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As the group dispersed and the heavy weight of serious revelations along with it, Danni bounced up and down on his toes. [color=E948FC] “Okay, okay, okay, okay! So t'at was a lot and I need a break from all t'e crazy stuff goin’ on sooooo…”[/color] Danni slung his arm around Ben and dragged him closer. [color=E948FC] “You're stuck ‘an'in’ out wit’ me! We got lots ta cover: a tour, karaoke, dinner, exploring your dorm room, touring my dorm room - its t'e best one btw - and we're burnin’ day light. ‘ave ya ever fed a dragon? Ya can feed Amelie tonight too! She can get real messy though so ya might wanna wear somet'in’ easy ta clean. The mess is such a [i]pain[/i] ta clear out. Oh, ya know I can introduce ya ta t'e fam too! Obvi, Dee's a tiny, eeny, weeny bit busy soooo ya can meet my sib and my cuz! Riiiillie, Miiiillie we're gunna ‘an'out while t'e others do big spooky t'in's!”[/color] Danni shouted unnecessarily, waving wildly and swaying side to side as Amelie squaked excitedly and wiggled around in her carrier. 

[color=E948FC]“Rillie, Millie, t'is is Bennie Boi! T'is is t'e guy I ran inta at t'e market durin’ break and low key kidnapped! Bennie, Rillie is my siblin’ and suuuuper good at crafty t'in's so if ya ever need somet'in’ like t'at, t'is is t'e sib ta go to.”[/color] Danni introduced them and then turned Ben to Millie. [color=E948FC] “And Mill-illi-illi-pede- waaaaaait, t'at's a buggy name! Oh you two were totes meant ta be friends! Ben's all ‘bout bugs so like, it's fate or somet'in’ t'at y'all are gunna be besties!! So cool! Millie is my cousin buuut she's like, sups famous and we ‘aven't seen ‘er since like… idk, before Rillie so I'm sups excited but ‘ave next ta not'in’ ta tell ya ‘bout ‘er! I get ta low key meet ‘er again too!”[/color]

Danni paused, checked the angle of the sun, counted how many people where in the group on his fingers, and nodded resolutely. [color=E948FC] “Okay, t’oughts. Karaoke, tour, food? Or we wanna do somet'in’ else? You wanna see somet'in’ else? Wait, Bennie are you a Karaoke kid? I feel like ya got t'at kinda sin'in’ t'at's good for like alt music but instead of bein’ read hard and depressin’, it sounds kinda sweet and innocent even if it's super terrible stuff.”[/color] 

Ben hadn’t fed a dragon before, he hadn’t done a lot of things, and Danni didn’t give him much of a chance to respond. He shook his head to the question, and waved shyly at both Rillie and Millie. Ben doesn’t listen to pop music so he doesn’t recognize Millie. 

[color=cde0e1] “Do you like bugs?”[/color] he asked Millie? He was unsure if just calling the nearest insect to him would be a good idea, or if it would be better to leave well enough alone. [color=cde0e1] “Uh, I haven’t ever done formal karaoke, but I sing along with songs and stuff? Does that count?”[/color] Ben wasn’t sure if his singing voice matched what Danni was describing at all. He felt a bit weird about being separated from Chase, but if he wanted to integrate into Danni’s friend group it might help to try to stand on his own. At least he had Danni. He didn’t know if he could handle the group of more than two at a time without Danni there too.

[color=42A9FF]“Rillie and Millie is def going to get a little confusing,”[/color] April giggled. [color=42A9FF]“Please call me April!”[/color] They hesitated for a moment. Dorian had specifically asked them not to. But… all the bad things had already happened and this wasn’t anything bad, this was something [i]good[/i] - and Dorian had just wanted to avoid pulling attention from Percy’s birthday and Percy definitely didn’t want that attention from the way he acted. [color=42A9FF]“Um, I’m using they/them pronouns now, btw!”[/color] The question about bugs seemed to be directed at their cousin, but Danni had mentioned before that Ben really struggled when it came to making friends, so they thought they’d try to help out and engage with him a little bit more. [color=42A9FF]“I love dragonflies - the ones that skim along the top of the water are so pretty and it’s supposed to be good luck if they land on you… Absolutely no spiders though. I almost flooded the dorm room last year when I woke up and one was on the head of my bed, you would’ve thought I was being murdered!”[/color]   

Millicent let the overload that was Danni give some introductions to one of the few she hadn’t gotten to know super well yet. Which was saying something since it seemed like she had gotten a crash course in meeting the others. [color=efcde8]”Agreed, though Millie is the logical nickname. So Millie or Millicent, whichever is your preference.”[/color] She gave a warm smile to Ben as he proceeded to ask her a question that…well she had never considered. She fought off the gut instinct to recoil when talking about bugs, but it wasn’t like she hated bugs. She just preferred to be 10 feet away from them at all times.

[color=efcde8]”Oh goodness, well….I guess if I had to pick a favorite, I do like butterflies. They are so pretty. Also bees are fairly chill and they help the planet and whatnot. I’m guessing you’re big into buggies?”[/color]

Per Danni’s suggestions as to what to do, she considered them in equal measure and [i]definitely[/i] didn’t have a preference. [color=efcde8]”I mean you know I am going to say karaoke, but I don’t think that’s fair. I’m up for whatever, provided the drama is turned down to a minimum. I’ve hit my quota for the day.”[/color] 

[color=E948FC]“Oh my God, [i]YAAAAAAS[/i]! We need a chill, sups fun, problem-free hangout sesh!”[/color] Danni agreed with Millie wholeheartedly. Though, he felt a little left out of the favorite bug question so he giggled and bopped Ben on the nose. [color=E948FC] “And t'is buggie boi is my favorite bug! Now, let's get going! Since we don't ‘ave stron’ feelin's on what we wanna do, we should start wit’ a tour! I gotta show y'all t'e [i]Tree[/i]. Y'all are chill wit’ ghosties, yeah?”[/color] Danni asked, snatching up Ben's hand and leading the group away from the Drama Zone. 

[color=E948FC]“T'e ‘aunted tree is like t'e best spot ‘ere, tbh. Peeps say t'ere's t'is little kid's ghost ‘auntin’ t'e t'in’. Some peeps t'inks its a student t'at got got ‘ere, some peeps t'ink its t'is t'e ghost of a cat t'at takes t'e form of a little girl, and some peeps t'ink, like me, t'at it isn't a dead person, bit someone actually transformed into a tree and got stuck like t'at!”[/color] 

[color=cde0e1] “I’m not a bug,”[/color] he sighed. He didn’t know how many times he had to explain that. Just because he had powers to talk with insects. [color=cde0e1] “And don’t worry April. I don’t like spiders either. They technically aren’t even insects. They are actually arachnids. So if they show up that wasn’t my doing. I can’t talk with them at all.”[/color]  
A tour would be nice. Ben didn’t really know the campus that well. Though the way things were looking they were likely going to play hooky within the first week of school. His uncle would be pissed. Danni had been talking up this tree for days. 

