“Aug?”

“Hollywood!” A rapid pitter patter of feet cascaded down the the wRHG entrance hall, ultimately ending in a ‘wump’ and grunt as one body impacted another, wrapping around in a tight, one sided hug as it lifted the other inches off the ground. “Okay!”

“Barely!” The then airless voice forced, shoving the scarred man away so the masked one could touch the ground, stumbling back as he landed awkwardly. “They gave me some kind of shot to make me heal quicker. It burned like a bitch, but I still somehow managed to make all my errands.”

“That good!”

Taking a few deep breaths to refill his lungs, Hollywood nodded. “Very. What are you doing here? Got a battle?”

“Nope! Get fight money!”

Hollywood chuckled a bit to himself, shaking his head. “Same here.” Walking in unison, they slowly made their way towards the receptionist, occasionally glancing to one another. “Something on your mind?”

“Hollywood look first.”

“Fair point.”

The next noise came from August’s pocket soon after, both sets of eyes traced the beeping, but it took a few seconds of digging for him to fish his phone out. He only looked at it for a second before showing it to his companion. “What say?”

“Huh?” Taken back, Hollywood squinted at the handheld device before accepting it in his own. “Looks like an email. From… here.” The pair exchanged an odd glance before the masked one tapped the phone. “It’s about a ball.”

The scarred one’s emerald irises sparkled at his words and after a moment, his hands suddenly flew up in the air in jubilation. “August get ball!”

“Not that type of ball.” Shaking his head for a moment, Hollywood cleared his throat before reading it through. “You have been cordially invited to the first annual wRHG Gladiator Ball. The members of the wRHG corporation and their assets request the honor of your presence. Commons area, vicinity Building 2851. Toronto, Canada. The date and time are to be announced. One guest is permitted per invitee. You will be requested to dress in black-tie formal for the occasion. Rough housing or combat of any kind will not be tolerated and you will be asked to leave for the remaining duration of the gathering. We hope to see you there.” Shaking his head, Hollywood chuckled at what he could only imagine the outcome of August’s presence would bring.

“What mean?”

“Huh?” Snapping back, Hollywood lifted an eyebrow at the head-tilting August. “Oh, right. Long story short, you and someone else are invited to a fancy dance.” Somehow, he doubted he was going to pick on that either.

“Hollywood come?”

“I didn’t get an invite.”

“Hollywood come August!”

“Wait what?”

Then within hearing range of the receptionist, the young woman perked up, sitting attentively where she once leaned back.

“August pick Hollywood!”

“Aug!”

“Would you like me to RSVP for you two then?” Both men suddenly snapped their attention to her, moderately surprised by her interruption and all around thrown off. Shying away, she meekly proceeded, “I mean, only if you want of course.”

“Yep!” August’s blissful expression eased her as he energetically replied, but Hollywood quickly cut in as she started to type.

“Waitwait!”

Worried again, she looked up at him. “What is it?”

“I, um…” As good as an actor as he was, he was a horrible on the spot liar, “I can’t afford a flight to Canada.”

“Oh that’s no trouble at all! Just come here and we’ll get you there on time! Should I mark you down as a couple then?”

“Yep!”

She was back to typing as Hollywood buried his hand in his face.

“Not... the word I’d use.”

“Oh? You’re not boyfriends?”

“Hm?” Making and maintaining direct eye contact with the woman, August looked befuddled. “Hollywood August boy friend.”

“Aug. I’m going to hurt you.”