//------------------------------// // Scarlet Scribe Learns What?! // Story: The NLAC Has To Deal With What?! // by Odeinoichus //------------------------------// Chapter 4 Scarlet Scribe nervously entered Vice Principal Luna’s office. The place hadn’t changed much; he’d been here several times before due to school paper business. This was the first time he wasn’t entirely sure what the problem was. Luna was seated behind her desk calmly going over some paperwork. Scribe ran his hand through his hair to try and stave off his nervousness. He cleared his throat as he sat down. “Yes, I saw you come in.” Luna did not glance up but kept working on whatever it was she was doing. “Are you aware of the rules governing after school clubs such as the school paper?” “Oh sure.” Scribe smiled briefly. “I read up on all of that when DT signed me in as chief typist.” “Then it should concern you that there are already two infractions against the club.” Scribe leaned forward in shock. “What?” “It is as I feared; Diamond Tiara is not being honest with her staff.” Luna pursed her lips thoughtfully and glanced across the desk at Scribe. “How many of the stories being published in the paper are written directly by Diamond Tiara?” Scribe frowned briefly. “I don’t know. I’m only in charge of typing them all up, except for whatever Silver Spoon writes. Mostly because Snips and Snails… well, you know.” Scribe smiled nervously at that comment. Luna nodded. “How often are their names credited for the stories?” Scribe shrugged. “I don’t know. I type it and pass it on. Di is in charge of printing it off.” Scribe coughed briefly to stall for time while he tried to think. “But I thought this was about Snails’ cafeteria story?” Luna shook her head briefly. “That is a minor issue. I have been looking further into the school paper ever since Diamond Tiara tried to have a piece printed regarding the Career Minded Compatriots’ after school club. Lacking actual proof of the wild claims she was making.” Scribe sat back, stunned. “She didn’t tell me she already wrote a story on it!” he blurted. “Ah, that is interesting.” Luna brought her fingertips together and leaned forward. “Scarlet Scribe, I am beginning to grow concerned with Canterlot High’s paper. It seems to be following only what Diamond Tiara wants and is blatantly misrepresenting who is actually writing the stories. Diamond Tiara is currently on very thin ice; if I were to discover that she is plagiarising other students’ work and passing it off as her own…” Luna trailed off. “It would be a disservice to the rest of the students who honestly want to work on the paper.” “You mean you’d shut the club down? And then we’d have to find something else to do for our after school credit?” Scribe sighed. “I’m not sure why you’re asking me about this.” “Are you not an impartial third party?” Luna questioned. “Or are you content to work for Diamond Tiara?” Scribe slumped in his seat and shook his head. “Look, Vice Principal Luna, I just want to make it through high school in one piece. I don’t want to create any drama. If you’re looking for a snitch to give you actual proof of plagiarism. I’m not comfortable doing that.” Luna nodded at his words and offered an apologetic smile. “And I do not wish to cost this school such a valuable club. I will not act upon what I have slowly been learning yet. “I will give Diamond Tiara time to see the error of her ways, as she is already aware of the consequences should she step further out of line.” Luna turned to her computer and pulled up the story Scribe had submitted yesterday. “Now, concerning this particular article from Snails…” Scarlet Scribe found Diamond Tiara in the music room after his talk with Vice Principal Luna. She was working on some last minute homework. He wasn’t sure what he was going to do, but he felt the need to confront her, at least. He didn’t appreciate being made into a scapegoat. “You already know what their club is about, don’t you?” Diamond Tiara glanced up, her eyes full of hate and rage. “I told you to stay away from Silver Spoon!” “Luna told me, not Silver Spoon. She also said that the newspaper club already has two infractions against it,” Scribe stated. He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at her. “What’s the deal, Di? We used to be close friends! I mean, sure, it was in elementary school, but you used to confide in us more. Why should I infiltrate the CMC’s club if you already know what it’s for?” Diamond sputtered like a fish, her mouth opening and closing as the wheels turned in her head. “Silver Spoon turned on us!” she declared. “She erased all of the proof I had about the club. I need an impartial witness to go in and get me actual proof that I can take to Luna, so I can expose them for the frauds they are!” “And what about the fraud you are?” Scribe snapped back. “Di, you’ve been taking credit for