[color=cde0e1] “A tour would be nice,”[/color] he agreed, letting himself be swept up into Danni’s enthusiasm despite being just so tired from the day's events. 

[color=42A9FF]“Maybe next Halloween we break out the ouijia board around the tree?”[/color] April never knew which theory about it they believed the most - Margaret Carter wasn’t that old of a school, but the tree was massive and old. Anyone could have died around it. But no matter what, it couldn’t be as scary as Nimue’s haunted house. [color=42A9FF]“Is there particular stuff you guys wanna see? I’m guessing you already saw through Stark Hall - or Stank Hall as people call it once it gets warm, soooo many people need to wear more deodorant than they really do - but that’s where the dorms, dining hall, and laundry are. Millie, I’m guessing you wanna see the performing arts center? Ben, hmm, are bugs your main thing or are there other stuff you’re into, too? Some of the science labs are pretty sick, if that’s your thing?”[/color] The tree wouldn’t take too long for them to look at. It might have some bugs that Ben would like to look at, though. 

Millie felt a little insulted her bug picks weren’t acknowledged, but she figured her’s weren’t the most exciting picks. A tour would be good considering she hadn’t gotten one yet. [color=efcde8]”A tour would be fantastic. I am down for whatever. I signed up for some performing stuff so I imagine I’ll get to know the performance center inside and out soon enough, so if we want to hit the other sights first, I am game. This tree sounds interesting, though. I’m not normally a fan of the spooky stuff, but what’s a little haunting amongst friends?”[/color]

[color=E948FC] “‘aunted tree, ‘aunted tree, ‘aunted tree!”[/color] Danni chanted excitedly, rushing along once he was given the go ahead. He'd been talking about this tree to Ben all break and now he actually got to show him! Danni get a firm grip on Ben's hand, weaving through other students of the festival, until it thinned out as they left the main space of the events and the noise slowly dimmed behind them. 

In one of the courtyards between the school and dorms, a 40ft wych elm grew in the center to offer shade and shadow to the several benches around it when its leaves were in, but it had shed them for the season. Lights hung from the bare branches, small little things that would glitter and glimmer like fireflies when they were on, and a comfortable grassy space was permitted to grow around it. Danni bounced up to the edge of the grass and made a grand sweeping motion with his arm. 

[color=E948FC]“Weeeelcome ta t'e ‘aunted tree! Its a nice little space, as long as ya like t'e specter o’ deat’ studyin’ along witcha!”[/color] 

Ben let himself get pulled along after Danni. He was already getting used to being dragged about by him and he didn’t mind. As they walked Ben asked Millie, [color=cde0e1] “What type of butterfly do you like? There are a lot of different types. I think my favorite of the butterflies is the Yellow Swallowtail. But California has a really neat migration for the Monarchs that I want to check out sometime.”[/color] 

When they got to the tree he looked around. Ben wasn’t sure he was super fond of the idea of studying with a ghost, let alone a specter of death, but he wasn’t sure if that was real or just Danni being enthusiastic about a rumor. It was hard to tell. He reached out mentally and felt around for insects in the area. Unfortunately, Ben knew that butterflies were unlikely to be around. They were very out of season. That meant he couldn’t call any over for Millie to see. But maybe there was something else cool nearby. 

Ben did sense a lot of insects in the area. Most he wasn’t surprised by. Happily there was a Darner. Since April liked dragonflies he reached out and called the dragonfly to him. Regretfully it was larger than the dragon! Almost as big as Ben himself. 

[color=cde0e1] “What the bloody hell!?”[/color] Ben yelled! [color=cde0e1] “I’ve never seen a dragonfly that big.”[/color] It was a little unclear if his yelling was fear or excitement... probably both. 

The darner was [i]absolutely[/i] huge, magnifying the tiniest of features to be plainly visible, from the segmented nature of its body, the variations in texture and coloration reminding April of bamboo, to the intricate webbing of its wings, like something woven together by a master, and the wisps of white fuzz around its head, no different than dandelions scattered in the wind. The body was easily four feet in length, the arms and legs a foot each, and the head the size of a cat. It took a moment for April to even register it as a dragonfly, as their first instinct was to exclaim… 

[color=42A9FF]“It’s a fucking Pokémon!”[/color] April squealed. [color=42A9FF]“A yanma, right? That’s so cool! How’d you get one? Both my brothers have pets and I’m kinda jealous tbh, so I’ve been thinking on trying to get one, calling it emotional support or something. What’s their name? Can Amelie play with them? Are you gonna bring them to Otherworld? What’s it eat when it’s that big? What do tiny dragonflies eat anyway? Besides water? Do you have, like, kibble for it?”[/color]

Millie had considered Ben’s question, mainly because she didn’t know that many species of butterflies. She just thought they looked cute. [color=efcde8]”I don’t really know the name, but the one that is black and that pretty blue color? I haven’t seen that many back home, but I would love to visit the zoo or something that has like a butterfly house in it.”[/color]

As they approached the tree, Millie gazed at it curiously. What made it haunted again? Was it a spirit inhabiting it? Or did it just attract the ghosts? [color=efcde8]”What’s the history behind it? Does the school have a dark, secret history?”[/color] It stood to reason, anyway. They were in America after all.

Without prompting, a huge dragonfly flew out and surprised Ben, but not April. She startled a bit, but knew dragonflies were not dangerous or bothersome, really. [color=efcde8]”That thing is huge! Though I guess we are at a superhero school, so this shouldn’t surprise me. Sweet Pokemon reference also, April. Favorite starter type? And know I will judge the answer.”[/color]

[color=E948FC]“OMG I KNEW IT WAS ‘AUNTED! IT WANTS TA EAT US! I DON'T WANNA…”[/color] Danni panicked for a moment, Amelie wiggling out of his arms and up on his shoulders, wings flaring out at the arrival of a [i]huge[/i] bug. Amelie puffed smoke out of her mouth and Danni darted behind Ben. When it didn't seem to do much more and the others didn't react, Danni peered at it closer. 

