Chapter Text
“Hey Bortz, how did you get so good at making people go away? Teach me!”
Bortz couldn’t find a shred of sarcasm on Phos’ face.
They crossed their arms and glared. “Why do you want to know, three-point-five?”
“SEE! How do you do that!? I really wanted to stop talking to you after you said that!” Like a scientist, Phos inspected Bortz’ evil stare, using their fingers as little rulers. “Your pupils get so small, I think that’s why you’re so scary. Every time I try to widen my eyes to make the pupils small, they get strained and I pass out.”
Bortz didn’t have time to listen, so they turned away. Their hair accidentally kneecapped Phos, sending them onto the floor.
While grumbling, Phos lifted themselves up. “I just want some help!” Phos moaned, “Every day, I’m sitting around minding my business, and some gem comes up and says in a demeaning little voice, ‘Phoooosss~! You’re so cute!’ Or all deep and stern: ‘Phos! Why is your hand broken, I fixed it an hour ago.’ Or, ‘Hey Phos, it’s just the two of us in the temple right now, and Sensei’s sleeping… want to come to my room?’”
Bortz wasn’t sure whether they should be concerned about that last one. Either way, they had scheduled sword practice with Ghost, and teaching Phos to be rude won’t help fight the lunarians.
“Phos, listen here.” Bortz turned back to the little green runt, and softened their voice. “If you really want to learn how to manipulate people, go ask Lapis. They’re better at it, and they have plenty of free time.”
Phos looked down and rubbed their shoe on the floor. “Umm… Well…”
“What, do you not like them?”
“It’s just… Lapis was taken yesterday, didn’t you hear?”
Bortz felt hollow. “What?” They snatched Phos’ collar. “This isn’t some joke, is it?”
“No, I think Jade was trying to tell you yesterday evening, but you were all shrouded in darkness ‘n stuff so they left.”
Bortz slumped to the ground, to think they were about to yell at Ghost Quartz for not showing up to the field…
“Well, I gotta go get my knees fixed now, thanks Bortz.” Phos walked away towards the medical bench.