From the Vast

Chapter 16: Pretense

*woof, woof woof?*

"^Sigh... yes, you can stay and play with Bell.^"

Marco's answer to an incomprehensible question had Anne blink a couple times in confusion as her brain played catchup. The sudden appearance of a Riolu in her temporary room seemed to have startled everyone to one extent or another. The human didn't quite know what the pup's words were, but the context let her infer enough to giggle along.

Especially once the lil' Ralts got to excitedly scrambling towards the edge of the bed.

"Yay, play!"

Yay, play indeed Bell, yay indeed.

Anne shyly observed the antics that followed; the two kids wasting no time before pulling each other in a big hug. The Riolu seemed to be approximately the Ralts's age, and, of course, just as eager to play as he was. It only took them moments to go from hugging to roughhousing; Bell persevering valiantly despite his acute size disadvantage.

'Physical play with a Fighting-type' sounded closer to a messed-up dare as opposed to an everyday fun activity for Anne. But, if everyone else's reactions were any sign, it was at best unremarkable here. Enough so to where nobody but the pair of adults cared much anymore after just a few moments.

And, once she got over Reya's sudden appearance and the awkwardness of the group's previous topic, Anne could join them too.

Not being the immediate subject of a newcomer's interest for once was very appreciated.

Hearing the loose leaves of paper shuffle a bit in front of her brought the human's attention back to the here and now. Cadence's nudge would've almost looked accidental to the human girl... if not for it ever so coincidentally revealing the hidden work-in-progress drawing of the Kirlia herself.

Anne's louder giggle had Cadence blush brightly. Yep, she definitely saw through that little gesture...

"~Okay, okay, I-I can continue on your sketch, Cadence, teehee.~"

Her comment didn't help either; the fairy looking away in embarrassment after scuttling closer to her new large friend. Once Elric had connected the dots himself, he chittered out loud too.

"What's wrong Cadenceeee~?"

"^Sh-shush E-Elric...^"

Both the Gligar and the human laughed quietly at the flustered response. The latter put a pencil down and instead embraced her good arm around the Kirlia, holding her close. Anne was of half a mind to chime in herself too, but... nah.

Cadence didn't need any more embarrassment right now~.

As amusing as the situation was for everyone in the room who could spare the attention towards it, eventually some hearts began to melt, and the ones most would expect the least at that.

Elric rolled his eyes and scrambled over to his friend. He made sure not to disturb anything as his chitin body embraced his denmate, classmate, and, most importantly, good friend.

No words were needed.

Only the gentle reassurance that despite all the amusement at her expense, nobody thought the Kirlia any less for the situation. And especially not the guest she looked up to. Much too easy for well spirited fun to end up in unpleasant territory by accident, and even the ability to read stray thoughts doesn't prevent outcomes like that.

It's only a small leap from "They're just saying it to be nice" to "they're just thinking it around me to be nice", after all.

Once Cadence relaxed some, Anne let her go with one last hair ruffle; Elric taking it as a signal to get into position for observing the art about to happen. Marco and Cypress alike had to split their attention between the antics of older and younger bunches of kids. And, in the ghost's case, also between keeping an eye for any unpleasant presences that could be approaching, and his own sheer exhaustion.