Cynthia: Gee, it's been a lllooonnnggg time.

Dinovolt: Finally! I am mentioned!

Dinoval: ... It is just the title...

Some time (and one terrorizing elevator ride) later; Satoshi and I sit at a patio table overlooking a commanding view of downtown Merriton. I had opted for outdoor seating, given the current state of my clothes.

An overly cheerful teenage waitress sets a steaming cup on a saucer in front of Satoshi. "Here you are, sir!" she grins at him enthusiastically. She turns to me with a frown. "Do you need anything else?" she asks less than ecstatically.

"No, thanks," I reply with forced etiquette. I wait for her to return inside before growling, "I told you I'm in no condition to be at this nice of a place." I huff and continue, "and, is it just me, or do all the girls fall head-over-heels for you?"

Satoshi shrugs nonchalantly and swirls honey into his steaming water, a technique Dinoval had learned from me and had shown to him.

"… Are you trying to make me turn into her?!" I blurt accidently.

Satoshi stops stirring, stunned.

The waitress must have overheard my outcry, because she hurriedly prances over to our table. "Is this… girl… bothering you…?" she asks Satoshi sweetly. Her tone of voice ignites fury within me.

"I'm sorry," I growl through clinched teeth as I strain to fight back Dinovolt's influence, "what did you call me?"

Satoshi perceives the warring in my eyes and turns to the waitress; unadulterated cold hatred in his eyes. "Would you leave us, please?" he requests warningly.

The waitress seems hurt as she hurries away silently.

Dinovolt recedes into my mind than I let myself fall limp onto the table and gasp for air like a drowning man. Luckily, Satoshi and I are the only people sitting outside. I feel Satoshi delicately set his hand on my back.

"Are you alright?" he asks sympathetically.

"… Y-yes," I shudder as I sit up, "she didn't hurt me."

Satoshi smiles in relief, "That's good."

I explain how Dinovolt treats me. How if I die, well, there goes everyone else residing within my body as well; the main reason Dinovolt doesn't destroy me without delay. I also explain how she is strangely protective of me yet doesn't mind if she has to give me nonfatal injuries to get something she desires; reminiscent of Krad, somewhat.

Satoshi nods solemnly when I finish. "You sound close to the F-ainians," he points out, 'does that mean you can use thought-speak?'

'Yes,' I reply, 'but I cannot project my voice like Dinoval can. Also, I can only speak to those she has Crossfused with… so just Chaud and you, I think.'

Satoshi smirks, 'so that means we've Crossfused together…'

"Umm," I just realized how… peculiar… that sounds, 'yeah… I guess so…' I quickly change the topic, 'sooo, do you still have the white wings?'

Satoshi pauses, '… I haven't had an inclination to find out.' He sips his drink and glances out of the corner of his eye into the building, 'she is still watching us. Perhaps we should leave.'

I realize he is trying to drop the conversation. 'Sure,' I agree and stand up.

"Come," Satoshi commands me coolly as he takes my arm and leads me back inside.

Solstice: Explain your absence.

Cynthia: Well, I discovered Sword Art Online...

Solstice: No excuse!

Cynthia: Well I'm sorry life tried to kill me afterwards! Speeches, finals, projects! And I spent every free moment on this!

Solstice: Well you better post a Krad ton of chapters then.

Cynthia: Fine! Fine!

Dinoval: We have a non-fanfiction book in need of adoption. Check out our profile for more information on Stranded!