Private Network
-Mother
-Griffen
-Tiffany
Well, she wasn't mortified. Not anymore, but she was still screaming, its echoes reverberating over and over again. But the panic had been undermined by their travels. Which first consisted of heading to the tiny mountain. She'd upgraded it from a hill because, as it turned. It wasn't just a rise, it was a drop, the cart sunken by two floors.
Mom, not having known about such an event and participated was becoming more and more of a problem.
Mother was, sort of, in a lot of trouble. But that was life.
Not like Kate could do something.
So she let it go, there were more fascinating things happening. The flow of snow and life.
There were three concerts being held simultaneously. Each with their own crowds. Behind, the massive cherry blossoms.
The world was so open and wild. She actually couldn't hear the music. They were just that far away. And ever better they weren't even headed to the mountain but to its shadow. There, low behold, was a frozen river. It had been turned into a long and wide ice ring.
Dozens upon dozens of kids were lined up, a hundred were already skating.
Still no stopping, onwards they walked, holding Griff in the centre. Things had been too awkward. Kate couldn't find it to even ask where they were going.
It was clearly going to be special. The crack of gunshots echoed and a howl followed deep enough to make the hairs on the back of her neck rise.
They went down a wide stairway into a door where they were offered army recruitment. They waved the adverts away like gnats until stopping in front of… the girl from the store? The exact the same girl Tiffany had been working with?
Kate hesitated.
"Whoa." Griff grunted.
The replica blinked, unimpressed.
"Which sister?" Replica asked Tiffany.
"They saw Bee."
That made Replica grunt and offer a firm soldier's handshake, crushing Griff's hand. It only lasted a second, but was enough to make him dance. Kate, unphased, offered her own. The Replica blinked but took it and she was strong! Kate put up a losing fight, Replica's brow raised.
"What?" Kate asked, touching her cheek to see if there was something on her face.
"Stronga than ya look aintcha?" Replica asked
"Am I?" Kate asked.
Tiffany stepped in, slapping Replica's thigh hard enough to make her jump.
"Yup, this moron likes te separayte herself by assertin' dominance when people met her sister firs'. Naw ye know she's tha stron' one. Only you're not helping." Tiffany said.
"Really, if it helps. I'm in excruciating pain." Kate said, her tone sounded like she was asking 'what time is it?'
That put a smile on Replica's face.
"I'm guessing this is something you're doing to avoid being awkward." Kate asked.
"If it was shameful, I wouldn't be doing it."
"Huh, fair enough, so what happens now? Do we wait until I say uncle?"
"Kinda." Tiff said.
"For real?" Kate asked. "Fine, then-"
"Stop, don't be boring, actually tap out. Anyone can call it quits and act nonchalant. Stay in the moment."
Kate's reply was to quirk her lip up.
"Did Tiff have to do the same?" Kate asked.
"Oh no, I met her first, but I've witnessed more of these moments of dominance than you can count."
"Do you have a hard time telling them apart?" Kate asked.
"Depends on their clothes. This one is so crisp. Bee is laid back and Dee is always styling, you'll see." Tiff said.
Kate smiled.
"I would have thought it was the eyes. Your sisters' were like the ocean, busy blue waters, wide and encompassing. But not you. Yours are so blue it's like you're smuggling sapphires."
There was an awkward moment where the girls gaped. It didn't last as Griff groaned theatrically and slammed his elbow into her groin.
Let the world not deceive. It hurt like she had something to be hurt, she sunk, dropping down to the floor like cut rope. She could hear him talking fast.
"-a rule. She'd have done it to me for being so cheezy. We-"
Kate pressed her face to the ground. It had been an incredible hit, award winning. And she would get her vengeance.
"Come on sis, it wasn't that bad." He pleaded.
All she could get out were grunts and moans.
"Nope." Said the replica twin. "You got her."
Tiff laughed.
"Here, let me."
Replica's boots slid in front of Tiff's.
"Nope, wait, you have to let it sit. You pull her, you start it over again. Sister to sister." The replica said.
"Just so ya know, I am na'h an ownlay chi'le." Tiff said.
"But there's a gap, right?" Kate asked.
"I cain't be ambushed by a person on the floor." Tiff complained.
Kate laughed making her groin throb. She got a back pat.
"Just so you know, that didn't feel cheezy. At all." Replica said.
Kate got up and smiled. Tiff pulled a face.
"I'm calling dibs Em."
Em pulled a rather insane grin before switching to the most insincere look of innocence.
"What I miss?" Kate asked.
"Yor new frien' here, swoonin'." Tiff scolded.
Tiff was joking, Em was joking, Kate was joking, they were all joking, but, at the same time, no one blinked. Kate's heart fluttered, because whatever game was being played was about her.
"I was totally swooning, I'm not even like Tiff but damn, my eyes are my best feature. And new girl saw it. What she say about you, or am I just that special?" Em asked.
"She kissed me, while my shirt was off." Tiff said.
Kate nearly broke her neck snapping towards Tiff and just gaping, mouth wide. She was in absolute awe, but…
"Tiff?" Kate asked.
"Yes." Tiff said.
"I love games, what exactly is this one?" Kate asked, unsure of where to go.
Moving was a part of life for the Simmons' family, and with new people. It often meant giving up control to someone, to go with the flow of life. And its momentum was interesting but, oddly, the flow was aimed directly at her.
That wasn't a thing!
She was supposed to kiss ass butter them up, and then be shown something cool. Because people loved to snow off or shut down the new girl. But somehow, she was the cool thing. That had never happened before, ever.
Tiffany smiled and stepped up to Em, the height difference being enough for Tiff to easily lick her forehead. Then she turned to Kate.
"I'm establishing dominance."
They grinned, Tiff put an arm around her friend.
"Okay, you're freaking and confusing the newbies. You guys have to move on the main event. This whole thing is only two days. You should get moving and Tiff I don't accept your dominance. Kate is looking cute." She said with a wink and waved them along.
Tiff held Kate's hand with a teasing gentleness, until she suddenly pulled and Em gave her a last wink.