schmisse | 🪶 inbox.

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So it's like Risé?

My apologies for assuming how your name is pronounced, then.

I don't even remember what we were talking about before that anymore.

yea kinda! that sounds about rite
its ok

werent we talking about ur butt

Nevermind, then. We don't have to keep talking about my butt.

aww
but its cute

lol
i mean like y b embarrassed abt it rite?
literally ever1 here had theirs posted so
hey go look at mine if u wanna feel even

It's embarrassing because I didn't want everyone to see it! Not to mention, that description of me???

I will look at yours, just so it's fair, then.

sure thing
here u go

and yea these profiles kind of really suck
what a bunch of jerks making it

What's the bird for? Is that a pet of yours?

....no i just couldnt figure out how 2 delete that picture

(￣ヘ￣)

Oh.

Try again next time, I guess?

well
my butt is rly nice at least???? like theres that

I admire your confidence.

I still don't know what makes a nice butt, but the photo is nice.

[ In retrospect, the nature of the Heart was less tumultuous than the last two games everyone had to endure. If anything, it was a real test of their emotions. Their feelings. And despite the scramble of it all, at the very end of those strings...they still found one another. If it hadn't sank in before, it certainly did now. How much Weiss was going to be there for him. Through thick and thin. How far Ragna was willing to go for her sake and to protect that warmth that she trusts with him.

Just when they thought things couldn't get any more different between them after their foray through the Other Roost, they keep on surprising themselves. Yet every time, it draws them further and further closer. He'd told her before that he felt happy...and she's the very reason for that. While this wasn't quite their second date yet, Ragna's burning hole in his pocket couldn't be ignored for too much longer after he became one of the richest low ranks in the resort. And they both damn well know how that happened. Psuedo-date? Shopping spree date? ~~Spoil her rotten, Daddy?~~

The Nest was their next destination! (Note to self: see that tech guy about his projector by himself...the hell was his name? Joel?) They didn't even need to worry about having lunch cooked when they planned on just eating out on their trip. For once? It was okay for everything to be on Ragna— no questions asked. ]

🚿🚿🚿

[ After hitting up the Talon together for a good workout first thing in the morning after breakfast, they needed a buffer between the exercise and all the walking they were soon going to embark on in the afternoon. So coming back up to Weiss' Queen Suite, hitting the shower (together) and spending time putting their feet up and relaxing sounded like the move. Even now as the two share her spacious standing shower, Ragna briefly has his back turned to her to start scrubbing himself downstairs with soap. A thought is currently being mulled over in his head, sparked in part by their past conversation about what he'd like to see in this mansion of a suite.

It just so happens that they were working out before preparing to go shopping this afternoon. The perfect combination to get that braincell of his churning in that head of his. ]

You know? [ He raises his voice enough for Weiss to hear him, knowing the beating water dulls his voice otherwise. ] I thought of something I might wanna put up here.

[ Oh don't worry. It's not an urgent purchase He's spending lots on her today. ...They just might hafta do a little browsing if they find the right shop for him. ]

Hm?

[ Weiss is almost done cleaning up when Ragna opens up that topic. At first, she has to figure out what he means by that and would have asked him to clarify, but then it hits her.

Something of his own? To put up in the suite or in his room, maybe?

She turns to face him but quickly turns away, realising that she should give him some privacy even when they're showering together. ]

What do you want to get?

[ He doesn't really need much else either. His hair has already been well conditioned (HE DIDN'T REACH RANDOMLY THIS TIME ARE YOU PROUD?), and he'll just give his legs and feet a good rub with soap after letting it do its work cleaning his more private area. ]

Some exercise equipment. [ Sparing a look over his shoulder his attention is between rubbing down his legs (and knees) and talking to her, far more relaxed around her naked body at this point that catching her boobs in his periphery wasn't really a huge deal. Time and a place, right? At least he's not flat-out turning around to flash her unwarranted. ] The Talon's all well and good, but sometimes I wouldn't mind not having to go all the way down just to hafta come right back up to shower.

[ Because like hell was he gonna use the showers there. ...not unless he has to. Of COURSE the resort had to have something more supernatural lurking around like some voyeuristic creep-o. Also there's that little known factoid that Ragna was still afraid of ghosts, dulled from before as his fear was anyway. ]

Whaddya think?

[ It's not just for him, truth be told! ]

[ After staying with Weiss for this long, it would only take the dumbest dumbass to still not know what products in the bath and shower are for which... You can do it, Ragna!! You can use more than one product to clean yourself up!! ]

I don't think we can put an entire gym in here, but some equipment wouldn't be so bad. What were you thinking of getting?

[ They can probably repurpose a part of the library or the drawing room for it. Not unless Ragna wants it in his room, which is fine, too! That's his own place, after all. He can rearrange it however he likes. Weiss does like having to go out because it gives her the illusion that she isn't just cooped up in her suite. ]

[ Shampoo, conditioner, bar of soap. He's not allowed to buy 2-in-1. DFKSLJA When he gets his own higher Suite? He can buy whatever he wants. ...And probably barely use it because he's up here. ]

What? Oh. Nono. I didn't wanna do that. Maybe like, a treadmill or one of those elliptical machines? Set of weights and a bench? That's it.

[ Ragna waits his turn for Weiss to finish rinsing under the shower. Until then, he'll just let the soap suds do their magic as he rolls his shoulders and sighs with relief. This was nice... It always was. ]

I dunno. I'm just thinking out loud. Would you use any of that?

[ Frankly they burn more calories than they eat sometimes between the exercise and the..."exercise". Was he in even better shape than he already was back home? ]

[ Ragna can buy and use whatever he likes in his own suite. In Weiss'? ~~Well, also his...~~ He's going to have to get used to using her toiletries and smelling like her GAFSGFH at least he has his own bathroom here too. He can use his 10-in-1 there... ]

Sure. On lazy days, I could just work out here instead of going out. What would you want to get first?

[ She can do her yoga pretty much anywhere, but the treadmill and an elliptical would be nice.

Weiss is pretty much done rinsing, so she turns back around to look at him once. A quick glance before she looks back up at the shower head. It's nice and big enough that they get to share in the water without someone feeling cold and all, which is nice! ]

Are you done? I'm ready to come out.

[ They just ran a test for 11-in-1 down at the Nest! Man. He can't wait. The Ultimate All-In-One Package. ~~No. This is all a fucking lie. And filler. Let him smell like you please. DFLKSJA~~ ]

Treadmill seems more practical. Takes up less space and you can probably stack it up and out of the way.

[ He's only guessing. He's used the equipment but if the treadmill folds... An elliptical machine doesn't. ]

Oh! Yeah. Just about. Lemme juuust- [ Ragna saddles on up beside Weiss, uncaring of the way that his hardened body slides up against her more lithe and softer figure while he lets the water take care of the rest of the suds, until he's left to pitter-patter his feet to rid the last of said soap from the soles of his feeties. ] There.

[ All squeaky clean! With a matted head of white hair to boot. One of these days, Weiss. You'll get him to try keeping it worn down... He reaches over to shut the water off before nudging the glass door open for Weiss. ]

After you.

I wonder...

[ Out she goes! Thank you, Wagna. Their towels are right by the door, on the dry side, so she gets hers and dries herself off before putting a robe on. So fluffy and comfy! And it's easy to walk around with it on while picking which clothes to wear. It's her hair that she works on afterwards so it stops dripping, looking at Ragna as she's squeezing parts of her hair and letting the towel catch the water. ]

Can you just carry me and move your arms up and down instead of lifting weights?

[ She's not serious, but if Ragna wants to try it someday, it might actually be fun. Absolutely silly, through. ]

[ And out he follows her! Mindful to pad his feet on the plush bathroom rug just outside her shower door, he plucks up his own towel and quickly pats himself dry. It really didn't take much of anything before he was dry enough to slide a robe down his arms and wrap himself up. Gotta start scrubbing through that luscious mop of hair he's got on his head. ]

You serious? Like, bench press you?

[ Judging by his tone of voice as he walks out after her, not in any hurry to go back to his room and change just yet now that he's decent with a fluffy robe, he's actually taking her seriously.

Don't test him. He'll do it. Hell, he might do it to her right now. ]

Why not? You know they do stuff like that in some movies? You could lift a plank and I could sit in the middle or something.

[ If he's bench pressing, anyway. ]

But I was imagining something like... if you carried me and...

[ Okay, pardon her, but she doesn't know what it's called. She instead puts the towel over her shoulders, hair on one side. ]

Then do squats.

[ In fact, she holds out her arms, and then does a goblet squat. Though rather than bringing her hands close together when she's all the way down (as low as she can be without revealing what's underneath her robe, anyway), she maintains her arms being in front of her, just her hands closer to her chest. ]

Like that? I think that works.

Well NOW you're just reminding me of my old training days with Master. He'd sit on my back and drill me the whole damn time.

[ "But I was imagining something like... if you carried me and..." ]

Yooou mean like...a fireman's carry? While you plank across my shoulders?

[ Frankly as beautiful as Weiss was from top to bottom, and how he's literally seen everything; once more, time and place. So he thanks her for not squatting down too low to give him the good ol' coochie flash. If she accidentally had, his eyes would only have been looking because she's the one squatting down. ]

You know you're a LOT lighter than what I normally lift.

We could do that, too!

[ Her on his back and all. Either way, what was a random and funny idea has now become a plan for the future jahfsjf

She goes back to drying off her hair though. Once her hair isn't dripping anymore, she'll be ready to head out and into her closet. ]

Huh? You're joking, right? That's way too much! [ Or so she thinks... ] You really are so Wagna.

[ ... wait for it ]

Wagna the Grim Reaping Crimson Calamity Bloodedge... ogre.

[ snrk ]

Edited (Wagna) 2024-08-11 09:55 (UTC)

Ohh, why the hell not. A hundred pushups, slow and steady.

[ Just don't smack him in the back of the head if his posture wobbles a tad. Or make him start over. adsfklj ]

Not for me it ain't. Trust me, the crap Master had me go through, you wouldn't believe.

[ Jubei really WAS an honest and goodhearted person. He was a warm presence to most that meant no ill will. Kind old man vibes. ...He was also just a real hardass on Ragna for good reason. ]

[ "You really are so Wagna." ]

Yah-huh.

[ He's used to it. And...so long as it only comes from Weiss, he's actually come to like it. ~~He's already erased Terumi using it to belittle him while he bleeds out dying so asdlkfj~~ ]

[ "... ogre." ]

Step too far, Fiora!

[ The ass kicking princess that he could haul over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes? Yeah, keep that up and he just might. Scrubbing his towel through his hair until it was only damp, he decides to roll up and off the bed while Weiss busies herself in her walk-in closet. Today feels like a nostalgic wardrobe day! So he'll be getting decked out in that Bloodplay Apparel clothing line Monika gifted him, red jacket and all. ]

Be right back! Gonna change up!

[ He's got his own bathroom too, so he'll just style up his hair and set it in place there. ]

Edited (Wagna) 2024-08-11 23:41 (UTC)

Hmm... [ Now she's wondering if she's too light. She knows Ragna's strong, but that's still insane to her!! He can carry the weight of a person!!! She's seen those huge weights in the gym, but she didn't... really know how much they weighed. Insane stuff, but— ]

Yang can still beat you in that arm wrestling match.

[ #priorities

They can tease each other and talk however they like. She calls him an ogre and he bristles at it and calls her an ogre right back. It's a clipped gasp she lets out before she pouts, cheeks slightly puffed as she stands before him, utterly offended! >:T She's no ogre, Ragna! Just like how she isn't a devil! If he weren't standing up, she'd be bonking him on the head right now!!!

The tsun only lasts for a couple of seconds, though. She punctuates her pouting with an indignant huff before she heads off into her closet, a connected room to both her bedroom and bathroom. And she hasn't figured out what sort of look she wants to go for today, so she actually stands in the middle of the array of clothes racks (her dresses and other clothes organised by colour) before asking... ]

Wagna? [ She has to look back in case he didn't follow her inside, which she wasn't really counting on. He might want to get changed already, after all! If he didn't follow her in, she might just chase after him just to ask— ] What are you wearing when we go out?

[ ... is she gonna try and match? The style, at least, yes! The colour? Likely not, unless she can. She mostly owns cool colours, not at all trying out ones that aren't blue, purple, or violet, but she's at least got some neutrals already! Black, white, grey, etc... there's a rack with random colours, like the red skirt she wore for him when they had their study session, and some other accent pieces. ]

[ It's not like Weiss wouldn't actually do something to him were he to bench press her! But she is nice and light. She had to be...what, just over a hundred pounds she's so tiny? If he had to guesstimate from ~~fucking her while standing~~ the times he carried her? ]

No chance in hell with what's on the line.

[ #priorities ]

[ Ragna barely sets foot outside her door before she's calling after him and giving chase! ]

Who, me?

[ Well he HAD something in mind! But he stops temporarily just outside her royal bedchamber, arms crossed as he hums for a moment, eyes locked on hers as he tilts to one side. ]

I was thinking of wearing my red jacket over some comfy black pants and black shirt.

Oh, of course.

[ Red and black... what did she even expect from this guy? Weiss doesn't even question it anymore and heads back inside straight away, not saying a single thing apart from that.

They're just going out shopping, so Weiss can't look too dolled up. Still, she wants to look nice for him! So she picks out a dress that's easy to take off especially if she's going to be fitting new clothes on, and a nice cardigan or jacket to go with it. He's wearing black? Then she'll wear white! Red accent? Blue accent!

It's when she's all dressed up and just needs to put shoes on and fix her hair that she thinks, though... Does she want him to lend her his jacket? ~~Yes~~ Maybe...

Screw matching, then! Ragna will just have to wait a while longer because she dresses up again, opting for a two piece white outfit. Wherever it is he decides to wait, he's... going to have to do it for some time because after dressing up again and putting shoes on, she's going to have to style her hair and put on make-up, too. A little bit of blush and eyeshadow, pink lipstick... the necklace he gave her on her birthday, earrings that match... And then she has to go check herself out in the mirror for a good while. It's about a bit past twenty minutes when she's done, peeking out of her closet door to see if Ragna's already there. ]

I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long.

[ This isn't a date. This isn't a date!! Weiss is just... always dressed up nice, that's all!! She closes the door to her closet and walks up to Ragna, a bounce in her step if only because they're!! going!! SHOPPING!!! This is exciting!! If he's seated, he's even going to get pulled up by her, taking his hand and tugging on him and all. Up you go, Wagna. ]

Let's go!

[ What! He looks good in them! ~~Better than another universe where a certain spiky-haired blond's wardrobe was varying shades of dark. afdjkl~~ Though Weiss so suddenly slipping right back into her room without another word has him standing in the hallway, hand on his hip and staring with confusion. Blink. Blink. Three times before he cocks an eyebrow. ]

What was that about?

[ Not that he imagines that anything is wrong! But he's legit confused before he ultimately decides to shrug it off and head back to his own room. Towel and robe on hand, he makes sure the door is shut behind him before he shrugs it off, naked in his own quarters. Between Kazuya and the occasional visitor from some of Weiss' other lower rank friends, the last thing he needed was some unsolicited ass or dick shots for them. There's a little bit of a delay when he opens up his spacious (albeit not walk-in) closet and sees the off-colour red jacket that's reminiscent of his own hanging up. ]

...

[ Brows knitted, he decides to follow through with it anyways. Some would go with something more casual like a nice shirt and jeans for a shopping outing. But this was still good! He'd shop and browse around back home too whenever there wasn't a Wanted Poster up with his likeness on it. No one batted an eye at his choice in wear. If anything, Ragna actually did take some care in his own style. While there's no need for makeup as far as the Grim Reaper was concerned, that still wasn't going to stop him from cleaning up in his own bathroom. Moisturizing cream, nice and smooth to prevent dried out skin. He gets to take way better care of himself at this resort than he was allotted back home. Not that he really needed it back home, but he purchased some hair spray in which he can spritz through his thick locks to hold it in place once he's styled it back from being wet.

A lot simpler warpath to looking stylish when it comes to Ragna the Bloodedge. But he does put in effort by the time he's finished checking himself in his own full length mirror. ]

Phew. Alright then.

[ Just like old times. By the time Weiss does peek out from her closet door however...he's been there for at least ten minutes. Not that he was worried! Kicking his feet on her bed, feeling nice and relaxed now that he had a good shower after a workout in the morning, he looks up just in time for her to step out for him. ]

Nope. Take your time. Iiiii...

[ Got stunned all over again when Weiss was changed up in that two piece white outfit of hers. No one can say that Ragna was too oblivious to notice when someone looked nice. He just had a penchant of not voicing it. It's a little bit easier to do that when he's had this many months to calm down and practically live another life removed from everything he knew... A part of him wonders if Weiss felt the same way, living a life unlike her own. ]

That looks, uh...really good on y— [ Aaand up he goes! Not that he was really resisting in the first place. ] —whoa!

[ "Let's go!" ]

Oh uh yeah sure. Got it. Lead the way, Angel.

[ /// ]

[ One of these days, Ragna will be able to compliment Weiss properly without being interrupted or pulled away or something... One day!!!

Weiss does take his reaction to be a good sign though. Down the stairs they go, out her suite, into the elevator to get to the main part of the resort... ]

So, should we go to The Nest first or do you want to have an early lunch?

[ They did exercise before this! If he feels like he's gonna get hungry soon, they'd better eat first. Weiss is fine with just a quick snack like a granola bar before taking part in the main event: Shopping. She already thinks they're going to take a while, seeing as how they planned to get rid of the ghost money he got. It's not just going to be a twenty minute trip to a boutique and that's that. Nope. They're going to be here for hours. ]

We can go check out equipment before going there, too. Oh, and do you think we can stop by the bookshop? I might need a new journal soon and maybe there's some new inks in stock.

[ She's excited, if that wasn't obvious enough! ]

[ One of these days, that dream was going to be a reality. The world was going to stop turning. And time will stand still when it arrives. In the meantime, his stunned stutter was just as good an affirmation that she looked good. More than good. Down the stairs and out the front door towards her personal elevator they go, hand on his hip once more as he turns to look down at her when she suggests a bite to eat. He wasn't too hungry quite yet, but...! ]

How about we grab a quick bite before we get started. If we get hungry while we're out and about, I can always take you to the food court.

[ And for once? Everything was on him without argument! ...Then again, the challenge was going to be how the hell do they spend $9000 worth in chips in a single shopping trip and make it actually mean something?? ]

Running outta space in your current one?

[ That's about as good as it gets for confirmation from him! ...Though he will, as per her teachings, say it properly once more. ]

Either way, sure. I wouldn't mind taking a browse with you there anyway.

The food court? Um, sure, I guess.

[ Weiss only looks slightly offended by it. She's never had to eat at a food court of a mall before. In school, sure, but if they're at a mall... then she wouldn't eat in some common and public place? 🤨 Not unless it's a fancy food court with all kinds of stalls with fresh food and not fast food, clean tables and chairs, and all that. If the food court in the casino isn't nice, then she'll just ask to eat at a restaurant where they can be properly seated and served.

Also... in this outfit? ]

I still have space, but it'll probably be just a few days from now before I could use a new one. I mean, I'm going to be talking about today, you know? [ In her journal, she means! ] I think today's going to be pretty eventful, so that's more than one page already!

You uh...guess?

[ He wasn't dead set on it, but even being slightly offended by what he said registers with him as he tilts his head. It speaks volumes as to what the passage of time has done for Ragna's temperament here that he doesn't get offended or defensive by her mild indignation. The last time he went on a shopping run at the Nest, he went to the food court with Monika and it wasn't a big deal? They just needed a place to stop and eat while they took a break. But he doesn't voice that, instead shifting gears instinctively. ]

Then a nice place to sit down? I know there's a buncha those down a strip...

[ No one can ever say that Ragna the Bloodedge doesn't at least try. ...He ain't about to apologize for his first suggestion though. ]

You've kept track of a lotta things since you got here, haven't you?

[ His cadence only infers that he's mildly curious... Of course he wasn't going to snoop in her diary(s)! But now she's got him thinking too. Thinking about maybe following in her footsteps. He'd have to sum up a lot of his past doings by heart, but...maybe she's onto something. ]

I've never been to a mall's food court before.

[ But she did say "Sure", Ragna!! It's fine even if it might offend her delicate sensibilities. They can find a nice place to sit down after buying some snacks later on. For now though, their plan is to buy some snacks, hit the shops and spend some time looking around and shopping, and then find something to eat again. ]

Yeah. It's both for intel and a hobby, I suppose? I've always kept a diary since I was a child, and I like to write letters to Winter too... even if she might not ever read them.

[ Her older sister would have to arrive here to do that, after all. Or she could find herself back in Remnant with all the letter she'd wrote her. Or neither could happen, so who knows! ]

Oh. Really? The one I went to had a little bit of everything. Let's just play by ear when we get really hungry, yeah?

[ They might not be anywhere near the food court by the time they want to take a break and a bite, after all!

'DING!' The elevator door opens and it's out into the lobby with them! Being that it's the "summer" time at the Golden Peacock, the AC is running swimmingly well all throughout the resort. So long as they stick to the Nest and more public areas, they won't need to worry about anything being pumped through the halls in a bid to warm them up. On that note, House? By the by? You really don't need that for these two. Not anymore... ]

I never really had the time for it back home. I was always on the go...and I guess I didn't give myself enough time to think clearly enough to actually put anything down.

[ "-and I like to write letters to Winter too... even if she might not ever read them." ]

Something tells me she will. 'Cause if anyone's gonna find a way to, it's you.

[ Simpler encouragement. Hope. Keeping a little piece of that for when the time finally came to finish what she and her friends started back home. But it's a thought he doesn't dwell on for long as his cooler smile preludes a more energetic huff. Right! Gotta hype himself up for this one. There's gonna be a lot of walking. ]

Alright, if we even burn through a QUARTER of our stash, I'll be impressed.

[ ~~The OOC measurement is $9000, but,~~ Who knew that that cursed dildo would skyrocket him into "absurdly loaded" territory? The more he gets rid of, the better. Somebody's getting spoiled rotten today. The real challenge is finding out how to spend it all. ]

Sure.

[ Listen, if the food court has a nice frozen yoghurt stall? That might actually become its selling point. In any case, that's something to figure out later. They've got about a ten to fifteen minute walk to get to the Nest. There are lots to explore, and there are even some food stalls just around the shops. Churros? Ice cream? Hotdogs? The mall's got it all. ]

Try it if you can? It's a space to write and talk about anything. [ Journaling, she means! Not writing to his siblings, although he could try that too? Say things he's never been able to say... ] Even stuff you don't already tell me.

[ She offers him a small smile then, both to thank him for his encouragement and to acknowledge that she appreciates how open he is with her. The trust they have for one another is unbreakable at this point, now that Weiss has learned that Ragna really is such a good person beneath all his onion-y layers. The only things she won't tell him at this point are her thoughts about him. The ones that are way too deep and could mess up what they've built for themselves here and what they'll be going back home to.

Funny how that is when they've known each other for less than a year. ]

Oh, I'm sure we'll find a way even if it takes some time. Let's get you lots of new jackets and shirts, too. I think it's important to at least have a couple formal outfits in your wardrobe. And... you know how girls say it's absolutely essential to have a little black dress in your wardrobe?

Do boys have anything like that?

[ He probably wouldn't know, but... considering how Ragna surprises her with the random stuff he does know but she never expected him to have knowledge of? It's his stage to blow her away once again. ]

Maybe I might...

[ A chance to jot down his memories here...what he's never had the chance to say out loud. What he may never get the chance to say out loud. Or take that chance to, when it comes to a particular former heiress. Not that she would be the root of every single entry. But as he idly lets his thoughts wander, strolling by her side as if there wasn't a care in the world or trouble to go back to in his, a wave of warm contentment washes over him a more excitable huff leaves him. ]

Whaddya say then? Wanna be my diary aficionado? [ Wink. ] Hook me up with everything I'm gonna need?

[ They'll figure out how to spend that money sooner or later. But the only way Ragna will feel good about any of it was if Weiss was the recipient for most of it. As easy as it would be to just split the funds, it was Ragna's idea to keep it in his own account; there's a method to the madness. Now Weiss gets to feel as spoiled as she deserves to be. Besides, she's gracious in her acceptance of gifts! That and he's come to learn there's a sense of satisfaction in giving to others. Especially when they're grateful. Present after present after present after present after present— ]

They do? [ About girls having a little black dress in their wardrobe as an essential? For all the little tidbits of knowledge he's gained and learned over the years between what Jubei taught him and his own experiences, unfortunately, this one flies over his head. Tilting his head at her with a more curious look on his face, he's taking what she says seriously! For a guy who prides himself on having some style, that one flew over his head. ] Can't say I know about that one. I just know what looks good to me and what doesn't.

[ Sorry, Weiss. 😔 He can't step up on this particular performance. There are still things that he's getting used to himself. After all, he was still a kid when he the tragedy at the Church happened. Followed by getting trained most of his teenager and young adult years around an old hero. Followed by spending the remainder of his adult years before coming here wrecking all the shit. He just picked up social cues and common sense along the way...things he didn't get much of a chance to exercise given his reputation and the bounty on his head. ]

So how come a little black dress is so crucial for girls?

Edited 2024-08-13 05:14 (UTC)

Seriously? You're going to try?

[ That wasn't disbelief but excitement!! Those bright blue eyes become even brighter as she looks up at him, her smile growing wider and wider by the second.

Boy, if you've heard her yap about stuff she doesn't like, she's a lot more passionate when yapping about stuff she likes!! Like pens and ink and paper and— ]

Don't ask anyone else, okay? Not even Nami! [ Ragna!! She grabs his arm with both her hands and shakes it with the same amount of excitement as one might have upon seeing a unicorn. ] Promise me, Wagna!

[ MORE VIGOROUS SHAKING!!!!! And it's not going to stop until he promises!

It's the very same excitement of being able to share what she loves doing with Ragna that she doesn't even seem bothered that he doesn't know what the answer to her question is. That's fine!! He can write about it in his journal! ]

A little black dress is simple and can be worn in just about any occasion, so it's a must-have. You can pair it with just about anything.

Let's find you something like that.

[ So probably a black shirt that doesn't look like he's going to school, and some nice black slacks that don't look like he's gonna be sweeping the floor with how wide the trouser legs are. ]

Why not?

[ After all, what else could he possibly be doing in a sex casino? Yet it's the light in Weiss' eyes that catches him by surprise all over again. It really shouldn't; it wasn't the first time that she'd lit up like a Christmas tree at something that he said or surprised her with. What was a major hobby to the bookworm of a huntress was minor for him, such as reading. But as he was quickly learning about himself, there's a lot more to know and understand about himself. A lot more about himself that he can share...with the people he trusts nearest his heart. Like showing Weiss how to cook Udon noodles. When Weiss implores him not to ask anyone else for stationary advice (not even Nami), he barely questions it with with a half-smile, and a lighthearted: ] Hey, easy now.

