No Boys Allowed

## Introduction

**Sharla:** What a beautiful spring. Makes me want to jump right in!

**Melia:** It does look inviting. It would certainly cool us down.

**Sharla:** Are you all right, Melia? It looks as if the heat’s getting to you.

## Gain (+8)

**Melia: *[You may be correct.]***

**Sharla:** Maybe you should take a rest.

**Melia:** That may be in order. I believe I am starting to... see things...

**Sharla:** That doesn’t sound good! Maybe the forest air doesn’t agree with you. It’s very humid here.

**Melia:** Don’t worry. I just need a minute to compose myself.

**Sharla:** Well, if you say so. Oh, I’ve got a great idea! Let’s take a dip, just you and me! It’ll cool us both down, and it might even make you feel better.

**Melia: *[Are you sure?!]***

**Sharla:** Sure I’m sure! We won’t get another chance like this, and the water’s crystal clear!

**Melia:** But... I... Well...

**Sharla:** Didn’t you used to go swimming outdoors when you were a kid?

**Melia:** No, never. Father would not have allowed something like that.

**Sharla:** Then why not make up for lost time? It’s the perfect chance!

**Melia:** You are right. Let’s go swimming, Sharla. *I hope Shulk doesn’t see me...*

## Net 0 (+4, -4)

**Melia: *[You may be correct.]***

**Sharla:** Maybe you should take a rest.

**Melia:** That may be in order. I believe I am starting to... see things...

**Sharla:** That doesn’t sound good! Maybe the forest air doesn’t agree with you. It’s very humid here.

**Melia:** Don’t worry. I just need a minute to compose myself.

**Sharla:** Well, if you say so. Oh, I’ve got a great idea! Let’s take a dip, just you and me! It’ll cool us both down, and it might even make you feel better.

**Melia: *[No, that’s a silly idea.]*** I will wait here, but feel free to go in yourself.

**Sharla:** This is just a wild guess, but... Melia, can you swim?

**Melia:** That is not why I refuse! Have you any reason to doubt that I can swim?

**Sharla:** So it’s just because you’re embarrassed, then?

**Melia:** W-well...

**Sharla:** It’s OK. No one’s watching. I even brought swimsuits for us!

**Melia:** All right then... If you think it’s safe...

**Sharla:** Great! Let’s go swimming, Melia! We’ll both keep a look out for Reyn and Shulk.

**Melia:** W-wait, Sharla! I feel certain this isn’t going to end well...

## Net 0 (-4, +4)

**Melia: *[Why should the heat affect me?!]***

**Sharla:** Don’t get your knickers in a twist! I’m just worried about you.

**Melia:** It is not as if I am... seeing double or anything.

**Sharla:** You don’t have to put on such a brave face all the time. I’ll bring you some water.

**Melia:** That would be... nice. Thank you.

**Sharla:** It’s nothing. You’ve earned it. Just because I’m used to this heat doesn’t mean everyone is.

**Melia: *[How come you are used to it?]***

**Sharla:** I’m from Colony 6, which is home to a gigantic ether crystal mine. An ether river runs through the very deepest point. It’s scorching down there!

**Melia:** An ether river? I have heard of this phenomenon. When ether particles collide, it causes a chain reaction. The heat produced by all those reactions can be extraordinary. I did not realise you lived so close to such a place.

**Sharla:** Looking back, this place is a cool breeze next to the Central Pit. I wish I could have shown you.

**Melia:** Perhaps you could show me some of your colony's other sights. Ones that don’t involve me fainting from heat exhaustion.

**Sharla:** I’d love to, but most of them were destroyed by the Mechon.

**Melia:** That’s awful.

**Sharla:** The colony was built on top of the mine. And the mine’s still there, more or less. With any luck, we can rebuild our home bigger and better than ever.

**Melia:** I am sure you will, Sharla.

## Loss (-8)

**Melia: *[Why should the heat affect me?!]***

**Sharla:** Don't get your knickers in a twist! I’m just worried about you.

**Melia:** It is not as if I am... seeing double or anything.

**Sharla:** You don’t have to put on such a brave face all the time. I’ll bring you some water.

**Melia:** That would be... nice. Thank you.

**Sharla:** It’s nothing. You’ve earned it. Just because I’m used to this heat doesn’t mean everyone is.

**Melia: *[I doubt you are used to it.]***

**Sharla:** Think about it. I was born and raised in Colony 6.

**Melia:** I do not understand. How does that make you accustomed to this heat?

**Sharla:** Oh, that’s right. You wouldn’t know. Underneath Colony 6 is a huge ether crystal mine. At the very deepest point, there’s an ether river. It’s hotter than hot.

**Melia:** An ether river? I have heard of this phenomenon. When ether particles collide, it causes a chain reaction. The heat produced by all those reactions can be extraordinary. I did not realise you lived so close to such a place.

**Sharla:** Thinking back, the Central Pit was far hotter than Makna. I wish I could have shown you...

**Melia:** I may have had to decline in any case. I don't think I'd have lasted a minute in there.

**Sharla:** Hehehe. Shame we’ll never know!