[color=E948FC]“Oh, I guess it's just ‘ere for Benni. Is t'is a friend o’ yours? Or is it like a pet? ‘ow did ya get it ‘ere wit'out anyone knowin’?”[/color] Danni gasped as he realized what this was. [color=E948FC]“Omg, is t'is t'e ghostie of t'e tree? I didn't t'ink they became a dragonfly, but I guess they couldn't be a tree, t'at's silly! But legend ‘as it t'at t'is is t'e last tree of t'e forest t'at used ta be ‘ere and t'at when they tried ta cut t'is one down, t'e people cuttin’ it got cursed and t'eir machines got all torn up on t'eir own and t'e people workin’ ot just vanished, only t'e sounds of a cryin’ little girl were left behind for t'e police ta find.”[/color] Danni reached out to pet the dragonfly carefully. 

[color=E948FC] “Did ya eat all t'e people tryin’ ta chop down your tree?”[/color] Danni asked, looking at Ben. [color=E948FC]“Wait, t'is doesn't wanna eat us does it?”[/color] 

[color=cde0e1] "Monarch probably.”[/color] Ben said half paying attention as he looked over the dragonfly. [color=cde0e1] “It is a Fawn Darner. I called it here. I didn’t mean for it to be a [i]giant[/i] one. I just wanted to show April... There aren’t any butterflies. I mean there are moths nearby, but that isn’t the same. Dragonflies don’t eat... people. But they are carnivorous and eat other bugs a lot, so maybe a giant one eats people?”[/color] 

Ben focused on the dragonfly, and asked it, [color=cde0e1] “Are you a spirit of the tree or some mutant dragonfly?”[/color] Ben was quiet for a moment as it listened to the dragonflies feelings of how trapped it had felt before, how freedom had felt, and that it had come when he called, but that it was hungry. [color=cde0e1] “Uh, well it is hungry right now. But I don’t think it’ll eat a person.”[/color] Ben sent out another summon for other insects that he knew that dragonflies liked for it to eat. He felt a bit bad about that, but that was the cycle of life. 

[color=42A9FF]“Is it basic of me if I say my favorite starter type is—”[/color] April did a double take, their jaw dropping at Ben’s explanation. The dragonfly hadn’t seemed too scary a moment ago, but now they were imagining a mouth full of razor sharp teeth, a bloodthirst urging it on as it devoured other gigantic dragonflies. [color=42A9FF]“It’s a cannibal???? My favorite bug is a cannibal????”[/color] Danni was right, this [i]had[/i] to be the spirit of the tree! It was the only rational explanation for how a giant… [color=42A9FF]“ohmygoditsamutantcannibal!”[/color] It had an X gene just like them. Would it only eat bugs? Or did it only eat mutants? [color=42A9FF]“Ask it if it wants to eat mutants,”[/color] they squeaked. 

[color=efcde8]”Well, cycle of life. Animals eat other animals, though I never heard of a dragonfly liking people, especially mutants. Granted, never saw one as big as that, but I doubt it’s dangerous. Plus, Benny boy here will help, surely. He’s the bug whisperer, which is a better job for him than me because I would pretty much say stand 15 feet away from me at all times. Look but no touch.”[/color]

Danni froze where he was going to pet the dragonfly. [color=E948FC] “Wha-? No touchy? It wants ta eat mutants?”[/color] Danni swallowed hard, Amelie staring unblinking at the dragonfly still all puffed up. He laughed awkwardly and inched very, very slowly away from the giant dragonfly. A cloud of other insects wove its way toward the group and the dragonfly's wings barely paused as it launched itself at the cloud, mandibles snatching them out of the air viciously. 

[color=E948FC]“Oooookay, well, t'is is a great example o’ why t'is is t'e ‘aunted speed ‘cause t'is kinda stuff ‘happens!”[/color] 

 [color=cde0e1] “It went for the other bugs first. I don’t think it’ll eat people, mutants or not. It only knows other insects. Hmmm. I was thinking I’d send it back to wherever it came from.”[/color] Ben watched as the dragonfly ate the other insects he had summoned.  [color=cde0e1] “Besides, Millie is right. I’ll make sure it doesn’t eat you all, don't worry. Dragonflies don’t normally eat people. If it were a giant mosquito I’d be more worried. I think it should be safe.”[/color]  Ben hedged his bets, with ‘I think’, but dragonflies were pretty chill.  [color=cde0e1] “What should we do with it?”[/color] 

Hearing that the giant bug wouldn’t eat mutants was reassuring. But April had absolutely no idea what to do with a giant bug. They shrugged their shoulders and raised their hands up. [color=42A9FF]“Idk tbh,”[/color] they refocused their gaze on the tree, though. They tilted their head, a little confused as they saw something they didn’t remember being there before. It must have started growing over winter break. [color=42A9FF]“Does it like mushrooms?”[/color]

Millicent actively avoided watching the dragonfly munch down on its meal of other bugs. Even if she understood that this was how the animal kingdom worked, it didn’t mean she needed to bear witness to it. Leave that for the nature documentaries narrated by Morgan Freeman. [color=efcde8]”I say we let it do its thing and maybe go elsewhere? I wanted hauntings and while I am sure this will all come back to me in a nightmare, I’d rather not have to continue watching nature take its course.”[/color]

Danni waved good bye to the bug before turning to start at the mushrooms, poking one cautiously. [color=E948FC]“I didn't even know t'is tree grew mushrooms. I've never seen them ‘ere!”[/color] Danni tilted his thoughtfully. [color=E948FC] “Oh,okay. We can go see somet'in’ else, I guess. Maybe we could see t'e cafeteria or t'e trainin’ rooms or t'e theater or t'e… Actually, Benni Boi do ya want ta see somet'in’ specific or do ya want ta let Rillie pick t'e next place?”[/color]

Ben watched the dragonfly eat. He let go of the tenuous tether that had brought it to him. [color=cde0e1] “Hmm, I don't think dragonflies eat mushrooms,”[/color] he told April. [color=cde0e1] “I wouldn't even know what to look at so Millie or April can choose.”[/color]

April gave the mushrooms another look. They were odd, growing on the tree in a ring. They’d never seen mushrooms coming off of trees before, usually finding them littered on the ground - but fungi were weird, and given that a giant dragonfly had just buzzed around, they weren’t going to let this be the thing they saw today that drove them nuts. [color=42A9FF]“Did you all know that mushrooms have, like, a giant hive mind? They’re ancient as fuck and we’re just little blips in existence for them - like elves or something. But more horror flavored. Kinda like Appa’s tentacles, no one really knows where mushrooms come from.”[/color]

Millie and Ben had already seen the field where the festival was being held, and they’d gone through Stark Hall, too. [color=42A9FF]“What if we take them through the gym, and then go grab some hot cocoa at the coffee shop nearby?”[/color] April suggested to Danni. [color=42A9FF]“It’s so fucking good there, way better than what they serve in the cafeteria,”[/color] they added for Millie and Ben’s benefit. 

