The Nineteenth Trial

[hot_mess_express]

Who: Everyone
When: Day 43, evening
Where: The Mermaid's Beach

Come on, come on heroes...! Come hither!

[ There's a playful giggle and the sound of splashing as the Mermaid's beach appears in the clearing. ]

Let's play a game...!

Comments

[bluediligence]

[ Holds it out for him to take, grinning. ]

What can I say? I've got an eye for pretty things.

[malignstar]

Pretty things, huh?

[ Brings one of his deep black wings around him so he can pluck one of the looser feathers ]

Would this count?

[bluediligence]

[ Lets out a soft, oooh, of appreciation. ]

Definitely! Is it really okay...?

[malignstar]

Sure. Gifts are supposed to be special, right?

[ Holds the feather out to her ]

And I've still got plenty to work with.

[bluediligence]

[ Gently takes it, lightly running a fingertip along the edge ]

It's beautiful ... I'll take good care of it, I promise.

[malignstar]

[ Actually blushes lightly at the sheer tenderness of her response. ]

I know you will.

You're always considerate of others. It's one of the things I like about you.

[bluediligence]

[ Now she's blushing, too. ]

A-Ah, geez ... uhm. Thanks. You're really friendly and easy to get along with ... I always enjoy spending time with you.

[malignstar]

[ It's a blushing party! ]

Really? I'm glad to hear it!

[bluediligence]

Really! I'm glad to call you my friend.

[ she's going to be blushing for days after this game ]

[malignstar]

I actually feel pretty special right now. I'm happy with friends too.

[bluediligence]

... Thank you, Felix.

[ aaaaaa ]

[ she tucks the feather behind her ear for safe-keeping ]

[malignstar]

[ Brushes his own air behind his ear, as he watches her do that ]

So uh, need anything else?

[bluediligence]

Can I make a bet with you? And, uh ... [ looks down at her card ]

[ clears her throat ]

If it'd be okay, could I ... pet your wings? For, uhm. Five minutes?

[malignstar]

What sort of bet?

And sure. Think I can pet your hair in return?

[bluediligence]

[ The flush on her cheek gets so, so much brighter. ]

S-Sure! And the bet - uhm ... I - bet I can do more push-ups than you!

[malignstar]

Oh, you're on! I need to see how those workouts have been paying off.

[bluediligence]

[ at that, she grins ]

Let's do it! Right here, right now.

[ IN THE SAND ]

[malignstar]

You got it! Give us the count.

[bluediligence]

'kay! We'll start in ... three ... two ... one-! Go!

[ Time for a PUSH-UP COMPETITION ]

[malignstar]

[ All the push-ups! ]

[bluediligence]

[ Here's the bonus of having trained with a space marine for a couple of years: she's really, really good at them ]

[ she's aiming for 70 in two minutes-! ]

[malignstar]

[ He's good but probably not space marine trained good ]

Damn, you're a powerhouse!

[bluediligence]

[ beams at him ]

Ehehehe, thanks!

[malignstar]

I think I need your workout regiment.

[bluediligence]

I'd be happy to show you the ropes after we're all done here.

[ Wipes her forehead with her arm, whew. ]