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]

[ cheekpuffs ]

... Mm. I do want that blackout, though, so maybe I can talk about Kaito.

[malignstar]

The guy who's not your boyfriend?

[bluediligence]

He really isn't my boyfriend. [ HUFF ]

... I don't know what to say. He's my best friend back home, and I think that's been the case since we were little kids. It's ... it's like he's always been there? Even when we're arguing or pissing each other off, it's not ...

It feels comfortable.

[malignstar]

Sounds like someone worth fighting for.

[bluediligence]

[ a small smile ]

Yeah. Absolutely. He's ... I wanna see him again so badly.

[malignstar]

You will.

[bluediligence]

Hopefully sooner rather than later.

[ It's probably been five minutes, so she'll give his wings one last pet and scritch. ]

[malignstar]

I guess mine would be... Eliza. She's the one who's always been here for me ever since I woke up. She gave me the name Felix and she's the one with all the plans in the trials. I guess I could be more honest with her about things though. I'm not the greatest at talking about myself, believe or not.

[bluediligence]

I don't know Eliza well at all, but from what I've heard, she's amazing. I'm glad you've got a friend like her.

[malignstar]

I'm extremely lucky to have ended up on a team with her.

[bluediligence]

Do you guys do a lot together? As a team, I mean.

[malignstar]

We used to do more, before Fang went back to sleep.

[bluediligence]

Fang...?

[malignstar]

Yeah, he and Eliza were really close. They did a lot of things together.

[bluediligence]

Then I hope he comes back soon.

[malignstar]

Me too. For her sake especially.

[bluediligence]

Mmm ...

[ She wonders if there's any way to help people come back sooner ... it's something to think about, if nothing else. ]

... Do you think it's time to try another square?

[malignstar]

We could trade hand massages if you still need one.

[bluediligence]

I've got the cuddles square, too. We could knock those both out at once?

[malignstar]

Sounds like a plan!

[bluediligence]

[ OPENS HER ARMS ]

[ let's get this cuddle party started ]

[malignstar]

[ He is all about the cuddles ]

You know, I never thought I'd like people touching my wings. Birds don't seem to like it. But it actually feels really good.

[bluediligence]

Birds don't? I've never been that close to one ... [ As far as she knows, anyway. ]

What does it feel like?

[malignstar]

Nah, they always jerk away. And I don't know, it feels kind of heady. Leaves you a bit light-headed, I guess.

[bluediligence]

Huuuuuh ... that sounds like how cats look when you get the good spots.

[ cute ... ]

Can I borrow your hand?