Thursday, 25 August 2011
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The Battle For Xangaland (Chapter 1)
Her chatterBox was ringing, disturbing her slumber. She stirred and decided to maybe ignore it. Sleeping is a great excuse to not answer a Box call. When she closed her eyes again, Krisko's angry face popped up in her mind. "Answer your fucking Box!" he snapped at her. There wasn't many people who could make Elle stop and think about her decisions. Taking the non-lazy option, and being a little scared by her closest companion's outburst, she decided to pick up her chatterBox.
"Hello?" She tried to disguise her voice, and make it sound like she wasn't woken up from a sleep. It was 4pm, and Elle still had her businesses to run. Confess Your Secret PLC needed her attention, as well as her personal business, Pink's Teacups. They were doing reasonably well giving Xangaland's ailing economy, but there was always room for improvement. Xangaland was growing quieter by the year, with the majority of its population hearing about a supposedly bigger and better world to live in, Tumblronia. Oh, how Elle and her fellow Xangalandians loathed Tumblronia. Elle had said many times that she'd rather die then move to Tumblronia, even though some of her fellow citizens vacationed there. The remaining citizens didn't want Xangaland crushed by other kingdoms, especially one that was gaining ex-Xangalanders. To keep things fresh and exciting in Xangaland, to make sure Xangaland doesn't disappear forever, her and her leftover citizens needed to work on improving Xangaland and it's operations. That cannot be achieved if she chooses to nap at awkward times.
"Elle...? Is that you...? It's Scott." He had a pronounced tone of fear in his voice, which immediately awoke Elle from her dreaminess.
"Um yeah. Scott? What's up?"
Even though they weren't the closest, Elle and Scott were friends who did favours for each other. Scott owned one of Elle's favourite places to visit. Raziels house of Pancakes. As a person, Elle admired Scott's bluntness on topics he felt strongly upon, and even though they led to customer conflicts, she always stood by him because, she believed he deserved her support.
"Elle, it's serious. The bitch has gone crazy, him and her are gaining more power by the hour. AJ and I have been sentenced to Life in Revejail, along with Michelle and Reilly. We were the first, but we've been told there will be more to follow. I don't 100% understand what's happening, but I've heard rumours. I think he's dead, Elle. I think they killed him. Oh fuck, it must be true. If they've managed what they're managing, he must not be here any more"
"Who? Who's dead? Who's been killed?"
"Dan."
Elle suddenly understood. Fear took over her for a second, which was interrupted by immediate sadness. Dan had been killed. Dan owned the biggest business in Xangaland, Theologians Corp. When the creators of Xangaland, John and Marc, decided to move to Tumblronia for deputy positions, they left Xangaland in the hands of Dan and wished him good luck. Any sensible man would have moved to Tumblronia with them, but Dan stayed faithful to his fellow Xangalandians and vowed to do the best job he could to keep Xangaland on it's feet. Elle always respected Dan for that decision, and she almost didn't notice the change in presidency, he was doing such a good job.
Elle didn't want to believe what Scott was saying, but why would he lie to her? While trying to calm down Scott, she opened up a new Box with the Celestian Pot Police, Jay. If it were true, he would know for sure. ChatterBox's were extremely useful, since every Xangalandian owns one. They work as a box earpiece, and conversations can be said out loud or in their own mind. When installed, the Xangalandian can focus on the conversation in their head or continue with their day to day activities whilst listening to others. Before she could think of the words to say to Jay, her ears were suddenly forced to listen to a familiar Xangalandian voice. Probably one of the most followed females in Xangaland. In her thick New England accent she announced:
"Attention, Xangalandians. We are overdue for a drastic change in the way this place is run, which is why I and Jim have made the decision to takeover from Dan and take him out of office. He wouldn't cooperate with us, so Jim shot him. Don't be sad for him, he would have run out of questions for us and disappointed all of us, just like Marc and John did. Now listen up: if you play with us, we can keep Xangaland good and make it great, and attract others to join and rejoin us once again in this fine land. If you decide to play against us, you will be making a horrible mistake and bad things will happen to you. Don't make things tedious for us, we have much to do and no time to bother with any citizens that won't play fair with us. I want each and every one of you to report to the front door of Front Page Headquarters in 72 hours. I have a list of all the citizens. I am giving you three days, so there will be no excuses. If you're not with us, you are against us. Ciao!
