The flower of evil pitifully scatters with brilliant color...

[desperateprayer]

[ After everyone leaves the Rose Ceremony, Clarith gets to work. With Nari's help, there's a few snacks set up, and then she delivers a message beneath everyone's doors. ]

Please meet up at the first floor rest area. I don't think people should be alone right now.

- Clarith

[ Takumi's includes a bit extra: "Especially you." Sure enough, there's a few snacks set up in the rest area, but otherwise just. Blankets and pillows set up so that people can pile in as they please. She's waiting, seeming a fair bit tired in more than one way, but... She doesn't want to leave people alone. ]

Comments

[brokencode]

It's just -- embarrassing. Especially when this is so serious!

[With a huff, she turned back to the man. A trace of whipped cream might have been on her nose, but for the most part she looked clean. Her cheeks, though? Those are blazing hot.]

[plugout]

I... get what you mean. But it's not like you were trying to not be serious, right?

[ There's a trace of a smile on his lips. ]

You got it all. Except for...

[ And he reaches out, wiping that tiny bit off. ]

[brokencode]

O-oh. [Stammering in the way she did felt so juvenile, and yet it couldn't be helped. His finger against her skin, brief as it was, sent a number of not-unpleasant feelings surging through her. It took everything in her power to keep from turning away once more in a desperate bid to hide her embarrassment.]

Thank you, Rhys...

[Wow...]

[plugout]

[ Oh hell, he's a little red, too. Rhys clears his throat, then takes a drink of his hot cocoa before talking again. ]

Y-you're welcome.

[ attention champions a body has been discovered ]

I'm. I'm glad you like the hot cocoa.

[ an attempt has been made. ]

[brokencode]

It's... very lavish. [She hadn't had cocoa before arriving here, but even if she had, she wouldn't have thought of all the extra ingredients. Rhys was a genius, as far as she was concerned.]

You're too kind.

[plugout]

[ She keeps complimenting him, goodness. Rhys can't stop himself grinning as he takes another drink of his. At least the mug hides that. ]

It's... it's just cocoa. But, heh, I'm glad you think so.

[brokencode]

Just cocoa wouldn't be nearly as extravagant as this. [But she could take a hint, and opted to let it go.]

Thank you for checking in.

[plugout]

Hey... you're welcome.

[ Other than Heart... is there a single person he's gotten this close to here? Definitely not. Rhys smiles. ]

I guess I just... always want to make sure you're okay.

[brokencode]

I've... never really had that, you know. Someone checking in on me. It... [God, is she getting emotional? Don't look at her, Rhys.]

It means a lot.