[Anis] Popping Off!

A lush, blue ocean reaches out before you, whirling in and out as the waves threaten to crash upon the sand, but never go further than you think they will.

It's so peaceful, sitting here atop your deck chair, nothing possibly wishing to break the rhythmic slosh and hum of the water. Not even the playful shouts uttered by Rapi and Neon over yonder can break your peace. You are in a world of your own. Absolutely nothing can reach you now.

You sigh, reach over to your cup of soda, and bring it to your lips. Sweet... delightful. Sugary drinks taste better at the beach, somehow. You gulp down a wave of your drink and lick your lips.

Tasty. Chill. So very—

"Commander!"

You startle, your head popping up at the sound of a loud voice over the music of the ocean. The rather innocent surprise doubles as a reminder that you are indeed a commander, and just now you imagined you were back on the battlefield, your teammates crying your name, fiery gunshots ringing out. An onslaught of Raptures mechanically crawl and dart toward the frontlines, cornering you...

"Commander!" Anis' voice. Before you can see her, a pair of hands grip your shoulders and shake you from behind. "Where's my soda? You promised to bring me some, too!"

You tilt your head back on the arch of the chair, your eyes immediately locking with Anis'. She grips down harder on your shoulders, her nails punching at the skin.

"Not so hard!" you say and try to shake her off but it only hurts more. Anis shakes her head, leaning her head in so close you think she'll kiss you.

"You promised me a bottle, Commander," she hisses. "Ice cold, tasty, mine."

You avert your gaze a moment. "I'm sorry, I forgot."

Your attempts at apologizing are butchered by a glare in her eyes icier than your refreshing drink. She looks like at any moment, she'll claw your face off like a feral cat.

"I really did," you add. "There was so much to bring! Towels and sunscreen and snacks and—"

"Shut it!" Anis snaps, taking one hand off your shoulder and setting her eyes on your cup of soda. "Since you forgot mine, I'll just finish yours."

She picks it up and, before you can try to stop her, she gulps the rest of the soda down in a quick breath. A thought occurs to you — was she programmed to be able to swallow down half a cup of liquid in mere seconds, or is she just a nutcase?

You sigh and eyeball your empty cup.

Your tasty soda — gone.

Anis wipes the sugary drink from her mouth and sets the cup back down on its stand. "There," she says. "It was a fair trade."

You sit up and look at her, a salty expression upon your face.

"Oh, don't look so bitter, Commander. Just don't forget my drink next time, 'kay?"

Anis giggles to herself and hops on her heels, breaking into a short jog as she waves you off. "Join us for volleyball once you're done sulking, okay?"

Despite her actions of which you simply despise, you can't help but bask in her sunshine. That playful, smug smile glimmers like the sun. She might be a mouthy pain in the ass sometimes, but all she really is a sweetheart who loves some good sweet drinks.

Speaking of which...

You grab your empty cup and swirl around the last tiny bit of soda sitting idly at the bottom. For a few seconds you find yourself just staring at it and the ice above it. It's not until a moment later that you place your lips where Anis drank from last, and you swallow the minuscule remains of your cold drink.

Oddly tastier.