Tests of Courage and Skill

Leia flinched again at the loud speakers, smacking her hands over her ears and taking a deep breath, looking slightly irritated. Finally, she stood up straight again and took on that cool, calm expression of hers again.

"Well, ya invited us both here, so wasn't that th' plan t' begin with?"

"Yea, that was the plan, was it not? Or," she pointed a finger accusingly at Dantae, along with a mock gasp, "were you planning on leaving us on our own and picking up chicks?"

Leia scoffed and crossed her arms over her chest. "Wouldn't be surprised 'bout that one. So...don't put it past 'em, Shiro. Might take that as an invitation t' do just that."

Dantae feighned hurt. "And after I worked so hard to get you two here, you doubt me like this?! I just didn't want to assume, in case either of you have jealous boy friends or something," he winked. Okay, maybe he'd sort of engineered this whole thing to find out just that...maybe...

"Wave B, you're up!!" The loud speaker blared. Excitement in the air was palpable.

"Boyfriend? Bullshit-" Shiro's body shivered and she quickly retracted into a ball, covering her head with her arms as if fending off an attack. She quickly caught herself and stood up again, trying to breath normally but they came out heavy and laboured despite her best efforts.

Leia's reaction was rather similar to Shiro's, though she stumbled a bit. "Boyfriend? Don't make me laugh, hotshot. Ain't got time for that when I'm busy prankin' everyone! C'mon! O-Our turn...I-I think..."

Dantae watched their reactions curiously, and was pleased with the results, albeit a little surprised. "Gattina-chan, are you okay?" He asked, concerned over her intense reaction. Glancing at Leia he added flippantly," Haven't heard of the power of love, Amica? Ive heard one always has time for it," he winked.

Indeed they were nearly up in wave 3...

"Fine, absolutely fine," she forced out in a calm voice. It had been a long time since she'd had a reaction like that. Shiro had actually thought for a moment she'd gotten over it.

Obviously not.

She couldn't allow such a problem to continue. She wouldn't allow it. But easier said than done. She'd really just have to get used to it and hope it stopped one day...

"Power of love, you say? I will buy you any bow you like the day I feel love is more important than my future."

Naturally, Leia had her own reasons, whether they be self-esteem issues or simply savoring other people's happiness above her own. But she refused to let anyone in on that part of her mind. For now, at least.

"Mm. Maybe someday," she muttered, standing up more straight and tugging at the beanie on her head.

Dantae straitened his shoulders, "I think I'll hold you to that one, Gattina-chan," he grinned. Bows were expensive, and the boy still felt a little awkward petitioning his step-dad for financial reasons. And hell would freeze over before he would ever ask Pa.

"Hah! A maybe! I'll take that," he laughed at Leia's unusually subdued response, hoping he hadn't hit another "minefield" like her legs.

At that moment the loud speaker blared for the third wave to step up. Dantae nodded towards the "ghost" handing out the maps. "Looks like we're up, after you, ladies."

Shiro was itching to punch that ghost, but held back and allowed Leia to go first, using the girl's body as a half shield and making it difficult for Shiro to try anything rash. She did stare the ghost down as they passed, though.
"I am watching you," she said, not caring it could be heard by everyone.