At the Essence of Simties, the lights go out at Midnight, and we enter Nightclub lighting.

And then everything seems different. The lights are dimmer but the feelings are grow tenfold. The music and the lights, and the potential cocktails — something starts thrumming under your skin.

It’s a moment out of time, out of the world.

It’s another world entirely.

Whatever Marie and I said to each other under the loud Disco tunes, it was none of what both of us actually wanted to discuss.


I’d be lying if I tried to pretend I wasn’t fully aware of Hugo’s gaze on me. I’d also lie if I said I wasn’t taking advantage of that knowledge.

… Unfortunately, this is what happens when you’re more focused on how your backside looks than actually throwing the ball correctly. Hugo did not comment…

… But our eyes met. He was smiling. So was I.

… One alley per bad player, probably the best way to avoid ridicule after all?