act10d5

I also see Kay.

That means 'Kay is not allowed in here.' Got it?

Got it.

If you get it, why are you still going in?!

Hungry.

If you're hungry, you can just get in line and order something to eat.

Hungry.

Y- You're not allowed in there!

But I'm hungry!

Fine, fine! I'll think of something!!

Hmm...

What if I...

If I give you this cookie, will you promise not to go inside?

*sniff* *sniff*

Mm!

Okay, okay!

Here...

Thanks!

You're welcome...

*sigh*... She finally left...

*Grrrrrrrrrrrrr~~~~*

There's... there's still... one more to go...

Just hold on... just a little longer!

*Grrrrrrrrrrrrr~~~~*

Why's the ladle so heavy......

I can't even scoop up the food......

I can't do this anymore. I have to eat something!

Gummy has a habit. When she's famished, something takes hold of her,

And she can't resist her urge to eat...

...anything and everything.

What's this?

The hell ya doin', Gummy?

So soft... Mmmhh.... It must be delicious.

Ah, mm....

*chomp*

Gyahhhhhhh!!!

Eh?

Gummy, why are you chewing on my hip?

Ah, mm, hmm...

S-sorry, Instructor!

11:55 a.m.

Rhodes Island Cafeteria - Dining Area

(Gummy is practically inhaling the bread in her hands...)

(...washing it down with a swig of soup.)

C-calm down, Gummy, the food's not going anywhere. And we got training in the afternoon, y'know.

(She doesn't leave a single scrap on her plate...)

(...and doesn't hesitate to reach for seconds.)

Gummy?

(In no time, she's gobbled up an entire table full of food.)

Guess you're not feeling talkative...

I'll get back to you later.

Whew. I feel like a whole new Gummy!

Instructor, don't you want to eat?

Sure do. But somehow all the food I brought out disappeared into your belly.

I'm so sorry, Instructor!!

Don't worry about it, I can always get more.

By the way, how'd you end up so hungry? You skip breakfast or something?

I overslept this morning and didn't have time to eat, so...

Y'know, you might just be that type of girl. With a bottomless pit for a stomach.

Really?

Yup, just like that one over there.

Kay? She's charging the kitchen again?! I better—

Relax, we got someone keeping an eye on her. Plus, they laid out some goodies near the door just in case she gets in. She won't make it to anything important.

Oh, I thought those were welcome baskets for new recruits...

Yeah that too. Whatever gets the job done.

See, she's done.

If we sealed that door, it'd hurt her feelings. Letting her in every now and then lets her feel like she won. And it doesn't cost us much.

Oh...

Um, so who's in charge of keeping an eye on her?

Gitano's on duty today.

Good choice. She's always got it together.

That reminds me, I have to ask you something. It has to do with training.

Mm, sure. What is it?

I notice you have trouble moving your arms, especially in quick, repetitive motions. Why is that?

Eh?

I've watched you in combat, and it's the same in the kitchen. You get two good strokes in and then you have to stop.

I guess... it's a habit?

Huh—? Well, that's a bad habit if I ever saw one. Can we fix it?

Because stopping like that on the battlefield is gonna get you killed.

But if we can cure you, I'm sure you've got the next Rhodes Island Chopping Competition in the bag.

Give it a try?

Okay... I'll try...

Good. We'll get to it after defender practice.

We won't know if we can fix that habit until we try.

But for now...

We gotta eat.

Yeah.

3:00 p.m.

Rhode Island Training Center - Defender Training Room

Last round of the day. Let's power through.

I want four sets of planks, time—

Start!

Ten seconds!

Three, two, one!

Stop!

Okay, we're done. Go cool off.

Woo!

Gummy.

Yes, ma'am!

You ready? What we talked about at lunch?