[Mari]

"Hehe, yeah. I'm not used to fighting enemies that 'bite' back." Ashe promptly punned, probably eliciting some rather vivid clothing golem flashbacks in the process. "...Sorry. I'm not sure what came over me. B-But no! ...And yes! But no! That's not what I meant to say. ...Guys aren't always bad but when they are bad yes you should beat them up. ...Or just tell them to go away. That works sometimes too." Ashe offered somewhat awkwardly. How did she get herself into these situations anyway?

[Coolshaymin]

Chell listened to Ashe's change of statement and considered it for a moment... Seemed like something she would do anyway so not really different advice. Except the whole go away thing but she was not really considering that course of action. If someone deserved a beating, they deserved a beating, it was that simple. "... Right, so I beat them up if they try anything. I already know to do that though... If a person is bad you should teach them a lesson. Speaking of that, I made this new gun and practiced some more moves. Do you need to update your A-Trans thingy?" Chell asked and offered, not sure how it really worked and if it even kept up with her new tech.

[Mari]

Ashe nodded quickly. Right right. Of course. That was much more in line with what she was going for. At the offer of an updated A-trans, she perked up. Oh hey! That was interesting. She had to wonder if maybe Chell enjoyed giving her her DNA. It was curious, to say the least.

"

You've got it! Between you and me, I've never had a boyfriend. But maaaybe someday I'll meet someone who can keep up with my 'mobile lifestyle'. Hopefully, they'll know a thing or two about romance because I might need some help there. *Giggle* But yeah~! I'd love that. All I need is a new DNA sample. You know, like last time. ...Do you like seeing me transform into you~?

"

[Coolshaymin]

"Oh..." Chell just kind of looked away in response to Ashe saying she never had a boyfriend. The girl of few words did not seem interested in Ashe suggesting she wanted a relationship with a male. She felt like Ashe was agreeing with her but now she was unsure what to think... Ashe originally made it sound like she would prefer a girl to be together anyway but... Chell shook her head and ignored the pause she felt in her chest to just kind of pass it off. "Yeah... I never had a boyfriend either..." Chell replied while she felt bad inside. She can keep up just fine! What did a boy have that she did not?! No, really, she had no clue.

"Yeah, I guess I do... I am ready..." Chell responded, seeming to have gotten more anti-social in the past 5 seconds... Well, than she was like a few minutes ago. She also seemed less enthusiastic about giving Ashe her DNA for some reason. Not that she was likely to tell without prompting.

[Mari]

Ashe wasn't oblivious to Chell's discomfort. Something was bothering her, but she wasn't sure what it was... Was it something she said? She didn't feel right taking Chell's DNA when there was clearly something making her uncomfortable, so... she didn't. For the moment being, she ignored the offer.

"

...It seems like something's got you down all of a sudden. Are you alright? ...Was it something I said?

"

[Coolshaymin]

"... It's...." Chell was a little surprised by Ashe's concern when she really should not be. The girl struggled for a response as she looked away from Ashe and her face began to redden a little. Was... Chell becoming flustered? That was odd for the normally stoic woman as her emotions seemed a bit more clear than they usually appear to be... Outside when she is angry. "It's nothing. Nothing is wrong..." Chell blurted out and continued to look away. Why did she not just take her DNA and get it over with already? "Can you really not tell?"

The hoodie that was laying on the couch spoke up, clearly wanting to add his two scents in. Chell glared over to the shirt as it once again continued to be a nuisance... Or was it? "Is it something you said? It's obvious, girl! She is totally into you and is upset you would apparently prefer a boyfriend. I tried to tell her that not everyone is into that kind of thing but we know her. She can be a bit of a-ow!" the hoodie tried to explain before a thrown wrench hit him and caused him to shut up. Clearly Chell could only handle so much of that clothing's antic's at a time.

"..." Chell remained silent for a moment before speaking up. "... Well, he is not wrong... I was very disappointed by that. I just haven't felt this way for... forever it feels like and... I do not know..." She explained, apparently not denying anything her top said.

[Mari]

"

"...Wh-What??"

