What do you mean Nilah? Test what?

  Nilah conveyed an idea. It involved me fighting Giana.

  But I already did that. How is it testing anything?

  Oh, I was wrong it wasn’t me fighting Giana it was someone else fighting her.

  I don’t get it? Fight who?

  Nilah conveyed a memory of when I dropped Inna in an illusion.

  Oh… that. I completely forgot about that. But don’t Yv and Noelle need it too?

  Nilah agreed that Yv needed it. She sent more memories about when Noelle and I destroyed Stalker city. It seems that Noelle had already proven herself in Nilah’s eyes.

  If that’s what you want, why do you keep attacking Giana?

  A feeling of sadism came in.

  You just felt like it… you’re a fox too. Not surprising.

  I looked up and Giana seemed to have plugged her ears, probably to give us privacy. How nice of her but that was necessary. I tossed a banana at her, which she caught.

  Thank you for the consideration, but it wasn’t needed. I know why Nilah acts like this. Mainly because she feels like it, but also because of a test I did on an elf that wanted to join us. I completely forgot about it.

  “What sort of test was it?”

  Nilah was still hostile toward Giana. I wish they could just get along.

  I showed her an illusion which had dropped her in a dire situation Greg, Raishin and I had found ourselves. She got inserted as if she were there with us when it happened. She… was useless, to put it bluntly. Her presence would have made things worse for us.

  Giana looked at her hands. “I…that makes a lot of sense. If I can’t stand next to you in situations like those, what is my use?”

  Nilah agreed.

  Nilah! That’s rude! And you have uses besides that…

  Nilah tackled me.

  Oh, you want to fight Nilah? Who here has the dimensional pocket with tasty treats?

  Nilah behaved… for now. I seem to be taming a lot of living beings lately. Giana seemed to have put herself in an illusion. Probably simulating dangerous situations. Wasn’t the spirit stalker situation enough? Maybe it wasn’t stressful enough for Giana but for Noelle.

  Noelle did see her best friend ‘die’ in front of her and didn’t crumble, might be her personality. The problem is Giana, as long as nobody dies, she can salvage the situation. If she knows that she should be fine but… it might place an emotional burden on her.

  Nilah might be right. Giana could be the best healer in the world, but if a situation like that paralyzes her, we’re screwed. I don’t want to, but I have to be harsh for these conditions. I know what to give Giana, but what do I give Yv? I could put her in the place of Noelle during the spirit stalker attack. But she knows about that situation.

  Or! I can drop her in a perilous situation with Greg. It will also test Greg. Someplace with water and fire. How about the encounter and the events that led up to fighting that demi god with Toxic Donkey and Thalia. Greg should have an easy time against him, but they first have to get there through the water and then the magma chamber. Perfect!

  Deca? I’m sorry, but I’m going to be rough on you.

  “I… I’m also curious on if I have what it takes… how long do I have?”

  Oh, not now! We’re gonna finish up here in Mishaspire, take a break and then do the test. Noelle has already passed according to Nilah so it’s just you and Yv. You heard that right, Yv?

  I heard an affirmative from the kitchen. It surely is convenient to have team members with good ears.

  Nilah had been with me through most of my most difficult moments. She would instantly notice If I go easy on them. Just like when I dropped them into Mishaspire and trusted them, so do I have to trust them to be able to deal with this.

  The only problem is… they’re already quite protective, it will just increase after they experience what I’ve been through…

  A grumpy Greg disguised as Gerda appeared from the kitchen.

  What did I hear from Yvonne? You’re going to test them? Isn’t that a bit too late? And did you have to freeze me?

  I froze you for reasons, and better test them late than getting them killed.

  Very well. I need to find out what changed, since I don’t have those curses anymore. I will also have to return the literature.

  Gerda grabbed her head.

  Why did I not start any research… what was I thinking. Could you give me a week?

  Sure go sort that rockhead of yours!

  Gerda picked up her hat and left. He didn’t seem to have thanked Yv or glanced at her. Surely this will fix itself, right?

