CUDDLES! (end Free Time)

"Yes! So, I wanted to ask you...." You start, but before you can continue, Nora raises a hand.

"Oh, by the way Debbie, you should know that my roommate's not going to be in my dorm all night." Nora says, playing it totally cool.

You pause. Nora looks over your face, like she's waiting for something, and when she sees that you're still a bit confused she continues talking. This time, a little bit quicker and slightly more ****-sounding.

"S-so, it'll just be me in my room tonight. Only me. And my roommate will be out, you know, sleeping with someone in their room." Nora looks at you with raised eyebrows, but you're still sort of confused. What's she trying to get at? "A-and that always gets me really agitated, because it reminds me of all of the irritating stuff she does, and....."

Nora stares you down for a few seconds longer. Well, you definitely feel bad for her getting reminded of agitating things like that, but you're still not sure what she's suggesting. You shrug to communicate this.

"Itwouldbereallyniceifyoucoulddosomethingtomakemefeelbetterasmycuddlebuddy." Nora's leaned all the way up close to your face now, speaking really really fast and with wild eyes.

Her cheeks are getting a bit red from embarrassment at having to ask you so upfront like this, but you still need a second to decode what she just said, since she was talking a bit faster than your brain's processing power can take. Let's see.... she said 'cuddle buddy' at the end of it, so... oh! You clap your hands together in realisation.

"Yes!" You say. "Yes! Cuddles! I will make you feel better!"

You outstretch both of your arms into the globally-recognised "c'mere" hug shape, and open and close your hands repeatedly. Nora's mouth moves into a small and delightful restrained smile, and her gorgeous eyes sparkle with glee.

Before you even realise what's happened, because your brain is still recovering from the overclock you had to perform to understand Nora's message earlier, the tall woman's picked you up by your armpits and is quickly whisking you away to her dorm room. The two of you rush out the Arena tent at unprecedented speeds like this, Nora seeming to have no trouble at all moving so fast while you flop around in her arms. Oh, good, it looks like she's been really looking forward to this, then! You were worried you got it wrong.

It's not long until the red-haired speed demon barrels through her dorm room's door, barely even breathing heavily, and drops you to your feet. She quickly moves to close the door behind you both, face now fully red with embarrassment, and body slightly shaking with excitement. She takes a moment to catch her breath, leaning on the door with one hand.

"S-sorry, Debbie...." She says, turning to you sheepishly, a total contrast to her usual confident self. "I've just been really on edge these last few days, a-and, I've been waiting for a chance for us to do this again, so..."

Hey, wait, that won't do! No apologising or acting all meek and sorry! You raise your hand up to stop her talking. It's actually sort of cute seeing her all worried and timid like this for once, especially since she definitely wouldn't act like this in front of anyone else, but you can think about that later! Your job is to make her feel all better, and take all of the bad stuff off of her mind, and so that's what you're gonna do!

Your hand shifts to point at her bed, the other hand coming up to your hip in a power-pose.

"No down talk, missy!" You say, taking control. "Sit yourself down over there, and let the pampering begin!"

Nora raises an eyebrow at you in half-amusement and half-indignation at your sudden attempted command. She only holds the look for about two seconds, but it's enough to get you feeling nervous all of a sudden. You're about to apologise when Nora gives you a bright smile and a light chuckle, then walks over to the wide bed and sits on its edge.

"Okay, Debbie." She says, her voice warm and teasing. "Now what?"