#< OFC IT DIIDD I ENJOYED IT SM SRSLY <3

[nrc-asteryn-crew]

Aros narrowed his eyes at the phantom's words, more specifically the slight difference in its voice. That was more Yuna just now, he was sure of it. Something they'd said had to have garnered enough of a reaction for Yuna to address it personally. Though, because of a certain... companion of his... it was hard to tell whether that was a good thing, or not.

"Are you stupid?! Why else would we be here if not to snap you out of it, hah?! You won't be able to care unnecessarily about the how stupid fucking people have treated you in the past like that if you're dead!"

Yuuto shouted, agitated by the way things seemed to be going. This phantom was pissing him off. Not that he could tell you exactly why. It greatly irritated him that this phantom seemed to be more passive than all the others. Where was the fun in that?!

He ignored the brief, stinging feeling in his chest he felt listening to the words it spoke.

"...If you can appreciate offers of comfort, it means that comfort and support in this manner is something you desire, strongly enough to address it like this, no? So why is it that when given to you, you reject it? Is there ever really a 'too late' to receive something you still long for to this extent?"

Aros asked, not making any moves to advance physically. If there was a chance this conflict could be resolved without a physical fighting, he'd take that chance. Since the phantom didn't seem keen on fighting them, more so than just keeping them out, it would be wise to prevent Yuna from performing any actions through her phantom that may increase her mortality risk.

Yuuto sent a glare in Aros' direction, very clearly disappointed at the loss of a chance to fight, but he just scoffed, and promptly looked away, choosing to engage with Xen instead quietly, at least briefly, who fluttered his wings happily at the attention.

---

"No, I-"

Kiyuu started, before pausing, falling silent. Stepping forward, not feeling like shouting out her words, she wracked her brain with anything to say that wouldn't make anything worse than it already was.

"...I don't- I don't want to tell you anything. You don't deserve to be scolded, nor fought. Self-isolation is never a path you should feel you have to take, and I'm sorry everything's turned out like this. You- You're someone worth saving, and-"

She continued, desperately trying to get her thoughts in order. She stopped, after rambling for a bit, having finally noticed the slight wetness of her eyes, a mix of both her nerves and her empathy. It was smudging the eyeliner she'd had put on earlier, and as instinctively reached to wipe her tears, she only panicked more as her fingers returned stained black. It was too familiar.

She took a breath and forced herself to continue.

"Whatever's wrong, whatever- whatever's making you feel this way, I- I want to help. I don't- I don't know what you've been through- or- or what it's like in your shoes, nor do I want to- force you to do anything- but... is there- is there anything I can do to- to support you at all?"

"...Oh gods- that sounded so corny and fake didn't it..? And pushy- oh Jesus-! It's- It's just what came to my head-! Aaaah I've so already messed everything up, haven't I?!"

She mumbled to herself, burying her face in her hands, already feeling a very apparent amount of second-hand embarrassment. She really did mean everything she'd said, and she'd stand by it, but sometimes she really wished she was just a little better with words...

A notification flashes across phone screens everywhere throughout NRC. The radio podcast, NRTea has gone live once more!

"Hello, hello, dearest listeners! And welcome to another episode of NRTea, the hottest tea party on sages island! I'm your host, Chamomile-"

"and I am Earl Grey"

"And oh boy do we have a story for you today! Take it away, Earl!"

"...alright.

As of late, there have been brambles spiralling up and encasing parts of the Ramshackle dorm. The brambles themselves seem generally harmless, as do the roses that fall from them, but if you prick yourself on the thorns, it would be quite an unpleasant sensation, so I'd suggest exercising some extra caution when visiting for now."

"Yup, yup! If you've got a friend or two living in the dorm out there, go check on em and make sure they're doing okay!"

"I know I myself must check in on my dearest companions soon..."

"Well that's it for now! We've been your hosts, Chamomile-"

"And Earl Grey,"

"And this has been NRTea. Stay thirsty, dear listeners!"

The stream continues on for a bit before cutting off, though.

"Hey... James?"

"Yes?"

"Y'know how Yuna has been locking up lately and stuff? Says she's been super sick recently."

"Mhm... It's quite concerning, if I am being honest. I haven't seen her for a while..."

"...I wonder if Yuna is alright. I hope she doesn't get hurt with all those brambles."

"...Me too, Lewis. Me too."

(✨YUNA OVERBLOT STUFF YAHOO!!!

-✨mod, @night-raven-miscellany. Technically James and Lewis, too, but I haven't been adding them fhdjfj)

Kiyuu stared down at her phone with a frown as the podcast ended. She didn't say anything, prompting Aros to speak up from behind her.

"...Lucky you haven't been over there for a while, isn't it?"

He spoke, giving Kiyuu a faint smile, leaning in just a little closer while dabbing a makeup brush into the eyeshadow pallette in his hand, before applying it, making slightly quicker movements than previously, already being able to tell what Kiyuu was thinking.

They both knew the signs by now from even just a glance. With the context the podcast had accidentlly given... Something bad was about to happen. That much they could tell.

His expression morphed back into a frown as he watched how Kiyuu's face seemed to go through a cycle of conflicting emotions, confirming what he'd thought.

"...Yuuto's close by, though. And he definitely won't hesitate to head straight for Ramshackle once he suspects something's happening..."

There was more silence, only disturbed by the quiet sounds of rummaging through makeup and supplies from Aros. They'd been in the middle of testing out some makeup samples Aros had been sent for a promotion when they'd decided to tune into NRTea's podcast in the background.

"...Would you like me to quickly finish applying your makeup before we go?"

Aros offered, picking up an eyelash curler, and tilting Kiyuu's head up gently with his pointer finger.

"But-"

"Ah- Let me finish now. If you're worried about time, I'll change up our plan, do something quick, yet effective, instead. Don't stress out more than you need to. It won't do you any good."

"Mmh... Okay then. I'd- really like that. Thank you..."

Kiyuu conceeded softly, a silent exchange of gratitude from Kiyuu between them, Aros nodding in response, expression neutral as he continued.

"...Heh. I bet he's real excited right now. I worry a lot for him when he does this sort of thing, y'know. Just doing whatever he wants with no consideration to anyone else's feelings..."

Kiyuu mumbled, an underlying bitterness that she never quite felt wholeheartedly in her voice.

"That's just how he is. The only thing for us to do now is help them both out, hm?"

"Ah- right..! Yuna, I heard their name was, I think... I hope they're alright..."

"As do I."

Aro's commented as he stood, reaching instinctively for his hand mirror, handing it to Kiyuu as he hastily, yet still neatly, tidied up his supplies.

"Satisfactory?"

He asked, turning his head around to gauge Kiyuu's opinion.

"Yeah! More than, for sure."

Kiyuu agreed, handing back the mirror. She felt a little better now, the familiar feeling of her makeup calming her nerves ever so slightly.

After a few short moments she stood, hastily reaching to fix up her hair into a more practical fashion.

"Okay! Okay. Let's go! We shouldn't waste anymore time."

She announced, projecting bounds more confidence than she actually felt.

"Yes, let's. Perhaps we'll even arrive before anything too disastrous occurs on either party's end..."

Aros responded. Though somehow, they both doubted that much of a miricle would happen for them today...