  I think I’ll go home… you can stay with Yv if you want.

  Giana shook her head and got up. “No, I’ll come too. Do you want to stay here, go home or visit us Yv?”

  “Do you mind if I come over? I haven’t visited your home yet.”

  I don’t mind. I just need to think for a bit.

  The Misha disguises returned and we went home.

  Few words were exchanged during the walk back but I noticed that Yv seemed extremely bothered. She was extremely unfocused and the frequency of her tripping and falling over increased drastically.

  This is partially my fault, want me to carry you on my back?

  Yv didn't respond instantly, as she seemed conflicted.

  “Come on Silk, we don't want to see you open up your face on the floor, just hop on Minerva’s back.”

  We continued after she complied. I could feel her shaking. She might not feel well… What did Greg do?

  Giana used [Foxfire: Fireball], unlocked our door and let us in. Yv’s disguise was the only one that didn't lift.

  “Your… your disguises?! How?”

  It automatically lifts when we're safe, it wouldn't lift if you were a stranger. Want me to turn you back too so that you won't trip?

  “Yes please… Silk is a pretty woman, but I hate her…”

  Oh… sorry. I'll do a better job next time.

  I put her down and lifted her disguise.

  “It's not your fault… you did a great job…”

  Yv sat down, got her ears out and covered her face with her ears.

  Is she… Do I need to leave you two alone?

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  “No Agnis! I…I want you to hear this, too. Just… give me a moment.”

  Yv's voice still sounded the same but… different. Not quite like Giana, but it conveyed sadness.

  I keep forgetting that they're idols and have great control over their voice. Her voice wasn't shaking or has strange tones due to emotional stress. I had no idea what to do, so I did the best I could. I gently picked her up with my tail and placed her on the failed couch, made out of my fur. The softness might calm her down.

  “That was very nice of you Deca. We're here for you, Yv, take your time.”

  Yv still had her face covered with her ears, but she was clearly crying right now. I felt very uncomfortable as I didn't know what to do, even though the situation was familiar to when Elliana cried. “He told me that he didn't think of me or Noelle, and Giana as allies. That we forced our way into the group without consent…”

  Greg is correct on the last part, but does that matter? He likes his rules, though, but why does it bother him now? He seemed fine with it at the start. Or did he pretend? Why am I such a shit friend and don't know what he's thinking…

  I'm sorry Yv, this is my fault. I did a shitty job in making sure that the addition of you 3 was smooth.

  Yv stopped crying, and the ears stopped covering her face. She seemed…angry? “Don't say that it's your fault! I'm not blind! You did what you could, even though you were against it too! Not everything is your fault, just because you're the leader.”

  Well that certainly surprised me…

  “Ugh… I will at least, thank you. I don't feel sad anymore, now I just feel like venting!”

  Would saying something now be appropriate? What should I say? I looked at Giana for help.

  “It's ok Yv, you can vent. Deca, you might already know this, but 4t have different auras, it's just… they tend to only switch between 2. I don't know why…”

  Yv calmed down a bit. “I'm sorry for my outburst… For me…I stick to 2 because it's hard to connect with people if I change constantly…”

  Yv, it's fine… You can vent.

  “No… I'm fine now… thank you for listening.”

  I glanced at Giana, who sighed and shook her head. “Yv, you're in the house of 2 9t, you would need to try way harder to convince us.”

  Hey, doesn't this seem wrong? Now it feels like we're preying on her. A rabbit trapped in a fox den…

  “I…I trust you 2! I just hope… you're not hungry right, Agnis?”

  Giana got up and ‘ran’ to the kitchen.

  “Huh? When did Giana get so fast?”

  Fast was an overstatement. Walking was still faster for Giana…

  Hey Yv… is she cursed?

  “It looks like it, but… no.” Most traces of Yv’s sadness or anger had vanished. We just observed how Giana was ‘running’ to the kitchen. “How is her cooking coming along?”

  Yv, are you sure that you don't want to talk more about what made you cry and angry moments ago?