[ He couldn't even say that without a trace of a laugh on the edge of his words. But he sighs through his nose, letting himself be VIGOROUSLY SHAKEN for another second or two until he gives her what she wants. ]

Okay, okay! I promise! I'm not gonna go anywhere else for advice.

[ He doesn't even realize it himself, how much that smile of his has since grown after he "endured" her euphoric little outburst. A smile that persists well into their next conversation as they walk past the lobby and out into the open resort space leading to the Nest. At this stage, unless something freaky happened (again) and locations shuffled around out of nowhere, the two of them practically knew most the hotspots of the Golden Peacock by heart by now. It came with the territory of sleuthing around as much as he had upon first arriving here...that and just sightseeing of his own accord once he calmed down enough and settled. ]

Ohh... [ Though the smile lessens, it's only to make way for a pensive thought...a few seconds worth of that as his jade and blood hues nonchalantly look his shopping partner up and down. Okay. Smile from before is coming back. ] Yeah, I guess I can see that. Come to think of it, have I ever caught you wearing black like that before?

No...

[ No he does not think so. And that's exactly what he was doing earlier while humming it over. He wasn't just picturing any girl wearing a black dress. But someone currently wearing white by his side. ]

Something like a black suit?

[ ~~Ragna, wrong series. Don't turn into a Turk.~~ ]

[ See, there's a reason why Weiss' suit is Spades. Reasons like this, when she just wants to be the only journal-senpai to one Wagna the Bloodedge. Though maybe she's just really excited at this time. It could be both.

Because of that, Weiss doesn't even let go of his arm anymore. Nope. She's going to cling to it now, even resting the side of her head on it as they walk. The farther they get into the public areas of the resort, the more people they walk past, the louder the whispers get. Is that Queen really associating herself with someone so low ranked? Are they dating? ~~Why aren't they dating?~~

Weiss couldn't even care. She's in such a good mood right now. ]

I don't really wear a lot of black, so no. [ But as she said, it is essential to have a dress like that, so she has one! ] Do you want to see me in one?

[ '^' ]

We can match some time, once we get you a nice outfit. It doesn't have to be a black suit, but still an all-black ensemble?

[ To some degree, the Diamond had been an act of mercy on behalf of the House. It amplified various feelings, yes, but it's those pesky physical changes along with numbing the mind so insatiably that were the biggest pains in the ass. ...But, he'll handle a Spade any time. He's got plenty of experience in doing such, in more ways than one. That, and if this was Weiss' own bubbly excitement at being able to share in a passion with someone? It's not only harmless, but enough to have broken past those layers of his armour long ago.

How he used to recoil and tense when someone dared to grab his arm... Now when it came to anyone he trusted so close, coupled with the added control he'd come to gain over it, he actually felt warmth spreading from his chest at the contact. Instinctively, he shifts his stride for her to something a little slower. A little smoother so that she can comfortably rest her head against the side of his head as they walk. Ragna's used to being given a wider berth in public thanks to his lower rank...yet like moths to a flame, they gather for their illustrious Queen.

It's the exact same problem that Scott and Mitsuru had...

Luckily, Ragna's sort of numbed himself to the whole hierarchy. He will rank up in a meaningful way, if it meant balancing himself out with those he spends time with. Namely a particularly beaming Schnee hanging off his arm right about now. Were they dating? ~~Why aren't they dating?~~ That's none of anyone's goddamn business! ]

Kinda, yeah. [ As for why? ] You've been batting a thousand in anything you've worn.

[ Are you proud of him, Weiss? How proper he's become with saying what he means? ]

Guess we're putting that on the "shopping for" list. But, hey...

What about matching what YOU normally wear sometime? I mean, I'm not opposed to trying whites and blues.

Maybe I can wear it when we go out for dinner or a movie sometime.

[ Or he cooks up something fancy for the both of them? They can find a nice little corner in the library where the view is nice, or some other more secluded part of her suite... it'd be a nice and romantic getaway even if they're just at "home".

To his suggestion that he matches her this time around, Weiss' footsteps slow as she looks at him. This time, she does let go of his arm, her own falling back to her sides. Hmm... Ragna in white, huh? That'd be interesting. ]

I'm sure you can pull it off. You already wore white when you dressed up like a professor.

Getting my hopes up already, are you?

[ They've already agreed to a second date. ...and thinking of dinner or a movie, the latter wasn't on their agenda today. Yet he couldn't help but feel like there's a familiar vibe in the air between them today. He couldn't quite place his finger on it. So he decides to leave that on the back burner for now. ]

Professor? [ Half a beat. Then his eyes are widening as that was both a fun day and a flustering day for the temporary 'teacher'. Thankfully, he doesn't just immediately fluster up ~~at their lack of self-control over the course of the day~~ ] That's right. But I bet I could take it a step further.

[ Which is to say Ragna was going to put some serious effort into his outfits today. He really wasn't into it as much as the likes of Weiss or Monika were, but now that he's got the space for more...why not? He'd spent a good chunk of his adult life in this style of jacket. It's been a challenge breaking out of his shell and actually branching out his style.

They walk side by side, past a particular group of NPCs who had a penchant for fawning over the royal ranks, torn between being enamoured by the beautiful Queen, and throwing up their eyebrows at the diamond in the rough she keeps around. In his periphery, they don't go unnoticed...nor do subsequent pairings or groupings as their attentions are drawn to the dynamic guests. If there are whispers and murmurs, he's not hearing them. But he is noticing that it's starting to get a little more crowded... ]

(What the hell's up with all the traffic today?)

[ An internalized thought that somehow distracts him from the fact he'd instinctively, blindly starting feeling for Weiss' hand to take in his. ]

Edited (wagna ) 2024-08-13 08:52 (UTC)

When you say it like that, I really have to make sure I don't disappoint...

[ Especially if she's getting his hopes up and all! Wouldn't wanna dash them! And she knows he'd say something about how she always looks good or whatever—he always does—but she wants to be able to get him speechless! That's probably the best reaction she could ever get.

It looks like they've got more and more stuff on their list of things to buy now, though. Weiss is pretty excited! Even if they don't get to buy everything and use up all the chips today? That just means there's another day out together where they go shopping and talk about the most random of things.

It's nice! It's not even a date, but spending time together is nice. It's a different feeling if and when they're just making out or having sex or whatever. ]

Oh- [ She didn't think she would get lost, but the mall seems to be bustling today. Ragna taking her hand gets her to look up at him, surprised, but it's not at all a violent reaction. ] I guess a lot of people are out today, huh?

[ Best not to bring attention to him taking her hand. She just knows he's going to get shy about it. So instead of saying anything or smiling at him to show appreciation, she squeezes his hand and steps in a little closer to him. ]

Maybe we can still go around the shops and the lines won't be long? I don't mind if we just go shopping now and just have a snack later.

[ Hopefully there will be less people later when they decide to eat! ]

You won't.

[ Oh so blunt... Was it bias? Honestly, if he had to take a step out of his own shoes and observe? No. Not at all. He can just catch the vibe from the huntress that she wasn't crudely vain. If she knew that she was pretty, she confidently flaunted it. She towed the line between blatant and implicit, and...well. Yeah, she was objectively attractive. Beautiful. Before the two of them even had the chance to click, one of the first things he said upon inviting her up was how nice she looked— even if that remark came off more brusquely due to his fresh arrival. ]

"Summer"— [ The air quotes in his tone tho... ] —is apparently the busiest time of year.

[ The instant Weiss steps in a little closer, he reacts to the squeeze of his hand with one of his own. It's not tight, but his hold does firm a little bit. They're not going to get separated or anything! It's not like they're being bumped to at every pass...but something about it still feels right. He's still not going to ever let his right arm breath without a sleeve or gloving; no matter who he was with. With its ominous appearance, that wasn't the type of attention he wanted drawn to him. ]

Good idea. Everyone's out in the hustle and bustle, so it might not be a freakin zoo inside.

[ It IS getting closer to "lunch" time! Not that Ragna or Weiss were that hungry yet... The difference between the NPCs routine and the freedom of choice that otherworldly guests held. Frankly, going against the flow made him feel better, knowing that they weren't just following along. Blending in...~~forgetting themselves~~ ]

You don't know that yet!

[ While she appreciates his support (?), she does want to take care and make sure she looks nice according to her standards. Say it when you see it, Wagna. That's the only time it counts. ]

So... bookshop first? Then we'll check out gym equipment?

[ Because she'll direct them to that particular direction! Not unless Ragna wants to buy clothes first, then they'll take a different direction for that one. Weiss at least knows where to go, so it's not like they're going to get lost at the mall either.

Much as she likes following a plan and a schedule, she's keeping it light and breezy today! This is as much of a shopping trip for Ragna as it is for her, after all. ]

Sure! Get the two big things outta the way before we drown ourselves in outfits or whatever pings us.

[ In this case, he's actually going to be leaning on Weiss to guide him for most of the stores they hit up. She's the one who has a leg up on him, after all. Come to think of it...she's the one with a fresher Suite and a metric fuckton of space to fill. How full WAS that walk-in closet of hers anyway? New books to read are one thing, but it's the stationary that he's after... Although he's not opposed to getting surprised.

Who would have thought that pulling out of all the carnage he gets wrapped up in would nurture that more human side of him further? ]

Don't hold back on me either. You see something you want? You get it.

[ If Ragna wanted a tour of her closet, she'd be more than happy to give him one! It's bigger than his Rank 3 suite... It's as big as her Rank 5 suite... possibly even bigger.

She does appreciate Ragna telling her not to hold back. As if she was going to! He's got so many chips to spend and half of it is her share! They're buying LOTS of dresses and shoes and maybe even bags today. Although... ]

Oh, that reminds me, how much does a Wagna-made crepe cost? And a box of macarons. I want a month's supply of those.

[ Is she telling him to learn how to make macarons now too? Yeah. ]

Cost?? Like I'd charge you anything for—

[ ... ]

You're not talking about chips, are you. [ He huffs through his nose then, unable to help the smile that tugs on the corners of his mouth once more. It's not so blatant, but he takes a better hold of her hand, readjusting his grip for a second before gently swinging their arms once. ] Don't let me forget by the end of today. I'll come up with a fair price.

[ As for her second request... ]

Thank god for you got a fully-equipped kitchen. Baking's still a newer one for me.

Not everything I want can be bought with chips, Wagna!

[ In fact, she wags a finger to emphasise her point. Take this to heart, do not forget, and don't get careless!

She steps onto the escalator, making sure that Ragna's right behind her so that they don't stumble onto it as they head to a higher floor. While she lets go of his hand, she does face him and give him her full attention. Also she's taller (???) this way. Just catch her if she ends up tripping backwards once they reach the top, Wagna! ]

I mean, if I wanted a hundred more dates, are you going to give me all of it? Those aren't something you can buy, you know.

Something about certain things being priceless, right?

[ He'll think long and hard for her. Whether by the end of the shopping session or before they get back to her Queen Suite, she's going to get her answer. Escalators like this weren't common back in his world...then again, shopping malls like this weren't common either. Only in the far more illustrious Hierarchical Cities could you find various fancier shopping districts. But nothing so extensive or grandiose as the Nest. The Golden Peacock seriously outdid itself, even if it's unnatural as it is. Ragna's gaze follows Weiss as she takes a step on ahead, finally conquering his tree status from ahead. From here, even while she teases about wanting a hundred more dates, that smile of his turns more into a smirk as he sets a hand on his hip.

Look at her...the angel from on high, watching over him even now. ]

A month's worth of macarons for a hundred more dates...

[ They're approaching the top of the escalator, which has him looking over her shoulder as a cue. But he's prepared. If she loses her footing by accident. ]

Sounds priceless enough.

Edited 2024-08-14 08:54 (UTC)

So... a month's worth of macarons for a hundred dates? Does it mean I'm the one making the macarons?

[ So that he'd go on 100 dates with her? On top of the 31 he owes her??? •_• Weiss does have to think long and hard about this, which means she isn't watching her step at all. She's just looking at him, all curious! ]

Or are you making the macarons and then going on dates with me? Or... do we both— ah!

[ Weiss reaches the top already, but her heels trip against the edge of the escalator where the step meets the floor. She falls backwards, butt first, although if a certain Crimson Calamity prevents the accident, then maybe one young lady won't have a sore ass yet again! It's too soon for that JAHDJAD

Or he could wind up stumbling into her bc escalators are so very tricky like that. ]

No, no, see, that's supposed to be your payment for ME making a month's worth of macarons.

[ Though now that Weiss was musing it over aloud, he's the one that's getting confused now. Way to go??? ]

Or, wait, am I giving you a month's worth AND a hundred dates while you pay me with something else? The hell are we even—

[ "— ah!" ]

[ And there she goes, heels tripping up on the edge of the escalator before he has a chance to warn her, his body tensing instinctively as he wastes very little time in springing forward for her. A flash of panic strikes his features as he reaches out for her nearest hand (flailing or not). ]

Hey!!

[ Ragna didn't just step up to try and catch her. He leapt up the last bit of stretch to not only grab her by the wrist and pull her towards him, but his other arm cinches around her slender waist at the same time as he awkwardly stumbles off the escalator and onto flat ground. Given just how much taller he was than Weiss though, and the scramble of everything? By the time the two were done taking a half-spin around, her feet are barely touching the floor by the time he's got her body pressed flush up on his. At the very least, they've somehow managed their way off to the side so that others behind them could step off...all the while shooting them weird looks at first before minding their own business and strolling on by. ]

[ That was truly careless of her!! Weiss is lucky that Ragna was attentive and fast enough that she doesn't actually fall. The scene caused isn't that embarrassing as it would be if she did end up on her ass, so some onlookers worried for one of the resort's VIPs find relief that she didn't fall. Weiss is just as relieved too, only realising that her feet aren't even on the ground anymore seconds later.

It's like her heart stopped then, her body giving up and letting the accident happen.

Fortunately, there was someone there who wanted to avoid that! ]

Sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going! [ Her hands have found purchase on his chest without her even knowing. When it registers, she just gives him a pat of acknowledgement before kicking her feet gently, a sign that she's asking to be set down. ] Thanks for looking out for me.

[ Should she do it again? Call her her hero? Honestly, she's a little embarrassed to try and be playful at this time, so it's a missed opportunity for sure. ]

Yeah, 'cause someone— scratch that, WE had macarons on the brain.

[ Because he could have just as easily warned her that they were on the top already. So he shoulders some of that 'blame' in all of this. Ultimately, it wasn't a big deal in the first place, as was apparent by the lightened smile that graces his lips before Weiss was gently kicking her little feet through the air. Right. That's his cue. Down she goes. Though he doesn't step back completely once her heels click on the smooth, polished concrete, his arms sliding down to her waist for a moment as he looks down at her. ]

I gotcha. You okay?

[ Spontaneously catching her like this and standing together in public so close has him forgetting how he'd usually call her something like "Angel" in this kind of situation too. They're supposed keep walking to the book shop... /// ]

Well, I still don't know what you meant.

[ But she's giggling about it now, covering her mouth with her hand as she's set down. ]

I'm okay. You made sure of it, as always.

[ :)!! If she could reach the top of his head, she'd be giving him a pat right about now for being a good Wagna. Instead, she just smiles back at him. Seeing as she's unable to go anywhere else, locked in plate with his arms around her, she'll wait for him to let go before she takes his hand.

She'll need to be secure so she doesn't fall again!! And in fact, she tells him that if Ragna doesn't take her hand first. How "it's for security". ]

[ Ragna never did anything for the gratitude of it all, even if it didn't come to him often (if at all). But he'd be lying if he said that being appreciated like this didn't feel good. Yet another new feeling he's had to learn to understand and live with. She won't need to wait for very long for him to let her go though, seconds after and he's taken by the hand back.

For security she says, huh? He doesn't snort, but it's almost a chuckle when he quips back: ]

Lemme guess, you're gonna say you invested in Ragna Insurance?

[ ...What does that even mean. Like, how he's her insurance? Yeah. It's what he was going for anyway, coolly yet playfully as he says it. ]

First of all, it would be Wagna Insurance, Inc.

[ Boy! Use your head for once. It's never Ragna. Always Wagna!!! ]

Secondly, I meant how I wouldn't fall over if I tripped again because of you.

[ The conversations they keep having today just keep getting sillier and sillier, but that's just part of being friends and being comfortable with one another, right?

The shop where Nami and Weiss buy their stationery isn't too far from where they are now, and Ragna might actually figure out that that's where they're going once they're a few shops away.

It looks like a bookshop at first, but the closer they get and once they're inside, it's shelves upon shelves of stationery and related materials! There's an entire aisle just for pens, another aisle for brushes, inks, pencils, and all that. Weiss only slows down once they enter just to see how Ragna might react if he's never seen this place before, but she doesn't also dilly-dally by the entrance. ]

The notebooks and stuff are over here. We can go around later and I'll let you choose what you want to write with.

[ The staff even greet them! Or, well, just Weiss. "Welcome back, Ms. Schnee!" they say, and Weiss just bows her head slightly before leading Ragna to where the journals are. ]

"Wagna Insurance, Inc."? Shit, we're really doing this by the books, aren't we?

[ He'd passed the bookshop a couple of times in the past. For all intents and purposes, this was going to be his first real excursion into the bookstore. The two white-haired guests stand out amidst the majority of the NPC shoppers and browsers, and save for the front entrance having a display table with the latest and greatest "smash" hits (smut) on promotion, the inside is actually unassuming and surprisingly spacious! Frankly, the front entrance and what they were advertising rolls off his shoulders at this point. Before, he would have turned up his nose or made a snarling face. But he's got far more interesting things to do and see.

Like the time that he's going to be spending with Weiss as he does follow her inside. The staff greeting just Weiss doesn't surprise him, but when he lifts his hand in an idle, half-assed wave, they at least don't look at him with disdain? It's a modest improvement to just acknowledge him (probably because of his company) and nod before he's content in minding his own business with the huntress.

He's still holding her hand for the time being, though he'll probably start letting go once he's actually started taking pens, pencils and other knickknacks off the shelves to inspect them. Much like Swan Lake, there's even a couple of areas where patrons can sit down at some round tables to take a read of books or do some scribbling! There's a good chance that the staff would have given him grief for peeking at pages without buying, but maybe now that he's not here by himself... ]

Huh. Colour me impressed. Damn near got them in whatever colour you want...

[ The journals, he means, as he's lead along to them by the younger Schnee. He doesn't realize it yet— the trace of wonder in his expression as his eyes flit between different styles. Coil, hard spines, softcover... His gloved hand traces over the row of hardcover spines in various degrees of colour and thickness. ]</small

So, I figured I should get you to choose a journal first before you choose a pen. You can figure out a pen you like later, but sometimes, you can choose a pen first and then the notebook later.

[ There are some samples which are already open, so Weiss takes one that's similar to hers. The spine is sewn, with a faux leather soft cover, and it doesn't have any lines on the pages. Size is relatively small, but just big enough for day to day notes. ]

This is what I use. The paper is smooth but also has a little bit of texture, but not too much. [ She opens it up and holds it up to him, as if telling him to touch the page. ] For these kinds of papers, it's best to use a pencil or gel and sign pens. But there are smoother ones which have a little bit of gloss to them. Those are better for ballpoint pens.

[ Is she taking her role as the journal guru to heart? A little, but this is also something she really cares about! ]

I don't use a journal with lined pages since I sometimes draw things on it too, but maybe you might want to do that?

Oh, uh, sure. I'm trusting you on this one, sooo...

[ Journal > Pen it is! As Weiss takes a journal that's reminiscent hers, he clues in on it right away. He never opened up her diary if it was ever left out, the contents of it forever a mystery to him as should be expected. If there's a temptation there, it's an easy one to resist as he bends down for her, already peeling off his left glove that conceals his "human" hand so that he can get a better feel for the page quality. While he's since calmed down considerately since his initial arrival at the Golden Peacock, this is the most sated and curious he's looked in a while.

There's almost something innocent about the way he pays so close attention to what she's saying, taking a genuine interest and doing his best to try. How was he going to know if he'd like something if he didn't give it a whirl! Easy enough to say when it's just all about a freakin journal. Ragna's touch across the page with a subtle coarse texture is delicate, pads tracing up and down the blank inside as he cocks an eyebrow. Like, it's not the first time he's touched or dealt with paper or anything! But he's genuinely attempting to commit the feel of it if they're going to be taking a gander at some stuff. ]

I think I getcha... What's a "gel" pen??

[ Signing pens? Ballpoint? Those make sense. But he's never heard of a smooth gliding gel pen before. ]

I feel like I'd lose track of my lines...then again, it IS just writing whatever I think about. [ A beat. ] What if I buy one of each? Try either one and see what I like more?

[ It's not like it's gonna go to waste. He's sure he can think of some good use for the one he doesn't turn into a journal. ]

The ink isn't liquid, but it's a gel-type. They're a bit shiny because of it.

[ It'd probably make more sense later when she shows him the variety of pens! ]

I think if you bought a bunch of different notebooks and didn't like a specific type, you might end up wasting it. Then again, I suppose we can just re-use the notebook for some thing else.

What size do you think you're comfortable with? And are you okay with this kind of paper, or would you like something smoother or rougher? If you'd like, you can try the same kind of notebook I use and see how you like it.

[ There are all kinds of sizes! From B5, going down to even smaller ones. Weiss has shown Ragna the smoother type of paper, but he might end up liking the other kinds, too. ]

Oh, and... are you looking for a red cover or a black one?

[ Since those are his colours! ]

Sooo it's thicker but smoother?

[ At least, if he's guessing right. Still, there'd be time to pick and decide. Frankly, he might just go picking out a few for himself. They'd initially talked about looking at fitness equipment for her Suite but...really, he's actually starting to think less and less about that and may need to get reminded by the time they're done here. Otherwise, they're going straight to spoiling a Queen. ]

Something else...

[ . . . ! ]

I got just the thing for one of 'em. [ A beat. ] Jotting down recipes.

[ They really did live in a luxurious sex casino where staff served them whatever they desired... (or at least, they served Weiss.) But this? Was seriously the first time that Ragna actually had the chance to actually spend time with his hobby of cooking more. But so as to not get off topic from Weiss' guru session, he draws his hand back once he's done getting a feel for the paper. Really though...something that's only just hitting him? ]

Something around yours, I think...

[ For everything, really. But, seriously, ] There's...WAY more to writing and notebooks than I thought there was. Y'know that?

[ He's not judging. He's genuinely surprised as she moves on to asking about colors. ]

Oh! Huh... [ He blinks, canting his head briefly before looking back at the great wall of diary and the myriad of different tones. ] Maybe red. Stands out more, yeah?

But if I'm gonna buy a couple... [ Shit, he can't fully decide. ] Wanna pick another color for me?

Sort of? They work better on rougher paper in my experience, but it also depends on what kind of pen you have. Because if it's a ballpoint sort of pen with gel ink, then it's fine. Needle point pens will write better when there's more texture.

[ It's a lot!! There's a reason why penmanship is an art and why calligraphy is such an intricate form of art. oh god is she going to introduce ragna to body calligraphy sometimes...

Weiss only smiles when Ragna says there's way more to writing and notebooks. He seems interested at least, so Weiss hopes that she isn't putting him off with how eager she is about all this. ]

Well, it's just like how there's so much more to cooking and eating. Like how there's a specific spoon for soup and desserts, or... um, [ Okay, she can give an example for eating easily, but cooking? She's at a blank here... ] What kind of noodles to use when making certain kinds of dishes?

[ Yeah!! That sounds right. Weiss sounds like she's asking him a question but finds her confidence after saying it out loud. ]

The one I use has three kinds— no lines, lined, and dotted. Maybe a red one, a black one, and... [ She's humming in thought as she turns back to look at the array of journals. There really are all kinds! So she picks up a red one, a black one, and seems to have difficulty choosing what the next one should be. White would honestly get dirty easily? But she's using blue already... eh, that's okay. They can match! So she gets a sky blue one for him, too. ] How's this?

Do you like these colours?

[ The details don't go in one ear and out the other for Ragna, but he is still probably going to have to do some more reading up on the differences between pens and papers again if he's really going to wanna commit any of this to memory. There's fighting and training to keep himself sharp, cooking and exploring new recipes now that he's actually got a reliable kitchen to borrow until he can rank up of his own accord, reading...but just how much more spare time can Ragna have in a sex casino to keep taking on more hobbies? He had to find a way to keep things interesting and not go dying of boredom, after all.

Weiss mentions cooking to strike the complexity of writing and penmanship home, and that actually nets her a lift in his expression. Like a lightbulb going off in his head! ~~Or the braincell coming back for a round inside his skull. adslkfj~~ ]

That makes a whole lotta sense to me. Everyone's gonna know more about different things. Like there's more to fighting than just hitting something hard enough; different techniques... [ Well, at least he wasn't just running off and challenging every single thing out there in this resort. As good a fighter as he is, there hasn't really been much need for that around here save for the occasional supernatural or creepy threat. His train of thought stops, however, and he cracks a little smile again when he acknowledges the effort she's going through to make this relate to him. ] Thanks...for how much you've been explaining.

[ ~~Finally... Everything he could have ever wanted. Somebody to tell him what the hell is going on.~~ ]

[ The moment she holds up the sky blue journal for him, he blinks at it. The red and black covers get a more passing glance, not out of disinterest, but because of the reasoning behind that lightest book. He'll take all three, certainly, but he reaches for the blue one specifically as his mismatched gaze moves between the cover and her face...more importantly, her eyes when he quietly breathes: ]

Same shade...

[ Whether Weiss asks him what he's saying or what he means? His smile grows and his hold on the journal firms as he accepts it with a nod. ]

Sure. Red, black and blue it is.

[ Of course she'll explain, Ragna! You've been asking! ]

I just hope I'm not boring you. I like these sorts of things.

[ Writing, journalling, calligraphy, scrapbooking, designing... it's all so fun! It was really nice to have a bigger suite because now she can decorate as much as she likes, too. But she understands that others might not be as interested about it as she is. ]

Hm? [ Baby blue is her favourite colour, but there aren't any notebooks of this type that are of that shade, so sky blue is a good substitute! She doesn't know what Ragna was mumbling on about, tilting her head to the side as she looks up at him curiously. Must be something he remembered all of a sudden?

In any case, it looks like they're settled. ]

Just one more, and you'll have all of team RWBY as notebooks. [ Haha, that gets her to laugh a little, covering her mouth when she does. Now that Ragna's got his notebooks though, she picks out yet another blue notebook for herself. ] Sort of, anyway.

Do you want to keep looking here, or should we go to the pens now?

No, you're not. I can't go knocking something until I've tried it for myself.

