Truth or Dare II
Disclaimer: The PPC was created by Jay and Acacia, the original assassins.
This was co-written by Caddy-shack More stuff by Caddy-shack , HerrWozzeck More stuff by HerrWozzeck, and me.
beta: Datajunkie (A big thank you goes out to Data, or Data_Junkie as he goes on the Board, for Betaing and giving us some feedback. He is a really big help, and we appreciate it every time he does it.)
Previous appearance: Mission 12: Bark at the Moonl
Truth or Dare II
Maria was bouncing around happily. Mark was attempting to finish the newest book Cadmar had given him, hoping Maria would stop soon. Cadmar was nowhere to be found.
Mark sighed. “All right, what has you in such a good mood, Maria?”
Maria made a small ‘squee’ noise, “Miah and Cali are coming over! We’re playing Truth or Dare again!”
“I was under the impression we were already a close knit unit.”
Maria smiled widely. “Oh, we are. Miah was the one to suggest it. I’m so happy people are finally getting into this!”
Mark groaned. It seemed his reading time was over.
Somewhere in the halls of HQ, whining was being perpetrated. By an agent much too old for whining. Cali dragged his feet and tried to concentrate on exactly where he was. Maybe that way they’d never get to RC-whatever-that-long-number-is, before Miah gave up.
“But Miii-aaa-uuh, I don’t wanna go!”
“Cali! Give me a break! You’re going. I’m going. We. Are. Going. To. Have. Fun! Now come on!” Miah grabbed his arm and dragged him along the halls. She was so distracted by him acting like a five year old that they were in front of RC-whatever-that-long-number-is in only a couple of minutes. Miah knocked.
The door slid open without the usual wait, and Maria appeared and grabbed them both by the wrists and dragged them into the RC in a flash. “Eeeeeeeeeee! Hihihihihihihihihihihihi!”
Mark rolled his eyes at Maria. “Greetings.”
Cali immediately switched into super-hero mode, struck a pose, plastered a mega-watt grin on his face, and said, “Hello!” as if he was actually happy to be there.
Miah gave a heavy sigh, shook her head at her partner’s behavior, and then gave Maria a hug. “Hi.”
Maria happily returned the hug. “Hi! You guys get set up, I’ll go and grab Cadmar, She was saying something about looking through some boxes she found,” Maria leaned in closer and whispered in Miah’s ear, “and thanks again for setting this up. You’re the best!” With that, Maria bounced happily off into the darkness of the RC.
“So, not that I am not happy to see you, but what was the purpose of staging this?” Mark asked while putting his book away. “It seems rather out of the blue.”
“Oh, well, team-building--”
“We’re built already! Leave off!” Cali interrupted.
Mark raised an eyebrow at Cali. “You seem frustrated. In the name of camaraderie, I suppose it is only proper that I ask why, and try to solve it.”
“Who me? I’m not frustrated. Nothing to solve at all! I was just busy... uh, playing a video game.”
“And, I’m going to go find Maria,” Miah said, exiting stage left.
“Obviously a lie. You are stammering, a sign of nervousness. You aren’t afraid of the dark, as you have been here before.” Mark began pacing around Cali in a circle. “After out last game you seemed smug about your victory, so you are most likely not nervous about me. Does Maria frighten you?”
“N-no. It’s not like it’s that dark in here, anyway,” Cali added quickly.
“You mean it isn’t dark in a room with only a few screens and a desk lamp for light? I can assure you that roughly sixty percent of the RC is in complete darkness. So, if you are not afraid of Maria, then Cadmar?”
“No!” Cali peered around the room. “Huh, I guess there are only a few lights in here.”
“Strange. So, why does Cadmar frighten you?” Mark grabbed a lantern and switched it on, placing it on the floor. “You do not need to fear her harming you, she isn’t as bad as she would have you think.”
“Why would I be scared of her?” Cali asked, with genuine confusion apparent in his expression.
Mark tilted his head. “... is Cadmar’s teeth not enough for a start? Or her personality?”
“Well, I met him before the teeth,” Cali muttered.
“That makes sense, I suppose. If you do not fear her, then why do you seem apprehensive? You haven’t denied that Cadmar is the cause yet.” Mark’s small smirk was clear in his voice.
“What! Yes, I did!” Cali’s voice managed to crack on what.
“Did you? All I remember are some poor lies.” Both agents heard a female shout in shock from somewhere in the RC. “If there is anything you wish to ‘get off your chest’ I suggest you do so now. I wish to truly be friends with you, despite our rivalry in Truth or Dare.”
Cali glanced around to make sure no one was walking up to them yet. He sighed heavily, and finally said, all in a rush, “I’ve had a crush on Cadmar since we went on that training mission when he first got to the PPC.”
Mark was silent for a minute, he then slowly nodded. “I... see. May I ask why?”
“Eh, well, he seemed pretty nice, and he was good-looking, and there was this pillow fight... It was a crush, does it really have to have a lot of basis?”
“True, though I am curious as to the pillow fight.” Mark looked ready to continue, when Miah and Maria came back. Maria was beaming, and acting very giddy, more so then before. Miah was shaking her head and chuckling slightly.