The gym wasn’t too far from the Haunted Tree - Margaret Carter was a relatively small campus, the buildings arranged with the main field in the dead center. The Steve Rogers Gymnasium was directly across the field from Stark Hall, easily the same size if not bigger than the residential building. Nestled behind the building were tennis courts, a baseball field, a soccer pitch - everything needed for the pursuit of outdoor sports. And despite being the carnival, it was fairly busy, students coming in and out, dressed in yoga pants and sweats, carrying gallon jugs of water as they took their post workout selfies. 

[color=42A9FF]“So this is the gym - named after Steve Rogers, obvi. First floor is pretty basic, standard stuff - like we’ve got spots for weights and cardio, there’s a pool which… we are not going to go see right now! But um, Danni can show you later. The climbing wall is pretty fun, you can learn how to belay and all, I’ve been wanting to get into that. There’s rooms for practicing dance and fighting - oh, and the room you both will probably need to go to!”[/color] April guided them down a maze of hallways, before they reached one with a variety of rooms marked [i]Training Room A[/i], [i]Training Room B[/i], and so on. [color=42A9FF]“This is where coaches have us training for the contest, you’ll have to do that in the fall. But it’s also where your combat 101 classes will meet, which idk who is running them, as the person running them last time turned out to be a robot instead of a cat, which, mega yikes. But these rooms are intense, apparently they’re rated to hold a nuclear blast, which idk how you test for that but… Go crazy in there! Summon more pokemon!”[/color]

They then pointed to the nearest staircase. [color=42A9FF]“Aaaaand now we go upstairs,”[/color] they prompted, leading the group on up. [color=42A9FF]“There’s locker rooms up here, some in the basement too. Communal showers and stuff - oh, I forgot to mention there’s a sauna downstairs by the pool. But! Up here is where there’s an indoor track, there’s a roller skating rink, aaaand if you look to your left, you see that door with all the intense padlocks and keep out signs on it? That’s where we keep stuff for the Framework - it’s this, like, virtual reality software we can use for training, so no one can get hurt… except Arcade tried to murder us in there last fall soooo…. Yeah! Aaany questions? Anything you super wanna see in here? Most of our group spends a lot of time in here, except for Percy - he’s a soft boi.”[/color]

Millicent had 1,000 questions starting with tentacles switching into a robot slash cat and ending with Matrix murder? Still, she followed along. She was unsure she’d use the gym outside of combat classes. And she wondered if she would learn much outside of what her uncles and aunts taught her. Real world experience versus a classroom. [color=efcde8]”Okay, cool. Loving the vibes. Except for the whole murder thing? I know that was brought up briefly, but I have tons of questions, but totes understand if that’s like a trauma thing.”[/color] Goddess knows she still has flashbacks to her own attack.

[color=efcde8]”Is the combat classes where we learn to use our powers? I haven’t used mine since…well, for a bit now. I could probably brush up on it.”[/color]

Danni nodded absently, eyes sparkling with wonder as he stared at the roller skating rink. [color=E948FC] “Oh, yeah. They'll putcha t'rough t'e ringer, tbh. Possion-Pas put us t'rough a course day 1 wit’ a real bomb at t'e end and t'en even once we all got t'ere, still set it off even t'ough we were takin’ its arms off, ya know?”[/color] Danni explained distractedly as he watched people skate. [color=E948FC] “And nah, totes all good. Ask away! Lotta peeps got spicy ‘bout it , maaaybes don't talk ta like, Leah or Beanie or some o’ t'e other's. They got real on t'eir ‘eads ‘bout it, but like, t'e Kingston-Gray's were chill!”[/color] Danni stared vibrating, gripping onto Millie with a white knuckles grip. 

[color=E948FC]“We gotta do a skate night. I like, totes forgot t'is was even a t'in’. I might not ice skate tons ‘cause fire and ice are a spicy mix, but get me on a pair o’ does babies and we're cookin’ wit’ gas!”[/color] Danni grinned. [color=E948FC] “But yeah, t'e combies will teach ya. Ya should come watch one of Rillie and me's spars. It gets real intense, ya know?”[/color] 

Ben’s eyes lit up at the idea of the rock wall. He liked climbing. He hadn’t done a lot of rock climbing but Parkour skills had to overlap some. Ben had heard a bit about the Arcade situation from Danni. He didn’t quite understand completely what had happened, but he knew enough to keep away from that touchy subject. 

[color=cde0e1] “I like climbing. I do Parkour, skateboarding, and I’ve done a bit of ice skating. Not enough to be any good at it, but I can keep my feet under me... mostly.”[/color] Ben hadn’t had a lot of a chance to use his powers either, well, his combat power.
 
[color=42A9FF]“Nimue didn’t throw a bomb at us - but she did make us fight the Questing Beast,”[/color] April recalled. [color=42A9FF]“Huuuge fan of swords. But I guess that is gonna pay off with Sugar Cube’s vision! Whoever you get as a coach, be prepared for them to throw some gnarly shit at you… Especially things you aren’t prepared for. I think they’ll keep Excelsior together for next year, but maybe you two could be on a team together if you’re lucky!”[/color]

April grinned, seeing that Ben was coaxing his way out of his cocoon. [color=42A9FF]“Yeah? You should def hang with Leah some time. She’s one with the rocks like a fucking Jedi. Just mind her hair. It’ll flay you alive. Used to give me a bit of a scrape when we’d kiss.”[/color]

Millicent almost wondered what the hell went on in this school if there were literal bombs and questing beasts, but she figured that the school would now best, right? Prepare them for the real world. A villain isn’t going to hold back because you weren’t trained in how to dispose a bomb. [color=efcde8]”All right, looking forward to it.”[/color] Millicent was a bit concerned about the whole Arcade thing though. 