[ Within reason, of course. ]

Wait, what? [ As in, color motifs? Well, he knows enough about Ruby and Weiss as far as their colours go. Unless he's being swerved here and Ruby actually loves yellow. dfslkja ] Which ones Blake or Yang then?

[ Red for Ruby, Sky Blue for Weiss, and Black for...? ]

Hmmm... Think I'm good with this trio for now. Deck me out, Lil' Miss Writing Connoisseur.

[ And don't hold back! They can spend as much as they want at this stage. ...Save for buying out the whole store. Don't. Do that. ]

Blake means black. Yang means... Dragon? I think, but her full name means Sunny Little Dragon. So she's yellow. Blake's Aura is a dark purple, though. Just like how my name means white, but my Aura is blue.

[ Does that make sense to him? Hopefully. Names =/= Aura!! ]

Pens are... [ On the tip of her toes, now. There are so many arts and crafts stuff here that she has to see where to go next! ] It should be in the other aisle.

Oh, and we should get a basket— [ It looks like the staff were listening in on them, because one of them just appears from behind one of the shelves (FDSAGFHZ) with a basket in hand. "Right here, Miss Schnee!"

'u' Weiss won't even question it. She accepts the basket with a soft "Thank you" before putting her notebook inside. ] Here, put your stuff in.

[ Of course, she's going to give the handles of the basket to Ragna afterwards. What good are those hands for if he's not holding her if he can't hold the stuff they're buying!! She'll lead him to the pen aisle where there are soooo many kinds of pens, some out for testing, some behind glass cases and they have to ask the staff for help and all. ]

There are so many kinds of pens, so... I'll start you off by showing you the different types first.

[ Off she goes, picking out various pens from one side, then another, from one shelf up, then down, until she's gathered about six kinds of pens for Ragna to try, different types of ink and thickness considered. Then she picks out a piece of paper amongst a bunch of other samples, finding the kind that he'd be writing on in those notebooks. ]

Here. [ There's a little counter where he can put the basket on for now. Weiss has put the pens on it and the paper. ] Try writing your name and see how you like the feel of each pen.

When you're settled on one or two, we can try different kinds of colours, too.

[ "Blake means black." ]

Oh. Freaking duh.

[ Then comes the remaining explanations! And somehow, when thinking of Yang and arm wrestling her to win a buncha blowjobs from Weiss (this is both a joke and a thing help), he couldn't help but get the image of gold or yellow out of his head? Otherwise he hadn't the foggiest idea as to what she looked like. But he hums thoughtfully upon Weiss putting it all into perspective for him.

The man already towers over the tiny Schnee on a regular day, but he instinctively finds himself getting on his tippy toes with her (like a couple meerkats). Scouting in the same direction she looks, he lowers back down on his heels at the same time before nodding.

"Oh, and we should get a basket—" "Right here, Miss Schnee!" ]

Jeezus!

[ The staff member didn't scare him! Just startled. There's a freakin difference. But it's minute at best, considering that they don't even acknowledge him in the slightest. How could they, when they were in the presence of royalty and he should be the one groveling at her feet? Was the Queen of Spades here to do an autograph signing? Did she have a book to sign away to her adoring fans?! Why didn't she?! Either way, they'd best count their blessings that this bookshop was usually more quaint and quiet in comparison to other locations. Maybe this was a secret safehaven for royalty after all.

Placing his trio of journals (sans Yang) in their basket, he actually was expecting her to hand it to him after! Good timing too, because he accepts it with a simple "okay" before following her to the pen aisle. And if he thought that the selection was varying before down journals and diaries? ]

Holy— [ Shit! ] How many are we talking here?!

[ Not a complaint! Again! He's floored by the selection. It's almost daunting...but there she goes, hovering about like the little busy bee that she is, picking out varying types and colours. Clickers, ballpoints, gel...how many types ARE there actually? ~~The writer must study his own store help. kjlfdsa~~ By the time he's faced with the numerous pens lain out before him on the counter, he looks at them all before plucking up the first one, being a gel, brow furrowing as he stares at it scrupulously. ]

What kinda colours do you tend to use? [ Popping the cap off the fresh pen, thanks to being in the presence of the Queen, the staff aren't going to give up a fabricated hard time for trying their product before buying. This is a pen bar, damn it! They can try them out!

While nowhere near as refined as the former heiress' penmanship, she'd come to find that Ragna's was still surprisingly clean! There's no lines on the paper they're using as samples, the gel gliding like butter across the page to the point that he doesn't need to apply much pressure to get it inked on. But what he notices as he tries it a couple times is that due to how wet it was, his hand brushing over his name gets it to smudge slightly. Something he takes note off before he moves on to the remaining five. ]

I guess this feels nice, but...it smudges easy. Do you gotta let this dry before touching it?

[ About the gel, that is. ]

[ Ragna's reactions really are so fun to see. He's so animated! Whether he's shocked or annoyed or... well, whatever this is. Hopefully it's fascinated, because being in this store really does bring up Weiss' mood. It's always so fun to be here, even when she has nothing she really wants to buy. It's why she can't help but watch Ragna with awe as he looks around. There's amusement in the way she watches him as he looks over the pens he's offered. It's probably familiar. Or nostalgic, given how his siblings used to watch him in wonder, too. ]

I have a bunch, actually. For regular note-taking, I use black and blue, but I do have just about every pastel colour of the pen I have.

[ Hmm, yeah it looks like the pen isn't a good choice for the kind of paper. It might work better with some other kind of notebook, though... ]

Yeah. It's just takes a few seconds before it dries, but if you're continuously writing, then I suppose that's no good.

When you're left-handed like me, just about everything you write smudges since my hand goes to the right.

[ Woe is her! But with how much she likes to write? She's figured out her own style and found the kind of pen she likes. ]

[ If others from his world could see him now, they'd be left wondering if this was truly the Grim Reaper that they'd come to know. The SS-Class criminal with the highest recorded bounty in history, and he was finding himself becoming enamoured with penmanship. It's almost like for the most part, he wasn't given much of a chance to actually explore this side of his life. ]

Yeah? Something to spruce up your pages then?

[ ...Because he's seen the sets of them. And if he enjoys this enough, he's gonna want to buy a pack instead of just individual ones. ]

Hold on a sec, why would being left-handed...?

[ Of course, he's right-handed himself. But that wasn't going to stop him from switching right now and attempting a cruder version of his name as he scribes on the practice paper Weiss has given him. He only gets about to Rag— before realizing the back of his hand was gliding along the paper where his writing goes. Just a small little ink spot, and he's back to right-handed territory! ]

Ohh damn. Okay yeah... Jeez, talk about doing a hobby on hard mode. [ A beat. ] Buuut I kinda like how smooth this is.

Into the "maybe" pile it goes.

[ Which is just to say it goes off to the side for now. dafsklj ]

Whatever kind I land on, we'll grab black and blue for sure.

See what I mean?

[ At least Ragna's got his arm sleeved up, so any smudges won't go directly to his skin. Or uh, the Grimoire? Whatever. ]

Well, there's a bunch more for you to try.

[ She points to the clicker pen that has a roller ball tip. ]

This is the kind that I use. See how you like it next?

[ Since he seems to always take into consideration what she uses! First her shampoo, soap, conditioner, and now her notebook and her pens! Who knows, he might like it, too, even if she'd like him to figure out what he likes and what he doesn't. If this is the first time he's being meticulously picky about writing materials, then it would be nice if he made his decision based on his own preference. And... Weiss just thinks it would be better in general, considering all the stuff he says he's never done before. ]

[ If he was using blue ink, he'd bring a whole new meaning to BlazBlue on his hand. Whatever indeed. ]

Oh hey... I've seen you use that one before.

[ And while he's taken an interest in a lot of the things that she's used before (be it shampoo, soap, conditioner...) as he plays with the clicker and twirls the pen in his hand, amused as he is by it whilst he scribes his name...then Weiss' name, then a couple random sentences... He pipes up. ]

I can see myself breaking the clicker playing with it too many times... [ But that doesn't mean he wouldn't use it! ] It's kinda nice though.

[ A sleek pen that ran gel and clicked?? But he's since moved onto a Fountain Pen with an interesting looking speartip point? After popping the lid off it, he gives it another onceover before trying to write with it...only to dig and scratch at the paper. Thankfully, it doesn't shred but. Hardly any ink comes out as his brow furrows. ]

...oh shit- [ He was using the pen the wrong way. Rotating it, NOW the ink smoothly runs through! This time...he writes WAGNA in big bold green letters. Neat and old-fashioned as this pen feels? ] Nah. Not to my liking.

Do you use a fountain pen?

[ That is what it's labelled as, after all. But so far, he's liking gel despite the flaw of it being a wetter "ink". Maybe if it's a finer tip... ]

Edited 2024-08-20 08:29 (UTC)

Absolutely do not break the pen.

[ Then again, they do have a lot of money right now! Do what you wanna to, Ragna.

He gets to writing again and Weiss watches with interest. It looks better this time around! But it doesn't look like he likes it... That's okay! There are more pens to try. ]

Not always. I've used it to sign stuff before, but I don't use it for notes. My father does, though.

[ It's a bit more formal even for her! And as she talks about her father, she grabs a pen and just randomly scribbles on the paper, adding some strokes with a black pen until...

A nice dot for the i and she's done. There! Something something about how crazy he is about her and all that. 'u' It's just a joke, Wagna. Surely this isn't so bad??? How can you say no to her angelic smile and that headtilt? ]

I'm not gonna break the pen.

[ Even if he might not like the one he tested out, that didn't mean it was completely off the table either. Though now he takes a step to the side while she scribbles on the same sheet of paper. Drawing his curiosity, he sees the heart and cracks a little smile. ]

What's that saying? "Different strokes for different........."

[ That's about the time that Weiss adds her name and dots it. While his writing is legible, her handwriting is a lot more sophisticated. Of course it's befitting a Schnee, he figures. But it's how she leaves it, the smile of an angel and a tilt of her head as if to tell her to forgive her for the little tease... That's still not going to stop her Wagna from attempting to clear his throat with a flustered face. Squinting at her, he says nothing further. Not about that saying he was going to bring up, or what she's put down and preserved in this moment.

Calling him out for the day they met, was she? How much he liked her? That he got a crush on her? ]

...

[ He reaches for another pen, keeping a straight face all the while as his blush recedes. This time he's got red, a clickable gel pen that's sleek in its appearance and has a nice grip to it. A couple strokes here...a passing comment from his lips finally there... ]

I'm just trying it.

[ It's just a joke, Weiss.

He likes this pen. ]

[ Weiss was amused when he picked up a new pen to start writing, but by the end of it, her eyes are wide and she's just absolutely flustered. This big idiot!!!

She doesn't even yell at him this time around. Maybe it's because they've got pens to fight for them. There is a saying, after all, that the pen is mightier than the (s)word. It isn't even what it means, but she sure as hell intends to fight back as she starts writing again.

Hastily grabbing the paper so she can write better, she begins with her strokes until...

There!! REVENGE!!! She flips the piece of paper so it's facing Ragna and he can easily read what she wrote. Try and add stuff to that now! ]

You...

[ Weiss' handwriting is far too pretty to be writing "horndog", but here it is. ]

Edited 2024-08-21 12:58 (UTC)

[ He's expecting that reaction. From getting flustered to acting huffy about it, the amusement hasn't left his face the entire time that she's started scribbling away to start writing underneath it. Blinking, he leans in to have a look. The frowny face...and being called a huge horndog. Normally being labelled something like a pervert or a horndog would have riled him up and gotten under his skin; that was especially true back home when he had enough of a bad reputation with his criminal record to begin with.

He at least he enough willpower in him not to start laughing or chuckling. But as he gives her a knowing look, wiggling his pen that he's probably going to buy, he reaches over and slides the sheet of paper in front of himself.

...Sigh. ]

I'm not the sappy type...

[ But... ]

[ He definitely waited a little bit before adding in that quick stroke of a heart. ]

[ Wagna is sorry! And Weiss accepts Wagna's apology, even if it's done on paper and not said out loud. This isn't all too serious, anyway. And so, in response to Wagna's apology, Weiss...

Escalates the whole thing further.

If Ragna can write about Weiss' boobs then she can write about his... other stuff, right?

Taking back the piece of paper and then scribbling over the stuff after "sorry" including the heart (it was cute, though), she changes the sentence to something else entirely.

TRY TO ONE UP HER NOW, WAGNA!!! ]

Heeey...

[ Oh he sounds so broken up over losing that heart. Then she hits him with that bottom line and lays down the gauntlet. She gets glared at. Dot. Dot. Dot.

Grabs his newfound pen he's definitely buying after this. Fine. She wants to be a smartass about this too?? She thinks she's got him cornered and he's about to out himself for her amusement? ]

[ Slaps the pen down on the counter like a mic drop. Boom. ]

Quack.

[ Are they really trying to one-up each other through their scribbles on this piece of paper? It looks like it.

Ragna doing the most deadpan "quack" actually gets Weiss to laugh though. Rolling her eyes as she slides the paper back to her, she starts scribbling.

She doesn't think she can try and outsmart him anymore. He was really cute with that "Quack" :( Before anything else though, she moves a few steps away from him and covers the paper with her other arm just so he doesn't see what she's doing. Go away, Wagna! Glare. ]

No peeking.

[ Scribble scribble. Giggle giggle. Scribble scribble.

Weiss turns the paper the other way around so that when she bounds up to Ragna, he'd see a blank page. Turn the paper over for a surprise!

]

Quack.

Edited 2024-08-23 06:36 (UTC)

[ He leans to one side as he's shooed off from observing Weiss' imminent masterpiece(?), watching with a more innocent sense of wonder in those mismatched eyes of his while she continues to giggle and scribble. ]

Should I be afraid?

[ Very. Behold, Wagna. ]

...

[ He flips the blank side around, only to discover her magnum opus while his expression twists between a combination of "aww" and "wtf?" Is that him as a duck?! ...it's actually really good for how quickly she doodled it but IS THAT HIM AS A DUCK?! He snorts before shaking his head, slapping the page down with a faux defeated tone. ]

Oh for duck sakes...

[ It just slips out, and the silence lingers between them for another few seconds before Ragna breaks it again with: ]

Well? [ He taps the speech bubble with his index finger. ] You gonna?

[ Show him those juicy duck breasts. ]

[ Weiss waits. "For duck's sakes" isn't his only reaction, is it?

Silence. Until he taps on the paper, and Weiss is aghast and has to take a step back. ]

Wh- [ Wagna!!! You did NOT just say that!!! She thinks he's being serious right now, and that's what makes it so embarrassing! Is she embarrassed because of him? No, but the fact that he wants her to show him her boobs in public?! WAGNA!!! ] Sh- Shut up and pick a pen already!

[ She turns away slightly and crosses her arms over her chest, covering her breasts even if... well, he's seen them before. Countless of times by now. Don't look at her, you big stinky horndogre!!! >/////< ]

Stupid Ragna...

[ See, this? Was the reaction he was hoping for. But if she genuinely thought that he was serious, he'll clear the air soon enough. Crossing her arms and foiling his ~~chance to squeeze~~, he simply smirks with his free hand idle on his hip. ]

Okay, okay.

[ With Weiss having turned away slightly however...that does give him a moment to have a look at that little sheet they've since adorned with their shenanigans. The cute duck, her very elegant handwriting in contrast to his broader strokes...the little game they found themselves playing without their realizing it. Before he can go through his assortment of pens and what he wants to purchase for himself, his hand slides across the counter, folding the paper smoothly in his hand before it goes into his jacket pocket. A gentler sigh escapes him before he looks down at Weiss from over her shoulder. He doesn't touch her yet, but his gaze does settle on something more sympathetic. ]

You DO know I was kidding, right?

...

... ... ...

[ Can he hear it? The resounding "No!" without her even saying it out loud?

Weiss is doing her best not to look too dumbfounded at this time, because admitting to not realising he was just joking is a very, very embarrassing thing to do. In fact, she just wants the ground to swallow her up whole right now.

At the very least, she thinks Ragna won't laugh at her too much. Hopefully. ]

I thought you were serious.

[ Say it louder, Weiss. ]

[ Thankfully for her, he doesn't! Not over something like this anyway. ...That doesn't mean he isn't going to have some fun with this after she attempted to set him up with that blank "D"-word on the page. This is for erasing his heart. ]

What was that?

[ Sorry, he couldn't quite hear you, Miss Weiss Schnee. In fact, he leans down a little more to get a look at her face from behind. ]

Angel?

[ He was the one who started it by writing " Wagna ♥ Weiss' boobs"!!! She was trying to be cute with the heart and her name but he went and SULLIED it! He only cares about her boobs!!

Well, now he can never have them!

(Until they're back in her suite, anyway.) ]

Don't be such a jerk! I said I thought you were serious!

[ She finally turns fully to face him, smushing her palm at his face as she tries to push him away. It looks like she's going to start floating like a balloon from all the steam coming out of her ears from embarrassment.

Bully >:( ]

[ Now she's yelling at him before smushing her palm at his face. Of course, on principle, he reels back from the nudge and his teasing from earlier wanes. Before, he was going to mention something about asking her what she takes him for, joking and bringing up her writing that he was a horndog. Weiss was...not good at taking what she dishes out, was she? But the fact she thought he was actually serious about asking to see her rack right here in the bookstore...

...Did others she spend time with treat her like this? Were they a lot more forthcoming about ~~wanting her~~ teasing her like this? His brow sinks with a tinge of regret before he discards those idle thoughts, finally looking a little more apologetic as he steps back to pay more attention to the wall of pens, now that he had a good idea as to what kind he liked to write with. ]

I wasn't. [ ...Okay, he had to say something at least, pulling out a blue, finer point gel pen...maybe a gold one. That looks kinda nice. Shiny. ] What do you take me for?

[ ~~At least if they did anything public, he'd pull her somewhere private like the end of the hunt. alkdfj~~ His shoulders sag with another sigh. ]

I'm sorry. If I took it too far.

You looked like you meant it, so- [ Ugh... What does she take him for? The sweetest guy ever. Someone who apologises for things that he didn't even do because he doesn't like it when she's upset. Someone who cares far more than he lets on. Overall, very very Wagna. The most Wagna.

She shakes her head and lets out a defeated sigh though. ]

It's okay. If you weren't serious, then it doesn't matter anymore.

[ And because it doesn't matter, it's probably best they move on, right? He's holding onto a blue pen and looking at some other stuff. Her head tilts as she looks up at him curiously. ]

Are you thinking of getting those, too? I have an extra pencil case. I'll just give it to you so you have a place for where you can put your new pens.

[ Then he was a better actor than he thought? Because if Weiss had called his bluff and attempted to flash him (even discreetly), he would have been the first one to jump on her and cover her up. But as Weiss looses a defeated sigh from her lips, it seems like they'll be letting the incident go after all. Hardly a problem when he knew how huffy she could get over these matters!

Does she expect better of you, Ragna? ]

Of course not. There's a time and a place.

[ And it was NOT in the book store?? ~~...changing rooms at a clothing outlet maybe— WAIT~~ ]

You weren't using it for anything? [ He blinks as he decides to stop at just three individual pens, bundled up in his hand. ] Sure, thanks. But if you ever want or need it back, just lemme know, yeah?

[ Ragna, she's giving it to you. You're not borrowing it??? ]

By the way. Do they make these pens in a pack or something? Y'know, like, instead of buying singles if they came in a buncha colours?

[ Yes he's serious. He's got his personally picked out pens from the pen bar here. But if they're spending and he's taking a genuine crack at this? He may as well go big or go home. ...That and they must cost, what, $15 to $20 worth in chips if they're in a pack? Out of the literal thousands of scandalously earned payout? ]

[ A time and a place, huh? So where would they have to be for him to ask her to show him her boobs? Because he certainly hasn't asked that, ever. Instead, he just goes for it without even asking, like that time at the casino.

She's by his side now that they're leaving that topic behind, both hands taking his arm so that she can slip one hand down while the other links her arm with his. She leans on him then, nuzzling her cheek against him like a dog rubbing up against its hooman. ]

I'm sorry.

[ He does raise a good point about the pens, though... There might just be a set box of it! ]

The pencil case is yours now, okay? I'm not taking it back. Though it can probably just fit about ten pens in there...

[ So looking at the pen Ragna got, she picks out the available colours to see how many there are in total. Black, blue, red, green, purple, orange, gold, and silver... looks like there's just eight! ]

We can ask if these come in a set, but I don't think it makes much difference if you're getting them all like this. [ The pen sets are, in fact, behind a glass shelf. They'll need some help from the staff to get one! These ones are about 35 chips worth, though. She'll let Ragna decide! ] What do you think?

[ Well? Has she ever asked to see his peacock? ...it's a work in progress. Ragna will come to figure it out. afsjkdl

As Weiss' hands take his arm before she can link them together, nuzzling her cheek against him urges a quietly hitched gasp from the much taller Grim Reaper. Between the affectionate display and her apology, she would find Ragna's cheeks dusting red all over again. This time it was his turn to feel embarrassed and start flustering. But instead of bristle up, he sighs in 'defeat' of her just as she did to him, giving way for another small smile. A reserved one solely for her, as if silently asking what the hell he was supposed to do with her. ]

All good, Angel.

[ As for the pencil case?? ]

That sounds like not a bad start then.

[ Really, save for the sparing couple of items on his person, Ragna didn't really have much to call his own as far as accessories. A steadily increased wardrobe, yes, but he never had the room to put anything in. ...He never had a life that called for it until now. Which sends another wave of warmth to spread from his heart all over again as he keeps Weiss resting at his side while they finalize up their journals. All that was left now was what pens he really wanted. ]

Let's just get 'em in a set. We'll call it the starter pack.

[ Though it might be best left up to the former heiress to be in charge of asking for anything behind the glass shelf. Not that Ragna was ever opposed to stepping up for himself, regardless of his rank. ]

[ Anybody from Remnant who saw just how nice and affectionate Weiss was to Ragna would probably call an ambulance for her. Who is she and what has she done with the real Weiss Schnee?

That's just the thing, though. Ragna doesn't really point out that she's nice, or when she's mean. He teases her, but it's not like she doesn't tease him in turn. Everything feels natural! While she loves her teammates and would do anything for them, it's because of who Ragna is that she's able to show a side of her that not many have seen before. And for him, someone she trusts and trusts her in turn, someone who's always been there for her in this place... she'd do anything for him, too.

She has to let go of Ragna to look for one of the staff in the store, and as soon as she does and turns around, someone's already there waiting for her!

They're holding the goddamn pen set! ]

Eek! [ GOD WHY ARE THEY DOING THIS ] Stop showing up like that and scaring me!

[ So much for nice and happy Weiss. She just grabs the pen set from the staff member who's now profusely apologising. Sorry, Queen, she didn't mean to do it, Queen. Please step on her and punish her, Queen! ]

Ugh! You're all so ridiculous! Just shut up and leave us alone already!

[ Sadly, Weiss isn't able to thank them for giving them the pen set. She's far too flustered (in a non-cute way) that she can't even think of doing that. But hey! She puts the box in their basket while heaving out a sigh. One more item for Ragna's first bookstore run, at least. That's a win, even if the staff are annoying the heck out of her right now. ]

[ Suddenly— ]

Sonofa— Bitch you... [ THIS NEEDS TO STOP NOW? Like. POPPING OUT OF THIN AIR? ] You know, there IS such a thing as TOO much customer service!!

[ Chopped liver. Thy name is Ragna the Bloodedge. But sorry, Queen, she didn't mean to do it, Queen. Please step on her and punish he— ]

Oh my GOD just SHUT UP!

[ Both Ragna and Weiss are a grouchily flustered mess, yelling over one another at the employee as they hastily put the box in the basket and he leans down for Weiss with a gruffer: ]

Let's just get outta here...

[ His mood isn't ruined by any stretch of the imagination, and he's gotten his books and pens! If they want more, they can always come back. But the presence of the Queen of Spades was starting to attract more attention like moths to a flame. Even having a deterrent that was a diamond in the rough wasn't going to keep either onlooking admirers or staff alike from wanting to tend to her hand-over-foot. Pay up, and get back to the rest of their shopping spree. ]

[ Weiss would have liked to show Ragna around some more, show him all the different brushes for calligraphy and the inks that are for sale. Not that she'd try to make him try those too, but in case he was interested in the other aspects of her writing hobby! They can do that another time though, or she can just show him what she has in her suite. She's just about had enough of this shop today, stomping on over to the cashier so that they can back the goodies Ragna's bought.

And because he's with a royal? Ragna even gets free washi tape! Imagine that! Weiss doesn't really use those in her journal, but the roll that Ragna got? Somehow fitting given their earlier conversation.

These staff really were listening in on them!! Even looking at the stuff they were writing! JERKS!!! Weiss would really not like to talk about that ever again though, so once everything's packed and Ragna's paid for it, she's the first to take his hand and leave the store. As for where to go next... ]

I'm not sure where to go for the treadmill. Do you?

[ Maybe they can take a return trip here after some more shopping? Assuming that the staff cool their jets by the time they return hours later. Ragna wasn't particularly picky about how much time they spent here. Currently, the two of them were mutually grouchy and stomping to the cashier. He fixes them with a quizzical cock of his brow when they offer free washi tape. ]

You guys are CREEPILY eavesdropping on us, you know that??

[ La la la they don't know what they're talking about. Will your subject be paying today, Queen? Sighing with a growl to it, Ragna taps his Watch against the POS as the chips are pulled from his account. A drop of blood in the grand scheme of things considering just how well-off the Grim Reaper turned out to be. Weiss pulling him out of the deep basement had been the best thing to happen to his "wallet", saving as much as he did. For all intents and purposes, they really were living their coziest lives, weren't they? ...the less they lingered on that and the implications ~~and the complacency~~, the better. Still, they got what they came here for. And when Ragna and Weiss were both finished being embarrassed and mad at the staff for being weird as hell at them, they can find contentment in that.

In fact, as he follows behind Weiss upon leaving the store, he's already got another idea for them both. ]

Not off the top of my head. [ A beat. ] Let's just go clothes shopping first. If we find a fitness place along the way, we'll hit it up.

[ Because he may not be a chronic shopper, god did he just need to unwind with her. ]

Sure. The Love Dove's just this way.

[ The multiple floors the Love Dove has means there are multiple entrances, so they can just enter from any floor and ride the escalators inside. There are other boutiques outside of the Love Dove, but they can just check those out later. If there's a really nice outfit they find, Weiss will need some matching shoes and accessories!

And so, they head over to the Love Dove, passing by other mall-goers. They really have a whole day ahead of them, filled with nothing but one expense after the other. It's kind of exciting, since Weiss hasn't gone on a shopping spree in ages! She'd tell Ragna about the kinds of dresses she's looking for, but she has a feeling he might not be interested, so she'll just keep it to herself and run off later to look for them. Instead, they can just talk about other things. More mundane things. Something to fill the silence. ]

Wagna, what are you going to do if your Master ends up here, too?