“We’re back!” Maria said happily, sitting down beside Mark. “Cadmar’s on her way here.”
“No, I’m not! Maria, I said I was sorry, please don’t make me come out like this.” Cadmar pleaded from behind a pile of stuff.
“I never said I was angry, just proud! C’mon! I’m too happy for words that you were putting my old costumes to use!” Maria grinned at Mark and Cali. “We found her trying on old cosplay costumes I made a while back.”
Cali swallowed heavily.
Miah smirked at him, and took her spot in the circle.
Cadmar slowly stepped into the area that was lit by the lantern, facing the floor, showing that her hair was dyed purple. She was wearing a black tank top that was showing her mid-riff, and a pair of sort, cut-off jeans. She looked up at the group, with a massive blush on her face and stammered, “I... I,un... I found some anime costumes, and there was a Revy one... I was just getting into the whole ‘embrace your new life’ thing...”
“Wow, Cadmar, that’s uh, that’s uh, uh g-great costume,” Cali stuttered, blushing bright red.
“T-thanks...” Cadmar sat down beside Miah. “I... un, I’m glad I can pull it off.”
All five sat in silence for a few seconds, when the door opened, allowing Florestan to enter.
“Florestan!” Maria cried happily, glomping him.
The DIC agent let out a quiet ‘oof’ as he was tackled to the ground. When he came to his senses, he simply smiled sheepishly. “Hi Maria,” he said. “Uh... Good to see you.”
Maria beamed at him. “You’re just in time! Want to join us for a game? Miah and Cali are here too!”
The confused Disentangler looked over to see two people he didn’t recognize sitting with Mark and Cadmar in a circle. “Uh... Miah and Cali?” he asked uncertainly.
Miah stood up, and offered Florestan her hand. “Nice to meet you.” She nudged Cali with her foot, when she realized that he was too busy trying to be sneaky about staring at Cadmar to notice the other agent’s entry.
“Likewise,” said Florestan as he took Miah’s hand. He brushed off his trenchcoat briefly, noticing his fedora laying on the ground. “So... a game?”
“Yeah!” Maria pulled Florestan over and sat both of them down beside Mark. “Truth or Dare, team building exercise and fun!” Maria smiled “Sound fun?”
Florestan glanced at the others, before shrugging. “Sure, why not?” he asked. “Besides... I do need a good way to kill time for the next... fifteen minutes, at least?”
“Okay, so, seeing as Florestan got here last, he should start.” Cadmar said while finally getting her blush down.
The Disentangler instantly jolted at this. “W-what?” he asked. “I... I don’t...” He then let out a sigh, rolling his eyes slightly. “There’s no avoiding this, is there?”
Cadmar smiled evilly. “Nope, Truth or Dare?”
Florestan shrugged. “Ah, well,” he said. “Hm... Truth.”
Cadmar frowned slightly. “Unnnn, how old are you?” she asked lamely.
Florestan blinked. “Uh... you could have asked me any variety of wild question, and that is the one you went with?” he asked.
Cadmar hung her head. “I was hoping you’d choose dare. Just answer...”
“Okay, mental note to not accept a dare from Cadmar...” Miah mumbled.
“Eh, it’s not a daring question, but it’s actually a bit more complicated than you’d think,” replied Florestan, rubbing his chin. “Let’s see... in technical terms, I’m... twenty-five. But in the bigger picture, I’m at least a hundred and fifty years old.”
Miah glanced at Mark, before saying, “Not quite human?”
Cali was a bit less sanguine, “You’re looking rather good for a hundred and fifty!”
“Yeah, and I feel pretty good too,” commented Florestan. “Tends to happen when you were conceived in World One and a Half...”
“So... you’re like, immortal?” Cadmar asked.
“In a couple ways,” said Florestan. “Either way, it’s a long story. Who’s next?”
“Un, you choose the next person.” Cadmar said, while pouting.
“Oh?” asked Florestan, grinning evilly. “All righty then... Say, Maria, Truth or Dare?”
“Um.” Maria tilted her head and grinned at him. “Dare.”
The DIC agent’s smile only intensified. “I thought you would say that,” he said. “Okay... I want you to kiss me and sit in my lap for the next two turns.”
Maria pounced on him and kissed him square on the lips fiercely. “I’m surprised you actually asked,” she remarked as she let him sit. “Good enough for you?” she asked slyly while sitting in his lap.
The DIC agent smiled. “Maybe not for now, but we can get to that later,” he said, making sure emphasize the word ‘later’.
Maria giggled in response, “Truth or Dare... Miah.”
“Truth.”
“What’s your greatest fear?” Maria asked with curiosity, the others looked interested as well.
Miah paused for a few moments then said, “To die alone.”
Florestan blinked uncertainly. “Well... that’s kinda heavy,” he commented.
“That is a frightening idea,” Mark said somberly.
Maria frowned. “Don’t worry, if we can help it, it won’t happen.” She reached over and grasped Miah’s hand.
Miah grinned and said, “I’m also scared of stick insects,” but she squeezed Maria’s hand back. Then she let go and clapped her hands together. “So, who’s the next victim?”
She waited a moment, and then said, “What, no volunteers? Alright, Cadmar. Truth or dare.”