And Millicent didn’t let it slide that April mentioned kissing Leah previously. If anything, it felt like drama that she had already suggested they forget before their eventual foray into the Otherworld. [color=efcde8]”Guess we’ll have to get some team practice in Benny boy. Learn how to use our powers together. And Chase and Marlena also.”[/color]

[color=E948FC]“Oooooo, yeah, and Leah can just make ya a new course if ya get bored or too used ta it, ya know? Just a wham bam thank you ma'am!”[/color] Danni bounced along eagerly, heading back towards the stairs to continue the tour. [color=E948FC] “And if t'e framework gets back up anytime soon, t'en you can do some real cool team up practice! So when you're t'inkin’ of stuff, don't limit what ya wanna try ta just this place. You can toss customize the world ya set up in if ya wanna try so real crazy stuff. Different planets, bottom o’ t'e ocean, tots new places, t'ough we used ta ask ‘Cadie for t'at so maaaaybe avoid t'at. But if ya wanna get good, aim for t'e wildest stuff ya can imagine and find your limit!”[/color] Danni recommended eagerly. 

[color=E948FC] “Oooh, and combo moves! Def t'ink o’ combos. Dee and I got one, Rillie and I got one, gotta figure out ‘ow ta get a triple move down for next year's Contest, and t'en I wanna try wit’ Leah too. ‘ad an idea over break so I was gunna use t'is semester ta work on it ya know?”[/color] Danni paused for a moment and frowned. [color=E948FC] “‘ow long do ya t'ink we're gunna be tryin’ ta save Poisson-Pas? Do ya t'ink its just gunna be like… a day? Or like, a real long time? Like a few weeks? A year?”[/color] 

Ben nodded, nervous at the idea of training with any of the group from Excelsior. Millie was a bit more approachable. She didn’t downright terrify him like those he had seen in the contest. [color=cde0e1] “Sure,”[/color] he told Millie softly. He could do this. He could. 

His eyes widened at the mention of trying to save a professor he had never met... or he supposed Percy's future self. How long would it take? Were they just going to ditch school? His heart sounded at the thought. Not the idea of being truant itself. He had done that plenty of times. It was the knowledge that the last time he had ditched school his parents had died. His whole life had been thrown into turmoil. He shoved the thoughts away, and just shrugged. 

[color=cde0e1] “From the vision it looks like we have some intense things to deal with.”[/color] They'd have to get to that final battle. [color=cde0e1] “I don't think it'll be a day trip. But I don't know how long it'll actually take... and I don't know if it is real but doesn’t time run differently? Like Rip Van Wrinkle or whatever his name is.”[/color] They could be there for an hour and a hundred years pass or the opposite, trapped for a hundred years to come back and it's been an hour like the Narnia kids coming back through the wardrobe.

[color=42A9FF]“Hmm, I mean we know where we’re going, and we have so many teleporters around with Percy and Chase, probs less than a day, tbh?”[/color] April shrugged. [color=42A9FF]“I’m gonna bring my meds with me just in case, but we should def be back before classes and all start. We got auto A’s last time and I wanna get at least B’s this semester, so skipping school is not the move to make… and I think the ‘rents would kill us, ‘specially Danni, for skipping. Dori’s got the annoying ability to sleep through an exam and still somehow ace it, so.”[/color] They went down the stairs with the rest of the group and back out the gym entrance, reemerging into the frosty winter air. [color=42A9FF]“Is Van Wrinkle a British superhero or something?”[/color] they asked Ben, confused. 

[color=efcde8]”I mean, does anyone know how that place works? Could be the opposite where one day there is like 5 months here. We could go and come back within an hour and a whole year has passed with our pictures on milk cartons or whatever. Might be best to inform the parents and caregivers where we’ll be going? I know my aunts and uncles will be very worried, but otherwise I think chill about it? Especially if I am amongst the team that kicked ass during the contest.”[/color]

[color=E948FC] “Millie, no. You cannot tell t'e ‘rents nada. Not'in’ at all. I ‘ah ta kick and scream and cry and everyt'in’ in between just ta be allowed ta go ‘ere. I am [i]not[/i] gunna give Pops anyt'in’ else ta use against ne on t'at. So mums t'e word til we show up, ‘avin’ saved Possion-Pas, draggin’ t'eir MU days friend along as a distraction.”[/color] Danni quickly jumped in, waving his arms around wildly. He shivered a little as they reimerged into the chilly air and blew warm air into his hands, letting it ignite and drift off towards the others. He made four balls of fire that bounced around them, casting warmth in a comfortable ring. 

[color=E948FC] “Ooookay, gym is done so let's go get some ‘ot coa- Ouch! Amelie! ‘ey! Stoooop! T'at's a- touchy! T'at's my eye!”[/color] Danni stuttered and flailed as Amelie suddenly darted out of her harness and used his nose and eye as climbing points, chasing eagerly after the little balls of fire. Danni shifted her, sticking his tongue out at the playful bites and growls she gave him, and sighed in relief as her sharp little claws weren't digging into his face anymore. [color=E948FC]“Ooooookay, round 2! Tryin’ t'at again! So ‘ot chocolate from our fav coffee place? Its just outside t'e school so we can get away from t'e craziness a but! It's called Secret IdentiTea and it's super cute! Nice chairs, weird music, an espresso machine t'at looks like its actually from like an industrial factory. T'e whole vibe ya know? But they make a meaaaaaaan cup o’ chocolate and they ‘ave all sorts o’ toppings, even those real big ones t'at are all t'e rage.”[/color] Danni slipped his hand back into Ben's and slid his arm into Millie's before leading them out through the crowded school gate and down the road, where city life sprung up immediately. It was barely a block and indeed Secret IdentiTea, a domino mask and a steaming cup of tea their logo, stood in cool, dark tones. 

The door mingled as it opened, the aroma of espresso, teas, and sugar racing out to meet them. Laid back, underground music played through tinny speakers, and a few people sat in the mismatched chairs shoved into corners and awkwardly around tables with laptops, board games and the periodic notebook as a monocled,  twisty mustache barrista glanced up, offered them a nod, and turned back to the hissing machine. The board above him, done in chalk and big bold lettering, detail a variety of items, including a full topping bar for any drink that claimed a quarter of the menu. 

[color=E948FC] “Tada!!! ‘ere it is! Great place ta kick it after gettin’ dragged up and down t'e sparrin’ ring by a ghost!”[/color] 

[color=cde0e1] “Uh... no? I think he was just some guy. It’s a story. Not real... I don’t think. Something about him going to sleep for 100 years I think,”[/color] Ben explained to April. Danni telling Millie that they couldn’t tell the “‘rents” where they were going made Ben more nervous. Matt would be pissed. Maybe it would be okay for him? Since Matt didn’t know Danni’s ‘rents. 

[color=cde0e1] “Do they do tea?”[/color] Ben was pretty sure he was going to get hot chocolate. There was no way this place would have tea that fit his standards. If they did though, that’d be awesome. He looked over the menu trying to see the options for tea. 

