"Wow, you actually quit?"

  "I did! And honestly, I don't think I've ever felt better!"

  Soap rested her hand on Microphone's shoulder as she grinned. "Well, I'm glad! Show them who's boss!" Soap punched the air and Microphone laughed.

  "I'm glad, too. I feel so relieved now," Microphone sighed, and flopped onto Soap's bed. "It's like a huuuuge weight has been lifted from my chest, y'know?"

  "I know exactly how that feels," Soap plopped down next to Microphone, "I'm glad you've found your peace. Now get ready for the dramas of Hotel OJ life."

  "No," Microphone said sarcastically, "you're kidding? Not after that mess."

  Soap nodded. "Oh yeah. Tales of unrequited love and bitter tension between old rivals," Soap clenched her fists and brought them to her chest. "Conflict and passion intertwine! Oh, it's too much for a girl to bear!" she cried out, and raised a hand to her head dramatically. Microphone pfted and rolled her eyes.

  "Oh, how will I ever manage?"

  "In all seriousness," Soap sat back up, "it isn't all that bad. I'm sure you'll be fine."

  Microphone cracked a smile. "Thanks. Although, I'm a bit nervous that I'm sharing a room with Test Tube..." she fiddled with her fingers. 

Soap stared at Microphone incredulously. "Seriously?! OJ couldn't put you with anyone else?"

  "Noo..." Microphone dragged out the 'o', and clicked her tongue. 

  "Well..." Soap pursed her lips, "who knows? Maybe it'll give you the chance to settle your differences!"

  Microphone chuckled. "Yeah, maybe. She'll get over it. I hope."

  "She's a nice person. I'm sure she will."

  "Ha, you should see her when she's angry. It's kinda scary, honestly."

  "Maybe I should game with her sometime, then," Soap looked into the distance, "see that anger for myself."

  Microphone snorted. "Good luck."

  From there, the conversation jumped from topic to topic, further away from Inanimate Insanity. It wasn't visible, but Microphone couldn't help but feel a little guilty. Soap always told her to listen to her heart. And she did- eventually. But she wasted so much time.

  And Microphone felt she let Soap down, in that manner. And maybe Soap might not have even remembered, but Microphone sure did. And she needed to know how Soap felt. She needed advice and closure. Or maybe she just wanted some comforting words.

  "Soap? Sorry to jump topics here, but, remember what you told me? You know, when you were eliminated?"

  "To 'listen to your heart'?" Soap nodded. "Yeah, what of it?"

  "Well, uh-" Microphone scratched the back of her head. "I didn't exactly quit because I didn't want to do the show anymore. I mean- I didn't want to do it anymore, but that wasn't the whole reason."

  "Ohh-kay? Continue."

  "You see... my head and my heart were telling me different things. The voice...in my head...knew how to play. And it told me to do terrible things that I didn't want to do! But it was the only way to...survive, right? Or at least..." Microphone sighed, "I thought it was. And I had enough of it. It never felt like real victory, because...I- I hurt... a lot of people. And I never wanted that. So I quit."

  Soap was near speechless. "O-Oh... well, you did what was right in the end, didn't you? We all make mistakes, Mic, but what matters is that we try to fix them!"

  "I guess you're right... but I just wasted so much of my time doing these things that kept me up at night! I wish I listened to my heart sooner," Microphone groaned. "I literally did the exact opposite thing you told me to do," she looked up at Soap, "I...pretty much failed you."

  "Hey! Don't you dare say that." Soap crossed her arms. "What matters to me is that you're here, being who you are, rather than out there," she pointed to the window, "being someone you're not. The Mic I know is no failure, and what you did for yourself proves it."

  "But-"

  "Abuh buh buh!" Soap wagged her finger, "no buts! In fact-" Soap slapped Microphone. "Pull yourself together, woman!"

  Microphone winced and rubbed her cheek as Soap looked at her with an almost smug expression. "Well? That's what you said to me, remember?"

  "Yeah," Microphone grimaced, "I remember."

  "Good!" Soap jumped off the bed. "So, are you gonna sit here feeling sorry for yourself, or are you going to do something about it?"

  Microphone smiled and slid off the bed as well. "I say...start by apologizing to the people I hurt. Starting with Test Tube."

  "That's the spirit! Let's go!" Soap started towards the door, but Microphone put a hand on her shoulder. 

  "Actually, I wanted to say thank you, firstly. You're a great friend, Soap."

  Soap beamed. "Aw, thank you! Now," she grabbed Microphone's arm, "let's go!"