Cadmar leaned forward and grinned. “Dare, hit with your best shot!” she said boisterously.
“Alright, here goes. Kiss someone of the opposite gender on the mouth,” Miah said with an evil grin. “And nicely too! No shark-teeth involvement!”
Cadmar’s grin faded and she banged her head on the ground. “... Damnit...” She looked around the circle. “Hmmmmm...” She got up and walked slowly around the circle. “Duck, duck, duck... Goose!” Cadmar leaned down and kissed Cali on the lips.
Cali jerked, his arms flailed for a second, then he managed to get one hand up to Cadmar’s cheek.
Miah wasn’t sure how he was managing to look both pleased with himself and red all the way to the tips of his ears.
Florestan looked on, smirking a little as he leaned close to Maria. “Hm... more crush-type things?” he whispered in... well, as close an approximation to Maria’s ear as he could make, anyhow.Maria giggled in response.
Cadmar pulled away first, blushing heavily, but with a huge grin on. “Was that some encouragement I felt there?” she asked.
Cali pulled in on himself, hiding his face. “Mrbglulgbmmmmhmm” he mumbled into his arms, but he also might have given a half nod.
“Weeeell, in that case...” Cadmar grabbed Cali’s arms and opened them up, plopping down in his lap. “How’s this?”
Even as Cali was rendered even more speechless than before, Florestan found it in him to snicker rather noticeably. “Well, Cadmar, getting comfy there?”
Cadmar stuck her tongue out at Florestan. “Hello, victim! Truth or Dare?”
Cali squirmed back a bit, and wrapped his arms loosely around Cadmar, somehow managing to blush even more.
Florestan, meanwhile, paled. “Again?” he asked.
Cadmar grinned savagely. “Yep.”
The DIC agent glanced nervously to the side. “Uh... Well... Dare?”
Cadmar cackled. “Oh, dearest Florestan, you have chosen wisely. I dare you to... eat your fedora.”
The expression of abject horror on the DIC agent’s face said everything he needed to say. “W... What?” he asked. “Cadmar, are you clinically insane or something? That hat has toxic chemicals in it, and I could die from eating it!”
Cadmar tilted her head to the side, looking up in thought. “I suppose Maria would be angry with me if I said yes... Fine, instead of that, I dare you to...” Cadmar began giggling sadistically. “Go give a bear hug to the sludge monster in the sinks drain.”
Florestan rose his eyebrow at this. Finally, he shrugged. “Eh, I guess I don’t need to go back to my RC clean,” he said. “At least I’m not going to die from it. Horribly, anyway.” He glanced to Maria. “But she’s still in my lap, you know.”
“Well, it has been two turns. Now go and hug Mr Sludgey! I want to hear screaming!” Cadmar was bouncing with giddyness, making Cali more uncomfortable.
As Maria very reluctantly got off of the DIC agent, Florestan sighed. “Oh, very well then,” he said.
With this, he walked into the room with the clogged up sink. Soon after this, he closed the door. It was left to the hyperactive imaginations of everyone else what exactly transpired when Florestan was in there. A minute or two passed, with a few sounds of shouts as everyone waited for the DIC agent to appear again.
And when he did, the sludge was covering every single inch of his shirt. The agent sat down in the circle again, glaring at Cadmar as he did so.
“I hope you’re happy, you bloody ponce,” replied the Disentangler.
“Oh, but that wasn’t the only reason,” Cadmar said with a smirk.
Maria made an annoyed noise at Cadmar. “You’re a jerk. Sorry Florestan, I kinda like my coats clean, so....” Maria smiled apologetically.
“Just. As. PLANNED! AHHAHAHAHAHAHAAH!” Cadmar threw her head back and began laughing.
Florestan shook his head as he then worked at removing his trenchcoat. “Right, then,” he said, glaring at Cadmar as he placed the trenchcoat on the ground next to him. “I think this is about to backfire spectacularly on you.”
And without any further prompting, Florestan took his shirt off.
Maria made an appreciative noise and hopped back into his lap, Cadmar sighed and flopped back against Cali more, “Damnit all...”
“Cadmar?” Cali said very quietly.
“Yeah?”
“Are you only sitting on me to make Maria jealous?”
Cadmar hung her head. “No. I doubt this would make her jealous in the slightest,” Cadmar said quietly back, grimacing a bit. “Though, to be honest with you, it isn’t for purely good reasons either... I was kinda... wanting in on the whole ‘having someone’ thing...I’m sorry...”
“Oh.” Cali was quiet for a second, but started talking quickly, before Cadmar could get away, “I-I wasn’t being very honest, either. I’ve been... having... uh... kind of a crush on you, and it’s not, well, I don’t even know you very well, so it’s all just wishful thinking on my part--I guess, I’m lonely, too?”
Cadmar chuckled bitterly. “Heh, still not as bad as pretty much outright seducing someone. How’s about we do something after this, and try and do this the right way? You can choose?”
“I’m not sure how bad it is to seduce someone who desperately wants to be seduced. So, you’re a girl now. Is this like flowers and dinner? I know this place in Psych where we could get some good food. Candlelight and all that.”
Cadmar’s eyes widened in horror. “U-um, no, no thank you. Er, I’m not much of a... girly girl yet. Maybe a movie and we can take it from there?” she suggested.