"Oh, and Krisko, don't be a dumbass. Join us! We have a third seat for you."
Elle sat there, numb. Summer's chillingly playful voice echoed in her mind, especially the last sentence. They have a third seat for Krisko? "I hope she realises this has ended our friendship," Elle thought to herself. Elle and Summer had a professional relationship, but a relationship nonetheless. Summer was a reliable contact, one that Elle kept close to her.
Elle sat and thought for a long while, trying to organise her thoughts. She turned to her box and tried to ignore the outcry in her universal inBox, and focused back to her Box conversations. She found the unwritten conversation to Jay, and immediately got rid of it. She'd had the confirmation she was looking for, and she didn't want to bother J. He was probably very busy right now. She turned back to Scott and he hadn't said anything new.
"So they're holding you in Revejail?" she asked him.
"Yes. There's only four of us right now, but my prediction is the population here will grow in the next 72 hours by people who confront the two of them with rebelliousness."
"Is that what you and AJ did?"
"Oh, well, er, not exactly."
"Then what did you do?"
"Well you know it was AJ's birthday yesterday, he didn't want to make a big thing out of it so him and I went out to drinks at Roadless Tavern, but Alex chucked us out before closing time because AJ got drunk and started wolf whistling at the Malaysians. When we were walking home, AJ saw Summer and threw a rock at her head. They ended up brawling and Jim took hold of us, and we got sent here."
"Oh. So it's not even your fault?"
"Well if you count being friends with AJ my fault then yes, some of it is my fault."
Elle smiled, but the smile suddenly got taken away by guilt. Dan was still dead, and Xangaland was still getting taken over by two of the most successful business people in Xangaland, Summer and Jim. She thought about the message Summer had given out to the whole of Xangaland. She'd used a Mass Announcement. Any Xangalandian can make a Mass Announcement, and everyone is forced to listen to them. They're spoken through everyone's chatterBox's and also through speakers that have been set up all around Xangaland.
She remembered the last sentence again, about Summers offer for Krisko to join her and Jim. She figured she shouldn't be too surprised, since Krisko and Summer were married a mere 5 months ago. They were close, and he's a valued member of Xangaland. A lot of people trust him. Of course they want Krisko.
"Well, not if I can help it," she thought to herself. She put her chatterBox helmet on, so she could keep chatting to Scott and anyone else who was available. As a well known contact for other Xangalandians, some would come to her for information, and she needed to be. She wasn't sure where to find her buddy Krisko, however the best place to start was Top Block. He was usually very noticeable there. She wondered if Krisko had heard Summers Mass Announcement, and what his decision was. If he were the guy she believed he was, he would feel the same as Elle did and want to stand up to Summer and Jim.
Elle turned the corner of Optical Noises, Khai's shop for the sight and sound challenged. She wondered if Khai was inside, and what Khai's decision was. Elle appreciated Khai and Khai's approach to most issues, and hoped Khai would rebel. Before she could think any more, she noticed rusty red hair in the distance. He wasn't alone, he was with someone. Elle squinted, and recognised the other person as Miranda, the owner of Nerdy Girl's Veggies. Elle ran over to the both of them.
"Krisko! KRISKO!" Elle yelled at the top of her voice, not caring who heard her. Xangaland was different now, and the least of everyone's problems was the owner of Pink's Teacups being obnoxiously loud on a public street. She hoped that her signature accent would attract others into knowing she was around, and they would join her.
"Elle! Belle! How the fuck are you?!" He almost sung his words, as he swayed down the street with his arm around Miranda.
"What the fuck? What do you mean how am I?"
"You know, the whole, how is one's self kind of question," he slurred nonchalantly.
Miranda laughed and Krisko turned his head to laugh with her, like some private joke had been released and it was hilarious for the both of them. Before Elle could figure it out, she smelt the alcohol in their breaths. Drunk. "Typical," thought Elle.
"You two seem to be taking the news pretty well," Elle admonished.
