#moonsmultimusings

He had been pacing for at least half an hour by this point. His hands were buried into his pockets as he thought deeply about the situation at hand. This is embarrassing. Borderline humiliating! And yet he wanted to question Phoenix very much, ask him what needs to be asked. The fact he's having to actively do this is certainly something he had been constantly - almost obsessively - thinking about.

Eventually, he exhaled loudly and placed his forehead against the door. He inhaled a deep breath and closed his eyes, imagining the many ways it could go. Hopefully, it goes how he wants it to go. He just has to not let that man under his skin, from the way he sees things.

The sound of joy fills the air in overlapping giggles and shrieks. A perfect day to spend at an amusement park, family outing negotiated and earned, celebrating Anya’s barely passing marks on her most recent exam. Yor hopes she can cherish the way spring colored eyes sparkled seeing the amusement park up close, Anya overwhelmed with everything she wanted to do right away that popped out at her… but the first and top priority: the tallest rollercoaster. What Yor hadn’t anticipated, necessarily, a gulp taken seeing just how high the hill was.

‘ Don’t you trust me? ’

A flush scatters over Yor’s cheeks, hoping she hasn’t accidentally offended @moonsmultimusings. Is that why he’s asked? Does he need reassurance? “ Y-yes I do b-but… ” Frantically, Yor recants her statement. “ No — there’s no but when it comes trusting you, Loid-san, BUT — ! ” She can’t help but glance back up at the highest hill again, watching the car careen down it with the passengers screaming… Anya now cleared for height (just barely! When did she get to be so tall?! Yor had triple checked to make sure!)

Amusement parks had once been a luxury she couldn’t afford with her little brother, too busy with work to take him, trying to make ends meet and save every little bit they could. Of course she wanted Anya to have everything she could ever want and more but did it have to be something so… dangerous? “ Anya-san, if you decide in line you don’t want to go, we can do something else! There’s a kiddy coaster just over that way. ” Which, to Anya, seemed lame in comparison. No hill, no sharp twists or turns, light dips around a circle. Unimpressed, her expression read.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀It was impossible to catch her breath. The vice grip on her rescuer's hand wouldn't let up even though they were within the safety of his home. First, Zen was injured, then Echo Girl decided to spread vicious rumors, after that, the threat of a bomb had loomed over her. Someone breaking in and trying to take her away was yet another item on her overfilled plate of stressors. The crazed look in his eyes was still haunting her thoughts. Chaesun hadn't realized she was trembling like a leaf until her free hand tried to brush aside her carob-colored bangs. It was reckless to bite the intruder's hand; she knew that now. Adrenaline had taken over in that moment, and she so desperately wanted to be enveloped by the comfort and security of Zen's presence. Regardless of the incident, she had to remain strong. With the party just a day away, she couldn't afford to be reeling from a traumatic experience. Frankly, most of the R.F.A. would be astonished tomorrow's festivities were in her thoughts at all after that.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Senses were beginning to return to her. His hand was... so warm. Her own was getting clammy from the cold sweat of fear. How embarrassing. No. That wouldn't be held against her. He surely hadn't even noticed among all the chaos. It was cliche to consider him the prince or the knight that came just in time to save her, but some girls still liked that sort of thing. She was one of them. As much as she wanted to believe she could have fought him off on her own, she had no training in self-defense and had glaring disadvantages that would make that more difficult. Thinking about what could have happened had Zen not showed up was too much. Though that messenger app had proven to be a great deal of trouble, it allowed her to meet people she could see herself being close with, and a person who might just complete her. No matter the strife, Chaesun didn't regret downloading it for a second. The notion that it could have ended in the blink of an eye, and that she could have ended up abducted by that white-haired man prompted a lump to form in her throat.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀" Zen . . . ! "

