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“So… what’s the mask for?”
Piper hopes the question wasn’t too forward. Tara stared at her with her single eye, before looking away. Piper wasn’t sure what she expected, the newcomer hadn’t spoken a single word the entire time she had been here yet, anyways.
“I’m sorry if the question was insensitive.”
More silence. Piper wasn’t sure if she could speak.
“Alright then. Uhh, we’ve about reached your new living quarters. I hope you enjoy your time here?”
Tara stared blankly at her. Piper stares back. The masked woman bows slightly, before entering her new house. What a weirdo. Piper sighs.
“Would you like some more tea?”
Piper offers only to be polite. The other girl’s cup remained untouched on the table.
“No, no thank you.”
Tara had been here for a few months now. In that time, Piper had learned that Tara could speak, she just chose not to most of the time. Fair enough. Piper hums, before taking another sip from her own cup. Perhaps the mask made it hard for her to say things? It didn’t seem so, and it likely would be insensitive to ask. Then again, they were friends.
“I know that this is likely a sensitive topic for you, but I really am curious as to what the mask is-”
A sudden crash interrupts her, and Piper decides to put the question away for some other time.
“Oh are you hurt? Don’t worry about the teacup dear, it isn’t even a good set. Wait here, I’ll clean it up.”
And as Piper left to fetch the washcloth, she couldn’t help but wonder if Tara was hiding something.
Showdown. The sky is thick with green smoke, and the Piper stares at her final standing opponent. A single eye glares back at her.
“Hi”
Piper startles. Tara didn’t usually talk during matches.
“You know you’ve lost dear. I have a powercube advantage, and you’re still weak after your last scuffle.”
Tara tilts her head.
“I know. Feel free to end it now.”
Piper lowers her umbrella slightly.
“Usually, I would not hesitate, but as they say, curiosity kills the cat. Please, just tell me, why do you wear the mask? I’ll let you win today.”
Tara laughs.
“I’m sorry, but that wouldn’t be particularly fair, would it?”
Poison gas envelops her both, and Tara makes no effort to move. Piper shakes her head before firing a final mercy shot into the torso of the silhouette in the fog.
“I’ll see you for tea later today.”
Piper can feel Tara’s heartbeat. The air around them is remarkably warm, and she doesn’t know who it was who leaned in first but the next thing she knows is that her lips are against someone else’s and the temperature of the room around them has increased exponentially. Piper pulls away to catch her breath.
“Oh.. Dear heavens.”
For once, Tara didn’t seem to want to meet her gaze. Piper giggles.
“You know, I think you’d be a better kisser if you took off your mask.”
Tara’s eye flitted back to her, and Piper stared up at it. Tara sighs.
“Promise you won’t be disappointed.”
“I promise, I’ll still love you, no matter what.”
A short pause. Tara’s no longer meeting her eyes.
“I have a mild allergy to pollen, and the mask helps me breathe.”