[color=42A9FF]“Oh!!! You mean Captain America!!!”[/color] April giggled. It must have been hard to keep track of the names of another country’s superheroes - April knew they couldn’t name who the current Captain Britain was, after all. [color=42A9FF]“It’s Steve Rogers, btw - like the gym we were just in.”[/color] They hadn’t ordered the tea at IdentiTea much before, but it was part of what the shop was known for. [color=42A9FF]“I haven’t tried it, I tend to get a cortado when I get here, it’s sooo fucking good. The hot chocolate is super super good, probably the best in all of Los Angeles, if not the planet - like even better than what Appa makes on Christmas Eve.”[/color] They beamed, waving excitedly over at the barista. [color=42A9FF]“Dan-Thé!!!! How’s it going, man???”[/color] They bounded on over and threw their arms around the monocled man, giving him a hug. [color=42A9FF]“Dan-Thé is probs the best barista here - and tells the most incredible stories. I’ve pretended to study here for hooours.”[/color]

Millicent didn’t like the idea of not letting her aunts and uncles know where she would be going. It wasn’t like she didn’t break the rules or rebel, but she was new to the school. She didn’t have a contest win under her belt. Even if they managed to save Nemo and come back, would everyone be so forgiving? Not to mention the fact the team had apparently been held captive and killed in some video game. Danni meant well and she knew that a caregiver could be too safe, but there was a bond of trust there. 

She bit her tongue though as she followed the others to the coffee place. It looked like a popular place and given how close it was to the school Millicent figured she would be here often. A hot chocolate sounded awesome at this point. [color=efcde8]”Hot chocolate sounds delish.”[/color]

“Why, ain't it my favorite waterbender?” Dan-Thé laughed, scooping April up in a brief hug and then sent them back around the counter. “And friends, I reckon. Now don'tcha'll follow this one's example - behind the counter is employees only.” He pulled the milk off the steam wand, gave it a quick wipe down, and poured the flat white, pitcher coming up over his head as he kept the stream steady. He passed it across to a waiting woman, hair up in a clip as messy as can be and glasses slightly askew with a bit of tape on one leg, and turned back to them. 

“Okay, so one cortado for this one and Grandma's hot chocolate with all the fixin's for Danni Bannani.” Dan-Thé was already pulling cups out and Danni nodded eagerly. “I think I heard another hot chocolate from little miss Pop here. Welcome ta my shop, by the way! You want it the same way as Danni, with all the fixin's and made from the small batch or you want something a little more modern?” 

Dan-Thé closed one eye as he peered through his monocle at Ben. “And did I hear tea? I can getcha a little of anything really, but I'm thinking you want ta stick with the tried and true. English Breakfast, two sugars, a splash of cream?”

Danni leaned over to Millie. “Def get it Grandma's way wit’ all t'e fixin's. It's basically a meal at t'at point.”

Ben's eyes lit up with happiness as Dan-Thé suggest exactly how he liked his tea. [color=cde0e1] “Yes please,”[/color] he said a little shyly but with obvious excitement and relief in his voice.

April laughed, letting themself be chased back around the counter. It was honestly something of a miracle that Dan-Thé didn’t mind their presence too much. They were getting better at not spontaneously bursting pipes around them, but they definitely had had to text Pa before to ask for some magical assistance at the cafe. [color=42A9FF]“Yeah, this is Millie, our cousin - and then our new friend, Ben! He’s proper British and all, and I think desperate for a cup of tea he hasn’t had to make himself.”[/color]

Millicent felt like the person in front of her was the embodiment of a warm embrace. She would definitely be spending a lot of time here. [color=efcde8]”I’ll get it Grandma’s way then. May as well go all out. It is very nice to meet you. You’ll be seeing me around a lot. Guaranteed.”[/color]

Dan-Thé laughed at the responses and plucked a glass jar of loose leaf tea, labelled English Breakfast, off the shelf and a glass tea pot. “Well, Ben. As a way of saying welcome, I’ll do a pot on the house, how about that? Enjoy more than just a cup and you keep coming back while you’re here with us anytime you just need a fix.” He filled an electric kettle and set it to heat, while he pulled out a small glass, a bottle of sprinkling water, and two huge, oversized white mugs. 

“I can’t offer you a whole pot of Grandma’s way, but I’ll make sure yours is on us too. I take it you’re attending school? I know a few people curious why one of their favorite artists vanished inta thin air.” Dan-Thé chatted as he continued to pull things out from under the counter - a black and wood serving tray, two glass tea cups, a glass sugar container only large enough to fit about ten sugar cubes, and a clear cream cup into which Dan-Thé poured a comfortable amount of crea. “Grandma’s way takes a touch longer than the rest, fair warnin’. We use Boyacán cocoa and melt it to order. Takes ‘bout ten minutes in the back, but has lovely notes of roasted almonds and honey, and we fold a touch more sugar inta it to take the darkness in it out all the way. Y’all wanna go sit and we can bring it out in a moment, or ya want me ta start that cortado already, waterbender?”

[color=E948FC]“Woooooooow, not given’ it ta us on t’e ‘ouse too?”[/color] Danni sniffled and draped himself dramatically over the counter, tears welling up a little. [color=E948FC]“Us, your favorite customers. US, your most [i]loyal[/i] customers. Us, who brin’ new people ta t’is place.”[/color]

“Mhm, spot on.” Dan-Thé laughed at the wounded sound Danni made. “Let’s not talk about all the extras I’ve given you over the years, hm?”

[color=E948FC]“But t’at was t’en and t’is is noooooow.”[/color] He sighed when the barista made no move to change anything. [color=E948FC]“Fiiiiine, I suppose I’ll just suffer.”[/color]

In the corner, one of the tables went silent as they started at the group. Hushed whispers broke out as they leaned into each other, fingers flying furious across phone screens and one angling their camera not so subtly towards them. 

Ben could have cried tears of joy. He didn't care about having to pay or not. He was very excited, as April pointed out, to have a cup of tea he didn't have to make that was perfect. He had already forgotten the conversation about Rip Van Wrinkle or Captain America.

[color=cde0e1] “I'll definitely come back. Danni is my friend so I'm sure I'll be here again with him. And my boyfriend will want to join too. Thank you very much.”[/color]

Ben noticed how the noise level in the cafe shifted. He looked around confused trying to figure it out. 

