"Hello?" Emi approached one of the many bars on the mezzanine above the casino floor.
"Greetings... Emi Heart. Presidential suite guest. What can I provide you?" An automaton stood behind the bar. It looked human, a woman in appearance, short bob cut blond hair and cheery smile. Although its voice and movements were mechanical. It didn't feel like a real person.
"I would like a drink please." She asked politely.
"Very good miss, we have a range of sodas, and fruit juices on tap. Or perhaps a coffee." The robot suggested.
"I would like a glass of something alcoholic, please." Emi asked once again, hopping her manners were enough to circumvent the hardcoded rules.
"Apologies miss, but we cannot provide alcoholic beverages to customers below the age of 18. Please choose from one of the options provided."
"Hmmmm. Even though I'm in the presidential suite?" She tried bargaining, hoping that this machine was programmed to give VIP's certain perks; regardless one one's age.
"Apologies miss..."
"What about if I say that Souta said I could?" The young woman bargained one last time. She didn't really want a drink of alcohol; more fun to test the robot to see how easily it could be manipulated.
"Apologies miss, but Mr. Hanabishi is not above the law, he cannot allow minors to drink alcoholic beverages."
"Okay then, can I have an iced coffee?"
The robot nodded. Pulling a mug from a cupboard and placing it beneath a coffee machine, hot water began to pour the hot, caffeinated brew into the cup. Once filled, the mug was placed on the bar.
"Enjoy VIP Miss Heart." The robot bowed, returning to its place behind the bar. A silent sentinel, awaiting the next patron.
"Thank you." Emi grabbed the cup, a stimulant greater than any coffee to be called such a term.
'How much do they cost? I wonder.' A curiosity of the robot. They were so life like, but still had the telltale mechanical movements of an automaton.
"Well, well. I see we meet our little VIP, all on her own." The unwelcome voice of a boy; Kenji. His words carried the arrogance of someone who felt like the world belonged in the palm of their hand. His brother too, stood behind him, although Kyou's voice was softer; more controlled.
"Who are you?" A vacant stare as the two boys unwelcomely took a seat by her.
"You like to play hard to get don't ya... Kyou you wanna grab a couple drinks for the three of us? We have a lot of... talking... to do." Kenji grinned, looking at Emi. A predator staring at a cornered prey.
"I would prefer if you didn't. I'm quite happy on my own, thank you very much." She replied, taking a sip from the bitter iced coffee.
"Awww... Don't worry about it. I'm sure Kyou will pick something to your taste."
Kyou came back with three pints of yellow liquid, although one seemed to fizzle a lot more than the other two.
"Here you go." Placing the especially fizzing drink in front of Emi.
"I'm fine thank you." She said, continuing to sip at the ice coffee.
"Don't be rude. It's a custom to have a drink with your seniors. You should drink up." Kenji pressed.
"Excuse me gentlemen, that girl under the age of 18 and cannot consume alcohol. I must ask that you both refrain from pressuring her into-"
"Piss off you stupid bot, go back to pouring drinks!" Kyou yelled at the robot.
"Please do not yell at the staff, sir."
"Who cares bot, you're just an automaton. We'll do what we with our own drinks." Kenji retorted.
"I will alert the complex-"
"Do what ya want ya dumb bot." Kyou sighed, becoming frustrated with the robot's persistence in following the rules.
"Now drink up missy. Before your drinks goes flat." Kenji glared at Emi. His face began to contort in a way that suggested she was getting on the young man's nerves.
"No thank you." She replied, still drinking from her coffee.
"Here just like this..." Both boys drank from their beers.
"See easy. Your turn now." Kenji smiled.
Emi stared for a moment. Looking between the two drinks.
"Again, no thank you..."
"Tch... Stubborn bitch." Kenji growled.
"Y-yea... Y-you... um." Kyou on the other hand began to wobble and slur his words, face going red. He could barely stand.
"The hell? Why am I feeling dizzy..." The boy's eyes rolled into the back of his head. Collapsed on the floor. Nearly unable to hoist himself back up.
"Kyou! Kyou!" Kenji tried to wake the sloppy boy, but to no avail.
"I swapped your drinks." Emi spoke with a blunt tone.
Another life lesson taught to Emi. Never accept a drink from a stranger; you never know what they may have put into it. Case in point.
"Y-You bitch!" Kenji raised a hand; ready to strike at the girl. However, his security guards came running.
"Sir! What happened here?" The one on the left asked, a look of confusion in the eyes of the men.
"He drank something I didn't..." Kenji barley chocked out.
"Either way sir, we need to leave. Mr. Hanabishi ordered us to escort you two back home."
"Fuck him. I want this bitch to pay." He spoke through clenched teeth.
"Sorry sir, but it's in the families best interest to return home."
Both guards carried the boys out; one slung over either shoulder.
Emi left all by her lonesome once again.
Finishing up her drink and skipping off once more into the complex.