophomore year of high school, the unlikely pairing had begun a friendship that eventually blossomed into a sweet, yet passionate romance with no official label on it. It was something neither one of them had been looking for, but that they welcomed all the same. They had chosen to keep things under wraps, of course; each of them with a valid and particular reason of their own. For Mika, it had been in hopes of not getting his new lover involved with the dangerous side of his life. For Cece, it had been to prevent garnering herself unwarranted attention and to avoid conflicts with her family. Their time together was an exhilarating rollercoaster that had not only taught Caitlin so much about herself, but that had made her feel hopeful and alive again after difficult challenges she’d had to face in the past.

Unfortunately, their entanglement was abruptly cut short. A few days before she began her college journey nearly two years previously, the Cleary girl had confessed her feelings to Big Rey’s adoptive son, hoping that the feelings were mutual and they’d make things official before she left. Instead, what she got was a definitive end to their involvement: with each of the words Mika had used stinging her like a punch to the gut. After this painful goodbye, the two had [s]thankfully[/s] not crossed paths during any of the times she’d returned home.

What were the odds that their first encounter after that awful day would be tonight?

The young woman could only stare between the newcomer and her boyfriend with wide, anxious eyes, swallowing hard but unable to even make a sound. There weren't many secrets that Cece held back from Niles. During a conversation they'd had about past entanglements, she had told Niles the story about how she’d gotten her heart broken by a Serpent before she’d gone to college. But given the bad blood between the two men because of Natalia Belmonte, she had purposely omitted disclosing the identity of said royalty gang member. Clearly, the secret lover would no longer be a secret anymore.

Mikhail skipped over Niles intentionally, though there was a small moment where he glared at the constant thorn at his side. Instead, the young Russian turned to Cece. He intentionally looked at her — [i]all[/i] of her.

[color=635687]“Yeah, you still look good.”[/color] He’d say with a smirk. The girl’s body visibly stiffened at the way he looked at her, and her freckled cheeks blazed up immediately after his suggestive comment. 

Niles, on cloud nine from being called [i]love[/i], was not bothered by the new presence. Mika and him, they never did hit it off because it was clear that Natalia entertained fantasies with this Russian boy when she was involved with Niles. Still, that was all in the past and he hadn’t spoken to his ex best friend in years. All Niles cared about right now was making Caitlin comfortable and so he kept his half smile on, as he stared at Mika, who 'coincidentally' found them at a restaurant an hour and so away from Edenridge. 

Niles wasn’t dumb, he knew how to [i]find[/i] someone. He knew how to do a lot of things that most people didn’t know he knew. Well, aside from Natalia. She knew him inside out. He wasn’t naive, he wasn’t innocent, and he certainly wasn’t incapable. [color=19C8AC]“Doesn’t she?”[/color] Niles’ green stare went from the unwelcomed party to his girlfriend, intertwining their fingers with one another, [color=19C8AC]“And she’s all mine.”[/color] He gave the petrified Cece a reassuring glance, before turning his attention back at Mika, [color=19C8AC]“It’s good to see you, Mika. I hope life’s been treating you well. It certainly has for me seeing how now, I get to call Cece my girlfriend.”[/color] 

He didn’t bother taking his gaze off of Cece even after Niles, who bear in mind HB wanted nothing more than to punch that self-righteous look off of his face (he was assuming), had so graciously offered a tidbit of information that he found interesting. And let it be known it was the fact itself that he found interesting, not the person whose lips it had originated from. [color=635687]“Is that so?”[/color] 

And there was a moment where HB was gritting his teeth that, of all people, Cece was actually with this inferior beta male. [color=635687]“That’s...fantastic.”[/color] It caused him almost-visible pain to say that. [color=635687]“Just fantastic. And how...lovely it is that you two decided to go on a date.”[/color] Paaain. So much pain.

[color=19C8AC]“And how lovely for you to be in Boston with us! Please, join us. I [i]insist.[/i]”[/color] Before Mika or Caitlin could oppose, Niles had already called a waiter and asked him to grab a seat, mentioning an ‘old friend’ had randomly come to visit. How surprising! They didn’t argue because a paying customer was a paying customer. In a matter of seconds, Mika had a chair. 