[ The best thing that he could do was listen if she did bring her dresses up. If nothing else, he can at least try to keep an eye out for them. Or at least catch on when she does dart off once they got into true shopping spree mode. And then she goes and asks THAT?! ...Okay, it wasn't offensive, but still, he has to pause and look at her with a dumbstruck expression when she brings that possibility up. There's an exasperated laugh that bubbles to the surface as he answers back: ]

Pffwhat? Jubei? [ He's not afraid of him. Just. Having a hard time visualizing him having sex. ~~And yet he bagged arguably one of the hottest human women for a wife. DFSLKAJ~~ ] I wish I had a real answer for that. My training's complete, and the last time I saw him he was warning me about knowing some guy I was destined to come across.

Still...Master's a walking, talking cat. So...

[ How much rizz can the world's strongest being have. ]

I've seen some other players here with cat ears and a tail.

[ And more, even. Weiss doesn't have to tell Ragna that, though! She will NOT be judged today. ]

I was just thinking... I think it would be so weird if my teammates arrived here.

[ Since. Y'know. All the sex and all. ]

Blake and Yang are dating, so I think it would be weird to do anything with either of them.

[ Is she... offhandedly asking Ragna if he would do anything with Jubei? I'M SORRY. YES SHE IS. ]

Same. Master though is just...practically an overgrown housecat. [ A beat. ] If he ever DOES show up, don't tell him I said that. It's just true.

[ Though, knowing Jubei...if Weiss told him that, he'd likely heartily chuckle and fess that was an apt description of him for the uninitiated. It's okay, miss! ]

You mean Ruby, Blake or Yang?

[ Because, yes, he's already gleaning into what she's inferring. And he'll get there. ~~How dare??~~ Weiss bringing up the fact that two of her teammates are dating and not wanting to get in the way of that made sense. As Weiss doesn't have to tell Ragna what SHE'S seen? He'll keep his own little secret. Namely how awkward he suddenly felt thinking of people who are dating, let alone married at this resort. ]

Would you try and keep them off limits for yourself? [ A beat. A furrow of his brow. ] FYI? Jubei's a no. [ And in case she didn't hear him the first time? ] A HELL no for me.

[ ...involuntary shudder. DFSLKJA ]

Edited 2024-08-26 07:23 (UTC)

I can't believe you would talk like that about your Master! Show some respect.

[ Is calling someone an "overgrown housecat" an insult? It sure sounds like one phrased that way. She even wags a finger right at Ragna's face as they walk. This guy!!! ]

And yeah. Ruby probably thinks babies come from eggs, or something.

[ SORRY, RUBY!!! It's an exaggeration, but one that isn't an educated one. She's explained the whole Blake and Yang situation, though, but— ]

I think so? Not unless we talk about it. [ Oh god Weiss what have you done. Now this conversation is getting deep. ] Remember when we were in that mirror world in The Roost? If something like that happened and I was just with one of them, then...

[ She frowns, looking up at Ragna hoping he gets what she means without having to say it. She would do it. ]

But I... I'm sorry. For bringing it up.

[ Whether or not Ragna gets it, she tries to change the topic, realising how awkward this must be. Ragna did ask, but realising that she just told Ragna she'd have sex with her friends if one of them was going to die is a little weird. Especially after those emoji dates and the drama, and everything they've told each other during the Hearts game. She lets go of his hand and takes a step away to create a small gap between them. Her gaze falls low as her shoulders slump and she tries to make herself look smaller, lacing her own fingers together as she walks. ]

You sound just like him. 'Cept you're not hurtling a freakin log at me.

[ And no. He is not exaggerating. As part of his training, he'd get a whole lot of "tough love", as they say. Although Jubei did lot after him just as well. Something told him that Weiss would get along with him swimmingly. ]

Bless her heart.

[ Said so flatly. From what Weiss has shared about her partner and leader, there seems to be a lot to like about her! He doesn't actually believe what the huntress says, thankfully. It's when the conversation takes a shift towards something teetering on awkward that Ragna's expression sinks a little bit when she mentions that reflected world in The Roost. It was difficult to forget...and while there was part of him that was tempted to go back on his own, knowing he was far more resistant than others, it was difficult thinking of the condition it left Weiss in.

What he did for her? Well...he's already proven that he didn't need it to be life or death. But when push comes to shove and someone needs help and that's literally the only way to save someone fast... ]

Huh?

[ She lets go of his hand then after apologizing. And he suddenly feels so isolated. Yet Weiss is still right there, by his side yet shrinking down as if she'd just been scolded or reprimanded. ]

...

[ His expression sinks again, only it's out of a sense of empathy he'd learned to accept. Rather, it never actually left. Buried beneath layers of distrust and anger that have since been peeled back just a bit more during his tenure here. It feels like despite what their suits do to them and the games the House plays on them, that he's been thinking and seeing far more clearly here. It's helped him place more matters into perspective. Helped him stop flying off the handle with his temper and not take everything said to his face at face value. He knows Weiss. He knows her enough that she shouldn't shy away from him like this...but he also thinks that this is something that he shouldn't apologize for either.

Neither of them should. Which is why, as he sighs, he doesn't just reach to snatch her hand back out of desperation or frustration. Instead, he takes advantage of his longer stride to get ahead of her, in the hopes that she would look over to him. ]

I get it. You don't gotta explain yourself to me. Not over that.

[ Because of course if a friend was in trouble, he'd do what he had to to save them. Ragna was no hero, nor did he have any aspirations to be one. But it was just common sense. You care for someone? You'll go to bat for them. You'll help them. You'll save them. And instead of touching her or taking her hand into his, he patiently waits for her.

It's Ragna who extends his hand, open for her so that he can help her stand tall again. To reach out instead of being pulled out. Because he's going to catch her every single time. ]

Not when it comes to the people you care about.

[ Just the same way she taught him what it meant to be okay. It's okay. ]

[ No, Ragna shouldn't apologise for anything. Weiss doesn't have to explain anything or apologise, either. She does though, because she doesn't want to make Ragna upset. The thought of it is already making her anxious, even if there's a voice in her head that's telling her that no, there's no need to be. Ragna's always been understanding.

She stops in her tracks, gaze still focused on the floor rather than where they're going. She looks up when she sees his feet move differently though, toes pointed at her rather than forward. And there he is, being that same understanding person she's always known him to be. While she trusts him with her life, she just doesn't want any conflict between the two of them. For a second, she looks uncertain if she should believe what he's saying, but all it takes is a deep breath and playing what he just said again in her head. ]

Okay.

[ "But-" she begins in her head, and then dismisses the thought. If she doesn't have to explain herself, then it's okay.

Weiss reaches for his hand, only so she can pull herself in with a step closer, her hand sliding upwards to that she can loop their arms together. If this is all okay, then she wants to be even closer. They can walk with her leaning on him, they've done is so many times before. Though this time around, she takes her time with each step, paying more attention to Ragna and the feeling of holding him rather than where they're going. ]

[ It's not about benevolence...this was something personal for him. She was somebody that was personal for him. Being the one whose had to watch others extend their hand to him, especially when he was younger, there was a part of him that understood. That was uncertain and wanted to close others off because the best person to rely on was yourself. But it wasn't a weakness. It was how one got stronger. Taking his hand? Was just another step for her, he can hope. So by the time she reaches for his hand, relief washes over him around the same time she surprises him. Their arms loop together, his eyes widen once more but instead of asking or questioning it, it's her name that falls past his lips like a gentle breath. ]

Weiss...

[ It's something so simple as a hypothetical of how far they would go for their close ones in this place. But he's noticed by now. She really did go out of her way to try and make him happy, didn't she? She really didn't like seeing him upset. Or angry. She'd said to him before that he's endured enough to make him mad. That he didn't need that anymore. So when they take their time together, step by step, the destination was more of an afterthought for now. They had the Love Dove in mind, but that was another escalator ride away if he was remembering right.

He almost wants to gently pull her towards the closest bench to just, sit down. They don't even have to talk. But just to sit with her leaning on him like this. The rest of the world fades away in the moment— uncaring as to who could see them or overhear them. He knows he said before that he wasn't the sappy type...and he wasn't about to go waxing poetic or professing his unbridled feelings so outlandish out here. But with his hand idly swinging the bag of stationary goodies, it's also being occupied right now.

A minor complaint! ]

I'd have my hand over your arm right about now if I weren't carrying this.

[ It's not an invitation for her to carry it since she was already wrapped around his arm. But what he'd want to do anyway. ]

It's okay. I just want to be close.

[ Ragna can make it up to her later when they're alone or when they're having lunch somewhere.

She supposes wanting to be close doesn't need an explanation as to why, either. Like this, it doesn't take long for her to feel better, either. So off they go to the actual store they planned on visiting today. Up the elevator, they can't exactly stay side by side and all, so she lets go of him so he can go on ahead first. ]

If we end up buying too much stuff, do you just want to ask a staff member to bring the bags up to the suite so we can keep going around some more?

Oh, yeah, [ Hop! Up the escalator he goes first this time. He won't go tumbling head over ass himself. Lead by example! ~~Watch and learn, Miss Weiss Schnee.~~ ] With any luck, they'll actually listen to me if they know where it's going.

Especially since I've got my own guest access now.

[ ...Hrmm. That's got him thinking now, arms partially crossed whilst holding their bag. ]

If I didn't, the staff would probably accuse me of some stupid crap.

[ Like being a stalker. Or something else reputation-tampering because he was still a "feeble" 3. ]

It's okay, I can do it if you think they won't listen.

[ She didn't mean to make him do something like that! She only asked to see if he thought it was a good idea, too. Either way though, if he drops her name, the staff would probably begrudgingly follow him lest they face the wrath of the bratty queen. ]

I'll try not to get too many things.

[ Though... this does beg the question. He said it's okay to get anything, right? She looks so innocent as she asks, like ~~her sugar daddy~~ Ragna's approval really is the detrimental factor to her purchases today. ]

What if I find shoes that are over a thousand chips worth? Can I still get those?

Nah, it's no big deal. If they don't take it from me, you can tell 'em.

[ Besides, he's no submissive little punk to these guys! Though, given that even the paintings in the elevators thought ill of him now, it should be expected by now out of him. God help the staff if they are forced to treat him with real decency when he does rank up. Weiss bringing up that she won't get too many things does get him to set a hand on his hip and tilt his head confusedly at her. ]

Why not? I already toldja you're getting spoiled.

[ Does...this whole ~~sugar daddy~~ spoiling thing work if he says it outright? They are quite literally working with 9000 chips here. ...Not counting what extra they made having sex to become WINNER!s ]

If you find a pair of shoes worth that much, you can have them. 'Cause there is NO freakin way they make them that expensive.

[ Ah! He looks over his shoulder. They're near the top. He steps off and waits for Weiss to hop after him. Love Dove is just down the way from here! ]

Huh?

[ ... sorry, Ragna. She isn't judging or anything but she's definitely taken aback by that last statement because it sounds... uhh.

They really have been living in two different worlds, huh? ]

I... hate to break it to you, Wagna, but some shoes can be that expensive. Bags, necklaces, dresses, and just about everything else, too.

[ Slowly, carefully, gently. . . ]

A lot of the things I wore back home cost that much.

Edited 2024-08-28 07:10 (UTC)

Huh?! What are these shoes, diamond and gold-crusted?!

[ No. Sometimes they're regular ass (albeit still well made) shoes, Ragna. ]

Look, I didn't care to try and convert otherworldly currencies and crap, but my boots back home prolly cost around...what, prolly a few hundred chips at most???

[ Given the inflection of his voice, he's not even mad. Just. Bewildered. Befuddled. Dumbfounded. This outfit Monika bought for him that was suspiciously close to his designs back home was absurdly expensive too! But...it was as a whole ensemble! Though he also realizes how this must sound, so he's just as quick to follow up after. ]

I'm fine with you picking anything you want still by the way. I'm just. Uh.

Damn.

[ Two different worlds. Colour him impressed(?) ]

Some might be. But most items that are priced that way are usually by designer or luxury brands. They're expensive because owning one or two or a bunch makes a statement.

[ So... having then Balenciaga boots? You can brag all you like. ]

Wait- really? It's okay?

[ :D!!! Ragna, you just made her day???? She's practically rocking back and forth in excitement now. As soon as they're both off the elevator, he's going to get hugged. ]

You can even wrap the box and give it to me like a gift!

[ Wagna, you're really getting into boyfriend territory now. ]

A statement that you're loaded as hell...

[ He mutters. FDSALKJ ]

Of course it's okay. We got a lotta chips to burn and—

[ The instant they're both off, she's suddenly hugging him. Before? He would have been shocked and warned people not to get so close. Even months later, that kind of physical touch had felt so foreign to him when his Azure Grimoire practically indiscriminately stole energy from others. But he doesn't push her away. Complete opposite of that as his free hand not holding a bag comes back down and gently rests along the back of her shoulder. Not the top to move her. But to keep her against him for just a little longer. ]

WHOA there. Don't get too excited now.

[ It's too late. The tiny Schnee is reaching orbit with the liftoff she's achieved. ]

But, alright. I'll wrap it up real good for you.

[ And by that, he means that he'll do the sensible thing and place ribbons on it in a simple and clean way. ]

[ Tiny Schnee is pleased!! She isn't going to let go until he does. 😌 ]

And you'll write me a card?

Heh. How 'bout that?

[ Even as others pass them by from the escalator, Weiss is his sole focus. He couldn't give a damn who sees right now. Something he learned about himself was that whilst others crying triggered his empathy (whining, on the other hand, was different and annoying jklafsd), seeing her shrink away the way she did earlier left his heart feeling heavier. Before, he'd gruffly sigh as if he was irritated by that behaviour. Or that it was a pain in his ass to step up and deal with.

But that was when the world around him was on the brink of turning a new page of chaos any second. When "relax" really wasn't on the table for a guy like him.

Now...

Huh. He really did care a lot more than he ever would have let on in his own world, didn't he? ]

I've got these fancy new pens and everything.

[ Pens he can use to write on a card for her. ]

Yeah! The new pens are going to be put to good use.

[ It's gonna be great, Wagna! She's so excited. More cards and notes to keep, treasures she'll never tell anybody about. Even Ragna.

Weiss at least finally loosens her hold of him just so she can take his arm and they can start walking again. He's got a present to get her, after all! And they better strike early before someone else gets the best shoes out there. ]

Hmm... maybe I can get you something too? With my share of the chips, anyway.

[ Maybe this was about the time where he should work on his signature. ...out of boredom, really. Whose gonna get autographs from him? He sure as shit wasn't handing them out. Cinching her arm in his, he gives a little flex before they start walking again. With the Love Dove right around the corner, he's equal parts curious and also mildly concerned as to just HOW expensive shoes can get. But, at the end of the day? ]

We got a shitload to burn through, so, why not?

[ As busy as it typically is at the Love Dove, it looks like they've since caught a small lull in business that it wasn't positively teeming with NPCs. At least, that's how it looks from the outside as they approach. ]

Let's settle your wardrobe first though.

[ Once they get inside the Love Dove, Weiss just passes through all the lingerie up for sale and heads on to another floor with Ragna where it's non-delicates that are up for sale. At first, Weiss still shows him what she's thinking of getting, asking if this is cute or if this isn't too much... There's a bunch that she ends up showing Ragna, wanting to get his opinion and where he thinks she might wear it. The movies? A date? The gym? All that stuff! For now, she hands him a bunch of decently priced dresses to him to hold onto, so she can try it all at once.

By the time he's got ten dresses hanging off him, it's the only time one of the staff members greets them. It looks like no one saw Weiss enter since she was just as tall as the racks... It was just Ragna they could see since he was peeking out from the items on display and they were about to scold him until they saw her.

Instead of yelling Ragna to stop touching their items for sale, they instead offer Weiss a basket. It can't possibly fit everything she wants to try fitting, so maybe it's time to choose which ones she likes and which ones she doesn't. ]

I should go fit them. Do you want to come with me, or do you want to look around on your own, too?

[ Of course, he won't be asked to go inside the dressing room with her. ~~this is not the thread for that~~ She's just thinking if he wants to see her try each one on and help her judge if they should get it or not! ]

[ If she had stopped by the lingerie, he would have stood by and minded his own business, really. What the hell was he going to do? Pick something out and put her on the spot by saying she'd look sexy in it? ~~...when done right, yes?~~ Instead, the Grim Reaper is selected and manifests as a makeshift coat hanger for the former heiress. Some of the dresses she picks seem a little...outlandish? Excessive? Maybe he's really gotten so used to her wearing simpler but cute designs, that the extravagant get-ups were a shock. Some of the price tags were really damn impressive too. One dress in particular stands out to him; however, he doesn't make a big deal of it, only mentioning the deep blue, night sky-like dress definitely works as a date or movie dress.

Surprisingly, he's got a lot to say! But when the staff arrive in a bid to reprimand him for getting handsy with so many dresses and other fabrics that have since been draped over his arms that he looks like a walking wardrobe, his scowl ebbs away when they pay attention to Weiss instead.

Yeah, that's right. You go and give her customer service, dammit. Including a basket so that it was easier to have everything neatly folded. Not all of them were going to fit in that basket. Which...means his services are still going to be required. If only for a little longer. ]

I'll just come with ya. Whose gonna rate your style?

[ Besides...after the staff kind of marched up on him earlier before they went heart-eyed over their Queen, he doesn't feel like he'll get a lot of productive shopping done on his own. At least, not here at the Love Dove. ]

[ The staff doesn't get to run off scott-free after handing Weiss the basket. Just like how Ragna gets offended when other people treat Weiss with disrespect, she finds the need to say something about it. Unfortunately (or fortunately), she'd discovered the best way to get staff to listen to these sorts of requests. Ragna gets to hear it... how Weiss would just get SO HORNY if they treated Ragna like he was a royal too. Weiss would just really, really find that SO hot!

Thanks for all the life lessons you've shared, Nami.

Once that's done and it might seem like Weiss and Ragna just got themselves someone watching over them constantly in hopes of catching the queen in Action, Weiss shrugs Ragna's way and heads on over to where the dressing rooms are. They aren't being followed, but they certainly are being watched.

There's a lounge chair by the line of dressing rooms, for ~~boyfriends~~ companions of those fitting to sit down, relax, and wait. Of course, that's where Ragna sits after he agreed to accompany he to fit. Weiss intends to bring two dresses at a time into the dressing room since the clothes hanger might not be able to hold all of them at the same time. ]

Just hold onto these for me first, okay? I'll try not to take too long so you don't wait too much.

[ But off she goes with two dresses first! Shuffling noises, heels clicking, and a bunch of rustling. Weiss has to take off her outfit to be able to put on one dress. The curtain rings hit each other when Weiss slides it to one side to show him what she's trying on. He's approved the dress, but not on her, so his opinion might change! It's the one that reminds Ragna of the night sky that she tries on first, the blue and purple hues looking so bright and bold in contrast with her pale skin and her light-coloured hair. Weiss isn't new to wearing darker shades now since her new combat outfit in Atlas were darker, so she looks pretty okay! ]

What do you think? [ She tries to twist her braid into a bun, holding it up without letting go just yet as she adds: ] I feel like this would be really nice if I did my hair up like this.

[ For once? Ragna was preparing himself to let it all go. The less trouble and shit he stirs for Weiss while they're out and about, the better. It's not like she's the one getting the poor treatment anymore. Things might have been different if she were still a 5 rank, just a step or two above where he was thanks to her. Though really, the only reason he can actually say he lives comfortably here (3 or royal suite alike) was because of the tiny Schnee at his side. So when she proudly declares how GODDAMN HORNY she'd get if they treated him like royalty too? His initial shock and bristling reaction was fleeting at best, as he knows exactly why she's doing it.

She's trying to make things easier for him too.

...It doesn't make the staff begrudgingly calling him 'Lord Bloodedge' any less weird. ~~...Lowkey? Kind of a badass name when it's put like that. Not a turn-on so don't call him that Weiss please but ljkFADS~~ ]

I mean, [ He shrugs as he's practically used as a human coathanger (at least this time it's not her towel hanging off his dick?) for her various ensembles. ] knock yourself out, Weiss. What am I gonna do?

[ Besides sit here in a lounge chair with his leg crossed over his lap casually, tapping his foot to a nonexistent beat while she shuffles off and steps behind the curtain to get changed. As Weiss works between dresses, whilst they're being watched, one of the staff members does happen over before the Queen can emerge from her dressing room, drawing Ragna's attention. Sure enough,

"Would you like for your purchases to be safely stowed in Queen Weiss' suite when you're finished, Lord Bloodedge?" ]

Ugh, I take it back, it's weird as hell....

[ Muttered to himself. But also, ]

Sure. Saves us the hassle.

[ "Very good then!" ]

... .... You can leave now.

[ Dot. Dot. Dot. But they wish to witness their SO HORNY Queen step out now that they're ~~begrudgingly~~ treating Ragna like a royal too— ]

Leave now.

[ Y-Yes! Of course. Right away. ~~Grumble mumble stupidass fake royalty...we'll be watching.~~ Ragna is just in time to be by his lonesome once more when Weiss slides the curtain to one side and shows off the dress he approved of earlier. But it wasn't just good on its own...no. Oh no. ]

Damn. [ Quickest beat. ] I-I mean wow?

[ Another rapid beat, quickly readjusting his hold on the dresses in his arms so that they don't slip or fall to the floor in his daze. ]

That looks pretty damn good on you. Hair up, hair down, you uh...

[ Oh Weiss. Was this the reaction you were hoping for? Because he kind of underestimated how good it'd look on her despite the fact she practically kills every look she tries. His otherwise fair complexion was reddening as he realizes how stupid he's being. So he clears his throat, sucks it the hell up and...

You don't have to wax poetic, Ragna. Just say it properly. ]

That looks beautiful on you.

[ Wagna, you're speechless already? Weiss covers her mouth as she laughs, shaking her head slowly. Sometimes, she just doesn't know what to do with this guy... Though she's certainly forgotten already about him teasing her a bit too much at the stationery store earlier. ]

You know I'm just on the first dress, right? I'll take that as a "yes", though.

[ He's already this flustered! It's really cute and very Wagna. He'll at least have something good going for him, because— ]

The rest are a little more casual, at least.

[ Back in she goes, and it becomes a cycle of stripping, getting dressed, showing him what she's wearing and what she thinks of it before asking him what he thinks. ]

[ Weiss can't help covering her mouth as she laughs, but if it were anybody else? He might have bristled up and growled out of embarrassment. Instead, he grumbles and blushes a little harder when she teases him for his reaction. Did he lose track of the reins on his emotions that easily with her?

"I'll take that as a 'yes', though." ]

Yes.

[ Even if the remainder of her clothes and wardrobe were supposed to be on the more casual side though, before she can slip back in, he makes it a point that he'll be more upfront about what she's wearing from now on! No more bumbling like some idiot, genuine as the reaction to how gorgeous it was on her had been. Clapping his cheeks and focusing up, he patiently waits as she cycles outfits, stripping down and up for him over and over again as she emerges with new outfits.

See, he's supposed to be critical. But there's one problem. Every. Single. Goddamn. Outfit. Looked. Good? On?? Her!?!

And yet. True to his word, whether it was some extravagant dress fit for a ballroom dance, or something frillier yet lighter... He's composed. He tells her exactly what he's thinking every time. ]

Freakin gorgeous. [ Next one. ] Cute as hell. [ And the next one that shows a little more cleavage and a skirt that's not scandalously short but shows off some leg? ] You look sexy.

[ Rinse and repeat... ]

Cute. [ . . . ] Pretty cute. [ . . . ] That looks hot on you.

[ DANGER! DANGER! YOU ARE REACHING MAXIMUM PRAISE ~~KINK~~ CAPACITY! ]

[ The dress that looks hot on her? A little black dress that she found that was just absolutely cute. Cute and demure despite how short it is, but a party at the back. Ragna would have a difficult time figuring out where to put his hands, because there's a lot of skin for him to cover.

Weiss doesn't even care that they're in public right now. The staff aren't around and nobody else seems to be here but Ragna. He's so comfortable on the couch as he waits, and he's been so good, giving her his input and what he thinks. Fortunately or unfortunately for him, they're getting them all. Especially this one.

Plop! She's now seated on his lap like he's about to ask her what she wants for Christmas. Though with the ribbon that keeps her dress together, she might be the present here. ]

Should we find you an outfit later that matches this? What's something fun we can do while I'm in this?

[ Is she hinting at something? No way, she couldn't be! Not in the way that she's batting her eyelashes at him. Here, kitty kitty...

This is what he gets for all those compliments. . . ]

[ That's a challenge and problem for future Ragna to figure out. Right now, however, there's a far more pressing matter at hand as the former heiress seemingly wastes very little time in closing the space between them. ]

Uhh, Weiss? You uh—

[ It's almost instinct at this point, the way that he drapes the remaining dresses over the arm of the couch he's seated on. As if he was somehow expecting Weiss to pull a new stunt on him. And sure enough, before he has time to so much as finish his sentence, she's plopped down in his lap. This time? Without any need for him to just grab her by her waist and park her there himself like their first game of dice. But she does a damnable good job in keeping herself the centre of his world as his voice locks up in his throat yet again. ]

Hoooo boy...

[ "Should we find you an outfit later that matches this? Damn it all, she's right. He doesn't know where to put his hands right now. Except for one wrapping around her waist from behind and the other over her soft and creamy thigh just begging to be squeezed. Oh she's vicious. Is she trying to rile him up in the dressing room area?!

...Because it's working. And he's cracking despite the red alert blaring in his brain right now. Not enough to do anything dangerous, mind. But...as he shakes his head and looks into her eyes with a growing smirk, he's going with the flow of his racing heart by now. ]

Maybe. But... [ She's batting her eyelashes at him. How the hell was he supposed to win!? ] You're looking like something I gotta unwrap right about now.

[ Said as his hand upon her back glides up towards the silken edge of her white ribbon keeping that number together. Tugtug. But not too hard that it starts loosening. He wouldn't do that. But she's exciting him enough to start thinking it. ]

So...this supposed to be that black dress all girls keep in their closet?

[ For all occasions. ]

[ Oh Wagna... Why would you try to win? You've had your fun earlier, asking her to show him her boobs. This time around though, Weiss is more serious than joking. ]

Is that an invitation? [ He's inviting himself to unwrap her? Sure, he's more than welcome to. Although she does know her limits, just in case one of them get too far...

Her legs gently swing back and forth, a hand close to his chin, the tips of her fingers tipping it up a little to make sure he doesn't look away from her. She might have told the staff that she'd get SOOOO HORNY if he's treated well, and even though she didn't mean that, she finds those lips of his to be so kissable right about now.

But she behaves. She'll strike at the best moment. ]

Well, I already have one. It's not so bad to have another. I like the ribbons.

