"Xylo, why are we over here at the cabins? I thought we were going to the dining hall for Popsicles?" Mario followed his friend through the camp, absentmindedly tossing his staff from one hand to the other. Light sparks scorched his palms with each toss, a small jolt that woke him up to the touch.

Xylo chuckled, continuing to jump about shortcuts between buildings, occasionally turning back to face Mario. Somehow not barreling into anything as he walked backwards. "You'll get your Popsicle, don't worry. I just need to do something that requires you."

"Which is?"

"Uh, you'll see. It's sort of a thank you. You know, for being there for me at the sparring match with Brick."

Mario smiled. The sparring had gone reasonably well, all things considered. Bryan's fleeting and annoyingly vague comments were still poking at his mind though. "It's no problem. Hey I even held out longer than I thought I would, especially against that Hermes kid."

"Oh Ritchie's brother? Yeah he's pretty fast with that magic of his." Xylo suddenly stopped and Mario skidded in his tracks, avoiding slamming right into him. "We're here!"

He side-stepped around him and immediately recognized the cabin they loitered in front of. "Why are we at Kaykrae's cabin?"

Instead of answering, Xylo stepped forward and knocked on the porch steps. "Hey snake lady, you here?"

There was a shuffling noise from inside before the doors swung open. Behind Kaykrae, her room looked in perfect order, but something about it made Mario feel uneasy. "Oh hey Xylo, hey Mario." She slithered out and joined them on the path. "What is it?"

"We just wanted to come and see how you were doing, still healing alright." Xylo rocked back and forth on his heels. "Seen any rats lately?"

Kaykrae raised an eyebrow at him and smirked. "No I have not actually. Have you?"

"None at all, though I've heard they're delicious to eat." He suddenly clapped his hands together, a mischievous glint in his eyes that almost sent Mario running. "Speaking of which! Mario, are you free for dinner tonight?"

"I guess so. I could use the downtime and to be honest I'm starving after all that fighting."

"What about you, Kaykrae? You free?"

"I don't have anything planned so I suppose so, yes."

"Great! Because I'm not!"

Every joint in Mario's body locked up. "Wait. What-"

"Have fun on your date you two!" Xylo gave them both a thumbs up and booked it. He didn't make it far, obviously darting behind a tree in full view of his two friends, crouching down to horrendously blend into the bark. Every purple apparel on him stood out amongst the forest green grass surrounding him.

The now frozen Mario stared after him, gaping. "Did-did he just," he let out a nervous laugh, "ask us out f-for each other?"

"I think he did," Kay answered, drawing out her words carefully. Her face turned red and he could feel his own face burning up. He didn't even know cold-blooded creatures could blush. "Uh, soooo...do you want to?"

"Do I want to..go o-on...a date w-with you?" Mario stuttered out. His tongue dried up and he could hear his heart racing in his ribcage. He tried flexing his hands, but couldn't even feel those. He internally groaned; it was the ball all over again.

She looked away and he inwardly started to panic. Was that the wrong thing to say? Should he have just said yes? Did she want him to say yes? "I mean, yeah. It should be fun," she said, shrugging slightly.

Oh gods, oh gods. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Xylo poking his head out from his hiding spot, waving his arms forward. He reminded Mario of his mother, giving him just enough courage to choke out some words. "I-I would l-love to."

Her eyes glistened and Mario had to lock his knees to keep him from keeling over. "Great! I'll see you then?"

He swallowed the lump in his throat and perked up. "Y-yes! See you then, yes."

Kaykrae gave him a small smile before turning to go back into her cabin. As soon as the doors closed, Mario's legs finally gave out beneath him and stumbled back against the remains of the cabin behind him. Holding a hand over his heart, he tried to catch his breath. His heart was beating way too fast, was he having a heart attack? Was he going to have a stroke over agreeing to a date?

He preferred his own father striking him down right then and there.

"Hey! You did it!" Xylo walked up, clapping him on the shoulder. "See I knew you could do it, just need a little push."

"Little push? That was shoving me into the deep end with Eternity out."

"Ah well," Xylo shrugged off his impending breakdown, "you survived, didn't you?"

"I think I'm gonna pass out."

"Oookay, let's get you back to your cabin eh?" Xylo helped him stand firm on his feet, manually turning him in the direction of his own cabin. "You should get some rest before your date."

Mario's heart jumped right back up his throat. "Oh gods."