"What news?" they asked in unison.
"You didn't hear Summer's announcement?"
"Oh, that," Krisko said, seeming to brush aside her words. "Dan is dead, we love you Krisko, blah blah blah."
Miranda smacked him half-heartedly in the chest. "That's not what she said!"
"Well, no, but that's what I heard."
Elle exploded, "How can you be so fucking cavalier about this?"
Krisko held up his bottle of Jack Daniels, as if that was all the answer necessary.
Elle sighed. "We need to talk about this, and you two need to sober up. Is it okay if we go to your place, Krisko?"
Even though she asked it as a question, she turned her head and started walking away from them. She knew her way to Krisko's house easily, and it wasn't far. He kept it very public. Krisko and Miranda followed, talking amongst themselves and giggling. Elle didn't mind that, so long as they were following her. She needed time to think, plan, and communicate with her other friends on her chatterBox.
She wondered how many people were going to do what Summer says, and how many people were going to rebel. She also wondered if Summer and Jim were going to find a way to close Shutdown road, the only road which leads you out of Xangaland. She knew plenty of people would be taking that road today if it were still open, since she knows of a lot of people who needed a decent chance to leave. This was definitely a good reason to flee Xangaland.
She stopped at Krisko's door and he got his password key out. He owned Godless Libations, and even though he was one of the well known and respected Xangalandians, his business was full of controversy. The walk had sobered both him and Miranda up a bit, and she planned on force-feeding them coffee once they got inside.
Krisko and Miranda collapsed on the sofa, and Elle headed straight to the kitchen. She headed towards his cupboard, and was happy to learn Krisko was still stocking the best coffee in Xangaland, AJ's Kaioken Coffee. "He's got a new package design" she thought to herself. "I like it. Good job, AJ."
"Elle?! Are you there? Are you okay?" She recognised the concerned and fearful voice as her good friend Steven, owner of Thinking Personnel's, Xangaland's most popular intelligent temporary work agency.
"Steven, I'm fine. I'm actually at Krisko's right now, with Miranda. I'm going to chat with them, and I'll keep you updated."
"Okay, please do. Does this mean what I think it means?"
Before Elle could answer him, Krisko called to the kitchen. "You know it's pretty fucking rude to keep your chatterBox running when you're in the company of other people?!"
"Give me a fucking break, Krisko!" she yelled at him. "It does, Steven. I'll chat to you in half an hour?"
"Okay" Steven said, and Elle decided to silent her chatterBox for the chat with Miranda and Krisko. She took the coffee to them, and told them to stick it down their necks. She was happy to see Krisko was finally wearing his serious face -- she was beginning to lose hope he would take this seriously. Miranda sat there next to him, sipping her coffee.
"Krisko, Summer and Jim have killed Dan and taken over Xangaland. She's asked for every Xangalandian to report to the front door of Front Page Headquarters in 72 hours. She's already captured Michelle, Reilly, Scott and AJ, and she's keeping them captive in Revejail. She'll throw any one in there who is against her."
"Well fuck," he said. He sat there expressionless, thinking in his own head.
"You two know what this means for us, right?"
Both Krisko and Miranda looked up at Elle, unresponsive.
Elle shook her head. "It means we're going to war."
"To war?" Miranda echoed.
"To war!" Krisko shouted, standing up and raising a bottle of whiskey out of seemingly nowhere, as if to toast. Elle and Miranda glared at him as if he were an idiot. He took a deep swig from his bottle, tossed it aside and said "Yeah, sure, to war. It was getting boring around here anyways."
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Who will join Krisko and Elle to battle? Who will betray and join Summer and Jim? Who else will Summer and Jim capture and sentence to Life in Revejail? Will Krisko ever sober up? Tune in next time to find out!
Cast of Chapter 1Elle
@Pink_TeaCupsKrisko
@GodlessLiberalSummer
@AlluringAddictionMiranda
@NerdyveggiegirlSteven
@TheThinkingPersonScott
@RazielVMichelle
@HinaseReilly
@MyPandaBearKhai
@OpticalnoiseAlex
@RoadlessTaken
CanterburyBlogs
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- Member Since: 8/24/2011
