“Look out below!”

This was the cue for a certain golden-ringed Deino to try and avoid water filled balloons from falling on her head. She did so (as best she could anyway, which meant she emerged a bit damp), and then waited for more instructions. However, Maple was already done playing that game. Her interest always hopped along many games and subjects; she never had time to stay in one place and do one thing, she was always on the move and thinking up more plans on how to conquer boredom. Sandy helped Maple a lot in these childish endeavors. It distracted them both from the more upsetting things in life.

Sandy heard Maple’s tiny, yet rapid, footsteps creaking the new ramp that their upgraded treehouse had received. Before the ramp had been installed, Sandy never got a chance to check out the Rescuers’ HQ. Now, it was something like a second home. Or maybe it was becoming closer to a primary home, to Sandy’s lament.

“All right I don’t really feel like playin’ that one anymore. Got any ideas? Maybe we should practice our band again... hmm I dunno.” Maple was often in the habit of having most of a conversation with herself before Sandy could interject. Not that Sandy minded much at all; listening to others was usually enough fun for her. Today, however, she was lost in thought, and Maple was apparently just observant enough to catch on.

She startled Sandy with a tiny poke on the nose from a single claw. “Ya there? Maple to Sandy! Maple to Sandy! C’mon!”

“I’m here.”

“Kay, so what’s up?” Maple asked. Slightly suspicious.

“What... do you mean? What game are we playing next?”

“Oh, y’know...” Maple paused. She resumed, speaking in a ridiculously honey-coated voice, “how about ‘Truth or Dare’? I learnt this one from my momma, but I ain’t never really gotten to play it with anyone besides Mike, and I already know all his secrets, so...”

Sandy had never heard of this game before. Actually, she hadn’t heard of most any games before leaving the castle and stumbling upon her friendship with Maple. “How’s it go?”

“Well, it’s pretty easy. No runnin around like a Torchic with yer head cut off or anything... not unless I dare you to anyway. Basically I say truth or dare and then you pick one!” Maple sounded immensely delighted with herself.

“And then what?”

“Oh, then I tell you something based on what you pick. See? Real easy!”

Sandy was a little more assured. “Okay. I think I can play that.”

“Sweet! Kay, uh, truth or dare!”

“Truth.”

Sandy couldn’t see it, but Maple smiled. “What’s gotten you acting so funny?!”

“Nothing!” Not much interested in being interrogated, Sandy took a couple steps back and tilted her head away from Maple. She decided she might go find something to busy herself with if this kept up.

“Oh you little LIAR! That’s not how you play truth or dare! You’re supposed to tell the truth! It’s in the name of the GAME, Sandy!” But Sandy was already trotting back to the hut across Tao, and Maple’s words were lost. “SANDY!”

=====

Part 26 of "The Dates"

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