“Whew. Yeah, that sounds better to me, too. The minis have this set-up you wouldn’t believe in the Adoption Center. I’ll duct tape Dinozo to the ceiling or something, so he doesn’t try anything, and we can watch something. Maybe action? Or comedy?” Cali unintentionally let his voice get louder as he got more excited.
Cadmar smiled a non-psychotic, normal smile. “I’m good for anything.”
“Hey Cali, you want me to dare you to hug the sludge monster, too?” Miah said loudly.
“What? Why?” Cali asked, confused by the sudden reminder that everyone had probably heard what they had been saying.
“I guess I could dare Cadmar, instead if you want,” Miah continued, waggling her eyebrows at what she was implying.
Maria threw some clothes from the floor at Miah’s face. “No! Bad Miah! They were having a sweet moment, no ruining it!” She turned to them and smiled. “That was too sweet, I’m glad you guys worked it out, oh, and we all heard everything.” She stuck her tongue out at them. “This isn’t an anime, the world keeps going when you two are talking.”
Florestan shrugged at this. “Yeah, really,” he said. “But... all things considered it was actually quite sweet.”
Miah looked at Cali and Cadmar, awkwardly snuggling, Maria and Florestan comfortably snuggling, and then looked over at Mark and waggled her eyebrows. “I guess that just leaves the two of us--” she broke off laughing.
Mark sighed and rolled his eyes.
“Sorry, I can’t finish it. I have no intention of attempting a snuggle with you,” Miah said, still chuckling a bit.
“Are you sure?” Mark asked sarcastically, “I hear that girls love men with scarves.”
“I’m just not the snuggling type, and I know you aren’t,” Miah said. “So are we still playing this game? Whose turn is it?”
Cadmar blew some hair out of her face. “Florestan’s, since he braved the wrath of the sludge monster.”
The DIC agent shrugged. “I guess it’s only fair,” he commented. “Anyway... Hm... Who should go...? Ah!” He turned to Mark, gesturing to him. “Mark.”
“Oh dear, it seems my plan of being silent and ignored has failed. Truth.”
Florestan nodded. “Why do you like to wear the scarf so much, anyway?” he asked.
Mark made a thoughtful noise. “And the dare, should I choose not to answer?”
“You have to prove that anything I can sing, you can sing sweeter,” replied the DIC agent playfully.
Mark choked a bit. “Very well then. I wear the scarf because I have many scars all over my body. My lower face is... unsettling, to many. The fashion is a close second though,” Mark said with resignation.
Florestan shrugged. “See? Quoting Annie Get Your Gun does great things for games like this,” he said. “Shame about the scars, though. How’d you get most of them?”
Mark looked away. “As you may or may not know, I have regenerative powers. I can also heal others, however, I heal anyone who touches my skin, whether I wish to or not. The cult I was raised in used my talents frequently.” Mark sighed, “It is also the reason why I do not like being touched, I could easily die from it.”
The Disentangler looked at the ground uncertainly as he said this. “Ouch...” he said. “I didn’t have any idea... I’m sorry...”
“It is all in the past. I feel better talking about it.” Mark shrugged. “On a positive note, I am excessively hard to kill by conventional means.”
“Oh Mark... I’m sorry for all those times I jumped you,” Maria muttered as her ears drooped. “I feel bad, I’ll make sure not to from now on, promise!” she said with conviction.
“Yeah, I’ll stop pestering you guys about over dressing and stuff!” Cadmar chimed in.
Mark smiled, and though no one saw it, they could feel it in his voice. “Thank you. Now, Cali, Truth or Dare?”
Cali jumped, jostling Cadmar. “Sorry. Bad habit,” he said. “Truth.”
“What is your dream? Something you wish to do after the PPC, if you ever plan to leave,” Mark asked, feeling no need for a competition to ruin the cheery mood.
“I like it here, we’re the good guys,” Cali said with a sefl-assured nod.
“It would depend on who you ask, but yes, in general, we are,” Mark replied. “You are up.”
“Ehhh. Maria, truth or dare,” Cali asked, leaning over to see around Cadmar.
“Dare!” Maria grinned and bounced happily.
“Hmm. We-ell this doesn’t seem all that fair for Florestan to be the only one half dressed, you know. I dare you to take off your hood!”
Maria’s eyes widened. “U-um, well, I... I guess it couldn’t hurt, we’re all friends here...” Maria gulped, “So, just ah, don’t tell anyone okay? It took a long time to make everyone forget.” Receiving nods from everyone she put her hand into the inside of her hood and looked down. A few clicking sounds were heard. “Sorry, I had DoSAT rig it so it wouldn’t just fall down on it’s own, well, that and the darkness and teeth illusion.”
The hood fell back, and long black hair spilled out. “... Hmm, time for a hair cut...” Maria murmered to herself. She parted the hair, revealing two large black cat ears on the top of her head, which twitched when she brushed them. She looked back up, showing everyone her face. Her skin was pale and ashen, and her face gave off the look of Chinese descent. Her eyes were the same, though now with visible eye lashes. The only difference was her teeth, which weren’t visible at all. “Um, hi?” she asked uncertainly.