But it's nice, right? I could dance in this, go out for a casual hangout, or maybe even fight in this if I wanted.

[ Because winning is fun. Especially when it came to the tiny ~~former~~ heiress who sees fit to use him as her throne. And despite his own brief flight of embarrassment, Weiss was quick to bring her Wagna around to seeing the light. Or rather, their mutual understanding of just how risqué they're thinking of being here. If he were getting a modelling show back in her royal suite, maybe things might have panned out differently.

Right now though...they're towing a very delicate line. One that sees his limits being tested when she gently swings her legs back and forth. Her fingers are so delicate and smooth in contrast to his, yet she practically flips a switch like no one else can in him. ]

More like a promise. I can't just go getting us in trouble out here.

[ And yet, his fingers flirt and fiddle with the ribbon, flicking the end of it in an almost playful-like manner. Biding his time. Patience.

You two have an entire day of shopping ahead of you. Calm down. 💦 ]

I can think of a lotta things you can do in this—

[ wait. ]

—fight in this?

[ So much for flirting the pants out off him. Ragna questions the whole combat skirt ideology, and now they have to talk about something Very Serious. ]

Yes. We call it a combat skirt. It would work a lot better if I got a petticoat, so let's go find one after this.

[ She swings her legs one after the other to emphasise that yes, she can move well in a dress! ]

[ Who brings up fighting during flirting?? ...Okay maybe it's sexy to him too. But he IS genuinely curious! ...And perhaps only a little bit skeptical for reasons that he'll go over after he gets an explanation. While he wasn't taunting her with pulling that ribbon loose and compromising her cute new dress anymore, the presence of his hand on the small of her back could still be felt as she swings her legs in his lap.

Which, to her point? ]

You even got a name for it... [ He's not mocking. He's absorbing. And sure enough, after mulling it for a second or two, eyes looking over the frill end of her skirt and how free she appears to be moving in it, ] Honestly? I...kinda see it.

[ Wait, what?? ]

Makes a helluva lot more sense than what I've seen some mercs or vigilantes try and pass for manoeuvrability...

[ Does he get it? Ragna gets combat skirts?! ]

[ Good to know that they don't have to argue about this. ]

Yeah! And sometimes, enemies don't even see any attacks coming if you're in a combat skirt.

[ Swing swing. ]

Like- [ WEISS BONK!! ] that!

[ 'u' ]

!

[ Of course it doesn't hurt. But he flinches for effect anyway before he's staring at her with an unimpressed look on his face. No fair. He was distracted by her combat skirt ~~and legs~~. ...To her point. ]

That's it. Countermeasure.

[ He doesn't slap hard. Gods no. But his hand on her lap does make a point of making an audible clap on her thigh JUST below the edge of her skirt. ]

[ Squeeze squeeze. ]

Take- [ Buries his face in the side of her neck. ] -this!

[ No biting or kissing or licking. Just straight-up getting his face in there while she's "helpless" in the Grim Reaper's lap. She's not the only one with tactics(?). ]

[ The staff outside when they hear that CLAP: "OH GOD SHE REALLY DID GET HORNY!!!"

She is laughing so hard right now. What kind of attack is that??? Should have gone for a motorboat— wait ]

Wagna! What are you doing, you dummy?! [ He gets another light bonk on the head just for that. ] Don't make me bite you!

[ is she still flirting ]

[ "Damn you, Lord Bloodedge..."

Her laughter is contagious. And while he doesn't start laughing out loud himself, he does hum a chuckle against her skin as he starts nuzzling the hell outta her. He's still in control! See?? He's not even trying to yank her outta the dress! ~~Yet.~~ ]

Fighting back. The hell's it look like?

[ Necking her. It looks like you're necking her. ]

What, like this?

[ Because oh that's certainly the feeling of his teeth gently grazing against her neck while he makes a low growl sound for added effect. ]

Wait- tickles- [ HELP GIGGLING ] you dumb ogre!

[ What kind of degradation kink is this!! The staff are doing their BEST not to take a peek at what the two are up to, even if they are foaming at the mouth at the thought of a queen getting it at their store!!

This is so stupid... they're playing around like this at a department store when she's supposed to be fitting on dresses and buying stuff. ]

Fine, bite me! I dare you!

Suck it up, princess!

[ It's stupid. It's absurd. They're losing track of what they were supposed to be doing...and honestly, Ragna can't bring himself to care. Then Weiss throws down the gauntlet and challenges- no. DARES him to bite her. And he has to pull back from his place against her neck where he left a faint wet impression as his teeth graze her. ]

...

[ His brow furrows. Mismatched red and greens look both ways as if he was crossing the street. ~~No one has peeked in yet.~~ ]

[ There's no curtain to pull over them in here. On this couch. But, ]

You asked for it, Angel.

[ And if she doesn't stop him? That hand on her thigh glides just a little further up...juuust beneath the edge of her skirt as he leans in for her neck once more. Only this time, when he bites? It's with a more assertive drag of his teeth. Of course he's not going to hurt. He's not going to actually bite and pinch her skin hard.

...But he was going to suck on her skin at the same time. Then another bite as he makes sure the good little Schnee is cozy with her legs swinging in his lap when the sound of an audible smack of his lips fills the space between them. ]

Eek!

[ She did, indeed, ask for it. And it's become another one of those times where she can't take what she dishes out. She bristles like a cat thanks to his teeth, her entire body warming up. Her face is flush, almost as red as Ragna's jacket, too. ]

Okay, okay! I give up!

[ No more bonking!! In fact, Weiss doesn't even more anymore, her legs just dangling there. Just ignore that her fingers have threaded themselves into his fluffy white hair, though... ]

[ And just so show how much control he has over the situation, when Weiss chirps that she gives up, that hand was riding dangerously high under her skirt and flirting on dipping towards the inside when he also just stops. It's like a game of chicken between them out here. The staff that are hanging off every word and every little action are practically vibrating where they stand as they hope that despite their difference in ranks, that their Queen gets "usurped" so thoroughly in the dressing room. But unfortunately, they will have to remain disappointed.

Because his hand glides away from under her skirt and rests atop her daintier knee before giving it a little patpat. At the same time, he draws back despite her fingers already combing through his spikes of white hair. Far back enough that he can give the flustered huntress a rogue smile. ]

Good girl. [ Now then! ] You got anything else you wanna try on?

[ Or did she want to nab some petticoats before they see if there's anything for his own closet. As if he wasn't prepared to start making out and fondling her up in his lap seconds go. ]

[ OuO As if any irritation or worries were never there! Calling Weiss a "good girl" really is a quick way to lift her spirits. Most times, it would turn her the fuck on, but right now, it sobers her up, especially with a question that follows it up. ]

Nope, this is the last of them. We can look for the petticoat next, or maybe some shoes? Oh, what about something for you?

[ She swings her legs again as she pulls herself up. The hand in his hair drops to his shoulder so that she can put some weight on him before swinging her legs over his and then standing up. ]

Do you want to help me change back into my outfit?

[ Said oh-so-casually. She might have given up earlier, but she still wants a win... :') She wants his cheeks just as red as he made hers earlier, or even worse. ]

Sure. Something about matching up with this little thing you got going on, yeah?

[ He was listening! And he lets her go as he prepares to stand up and follow her, before she hits him with another sneak attack. Goddamn Huntresses and their shifty tactics to get the job done...he's convinced that she would have been a serious challenge for him if she were after him in his world. She's already doing a damnable good job of beating him down in the Golden Peacock. As was evident by how his face starts reddening once more.

So close. So damn close to the colour of his jacket! ]

Wha- Uh...well, [ ...worse. /// ] You uh...

[ Ragna was content in teasing since it was just the two of them (for the most part). But now she's placing him under the gun, waiting to pull the trigger if she already hasn't. And as he rubs the back of his neck and leaves the remainder of her dresses on the couch for now, his lips form a thin line as if he was afraid of saying anything further.

If this were some game or he was the type who was only digging her for her body and the promise of sex? He'd have slipped his arm around her waist already and taken her behind the curtain already. But this?

It's different. Far different. Getting propositioned actually embarrasses him. Because when it's somebody whose so much more in so many ways to him...

How can he not blush? But rather than bristle up or say something stupid like he did back at the bookstore, Weiss' victory is secured as he mutters by her side: ]

S-Sure.

[ Oh, Wagna... Weiss tries hard to hold in her laughter, but a snicker escapes. With a hand on her hip, she shakes her head. ]

You're so cute, Wagna. I wasn't serious.

[ Before he can even say anything, she's already turning around and walking back into the dressing room. It's the last dress, just like she said, so it's back to her white outfit! She does take a while though, pushing the curtains aside at least, before sitting down to fix her hair. After all the dressing up and all that, her braid's loosened up a bit. ]

Oh, right... you aren't tired yet, are you? [ She looks at him from the reflection in the mirror, her hair pin between her teeth. ] We could always go out for lunch first, if you want.

Oh. [ Old Ragna would have been more offended somehow, sputtering over his sentence the way he did when he texted her to go to the casino with him, only for her to taunt that she was busy. ...Okay Ragna still would react like that but in this case, he huffs as she turns around and saunters back into the dressing room. All while he clicks his tongue and looks off to the side. ] Neither was I.

[ You two. ]

Me? Nah, I'm good.

[ But now that the curtain is pulled back and she's just fixing her braid up a bit once more, he feels that he's got a new green light to come over now. The teasing moment from earlier is now gone, stuffed in the back of his mind as he leans to one side with his arms crossed whilst she keeps her hair pin between her teeth. ]

Want a hand with your hair? [ Whether she did or not though, he was still listening. ] Lunch works for me, by the by.

[ ??? Why does it sound like you don't mean it, Wagna... ]

Sure, can you get this? Sorry. Wet.

[ She can't quite point to the hair pin and everything but she does turn to face Ragna as she's weaving the parts of her hair together. It won't take long! She'll get the braid fixed and tied up again. Her hair tie is on her wrist and she tugs on it to tie it around close to the ends of her hair to secure the braid.

And with that done? She stands up! And looks at Ragna expectantly. 'u' Yes, she's fully expecting him to put the pin on her hair now. Crown her!!!!!! ]

[ Whaaaat get real... ]

Okay, okay, got it.

[ As he supervises the braid, careful not to let his hands get in the way of hers as they work to fix it and secure it cleanly without any significant little frays of white poking out, there's a gentleness in the way he handles her hair. Did he have experience in playing with a girl's hair too? Jury's out on that one as to whether or not he played the role of big brother for Saya when they were little to this extent or not. But he at least has enough common sense to follow Weiss' lead, waiting for her to be finished up and looking at him with an expectant look in her bright blue eyes.

Those same brilliant, bright beautiful blues he called her out for in the past. The same ones that he can't really win against. Sighing through his nose with a slight cant of his head, an equally kind smile preludes him remembering where she likes her pin placed. ]

Aaand— [ Careful to glide the ends of the pin through her voluminous hair, he gives it a couple test presses to see if it bounces into place just right. And sure enough, with a second's more of fussing: ] —crowned.

Thank you.

[ Without even thinking about it, she takes a step forward and gets on the tip of her toes until she realises that she was just about to lean in to kiss him on the cheek.

So she stops and goes back down. Blinks.

Ah, fuck it. Back on the tip of her toes for that smooch. 😘 After all that flirting earlier, this is a lot more tame! Sorry that you have to be the object of her affection, Wagna... :(

Just so she doesn't have to entertain any questions about it though, she's quick to turn back around to look in the mirror. Is her braid okay, did she get her outfit back on just fine... a little bit of primping, and ready for real this time! ]

So, what should we have for lunch? You can decide this time.

[ Despite the fact they were playfighting and flirting on that couch just moments prior, Weiss stepping into his personal bubble so suddenly before he gets the chance to even utter a "Whoa" has those eyes of his widening when she gets on the tips of her toes to prepare a kiss on the check. It happens so suddenly. She happened so suddenly that she never really gave him a chance to brace himself. Even when they first met. When he's the one that invited her out of that line at Birdbucks to get away from the bustling madness of the resort below.

In another time, the Grim Reaper would have bristled. Warned her to not get so close. Buzz off if she wasn't such an affectionate partner to him. In present day though, when she stops and blinks to deliberate her choice,

He's blushing. He is blushing by the time she tips back up on her toes and goes for that smooch. So much so that his breath clips and he has to force himself to remember how to do just that— breath again. What has this girl done to you, Ragna the Bloodedge? He doesn't grumble, only shaking his head when she turns around to look in the mirror and fuss with the final stages of her hair. All the while Ragna's hand ghosts over his cheek where she laid a wet one on him.

She's back at it. Like nothing happened at all. ]

What the I gonna do with you...?

[ "So, what should we have for lunch?" ]

How about pasta? We got a whole day of splurging to get through.

[ Which meant that energy was important! Italian? Maybe even Japanese if they want noodles...or really, anything she wants on the menu there. Normally this would be the part where Ragna insists she chose because he's spending all of this on her, but after that little dressing room treat via the Queen of Spades, he doesn't mind handling the reins for a while. When they're finished buying her dresses and petticoats, that is. Were the shoes here too?

Or were they going to need to shop elsewhere for him to get his socks knocked off by how stupidly priced they were? ]

Edited 2024-09-07 09:44 (UTC)

[ If Ragna doesn't like it, he'd say something about it. It's what Weiss is thinking. Since he hasn't? Then she assumes it's okay. Not to mention, after everything they've talked about and dealt with the past few weeks, it just feels like there's nothing wrong with kissing him on the cheek anymore.

Sometimes, she can't help but become hesitant about it, though. Ragna not being used to affection (she doesn't blame him) doesn't give her much to work with when it comes to what's too much, what's too little. She just wants him to know that she appreciates him.

So it's also why he should be picking out where they should eat. He's been so accommodating of her with all these dresses and all. They aren't even done yet! They're coming back for his clothes and her shoes! ]

Sure. Maybe an actual restaurant, or do you still want to go to the food court? You can pick.

[ Finally, she steps out of the dressing room, carrying the black dress with her to put in the pile of dresses that she tried on. Ragna is tasked to carry it all... :') ]

I want them all. That's okay, right? You can go on ahead to the cashier. I'll look for a petticoat and come find you.

[ He's more than okay with it now. He doesn't pull away. He would never pull away from her. Not anymore. Though, really, if there was anyone else at the resort who tried to pull this stunt on him? Whether or not he let it happen, there would have been far more hesitation about it all. No matter how well acquainted he became with everyone else here...there's something special about the way that Weiss talks to him. Shows her own appreciation when he knows how hard it is to come by.

There's flirting and rolling with the punches of the big game they all play, but then there's the way she treats him...even from the day they first met without either of them truly realizing how deep this would run...

It's a feeling that he knows he can't take for granted. That he never will. Which is why when she asks him about the food court, Ragna doesn't even have to think for another second before she gets her answer. ]

I want an actual restaurant with you. Find somewhere nice to sit down without all the hustle and bustle of everyone walking around us.

[ Every dress is now hanging upon his person effortlessly. Thankfully, they can at least order that they get whisked away to her Suite before they're finally done. ]

Yeah. Take 'em all, Weiss.

[ He can't really return any kind of affectionate gesture before taking his leave while wrapped up in dresses like this in his hands and arms. But he can at least sway his hip subtly to bump alongside hers with a contented smile. What she did earlier? It meant more than he may have ever truly been able convey with words. Even without the cursed chips in his account, Ragna may have very well gone ahead and done this for her already. In the months since coming here, Weiss deserved it and then some.

A shame that good mood of his sours slightly the instant he steps outside the dressing room because sure enough...hanging around with their hands behind their backs and whistling away as if nothing was amiss or they weren't trying to voyeur their way into listening to the Queen getting royally slammed, was the staff waiting on them. ]

Hey you two.

[ One of them cocks a brow at the Grim Reaper as if they had been inconvenienced severely.

"Yes sir?" ]

Lord Bloodedge?

[ Right??? Correcting them since it was by their Queen's behest that they treat him like royalty too, that they begrudgingly use the title he's now wielding like the smartass that he is. ]

Take me up to the front counter with these dresses, wouldja? Everything's being paid for by me.

[ "Ohhh nooo. That just won't do at all, Lord Bloodedge. Please, allow us to take all the dresses for you and package them all up! We'll bring them up to the front for you to pay once you're ready." Without waiting for Ragna's approval or not, they start stripping the dresses off his body like they're taking their coats at the end of a party before leaving. At first, as odd as their shift in attitude was so suddenly...Weiss did say they needed to treat him with more respect if they wanted to be witness to her getting SOOOOO HORNY. A free hand now on his hip, he sighs as he looks around to see if he can spot Weiss amidst the spacious shopping floor.

He can't. She really did take off to go finish up. ]

Oh well. I guess I'll wait up front.

Edited (hold the phone fdalkj) 2024-09-09 05:30 (UTC)

[ Little would Weiss realize is that her royal service where she finds what she's looking for, only to be tended to hand-over-foot by the staff to bring to the front so that she may continue to peruse and have free hands to try on all sorts of new things? All of it was being taken up to the front, as was instructed and suggested by the staff to her lord.

By the time Weiss comes to find her Wagna at the cashier...

He's nowhere to be found. Not in plain sight anyway. The only thing beside the seemingly oh-so-satisfied cashier who merely watched as Love Dove workers did their magic, was a colourful display of boxes, all of which were stacked as wide as they were high and adorned with the most prestigious of ribbons. But...wait. Why does this pile of boxes have legs? A very familiar pair of legs in black hakama pants. ]

[ Weiss will ask Ragna where he wants to eat once they're all good to go. For now, they split up and Weiss heads to where the delicates are to get a nice black petticoat. She's got a white petticoat already in her closet, but she never considered getting a black one until now. Ragna's given her a good reason!

It's close to ten minutes that Weiss is gone. By the time she's found herself at the check-out counter, she hands the cashier the petticoat so it can be put in a box and then given to Ragna. Though what the staff member does is to be pack the new item and just toss it at the very top of an already tall stack of boxes. Weiss' eyes follow as soon as she gives her thanks and— ]

Oh!

[ A stack of boxes with legs!! Weiss snickers, recognising those knees anywhere, even if they're covered by those black pants.

Shing! A Glyph is summoned, and Weiss steps on it to bring her up to eye level of the said stack. Turns out, there's a gap between two boxes right in the middle where the "stacks's" face would be. ]

Hi, Wagna. [ OuO ] What in the world are you up to?

[ With his hands busy, he won't be able to do anything when she slips her hand in the whole to poke his nose. Boop.

Don't drop the boxes!! ]

[ A stack of boxes with legs that's evidently doing its damnest not to growl grumpily! The face that Weiss is greeted to is decisively grumpy too. But not at her. Never her. And if he were angrier, he'd have started yelling or making a fuss by now. Despite just how many boxes there were, he doesn't feel compromised at all. It's more the balance of it all, considering just how strong the man really was. ]

Hi, Angel. [ (`ー´╬) ] Turning into a giftbox display case. You?

[ Boop. ]

[ "Will that be everything, Queen??" the cashier asks with their hands rubbing together. The affectionate little display of booping the concealed Crimson Calamity was admittedly endearing despite his rank...and perhaps enough soften up their disposition of him despite the fact they ignored literally all of his complaints while they buried him.

They won't even need Ragna to tap his Watch against the point of sale device! Seeing as he's a registered guest with a rank, and should he give his consent, they can pull the appropriate amount of chips out of his account now! ]

Edited 2024-09-09 06:25 (UTC)

[ Oh Wagna... don't be angy!!! She at least knows that's his resting angy face...

Does she have to make a scene again? It looks like it. ]

Oh! [ Louder, Weiss! ] I would get SO HORNY if Wagna could carry me instead of all these boxes that someone else was supposed to be taking care of!

[ In an instant, someone's already lifting all the boxes from Ragna's arms, "YES MA'AM, RIGHT AWAY MA'AM". Instead of take the boxes to Weiss' suite though, they stare at Weiss, waiting for the queen to either be scooped up into Ragna's arms. She could also jump into his arms, that would be great too.

Weiss doesn't know what's being expected of either of them at first, but soon realises that- ah crap, does she... have to do what she just said? Right in front of them? She doesn't know if Ragna would appreciate that, and even she feels a little embarrassed to do that when so many people could see! So she blinks up at her Crimson Calamity, quietly seeking for help or for him to take the reins in this situation.

Tasukete, Wagna... ]

[ "I would get SO HORNY if Wagna could carry me instead of all these boxes that someone else was supposed to be taking care of!" ]

That's right!Hey wait a minute...!

[ Sure enough, the staff are already deconstructing the glorious stack they've assembled for Tour de Bloodedge, until he's finally liberated of being used as a display stand for all the pretty boxes that are now within Love Dove's capable hands. Especially in the presence of a glorious Queen that's made some VERY bold claims right about now. One? She was gonna get SUPER horny when the boxes are off him! Two? That'll ESPECIALLY happen when she's being carried by her Wagna instead!

And he fixes her with an incredulous look as the two find themselves immediately put on the spot. In fact, it seems as though they're withholding taking his money until they're sated by their dear Queen's promising decree.

Then she blinks up at her Crimson Calamity with those bright, pure blues of hers. She knows she goofed up. He doesn't have to say it. Was he embarrassed? Yes.

Was he far more keen on getting the hell out of here? Doubly yes. So, ]

As you command~ [ With a smooth stride, Ragna effortlessly sweeps Weiss up and off her feet until she's boldly scooped up into his strong arms. Forget being a Queen. She's being carried like a princess right now. For added emphasis, he stifles his shame and rolls with her in this mess and declares loudly, with a trace of sensualism attached: ] Ohhh yeah! I'm just getting SOOOO hard now that I get to carry Weiss instead of all those boxes! That'll go STRAIGHT to her royal suite after I pay for EVERYTHING!

[ They're gonna let him pay finally and let them leave. Quickly leans into Weiss' ear and hisses: ]

Quick. Moan or some shit.

[ Weiss wasn't expecting Ragna to just up and pick her up like that! She was thinking he'd just ignore the whole thing and drag her away! You know, now that they got what they wanted (the dresses are now about to be brought to her suite), that they could just have their sweet getaway! Ragna chose the hard mode of this exit, and is even playing along.

He, too, is going to get SOOOO hard! The staff couldn't really care less about a rank 3 getting aroused or anything, but knowing and believing that this erection of his will benefit one of the queens of the resort, then they fully support him. Lord Bloodedge, get all the blood right on that edge— wait ]

Oh god, why are you playing along?!

[ She whispers it right back at him but sees that the staff are still looking at them. Please, queen! Give them some bread crumbs... something that will make them feel like they're of USE. That their service is great. Get SOOOOOO horny like you said you would! ]

U- Um... O- Oh, Ragna! [ Did her voice just crack? She looks at Ragna and winces, hoping that sounded sexy?? ] Mmmhmm... I can't wait until my nose is touching your skin when I suck on that- that king kong dong of yours!

[ That was what he wanted, right? She moaned! And some shit! And to add to that, she even presses her boobs together. With her strapless outfit, the squeezing from both sides makes her breasts look a lot rounder, accentuating her cleavage, too. He can keep her steady with both his arms, she isn't worried about holding onto him right now. ]

Oil me up and slip that king kong dong right between my ti- [ The staff start giggling and whispering before one of them slaps the other on the ass and walks away. The boxes with all of Weiss' new clothes are put inside a shopping cart and wheeled away to the suite.

Looks like the staff are minding their own business now? Good. Weiss lets out a sigh of relief. ] I thought I had to finish that sentence... I'm glad I don't have to.

Edited 2024-09-09 12:14 (UTC)

[ And frankly? He might have very well done just that! It was a proverbial coin toss at this stage. But the last thing he needed was to cause distress or something to the "Queen" when they were anticipating something else completely from her. If he dragged her off and they assumed that he was going against her wishes? Would they tackle him? Call security? Was it "easy" mode if the staff were unpredictable horndogs over their royal Spade? Either way, he's dying from embarrassment on the inside and the only saving grace is that he knows Weiss is getting killed too.

It's a double kill. ]

[ "Oh god, why are you playing along?!" ]

I dunno, why the hell'd you tell me to pick you up?!

[ Ah, ah, ah! There's no time! Weiss' voice cracks and she moans as she looks up at him for guidance. Under his breath, Ragna hisses again: ]

Yeah like that goodgood—

[ "Mmmhmm... I can't wait until my nose is touching your skin when I suck on that- that king kong dong of yours!" ]

NOT LIKE THAT WHY WOULD YOU BRING THAT BACK STOP—!!

[ CLEARS THROAT AS SHE STARTS SQUEEZING HER BOOBS TOGETHER. He gets "weak in the knees". He's reaching his breaking point here. One of the staff members murmurs something about "oh hey yeah that IS the guy at the top of the list huh". Take his money please. Or kill him. Preferably take his money. Please. ]

Ohoo yeah! You're gonna make me pay for you SO good I'm hard as a goddamn DIAMOND right now! Yeah you want it? My...My...

[ Fucking no. He can't. Take it home, Weiss. ]

[ "Oil me up and slip that king kong dong right between my ti-" ]

[ Just like that, the staff are sated. One slaps the ass of the other. BING! goes Lord Bloodedge's Watch as an excessive amount of dirty chips are taken from his account and it's all paid for. The cashier bows their head and wishes them a pleasant rest of their day as the staff wheel away the mountain of boxes containing her dresses and other articles. Without so much as a nod, what with his arms currently preoccupied in holding the tiny Schnee breasting as boobily as she can manage with her perky size, they make a beeline for the front exit and reemerge outside as if nothing was amiss.

Save for still carrying Weiss anyway as she heaves a sigh of relief with him. ]

So...

[ ...Now's not the time to grill her on almost finally saying a dirtier word. They're BOTH dying here. ]

...you still feeling pasta?

Edited 2024-09-10 06:38 (UTC)

[ God!! Why is he yelling at her when he was the one who said that king kong dong thing in the first place!!! He's the one who introduced the phrase to her. If anything, he should be yelling at himself for being a big idiot!!

There's no time to argue though. They've got an act to keep up aaaall the way until they make their exit! Weiss doesn't even ask to be set down yet when it looks like they're in the clear. Ragna can do that on his own.

When he asks if she's still feeling pasta, she just nods. Another boop to his nose just because.

(No wonder Nora likes booping Ren... she gets it now! It's actually really fun.) ]

Sure. And a milkshake, please!

[ She even said the magic word!! Are you proud of her, Ragna?? Does it help forget about those embarrassing moments just a couple of minutes ago? ]

[ He doesn't mean it!! He's panicking like she is!!! Granted, in the end, the two of them successfully make their escape(?). It just goes to show just how far Ragna has come from his baby days at this resort that he'd even so much as humoured her like this in the first place. Hell, he's surprised her. He must have been channelling that inner smartass, preparing to roll up to a fortified headquarters and boldly declaring he's delivering pizza*.