As he sat there, HB was mulling over what seemed like a good idea in the beginning. He followed them and decided to make himself known. And now a real live Uno reverse was in play. In the time spent almost pouting about it, HB refused to acknowledge Niles. The only time he looked at him was when he was forced to when the waiter came over. Looking up at Cece, HB asked, [color=635687]”So, how long you staying in town?”[/color] 

[i]Why was he talking to her like this?[/i]

Caitlin was quiet for a few heartbeats, a little confused frown on her face. Why Mika was talking to her as if she was an old friend he hadn’t seen in a while and not the girl who’s heart he’d broken, she would never understand. But that didn’t mean she’d have a lapse of good manners and ignore him, either.

[color=C81935]“I’m not sure yet,”[/color] she somehow managed to croak out, grabbing the wine glass in front of her and downing it in one big, panicked gulp. The redhead wasn’t much of a drinker, but in moments like this she wished the faint tickle in her throat from the moscato would be the burning sensation left behind by a warm shot of something stronger. Even now, with Mika sitting beside her and directly addressing her, the girl kept her stare down on her lap. [color=C81935]“Mom’s not doing too well, so I decided to stick around for a little bit until she feels better.”[/color]

[color=19C8AC]“And I’ll stay in town for as long as you need me,”[/color] Niles addressed, ignoring the third party and focusing on his girlfriend, tightening his grip on her hand. While he couldn’t relate with watching his mother go through a slow death, he knew the fear behind it. He wasn’t given the courtesy to prepare for his mother’s death. It happened suddenly and abruptly. He was forced to accept that reality, immediately and without a choice. Even so, it did help prepare him to support Cece for whatever was to come for her and her mother. 

[color=19C8AC]“Why does it matter to you?”[/color] Niles once again glanced away from Cece, his green gaze locking with Mika’s brown eyes that tried to look away. While there was a welcoming gleam on Niles’ face, his eyes were clearly challenging his competitor, knowing well enough what his gain was.  

HB laughed as he turned and [i]finally[/i] looked at Niles. [color=635687]”Whoa, what’s with the hostility, huh? I’m just curious is all. I haven’t seen my old friend in a while. So, I wanted to know how long because, [i]obviously[/i] I don’t want to miss out on catching up with her when she’s not busy.”[/color] He’d return to Cece’s gaze. [color=635687]“And clearly we have [i]plenty[/i] to talk about.”[/color]

[color=19C8AC]“I’m sure she’ll find time to pencil you in. Y’know, after she meets my family and I, hers. We have a busy summer ahead of us.”[/color] Niles divulged, completely ecstatic to introduce her to his father, who couldn’t stop mentioning her for the past few months now. [color=19C8AC]“I really do have someone [i]so good[/i]. I can’t imagine keeping her secret, she deserves to be shown off and I’m going to do exactly that.”[/color] Leaning forward, Niles pulled her hand close and kissed it deeply. 

A wave of shock ran through Cece’s previously paralized figure, and she whipped her head up to stare at Niles in panic and disbelief. She should’ve known that he’d put two and two together fast, but she hadn’t expected him using what she’d disclosed to him in confidence as a weapon in their war of words. Other girls would probably smirk and snicker at this display of loyalty: relishing in the fact that their current partner was getting revenge on their old one for breaking their heart. Caitlin, on the other hand, found it hard to do so. Hurting people, whether directly or indirectly, was not something she enjoyed partaking in. And judging by the way Mika’s breathing had become heavy and his fists were balled up, she knew that Niles’ words had struck a sore spot (even if she knew he would deny it if asked).

