STAB2 Round 03 -- Intermission -- 02

Audition
Round o1
Round o2

Part o1: [link]
Part o2 YOU ARE HERE!
Part o3: [link]
Part o4: [link]

VV Accompanying story VV

"How's your progress coming along?"

The voice startled her to her feet. Prior, Rika had been resting on a rock, admiring the natural beauty of her surroundings while plotting her next move. Her gaze hardened competitively as it settled on her friend - she was sure nobody had been where he was standing just a moment ago. His shadow-like tendencies had never grown on her. Nevertheless, hardly eager to betray her unease and more than happy to flaunt her confidence, she smirked.

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

She got a calculating stare in return for her answer. Tch. Let him squirm a little. With a yawn, she stretched skyward. Then, pinning her most disarming smile on him, she stepped forward and tapped him on the chest.

"How 'bout you, big guy?"

Much to her surprise, where she'd been expecting an answer equally reserved, he was uncharacteristically straightforward. With a nonplussed shrug and a frustrated sigh, he shook his head.

"I've yet to meet a single other trainer in this jungle. Either my luck is really bad or they're in hiding, who knows?"

Odds were, Rika did not know the meaning of a 'poker face.' At the news, lively blue eyes brightly lit up with the fires of triumph on the horizon. Then, in afterthought, her blazing spirit was dampened by a mist of disappointment. Brows knit in consternation.

"That can't be right. You're not even trying, are you?"

Mathew shrugged helplessly, affecting hurt. "You think so lowly of me? Really and truly, Rika?"

The effect was immediate. Regret assailed her. She shrank back, contrite. "Ah, no... I'm sure you're doing your best." She managed a weak smile of apology.

"Never less," Mathew retorted curtly, peevishly shoving his hands into his pockets. "In any case, I was thinking of something that could maybe spice this little competition up a bit. What would you say to doubling the prize?"

"W-what?! But... Is that really fair?" Inwardly, Rika was cackling. Her friend had finally gone nuts, but it would be to her benefit. At last, she could pay him back for the occasional humiliation suffered at the tail end of games like these. This time, she would be the assured victor and O, the ideas she already had for what she would ask him to do... "Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure." Scowling, Mathew readjusted his orange-tinted sunglasses. "I don't play around. You know that. So do we have a deal?"

A quick handshake sealed the affair. Rika could hardly contain her enthusiasm. She only barely stifled her shaking until her friend was well out of sight. There was still a little bit of time before they had to return to the ship, thus ending the game; surely, it wouldn't be near enough for Mathew to catch up.

And so, she was now in prime position to win not only one request, but two.

The thrill of winning was overwhelming; only fleetingly did it occur to Rika that something might be afoot.

---

Cameos abound! Will update later with who's who, but in the meantime you know who you are o_o

Audition
Round o1
Round o2

Part o1: [link]
Part o2 YOU ARE HERE!
Part o3: [link]
Part o4: [link]