"

Ashe was stunned. Maybe even a little bit afraid. This sort of thing ought not to happen to heroes! How could Chell put her in this situation? She wasn't ready for... What was she even proposing here?? Ashe was frozen like a deer in headlights, trying to wrap her head around what was happening, when Model A called out to her.

(

Ooooh boy. It's all downhill from here. Everyone's just fine sharing their body with a biometal until some interesting booty comes along...

)

"

. . . Treasure doesn't have anything to do with this, Model A! And I'm not abandoning you. We've been through everything together. You know you're my friend, and friends don't abandon each other.

"

(

Don't you think that's going to get complicated if you decide to start dating? You really need to tell Chell what you want before she gets any ideas about getting me out of the picture. Tell her to put a ring on it or... something! Don't just leave her hanging!

)

"

I... don't think that's a good idea, Model A. That's really messed up.

"

(

No, this is messed up. You're fourteen! You have your own house! You have a job that involves killing bad guys for money and exploring ancient ruins! You saved the world! You practically helped raise me into the person I am! You're too old to be acting like this! Now grow up and tell her what you want!

)

"

( . . . What just happened? Did he just--? What? ) (...Y'know, he's actually kinda right. Really, really wrong, but kinda right too. My story's mine to write, which means I have to take control of this situation.)

"

"

Chell. There's no easy way to say this, but I don't want a boyfriend! And I don't want a robotfriend or a humanfriend or a girlfriend or... whatever, you know? Those are just a bunch of made up words people use to describe how they feel about each other. They're not real. And I could think of so many nicer words I'd like to use to describe us. ...Like partners, or sisters! Those words mean something special to me, like Model A--Or my family back at The Hunters Guild.

"

[Coolshaymin]

Chell did not elaborate or go on as Ashe was shocked by her words. She was not sure what to do in this situation and Ashe did not seem to be taking it well at all. As Ashe talked with herself, Chell looked to the corner of the room where her Companion Cube sat. A voice only she seemed to hear was talking to her. "Why do you need another companion anyway? You already have me! We have been through so much together. I took the burn of that crazy robot for you!"

Chell was silent as she looked at her cube, kind of tuning Ashe out since she did not seem to be talking to her. The cube voiced it's doubts to which Chell just shook her head. They already had this conversation earlier. "Look, she does not want you anyway. But I do! Just forget this stingy girl. She is sitting in front of you and talking to him instead. Clearly we should just let soulmates be soulmates~." The Companion Cube was being jealous and Chell had no idea what to say.

Fortunately, Ashe distracted Chell away from her weighted heart box as she seemed to finally turn her attention back to her. ".... Sisters.... Family..." Chell repeated. Her mind briefly flashed back to the really early days. Memories that have been forever fuzzy and barely rememorable. All she really could connect was her dad and mom... Who have long since passed for her and GLaDOS... She brought very bad vibes and reignited those memories of her... But that AI had been so unforgivable that she doubted the real mom could of been any better... But at the same time... She did not completely hate her anymore. What if things were different?

"..." Chell shook her head to wipe out that thought. No use dwelling on that extremely hypothetical question. "... I never had a family. I have been alone for a very long time. I am not sure that word even means anything to me anymore. But.... I guess being considered your partner is fine with me," Chell explained while steadily lightening up towards the end and actually forming a bit of a smile.

[Mari]

"

Y'know what? Me neither. Well--there was one man. I guess you'd call him a grandfather, but he wasn't very good to me. That's why I think of The Hunters as my family. They're the ones that took me in and raised me~ Your family is the people that take care of you when you need it, because they... love you. Unfortunately I haven't seen any of The Hunters here on Li, but I've also found a new family in the form of the Magical Girl's Society. ...Some people around Li don't really understand how you can choose your family, but that's alright. Everyone's story is a little different.

"

Ashe beamed at Chell, rolling her shoulders in a little shrug.

[Mari]

On cue, an emergency sends Ashe's communicator into a ringing fit. Just in time too. She needed plenty of time to think about those strange feelings Chell taught her about.

(End of Presence)