AT THE SAME TIME
ZAVIER
The music didn't stop, it faded. Like the room itself needed a moment to recover. People stepped back, couples separated, and conversations returned in quiet waves, then louder then everywhere at once.
"I SURVIVED." Riko announced.
"You stumbled three times." Ben said.
"I RECOVERED THREE TIMES." Riko grinned.
"You were carried once." Leo added.
"I ACCEPT ASSISTANCE." Riko said.
I exhaled slow and careful.
"That was a lot." I sighed.
"You did well." Adam said beside me.
"Define well."I said.
"You didn't run."Adam said.
"That is a low standard."I said.
"It's accurate."Adam nodded.
"Fair." I said.