our stories!” Diamond Tiara deflated slightly, turning around and clenching her hands into fists, but she was quick to turn right back around and face Scribe with an honest smile. “Never yours, Scribey!” she defended. “Honest, I’ve never taken credit for anyone’s stories. Snips, Snails, even you and Lily Breeze still have full credit for any story you bring to the paper.” “And what about Silver Spoon?” Scribe arched his eyebrow expectantly. “I only took credit for a few of her pieces,” Diamond claimed, waving her hand in a dismissive gesture. “Scribey, she asked me to!” Scribe rolled his eyes. “I find that hard to believe.” “And when the hell did you get so lippy with me?” Diamond marched across the room and glared up at Scribe. “You’re being awfully confrontational for a mere minion!” Scribe blanched slightly. “Minion?” He shook his head. “Hey! I just-” “You still want to intern for my mom’s paper someday, don’t you?” Diamond demanded. Scribe’s gaze darted back and forth around the room as he tried to regain some control over the conversation. “Well, yeah. But you’re jeopardizing everything with the way you’ve been running the paper.” Diamond smiled mirthlessly and laughed as she suddenly ran a finger down Scribe’s chest in a playful gesture. “Oh, but I’m only doing what I was taught to in order to run the paper like my mother does.” She leaned in closer to Scribe pressing up against him. Scribe began to sweat and tried to back up, only to find that while they’d been talking Diamond had cornered him up against the music stands. “D-Diamond…” “Listen to me and listen to me very carefully, Scribe!” Diamond hissed as she yanked him down to her eye level. “I run my paper the same way that mother runs hers. I do what I must to ensure that the real news gets out to the masses! “Everything I do is for the betterment of our school! You wouldn’t want me to say the wrong thing and mention how you know Crystal Prep students personally, now would you?” “Please no! My cousin would kill me if she lost her—” Scribe stopped himself just in time and gulped nervously. “So, my little Scribey has his secrets too.” Diamond grinned victoriously and reached up to gently pat Scribe on the head. “There, there, Scribey. I won’t tell any of your secrets, as long as you do what I ask without question. I have to expose them for what they really are!” Scribe blanched and turned away, upset with himself for getting into this mess. “Alright, alright. I promised Lemon and her friend that they’d get into that party anyway. I don’t turn back on my friends. But what are we going to do about Luna? She’s going to figure it out eventually. All she has to do is convince Silver Spoon to reveal her source files for those stories you took credit for.” “I’m not a complete idiot, Scribey!” Diamond snapped. “I burned her source files after putting my name on the copies we used for printing. And I told you! Silver wanted me to take credit for them.” Scribe didn’t quite believe that, but he was up against a rock and a hard place at this point. “Ok. But you can’t take credit for any more stories. Luna isn’t stupid either.” “And that’s why I keep you around.” Diamond grinned pleasantly up at him and then moved in to give him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Play your cards right, Scribey, and I might just give you a little sugar after we blow this story wide open.” Batting her lashes up at him in what she thought was a coy manner, Diamond Tiara spun and swayed her hips as she slowly walked back to where her stuff was sitting. “Why do I let you control these situations so much?” Scribe wondered in genuine concern and confusion. “Because I’m your friend, Scribey.” Diamond glanced over her shoulder and smiled seductively. “Not only that, but I’m your best friend. If you play your cards right, I might include a few extra benefits. But I’m already capable of giving you at least one big benefit you can’t possibly ignore.” “The internship.” Scribe shook his head and slumped down in one of the empty seats by the stands. “This is royally messed up.” “Don’t feel so bad, Scribey.” Diamond stretched out and swung her feet under the table as she got back to work. “You’re the only one I trust to confide any of my plans in. Remember, not even Silver Spoon knew about that one time back in sixth grade when-” “You promised never to mention that to anybody!” Scribe leapt up with a sudden manic gleam in his eyes. “Nobody is around right now, Scribey,” Diamond pointed out, aiming her pen in his direction as she spoke. “Dinky has eyes and ears all over this school. I’d rather not let that ever get out, even if it looks like no one is here.” Scribe glanced around nervously as if he expected one of Dinky’s network of informants to crawl out from under the bass drum any second. Diamond laughed at that, this time a genuine laugh that made her sound less