Long Term Memory Sauce

what da dog doin??

Mel learnt the names of these kind strangers, and that they'd stay with them for quite a while.

The kind soul in the torn hoodie was Dyna, a sweet person who seemed to have something on her mind constantly. She seemed to be at a loss constantly, yet she remained compassionate and upbeat. She was loud, but Mel found that endearing.

The vested gentleman was Simon. He was very youthful and passionate, and loved telling Mel about those dizzying machines, that Mel soon knew as 'arcade cabinets'. Simon loved exploring, and Mel resonated with that, given the mental dead end they found themselves in.

The masked stranger was Nate. Simon explained that he came to the arcade to seek refuge from the authorities.

Authorities. More than one Authority. It sounded funny to Mel. 'Authority' was a word they instinctively recognised, like an old friend, though the word was anything but friendly to Mel.

Mel did catch Nate speaking, but not often. His motives were forever unknown to Mel.

Something was off about Nate, but it was an enlightening, almost immaculate kind of feeling. Like a chord formed from off-key notes. A shrill, haunting kind of harmony.