Bitter~Sweet 2 Ula'ula Mischief

Chapter.18 De-Odored

I-U-I That was too close. If I stayed exposed for too long I might have been willing to help her more. Urrrrgggh I'm so frustrated, but going back out there will only make things worse for me.

It's been so long since a Steenee was on this island, that my resistance to their smell has gone down in recent years. Is this why Lele collected all those flowers?

I can't just let another grass type walk all over me. The others will think I'm weak. They will try to take my territory from me. I need to make an example of her, but that's so much work. Ugh. I need to think.  Hnnnnnn.

Ok, technically this won't count as hurting her. That should make that voice shut up if it ever addresses a complaint to me.

I'll just remove that empowering smell for a bit. See if your new friends are really your friends. We'll see how you handle being alone. Show me your true colors human. Show me that you are worthy. I-U-I

Achoo. How on earth does sand get in my nose? '" Hey guys? What are you doing? "' -What does it look like? We're wading through the sand.-

'" Sand isn't water, you can't just wade through the sand! "'Look Ribrieen, My feet have been sinking into the loose sand for hours. My feet are freakin pointy!

It's hot every time I take a step in it now, I am planting my feet into the cooler sand underneath, and I am walking through it. I'm tired of sweating pink juice down my face. I didn't even know I could sweat like this. Do you understand? 

'" Yes? But why is Sid riding on your back? "' she gestures to said location. -Well you brought up training with Tapu Bulu, who turned down your request almost immediately. So consider this our own improve training.-

'" That was just a joke. You guys are going to give me a headache, and what pray tell is Sid getting out of this training?"'

If you must know, Sid is practicing his grip strength. Said something about being fed up with not being able to climb cliffs, or something. You can stop rubbing your forehead now.

- I can still climb ladders, I just can't climb trees ,or rocks all that well. For now I'm trying to increase how long I can hold unto a thin ledge. It doesn't get much thinner than Alex's shoulders. They're practically nonexistent.- 

*rip* Ouch, what are you doing back there? I asked. - N..nothing! It's not like you'd notice. It's slowly growing back anyway.-

I turn my head to just barely see Sid holding a pink petal like protrusion in his hands. Where did you get that? -It sorta peeled off your neck when I tried to find a new place to get a grip on. Sorry.- Memories of my first time seeing myself in a mirror come flashing back.

Oh Arceus, please tell me that grows back! -Calm down, it's slow, but I can already see a new petal growing back as we speak. It might go faster if we get you some water. -

'" Now that you mention it, you look even worse than Sid did when he came to your rescue. Are you sure you're ok?"'

I lick my lips to feel how dry they are, only to realize how dry my tongue was too. What saliva was left inside was already used to keep my throat hydrated enough to talk. (How many hours has it been since we last drank water?)

'" Alex? Alex...you didn't answer the question. Are you ok?"'  Oh sorry, are we almost at the exit yet? I'm starting to dry up a bit here.

"'Maybe you should have walked through the path of wet sand we passed earlier. Not sure where it came from, but any moisture is better than none."'

 Awe, but that sand was too compacted. We couldn't wade through that. (At least I finally stopped sweating.)

'" I meant for you to absorb the water with your roots ,or whatever. "' That's probably offensive. I don't even have roots. I think. I look to Sid who just shakes his head in disappointment.