Florestan blinked, not certain what to say. Finally, though, he pulled Maria just a little closer. “I think I’m inclined to agree with Cali on this,” he replied. “‘Cause then I wouldn’t have known how attractive my girlfriend is under that hood...”
Maria blushed, “Y-y-yeah, tha-thanks.” Maria used her hands to nervously comb her hair. “It’s nice to be able to do that.”
The Disentangler smiled, putting his mouth to Maria’s cheek and pressing a kiss against it. “You know... It makes me wonder why you hid your face in the first place...”
Maria laughed nervously. “Well, actually, after I took all the lighting out of here, the whole bright flashes of light and sunlight wasn’t a problem anymore. I just kinda... liked it. Being mysterious and all.”
The DIC agent frowned. “It... I dunno Maria, it doesn’t seem to suit you, if I want to be honest,” he said. “You’re beautiful, Maria. Just as you are.” He glanced to the others. “And I know you all thought that was corny as all hell, but I frankly don’t give a damn.”
“Awww,” Cali cooed.
“Well, that solves that,” Cadmar said with a grin, “You DO have skin!”
Mark sighed. “Of COURSE you would notice that. It is nice to see you Maria,” Mark said with a wave.
"Maria, you should come out more often," Miah said.
“I didn’t think you’d actually do it. This really is becoming a teambuilding exercise,” Cali said, and wrapped his arms more tightly around Cadmar.
Maria smiled back. “Yep! Now, It’s Miah’s turn. Truth or Dare?”
“I thought it would never get around to me! Do you know how long it’s been since I was this quiet?” Miah asked jokingly. “Dare.”
Maria grinned. “I bet you that anything you can say, I can say faster. Try and beat me!”
“If a woodchuck could chuck wood, how much wood would a chuck chuck? A woodchuck would chuck as much wood as a wood chuck could chuck wood!” Miah shouted.
“Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, a peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked. If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, then where's the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked?” Maria said, face twisting in effort. “Damn it...you win...” Maria pouted slightly.
“Pbssbssbst!” Miah blew a raspberry at Maria, and then grinned. She eyed Cadmar and Cali. She wasn’t sure this was a good idea. “Alrighty, there, Cadmar. Truth or Dare?”
Cadmar thought for a minute. “Well, a dare would require me to move, and I’m kinda comfy here, so truth!”
“So Cadmar, what has been the biggest surprise with the genderbending, and why do you hate bras?” Miah asked trying to slip two into one.
“Biggest surprise?” Cadmar blushed and looked down. “Well, having to wear a shirt all the time. I still can’t really shower yet...”
“You know they make sports bras which are basically the same thing as what you are wearing,” Miah said
“Eh, I still wouldn’t feel okay with it. Besides, it’s not like them being free is a problem, right?” Cadmar asked.
“... Sagging... ummmm.” Miah started to get a bit pink about the ears, and glanced at Florestan and Cali. “I-I don’t think I can answer that.”
“Ooookay... Well, truth or dare... Florestan.” Cadmar smiled evilly.
Florestan blinked upon seeing the expression on Cadmar’s face. “Judging from your facial expression, I do not think I should accept another dare. So Truth.”
Cadmar pouted. “But, Florestan dearest, don’t you trust me? Heh, nevermind. Alright then, what’s the most embarrassing thing you have ever done?”
The expression the DIC agent gave to Cadmar could only be described as a blank expression. “You know, Cadmar, if you don’t like me, you can just bloody say it, instead of beating around the bloody bush in such a manner,” he stated flatly.
Cadmar blinked. “Who says I don’t like you?” she asked in confusion. “ I don’t need to dislike someone to make them do silly things. In all honesty, I DO like you, because you’re a nice guy. Doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy this though.”
Florestan shrugs. “Must be me then,” he said. “Anyway, since you asked... Uh...” He scratched his head with his free hand. “Well... Uh... Bloody hell, I’m drawing a blank on this one... Uh...”
“Come on, you’ve never been embarrassed before? Embarrassment is easy!” Cali said. He immediately re-hid behind Cadmar.
Florestan glanced at Cali before shrugging. “I’m not the least bit surprised,” he commented dryly. “Anyway... Hm... Well... I think there may be one moment from my first mission with Eusabius, when I started yelling at the top of my lungs about some utterly ridiculous plotting...”
“You must have led a very dull life, to have not had any embarrassing moments,” Mark commented. “Either that or you are lucky.”
“I guess your life can get a bit dull when you spend a large part of it wandering around World One and a Half for so long without meeting anybody,” Florestan replied. “Part of why I joined the PPC, actually. Acquainting myself with other continua was getting boring. See, I was made to criticize stuff, so... I guess this is the closest I can get to doing that.”
Maria smiled at Florestan. “I’m glad you joined, wandering alone is horrible.” She turned around and hugged him. “I’m sure we can find ways to make up for all that dullness.”
“I think I’ve got that covered,” replied the DIC agent. He leaned towards Maria, closing his eyes as he pressed a kiss against her lips, lingering there for a few seconds. When he parted, he turned to everyone else. “So... Cali. Truth or Dare?”
“Dare.”
The smirk that came to Florestan’s lips was so smug it could be called evil.