[color=42A9FF]“Could I get the cortado now and then get a cocoa when the others - wait, hold on,”[/color] April held up a finger, interrupting themself. [color=42A9FF]“Benjamin Button, we’re friends too,”[/color] they protested. [color=42A9FF]“Why’d you just say Danni? Everyone is gonna want to bring you here with us, we come here all the time.”[/color] They stared at him like he was some particularly confusing problem, like he had sprouted a second head and a tail all at once without an explanation. The silence that had rapidly occurred in the shop was lost on them. [color=42A9FF]“Are we not friends?”[/color] April asked, almost sounding hurt. 

[color=efcde8]”Ha, disappear. It’s funny because I left and went to school and that’s one of my powers!”[/color] Granted, Millie didn’t know if the joke was intended or not, but still. [color=efcde8]”And the drinks that are being paid for can be my treat. As a way of saying thank you for the tour.”[/color] She noted the small, rising tension of Ben and his comment. Millie didn’t feel any ill intention. After all she had just met and gotten to know Ben a bit. [color=efcde8]”Well hold on. I don’t think Benny boy meant anything bad. After all, I just got to know him and while I like him, I would also hesitate to use the word friend. Acquaintance, maybe and I fully intend on hanging out with him more and moving into a friendship, but that takes some time. As cool as everyone is, people get to judge for themselves on who is a friend or not. I think we use that word too loosely sometimes.”[/color] Millie knew from experience how people assumed that with her being nice that meant she was a friend, especially fans who got too parasocial. [color=efcde8]”We got a good group here. Let’s not cause unnecessary problems when we already had a day full of them.”[/color]

[color=E948FC]“Yeeeeees. [/color] Danni threw his arm around Millie. [color=E948FC]“Exactly! I totes agree we deeef don't need more drama, which is why we're all friends! So let's go chill at our table while Dan-Thé finishes off the drinks! We can play some games, we can gossip about people, I can show you my totally awesome and not at all dangerous juggling skills. It only has a little fire and is definately not aaaaall fire but-”[/color] 

“No fire in the coffee shop, Danni.”

Danni stuck his tongue out and skipped over to a table that had a map of the world printed on it, a scotch mark on one corner, and clearly had a few of the legs replaced. Danni slumped into a chair and patted the table for everyone to follow. [color=E948FC] “Okay, soooooo wit’ t'is bein’ two outta four first time here, at school t'at is, ‘ave ya started t'inkin’ ‘bout your spring break plans yet? Are we doin’ ‘an'outs, you just chillin’ wit’ your folks?”[/color] 

Ben was startled by April’s response. They had literally just met a few hours ago. Yeah, he knew about them, and they probably knew a fair amount about him because of Danni... but they didn’t really know each other. Ben shouldn’t be surprised that someone related to Danni would be that quick to make friends considering how Ben’s friendship with Danni had started, but he was. His experience prior to coming to America had been one group of friends made while they still wore diapers and he had never looked back. He didn’t know where the line of acquaintance and friend was. Millie at least seemed to understand. They had just met. How could you call someone you had known less than a full day a friend? 

[color=cde0e1] “But I don’t know everyone. I know Danni. I just met you a few hours ago. I’m not saying we won’t be friends. Like Millie said. It isn’t that I don’t want to be friends with you. But what makes someone a friend? I don’t know, not really. All of my friends before were my friends because we all lived in the same apartment complex. Are we friends because Danni and I are friends? Or are we friends because we share interests?”[/color] Ben shrugs. He didn’t want to go into how his first impression of April wasn’t actually a good one. They had trapped him in a room of ice that Danni had to get him out of. The whole thing had been very upsetting and only a few hours ago. It hadn’t been intentional to hurt Ben and he knew that, but it didn’t change that it had scared him. He was scared of April. He was scared of basically all of Danni’s friends. They were good fighters and he wasn’t. If he was honest with himself, which he wasn’t very good about, he was friends with Danni because Danni made any other option impossible. 

Danni’s questions pulled Ben from going farther down that thought process. He definitely hadn’t thought about Spring Break. That was a million years away. [color=cde0e1] “Uh, I don’t know Matt will probably want some time with me. But I’m sure he’ll be happy to have you come over again. I don’t know if he would allow [i]everyone[/i] to come over though. He will probably let me go to your place without much issue... after he meets your folks.”[/color] Matt liked knowing the parents of his friends. He had made that clear with Chase. 

April frowned. Causing unnecessary problems? It was important to them to be friends with their siblings’ friends. That didn’t seem unnecessary at all. In fact, a lot of the drama from the previous semester had boiled down to lines and divisions in their group - Sabine had been best friends with Danni but hated Dorian and ignored April, and had April been friends with her too, the entire failed polycule mess could have been avoided. Andy had been friends with - well, people who weren’t in the group anymore - but hadn’t been on good terms with Danni. And Percy had only been friends with Dorian but nasty with everyone else. Vicky had been stressed about the idea that she couldn’t hang out with Danni at the same time as April. Maybe things were different for Millie, but there wasn’t anything unnecessary about affirming friendships at all to April. But if Ben didn’t want to be friends, April wasn’t going to push it. 

[color=42A9FF]“No prob!!”[/color] They took a seat down next to their brother. 

They still didn’t seem to understand, but she wanted to avoid drama, so avoid drama she did. She followed Danni and sat down across from him and April. [color=efcde8]”I hadn’t thought about it. This is my first time away from home so I am not ready to go back so soon. Plus I got music to write.”[/color]

The energy surround the concept of friends was lost on Danni as he batted at Millie. [color=E948FC] “Noooooo! You're gunna ‘an'out wit’ t'e fam! You can't do work and school and train and come see t'e fam! T'at's soooo much! It sounds exhaaaaausting.”[/color] Danni whined. [color=E948FC] “What I'm t'inkin’, and I've been t'inkin’ real ‘and on t'is since I saw t'at picture on t'at billboard out t'ere when we were comin’ ‘ere so ya know its seriously awesome, is a ‘uuuuge luau wit’ like a ‘uuuge bonfire and like, we can invote t'e whole group, right? [I]But[/i]. But. ‘ow do ya keep everyone entertained? Course we're gunna bot'er t'e ‘rents and get a big ol’ pool and maybe like some skatin’ stuff for Sauna Boi and Bennie Boi. And obvi gotta ‘ave like a real big bonfire so we can do s'mores and like, fire dancin’, but t'ere's a [i]murder[/i]. And it's like a villian creeped in and got a person and t'ey're impastanin’ someone so we gotta figure it out and catch ‘em! And idk, whoever figures it out first gets a big prize, like a super hug or somet'in’, idk. Cuddles wit’ one person of t'eir choice, t'at sounds fun. But yeah, I t'ink murder mystery luau party!”[/color]  

Ben wasn’t sure if his point had gotten across. He didn’t think people could be instant friends. That you had to work at it. Maybe it was because he had never had anyone but his group growing up. When he had first met Chase even he hadn’t wanted to be friends with him, but Chase sort of kept showing up. They kept hanging out. He’d be friends with April eventually, sure, but calling each other friends immediately... he didn’t quite understand. He smiled and sat down, letting the conversation switch gears again. It was hard to stay on one topic with Danni. 

