_They say that trust is the foundation of any relationship. This gains a deeper meaning the more serious the bonds are. For White Lilly, this truth was being subjected to second thoughts. The usually sad-looking goth examined with eyes full of apathy the room she sat in. The living room from the flat she shared with her friend, other half, dearest…there are more than enough metaphors to describe the way she felt towards Evening glitter, was overflowing with life and commotion. Not exactly what she liked for their quiet nest of love. But if Eve insisted in surprising her by throwing a party and inviting some friends in, who was he to voice any objections? Whatever made her special one happy made also brightened up her day; even if she did not show on her always burrowed frown.

And yet, she felt unfitting. Like she did not mix with the mood.

“And then he said what?” Asked the cheerful Evening with eyes open wide to a friend whose name White had forgotten hours ago. “Really? I don’t believe it!”

“But it’s true!” Answer another of Evening’s friends. They seemed nice but… Do they have to be that noisy? For someone dangerously grazing the limits to what being antisocial implies, White was completely out of place.

“My goodness! White,” upon hearing her name, the brown-skinned girl started with a jump from the couch she sat, “did you hear that?”

“What? Sure, I did, unbelievable…” Replied the girl, avoiding eye-contact with the cheerful Evening. Obviously, not having paid attention to anything that had been spoken in that room since the party started.

“White,” said Evening holding her hand. This took the girl off-guard,” this isn’t much of a party unless everybody has fun. Cheer up. Smile!” The girl in bright colours at her hair grinned with a gleaming gesture. “Like this. See? It’s not that hard!”

“Don’t worry, I’m having fun…” Said White back twitching the left corner of her lips in a pitiful attempt to smile.

“That’s not very convincing.” Evening brought a hand to her chin in a gesture dramatically exaggerated, pretended to be lost in thought and added. “I know! Why don’t we play a game?”

“Yes! I was thinking this was a funeral!” Replied one of Evening’s friends.

“I’m up to it! But You’re totally going to lose!” Commented the other guest.

White did not share their enthusiasm in the least. However, she had no choice except to follow the group’s lead. She might not be the most festive girl in the world, but she was no party-pooper.

“Wait a moment,” she thought, “has Eve just winked an eye to their friends?”_

_“So… What is this thing for?” Asked a confused White. She had all the reason to be taken aback. The strange device Evening and her two friends had carried over to let if fall with a concerning thud, gained all of her mistrust.

“This? We need it for the game. Do you remember my friend Berī, Berī Softly? She has one, but smaller. I asked her where she got it and here we are.” Answered Evening in a as a matter of fact manner.

“I see…” White did not get good vibes from the thing. Quite the opposite: the four holes inside and the locks at the sides emanated an ominous aura. Not to mention the nails with small nylon cords attached to them over each of said overtures. Definitively it was a suspicious contraption that did not belong to a party.

“Okay, the rules of the game are simple,” explained Evening who began shuffling a deck of cards White did not know where came from, “in turns, we will pick one card each. Depending on the drawing we will have to answer a question. If that person fails we will lose one piece of clothing. On the other hand, if they get it right, they choose another person to do the same. Once two people lose a maximum amount of clothing and fail one more question, they have to sit in those stocks and become ‘the prisoners’. Then the two others will be the ‘inquisitors’ and apply a punishment to them.” The more Evening explained, the less White wanted to play that game. But her girlfriend looked really interested. “Say, how many pieces of clothing should we remove?” She asked.

Did she wink again?

“I say four would be a good number.” Answered one friend.

“That sounds nice. We want to keep this friendly.” Joked Evening. White did not see the fun in that though. “Anything in particular?”

And again a wink was made. Something was definitely off…

“What about our socks, nylons or whatever we have, after we removed our shoes, of course?” Suggested one friend.

“What do you say, White?” All looks were aimed at her. She could not help but to shrug her shoulders.

“Sure, let’s play.

“Yay!” Squeaked Evening. “You start. Pick one card!”

White was pointed to a pile of rectangular pieces of cardboard and took the one on top without any eagerness.

“Let’s see. ‘Why does the sea look blue during the day?’ Isn’t that because it’s a reflection of the sky?” Pondered the girl.

“Exactly!” Answered Evening clapping her hands.

“Way to go!” Said one of the guests. “Who beings undressing?”

“Evening.” White did not have to think twice to decide. Everything about her girlfriend appeared adorable to her. Hence, as she undid her right sneaker, the girl threw furtive looks at the process.

“Okay, now’s my turn!” Announced one of the friends. “Let’s see…”_

_Everything was going according to plan. Little by little all of the present were losing their footwear. It was herself and White the ones who interested her the most. Yes, one green sock peeked out the long black boot top as the other still covered a tanned foot that shyly rubbed with its naked equal. In no time White feet would be bare. And then… Evening had to suppress the urge to chuckle. Coming up with that game and rigging it had been a wondrous idea. She would have to thank her friends later. But she had to focus, the set of absurdly hard questions were about to come. And it was White’s turn.

“Eh?” The goth was perplexed. “What’s the meaning of this? ‘During the Olympics where they debuted, what did France’s football team order at the stadium’s cafeteria for lunch before the match where they were eliminated?’ There’s no way I can answer this!” Complained White.

“Then, time to make yourself at home.” Said Evening cheerfully.

“I’m already at home!” Complained White.

“No buts and off with that sock.” Replied the girl pointing at the sock. “Now’s my turn… What kind of question will I get?” She spied from the corner of her eye how the annoyed dark-skinned girl bared her remaining foot. Soon, pretty soon. “Oh, here says: ‘double or nothing!’ I guess it means I get to choose to people to remove their clothing of get rid of two pieces. I already have no shoes…” She wriggled her toes hidden under pink socks. “This is so tense! Let’s see…” Despite knowing, as arranged, the question would be hard; she had to keep the charade. “Hmmm… ‘Without the use of a calculator, name twenty digits from the number pi’.” She paused. “White, you won’t be the only one barefoot.” She said giving up the card.

“You are in a dire situation.” Explained one of her friends. “If we get our answer right we can send you to the stocks. And speaking of which mine says: ‘what colour was Santiago’s white horse?’ That’s easy! White!” An exaggerated gesture of illumination appeared over that guest’s face. “To the stocks you go!”

“Who?” Asked an intrigued White.

“Who else? You where the answer, silly.” Said back the guest.

“Not so fast.” Interrupted the other person. “I have the feeling my next question will be an easy one. And guess who I’m sending to the stocks?”

“I have absolutely no idea!” Retorted Evening sticking her tongue._