Threshold

While Joseph returned to working at the pub alone, Amy and Aniello were left to devise ways to train using their abilities on command. Initially, it simply consisted of them taking it in turns to throw tennis balls at each other in hopes of a spontaneous activation but it quickly came to be that neither of them were making any progress. So the stakes were raised in terms of density and size in the form of tennis balls being exchanged for rocks. The frequency of spontaneous activations did increase... along side bruises and cuts. But the long periods of time together did help with practising for the upcoming dance.

Joseph did seem rather anxious whenever the topic of the dance came up. Amy and Aniello did really know what was so great about the festival but Joseph knew it was the perfect place for a key experiment. During all the previous practise sessions he had kept Amy and Aniello apart as to not create any awkwardness between them. But hopeful during the festival they would eventually end up dancing together and he would be able to record anything happening between them. Maybe they were even more powerful as one?

"Arrgghh! This isn't helping anymore!" groaned Amy as she added yet another failed attempt to the long list that day. "I love the fact that I have an ability I can use, but it hate the fact that at the same time I CAN'T use it. What use am I to helping protect that void-engine if I can't reliably use the one thing that's useful!" Amy sat down grumbling and flopped onto her back.

"Come on Amy, don't be like that! The festival is in five days but only three of those days are days we can use since we still need to locate a place to get some formal clothing and it'll take us a few hours to get there." Aniello walked over to Amy and layed down beside her. Honestly, Aniello didn't really care about the festival. He just really liked spending time with Amy. For once in his life he had a friend who made him feel happy when they were around and helped him forget everything that he wanted to forget. So kind, so strong...

"... so pretty." whispered Aniello. In his peripheral vision he could Amy as she quickly turned her head in his direction and sat up. It took a few seconds of silence for Aniello to realise what he had said. He rolled away from Amy onto his front and pushed himself up onto his feet.

"What... did you... just say?" asked Amy slowly. She felt her face as it grew warm and she turned away.

"I didn't say anything!" replied Aniello hastily as he turned away too.

"Yeah, I doubt you'd say something like that at a time like this!"

"I'm going to... go... get a drink. Do you want anything? As in a drink! Do you want a drink as well?"

"Yes. I would like a drink... thank you for asking."

Aniello quickly scurried off to the pub to get a drink of both of them and made sure not to look back in case he'd spark a misunderstanding. Amy on the other hand turned to ask something but only caught a glimpse of Aniello through the trees. She smiled to herself. 'He thinks I'm pretty?'

Demitri thanked all the gods that Aniello finished that car crash of moment. If they had continued to be just as awkward for much longer he probably would've left the planet or even let Joseph capture him. But at least he got some valuable information out it. Now he just had to divide and conquer. Emotional turmoil just made this WAY too easy.