  “I do but… I came here, knowing that you two would be able to cheer me up somehow. I feel a bit better.”

  The clanging of pots indicated that Giana made it to the kitchen.

  3 minutes to reach the kitchen, a new record.

  “So about her cooking…”

  I tried to remind her to stick to the basics, but she's hellbent on impressing me, which… Do you like Misha potions?

  “No…”

  That's where it's at…

  “I heard that Deca! This one will be different! Just don't eat Yv! I will make it fast!”

  Fast she said… I waited 3 hours, the last time she said that.

  Yv’s mood seemed to have improved, as she was laughing and smiling. It's good that we could cheer her up, but she must be still hurting inside.

  Hey Yv… what would be the best solution socially? Taking food out of my dimensional pocket or waiting till she is done. I'm getting hungry, and you're starting to look tasty…

  “Giana! Hurry up! Uhm… just eat something. I will help you deal with Giana. I can't do that if I’m digesting in your stomach.”

  Makes sense. Want some pasta?

  “Sure!”

  “Deca! You're so in trouble!”

  I'm counting on you, Yv.

  Yv and I had a nice meal andwe didn't exchange many words.

  I got hungry again by the time Giana finished and we ate again. Yv and I were struggling to keep our faces straight. The presentation of the food was immaculate, but the taste didn't reflect that. It did taste slightly better than Misha potions, so she had improved but…

  “I…I don't feel so good…” Yv said as her face got a strange color.

  Any heals?

  “Don't be silly, I didn't poison the food.”

  It would be rude to say that it would have made more sense if she did poison it. I applied nature energy to Yv as that was the best I could do. Her complexion improved and she pushed her plate aside. “I'm full.”

  “So? What do you think?” Giana asked.

  Do you want the socially appropriate answer or the toxic answer?

  “Toxic answer please.” Giana said with a dangerous pink glint in her eyes.

  The presentation is impressive, but the food is as toxic as you.

  “That is not a toxic answer, Deca, that’s a compliment!”

  “I’m sorry Agnis, I don't think I can help you with this. I have never seen so much pink before…” Yv said while still doing her best to keep the food inside.

  Giana got closer and her pink highlights became more pronounced.

  Hey wait! Stop! Yv is here!

  “She can watch or even join in!”

  And that's a good idea, why exactly?

  Giana got closer, and her charm disappeared as she grabbed my arm. “Gotcha!”

  She looked over at Yv who seemed freaked out and had completely forgotten about her problems.

  I see, crafty vixen. Please stick to the basics of cooking. I care more about the taste than how it looks.

  “Ok, I will keep that in mind. Yv needs a lot of distractions when she's sad. Let's keep up the silliness and eccentricity, she might have to sleep over.”

  What a good friend. Let's have some ice cream to wash the toxins away!

  I got hit by a headlock. “And what exactly do you mean with that?”

  Uhhm spicy! Yes spicy! Ice cream works great against spicy!

  The ‘0 damage’ headlock turned into a ‘1 damage’ headlock. “I didn't cook anything spicy! Try again!”

  Pass?

  “This isn't a game! You can't pass on questions like this!”

  Oh I can! Look at me not answering your question!

  We kept being eccentric and silly till it was time to sleep. The idols shared a bed, to Giana’s protest.

  She wanted both of them to sleep in my tails. Not going to happen. They need girl time, which they haven't had since we came home. I notified Raishin that Yv wouldn't come home, and he said it was fine as he wasn't home either.

  I was lying on my back and had finally time to think. It was a rare occasion, so I took Nilah out. Nilah would normally attack Giana, but she wasn't here now.

  The test I will make is going to be brutal, and it might cause Yv to cry like she did today. It might do the same to Giana. Only if they fail, that is. Am I ready for that situation? I will have no idea what to say, as usual.

  This is the worst case scenario, but its going to hit hard if I'm unprepared. Yv’s test will be fine if she succeeds, but Giana…

  Is the test I cooked up for her the right choice? It did traumatize me after all…