Chapter 7.1

                                    

                                          
A/N: Sorry for the long wait. Writer's block :(

- It's really amazing,  guys just look at all these games! - Julia said with a wide smile as she, Lloyd, Sora, Arin and Riyu walk down one of the alleys full of various colorful game booths. Riyu is looking around very curious. - I swear there are more and more of these every year. 

- Yeah, it's really impressive. - Lloyd said. Riyu suddenly stopped and started squawking, drawing people's attention to himself. 

- What is it, boy? - Arin asked. Riyu squawked and ran up to the game stand. Specifically, to the prize area and leans his two front paws against the counter. The Ninja walk up to him and look at what the little dragon is looking at and see a plush purple frog hanging on a hook. 

- A plush frog? - Lloyd asked. Riyu nodded vigorously and squawked once more as he tried to climb onto the counter.

 - Oh do you like this thing, Riyu? - Sora asked with a smile. Riyu roared in response and jumped up onto the counter. Just as the dragon in the shaggy dog costume was about to take the toy away, a Skeleton appeared in front of him.

- Hey! Get out of here you dirty mutt. - Skeleton snarled, waving his hands at Riyu as if he were some kind of disgusting bug. Riyu got scared, quickly jumped off the counter and hid behind Julia. 

- Hey! Don't talk to him like that, he just wanted to see the toy. - Julia rebuked, sending the salesman an annoyed look. 

The Skeleton squinted at her and crossed his arms. - Well, no one can touch the prizes until you win the game, kid. And this... dog of yours, wanted to steal it. Like a thief. - He spat, sending Riyu a look from which the little dragon hid more behind the girl. 

- Hey, sir, you don't have to be rude. You're right and we apologize for the trouble. - Lloyd said. - We'd better get going. 

Arin, Julia and Sora exchange glances and look at Riyu, who whines, looking longingly at a plush frog. 

- Hold on, Lloyd. Actually, we want to play this game. - Arin says to Skeleton. At the boy's words, the salesman's gaze softens and he smiles broadly. 

- Well, you should say so right away! One game costs five coins. - Skeleton said.

Arin nods and reaches into his pants pocket, but he felt only empty space. His eyes widened and he looks at Julia and Sora. - I ran out of coins. 

Skeleton heard him and his eyes narrowed hostilely. - Well, no coins, no game. Get out of here and don't bother me again. 

Julia raises her hand. - Wait. - She says, reaching into her pocket and pulls out the necessary amount of coins. - I've been saving the coins  for this day. 

Skeleton accepts coins from her and his cheerful smile returns again. - Be my guest. The rules of this game are simple: you get one hoop and must throw it into one of the bottles prepared here. If you hit it, you win. Simple as a piece of cake, right?