You don’t get rattled by water weeds and algae like she does, you admit as you gently reach out and lower Rezalith’s fireball-wielding claw, but you feel that way about other stuff! Everyone does–it’s totally normal!

To your great surprise, you aren’t immolated yet. Peeking out from between your fingers, you find the demon pondering your words with intense thought etched into her expression. “You know…” she remarks, rubbing her chin as you and the gals remain speechless, “You might actually be right, Anton.”

R-really, you ask, picking your jaw back up off the ground!

“Mhm!” Rezalith nods with a twinkle in her eye, “Maybe… maybe weaknesses ARE normal…”

You’ve never had a recliner thrown at your face before, but now you can cross it off your bucket list! Yay!

“NORMAL FOR WEAKLINGS!” Roars the Rezzie as Volka helps extract you from beneath the chair! “W-why am I even TELLING you all this!? I return for a few posts and already I’m losing clout-”

T-touching… you mutter, still dazed from the sudden attack, touching… the soggy… food bits… when washing dishes…

The demon queen blinks in confusion. “... You’re still alive?”

A-and… you continue, biting… something CRUNCHY… when the food’s supposed to be… s-soft…

“Oh Hells, I HATE that!” Groans Volka! “Like when there’s still a bit-a eggshell in the eggs! Dad messes that up all the time–no clue how he survives cooking for himself!”

Rezalith just stares, flabbergasted. “H-huh?”

“For me? It’s bein’ in a store with really narrow aisles between the shelves!” The Skog confesses as she shoots an accusatory glance at her tail! “Always worried I’m gonna knock something over an’ make a huge scene… used ta’ be I’d wait outside while Ma or Pop went in to do the buyin’...”

“Y-you…” Stammers the satan, “Y-you don’t… q-quit telling me-”

“I’m not a fan of water myself,” Shrugs TT as she snuggles up in her seat, “But my big fear? One of my Striilii strings snapping and slicing my throat wide open!”

You see? Everyone has something that makes them ner-wait, is that a thing?
“Yea, hold up…” Mutters Volka in disbelief, “Does… is that common?”

The Spinner merely stares blankly into space… still smiling, but it’s a hollow look. Like a doll who’s seen far too much.

A-anyways, you continue while anxiously scratching your head, everyone has something that bothers them!

“Then why SHARE them!?” Scoffs Rezzie with a dismissive laugh! “Now I know all of your weaknesses! Fools!”

“And we know yours.” Counters TT, earning a glare that could melt steel! “But friends keep secrets safe, right?”

Yea, you nod, because that’s what friends do!

“They… look out for each other…” Muses Rezalith with a glimmer of comprehension in her eyes. “S-so…”

Yea?

>CONTD.