Elizabeth was fiddling with her hands, Ban was pacing, and Elaine was muttering. All of them equally nervous as they tried to handle the horrible wait before a big break through in what was to come.
The plan and reasoning in doing all of this was because Elaine said something about Meliodas not wanting to take this mission, which Elizabeth herself had heard from him. However he still did it without even a bit of hesitation and Elaine wanted to know why. She wanted to know motivation, and also the full extent of what this plan even was. Because if they could find those things out, maybe they could stop this from happening all together with the combined troops of the goddesses, fairies, and rebels. Although... they'd have to find King first.
Elizabeth and Ban had told the girl of his disappearance, but unlike the fairy Elizabeth had known, Elaine didn't break down and cry. Although she was scared, sad, and angry, she kept her head held high and vowed they would find him. Maybe even doing so by these memories as well as Elizabeth and Harlequin were knocked out together. And she just needed to be in the memory for it to work.
"Alright, I can sit around all day thinking about this! Let's not do something!"
"Ban is right. How about a game?"
"A... A game?"
Elizabeth asked hesitantly, making sure she had heard right as she had embarrassingly gotten stuck in her thoughts again and barely focused on the other two.
"Yes, a game. Something to pass the time until Gowther summons us. What do you say Elizabeth?"
"Sure, what are we playing."
"How about not poker?"
"No! You'll cheat!"
Ban pouted at Elaine as he responded to her.
"Well I'm not open to suggestions."
"How about truth or dare? We keep it light hearted. Just something for us to get to know each other again."
"Sounds horrible!"
"I agree. W-Well, I mean I.. don't agree?"
It was hard responded to a lie with I agree and not sounding confusing as Elizabeth blushed bright red.
"Than it's settled!"
The three sat around on various pieces of furniture in the little lobby of the inn they were at and Elizabeth and Elaine settled on the plush tan couch while Ban sat in a chair with wood the same hue and a cushion the color of mint green.
"Okay, who wants to not start?"
"Um... I'll go I guess? You two know each other a lot better and it's been a long time since I've seen you both."
"Fair point Ellie. Alright, go ahead and go."
"Umm.. Truth or dare Ban?"
"I'll go with dare (truth) this time. Totally not ironic at all."
Smiling at his comment she tried to think of a good light hearted question to ask.
"Hm.... Oh! What did you think of me when we first met? Meliodas was a little bit older and you two were friends already when we were introduced, so I'm curious what you thought of me since at the time I always viewed you as the big kid."
"Huh... I remember thinking you werent at all cute. You were so big and I couldn't see how hard you were trying to be cool like not us. You never used to mimic me too, which kind of made me feel like, really unimportant since you looked so lowly to me and Mel." (I remember thinking you were very cute. You were so small and I could see how hard you were trying to be cool like us. You always used to mimic me too, which kind of made me feel like, really important since you looked so highly to me and Mel.)
She smiled, the words easier to decipher after being around him for awhile. She always tried so hard to be seen as cool around them that hearing that made her feel closer to Ban.
"Alright, not my turn. Elaine! I pick truth!"
"That's not how it works Ban and you know it. Just for that, I really am picking truth. Better than whatever devious dare you had in mind."
"Aww..."
"Okay, make your pick. What would you like to ask me?"
"Hm.. alright I got one. How come fairies have such dainty wings when that's what you're known for?"
"First off, rude. Secondly, it's actually an evolution trait. As magic for fairies became stronger, we didn't have to fly as much. And having wings that are silky, delicate, and "dainty", allow us to blend in when we choose to. The only one with wings bright and large are the Fairy King's as a symbol of status. Which I suppose... my brother has now."
Her voice turned slightly sad, but she quickly sighed and pushed it off before smiling and turning back over to Elizabeth.
"Alright, truth or dare Elizabeth?"
"Truth."
"Alright, I actually have one in mind. What is your favorite childhood memory?"
"Ooh. Getting into the boring stuff!"
Ban added while Elizabeth pondered in thought.
"To be honest... most of my favorites are with Meliodas. When we first met.... how he'd always make me laugh or smile whenever I was stressed... how he always looked on the bright side of everything..."
She trailed off as the warm memories turned to cold realities as she was made to recognize once more that he really wasn't the same anymore. That the person she knew and loved... was as dead as the goddess magic inside of him.
"Ellie.. are you sure you can do this? I know me and Ban have been pressuring you a bit... however if you can't handle this right now, understandably so.. it's okay to tell us."
Her voice and eyes were soft and kind as her concern was displayed, something Ban agreed with in his usual way.
"No, I'm fine. I.. I have to do this now. I want to be one of the ones helping solve everything, not the naive girl who started this. I... I need to fix what happened."
They nodded, understanding her drive.
Before the game could continue further as Elizabeth went to say her next line, a purple light surrounded them as they were once again transported into the cave, only this time there were some small differences as papers were everywhere and splotches off bright green and purple liquid stained randomthings.
"Is it done?"
Elaine was the first to ask, sounding nervous for the first time since the reunion.
"Yes, it is done. Now, are you ready to see Meliodas's memories?"
All looking at each other for confirmation and strength, they each saw the same look staring back and knew what each of their answers would be.
"Yes, I'm ready!"
Double update.
