Happy Late Birthday Tomo~! <3 writers black is a butt but I hope you like this lol
After finding out that today was dedicated to the contestants, Ruby finds herself talking with Flower. As with everything involving the gem, things go silly and a new game is created to help ease the boredom.
Ruby was an odd case, everyone could agree on that but despite the somewhat questionable actions she sometimes made due to her habit of acting without thinking, she usually had her heart in the right place.
For now, there was no need for tests of strength or courage- X managed to convince 4 to let the contestants have a break, deciding to claim it as a “down day”; time for the contestants to have a genuine moment to bond- they figured that would be good for them. Everyone had gone off to do as they pleased after the announcement was given, everyone but Ruby. she hadn't really been paying attention, again, leaving her slightly confused. Everyone else seemed preoccupied, lost in conversations- all except for Flower, who was sitting away from most of the groups. It wasn't abnormal, the plant was usually off by herself, but Ruby was always happy to interrupt that second of solitude. With a bounce springing her step, she reached the other girl, calling out her name with a slight melody in her tone.
Flower turned to the source of her name, recognizing the voice almost immediately. She didn't know rather to sigh in annoyance or to welcome her but before she could make any sort of decision , Ruby was already at her side.
“Heyy Flower, I gotta question for ya!”
Welp- there goes her day. She turns over her shoulder, their eyes meeting.
“Why is everyone spread out? Did another challenge start?”
She just sighed, shaking her head.
“No. X and 4 are backing off for today - we can do whatever we want.”
She practically leaned back onto her palms, letting the sun beam across her petals. It always felt nice, the quiet warmth, maybe she could do a clothing line inspired by the feeling - people would buy that, that? After a beat Flower could still sense that the gem was hovering just above her, she had other friends -! Why was she so invested in talking to her?
“Ohh! Fun-! So- what do you want to do?”
She asked, bouncing on her toes a little. Flower rolled her eyes behind her lips- she would have liked to maybe work on her line or just sit in the sun but it looks like that wasn't happening. With a shrug, she turns back to the other girl, meeting her gaze.
“Well-! How about flower power?”
the gem only shook her head, wrinkling her nose (had she had one).
“I don't like that game - you always win!”
Flower only grinned, mostly out of pride. She was really good at that game, wasn't she? Ruby’s expression turned slightly curious, her head tilting as she stepped closer.
“I always wondered, How do you even do that?! I mean - you make it look so easy! Do you just -”
She reached out, fingers just barely grazing down the edge of her petal before a shriek cuts through the air, interrupting her sentence. The floret jolts, hand quickly moving to shield herself. A moment passed between the two, seconds ticking by before a knowing grin found its way into Ruby's face.
“Actually - I think I have a better game in mind.~”
Still with her hands pressing her petals tight to her head she attempts to back up, almost ending up on her back in the process but it's not enough to deter the other. With a mischievous grin, she approached, slowly, her hands starting to reach out in front of her.
“It’s called ‘The petal game’- I just made that up~!”
She says with a slight laugh to her voice before continuing on
“It's where I count your petals and you try not to move! Ready? Good!”
Flower had no time to protest before she was pounced on. Ruby found her petals with almost no trouble, fingertips gently pinching along the edges of the delicate velvet. Flower’s legs kicked out as she tried desperately to swallow the giggles already beginning to bubble in her throat. She shakes her head, tries batting at the offending fingers while trying to lean out of reach but Ruby just giggles, her actions getting her nowhere.
“Awh why~? Don’t cha wanna play?”
Her voice gives as her attacker strays closer to the base of her petals, cheeks flushing with a soft rose. She refuses to come undone this early- her hands fly to her mouth, cupping it as if trying to shove the inevitable laughter back to where it came from.
She chirps. Noticing the drastic change in her demeanor she migrates down, almost feathering along the top of her head. A yelp muffled by her hands was the only response Flower could muster - Ruby was annoyingly good at this sort of thing; finding the truth due to her being so curious.
“Oooh~ Flower… I believe you're losing.~”
She croons, fingers picking up pace just slightly, nails tracing up the middle of the silky pads. Flower was a stubborn soul, one to not give in so easily, most likely due to her pride. Ruby only found that as a challenge, a way to make the game longer. The gemstone glanced down, taking a beat before suddenly squeezing at her side, finally drawing a loud, literal “HA-” pushing past her hands as her body jerked, trying desperately to avoid the skittering at her ribs.
“RuBY! You were supposed to say around my P-Pehe- petals!”
She only chuckles, pulling her closer without stopping either pair of fingers, determined. They had all the time in the world after all.~
“You don't have a problem with that, do you? I mean- It's kinda hard to reach them- especially the ones at the very top,”
She taunts, fingertips ghosting at the tips of her top petals before trailing back down to the ones near her neck, making her snort softly.
“So I figured that I deserve to rest at least one of my hands~! Besides- you're basically already giggling.~”
She pushed away at the jewel, unconsciously opening herself more for the attack. Ruby, classic Ruby, seized her moment. Both hands dashed to her sides, squashing and screeching with delicate pressure while simultaneously pulling her down into her lap. Without a moment of hesitation she inhaled before nuzzling against her prisoner’s freckled cheek and blowing.
The dam burst, chest quacking laughter mixed with high pitched squeals had the poor thing dubbing over, only making it easier for Ruby to pinpoint the places that really made her go berzerk. Ruby pulled away for just a moment, long enough to cheer at her hard earned victory.
“AHA! Gotcha now, buddy- looks like you have to suffer the consequences of losing~!”
Her words were quick, almost proud before the raspberries continued, trailing along the outline of her face, flowing its natural shapes. With breaks in between each, as Ruby named them, “Rounds” their little game went on until the sun started to set. Ruby had finally found a game she could beat Flower at and she planned on savoring the accomplishment. She knew flower would seek revenge, but at this moment, she could care less. she would have to remember this one, for future references.
