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Valerie heads her way towards her next match. A match against an elusive coach that has stayed mostly silent, at least until the giant Beastie attack just before the Crown Series. That being, Sister Judy.
She feels absolutely fine. Why wouldn't she be fine? It's just another match for her. She'll be alright.
She brings another towel to her sweaty head, as she breathes in, and out.
Styles looks up at her, looking worried. They hold her hand. Their flipper is... cold. Very cold. It feels strange to her. Usually, it's the same temperature as her hand, but it's strange how they're somehow colder than her.
...But she has no time to worry about that right now. She's fine. She just needs to blow off some steam.
She enters the stadium, huffing and puffing. But she's alright. Why wouldn't she be?
Her opponent stares at her.
"Ah... Are you ready to feel the wrath of Shloom?" Sister Judy says, with full determination.
Valerie tries to catch her breath, before saying, "Seems like you haven't changed one bit... Sister Judy!"
"You..." The Nun's expression turns from one of determination, to one of worry. "...Bless your soul, young lady. Are you sure you're able to play Beastieball in that condition?"
"I'm fine. I'll sweep the floors with you six ways 'til Sunday!" Valerie replies, trying to keep her cool. She feels as if she's losing her vision, but she doesn't let up. She can't. She won't.
"...Okay then," Sister Judy hums. "If you're sure about this."
Sister Judy's Squimage, Ariel, makes the first serve. They copy the Trait of Styles.
Styles moves up, and Ariel hits Duke with a Free Ball. Bam. Easy receive.
Valerie tries to catch her breath as her Beasties wait for a command.
"Ah... Bless your heart, young lady. Are you doing okay?" Sister Judy tilts her head, seemingly worried about the champion's condition.
But she's fine. She's fine! She feels her vision slowly fleeting. But she's fine.
"Never better!" Valerie replies. Because she's fine. She's fine. Why wouldn't she be fine?
A nervous expression grows on Sister Judy's face. "Ah... I don't want you to be playing Beastieball in such a horrible condition... should I forfeit?"
"No!" Valerie shouts, trying to catch her breath immediately after. She's fine. "Don't... forfeit! I'm... fine!"
"Please, you look as if you're about to pass out!" The nun replies, looking more and more worried by the second.
"If I pass out, then I pass out," Valerie grumbles, trying to keep her cool, despite her vision slowly going away. "I'm not giving up this... battle."
Begrudgingly, Duke passes the ball to Styles, as Ariel uses Pump Up. Styles hits Metatron, the Magpike, with Nice Shot.
Metatron passes the ball to Ariel, and lays a trap on Valerie's side of the field. Ariel then... well, Valerie doesn't know what happens next.
Because what happens next... is that she passes out.
"Valerie!! Valerie!!!"
"Are you okay?? Valerie?!"
Valerie opens her eyes.
And right in front of her, is Ace. "Valerie!!! You- You passed out during the match against that nun!! The whole crowd saw it! Your opponent saw it, I saw it- You had to be taken to the paramedics, to take you back home, and- Everyone's worried!! I'm worried, your Beasties are worried, the nun was worried- Wh-Why were you so diffi- you should've stayed in bed!!!"
"...Calm down, Ace..." Valerie huffs. "I'm fine."
"NO YOU'RE NOT!!!! You passed out in front of everyone!! You need rest!!!" Ace freaks out, nearly hitting their head on the door. "You should've just rested... I don't know why you're like this!! The doctor said you had a 109 degree fever!! You-"
Valerie looks away. She feels... bad for worrying Ace. She doesn't like seeing them so upset. "...Ace?"
"And then you- ...What?" That immediately catches Ace's attention.
"...Come here."
Begrudgingly, Ace walks over to Valerie, and crouches down to her face level. "...What do you want?"
Valerie sighs. "...I'm sorry."
Ace looks away. They look... despondent. Do they feel bad, too? Or are they still worried? ...She hopes they stop worrying soon.
"...Do you want to cuddle for a little bit?" Ace offers, pulling up into Valerie's bed, under the covers.
Valerie slowly nods.
Ace smiles, and hugs Valerie as tightly as they can.
"...You're warm."