His eyes went wide at the mention of a murder. Danni was planning on killing someone!? But then Ben caught on. A murder mystery game. That made more sense. He relaxed a little. It seemed like an extreme way to keep everyone entertained. It could be fun. Impastanin? Ben guessed Danni meant impersonating.

[color=cde0e1] “How long is Spring Break? Can we spend some time at home with family and do this?”[/color]  

[color=42A9FF]“Umm, it’s about a week - but your uncle lives really close by, right? So you shouldn’t have any issues. And transit isn’t really a worry because of your boyf - and if it was, Percy can hop you around, or Pa can - or Dori if you wanna push your luck and see how his aim is with the sling ring that day.”[/color] Distance wasn’t much of a factor - it was more a time thing. [color=42A9FF]“Do you have any, like, pop star friends you’d wanna bring? Oh! Danni remind me when Dan-Thé comes over to give him the big update!! Also, obsessed with this idea, we need to have a Traitors watch party for ideas, and I want to be guaranteed cuddles with you even if I don’t win, by the by, bc you know I can’t sleep well by myself anymore. It was the woooorst when I was on my grippy sock vacation. No cuddles for a millennia.”[/color] 

April then gasped and practically screamed. [color=42A9FF]“WAIT! You need to take Sauna Boi to the sauna!!!”[/color] They shook Danni by the shoulder wildly, disturbing poor Amelie. 

[color=efcde8]”I still have to work Danni. I have concerts upcoming that people have bought tickets long in advance for. So I need to make some new songs. Shouldn’t take up too much time. And you know I am always down for a party. And a murder mystery luau? Sounds right up my alley!”[/color]

Millicent considered April’s request. [color=efcde8]”I am sure I can put some feelers out and see who wants to come. It’s a fairly busy time of year, but with the promise of good food and a stage, some would drop what they have going on and join. I can def ask!”[/color]

Dan-Thé busted over as Amélie started screeching at the aggressive jostling, Danni clinging onto April for dear life. “Save that excitement for the drinks; jostle these old tables too much and you might end up wearing them!” He placed the tray down, setting the teapot, cup, sugar, and cream in front of Ben, one cup already poured. He placed the cortado, a little wave in the foam, and a glass of sparkling water in front of April. Danni and Millie both received hulking mugs of hot chocolate, topped with a layer of melted marshmallows, house made whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, caramel drizzle, rainbow sprinkles, half a brownie, and a whole chocolate chip cookie cut in half and placed on the rim like a garnish. “Tea for Ben, cortado and water for April, and two Hot Chocolate Grandma's Way.”

Danni screeched excitedly; Amélie matched the energy in a much more confused way. [color=E948FC]“OMG YAAAAAAAAAS!”[/color] Danni bounced in his chair as everything was set in place, the previous conversation nearly forgotten. He snatched a cookie garnish off the rim and used it as a scoop for marshmallow goodness, batting Amélie away from it as she tried to lean down and snatched it up. 

[color=E948FC]“OMG! YAAAAAAAAAAS RILLIE!”[/color] He said around a mouthful of cookie. He had no qualms talking with his mouthful. Danni pointed at Ben. [color=E948FC] “Your boyo owes me sauna time. Gotta drag ‘im in kickin’ and screamin’.”[/color] Danni shoved the other cookie in his mouth, offering a scoop of marshmallows to Amélie. 

[color=E948FC] “Gotta talk ta Pa ‘bout ‘ow big ‘e can make t'e ‘ouse but yeah, brin’ any o’ your friends! Any friends o’ yours are friends of mine!”[/color] Danni lifted the cup to his mouth, a thumb hold back the brownie, and took a long, scalding sip. He moaned as the thick chocolate hit his tongue and he did a happy little wiggle in his seat. 

Ben was excited when the drinks were brought over. He smiled and said, [color=cde0e1] “Thank you.”[/color] He sipped tea. It was perfect. He melted a little bit into his chair. Generally he didn’t mind making his own tea. There was a certain ritualistic aspect to making tea that made him feel better. But it wasn’t often he got a cup this good. Matt tried, but he was more of a coffee convert. Chase was learning, and getting good at it. [color=cde0e1] “This is perfect,”[/color] he quietly told Dan-Thé before he left. 

The reminder of the sauna time Ben nodded. [color=cde0e1] “Chase knows. I promise.... But that is a just the two of you thing. Not sure I want to go into one of those.”[/color] He shuddered a bit at the idea. Ben considered if he wanted to say that all of his friends [i]were[/i] Danni’s friends, or Danni himself. He liked Marlena, but was she a friend? Danni had claimed friendship with Chase already. [color=cde0e1] “I don’t really even know anyone else here, except Chase obviously, and Marlena. I don’t know if you know her, but she’s cool. Met her at the skate park. But we’ve only hung out that once.”[/color] 

[color=42A9FF]“Well, the only way to change that is while hanging out with people and asking them questions about themselves,”[/color] April offered with a shrug, taking a sip of their cortado. The bitterness of the coffee cut right through the milk and they let out a content sigh. They tended to favor sweet drinks, but every now and then, they craved the unaltered taste of good espresso. They did turn slightly pink as Ben mentioned Marlena and April decided to side step that particular minefield for now. [color=42A9FF]“And we’ll have tons of time to get to know each other more in Otherworld.”[/color]

Millicent watched as her hot chocolate, if it could be called that since it seemed like an oppressive dessert than a comfort drink, was put in front of her. [color=efcde8]”Dan-Thé, from one artist to another, you are a visionary. Truly, this is the best drink I have ever laid eyes on, let alone consumed. Brava!”[/color] She was excited to dig in, but how did one approach this? Did they eat the cookie or brownie first? Would eating them make the hot chocolate go room temperature too quickly? 

She felt herself spiral a bit, but it was fine. [color=efcde8]”I think we got a good group with everyone. I don’t know everyone too well apart from you all and some I talked to already like Marlena, but if you guys are cool with the others, then they are cool with me. And like April said, we got a whole ass adventure coming up. That tends to form bonds.”[/color]