[i]Did that mean that, in the end, he had actually cared about her, then?[/i]

Interrupting the love triangle, a waitress appeared with all the seafood the couple ordered and cleared her throat, [color=ff1493]“Excuse me…”[/color] Trying her best to avoid the tension that felt sharp and could cut her swiftly like a knife, the waitress began placing the food in front of the two that ordered, which was [i]a lot[/i]. When she was done, she addressed the newcomer, [color=ff1493]“Can I get you anything?”[/color] 

Without missing a beat, HB glanced at the waitress, who was looking as fine as any Southside girl he’d encountered, [color=635687]”I don’t know - what’s the most expensive thing y’all make?”[/color] He asked her as one of his eyes fell on Niles.

[color=ff1493]“Hm, if you want to order from our raw bar, I’d say the shellfish platter but you can always go with the classic fourchu lobster!”[/color] The youthful blonde chirped, hoping he’d reply quickly so she could run away. 

[color=635687]“Tell ya what, sweetie--”[/color] HB turned his gaze directly on Niles, smiling at him [color=635687]“--I’ll take them both.”[/color] 

[color=ff1493]“Great! I’ll get right to it.”[/color] 

Instead of showing any signs of annoyance, Niles let it be. He was already expecting to spend a lot tonight, and this was just going to make sure he did exactly that. [color=19C8AC]“Well, if you’re so hungry, you are more than welcome to have some from the table.”[/color] 

[color=C81935]“Would you like to try one of my shrimp?”[/color] Caitlin nervously blurted out, looking up at Mika for the first time since he’d sat down beside her while offering up her plate. She was desperate to find a way to end the cutthroat, nerve-wracking exchange soon, so she leached onto the first impersonal subject that came up.

[color=635687]“So, she [i]does[/i] speak!”[/color] HB teased as he happily took Cece up on her offer. As he stabbed one of it with a steak knife, HB fearlessly ate it without missing a beat, eating it all but the tacky tail at the end. He intended to emote his reaction vocally to piss off Niles, but what he didn’t anticipate was how delicious it was, which prompted an unintended “whoa” from him. [color=635687]“Man, this is some quality shrimp. Sure beats the dump back home. Nevermind the roach infestation that it’s known for, the shrimp isn’t even close in terms of taste.”[/color] HB looked at Cece for a moment, smiling at her as there was a piece of shrimp in his teeth, which he instantly dug out with his knife. [color=635687]“Yeah that’s good shit.”[/color]

As anxious as Caitlin was and as serious as she wanted to remain in this situation, there was no hiding hint of a smile that played around the corners of her mouth for the slightest of seconds. The way Mika had just behaved reminded her of the way things used to be between them: when he was the sweet, dorky, affectionate guy who snuck around Edenridge with her just so they could have a few stolen moments together... Not the chest-banging macho man he was pretending to be.

Instead of indulging in conversation, Niles grabbed his wine glass and gingerly took a sip, in silence. He watched the past lovers in front of him with dull eyes. He glanced at all his untouched food, having not eaten all day and now suddenly losing his appetite. Standing up from his seat, he dismissed himself to go outside and take in the view, [color=19C8AC]“I’m sure you two have plenty to catch up on. Don’t let me get in the way of that.”[/color] Taking his beverage with him, he walked out to the second floor balcony room before Caitlin could even react. Leaning against the railing, reserved, he gazed at the horizon where the night sky met the reflective water and deeply sighed.

It might’ve seemed like Niles barely registered Niles’ departure, especially with how invested he was in glancing at Cece, but he could multitask. He wouldn’t have made it [i]this[/i] far in Edenridge if he couldn’t read the room as well as juggle other things at the same time. And the fact was that Mika knew what he was doing. Most of what happened might’ve been improvised, because who the hell could anticipate Cece offering him her shrimp? Or Niles not acting like a little bitch immediately. But eventually, true colors showed. Like Mika had always intended on making their date a literal hell, typical Niles couldn’t handle the heat. 

[color=635687]“Man, that’s lame,”[/color] he muttered under his breath. He watched Cece with one eye and Niles out on the balcony on the other, hunched over the edge of it as if he’s some brooding hero out of some novel. Well, this wasn't a fairy tale, Prince Melancholy. 

