The Streisand Effect [Spectra Fanfiction, book 2/3]

14 - Echoes Of Love

--2 years ago--

The scorching sun baked the sands of Tarilia like a furnace. It was so warm that stepping foot on the red sand without any form of protective footwear was akin to walking on coals. Despite the heat, Erica's attire hadn't changed. She was still adorned in her white doctor's coat and long pants.

"Eden's light girl, aren't you burning in that?" Ava jested as the two women meandered through the plaza.

"Not really. No."

"How? It's like a million degrees right now!"

Erica shrugged, "You get used to it I guess."

"Errr... no, no I don't think I will," the mowlin laughed. Her fur was sticky and knotted from all the sweat she'd been constantly having to wipe from herself, meanwhile, Erica seemed as clean as ever. The mowlin quickly gave up on attempting to understand, instead shaking her head in disbelief and continuing on.

"So you're all set for Gurrador then?" Ava asked.

Erica rubbed her shoulders and nodded silently. Ava however wasn't satisfied.

"I'm sensing a distinct lack of confidence in that answer," she said sternly.

The dahmak shook her head weakly, "I... I just... what if all this doesn't work?" 

Ava frowned and thought for a few seconds before she could properly respond, "There's always that chance I guess. But what other options do we have? We've finally got some leads to go off of. This might be our chance at getting back at that bitch, and maybe finding a cure for your girlfriend while we're at it."

The dahmak suddenly stood tall and a horrid coughing sound emanated from her mouth as her eyes widened and her cheeks turned a rose red. 

"I-I, she's not- I...I... we- I don't... she's not my girlfriend!" She exclaimed, flustered.

Ava smirked and stopped dead in her tracks. Her hands swung to her hips and she cocked an eyebrow.

"Hm, really? Then what are we doing here again?"

The dahmak suddenly sounded like a broken engine trying to start, it could almost turn over, but it just kept falling short, sputtering and coughing.

"I...we... it, it's just a necklace! Just a small gift... for her... nothing like that!"

Erica's cheeks were as red as the dirt beneath their feet.

Ava laughed with a satisfied gleam in her eyes.

"Erica, hun, sweetie. Let me get something straight. You, are a terrible liar."

The doctor said nothing, only standing up as rigid as a steel beam and looking like she just had the most embarrassing secret of her life revealed to the world. 

"And you're also adorable when you're flustered as well, you know that?"

"I... s-stop!" She blurted.

Ava simply poked a flirtatious tongue at the dahmak, "Hmm, fine. But sooner or later you two are gonna have to sort this little thing between you out, mkay?" 

"We're just friends, Ava," Erica whimpered.

"Of course hun. Just friends. Now, where is this place you were talking about?"

"Just up the road. We're not far."

They walked on, Erica's sheepish display giving way to a more familiar solemn one. A look that Ava recognised as one of guilt.