menacing. “Scarlet Scribe, you are paranoid.” She shot him a wink. “But I won’t remind you of the favor you did for me.” Her tone turned icy again. “Stay away from Silver Spoon; you have to be impartial when you get into that club otherwise my source’s credibility will be brought into question. And don’t worry about Luna, if she even thinks about taking this paper away from me… I’ll just have to bring it up with mother over dinner. She is head of the school board, after all.” Scribe shook his head and turned to leave. “You are one cold operator, Di.” “I learned from the best,” Diamond glanced up with a final quirky little smile. “But I certainly know when to turn up the heat, Scribey.” Blowing him a parting kiss she resumed her homework. Scribe let out another sigh and made his way out of the room. Now he had even more things that could go wrong with crashing the party. How was he supposed to ignore Silver Spoon for three more days? After Scribe was gone, Diamond Tiara let out a scream of frustration and rage that would have made her mother quite proud. “That was too damn close!” She tossed her pen aside and folded her arms over her chest. “I can’t afford to lose Scribey. I’d only have those two jabbering idiots to rely on; they’re terrible at anything that involves even the slightest amount of brainpower! At least he warned me about Luna, there’s something to be said about where his loyalties lie…” Diamond got up and paced back and forth in front of the desk where she had been working. She needed to nip this problem in the bud before it got out of hand. The only thing preventing Scarlet Scribe from denouncing her, as Silver Spoon had, was his secret in regards to the Crystal Prep students he knew and whatever it was they were having him do for them. Grinning as she began to put the makings of a plan together, she whipped out her phone and quickly dialed a number. “Uh, we’re in the middle of class right now, Di,” Snails answered in a soft whisper. “Find me after class, Snails. I have a special little job for you and Snips.” “Oh, ok!” Snails quickly hung up. Smirking, Diamond returned to her seat so she could iron out the particulars of her new plan. “Always make sure you know everybody’s darkest little secrets. Right, mommy dearest?” Running a hand to smooth out her mussy hair, she pulled her laptop out of her bag and started furiously typing away after waking it up from sleep mode. Principal Celestia replaced the receiver on its cradle and leaned back in her seat with a thoughtful expression on her face. Rare was the instance when she was contacted by anyone outside of the school for any sort of reason. To be called by the one person she could consider an old family friend was decidedly unexpected to say the least. Pressing the interoffice communication button she addressed her sister. “Luna, I have received word to expect a visit from Spoiled Ritch this week.” “Whatever for?” There was clear surprise in Luna’s tone of voice. “It would seem she has concerns about her daughter.” Celestia frowned briefly and let out a sigh. “I pride myself in keeping every student here well-educated and prepared for the next step in their lives. I certainly hope Diamond Tiara isn’t falling too far from her educational goals.” Luna chuckled slightly. “I believe she is perhaps a little more stressed out these days. I shall discuss this further in person, sister.” “Of course, Luna, when you have time.” Celestia sighed. “Bring me her complete student record. I’m certain Spoiled will be here sometime this afternoon.” “I shall be there shortly.” Luna signed off. Celestia glanced to a picture on her desk of a group of six girls. One in particular stood out to her, reminding her of past failures and increasing her resolve to do well by Diamond Tiara. Diamond Tiara paced back and forth in the usual spot waiting impatiently for her two bumbling - if acceptable - enforcers. Her plan to expose the NLAC for what it was required a few things to work out.   She needed a credible source she could manipulate in order to present the evidence to Vice Principal Luna. There was also the matter of physical proof. Pictures would be the best, but they were seemingly impossible to obtain. It was almost as if someone in authority was ensuring that the club was secured from any sort of exposure. If Diamond had to guess, it was probably Ms. Cheerilee. She was the teacher in charge of the group and had to know what it was all about. If only she could get access to some of those spy cameras she’d seen on the television before… That would mean having to ask her mother to give her access to Daily Gazette assets, and she didn’t dare approach her mother with any of this. Besides which, Scribe would never go for wearing fake glasses, and it would make him suspicious. Snips popped up in front of her suddenly with a small smile, slightly out of breath. “We’re