Chapter 7

In Hana's room….

The all too familiar sound of Hana's alarm clock rang throughout her room as she continued to lay in bed, only once it's volume began to pierce the ears of the girl did she sit up to shut it off. As she sat in bed she started to reflect on last night's events. She said she loved me, yet she only just learned what love even is just recently. She had to have meant as a friend right? The way she would love Lena or Angela. But she sounded so sincere, like she wouldn't say that to anyone else, only me. How do I respond to all this? Human-Omnic relationships are generally accepted now, I won't be an outcast. I have subconsciously checked her out a little, is that my mind's way of being into her? Damn this is confusing… Deciding it was best to so thinking about it, she stood up to go and get some breakfast but was stopped by the pain in her leg. Oh yeah, that's right. My leg is screwed up. She was about to call Angela and ask her to bring some more painkillers when she noticed that there was already a bottle of them on her nightstand. She leaned over and noticed an attached note, she immediately recognized Valkyr's writing.

"These might help start your morning." Smiling, Hana took two and began to dress for the day. Once dressed, she went to the lounge to find her friends but when she got there nobody was to be found. She wandered the many halls of the HQ, not finding a single soul no matter where she went. The science labs were empty, the med bay was silent, the barracks suffered the same fate. Did I miss something? Is there a mission? Are they on vacation and forgot me? Hana's phone began buzzing in her pocket, she pulled it out and saw an incoming call from Lena, she pressed answer and held the device to her ear. "Hello? Lena? Where is everyone?"

"Hey! Most of us went into town, probably gonna be gone most of the day. Although, there is a certain Frame that stayed back. And I'm sure she'd like to see yooouuuuu!" The way Lena was speaking sounded suspicious, as if she knew this was going to happen.

"Oh? Where might she be then?"

"Probably in her room, she might be sleeping though, knock first!"

"Alright, well as you later then." Hanging up the phone, Hana couldn't help but feel as if this was planned, everyone out in town at once? There was no way that's a coincidence. But, if Valkyr wanted to see Hana, she would happily go see her, she's been really nice and fun, plus Hana needed more time with her to ponder this whole love thing…

Once Hana arrived at Valkyr's door, she gently knocked and shortly after Valkyr emerged from the room. "Hello Hana, I was thinking, since everyone is gone, why don't we just stay in the lounge for a bit?"

"Sure! Let's go!" The pair went down to the lounge and upon arrival, Hana simply collapsed onto the couch. "Ugh. Today feels like a 'do absolutely nothing productive' kinda day. Don't you think?"

"Yes I agree with you on that. I really don't feel like doing much today either. That's why I brought these." Hana only just noticed that Valkyr had a backpack with her, she put it on the ground and began to take out it's contents. She packed blankets, movies, video games, various soft drinks, tons of different potato chips and dip, and a small bag of chocolates. "I know you like playing video games, watching movies and relaxing, so I thought I'd get Lena to help me get some snacks and some entertainment and we could enjoy a day together."

Hana stood up and wandered to the pile of stuff that came from Valkyr's bag. "Was it Lena's idea to get everyone out of HQ?" Valkyr looked down to the ground and slowly nodded her head. "Well I'll have to thank her, is not every day I get to spend all day relaxing with someone special." Hana poked Valkyr in the chest for emphasis. "Let's start relaxing!" Grabbing the blankets, she went over to the couch and sat on the end, gesturing for Valkyr to sit beside her. Nodding, Valkyr put the movies next to the couch and sat next to Hana.

"So what do we watch first?"

Later….

"I told you the monster wasn't gonna last long, they're weapons are too good."

"Certainly made the movie more boring this way." The two protagonists of the movie had finished off the monster that emerged from the depths of the ocean, saving not only the city, but the world. It was the fourth movie in a row that they had watched together. Valkyr sat very close to Hana, both wrapped in layers of blankets, and had empty bottles and plastic bags littered across the floor. The sky was darkening as the time flew by, but neither seemed to notice.

"I'm willing to bet that the movie's just gonna end with them making out and then rolling credits." The two protagonists laid down their weapons as they moved closer to eachother, inching closer and closer to the embrace of their companion, until finally their lips had connected, and the credits rolled. "Told ya, this movie wasn't very original. What do wanna do next?... Valkyr?" Valkyr's head jumped up at the mention of her name.

"Sorry, I was just lost in thought there what were you saying?"

"What were you thinking about?"

"Well, last night actually." Hana began to worry, she knew this conversation was going to happen at some point, but she still wasn't ready.

"What about last night exactly..?"

"Near the end of it."

"Oh.. That part.."

"Have you thought about it?"

"I don't think it's left my mind since I started thinking about it." The silence grew tense, neither of them knew what to say to lighten the mood or even advance the current conversation. "I'll cut you a deal. I haven't got an answer for you yet. But if you can beat me best two out of three in Crossroad Brawler then you can get a free date with me."

"And if you beat me?"

"Then I get some more time to think about all this. We got a deal?"

"You're on." Valkyr stood up and grabbed two controllers and prepared for the battle. The first Hana started by playing extremely aggressive, never letting Valkyr land a hit, resulting in a perfect round. Valkyr straightened up and leaned in closer to the TV. Once the second round began, Valkyr successfully blocked Hana's first barrage of punches and swiftly countered with combos of her own. Hana regained footing and brought her opponent down to her level, only to get cocky, and miss a vital hit, resulting in her loss. However round three was a surefire win for Hana, she had acquired enough charge for her supermove, which would surely give her the odds she needs. The round began, both sides traded hits and brought eachother down to about half health.

Now's my chance! Hana used her supermove and her character began charging towards Valkyr's, ready to end this. Hana's character unleashed a torrent of punches, only milliseconds between each thrown, Hana began to lean back and taste victory until she noticed something odd.

Valkyr wasn't taking any damage.

She refocused on the screen and saw that Valkyr was blocking every single blow. She was fast, and accurate, by the end of the move, not a single punch had actually landed. In the midst of her shock, Valkyr released her own supermove. Hana was wide open, and was forced to watch her health drain to zero as her character was pummeled into the ground. The screen flashed Player 2 Wins, as it dawned on Hana. She lost. She's got a date now. She looked over to Valkyr to see her sitting triumphantly with her arms crossed. "Well… You're lucky I went easy on you! I just didn't expect you to be that good.."

"Well, I suppose you really regret that then?"

"Well it's not that I really don't wanna go on a date I just wanted-"

"I understand, Hana. However you do owe me a date now."

"Yeah, a deal is a deal. This Saturday, get me at eight, you can choose what we do that day."

"Perfect. Until then," Valkyr picked her controller back up. " I believe I could beat got a couple more times."

"You. Can. Try."