The ORION Project | ✔

chapter 19

Trigger warnings: mentions of drug use.

1993, December

1993:12:09 20:07:44.972 PROJECT EDEN_create: gen_httphandle_lock0x841366a8
1993:12:09 20:07:44.973 sourcedata_queue_init: queue entity = -2079015872
1993:12:09 20:07:44.974 DEADPOOL_create: looper0x841366d0
1993:12:09 20:07:44.974 programcreate: looper0x841366e8
1993:12:09 20:07:44.975 tamika_create: looper0x84136700
1993:12:09 20:07:44.975 HEAVENLYcreate: g_event_d_backup_list_lock:0x84136710
1993:12:09 20:07:44.976 ERROR_create: g_event_context.curl_list_lock:0x84136718
1993:12:09 20:07:44.976 miscalculation_create: g_event_context.cmd_looper_handler:0x8414bc60
1993:12:09 20:07:44.977 loading_create: g_event_context.callback_looper_handler:0x8414bc80
1993:12:09 20:07:44.977 password_create: g_event_theorionproject_complete_looper_handler:0x8414bca0
1993:12:09 20:07:44.987 use_which_cert=0, curl-version: libcurl/7.54.1 mbedTLS/2.5.1 c-ares/1.13.0 curl_feature:0x85
1993:12:09 20:07:44.987 datacore_init: init http manage SUCCESS

***

Pink neon lights lit up the front of The Love Club, twinkling on and off like Christmas lights. It was barely six in the evening but the inside was bustling, in hurry and excitement of the night to come.

The chaotic excitement made Sanmi's head pound with a headache. For a moment, he paused to stare at the ensuing chaos, the bartenders were gathered at the bars, chattering as they worked, the smell of alcohol was heavy in the air making his throat tighten with the sharp smell.

Sanmi could only imagine what sort of drinks had been imported just for a silly party that would end up in chaos by midnight but it was a special occasion after all. It was the birthday of one of ORION'S main players.

He shook his head just as the disc jockey began testing his instruments and soon enough, afro pop music began pulsing from speakers. Everything about the whole scene screamed over the top, the projectors on the walls flickered every few seconds, displaying a stunning image of the birthday girl in red.

And there she stood, in the center of it all on the dance floor, barking orders and glancing at the tablet computer in her hands every few seconds. She turned around as if on cue and caught Sanmi's eye, with a single finger gesture, she beckoned him over to her.

Sanmi sighed as he moved towards her, wishing to get this visit over with. He hadn't planned on seeing any of their faces through out the weekend until he saw Joshua's impromptu call, it had scared him because Joshua never called himself, he'd rather send someone else — they both knew that interactions between them always turned into a fight.

"What's up?" He greeted perfunctorily. He had no intentions of fighting with anyone no matter how much he desired to defy their orders at every turn. Sanmi had had the worst week, and the worst was far from over, not when secrets continued to be overturned at every turn.

He just wanted to sleep, permanently.

"I don't recall inviting you over," she said, batting her eyelash extensions in a flirty manner. He knew better than to take her jabs to heart, for some reason unknown to him, Amina loved throwing insults his way, she enjoyed riling him up and most times she succeeded, tonight he wasn't going to pay her any heed. At least he tried not to.

"I'm a gatecrasher." He told her flatly.

She blinked as if she wasn't quite sure if he was jesting.