here, Di. What did you need to see us about?” “What have I told you about sneaking up on me?” Diamond snapped. Her eyes narrowed as she glanced at Snails who was looking around for possible witnesses. “Uhh… to never do it?” Snips replied. “Listen up!” Diamond pulled both boys in closer so she could speak softly. “I need the both of you to trail Silver Spoon for the rest of the week. I want her kept away from Scarlet Scribe.” “Huh?” Snails frowned. “Why would you want to do that?” “Yeah, aren’t you and her still friends?” Snips added. “She has betrayed us!” Diamond shrieked in their ears. Snips flinched and rubbed at his ear to get rid of the sudden ringing. Snails stumbled backwards and collided with the lockers nearby. The lights flickered up above for a moment while he shook his head to try and clear it. “She’s in league with the enemy.” Diamond declared, waving her arm in a grandiose gesture of importance. “Sunset Shimmer?” Snails wondered in confusion. “No, you imbecile!” Diamond growled angrily. “Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo!” “No way!” Snips blurted. “Did they brainwash her?” “If they brainwashed her how did they get her alone long enough to do it?” Snails wondered. Diamond brought her hand up to her face and rubbed the bridge of her nose in frustration. If these two weren’t so useful to her, she would have cut ties with them as soon as she realized how impossibly incompetent the pair of them seemed to be. “Maybe they kidnapped her and locked her up somewhere while they did horrible things to her,” Snips suggested. Diamond rolled her eyes. “They tempted her with their stupid club. I should have known Silver wouldn’t be able to resist it.” “You know what it is?” Snails blurted. “Silver found out and I almost had them. But then she grew a conscience and decided to side with the enemy!” Diamond declared. “Now, will you track her and keep her away from Scribe until this week’s party so he can sneak in and get me the evidence I need to break this story wide open?” “Will you tell us what it’s really all about if we do?” Snips asked with a hungry glow in his eyes. “Yeah, we’ve been dying to know if the rumors are all true!” Snails added. Diamond groaned briefly. Breaking into a wide smirk, she patted both boys on the head in a placating gesture. “Once Scribe has my evidence, I’ll let you both in on it.” “Oh boy!” Snips hopped up and down eagerly. “Come on, Snails, let’s go trail the traitor!” “Uh weren’t we traitors to Sunset when we stopped hanging out with her?” Snails wondered thoughtfully as the two of them rushed off. “Nah, she scared us off. Plus, she turned us into winged demon things. It was cool at first, but we kinda forgot that demons aren’t exactly a good thing,” Snips said. Diamond let out a chuckle at the idiotic back and forth before she spun around to make her way to her next class. “Phase one is in full operation. Those two will keep Silver Spoon in check, and Scribey will get me exactly what I need. It’s really a shame that I have to shut their little club down before Snips and Snails get the chance to find out what it’s really all about.” Diamond giggled briefly. “Those exhibitionist freaks are going to rue the day they ever started up such a disgusting little club.” The lights flickered once again in the hallway and Diamond paused. “Why doesn’t the janitor ever fix these things? I mean, seriously!” Marching off with visions of ultimate power and glory in her head that would make her mother proud, Diamond ignored the flickering lights and smirked when she caught sight of her arch nemeses walking down the hallway. Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom were striding through the hall with their heads held high, watching the back-and-forth motion of the students. Strutting around without a care in the world. Diamond curled her lip in disgust; they’d probably walk around in their birthday suits if they could. Such degenerate behavior was to be kept private, not made into a public spectacle for the entire student body to witness. Adjusting her hair and straightening her clothes, Diamond marched down the hall, head held just as high, with a notable gleam of righteous indignation in her eye. She strode right past them and shot them all a devious smirk as she did to keep them on their toes. The three girls watched her nervously, but didn’t say anything. Shrugging, they left her alone. They had a class to get to. Scribe sat in the food court at the mall after school again. This time he was with Lemon Zest and Zecora. He wasn’t sure what to make of the dark-skinned teen, but Zecora didn’t seem to talk much, unless she had something really important to say. He was also a bit nervous around her because she was still a complete stranger to him. “Uh—why’d you ask to see me, Lemon?” he wondered. “Well, if we’re going to a party together there are a few things you need