*EDITOR'S NOTE: The pizza was death.

Boop. ]

[ Giving her tiny body an affirming squeeze in his arms, he half-smiles for her as he gently sets her back down on her own two feet by his side. He's proud of her. ...Hell. There's a part of him that's proud of himself. Even if he, frankly, really didn't want to relive that moment again. It's best kept there, thank you. ~~Wait until they gave to go back for HIS wardrobe.~~ ]

Extra thick, just for you, princess.

[ That's when that half-smile shifts into something more genuine and brighter. ...When was the last time he let himself feel like this in his lifetime? If ever? ]

Have you ever had a milkshake before?

[ By now, Ragna carrying Weiss and setting her down has become something she's used to. She trusts him completely. Also, it's really fun to be carried around like that??? She likes it a lot when it's Ragna who does it, too. It feels like she can see everything from up there!!

Even now, when he does set her down, she just beams up at him in thanks for his service. ]

What are you going to have? Oh, and have you ever had a milkshake before?

[ She'll have to straighten her skirt out for a bit, but it doesn't take very long before she's good to go! Pasta and a milkshake... they'd have a ton of luck at a place with pizza, too. ]

[ The perks of being the tallest sibling... Granted, there's some folk he's met back home that were giants compared to him still... Seeing her positively beaming has the impact of practically melting him. Even if he doesn't show it much on the surface, there's a warmth that spreads from his chest when she asks him about what he's going to have for lunch. Once she's dusted herself off and straightened her skirt, he's straightened his own jacket out of impulse before he finishes mulling his choices over.

But not before he steps in by her side to slide his hand in hers out of habit. If he didn't do it first, she would have. It's the bustling nature of the mall, right? It's just so they wouldn't get split up! ...Is what he might have told himself in the past. Now it's genuinely just something he wants— especially when it concerned the first person who opened his eyes to how touching someone without consequence could feel this good. That it could feel this okay. If the day came where the Azure Grimoire regained its old potency, it's one that he would only dread if it meant being unable to do this again.

Either way, he takes the lead once more, an idle tug all it takes as they blend in with the rest of the crowd walking through the mall as they make their way to one of the few spacious dining districts the Nest provides; it wasn't anything like the food courts, but restaurants lining the walls of the hallway! ]

I'm feeling something meatier...I'm gonna hafta look at the menu for specific names. [ Granted, pizzerias or Italian restaurants would have a bigger variety in the first place. Ragna might change his mind. fdkjlas ] And...huh. You know what? I actually haven't. Not even since I got here.

[ Holding Ragna's hand, whether she's the one who initiates or he does, feels so natural at this point. If he wasn't going to reach for her hand once they start heading to where they can get their lunch, she was going to. Weiss wasn't one for these sorts of displays of affection ever, but she's come to find that she really likes them. More so when Ragna's involved.

If the day ever came when he wouldn't be able to do this again, let alone be close to her, Weiss would be more than disappointed. It wouldn't be something she'd accept.

Fortunately, that day likely won't be coming any time soon. She can live blissfully being so close to him. He can live the way he should have been able to for all these years. ]

I was going to suggest that you order one for yourself, but you'll probably be full if you have a lot of meat... Do you want to just share a milkshake?

[ A nice thick milkshake with a cherry on top! She'd even tie the stem into a knot with her tongue. . . he'd be so scandalised, probably. ]

Share a milkshake? Sure.

[ Old Ragna would have been scandalized already for just sharing a milkshake with a girl. Let alone anybody. But that isn't going to stop him from blushing right now as the thought occurs to him that they're going to share a straw and...oh wait. No. No, he didn't get flustered about something as stupid as an "indirect" kiss. ]

I'm not the hugest sweets guys as you know, but splitting it with you's probably for the best.

[ There's only a few seconds of a lull in their conversation, arms gently swaying side by side before he muses out loud, ]

You got a favourite flavour?

[ Don't say Wagna. ]

Yeah. And if you don't like it, then I'll finish the rest of it.

[ Weiss isn't even thinking about the implications of sharing a milkshake. It just makes sense to share one if he isn't going to have much room for one, and he doesn't even like sweets that much, anyway. But since he hasn't tried one before, she just wants him to experience it!! ]

I don't really have a favourite. Blueberry, I guess? Oh, and strawberry is okay, too. I don't mind trying whatever you want to order, though.

I'm pretty sure between the two of us, we can crack a milkshake easy. We'll get a couple straws too.

[ Of course he was going to experience it! And to be honest, the fact that he's never had it before...actually has him feeling secretly more excited about the prospect. In fact, as honest as he likes to be, he says as much outloud as they approach the diner district of the Nest. Now it was just a matter of picking a spot that tickles their fancy! He mentioned pasta, but even that doesn't have to be the be-all-end-all. ]

Strawberry being just "okay" tells me we're skipping that. Either way, you're the expert between us. I'm following your lead.

[ But if she asks him to pick one that he likes when they do find a menu? He won't make a big fight over it. But as he peers around with Weiss, brow knitting only so he can focus up and see if there's a locale that catches his eye... ]

Hey.

[ Squeezesqueeze. He points off to their right, with an "outdoor" dining area that's gated off and indoor eating as well. ]

Bella Patata?

[ Unbeknownst to Ragna (unless Weiss has gone here yet?), it's an Italian-influenced restaurant. As luck would have it, one of their specialties is a Tiramisu Milkshake; which also means they'd have a milkshake menu in general! ]

Strawberry is fine! I'm not much of a milkshake person in general, but I do like them from time to time.

[ Just like now! There's a reason why she has a craving for it. Right now, she wants something really cool and creamy, something sweet and refreshing. Iced tea wouldn't be able to do the trick this time. ]

I'll try to pick something you might like.

[ So probably nothing crazy like a chocolate overload-sort of flavour. Something basic like vanilla wouldn't be a bad choice either!

Ragna gets her attention and points to a nearby establishment. It's not a place Weiss has ever gone to before, but if it's in Golden Peacock, then it must be good. Weiss may have had a lot experiences with the aphrodisiacs in the food, but they've always been good, regardless. ]

Sure. I think you're a beautiful potato, Wagna.

[ The front-of-the-house already notices one of the resort's queens, too. Even if the two of them aren't near the restaurant yet, the staff waves Weiss over and then bows.

"We'd be happy to serve you today, Queen!" ]

Oh brother...

Is THAT what that means?? "Beautiful Potato"?

[ As much as his kneejerk reaction was to call it stupid, he immediately realizes: ] Ah screw it. It's in another language. It prolly makes more sense to them.

[ They haven't even stepped in the direction of the restaurant yet and he immediately realizes that, oh god no. The staff are already noticing them. More specifically? They're noticing someone of true royalty as Weiss is waved over and bowed for. If she decides to follow them, he steels himself and takes a half-step backwards. All so he can be "behind" her in ranking whilst still keeping a hold on her hand. If he lets go, they might disregard him completely because that's just how freaking weird these NPCs were. ]

Let's...just call me your plus one for this place.

[ Because something told him that neither of them were intent on revisiting just how INCREEEEEDIBLY HORNY QUEEN WEISS WILL GET IF THEY DO THIS FOR WAGNA ]

I think so? I mean, people call others "kitten" or "pumpkin" or some other thing, right? It doesn't sound too weird if you think about it that way.

[ Calling someone a "potato" is definitely weird, though, but if it's cute in another language? Then Ragna will henceforth be known as- ]

Ragna the Beautiful Grim Reaping Crimson Calamitous Potato Bloodedge.

[ HEHEHEHE ✨

Looks like they've settled on where to eat though. Weiss walks on ahead, making sure Ragna's right behind her and making sure he doesn't let go of her hand. Ragna's given her the approval to call him her "plus one", but she's. . . taking this matter into her own hands. ]

Hello, [ The staff greets her again after she does her own curtsy with just one hand. ] I'm here on a date.

[ Sorry she didn't ask you for your opinion, Ragna. ]

Naturally, we want to sit at the most romantic table you have.

[ Sorry she didn't ask you for your opinion for that one either, Ragna.

"The queen is on a date! Of course, Miss Schnee. We'll prepare the table for you right away. Please browse through our menu and I'll be right with you to lead you to your table."

'u' Weiss looks pretty proud of herself for that one. She's even humming a tune as she picks up the menu, letting go of Ragna's hand so she can browse through it as they wait to be seated.

Hm, hmm-hmm 🎵 ]

Edited (wagna) 2024-09-15 08:04 (UTC)

You really got a way with spinning things to make sense, don'tcha?

[ But the inflection he puts behind his words makes it sound like a real compliment. Which it was, if the way he was smiling for her was any indication. That is, up until she hits him with another ludicrously long nickname all over again. It brings him back to when they shared an intimate moment at the laundromat late into the night. What did she call him there? A lot of babytalking Wagna nonsense... To her credit, she never did call him that full descriptor again like she promised. This? This however was new. But of course he has to respond apropos.

Which is to say, with a slouch of his shoulders and an audible: ]

Ugh... That title's WAY too starchy!

[ ...he groaned about it yet dropped a pun anyways. The Gwim Weaper gives as much as he takes! Once more, he's taken back to the sheer glee Weiss got out of bombarding him with knee puns on the first day they met. How triumphant Weiss felt and how proudly she declared "Yes!" for her kneeslappers. If he's faux annoyed, it doesn't last for very long before he's already cracking a smile as he's lead along behind her. It's a smile that's, unfortunately, fleeting when they approach the restaurant and he allows Weiss to take over.

More returning to a neutral expression, he lets her do all the talking for this round as she takes the reins. Perhaps pulling on said reins a little too hard when her new routine to get them the best seats?

"I'm here on a date." ]

That's right—

—HUH!?

[ Ragna you're the one who said you're her plus one also take your own advice and SHUT UP! ]

[ "Naturally, we want to sit at the most romantic table you have." ]

Uhh...y-yeah... Yeah.

[ It's not going on a date with Weiss that's the problem. Hell, he asked her out to go on another one! But that still blindsides him as he blushes at Weiss, looking oh-so-proud of herself as she lets go of his hand to take a peruse of the menu. Crossing his arms, he takes a peek from Weiss' side as he looks down at the same one. Well. Whether she actually considered it a date or not now, they're in it to win it as they prepare the finest table and service for them.

Her flustered oversized tater cants his head as he looks at the menu with a hum. ]

Huh...this place's got pizza too.

[ She is very smart, thank you, Ragna! And Weiss would have made a comeback with another potato pun, but there are more important things to take care of... like their seats!

Weiss looks his way when he makes his kneejerk violent reaction, questioning what she just said. She doesn't say anything, but she does arch a brow at his direction. Got something to say, Wagna? You're the one who told her to call you her plus one. Of course she'll say it in her own way. Why hasn't he learned yet that Happy Weiss, Happy Life???

And because he makes no further objections, she takes it as a sign that everything is all well and good! She won't mention anything about it, nor would she even consider this a date unless he actually does, so it's back to their regularly scheduled programming! ~~why are they not dating~~ ]

Do you want to order a pizza, then? We can share that and the pasta, unless you think you can finish an entire pizza? [ '^' she doesn't know how hungry he is... but there are sizes to the pizza, anyway! If he ordered the personal size one, he'd be able to finish it all, for sure. ] Whatever you're having... I at least want to try it.

[ ~~spoken like a true girlfriend~~ Tap tap tap goes her finger on her chin, thinking about what she'd like to order. The penne ala norma looks good... but a regular carbonara doesn't sound too bad either... Maybe she should just keep it light and go for the vegetarian route, since they'll still be walking around the mall afterwards. ]

[ "Miss Schnee, your table is ready."

Weiss looks up once she hears her name, then back at Ragna before putting the menu back on the counter. They're then led into the restaurant, and as usual, all eyes are on royalty. There's a room that's opened for them though, and while it's all VR, the sound of the ocean waves, the smell of the beach, and fresh air feels so real.

"Please have a seat, Miss Schnee." The chair is held out for her, before extending the same courtesy to Ragna. The staff here seem a lot nicer to him compared to the people at the Love Dove, at least? "Someone will be back to take your orders." ]

Oh... Thank you!

[ :'D;;; It's all smiles from her for now, until they're left alone for a bit. Even she didn't think they would get a table like this? It feels a little too much, even for her! And they're not on a date!! So- ]

Sorry, [ An apologetic grin is the best she can give her not-date right now. ] I shouldn't have said something like that just to get a nice seat.

[ You can't take the tsun completely out of Ragna! But you can inject the dere in just the right way, it turns out. Ultimately, he does yield to the Happy Weiss, in a bid to keep her Happy Life going. At the very least, Ragna was already over her stunt to get them into a fine dining situation. That, and despite the fact that they were both going to be getting fair treatment, at least more of the focus is on the Queen instead of him. He's so used to the casual service he receives at Red Cardinal...and it's not like he doesn't know how to handle people if he's trying to be cordial. So long as they respect him back in kind. ]

Maybe... There's a lotta good ideas on this menu. I might hafta take notes. [ If there's one thing Ragna had plenty more time for beyond having sex, training and investigating the resort, it's improving upon his cooking skills that Jubei instilled in him. ] Maybe a medium pizza and we can share it with the rest of our order.

[ Frankly, he never really cared to count his calories. He ate relatively healthy with a diet high in protein, but he fought and trained so rigorously that what he ate really didn't count. When Weiss insists that she wants to try whatever he has, all he does is smile back at her, knowingly. ~~He may have never had a girlfriend before, but he knows the vibes. asfdjkl~~ ]

[ "Miss Schnee, your table is ready."

Ragna perks up around the same time that Weiss does, blinking to her before they're lead in by the waiter. Whilst the staff hang head over heels for the Queen and to an extent, her "plus one", patrons of the restaurant don't sneer at Ragna or anything. They just look away if he happens to glance in their general direction. Why should they give him any further attention? Most are whispering about the beauty and radiance of the Queen of Spades instead. Thankfully, they won't have to worry about prying eyes for much longer when they're lead to their own VR-enhanced dining room.

One that throws him for a loop because at first, he didn't register that this was all illusory. ]

What the...?

[ Their chairs are held out for them; Ragna included. And he's taken by surprise by that matter. Was it because he was here with Weiss? Was it all about the hierarchy? Either way, he decides to rear back on that train of thought to focus on just enjoying his time in with Weiss. Almost mirroring her, speaking of... ]

Oh, uh, thank you.

[ :'D;;;? Standing alone with the former heiress in the face of a beautiful beachside and a table awaiting them where no sea breeze would bother them, he can definitely feel the pressure building. But then,

"Sorry," ]

Huh? What for? [ Ragna shakes his head dismissively to her apology. He was just...more surprised than anything. It would have been worse if there were others around to watch them. But for all intents and purposes, it really does feel like they're no longer at the Golden Peacock. ] You didn't do anything wrong.

[ Though...now he feels a little overdressed in contrast to Weiss now. Especially for a beautiful oceanside table. So he starts to remove his red jacket with the conveniently located coat hanger situated off to the side for their exclusive use. A couple of accessory belts later and he's down to his thinner black ensemble from top to bottom. ]

Sheesh. It really does feel like a date now...

You don't mind?

[ Ragna says he didn't do anything wrong, so she relaxes a little, waiting for just a little bit more approval from him that this is all okay before she can enjoy their lunch completely. If he doesn't seem too bothered about the VIP treatment, then it's fine! Weiss has obviously experienced VIP treatment before, being a Schnee and all. Though if she were to try and recall any beach trips back in the day, she wouldn't be able to come up with any. They never really had family trips, and she never had a reason to go to the beach on her own. Not that she would...

She picks up the table napkin to put it on her lap. She's got an all-white outfit, so any stains on it would be bad! That's when Ragna makes a comment about the ambiance, getting her eyes to widen as the same fact sinks in, too. ]

Huh.... I guess it does.

[ '^' She looks at their fake scenery for a moment, listening to the sounds of the birds that aren't even there. Is that a hint of a smile on her face? Maybe... but when she looks back at him, there's red tinting her cheeks. ]

Should we just... you know...

[ She tucks her hair behind her ear before looking away again, trying so hard to not look at Ragna with what she's insinuating. He can hopefully understand what she means! That they should just go with what they're handed and consider this a date? Maybe it won't be all that bad. ]

No, not really. [ Although a fresher Grim Reaper to this resort would have been far more apprehensive and bewildered at just about everything thrown his way. Then again, he doubts that Weiss would have hurtled herself at him or declared they were on a date off the jump either. So his own embarrassment and diehard tendencies were a moot point. Besides...if he's being completely honest with her as he finishes hanging his coat and accessories up, ] You're the reason I'm okay with all this to begin with.

[ After all, why else would he have swept her off her feet and played along to moan their way out of Love Dove? She's the reason he's stepped out of his comfort zone and discovered a side of himself that he either never knew existed...or thought he'd have to say goodbye to a long time ago. His gaze falls back to Weiss where she's neatly seated, only to notice the red tint of her cheeks so much easier. She always did have a paler complexion. If anything, it made her blushes all the cuter. And when she smiles, a hint of it gracing her lips... ]

///

[ Clearing his throat, Ragna scoots in on his side of their intimate little table, hand resting on the menu without giving it a single glance as his focus is squarely on the shy Schnee sitting across from him. He's the one who said it outloud...and it was passing commentary. But it's also been a thought that's crossed his mind numerous times. They've wanted to set up their new date for a while now, yet the House always seemed to have other plans for them... Thinking of it now? That just feels like an excuse. Something he wants no part of when he should be the one to decide what he wants. Just the same as Weiss. ]

...make this our next date?

[ It's no secret that they like one another. Even when there were remaining feelings that continued to be left unsaid. Implied. Just beneath the surface as the sound of gentle rolling waves in the distance creates an ambience to their discussion. ]

I mean, they say when life gives you lemons, make lemonade, yeah?

[ This should be the part where Ragna lays a line on her about how nothing was sweeter than a date with her. And he even thinks about it. Instead, he huffs, a smile growing on his face as he asks for her attention. ]

Hey.

[ He knows that he's already asked. She's already said yes. But... ]

Want me to ask you out?

[ You know. So it's "official". ]

[ Seeing and hearing a positive reaction out of Ragna puts Weiss at ease. Even though Ragna thinks and knows that they like one another, there's a voice at the back of Weiss' mind that keeps asking "until when?" When will Ragna stop liking her, grow tired of her and not want anything to do with her anymore? So when moments when it's Ragna's feelings that shine through and validate Weiss, she just can't help but feel really, really happy. ]

Or make a nice bowl of mashed potatoes from beautiful shallot and potato that life gave me.

[ THAT MADE NO SENSE. She's just being silly now! And it keeps going. Ragna asks if she wants him to ask her out. The answer is a resounding "yes!", but she won't give him that so easily. ]

Not if I ask you first!

[ Weiss this isn't pre-school!!! She doesn't even give Ragna a chance to breathe with that one when she gets up on her feet, hangs banging on the table for effect. ]

Wagna the Bloodedge, I would be honoured if you went on a date with me today.

[ >:)!!! HEH!!!!! First. ]

[ For Ragna, there's a pressing matter of what happens after the Golden Peacock. What happens when they do find their opportunity to leave and go back to their own worlds? There was still the matter of Salem to deal with for the former heiress and the rest of humanity...and while he knows that if luck is on her side and Kazuya goes with her to create a better fighting chance, what of his world? Because if he truly, really had it his way...he'd never tire of her. ~~And it only makes having to let her go all the more harder.~~ ]

So when life gives you...potatoes? You mash them and then-wait where the hell did the shallot come fromYou know what? Yeah. I get the sentiment.

[ Just like the day they met, Weiss' silliness takes him on a rollercoaster of emotions as he processes it all. Clearly, this was the opening the wily Huntress benefited from, yes? Because as he still recovers from their fun little back & forth, his bid to flip the tables on her backfires completely when the all-powerful Schnee gets up to her feet and bangs her hands on the table for dramatic effect. Sure enough? He doesn't get a breath in before he's downright reeling.

Just what is this power?! ]

Ggh—!!

[ Well??? What say you, Wagna the Bloodedge???? There was a part of him that felt an indescribable itch to shoot to his own feet and point his finger back at her. There's also another part of him that felt the urge to laugh at her childish burst to make it a competition. But neither of those surfaces. After the initial comedic shock wears off, Weiss is instead met with a man sitting, looking up at her with his chin resting in his hand. With a blink of his eyes and a smile, he accepts it all. He'd say that he was charmed by her, but...she did that a long time ago. But nobody said that she couldn't do it again. Over and over again. All so she can keep giving him all the more reason to say: ]

Yes. Yes, I will go out with you today, Weiss.

[ Said so seriously too?!? ]

[ The shallot obviously came from him being an ogre and having way too many layers. It makes sense! Weiss just has too many references in her head now, and she fully expects Wargna the Beautiful Grim Reaping Crimson Calamitous Potato Good Guy Bloodedge to keep up.

She really should be acting more mature, more her age, as she always does. It's also so easy to just act so freely though. No one's watching her, no one from her world is here anymore. She'd like to think that she still represents the Schnee family name well, both by offering help to those in need ~~and by being a good lay~~, so even if she does seem more happy and more free, this isn't all that unbecoming of her. And with Ragna, he just makes it too easy for her to act her age, like a girl who isn't out there trying to save the world and minimise her losses. It's a side of herself that she hardly even shows to anyone.

When she gets that sweet, sweet "yes", she sits back down oh-so-daintily, not quite looking smug, but looking rather satisfied. You snooze, you lose, Wagna... ]

Perfect. Then, as a way to classify that this date is official, I'd like to propose the following activities:

Number one- [ Oh. She's listing things?? WHY DOES IT SOUND LIKE SHE'S HAD THIS PREPARED FOR DAYS???? ] We'll share a dessert together.

Number two: a walk around the conservatory just like on our first date once we've accomplished all our shopping tasks.

And last but most certainly not the least, number three: a kiss once we're back home to signify the end of our date.

[ Number four: she has sex with him before bed because she won't stop kissing him once they're back "home", but that's a secret number and isn't on the list ]

Edited 2024-09-17 08:15 (UTC)

[ It's a two-way street. Just as Weiss felt far more free to be a young woman of her age, so too did Ragna actually feel a different sort of way. He knew very well that he wasn't your average 23 year old man. Hell, he wasn't your average human, putting matters lightly. Yet when he was with Weiss...where the responsibility and expectations placed upon him can be temporarily set aside, he feels... ]

Such as?

[ ...whole. Was that too dramatic? It was hard to say when he'd spent practically all of his life feeling some form of emptiness. He wasn't emotionless, his humanity intact as it was. But it's more like he didn't realize what he didn't have until a certain white-haired girl currently laying down the steps for their newfound date, showed him the way. And continued to do so day in and day out. ]

Wait, did you have a gameplan the WHOLE time—?

[ "And last but most certainly not the least," Chin in his hand, he continues to listen, colour tipping his ears at the prospect of a kiss at the end of the day. How many times have they found themselves kissing without the need for sex after? How many times has it lead to that? ]

Okay that settles that then. You're DEFINITELY the more organized of the two of us.

[ It's only when he finally slips his hand away from his chin to join the other on the table, folded over that another thought rolls into his head. Or rather...it was always there. It's been there since they had their first "real" date. How many times has this happened now? How many times has Ragna dismissed it because of the nature of the resort? How many times did Ragna ignore it because he felt like he didn't have that right when both of them were playing into the big game? And warring with whether or not it was all an excuse, despite what he knew what he really wanted, deep down— selfishly...

Yet as the silence grows and the sound of ocean waters rolling by their side continues, the scenery's become secondary to the swordsman. He hasn't stopped looking at her. Watching her. Admiring her even when they took that more childish detour and she jumped at the opportunity to ask him first.

Suddenly, his throat feels a little tighter, and he swallows softly before his lips part. At first, no words come out...then a second is all it takes for him to find his voice again. Gentler. Not so much quieter, but softer and honest as he reaches out to her with his words. It wasn't just about saying things properly either. It's about asking. Even when it feels so scary. ]

Hey, Weiss? [ Whether she says anything back or not, he takes another breath. ] All of this...all this time, I mean...

Have we been...—?

[ "Pardon me, Queen Weiss. Mister Bloodedge." ]

[ Rapidly blinking, it's like he's been pulled out of a trance he didn't even realize he was in as he tilts his gaze towards the waiter who arrives on the virtual oceanside scene. Was he disappointed for being interrupted? He doesn't show it at least! ]

[ "Thank you for waiting! I'll be your server this afternoon. Have you had a chance to browse our drinks and appetizers?" ]

What was that? [ Blinks back at Weiss, then glances down at the menu before turning back to the waiter. ] Sorry, I got a little distracted.

[ True to the radiance of the Queen he's sharing a table with, the waiter treats him respectfully when he suggests: "Shall I give you two another couple minutes?" ]

I dunno. Weiss? Do you wanna start with a drink and appetizers? [ Then they can decide on their main? ]

Of course not! Don't be absurd!

[ She resents that accusation that she had this whole thing planned! >:( She pouts at him, holding the menu close to her chest, as if daring him to say anything more accusatory... but he doesn't, so she continues listing things off.

It doesn't seem like Ragna has any objections, but it sounds like he has a question he'd like to ask. Unfortunately for him, she isn't exactly a mindreader. Even though she's gotten used to being more sensitive of others, she can't quite figure out what he wants to say. All this time... have they been...?

She hangs off every word, while her brain fills out the unsaid words, jumping the gun, making assumptions, making her heart beat faster than it should. She just knows she'd be in the wrong if she completed his sentence for him. Have they been dating all this time? So she waits patiently, keeping her expression neutral even if deep down, she's hoping that that's what he would say.

Because... she would want to hear what he thinks about that. Dating in this place would be very complicated, and she's already aware that she has quite a jealous streak. But if Ragna does like her the same way that she does him, she would want to try, anyway. She'd try for him.

It doesn't look like he'd be able to finish that thought, though. She's still watching him, thinking about various scenarios in her head as he speaks to the wait staff who's come in to take their orders. Ragna then looks to her to ask if she wants anything, and she's dazed for a second or two. Only when it completely sinks in that those mismatched eyes of his are on her that she straightens in her seat. ]

What?

[ Fortunately, the waiter repeats the question, patient for the queen. "Have you had a chance to browse our drinks and appetizers? I highly recommend our Arancini or Cannoli Chips & Dip. For drinks, how about our Tiramisu milkshake?" ]

Oh, sure! Let's go with the chips and the milkshake. We'll share, so can you give us two straws? [ She looks to Ragna for confirmation that this is okay with him, because she wouldn't want to just be the one enjoying the food! They don't have to talk about it now. They've got a date to seize, after all, so she gives him a smile before looking back at the waiter. ] We should have our orders ready for the entrées once the milkshake is here.

[ Dot. Dot. Dot. Blink blink. ]

Uhh Weiss??