“You, my good friend, are going to make out with Cadmar. Right now, right in front of us, and you are going to make it last.”
Cadmar blushed. ”Um, just be careful with the tongue Cali, wouldn’t want you cutting it off...” she mumbled while making small chomping motions with her teeth.
“I-is this o-o-okay with you?” Cali asked Cadmar.
“Y-yeah. I guess.” Cadmar laughed nervously. “Looks like we can skip formalities form now on, eh?” she asked with a forced smile.
“I guess so. Have you ever...?”
“No. Luxury kissed me once, but we had a mission to do, and she was goofing off playing damsel... I was hoping you’d have.” Cadmar grinned weakly. “You’re a hero right? No upside down kisses in the rain for you?”
“No,” Cali said blushing. “That was my first kiss earlier.” Cali moved to facing Cadmar. He brushed his hand along her cheek, “I guess we can try again,” he said quietly and slowly moved in for a kiss. Their noses bumped, and they both tilted their heads--the same way, twice, before they finally managed to get together and touch lips.
Using her small, and vague ideas on making out, she tried using her tongue. To her chagrin and embarrassment, Cadmar was the one to accidentally graze her teeth, luckily she didn’t break skin, so she continued on. Feeling another set of teeth was extremely weird, feeling another tongue even more so.
Cali cautiously let his tongue slide against Cadmar’s, pressing his mouth tighter to hers. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled them together. He was debating whether it was okay to put his tongue in Cadmar’s mouth, when Cadmar’s tongue brushed across the back of his mouth, and he gagged, breaking the kiss.
“Er, sorry...” Cadmar said, looking completely embarrassed and a little grossed out. “M-maybe if I... ?” Cadmar decided to try something else, sucking on his earlobe.
“Uh, what--oh. Oooh,” Cali slumped onto Cadmar’s shoulder. His face was against her neck, and it seemed natural to kiss what he could reach. He kissed her gently on the neck, just above the collar bone, and she pulled harder on his ear. After a few moments he got bolder, and began sucking on her neck, trying to leave a hickey.
Cadmar fought down the urge to twitch when Cali was sucking on her neck, assuming it was normal. Of course, one thing being a bit painful deserves another... Cadmar gently nipped on Cali’s earlobe, so as to not break the skin.
“All right, I think that’s good.” Florestan’s voice interrupted them.
Cadmar pulled away and looked pointedly at the ground. “Yep... WAY different then I expected... Not bad though...”
Cali mirrored Cadmar’s pose, and nervously asked, “Yeah, um, maybe we can try again sometime?”
“Yeah, though something leading up to it would be appreciated.” Cadmar put her hair in front of her face, hiding her blush. “Making out in front of people, I’m becoming Luxury.”
“Nice hickey there, Cadmar,” Maria commented while giggling.
“Cali? Do I need to have the birds and the bees conversation with you when we get back to the RC?” Miah asked, smirking.
Florestan rubbed his hands together. “Revenge has been served,” he said, giving an absolutely shit-eating grin to everything around him.
“That looked very awkward,” Mark commented. “Shall I call Luxury to help you?” he asked with fake concern.
Cadmar choked a bit, but decided to hide it, the easiest way being to deflect it. “Yeah!” she said boisterously, looking up at Mark. “Go ahead, I’m sure Cali would enjoy that a lot actually.” She looked to Cali, blushing, hoping he would play along, or act more embarrassed then she was. “How’s about it Cali? Threesome with Luxury?”
“Ungh.” Cali looked a bit panic stricken and blushed. He pulled his knees up and hid his face in his legs, before mumbling something incoherent, which could have positive sounding, but it was very muffled.
Cadmar patted him on the top of the head. “I’ll take that as a ‘not right now’. Though I thought all guys wanted those.” Mark and Florestan gave Cadmar a Look. “What?”
“I... think you need to reevaluate that stance,” commented Florestan. “I don’t think about threesomes at all...”
“Neither do I.” Mark added.
“Well... this is awkward...” Cadmar looked pointedly away. “Um...whomever’s turn it is please go? Please...” Cadmar said while looking around pleadingly.
A very muffled “It’s my turn,” came from Cali’s direction.
“Please go before they ask who I thought of...” Cadmar mimicked Cali’s position.
Cali raised his head just enough to see, and said, “Mark.”
“Already? Dare.” Mark lounged back.
“Tempt the Ironic Overpower,” Cali said.
Mark sighed and stood up. “I am glad I have not yet fallen into any pesky and annoying Romance Sub-Plots yet, “ he said in a nonchalant way. He began walking over to the Console. “I bet I’ll even find a message saying-” Mark was cut off by tripping on something in the dark, and ended up falling into Miah’s lap, staring deeply into her eyes. “... Or I will fall for someone right here...”
“Didn’t we just discuss this? Go find some other romantic sub-plot,” she said pushing him to the floor.
Mark got up and brushed himself off, ignoring the others laughter. “It seems the eternal sorrow of my blackened soul will continue,” he quipped while rolling his eyes. “Now that that unneeded sub-plot is out of the way, Truth or Dare... Florestan.”
The DIC agent nodded. “Hopefully, this will be mostly harmless, so... Dare,” he said.