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀His name came out more like a broken whimper. The thing she dreaded most was happening. Her lower lip quivered, and she felt the prickle of tears beginning to form. It was enough to feel weak in this situation, but to break down as well? After everything she had been through in the past few days, a good cry was deserved, yet she didn't want to allow it for herself. Sadly, whether she liked it or not, the war was being lost. " That was dangerous ! Are you okay ? " In spite of getting choked up and trembling, she was still attempting to act unbothered and worry about him instead. It was clearly futile, but she couldn't find a good reason for losing her grip. There were a lot of things she was currently responsible for. Wasting too much time on herself could potentially ruin tomorrow's event. No one else would think like that, and would gladly help where they could; however, her desire to not burden anyone further made her stubborn.

@moonsmultimusings sent - 🌿 - from yusuke! ( Meet My Muse Under the Mistletoe - Accepting! )

"Looks like it's you and me, huh?"

He looks up at the mistletoe with a wry smile - if they were going to be put in this situation, might as well handle it with some good humour, right?

But, it was when Kris saw Ralsei's "room" for the first time that they finally felt a bond of understanding form towards to Ralsei. He was playing a role, the same as they were and when looking at Ralsei more closely they saw many differences he and Asriel had. Both in how they looked and how they acted. It was clear now how empty Ralsei was deep down much like how they were. The persona he showed up till now was created purely to please Kris and Susie.

Ralsei never did anything for himself, even seemed to fear the very concept of having a self. It was very unlike how all of the other Darkners they met up till now acted. The other Darkners had defined personalities, some were more simple than others but they did feel more alive when compared to Ralsei. Ralsei let everyone walk all over him both emotionally and physically just to make them happy.

There was almost something deeply sickening about that. It reminded them too much of certain aspects of themselves. Least more recently with what they were being made to do with the SOUL along with Carol and the Knight. Kris had no choice but deep down they resented their freedom being taken away from them. If Ralsei was in the same position he would likely do everything without complaint. A perfect follower! Just like Carol always wanted from both Dess and Noelle. It made Kris sick to their very core.

"Stop this crap about being just a tool. You're making me mad seeing you act like that. The other Darkners have purposes sure, but they have things beyond that. You ask if its ok for a Darkner to act like a person but you're clearly just tormenting yourself with that way of thinking. You're supposed to be the ruler of this kingdom Ralsei. As bad as King, Queen, and Tenna were they all at least showed some level of authority. You're not just here for me and Susie you have to care for the other Darkners too. They're your people now, if you don't care about youself, how can you ever care for them? If you're not careful King or Queen could turn everyone against you."

Is it that he seems particularly approachable? Maybe, maybe not. In fact, it might be unfair, and completely inaccurate, but Zenkichi can't help but feel like he gives off a bit of a clumsy, unreliable vibe. Certainly, he's not the kind of person he'd ever consider a threat, so what is it about him that's caught Zenkichi's attention...??

As Pubsec, you tend to get an eye for when someone is suspicious, or doing something they shouldn't be. He doesn't think that's the case here - or at least that's what his instincts are telling him, but it's... well. Interesting, he supposes, that something's set off his gut feeling. Now if only he could figure out what it was trying to tell him.

"Hmm? Oh- sorry to stare." Busted, Zenkichi thinks as he notices the man looking back up at him after a moment. "I've been spacing out a bit... it's been kind of a long day. You alright?"

While the two had some freetime today, Shuichi had invited Rantaro to his dorm room so they could hang out for the day. That, and he had asked him if he could see his scrapbook of photos he's taken along his travels; notably of the places he's visited during the winter season, inspired by the snow currently falling outside.

That, over some hot tea and pasties he offered, if Rantaro wanted some, made for a fun way to pass the time! "Ohhh...!" As Shuichi looked at the different photos, he gasps in awe at how pretty the locations are. "These places look so beautiful in the winter... and is that the nothern lights in this photo right here?! So pretty... being able to see the sky so clearly without light pollution from the city and so many skyscrapers blocking the sky, must make for a wonderful sight to see in person.."