As he stood up, Mika grabbed a piece of bread from the middle of the table as an excuse to step away and opened the door, though he wouldn’t step completely outside. [color=635687]“That was kind of rude, don’t you think? I mean, you left your incredibly attractive date--”[/color] Mika’s eyes went to Cece and he made sure she saw him, [color=635687]“--all alone to what? Sulk? Where’s the backbone? Where’s the [i]fight[/i]?”[/color] Mika’s voice rose to dramatic levels as if trying to both hype and egg Niles on. [color=635687]“You’re honestly so anticlimactic, Niles. And disappointing. I really don’t get what she sees. You’re not even a man, are you? You’re a boy trying to be a man, but you fall [i]so[/i] short.”[/color] Again, his gaze fell on Cece and lingered as he said, [color=635687]“Maybe in more ways than one, eh?”[/color] 

[color=19C8AC]“Is that so?”[/color] Niles turned himself, leaning his back against the railing. With bored eyes, he brought the glass back to his lips and took another sip. His expression was void of any emotion. Funny really, how self righteous Mika was acting when he was the one that broke Caitlin’s heart and he is the one clearly stalking her. Where was this man when she needed him? Honestly, he didn’t need to say or do anything more. He was doing enough himself. 

By this point, the visibly furious Caitlin had reached her breaking point. It was one thing for Mika and Niles to exchange petty remarks due to the dislike festering between them for years. But it was quite a different matter when her ex was insulting her new boyfriend for no good reason (even if the lack of trust from mentioned boyfriend stung her).

Without warning, the redheaded girl suddenly rose from her chair and stormed towards the Russian boy with clenched fists. Once she had reached him, she stood straight in front of Mika, glaring hard at her ex-lover. [color=C81935]"I don’t understand why you're so upset and determined to raise hell all of a sudden. When I went to you with my heart in my hands and told you how I felt about you a year ago, you blew me off. You just stood there and told me, straight to my face, that I was fooling myself about being in love with you, and that this wasn’t a fantasy where I got to be in a relationship with you. That I either accepted that truth or I didn’t, because you honestly didn't give a rat’s ass,"[/color]  she hissed at him, her voice breaking for a split second as she remembered the parting words he had said to her back then. Meanwhile, her blue-green eyes teared up at the still-painful memory. [color=C81935]"Mika, I [i]wanted[/i] to be with you. [b]YOU[/b] were the one who chose to let go. So instead of sitting around feeling sorry for myself, I did what you told me to do: I accepted the truth, and I moved on with my life. I need you to do the same thing for me now. Please respect my decision, and leave us alone. I’m sorry.”[/color] 

With one last tearful glance at Mika, Caitlin turned her back on her ex and walked the few steps from the restaurant to the balcony’s railing. The tears she’d been holding back at the plethora of feelings overwhelming her began to roll down her cheeks, leaving trails of black mascara behind. This was the reason why she was so terrified of finding happiness: because any time something positive happened to her, a gut-wrenching suckerpunch of negativity swiftly came along with it. 

Frankly, it took every ounce of her little remaining self-control to not start sobbing right then and there.

[color=C81935]“[i]Can we please just go[/i]?”[/color]  Cece murmured to Niles as soon as she was within earshot, looking up at him with pleading, heartbroken eyes.

Hearing the [i]past[/i] feelings Caitlin had shared with Mika was not an easy pill to swallow. Even with her bravery to put herself in such a vulnerable state it was hard for him to think of as genuine. Niles had incredible trust issues and this made him realize he hadn’t grown as much as he thought he did. That wasn’t her fault. She didn’t know Mika was going to come and ruin their date. She didn’t know how deep Niles’ damage went. She didn’t know in great detail the past he and Mika shared. 

How could he still be so heartless and feel absolutely betrayed? Niles knew everything he was feeling right now was all him and if he truly, deeply wanted Cece, no matter the competition, he had to push his selfish feelings aside. Still, hearing her say she had wanted Mika and that she was in love with him hurt like a bitch. 

In good Sinclair fashion, Niles chose to stay stoic, absent of any sadness or anger, at least visible to the naked eye. The absence of emotion was his only way of indicating his pain in public. He didn’t like to show the skeletons in his closets nor did he feel like anyone had a right to them. 