“We good, Mark?” Miah asked.
Mark nodded, “Of course, I am not offended at all. Do not worry, Florestan, I am not a sadist. You are to... hug Cadmar, to make sure there is no hard feelings between the two of you.”
The DIC agent nodded. “Well, that won’t be to painful,” he said. “Thank God. Sorry, Maria, you’ll only be out of my lap for a few seconds.”
Maria huffed. “Mark, seriously? That’s the best you could do? We obviously have to teach you how to embarrass people. Oh, and come back quickly, Florestan.” She looked at Cadmar sharply, “No biting.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be back,” reassured Florestan as he leaned towards Cadmar.
Cadmar caught him in a sideways bear-hug, “Aw, we’re not angry at each other, we’re just two guys messing around, right?” Cadmar asked cheerfully as she gave him a playful noogie.
“Well, technically speaking, yes,” replied Florestan as he straightened his hair. The two then came back to their original positions. “So... Hm... Miah, Truth or Dare?”
“Truth.”
“All right...” Florestan rubbed his hands together. “How long have you been with the PPC?”
Miah looked at Cali, who had perked up and was looking interested in the answer. “What would the dare be?”
Florestan’s grin appeared. “You would have to go to my RC. And then you would have to tame Shumann. And let me tell you, he is a super unruly mini.”
“Small furry thing, huh? I think I’ll take the truth.” She looked at Cali, and then mumbled inaudibly.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t believe I heard that,” replied Florestan. “Now, before I find a megaphone and make you speak into that, what did you say?”
“Aw, bugger. Alright, alright. I’ve only been here two years,” Miah said resignedly.
“What!” Cali shouted. “So you’ve only been here longer than me, by a few months? But you always acted like you were a veteran!”
Florestan shrugged. “I have only been here for a short time, and already I feel like a veteran,” mentioned the DIC agent.
Cadmar grinned cheekily. “Maybe she just feels old?”
Miah stuck her tongue out at Cadmar. Then said, “I am compared to you pups.” Then looked at Mark and Florestan, “Not-quite-human folks aside, that is.”
“Looks like I’ve been been here the longest!” Maria cheered happily. “Though, now that I think about it, that’s not exactly a good thing.”
“I dunno, I don’t see any wrinkles yet.” Cadmar said, “Eh Miah? Eh?” she asked sweetly.
“At least I wear a bra, so I won’t have my chest in my drawers when I’m old,” Miah replied smugly.
“Iceburn!” shouted Florestan, pumping his fists in the air. “You just got burned, Cadmar!”
Cadmar looked at Miah shell-shocked. “Buh... buh...”
“Nice one!” Maria said as she leaned over to high-five Miah.
“Buh... buh...”
“I wonder if we have some cream for that?” Mark mused.
“... Buh...”
“I never win these with her, either, Cadmar,” Cali said, patting her on the shoulder. His show of sympathy was slightly ruined by the fact that he was clearly trying not to laugh.
Cadmar sighed. “Yeah, I suck at stuff like that too...”
“So Cadmar, truth or dare?” Miah said.
Cadmar grinned again. “Dare! No more silly truths! Hit me with it, Miah!”
“Hmm, I had a perfectly simple one lined up for Truth, too. Okay. Dare. Stand on your head and burp your ABC’s--or at least give it a good go.”
Cadmar looked at Miah oddly. “Ummm, Okay... So, if I were to refuse, the truth?”
“Truth or Dare standard. Your most embarrassing moment.”
Cadmar grimaced. “Head stand it is then.” She moved off of Cali’s lap and away from the circle a bit so everyone could see her.
“Alright, here I go!” Cadmar stumbled a bit trying to get on her head, after her fifth try, she finally got into a handstand. “Alright, aaah, behh, Mmph!” Cadmar was cutoff by her top falling down into her face. Maria shouted in surprise, Mark coughed violently, Florestan hid his face in Maria’s cat suit, Miah wondered how the apparently skin tight shirt had fallen over Cadmar’s face, and Cali blushed furiously, but didn’t look away.
“Mmph! Mrrph!” Cadmar wobbled and toppled to the floor in a heap. “Ah geez! The hell!?”
Florestan shook his head. “Cadmar, I really think you should consider getting a bra. Maybe then you won’t... you know... accidentally flash us or anything like that.”
“How did that...” Miah said.
“It’s an anime shirt. It can look like that and still act like a shirt,” Cali said, still staring.
Cadmar righted her shirt and curled up into a ball, head in her legs. She started laughing.
Of course, this confused Florestan quite a bit. “Cadmar, are you all right?”
Cadmar looked up at Florestan, still laughing uproariously , a slightly detached and unhinged look in her eye.
At this, the Disentangler shook his head. “Someone slap Cadmar,” he said. “Snap her out of her mood. Or something...”
“Oh dear. Um, here.” Maria got up slowly approached Cadmar “Now, this if for your own good...”
SMACK!
“Ow! Dammit! What the HELL!?” Cadmar looked at Maria angrily, rubbing her red cheek.
“Sorry! You were having a bit of a break down. You okay?”
Cadmar frowned and rubbed her cheek more. “Yeah, just peachy. Oh, Miah? That would be my most embarrassing moment, to answer the truth.”