to know.” Lemon speared the cup of ketchup with her fry and bit into the newly-seasoned end, savoring the delicious taste. “Such as?” “If you’re going to be with Z and me, you need to make sure that you treat us both right,” Lemon informed. “Also, despite how you feel, partying is serious business.” Zecora nodded. “If one is at a party to do no wrong: one must find comfort amongst the throng. Throngs of people—every which sort—it is rather like being at the king’s court.” “Court?” Scribe felt like a broken record. “You know, like royalty and all that stuff.” Lemon grinned. “Parties are typically really happening scenes. There’s going to be a butt load of students there! I mean a bowling alley and a dance floor? You’re gonna be stepping way out of your comfort zone, Scribey.” Whimpering, Scribe slumped in his seat. Lemon patted his shoulder reassuringly. “We’ll both be there to help you out though. But there are a few rules you need to know first.” “Should you engage in a dance, be mindful of just where you glance.” Zecora smiled briefly exposing her teeth which flashed brilliantly in the mall light. “I know you’re a guy, but it’s better to just keep your eyes at neck level or above. Our boobs tend to jiggle a lot when we’re gyrating to a beat.” Scribe groaned. “I had the talk with mom when I was about seven years old…” “Wow?” Lemon’s eyes widened. “She really sat you down and told you about all that when you were that young?” Scribe nodded. “She used to be a strip—errr—I mean exotic dancer, remember?” “Still seems a bit young.” Lemon frowned briefly in thought. “I spent five nights a week with her when we couldn’t get a babysitter. I wanted to know why all the men at the club went crazy whenever someone started taking off their clothes. I was curious and perhaps... a bit more mature for my age.” “Pfft! Yeah right,” Lemon said with a snicker. “You were probably just scared by all the roughhousing creeps the bouncers had to kick out.” “Whatever!” Scribe reached over and snatched one of Lemon’s fries. “The point is: I already know to treat a woman with respect. I promise I won’t intentionally ogle their boobs when they’re shaking them all over the dance floor.” Lemon snickered before she pulled her fries out of reach. “Yeah, but there’s more to it than just that. You’re coming with me and Z; it isn’t a date kind of thing, but for all those other students know we might look like a couple.” “Why not me and Z?” Scribe pointed out. “You? With Z?” Lemon laughed at the very idea of such a thing. “Z is lightyears out of your league! You’re deluding yourself if you think any guy at CHS would ever think you’re tapping that.” Scribe’s face flushed. Zecora offered a calm smile in return. “I am well known on the party scene, a singular bloom; graceful, serene. There are those who call me the party ninja, but men tend to have a hidden agenda. I’m known to go solo, never with a date. You’ll be seen as a couple, please don’t be irate.” “Right. Is there anything else I should be aware of?” Scribe managed to sneak another fry. Lemon scowled at him, but then broke into a mischievous grin. “Yes. I almost forgot about the most important thing: when a guy hits on me, and I want them to, I’ll give you a little signal. Something easy enough to keep in mind… Like I’ll brush my hair against your shoulder.” Scribe flinched. “Ha, ha, very funny.” “I’m serious!” Lemon leaned over the table with a sultry little look in her eyes. “Flirting is one of my favorite things to do when I’m at a party. More than dancing or rocking out, stringing guys along is one of the best things about being a strong, independent woman. If you feel my hair on your shoulder, scram and let me have my fun.” “Fine! I think we’ve had more than enough fun at my expense!” Scribe informed coldly. “Aww, don’t you like being teased, Scribey?” Lemon asked with a laugh. Scribe was visibly trembling now. Lemon frowned and sat back down properly. “Woah, are you ok?” She reached down and put her hand on top of his. “I… didn’t mean anything, Scribe.” Scribe instantly deflated and offered an apologetic grimace; he couldn’t muster up any genuine smile at the moment. “I’m sorry. Diamond got on my case again today, and I’m tired of manipulative women invading my personal life.” Lemon’s expression darkened. What he said sounded totally uncool and very unacceptable to her. Slamming the table, she leaned forward again. “Do I need to smack a bitch?” “W-what?!” Scribe’s eyes widened in shock. “Please, be calm, be cool. There’s no need to be an angry fool.” Zecora interjected herself between the pair of them with a calming smile. “It seems as though you’ve lots to say. Care to explain your problems from today?” Scribe frowned briefly and took a few moments to recompose himself. He still wasn’t sure what to make of everything that had happened today. He was feeling on edge, and this little meeting hadn’t helped matters too much.  