Trust, though? 

He told himself last night he was going to trust her, so the least he could do was [i]try[/i]. No matter how much it hurt and how much it terrified him, she deserved at least that. Cece might not be the one — he sure as hell hoped she was — but he wasn’t the type to back down on a decision and regret it.  

All his life, all Niles knew was grief, depression, and existential dread. He wanted a chance to be happy. Why would he give Mika the satisfaction to ruin that? Why would he let that miserable soul pull him back to a place he thought he left? That’s the thing. He wouldn’t. Not when he’s gotten this far on his own, ever since Charlie Decker and he… 

Turning to Caitlin, Niles broke the awkward, unnecessary long silence with a weak smile. He wasn’t good at reassuring, when he was the weak one in this dynamic but he would sure as hell try for her, especially when she looked like this. [color=19C8AC]“Yeah, sure. Let’s go pay at the front.”[/color] Without looking back, the couple were on their way out of the restaurant and into the Boston night. 

As he watched them walk away and saw them head for the exit/entrance, which was so obvious to him that they planned on just leaving him without so much of a word. Yeah sure, Cece went off on him, but he kind of expected that from her. He didn’t expect her to give him the cliffnotes of their break-up, but it was all just so...uninteresting. He heard it before and it was in the past. What he [i]really[/i] wanted was for Niles to say something to him, especially when he literally had to carry himself into the guy’s face.

But nope, instead, he just mosied on away from him, saying absolutely nothing. He acted like it wasn’t worth his time. It was like he thought [i]Honey Badger[/i] wasn’t worth his time.

This could not stand. What would people back in the southside think if they heard that Honey Badger allowed this to happen? 

So he decided to do something about it. HB decided to ignore his ex’s plea. And as he carried himself into a brisk walk, he came up on Niles’ side so that he was pretty much sandwiched between him and Cece. [color=635687]“Man that was kind of rude, don’t you think?”[/color] Mika said, coming in front of Niles about a few feet so he could stop them both in their tracks. By this point, they were at the front, that same waitress was there and round two was about to kick off. 

[color=C81935]“Mika, [b]stop it[/b]!”[/color]  Caitlin tearfully pleaded to no avail. She knew the Serpent wouldn’t give up any time soon.

[color=19C8AC]“And?”[/color] Niles didn’t give Mika the satisfaction of showing a rise or drop in emotion. Instead he signed the check and added, [color=19C8AC]“You’re not really one for etiquette so drop the act.”[/color]

[color=white]“Sir, is he…?”[/color]

[color=19C8AC]“Bothering me? Yes. Absolutely. He didn’t make a reservation either so you might want to have your boss remove him from the premises.”[/color] Niles had enough and based on how he and Cece were dressed in comparison to Mika, the hostess did not hesitate to call security. [color=19C8AC]“If this happens again, I can assure you I won’t be as kind.”[/color] Stepping back, he gestured with his finger for Cece to come to him as the security guards made their way and broke the distance between the couple and the unwanted guest. 

Something about the lack of a reaction from Niles ticked Mika off -- nay, it fucking pissed him off. What did this asswipe think? That he was better than Honey Badger? That just because Cece chose him, he somehow was above him? That was ludicrous! Nobody could top Honey Badger. [b][i]Nobody![/i][/b] Nevermind the circumstances that led their journeys here, seeing her with this guy made something in Mika’s stomach turn so much that he felt that ugly head rear back, the same one that truly made him one of the worst people to ever exist.

[color=white]“Sir, come with me,”[/color] the security guard said. He went to grab Mika by the arm and he jerked his arm away.

And that’s when Mika stepped forward, prompting the other security guards to take an assertive stance with Mika. They grabbed both of Mika’s arms and pulled him back, dragging him out. But that wouldn’t happen before Mika got the last word in.

[color=635687]“Enjoy my sloppy seconds!”[/color]  He shouted out as loud as he could, a sick grin on his face as the glorified Paul Blart cosplayers escorted him out.[/indent][/indent][/color]