“So we covered it either way, then,” Miah said chuckling uncomfortably.
“Yep!” Cadmar said sweetly, with an unholy gleam in her eyes. “I’m glad I could do both for you!”
“... Yes, it would be prudent to...” Mark trailed off blushing, “To complete the transition to girl, even if only in clothing. This could be prevented from happening.”
“Even Mark is blushing? We’re in trouble now,” Cali said quietly.
Mark glared at Cali, “I am still affected by naked females, though I was not staring the entire time, unlike some.”
Cali blushed and turned away from the others.
Cadmar blushed and hid her head between her knees. “Just kill me now, seriously.”
“Hey, don’t be like that. it’s not that bad... okay, maybe it is. But, at least it was only with friends right?” Maria prodded Cadmar’s shoulder.
“Seriously, just suck my blood out or something, I will PAY you to!”
[BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!!]
“Saved by the console! Yes! Come on, super horrible bad slash!” Cadmar scrambled to the console.
Florestan blinked uncertainly. “Why would bad slash be a good thing?” he asked.
“Because it causes insanity! And I can forget any of this ever happened!” Cadmar replied.
Miah grabbed Cali by the elbow and dragged him toward the door. “Let’s go back to the RC, Cali. I think this has been more than enough team bonding for one day.”
“Wait. Wait,” Cali shook Miah’s hand off his arm, “I said wait. I’ve got to say bye to Cadmar.”
Cali gulped, and then put on his best super hero guise. He walked over to Cadmar, took her by the shoulders, and tip toed so he could kiss her.
Cadmar was surprised at first, but kissed back a bit, finally feeling overwhelmed from all the things that had happened over the length of the game. Yes, a night at the bar sounded like a good idea right about now. “Heh, I’ll see you later Cali, duty calls and all,” Cadmar said with a convincing fake smile.
“So, see you soon for that, uh, that date?” Cali asked, still using his super hero voice.
“Yeah, you got it,” Cadmar replied, starting to sweat a bit.
Miah grabbed Cali again, “You’re belaboring the moment, hero. Let’s go.”
Cali nodded, and allowed Miah to pull him out of the RC, giving the others a small wave as the door closed.
Florestan nodded, watching them leave. “So...” He turned his attention to the console. “What’s the mission for?”
Cadmar slumped forward and shuffled off into the RC.”I’ll get the bag...”
Maria stepped up to the Console and looked at the display. “Mass Effect and Fallout Crossover, wow, just up our alley. How’s that for coincidence?”
The DIC agent blinked. “Yeah, it is,” he said. He shrugged. “Ah, what the hell? Eusabius is probably still in Medical, so... Might as well be doing something...”
Maria beamed at him. “I’m glad, something tells me we could use the help.”
Mark coughed. “I am still here, you know. Before you two wish to repeat Cali and Cadmar’s performance.”
“Don’t worry Mark,” said Florestan. “We’ll keep it strictly within flirting.”
“I guess that works,” Cadmar said, stepping back into the area, now dressed in more naormal clothes, though her hair was still dyed purple. “Though I really hope you mean it.” She strapepd her bag on tightly, followed by a overly large cleaver.
“Un huh...” Maria put her hood back up. A few clicking noises were heard, and shadows covered her face again, leavign only her eyes visible. Illusionary teeth appeared in a large grin. maria looked into a mirror and started moving them around, making sure they were working properly.
“Right...” said Florestan rubbing his hands together. “So... disguises?”
“It looks like most of it takes place in Mass Effect, so, Human Systems Alliance marines?” Maria asked, turning back from the mirror, satisfied.
“It depends on which game,” replied Florestan. “It wouldn’t make sense for random Alliance Sevicemen to wind up on Omega, for instance. And from the sound of it, this is the second game...”
“Mercenaries, “Cadmar cut in, “Pick one, they can fit in anywhere, minus maybe the Citadel. Plus, they’re all psychotic loonies, so no need to explain cutting someone up.”
“We would have to be careful on the Normandy, but that is the only downside,” Florestan replied. “Mark, are you handling charges?”
“Of course. If you would be so kind as to help us choose appropriate weapons, this is the first continuum where firearms are commonplace.” Mark gestured in a direction, “The weapon racks are this way, I have no doubt Maria has stolen something that we may use.”
“As long as it works with thermal clips, I think we’ll be fine...” said Florestan. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”
A few minutes later, Mark, and Florestan were equipped with M-8 Avengers.
“Are you sure you two will not use guns?” Mark asked Maria and Cadmar.
“Nah, I’m good.” Cadmar said with a grin, “I want to try out this cleaver, I’m hoping for two swings to be able totake out a limb, at the worst.”
Maria rolled her eyes. “Eh, I’m more of a hand-to-hand person anyway. Besides, I’m sure Florestan can protect me if it comes to that.”
“I think so,” he said. “We’re ready at any rate. So let’s go!” The other agents stepped through the portal behind him. After a second, Maria stepped back through the portal, and changed a few setting on the console. She gigged and stepped back through. “I’m sure he’ll find this a pleasant surprise!”
The End
Next appearance: Mission 13: Sateda, part I