#<- ooc// more practical for humans soo... pants with a simple top and an embroidered sash around the waist

[hello-from-nrc-infirmary]

*Vern sighs*

No... I um.. haven't

*she exaggerates a pout but perks up at the compliment*

Thank you!!! I'm just glad you all like them~! Oh, we should explore the games together and-

-and give them a moment. Don't suffocate Vern's guests.

*Shirley's eyes light up at the new voice as she spins around to see a girl with short auburn hair approaching the group. Shirley happily bounces over and hugs her*

Hello~ it's ummm... been a while.

It has. You look like death.

... you umm.. always say that...

*the newcomer gives Shirley's hand a small squeeze before looking at everyone*

Afternoon, everyone. Call me Folia, I'm in charge of autumn.

Book 2: A Century of Circumstance

Chapter 3: A Matter of Seasons

The small echo of the door and a few distant voices catch his attention. Right, he had friends to entertain. It was not the time for fleeting shadows in his mind. Giving Steel a practiced smile, he tries to force the tremble out of his voice.

"I'm umm... I'm fine... I-" a handkerchief being held out to him gives him pause. "O-oh what's ummm... thank you... but um... why..?"

"..You're crying."

A grimy feeling twists in his stomach. He didn't realize that he was.

"O-oh... I.. um... thank you..."

Gingerly taking the handkerchief, his hand lightly trembles as he uses it. Steel's hand hovers between them for a few moments. Just as he starts to drop it, Vern passes the fabric back.

"L-later... umm... I um... we can talk more then..."

"Sure," Steel straightens, hands returning to his pockets. "Don't push yourself. Don't want you overblotting."

He tilts his head at that with a smile, "you don't want to ummm... match?"

A light laugh is breathed into the air, "no~ not like that."

Good. Steel smiling eases his mind. Stopping to think too much now would... no. Vern wasn't going there. Not yet... not when he still has so much to do.

Turning towards the guest house, he waves for the others to join them.

Ooc// @nrcbookclub @castaway-achlys @nightonthemountain