Still, it wasn’t fair to take it out on Lemon. She was genuinely teasing him instead of being manipulative; she cared about him as a friend. As much as anybody from the ultra-competitive Crystal Prep could, naturally. With a deep breath and a small sigh he smiled across the table at the pair of girls. “Well, apparently Diamond Tiara already knows what this party thing is all about. Some big secret she doesn’t want to explain because I need to be an impartial witness for her story. “She wants to expose it to Vice Principal Luna and after the stuff I found out today about how we’re one strike away from losing the paper entirely as a viable after-school club. Well, I kind of confronted her and she sort of did her thing.” Scribe shrugged haplessly. “Her thing?” Lemon quirked a brow in curiosity, telling him to elaborate with a gesture. “Diamond Tiara has always been manipulative. I kind of just go along with it, you know.” “Why the hell for?” “Relax, Lemon. I’m ok with it, really. I mean it’s not like I’m a stranger to that sort of behaviour.” Scribe hunched his shoulders briefly and let out a breath. “You know how Sugarcoat and Sunny can get.” “Yeah, but we grew up with you. We’re not mean-spirited about that sort of thing. Hell, if you asked them to they’d probably stop. They’ve gotten way better after the Friendship Games.” “Exposure to Equestrian Magic has a habit of doing that.” Scribe shook his head. “Diamond’s important; I need her.” “Equestrian magic?” Zecora sat stunned as her brain attempted to process this casually thrown bit of new information. What could that possibly be? It was a moment before she realized her lapse in rhyming protocol and felt a surge of frustration at her lack of discipline. “Not important, Z,” Lemon told her. “So, while she’s using you, you’re using her to get into your dream job?” Scribe nodded. “Exactly! Her mom owns the biggest paper in Canterlot. Ok, the only paper in Canterlot. I need to toe the line so I can get that internship. Therefore, I put up with Diamond’s eccentricities. I’ve known her and Silver Spoon since fifth grade, and they weren’t always so… controlling.” “Damn, Scribe. Are you that messed up?” Lemon demanded. “I am not messed up!” Scribe stood to his feet at that. “Just because I can put up with that kind of thing, doesn’t mean I enjoy stirring up drama like Di and Spoony are always getting involved with. And it doesn’t mean that I’m some kind of masochist, damn it!” “Chill, dude!” Lemon got up and circled the table to give Scribe a quick hug. “Nobody used the M word.” “Ugh, sorry. Sugarcoat loves to bring that up. If I was really a masochist, I wouldn’t get so unsettled by Diamond’s typical bullshit. I freely admit that I have a thing for hair, but controlling women I can handle.” Scribe chuckled briefly and shot Lemon a knowing look. “I’ve had years of experience with you girls, haven’t I?” Lemon laughed. “Yeah, we can get a little controlling sometimes.” Turning to a stunned-looking Zecora she smirked at her friend. “Do you need to say something?” Zecora shook her head. “This world is made up of many sorts. I have absolutely no retort. Still, what of this phrase: ‘Equestrian Magic’? I feel, from your tone, it is something most tragic.” “It’s kind of supposed to be a secret,” Lemon explained. Scribe nodded with a sheepish smile. “Yeah. I could give you a copy of my report, but after the party, ok? You haven’t been to CHS before so you should really get to know some of us better first before I spring that loaded gun on you.” “You have a report on this magical thing?” Zecora asked. “Why would you be in need of such a thing?” “Wow… Did we rile you up or something, Z?” Lemon wondered with a mischievous smirk. “That’s the first time you’ve used the same word to rhyme since I’ve known you.” Zecora blushed and glanced aside at being called out; she hated the fact that her mental discipline had slipped so badly at the strange bit of information. Fortunately they hadn’t realized that she’d previously asked a question without actually rhyming. Scribe chuckled and snatched up the last fry from Lemon’s tray. Lemon slapped it out of his hand before he could eat it. “Hey! You buy it you can eat from it, but stop stealing my food, Scribey.” “Now you made me waste it.” Scribe looked down at the floor and the discarded fry now lying there. “Whatever. We still need to cover some party etiquette stuff.” Lemon looped her arm with his and turned to start heading off. “Coming, Z?” Zecora shook her head. “My parents insist that I do my homework and study. Exam time draws near; I toe the line for party money.” “Right. See you later then.” Lemon smiled and started to educate her younger male companion on all that was necessary to fully enjoy the party scene. Scribe groaned briefly as they walked away. It was going to be a long night.