[ Ah! There she is! The waiter also repeats the question and it honestly all sounds very good. He's heard of Tiramisu before! It's supposed to be a popular Italian dessert and flavour, right? ...Huh. Funny, he should have taken a liking to it sooner, given how much he likes coffee on its own. There was only one way to find out, really. The instant his date seeks confirmation on the double straw situation, he nods instantly. ]

Yup. Two's good, please.

[ "Most certainly, my Queen. Please enjoy the view and our hospitality." Just as the waiter is preparing to take their leave, however, Ragna pipes up as he quickly remembers. ]

Oh! And a round of waters for us both, please.

[ Ragna? Your peasant ass is so lucky that you're here with the cream of the crop. Because they turn and give a respectful little bow upon adding: "Of course. Right away." Once it's back to the two of them, his shoulders slouch slightly as he turns to return Weiss' little smile from earlier. They've already established that they're making this into a proper date, and the gears are already churning for that solitary brain cell they ping pong together. Neither of them went into this day preparing to make it a date...but she still dressed to match with him all the same. And her dress is far nicer than his own black ensemble. It's more close to what he usually wears underneath his typical attire back home.

Somebody's fixing that when they finish eating. ]

Getting treated like royalty almost doesn't sound so bad when they're not asking you to step on them.

[ Still weird to him, but. It's way less awkward than how they treated the couple at Love Dove. Then again, asking their Queen to do horny things and interrupt her dining experience probably wasn't in their establishment's best interests. ]

Oh? But will you step on me, Wagna?

[ There! Now she's treating him like """royalty""", too!

Weiss is in a far good of a mood thanks to the recent turn of events. If they're on a date, it means free reign to flirt, right? Not that she really stopped herself from doing so around him. . . but after joking about asking him to step on her, she does rub the side of her foot against his ankle. Whether or not he gets what she's trying to do is entirely up to him. Weiss can read the room if her "advances" don't exactly work. ]

The staff can be normal when you put your foot down. Though more often than not, they're... really just birdbrains. I don't know if anybody here likes dealing with them.

[ She shrugs her shoulders before looking back at the menu. They've got their appetisers set and their drink, but Weiss did say they'd have their entrées ready by the time their initial orders are served. ]

What kind of pizza caught your eye?

As a treat.

[ The real answer is no. The only stepping he's doing is on whoever's ass he has to kick. But there hasn't been much need for that around here. Save for the Crawlers and his encounter with Kazuya when his demons got out of control. As Weiss tips her foot out beneath the table, he thinks he feels something, color creeping up to his ears as he registers her foot rubbing up against his ankle. Blinking at her as if he was surprised...

It's a couple seconds later that Weiss would feel him spin his foot around to attempt to tap the top of hers. As if to teasingly tell her, "no no", but he can't really stop her. ]

Yeah. Turns out it only works one way...unless it's the beach and you're those freakish seagull lifeguards.

[ Just like Weiss can't stop him from getting comfortable in his seat whilst he takes a peruse of his menu— his bigger foot ohhh so casually gliding up the side of her exposed leg, daring it to lift up beneath the table as it brushes the back of her calf unless she slips it out of the way. ]

This prosciutto and arugula one looks promising... Towards the bottom of the page you're on. [ Should Weiss take a gander? ]

"Marinated tomato sauce, topped with prosciutto, arugula, Parmesan and bocconcini cheeses."

Uh-huh.

[ Oh boy. She might just end up telling the staff at some point that she would get SOOOOOO HORNY if they treated Ragna like a king. And then she'd jokingly ask him to step on her before taking it back and laughing her ass off.

Ah, what a time that would be.

What a time it is now too, when Ragna isn't even saying no to her advances or reacting negatively. He isn't saying anything about it, and neither will she! ]

Oh, that sounds good. [ And for a second or two, her eyes are set on his, as if telling him that he's the good one. Weiss doesn't move her legs or anything, allowing Ragna to do as he pleases before she can get back at him later on. The smile on her face doesn't go away even when she looks down at the menu, though. It's a miracle she hasn't gotten up from her seat yet and jumped him. ] If we're having that for pizza, maybe we can try the sun-dried tomato pasta?

[ She's behaving! ]

[ "Oh, that sounds good."

He might reflexively bristle on occasion, if only for how little "affection" he's received before coming to the Golden Peacock to begin with. But it's just so easy with Weiss. She's the one who helped him settle into accepting things that he otherwise would have never had in his life. Although sometimes, it feels like despite how insatiable he could be when his switch was flipped...before reaching that point? He would mentally flip at the thought of showing signs of affection over the months that he got to know the former heiress.

He has to wonder though...what ran through her head?? He couldn't read minds, after all. Something told him that she couldn't possibly have all pure intentions judging by the smile on her face as she keeps her eyes on him. ]

I'm getting hungrier the more I think about it.

[ ...The pizza, or what he's thinking of doing to her later? A subtle smirk crosses his lips as he finds himself slowly but surely getting into his own comfort zone. This virtual space may be odd and out of place from the norm this resort provides, but in another way...letting himself forget for a little while. Isn't that what they both wanted? To have their dates removed from the 'prison' they've had to call a home away from home? Then, flirting with her like this had nothing to do with ranks, cards, or any outside influences. No...from day 1, it never was about any of those things, wasn't it? ]

If we like any of this enough, I can take a crack at making it back at your place sometime.

[ Which is to say, the sun-dried tomato pasta is more than okay with him.

Their lunch date is a little heavy on the carbs, but frankly??? They burn a lot. Like. In excess. 💦 ]

Yeah? It does sound appetising, so I think you've made a good choice.

[ They haven't had it yet, but it doesn't mean Weiss can't butter him up so she can enjoy his meat later on- wait. ]

Even if we end up not liking it, I'm sure you can try making your own version and make it even better.

[ This time? She does speak the truth and isn't just saying it to make him feel good. It took months for Weiss to get to her Queen rank, where she now has a kitchen for meal preparation and all. While she isn't the main user of it, being able to give someone a space to make food was one of the reasons why she went for this big promotion to begin with. ]

Jin Mingming's food is nice and all, but I really enjoy the meals you make at home. [ At first, Weiss doesn't make a big deal about what she said, but she hears her thoughts in her head and realises that she just called her suite "home". Their home? They share a home? ] Um- Back at our suite, I mean.

[ Okay, there! Much better. Just ignore how red her cheeks have gotten just thinking about it. She can't even look him in the eye anymore after saying that!

They aren't even together!!! Just. . . whatever this is! Dating and going through the motions of everyday! Ragna most certainly isn't her boytoy, unlike what Rinne thinks. But... it's not bad to call it theirs, right? He has his own room and stays there most of the time... She wouldn't be greedy about something like a place to stay in. Especially not with him. ]

The biggest reason why I wanted a bigger suite was so that you could have space to do all that, so... I hope you make the most of it.

[ ///// things she wouldn't say if they weren't on a date. ]

[ As for the Crimson Calamity seated across from her, he's had a long time to think about all the reasons he could want to promote himself to a larger suite. Reasons that, for the most part, he's kept to himself beyond wanting a kitchen of his own for the very occasional time he may not be in Weiss' suite. But if he was being completely honest with himself now, the reality was something a lot more personal. And also far more embarrassing as Weiss' registering her suite as a "home" catches him by surprise too. There's a more innocent, genuine sense of wonder in his eyes as the thought of "home" with her doesn't bring about bittersweet feelings.

The only reason such a thought might have done so? Is the fact that he knows he hasn't given up on them finding their way back to their worlds. But in this moment...it really strikes home something else deeper with Ragna. The surprise ebbs away as his foot slides down from playfully rubbing her calf. But rather than completely retract away, he keeps it occasionally tapping against her own foot as he rests one hand atop the other. Softened mismatched eyes hold to hers even as she starts blushing. ]

Yeah...I get what you meant.

[ This? What's happening between them? What's been happening this entire time?? Something that even others were noticing? It wasn't just Rinne, but even Topaz asked him about her... When Weiss fesses, quieter what the biggest reason she upgraded her suite was, he doesn't look back in utter shock. Because there was still a part of him, deep down, that finally accepted that he wanted something more selfish in life. In his life here. And he feels his heart swelling at the fact that she kept him in her thoughts this whole time. Whether it was creating a space for Kazuya and him both, for comfort...to give him a space to do the things that he wanted...

All she's done is give for him. Even now she continues to do so, day in and day out. ]

Thank you, Weiss.

[ There's a gentleness in his words that have become reserved for those nearest and dearest to him. And the one that was closest to his heart in such a way now was sitting across from him as his left hand closes a little more tightly over his right on the table. This was only difficult to share because for what felt like one of the first times in his life...

He actually gave a damn about what somebody thought of him. Inside and out. ]

The truth is... [ His cadence quiets a little. Not a whisper by any means. ] I don't wanna rank up for a better place. My biggest reason...is you.

[ He doesn't break eye contact. ]

So if we go out like this, we don't hafta jump through hoops because I'm on the bottom. Hell, I'd probably barely use whatever new suite I get. I mean...

[ ///// This is a date, right? There's no better time to say things properly, right? When it's just her. For her ears alone. He'd think about what he wants to say more, long and hard, but he's been harbouring this choice for some time now, hasn't he? When she was still a Five of Spades. ]

It might not be "home"...but it sure feels like it wherever you are.

[ Maybe it's because they're both pouring their hearts out like this, but Weiss doesn't end up being that blushy and flustered mess that she usually is when it's time to be honest. She doesn't call him an idiot or anything like that just like how she did back at the bookstore earlier. Instead, as she listens to him open his heart to her, she finds her own swelling with emotion.

She didn't ask for him to consider her when making choices like that, but he does so, anyway. It looks like they're both the same in that aspect...

Ragna, you really are so sweet. ]

You really must be so crazy about me that you'd even consider me when you're thinking about your own rank.

[ To tease him even more, she gives him a wink while her foot slides up against the back of his ankle, making sure she pushes his pants up a little so it's skin against skin even just for a second.

Weiss can't keep up being cool any longer than that though. She breaks, laughing and covering her mouth with her hand. Meanwhile, her cheeks look a lot redder compared to earlier, but she doesn't have any reason to hide it now. The truth is, she's also talking about herself with what she said—thinking about him when she makes certain decisions because she's crazy about him. ]

I don't mind that we do... I mean, I don't like how the staff treat you before I tell them off, but if I can get you to carry me and whisk me away like some kind of prince on a steed, then I think that's a win for me.

[ That's enough of all the jokes, though. Weiss lets out a breath through her nose, wondering if her thoughts that are now racing a mile a minute are worth saying out loud. It's no secret that they like one another, even if they really haven't said those words out loud. They've never really implied it either beyond asking each other out on dates... or the usual jokes. So something serious like this. . . she hopes it won't scare him or push him away. ]

I guess we think about each other more than we let on, even when there's so much going on around us.

[ Like all the sex, for one. ]

[ Ragna, on the other hand, felt like he was practically holding his breath the entire time he waits for Weiss to answer him. And the longer he's kept waiting, the more anxious and twisted his heart feels. Inwardly, he could have started kicking himself for trying to sound cool or being too upfront. That this is why he doesn't "deal with this sorta crap". But she doesn't fluster or "affectionately" call him an idiot either. To the point that she harkens back to something that still feels like yesterday in his mind. All those times that she taunted and teased him over having a crush on her from the moment he laid eyes on her.

...regardless of the truth? Given how everything happened between them, Ragna may as well have when she winks at him and shifts the cuff of his pant leg up to get a direct feel. ]

Something something about "putting words in my mouth"... I woulda said something like that before, right?

[ Just as the taller man's foot makes a move to let hers ride just a little further up against his skin beneath his pants, she breaks. She laughs. And he just can't help himself anymore. Not when his shoulders shake and he chuckles behind sealed lips with a growing smile. His leg does eventually settle down for now, drawing back from their little under-the-covers tussle their footsies were having. ]

You know I can suck it up and do it anyway, right?

[ Now was he joking?! ...Partially. Because it certainly wasn't something he would do for just about anybody. Yet the urge was there. That protective instinct that he didn't even acknowledge for a very long time. Weiss' heart wasn't the only one hammering wildly and rapidly. But he he does well in quelling his breathing with gentle, deep breathes. Especially as they find themselves approaching a topic most sensitive in a place like this. He learned real quick about what the word "polygamy" was...and even still, something about it didn't sit right with him. Yet their circumstances weren't exactly normal, were they?

His expression is still as calm as before, a smile having yet to leave his lips when she speaks so honestly. How the hell can he not answer in kind? ]

Yeah. Something tells me it's because of what's going on around us that we don't let on as much.

[ But he wouldn't tell her to stop seeing her other playing partners. Just as he would expect that she wouldn't do the same thing for him. Was there a slight pang when he thought about her "having fun" with someone else? Absolutely. And yet between adjusting to have a more comfortable way of living in this haunted resort, until the time came they could get out, Ragna...was doing much of the same.

But in this isolated space, with the time they've got before their waiter can come back to serve their drinks and appetizers, he's going to use this for something deeper and more important. Something for just the two of them. ]

I guess since we're being honest, if I had it my way? And we didn't have these ranks or suits or games?

This is all I'd want.

[ Dates like this. Relaxing days in the kitchen improving on his hobby. Movie nights in. Walking and talking. Yes, even all the sex they have. He'd take it all if he was going to spend all this time here. At the core of all of that...all he'd want is to spend time with her. While they still can. ]

That was your line!

[ So yeah, he would have definitely said something like that before and he's free to say it now. It would still just be a joke between them now... a running joke that isn't even a form of teasing anymore but a way to make the truth seem lighter and easier to accept.

They can say things properly to one another and they very well will, but it isn't so bad to joke around every once in a while.

To Ragna saying that he can suck it up and do it every once in a while, Weiss just laughs. The air is light between them even if they're breaching a serious and deeper topic. It's... fine though. That's what being on a date is for, right? While they agreed to run away and pretend that they aren't affected by what's going on with the House, they both know and understand that this date isn't just a friendly one.

So much so that when Ragna says that this is all he'd want, if they could just ignore the game and the suits and all the dumb magic sex stuff? ]

Well... you know what I think. [ While her smile doesn't fade away, her expression does seem a bit more solemn now. That time when the Hearts game was happening and Weiss' suit activated, what Weiss did and said weren't just because of her suit. They were her own feelings amplified.

At the core of it all, she wishes that she was the only one for Ragna. Not as the object of his affection or even anything like a (gasp) romantic prospect. While that would be nice, she can't really expect that from him... Rather, it isn't something she wants to even talk about right now. If Ragna opened up the floor to that topic though, then maybe she'd talk, but she wouldn't initiate any conversation about the two of them going steady especially in a place like this. ]

I'm just happy to be with you like this. I want to make the most of our time together.

[ Not just on this date, but in general! So, inspired by impulse, she gets up from her seat and carries her chair to another side of the table. She won't sit across Ragna anymore, but instead sits closer to his side while still being able to see the fake view that the restaurant has given them.

It's then that the door opens again and their server comes in with their milkshake, a carafe of water and glasses, and their appetiser. He only merely arches a brow, seeing how the queen has changed the set up of their seats. There's no place for him to make any comments, and his task is to serve, so he introduces each order before placing it on the table.

"Are you ready with your orders, Miss Schnee?"

Weiss' hand moves from under the table, placing it on Ragna's thigh to call his attention. ]

Are you decided on the prosciutto and arugula pizza? I'm okay with the pasta already.

[ Go on, Ragna. You can tell the wait staff the orders! ]

[ As her expression shifts to something more solemn, Ragna follows her. How she wanted him to consider her and only her. To want solely her. Funny enough, it was a familiar sensation. A familiar feeling...to have somebody be so crazy for you. Only coming from the girl who prepares to carry her chair to the other side of the table to him? It's different. There's anticipation in everything that they do together. And that all deserves an answer of its own. Even something as simple as: ]

Yeah... I know. We both know.

[ "I'm just happy to be with you like this. I want to make the most of our time together." ]

Weiss... I do too—

[ Ah! What timing! Their server is here. And admittedly, the Tiramisu Milkshake looks quite appetizing! Especially with the shavings on top the perfectly spiralled whipped cream. The moment they arch a brow at the scene of the Queen switching sides to be closer to her date, Ragna catches this. Rather than make a scene, he's prepared to oh-so-subtly slide his hand down over Weiss' thigh when suddenly? She beats him to the punch. Eyes widening slightly, he merely clears his throat before picking up the pieces for her. Enjoy that subtle Wagna thigh flex, Weiss. ]

Okay then. So! [ His focus is on the waiter, menu already folded up since they know what they want as he prepares to hand it to them. ] We'll have a medium prosciutto and arugula pizza, and an order of the sun-dried tomato pasta.

[ "Ah, yes. Very good. Will that be all, Miss Schnee?" ]

Yes. Please and thank you.

[ Because clearly it's at the behest of the Queen of Spades that he places the order for them! Basically, you can ask Ragna too, waiter. He's there too. Standing in the presence of the Queen, however, they can't afford to have an awkward reaction so they smoothly step in and graciously accept the menu back from Ragna's hand.

"Please do enjoy your appetiser and milkshake."

Bowing out and taking their leave from the virtual scene without incident, Ragna looses a "phew" of a huff before giving Weiss a knowing little smirk. ]

You beat me to it.

[ Nothing implicit or anything, but his hand slides down over hers atop his thigh, pinning it gently whilst he weaves his fingers between hers. ]

I was about to get my hand on your leg.

[ There the waiter goes, not even giving Ragna the acknowledgement he deserves... ugh. All the more will she want Ragna to be the one to talk to the staff, then. Whether it's to order dessert or to compliment the chef or to pay for their bill. She doesn't care about what they think of him— the House is so, so wrong for treating lower ranked people like trash. It may be incentive for them to play the game, but what happens when everyone's got a high rank?

... then no one goes home. Is that why?

It's a thought that isn't a priority right now. Not when Ragna's hand is on top of hers now as he so boldly says that he was about to place his hand on her leg. Tsk, tsk. Weiss shakes her head upon hearing that. ]

What? You're not the only one who can touch.

[ She has Wagna touching rights!! More so now that they're on a date. Even though their fingers are now laced together, with Ragna's hand on top of hers, she tries to move their joined hands away from him. Much closer to his—you guessed it—knees. ]

I can't wait to get you back home and unwrap these.

[ Then there was another reality check. If everyone was a high rank, did it even matter? If someone truly finished Game 52, would the House actually grant that wish of returning home? What was faster? Sleeping with enough players of varying ranks to "finish" the game? Or breaking the very foundations of this world and making their own exit? ]

But I'm competitive and wanted to get there first.

[ He is competitive. But he's also clearly joking as Weiss moves their joined hands further down. Until they're squarely on one of those prized knees of his. Which were...honestly? Very sturdy and well-kept. Ragna spent a good chunk of time walking between Hierarchical Cities, after all. All the cardio. All the durability. All the stamina. All to fuel the best knees in all of Golden Peacock as he shoots her a knowing smirk.

Unwrapping his knees...that should be stupid, but he huffs in a light laugh anyway, their milkshakes and appetizer forgotten at least for a couple more moments. Don't mind him. He's...a little preoccupied with a more favourable snack. ]

Two perfectly good gifts just waiting for you. [ Though they're playing around with his legs, that hasn't stopped him from looking past her and down towards her lap, tone of voice lowering slightly as if he's sharing a secret meant exclusively for her. ] You got a nice pair yourself.

[ Oh he's being stupid and for once, he knows it. He's clearly talking about her knees. Right? ~~Yes. But also 🍈🍈 & 🍑 ]~~

Yup.

[ Two perfectly good gifts, indeed... They're both in a good mood now, joking around, harmless flirting. (For now.) He even tells her that she's got a nice pair. Wherever his eyes are, she knows he isn't (just) talking about her knees.

Their food will be fine if they're left to sit there a moment longer. Weiss not only leans closer, but she moves her free hand, slipping it between his legs, just to sit on the chair. It's so dangerously close to Ragna's third """knee""" (wait) ]

Want me to give you a kneejob, Wagna?

[ Weiss, it's stupid jokes like this that end up escalating and then YOU don't end up liking it smh... ]

[ The moment Weiss leans closer, sliding her hand between his legs that he personally SPREADS so she can get comfortable not touching him but just letting it get all so cozy... It's so dangerously close to that third """knee""" but he has a good rein on his libido right now. In other words, Weiss won't have to worry about suddenly contending with knocking on a stiff knob of a knee.

This is a ~~wonderful~~ terrible idea. ]

A kneejob? Seriously??

[ Because he has to put up some resistance to her stupid jokes...about as much resistance as he's putting up sliding his own free hand over her own smooth leg. Not riding up her skirt...but oh he could. He so could. They're leaning in against one another by now to make this work, but neither one is in any risk of tumbling over one another. (Unless Weiss was thinking of "tripping" into his lapohnoooooDFLKJAHS) ]

So long as you don't mind me giving you good rubdown after.

Sure.

[ She is so jumping him and tearing his clothes off the moment they make it back at the suite. Not unless he gets to her first if he's being competitive, but she sure as hell won't tell him what her plans are now. He'll figure it out later on.

Right now? She's far too enticed not only by the idea of being on yet another date with him, but also with their conversation. Everything about it is electric, and it makes her want to hop onto his lap already.

Weiss behaves herself though. She's a good girl! One who actually loves being called such. So if she doesn't do anything too crazy, he'd consider her one, right? ]

I want to kiss you right now.

[ So that's all she asks, all she says, all she intends to do with him at the moment. Staring into his eyes, how close their faces are to one another, with the angle that she presents herself to him... it's so easy for her to do just that, but she'll even behave and not go for a kiss if he doesn't want more public displays of affection. At the same time though, her telling him that she wants a kiss isn't just her way of saying that that's what she wants to do. It's her telling him that he should be kissing her right now. Just a 'lil bit. She won't bite. ]

[ The thought was already running rampant through his mind. Sparks of their scandalous romp in the laundry room come to mind, only veiled by the still of night (and the hope that everyone was either sleeping or thought of staying in their rooms when having sex). The thought of daring to let that hand of his slide up a little further beneath her skirt...just a little bit of edging. A little bit of teasing and squirming wouldn't hurt, right? The instant she dares to put herself in his lap, however, this date was going to take another wild turn.

Behave yourself, Grim Reaper. This soul is too hot to just handle to carelessly right now. Especially when she tells him that she wants to kiss him. ]

Oh yeah? [ Their eyes lock, and amidst the gentle rolling ocean waves that beat against the wall of their raised perch, they're playing on very sensitive time right now. How many sparks can he strike against the flint before something sets on fire? Because his hand upon her thigh gives a little squeeze as he leans in, daring her to break his gaze first least she be consumed in him when he asks: ] You been a good girl?

[ There's no mincing his words there. Not with the way he feels himself getting a little excited down south as he casts aside the fact they're in a virtual setting. It's not a public display of affection when the waiter isn't here, is it? When no one else is watching out on this oceanside date? It's just a kiss. A sweep of his lips against hers as heat blooms from his chest and threatens to engulf him as he closes his eyes.

He's even greedy enough to come back for seconds, finding the real appetizer in front of him with another kiss. Just a lil' bit. Don't bite, Weiss. ~~Hard.~~ ]

Yes!

[ Stupid Ragna, do you even have to ask that??? She's always a good girl, please and thank you!

Weiss would be pouting right about now if not for that kiss. She finally gets what she wants, adding a bit more weight to the hand between his legs as she leans in closer, eyes closing slowly before their lips touch.

She feels so much relief and satisfaction with that first kiss. The second time around ignites something within her that's telling her not to stop. Kiss him again for a third time. So she does, this time with a bit more heat, her lips parting ever so slightly so that she can suck on his lower lip. For the fourth kiss, she manages to catch herself right before her lips touch his again. ]

... [ She sighs through her nose. ] We should eat.

[ See how much of a good girl she is? She doesn't even him to tell her to behave! It's just more fuel for later... Prepare those knees so that you're ready to catch later later, Wagna. ]

[ There's an excitement there, and he didn't have to say it for Weiss to know just exactly what he planned to do to her when they got back into the comfort of privacy. It makes the satisfaction that surges through him, head to toe, all the more addicting. She was so much more than that, but in truth...she really was just so good to him. In more ways than one. If kissing her was addicting, a deepened hum rumbling in his throat as he dares to let his fingers dip beneath the frill of her skirt, then he never wanted to quit. ]

[ "We should eat." ]

[ She catches him moments before he could steal that fourth kiss away...because something told him if that happened, they'd cancel their meal, indulge the appetizer and milkshake, and skip straight to the main course that was one another. But there's also an excitement in waiting. Not because she was leading him on and making him wait for how good she was going to feel for him. But because they're both exercising that patience together. Lashes aflutter, he sighs through his nose as well before drawing back, all too aware of the fact that his hand was lingering oh-so-dangerously close towards the apex of her inner thigh. So dangerously close to brushing against a spot most sensitive between her legs before he drew back. His hand felt so warm, flexing it as he leans back more comfortably in his seat.

Forget going in order then. ]

We got a meal to eat and chips to burn.

[ Because he still needed to properly match her flow if this was turning into a real date. He needed another outfit. Another outfit she could just downright tear off him if she deigned herself so fancy to. To start? He reaches for the milkshake, noting the pair of straws sticking into it on either side. ]

Y'know?? I can do sweet here and there. But I might like this one.

[ It's based on coffee and caffeine. Of course you would, Ragna. ]

Have you ever had actual tiramisu before?

[ It's a rather fancy dessert, but really, really good! It's best when it's served cold. Not to mention, it's not supposed to be too sweet! It should have the bitterness of coffee, the creaminess of the mascarpone cheese, and the sweetness of the cocoa. A dessert that's just right.

She has a feeling he hasn't yet, which just means they've got to try it out some time together.

For now, while Ragna's busying himself with the milkshake, she takes a chip and scoops up a bit of the dip before spreading it onto one side of the chip. Weiss takes a bite, letting out a pleased sound as she savours the flavours. It's really good! And she prepares another chip, spreading the dip on one side again, and offering it to Ragna with a grim. ]

It looks like we made the right choice for this one. Ah~

Can't say I have, no.

[ It's not that he never had the time to sit down and enjoy a dessert on occasion! ...It's just that most of those instances were very rare because usually by the time he's finished his main course, Ragna's wanted poster was already being peeped at and he had to take his leave early before too much suspicion was placed on him.

But that was then. And...for the foreseeable future, until they can truly shake down the foundations of this world, the House saw fit to give him some form of reprieve. He can actually indulge and enjoy something for once.

In which case, he takes a sip of the admittedly thick milkshake! When he's anticipating overtly sweet...he doesn't get that. It's creamy! Traces of bitterness! The cocoa traces. His eyes widen as he has to resist the urge to keep on sucking it down. Another rapid flutter of his eyes, his mind wasn't necessarily blown, but he was definitely taken by surprise. Just in time for Weiss to offer a chip with some dip on it for him in his periphery as he turns to her. Now it's just an onslaught of flavours.

