>>5548962And with Peppa…
“Would you like them released too, so you don’t have to carry ‘em around everywhere?” you ask Basilea as you look at the goo girls under her arms.
She glances at the pair briefly, then nods. “They won’t go anywhere. Go ahead.”
With the pair set down, you remove the energy cuffs on their wrists. The pair are confused by the gesture, rubbing their wrists and staring for a moment. You nod your head for them to keep walking with you, leaving the castle grounds. “I wanted you to meet up with Videl and Cocoa today, Basilea. And… I’m curious on if you’ve given what I said any more thought.”
“I have.” she confirms. “And… if you insist on me going with you, I will.”
“Good. Grab on, all of you. We’ll talk about it there.” you tell them, placing your fingers on your forehead and locking onto Videl’s Ki. The four of you end up at a little nature park near the outskirts of West City, with Videl and Cocoa waiting for you there.
“...and dad’s been trying to figure out just what to do with him now. 19 and 16 are looking over Gero at the moment, but they’ve got backup in case he pulls a fast one on any of us.” Videl finishes telling Cocoa, looking to you as you all arrive. “Hey Peppa. How you feeling?” she asks, giving you a soft smile.
You smile back weakly. “I’m holding it together.”
Cocoa motions for you to come sit by her, and you do so, resting your head on her shoulder for a moment and letting out a sigh. Basilea finds a place to sit opposite you all, and the Majin girls sit on either side of her. Videl crosses her arms as she looks Basilea in the eyes. “So. Willing to talk for a bit?”
“I am.” Basilea responds flatly.
“All tight.” Videl glances at you. “Wanna start, Peppa?”
You give a nod and bring your head up from Cocoa’s shoulder. “I guess we can start with the obvious one here. Dabura and Towa were willing to throw you out to ensure their plan worked. But why the two of them?” You motion your hand at Haru Haru and Shun Shun.
“Our primary directive is ensuring the continued survival of Princess Basilea.” Haru Haru tells you. “If she’s given as hostage, we will stay by her side.”
“...Additionally, it seems likely that King Dabura made a separate deal with one of your number that required more hostages. Even if we were unable to deliver some of the Kaiju to them, it seems we’ve still been able to serve some purpose.” Shun Shun adds, a slight bit more sourness in her voice.
“In my time, they were assigned as my attendants.” Basilea finally adds. “Even with… my constant failures, Towa, my Towa, never removed them from their assignment. They would be loaned out from time to time, but never outright removed.”
Cocoa tilts her head slightly. “So… they’re some of the only friends you’ve been allowed to have.”
(cont.)
