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[img]https://i.imgur.com/dJeSlQf.png[/img]
[color=75c159]”What is a boyfriend, but a miserable pile of secrets?”[/color]

[color=888888]— Tetrad[/color]
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[color=ade81b]”M-missus?!”[/color] Betty turned to Veronica, who didn’t bat an eye at Lily’s choice to add a title to her name. 
 
[color=#bd71e8]“I’m sure we’ll get along.”[/color]

Much like Alexander, Lily was not a difficult person to read. She was everything that Alex was not. Lily had charisma, a desire to open up to everyone around her, and was a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. one might think that if Tetrad preferred to be around people like Alex, that she would not like to be around characters like Lily as much. And there was certainly an element of truth to that. High energy types like Lily were exhausting to keep up with. Before Tetrad could comment on how “rad” it would be to fight in swimsuits, she was already checking out the other girls, commenting on their swimwear. [color=75c159]”The hell did she eat for breakfast?”[/color]

Betty blushed and folded her hands behind her back [color=ade81b]”Oh um, thank you! It’s not like I picked it out or anything. I do like that it matches the colors of my uniform.”[/color] 

The only time Lily paused was when she took hold of Alexander to show him off to everyone. To which Tetrad shrugged her shoulders and grinned. [color=75c159]”That’s nice.”[/color] Tetrad examined her own gloves, still unsure why that particular detail about her outfit was what Lily decided to comment on. [color=75c159]”Well, if you have a B-F, you don’t really need a snazzy bikini. He should love you regardless of what you wear. Besides, given our predicament, getting fancy increases your chances of getting stalked by turbo lesbians.”[/color] She winked at Chloe, or was that Sil she winked at?

When Lily suggested they start exploring, Veronica placed her fingers against the side of her head. [color=#bd71e8]“Hmmm.”[/color] She pulled her hand away from her temple. [color=#bd71e8]“There is no reason to assume others are in more danger than we are. I would be willing to see how big this island is regardless.”[/color] The shadow under her chair grew crab legs before standing up off the ground. [color=#bd71e8]“We might as well stay together.”[/color] The shadow behind her chair expanded, and more beach chairs floated out of it. It started to look more like a centipede instead of a crab. [color=#bd71e8]“Betty, lets help Alexander carry the P.I. Agents.”[/color]

[color=75c159]”Any reason why I can’t help?”[/color] 

[color=#bd71e8]“You can.”[/color] Veronica squinted her eyes. [color=#bd71e8]“But you’re not getting paid for it.”[/color]

Tetrad placed a hand on her chest. [color=75c159]”You wound me Veronica! I just want to maintain the sanctity of Lily and Alexander’s relationship! I don’t think it’s good for a new boyfriend’s clones to be carrying around all these babes.”[/color] 

Veronica did not comment.

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Giving and receiving comments on how you looked was an art form. People are usually very sensitive about their bodies, and one needs to chose their words carefully to avoid upsetting the other party. What makes looks difficult to comment on is how subjective beauty is. When Su commented on Helga’s attire, she kept her comments focused on her swimsuit for that reason. Steering clear of mentioning anything that might make Helga feel self conscious about herself. Naturally, Helga felt compelled to remark on Su’s outfit after she did this. She did not stick to using Su’s strategy however. 

Su had no idea what a strap gap was, and was too embarrassed to ask. The only hint she got was Helga’s grin. She was able to recall that same grin from two weeks ago when she tried to squeeze into one of Helga’s blouses. It also dawned on Su that this was the first time they had seen each other in so little. Even when they showered together that one time, Helga’s shirt covered a lot more of her body than her bikini did. And Helga wasn’t actively trying to observe Su back then either. [color=PeachPuff]”Um.”[/color] When Helga leaned in to examine her, Su found herself pulling back slightly. She prided herself on her ability to remain strong and confident in all situations, but she hadn’t prepared herself for this. Fortunately, Helga’s next comment was on her hair, which was far less awkward to talk about than her outfit. [color=PeachPuff]”Oh, yea.”[/color] She smiled before looking away from Helga. [color=PeachPuff]”I thought that too actually. I don’t really experiment with my hair very much, but I’ll have to start wearing it down once we get back.”[/color] She nodded to Helga’s statement about the swimsuits. But before she could say anything else, she had run over to Lupa. [color=PeachPuff]”I should be happy she was able to stand still for that long, I suppose.”[/color]

Lupa accepted Helga’s hand and was pulled up. [color=afab2c]“Not gunna let me lounge with a Popsicle huh?”[/color] Lupa chuckled. 

Mika remained on Joanna’s stomach, sitting there like a cat. [color=tomato]“I’m Mika!”[/color] She said while puffing out her chest. From there, she just let Helga talk. That was until she heard the thing falling out of the sky. [color=tomato]“Whoa! Cool!”[/color] She didn’t move from her spot.

[color=afab2c]“My popsica-!”[/color] Was as far as Lupa got before her entire body was buried under Helga and sand. 

Su flew in front of Mika and the others and raised her hands.  A wind barrier cut through the space between herself and the incoming sand. It was enough to prevent any flying debris from hitting anyone, but the trembling earth rocked Mika off of Joanna. She let Helga do the honors of introducing everyone, and did her best to not react when she called Su a bombshell. But controlling the color of her skin was not something she had mastered yet. Later she needed to talk to Helga about what was appropriate to tell strangers. Like, Su was fine being called these things, and didn’t mind it at all. It just didn’t feel appropriate in the moment. But it also felt good to have someone proudly state you were a bombshell in front of people. Well, she’d let Helga off the hook this time. But next time, she’d have to take her aside and talk to her about it. Maybe.

Mika’s eyes didn’t leave the site of the crash. She watched with awe as Hillaria stepped out of the crater and walked towards her. Mika’s mouth remained agape through her entire monologue. The level of infatuation Mika was displaying was a bit worry some to Su, but there was little reason to interfere. [color=tomato]”I love challenges!”[/color] Mika hugged Joanna from behind. [color=tomato]”And I love high places! If anything, it’s calming to be able to look down at everything and see how far away it all is.”[/color] She let go of Joanna and stood up. [color=tomato]”What are we going to do? Are we going to explore space?”[/color]

Fortunately, before anything could happen, Helga interjected with her own idea. [color=PeachPuff]”I’m not sure if the challenge is all that important, but we should probably get to that island anyway.”[/color] She landed on the ground. [color=PeachPuff]”But we shouldn’t forget this place, we might want to come back here later.”[/color]