Chapter 36: Sig & Jaan: Armed Unit by warelander
Friday afternoon, perhaps the most exciting time of the week for any student. With school being over and the mountains of homework felled, the teens of Primp High were free to enjoy their free time.
Such is the case with Sig and Jaan.
Those two true blue buddies sat on the couch of Sig's living room, passing their afternoon with a relaxed game session.
Or game assistance session, so to speak.
''Rescue is for more than rescues?'' Sig asked, confused.
''Try picking up the armored unit with one of your mounted ones.'' Jaan instructed Sig, who in turn, was still confused.
''But he's at full HP.''
''Yep, but you can taxi him forward and drop him with another unit.''
Sig listened to his friends' advice, slowly letting Jaan guide him through every button press, which she did with a patient smile.
The option to pick up and drop the armor unit came up and it was time to pick the tile to drop it on. Jaan had to hold back a chuckle at seeing the subtle amazement in Sig's face, having his slowest unit brought forward at such a pace.
''Impressed?'' She asked in a light-hearted manner. Sig gave a non-verbal yes.
''So this is how Lag does it.'' He deduced from what he just learned.
''Think you're ready to take on the next chapter?''
''Later. Hungry. You want something too?'' Jaan nodded and the two got off the couch, which was only a couple steps away from the kitchen door.
Sig motioned for Jaan to sit down at the kitchen table while he went to the fridge. He took two fresh subs out of the fridge and placed them on the table.
''I asked mom to pick some up for today.''
''Somehow that doesn't surprise me.'' Jaan said with a grin, before taking a bite out of her sub.
The two sat there for a bit, quietly enjoying their lunch. Sig's mother was out for a spontaneous late shift, so everything around the inside of the house was perfectly quiet.
''Gotta say Sig, you learn better than you give yourself credit for,'' Jaan complimented her friend on his performance.
''Been going well.'' Sig responded, flat, but meaning it. Jaan understood it.
''Really has. You learned it yourself and didn't just wish for it or something.''
That last part caught Sig's attention. He hadn't thought about that for quite some time.
Maybe he should ask for that, it could be worth a try he thought to himself.
''Uhm, Jaan?'' He sheepishly opened this conversation up.
''Hm?'' Jaan tilted her head, curious what he wanted to ask.
''Do you have enough magic for a wish?''
In mere seconds, the genie's face lit up in excitement, this was not something she expected to hear.
'It's not like you to ask me that! Usually I ask you!''
Excitedly, she stood up from her chair, instead of sitting down on the one next to Sig, excitedly pumping her fists in a giddy manner.
''So what will it be?!''
The bug enthusiast's non-expressive face turned more insecure, visibly unsure how to go about this. Without another word, he merely raised his right arm.
Jaan's own face fell upon seeing this. Of all the things he could have wished for, it had to be that.
''Sig...maybe something else? It hasn't worked before.'' She told him sympathetically, trying to turn his request down as gently as she could.
''Maybe it will this time.'' Sig insisted, practically pleading with his friend to go through with it.
With a sigh, Jaan went through with it, placing her hands on his arm and concentrating all of her magic to make an attempt. The red arm was covered in a flash of light.
It was the same. Just as last time. No effect.
The teen boy looked over to his arm, his disappointment undeniable with how he was looking at it. The young genie herself predicted this but hoped that just maybe that things would be different this time.
''Hey, it's not that bad. I think your arm is super cool.'' Jaan tried to comfort him in earnest. She really did think so.
Sig's expression didn't shift, his eyes remained locked on his arm, staring at it as if he was hoping to find answers to something.
Seeing him like that was always rough, though Jaan already had experience with pepping the spacey lad up again. She moved her chair closer to his, enough that they sat side by side. Gently, she put an arm around his shoulders, hoping to make him feel more at ease this way. Sig took note of this and directed his attention towards her, instead of his red appendage.
The two leaned next to each other, their heads touching.
''I know it feels weird for you. All of the sudden it got like this and you don't know why, but Sig…'' She paused, moving her head slightly away so the two could look each other in the eyes.
''Even if your arm is changed, you are still you and me, Lagnus, Marvett, Hilda, and everyone all like you how you are.'' She comforted him, speaking slowly and warmly.
Sig did drop his frown, turning it upside down.
''Thanks, Jaan. I just think of it sometimes.'' He admitted.
''Understandable. Anything in particular that made you think of it?'' She asked him.
''Nah, it just happened.''
''Gotcha. Anyone that mocks you for it will have to deal with an avalanche of pranks anyways!'' The genie proudly declared with a grin, even Sig had to smirk at her sheer enthusiasm at the thought.
The two remained there, quiet, but comfortably close to each other, letting the air around them ease up again.
It was at that moment that the clock in the kitchen turned to 17 o'clock, which did not go unnoticed by Jaan.
''Oh man, it's getting late. We still have time for the chapter if we hurry now.''
''Okay.'' Sig agreed, grabbing what was left of his sub and making his way back to the couch with his friend.
Despite some rushing, things went by as casually as they did from the start. Sig could always count on Jaan to defuse any awkward moment quickly…
Authors' Notes:
HUSK: They're playing a Shining Force good. They're good. You should play them.