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

[time5kip]

You're welcome.

[bluediligence]

[ Smiles, she's so pleased ]

As for what I like about myself ... mm, I guess I like that I'm a lot stronger than I look.

[time5kip]

Really. I wouldn't have thought that. How strong are we talking?

[bluediligence]

Nothing superhuman! I could probably pick up Dusk if I really wanted to, I guess, and ...

[ Here, she'll demonstrate a few handstand push-ups ]

My workouts involve a lot of things like this.

[time5kip]

[ There's a genuine smile at that and he just seems pleased to see that ]

Wow. You work out regularly. That's pretty good.

[bluediligence]

[ Lifts one of her hands so she's essentially doing a one-handed handstand, then flips back up onto her feet. ]

Whew. Yeah, I spend a lot of my downtime in the gym, if I'm not out exploring.

[time5kip]

[ He's not going to mention any of his siblings after he told her he found them dead but he's definitely thinking of Luther ]

It's a healthy enough habit. Keep it in mind for you aftermath plan.

[bluediligence]

Within reasonable limits. I bet Dusk'd fuss like a motherhen if I overdid it. [ Sighs, but it's fond. ]

[time5kip]

One more reason to pick him up. And maybe throw him away somewhere. Might keep him off your case for long enough.

[bluediligence]

[ pfffAHAHAHA ]

I like the way you think, Five!

[time5kip]

One more reason to find you tolerable, then.

[bluediligence]

[ After one last snicker ]

... Honestly? Dusk's really important to me, and I know he means well. He's thrown himself into helping everyone and anyone as much as he can. I just wish he'd take more time for himself.

[time5kip]

He's annoying an pushy. But he's reliable enough.

Do you actually have memories of him?

[bluediligence]

He's ... very determined to be there for people. [ It's not a bad thing! Mostly. ]

[ Shakes her head. ]

No, not yet. [ After a moment of fiddling, she holds out a pendant necklace for Five to see. ] He's got one just like this. It's a big assumption, but between the necklaces and the muscle memory when we're sparring ...

[time5kip]

That's a lot of trust to put into someone you don't actually remember.

[bluediligence]

Mm, probably. Still ... I don't think he'll let me down.

[ sure might get awkward when she remembers some of the shit he pulled ....... ]

[time5kip]

[ That's too much unconditional love and support and faith he can't handle any of that ]

I'll keep an eye on him.

[bluediligence]

You don't have to.

[ Slips the necklace back on, and ... offers him a hand! ]

Wanna try dancing? Fair warning, I've never done it before.

[time5kip]

I'll have to regardless. He's from my team and I'm invested in making things work. It's not for your sake.

[ Taking her hand easily, and pulling her close so he can wrap his arm around her waist ]

I'll lead. You can follow. It's easy enough after the first few steps.

[bluediligence]

[ Ohhhhh ... ] Fair enough. [ As trusting as she is, she appreciates that not everyone is the same way. ]

[ She blushes at the arm around her waist, but, okay, that's fine, this is fine ]

Okay ... I'll do my best!

[time5kip]

[ He's giving her enough time to prepare herself mentally before he starts moving, basic waltz steps ]

Relax.

[bluediligence]

I'm relaxed...!

[ no she's not ]

[ she's trying tho, carefully following his footwork ]

[time5kip]

You're obviously not.

[ But she's not, like, stepping on his feet so that's good enough for him. ]

Like I said. It's easy enough after the first few steps.

[bluediligence]

The pattern helps.

[ His feet go there, so her feet go there ]

[ she's not the most graceful creature in the world, but she is starting to get the hang of it ]

Do you like dancing?

[time5kip]

[ He has to think about the answer, because he obviously knows how to dance well enough, and it's obvious he's skilled. But like a lot of things he knows how to do, whether he likes it or not is something else entirely. ]

I don't hate it.