And being hand fed by the former heiress to boot. His cheeks dust redder, though he doesn't hesitate for long before he's resigned himself to this more affectionate display after the flirt of making out they pulled earlier. Somehow, this flustered him more than feeling her up or teasing her with something more salacious. It's...more precious. More personal.

Ragna finds himself smiling as he leans in for the bite offered to him. ]

For the appetizers? Calling this a date? Or—

[ "Ah~" ]

[ Om. Cronch. ]

The appetisers, silly!

[ Obviously considering this whole thing being a date isn't a mistake. They both are okay with it—want it, even. ]

So, what do you think? It's good, right?

[ Ragna should consider trying to make something like this, too! ]

Want one more?

[ Of course, Ragna's free to get his own, but Weiss is already preparing another chip for eating. She'll eat it, but if Ragna say she wants another one by the time she finishes spreading the dip onto the chip, then she'll give it to him. ]

Really good. Making a dip's pretty easy by comparison to a full-course meal.

[ Then again, grinding his own herbs and pastes when making medicines as needed with all his knowledge? It was just par for the course that he was used to having to create various concoctions. He was no expert, but he knew enough thanks to Jubei's tutelage. Deceivingly, he was a rather impressive jack of all trades. ]

Sure. Then you gotta try the shake.

[ Sure enough, just like last time, Ragna has lowered his guard enough that he's willing to accept the chip directly from her hand once again. Gentle and smooth with the way he leans in and lets the dip-coated chip pop into his mouth, there's a satisfying little crunch before he leans back in his seat, satisfied as he keeps his eyes on her. ]

Y'know, since we're going back out to shop after this, [ A beat. ] I think I wanna find something a little more stylish to match you.

[ Since this is a date for real. Sure, he cleans up nicely now, but... ]

Edited 2024-09-30 05:02 (UTC)

To match me?

[ Ragna looks fine! Though when he brings that up, she cannot help but look him over— what she can see of him from where she's seated, anyway. ]

You look fine to me. What were you thinking?

[ She did dress up to match him! Or rather, put something on that he can complement. Like how she'd want to use his jacket once she starts feeling cold. Weiss isn't going to say no though! While he's spoiling her with all the shopping and looking around, he deserves some stuff for him too! If that's what he wants, she won't reject him!

And since he did tell her to try the milkshake, she reaches for the tall glass, giving the drink a stir with the straw. Ragna's straw ends up spinning slowly with the rest of the milkshake, too. ]

Yeah! Whaddya think?

[ Although his original jacket was gifted to him back home (as was this close-approximation by Monika), Ragna held a surprising amount of value in how he presented himself. Not to mention he could also appreciate others for having some genuine style too. If anyone's opinion mattered the most to him... ]

Oh nothing big. I was...just...thinking I should swap that red jacket out for black or white. Maybe get outta these baggier pants and into something slimmer? More fitting? So long as I keep a jacket.

Y'know.

In case it gets cold...

[ Oh. ...Oh somebody was studying since the last time. After reaching for one last chip and some dip, his mismatched gaze tracks the slowly spinning straw that was his as she gives it a stir. Out of impulse, he reaches out for his to stop it. It wasn't bothering him. Just. Force of habit?? That's when he realizes he's got the tips of his fingers on one straw while Weiss has hers with the milkshake between them. ]

...

[ /// ]

Go for it.

[ He'll wait before he takes a sip too. ...even if there's an invasive thought in that brain of his that's telling him he can lean in and try at the same time??? No. No that's too much. ]

[ Oh! He gets it!! Weiss' eyes light up, not in excitement or anything, but she's pleased that Ragna seems to be thinking the same thing that she is. And if that's the case? ]

Hmm... let me see your jacket.

[ But first, she'll take a sip of the milkshake! No wild reactions, but a hum of contentment. It's creamy and sweet, but also very espresso-y! Just one sip though.

Without saying anything else, she holds both hands out now, moving her fingers all "gimme". 'u' She's going somewhere with this, she promises! Let her cook. ]

My jacket?

[ After grabbing one more satisfying sip of the tiramisu shake, he blinks and peers back over his shoulder towards the coat hanger lingering in reach. Thankfully with his height?? He doesn't even need to get up and out of his chair to reach back to unhook it. Just a liiittle bit of stretching and a grunt later and those brighter curious eyes keep hold of her as he presents her with it. ]

Here. You uh, feeling a little chilly out here?? [ He doesn't feel anything, and the "weather" is supposed to be immaculate but. Shh. Let her cook, Wagna. ]

[ She did say he looks fine to her! This is all very important, okay?

Reaching for his jacket, she pushes her chair back a little so she has more space to move around. It might look bright and sunny, like they're actually enjoying a meal outdoors, but it's still pretty breezy! It's not cold, but it certainly is a lot more chilly for someone like her with her shoulders and neckline exposed, as well as her skirt being short. It's why she puts his jacket on, the bright red colour against her white outfit provides a nice contrast; makes her more visible, brighter, and easier on the eyes. ]

Well? Does it look good on me? Or do you think black looks better?

[ The jacket is just for her. Who are you even kidding, Wagna. ]

[ Ragna, meanwhile, decides to cross a leg over the other with the space she's given him to slide the larger jacket on. It's a couple sizes big, but the contrast of red on white? It actually looks quite nice on her. Resting a forearm on the table, he gives her a proper look, up and down, really taking her in with an appreciative gaze as she asks what's going to look better on her. He's...not getting that jacket back unless he switches outfits, is he? And even so, if he does find a new outfit to end the date on, he's just going to send his current outfit back up to her suite.

...Then another intrusive thought enters his headspace. How large that jacket looks on her. And the number of times she's worn his Kaka clan-inspired hoodie, practically claiming ownership over it for herself. Or more specifically? The blip of a mental image of Weiss wearing his red jacket.

And only his red jacket. And yet, on the surface, he keeps his composure despite reddening cheeks as he hums in thought for a second. Thankfully he doesn't keep the former heiress in suspense for too long before he comes out with it honestly. ]

Red looks good on you. [ The black would look just as nice, but... ] It'd look even better off of you.

[ And on her floor. A knowing yet little smirk tugs the corner of his mouth, however, leaning back in his seat, proud of himself. ]

I know, I know. Behaving.

[ Huh! He's really thinking about what to answer. She doesn't think he's that surprised by what she did, taking his jacket just to see if the colour looks okay on her. And she knows it does, but hearing it from him matters so much more. ]

Wagna... what are you thinking about?

[ Ah, there it is! And there it is. All Weiss can really do is roll her eyes and shake her head. ]

Behaving, right.

[ But she does tug on the jacket's collar, wrapping it around her a little more and covering herself up with it. ]

I like this... [ She says it so softly, so genuinely. She isn't flirting when she tells him that.

The jacket might be sizes bigger than her that it might look more like a coat than a jacket, but she does like it. It smells like him, too. ///// ] If you're getting anything new, it has to match this jacket.

[ Watching Weiss cover herself up more thoroughly with his jacket, the way she so genuinely declares how she likes his jacket keeps that gentle smile aglow on his face. ]

I'm just picturing you hugging that in that snowy yard of yours...

[ The one that emulates snowfall in her royal suite. And it's an endearing and beautiful sight. ]

So stick with red and dark motifs but more date appropriate. [ He hums thoughtfully before nodding. ] Got it. I think I can swing something good for the rest of the day.

Okay. You're not getting this back, by the way.

[ Just like his hoodie and other jackets, it's hers now. It will become part of the Ragna nest later on, too.

In fact, she won't say anything more about it. They can continue with their date! They were given a good serving of the appetisers, but Weiss makes sure to pace herself so that she isn't too full by the time their food arrives. It's the same with the milkshake! She'll take her time with it, making sure Ragna gets to have as much of it as he likes, too.

By the time their food arrives, the chips are almost, if not completely, gone. Weiss tries the pasta first since it was her order, then makes sure that Ragna gets to try it, too.

Ever since they agreed on turning this into a date? Weiss' mood has definitely changed. She's more happy, more agreeable, more honest. While she doesn't think that she's acting any different, she's allowed herself to be a bit more comfortable with Ragna now. She can ask for kisses, be closer, offer him food and feed it to him, without thinking of her intentions being misconstrued. It's like he allowed the day to be a bit more romantic, and she's just taking advantage of it.

They're both honest with one another and also not at the same time. One of these days, maybe the two of them will actually talk about what they want to happen between the two of them. For now, they'll opt for enjoying their day, thinking about nothing else and no one else but each other.

After their filling meal, they've got to look for clothes for Ragna, too! A change in outfit for him and more things for him to wear for all sorts of occasions— something to improve his wardrobe, since he does have a lot of space in his own room in their suite. Weiss is definitely going to get Ragna to wear more stuff like what he wore when he dressed up like a professor, though. 💦 He's unleashed a thirst monster upon himself and now he has to pay the price. ]

Tell you what. You can keep it when I get my real jacket back. [ A beat. Two beats. And he gives her a knowing look despite his smirk. ] Uuuntil you've yoinked that one too I'll bet.

[ But he's not judging her for it. There weren't many that he would have trusted with something so important to him. This? Was a visual sentimental gift. And of course he appreciates it and feels right at home in it. But the weight of it was always going to feel different from what he always wore back home. That, and she somehow made "Ragna Nest" into something cute and...kind of endearing, when he knows just how valuable he was to her. Just as much as he values and treasures her in the time they've spent at this gilded resort.

Just as Weiss' mood shifts and lifts, Ragna's was also altered by the atmosphere of their outing changing. Before, he was content and relaxed to go out shopping with her and burn away that money from the curse. Now? He's equal parts happy and nervous. Yet he's receptive to her advances, flirtations, kisses, even feeding him when it embarrasses him despite the fact he doesn't say it. But...just because it flusters him? Doesn't mean that he didn't like it either. Not when he found himself returning the favour as he attempts to feed a portion of his dish right back to her. Calm, relaxed, a gentle smile on the surface...they really were going back to shopping after this. But now this was part of their date at the same time.

Their meal fulfilled and his temporary 'royal' treatment lifted, he's back to being a diamond in the rough, by his "queen"'s side. Only this time, they alternate between walking side-by-side, hand-in-hand. Her arm linked in his as he takes the 'lead'. All the way back to the Love Dove where Ragna decides he's going to ignore the staff and pick a wardrobe all his own. And since by Weiss' request, she'd like for him to keep a similar colour motif? Well...all he needed to do was slim down his choice of attire. No more baggy hakama pants. No over-styled jacket that was part of some Bloodplay™ clothing line. And when he finally steps out from the dressing room (with no Weiss in tow womp womp this is a surprise)...

Well. Suffice to say, he likes to think that he chose wisely. A fitting black shirt and more fitting black pants, and a deep red coat that flows with more style and grace. ~~And not a single anime belt in sight FDSKLJA~~. It's surprisingly simple yet...he seeks her approval over it nonetheless. Because honestly? He looks stylish. The burning question now as he turns slowly at the hip so she can get a better view of him from different angles: ]

Whaddya say? Date appropriate?

[ ...Please don't go tackling your professor back into the dressing room, Miss Schnee. You two are on your best "behaviour". 💦 ]

Edited (🦶 ) 2024-10-06 00:40 (UTC)

[ It's good to know that Ragna knows what's coming to him. She's yoinking every jacket in his closet. That's something she hopes to do one of these days. :)

Once they've finished their lunch and have looked around for something Ragna can try on for his wardrobe change, it's now Weiss' turn to wait outside, seated and just looking around until her opinion is asked for. Ragna steps out in something that isn't even completely different from what he was wearing earlier, just in a different style! In the same way that her closet is mostly blues, silvers, and whites, Ragna's seems to be red and black. Would gold look good on him? Maybe. The buttons on the goat make her think so. ]

Hmm...

[ She taps on her chin once she's gotten up and walks to him. No, she doesn't tackle him just yet, but she does circle him, eyeing him up and down and taking in this new style. Is it date appropriate? Yes. Does she want to jump him? Yes. Although- ]

Tuck this in. You'll look better that way. [ It's what she says once she's standing in front of him after that one round. She tugs on the ends of the shirt gently, not wanting to stretch the fabric, so that he knows what she means. ] And...

[ Now it's the collar of his coat she tugs on. Uh-oh... he hasn't even paid for it and she's claiming it already. 😔 ]

Let me see this. Take it off.

[ Would gold look good on him? Maybe. There's only one way to find out. ]

What is it? [ As she taps her chin, walks up to him, circles him front to back, Ragna gives himself a personal onceover. It's less about being self-conscious or annoyed and more about genuinely wondering if he's missed something. Which he voices out of a more genuine curiosity. ] Is it the colour? Is the coat too long? I thought—

[ Suddenly, she's standing in front of him and telling him exactly what needs to be done! One end of his shirt gets gently tugged as those mismatched red and green eyes of his blink with a broadened curiosity to them. Moulded as she pleases, tugged gently one way and then the next. ]

Oh, uh...thanks for catching that...

[ It's equal parts embarrassing as it is endearing?? As well as he can dress himself, he knows that Weiss in contrast was far more of a perfectionist. That and he did ask if he was date ready. Just as a faint smile slips on his face once more, she starts tug~~tug~~ging on his coat. ]

What, the jacket? [ Sparing a glance down at himself and the deep red hue, he lazily shrugs before lifting his arms just enough so that the material can come sliding on down. ] Sure, but, is the colour off?

[ No. But it's coming off, Wagna. :) ]

[ There really is no need for Ragna to be embarrassed! He looks absolutely fine. It was just one small comment that won't hurt anyone if he preferred his shirt to be tucked out. Weiss would have even respected it if that was what he wanted! But since he asked for her opinion, then she finds herself free to say it out loud. Always honest, this one. ]

Nope. The colour is nice.

[ But. Gib coat.

Weiss doesn't even waste a single movement, shrugging off the jacket that he was wearing earlier, tossing it onto the chair she was sitting on, so that she can slip herself into the coat as if it was her own.

What did she say earlier, Ragna? Your new outfit had to match the red jacket. Not that you had to get a new one. So now? She's the one walking to his dressing room to check herself out in the mirror. The tail end of the coat reaches all the way to her ankles, which may cause an accident if she ran around with something like this on, like in a battle or something! ]

It's not bad... Though it kind of looks like it's wearing me, instead of the other way around.

Do you like it?

[ She supposes she can do away with that other one and send it back to the suite and wear this instead if Ragna prefers this more. As for him? It's fine if he doesn't have a jacket on. He'll survive. ]

[ Sure enough, she's already sliding on into the dressing room to give herself an appropriate lookover. At least it wasn't dragging on the floor? Setting his hand on his hip, he peers in over her shoulder while she talks herself through how it looks, like the jacket was wearing her. As if the last one didn't have such broad shoulders built into it... Though when she asks if he likes it? ]

I do. But...

[ He's okay with taking his old outfit back to the suite. Or rather, having the staff do that for him. This was the whole point of swapping his attire! He can't think of anything that would work with his high-collared jacket he was wearing prior ~~without it looking like some edgy anime protagonist's wardrobe~~, which is why he went with a new coat. One that's way too big on her. But that's exactly why he suddenly finds his shoulders shaking. And more specifically, why he finds himself starting to laugh. Nothing boisterous. But behind sealed lips as his smile grows.

It's funny. It really is funny. And he's not complaining for one second because this entire time, he's been keeping Weiss' words nestled close to his chest. All ears. Always listening. Considering her. But just in this case? It was...sweet. And wholesome. Something that really didn't happen in a resort like this often. And Weiss was giving him that chance to experience it. ]

It sounds like I'm still shopping for you. [ Not literally, but he knows he's giving up whatever he buys to her the second he makes that purchase. His smile hasn't left. ] I wanna find another coat. Something like this one, but just a little shorter.

[ Because at this stage? He wants her to wear it now. ]

That'll be the only change I wanna make.

[ Weiss watches with curiosity when Ragna laughs. It's not something he does often, so she can't help but wonder if he's gone mad just for a second. ]

What? Do I look stupid?

[ She looks back at her reflection, frowning for a second until Ragna says why he's laughing in the first place.

She doesn't want him to shop for her! While it doesn't sound like a complaint, she does feel a little embarrassed. Was she going too far? Getting ahead of herself? Getting all up in his personal space when they aren't even dating? That's too bad, if Ragna thinks that, because Weiss does really like wearing his jackets. She may no longer be a wolf, influenced by the House, but... Ragna nest... ]

You don't have to pick something else if this is what you really want, though. It's your first choice, right?

[ Turning back around, she shrugs the coat off her shoulders and slips it off her arms. She folds it halfway lengthwise and lets it drape over her arms before offering it back to him. ]

Here. I'm fine without a jacket on, anyway. I want you to like what you're wearing.

[ What? No! Of course she doesn't look stupid! If anything, the red and white are a nice compliment to one another too. Though noticing that she was feeling embarrassed, that brief little chuckle of his wasn't gong to persist when she almost seemed...disappointed? Shrugging the coat off her shoulders and folding it up neatly before offering it back to him, he looks confused. ]

Huh? But-

[ "Here. I'm fine without a jacket on, anyway." ]

[ But of course he likes what he's wearing. And...he never complained about it either. Whilst Ragna would usually be stubborn and just shove it right back at her to keep it, he's reflecting on how he reacted in the first place. Was he taking it too far by laughing? By calling out that it felt like he was still shopping for her? It was all meant to be a joke, but she was already resigned and offering it back to him...which admittedly puts a damper on his mood internally. Granted, he doesn't let it show on the surface as he steps forward and gently accepts the jacket back. Taking a moment to stare down at it with a knit brow, he doesn't sigh outloud before he watches Weiss again with calm eyes. The cadence of his voice was equally calm and relaxed. ]

I'll go swap this one out with another one I saw.

[ Same style, just a little shorter. Besides, he wasn't going to be closing this jacket up as he had a penchant for keeping them open. The hell was the point of a trenchcoat or anything close to that in the first place? He wasn't gonna go down to the parking lot at night and barter deals or some skeevy shit. His mind made up, the remainder of their second yet briefer shopping excursion at the Love Dove ends with Ragna buying a whole new wardrobe. His old attire he started the day with is sent back to the Queen Suite, to be neatly folded and laid to rest on his guest bed by the staff at the behest of their Queen of Spades. ]

❄ ❄ ❄

[ Yet as Weiss and Ragna's night starts winding down, and they prepare to take another stroll up towards the conservatory amidst the Giant Flemish Rabbits, they haven't even reached the elevator that would take them up towards the higher level when the taller man smoothly strides in beside her— or more specifically, slightly behind her and to her side.

All for the former heiress to feel the weight of a familiar red coat he just bought now comfortably draped over her shoulders.

Why yes. He has been thinking about this part for a while now, if the softer smile reserved for her was telling if she were to look back up his way. ]

Pretty sure this is how it's supposed to go.

[ With him giving it to her. ]

[ For all of Weiss' iciness and nonchalance, at the core of it all, she's vulnerable and sensitive. She cares far too much about the thoughts of people she cares about. It isn't just longing for their approval that she wants and needs, but she feels as if there's something wrong with her if she doesn't get it.

She doesn't like seeing people she cares for upset or mad either. Weiss can be spoiled and demanding all she likes, but at the end of the day? It's Ragna's approval that she needs here in the casino. If she doesn't have it, then she needs to do better. Sadly, this isn't something that she herself has realised, so there would be no way to her to communicate it to him. The good thing on the other hand is that she doesn't realise that her reaction has put a damper on Ragna's mood either. They continue on with their shopping trip, with Ragna having more things to add in his own closet now, too.

After their trip, with all the stuff they've purchased sent to their suite, they decide to enjoy the rest of their date just... doing whatever they want! Weiss did say that to make this date official, that she'd like to go for a walk in the Conservatory too, and that's where they head to at the tail end of their day out. ]

Huh?

[ There's a weight on her shoulders suddenly, but it's nothing that brings her down! Her shoulders are warm, which brings her to pause in her tracks to look up at him. Her date it smiling at her, and those bright blue eyes of hers just stare at him for a good second or two, lips slightly parted.

Until she realises that it isn't just how it's supposed to go, but this is what she wanted, too.

She looks back down to hide how red her cheeks become, also in hopes of making the shudder in her breath a lot less audible. Both hands reach for the jacket over her shoulders, tugging on it on both sides to try and wrap it around her without putting it on. Weiss doesn't say anything yet, but she does take a step closer to lean on his arm, finding so much comfort in the warmth that both his jacket and his presence brings. ]

I like this.

[ I like you, she means to say. ///// ]

[ Truthfully, there was a part of him that hoped this would be her reaction. And when she gives it to him, fleeting confusion awash on her face before she can look up at him, he can feel that sense of satisfaction well up inside of him. Yet he doesn't say a single thing in the moment beyond what's already been said. There's a knowing smile. He might not be some player or anything where he's from, but Ragna's got a lot more common sense than one might think. That, and there was a lot of care and kindness beneath all those layers of hatred and anger he'd been harbouring. Now Weiss was witness to all of it as she flusters.

Seeing her wrap it around her person, considering that it wasn't really "cold" out, Ragna's content in letting her keep it for as long as she wants. He's always been okay with letting her keep it.

"I like this." ]

Another piece for the good ol' Ragna Nest, yeah?

[ Without wanting to disturb the sanctity of his coat over her shoulders, he lets Weiss rest her weight against his arm some, slowly his walk so that they can better let the end of their night last. With just how close they were, one wouldn't have been able to guess how this day started after all. ]

Hey, before we head back, I wanna take you somewhere in the conservatory.

[ The Ragna Nest will go down in history as one of the most important things known to Weisskind. In the Ragna Nest, the Ragna in question is safe and protected. In the Ragna Nest, the maker of the nest can rest well and easy because there is a Ragna in it. The more stuff in there, the better and more comfortable it is.

Weiss doesn't respond verbally though, and just lets out a soft giggle. The jacket should be secure on her shoulders, but she doesn't want any chances of it dropping to the ground, so she does pull back to put it on before wrapping her arms around his arm so they can resume their walk. ]

Where are we going? To the burrow you hid in with your bunny friends?

[ That was just a joke, and yet... ]

Ironically...yes.

[ He's not sore about what happened anymore. They both understood their mutual mistake and how denying one another for the entirety of the hunt only made their yearning painfully stronger. But in actuality, ]

I found a cozy patch of grass circled by bushes. To be honest, I still go there from time to time.

[ Especially around this time of "night" at the resort, where the sun is setting and the "sky" they can see through the glass lights up with stars. Before she has to ask though, he thinks head, knowing her delicate sensibilities in contrast to his. ]

FYI, no need to crawl through. We can probably just hop the bushes.

[ SHE DIDN'T THINK IT'D BE REAL!! The gasp she lets out is loud and almost exaggerated, but it isn't. She does sound absolutely excited though, and even looks it with the way she looks up at him as they walk. The smile on her face is wide, like he just told her the best news of all like how he promises to make breakfast for her everyday of their lives together or something to that effect. ]

Wait, really? We're going to a real Ragna nest!

[ A REAL RAGNA NEST!!!! :D ]

Where is it? Show me!

[ Hurry up, Ragna!!! ]

[ He wasn't quite expecting that response?? But his reaction in turn was more innocent surprise than anything else as her smile only widens. Just when he's about to ask her what's gotten into her, she practically leaps for joy with her words when it all comes together in that pretty little head of hers.

"We're going to a real Ragna nest!" ]

Ragna nest?? But isn't that-

[ "Where is it? Show me!" ]

Okay, okay, hold your horses. It shouldn't be too far from here I think.

🐺 🐺 🐺

[ True to his word, taking her by the hand, Ragna leads her off the beaten path, past a pair of lounging bunnies with their legs sticking out the back as they relaxed on their tummies. Docile as they were, they still paid heed to the couple as they approached an unassuming line of bushes that were about waist-high on Ragna. Fairly tall! But it's the small little opening and the dirt-path that's been evidently dug through by rabbits (and a Wagna...) that tells them they're in the right place. ]

Want me to carry you over?

[ One good jump over the bushes and they'd be at the coveted wild Ragna nest. ]

[ Cute bunnies!! The bunnies in the conservatory really are so huge, and she likes seeing them around. Ragna being the biggest bunny of them all though, is someone whom she likes being around even more. She's excited to find his hiding spot!!

Though when he asks if she wants him to carry her over?

Ugh... this guy. Weiss rolls her eyes and places a hand on her hip. ]

One of these days, you really should just do it instead of asking me about it every time.

[ The answer is always yes, WAGNA!! Does she have to say it properly for you to get it? ]

You KNOW I'm gonna do that and you're gonna act all surprised.

[ A beat, as he steps in to close what distance is left between himself and the former heiress, already wasting very little time in scooping her up securely in his arms. A feather as always for a 'good guy' as strong as he was. ]

I'll spare you the Schnee impression.

[ That and, he kind of liked getting to hold her like this. Not only was he used to it by now, but she was always receptive to him. Besides, they had a Ragna Nest to attend to. So with a short spring in his step, he effortlessly leaps over the tall shrubbery and lands on the other side. It's not vast, but it's plenty spacious enough for a few people to lie down and stretch their legs— even someone as tall as Ragna. There's a couple Giant Flemmish Rabbits grooming one another off to the side, lifting their heads at the sudden arrival hopping the hedge. But they're not scared away, nor do they come any closer. Back to minding their own business!

But it's clean, and the grass is soft. But most importantly, ]

Look up.

[ It turns out that they're right under a clear part of the glass ceiling, with nothing blocking their view of the "sky" as the sun sets and stars slowly but surely begin twinkling into existence above them. ]

That's the whole point! You have full permission to surprise me.

[ Surprise her!! She'd be pouting right at him with cheeks puffed if she wasn't in a good mood. It'd just be an act, but it certainly has a message in the end. Surprise her more! Do stuff that she likes when she least expects it. Nobody's ever been that thoughtful around her, and it just would be nice to be on the receiving end of these things every now and then.

But this is just as thrilling and exciting. Scooped up, she wraps her arms around his neck and presses herself again him, far too pleased to be carried like this. There's nobody else around right now either, except for some bunnies, so any embarrassment that Ragna might feel should be minimal. Funny how she wouldn't like this treatment as much if she didn't like the person doing it.

Once they've made it over the shrubbery, she stays where she is, not signaling that she wants to be put down on the ground unless Ragna does so on his own. ]

I guess this was one of your quiet places... I'm glad you found a place for you then.

[ That was the first test they had to endure together, wasn't it? The beginning of when things would be unsaid between them, the beginning of when they just never really wanted to be apart.

With a smile, she looks up just like what he tells her. The fake sky's gotten dark, but it could still get darker where the stars would twinkle a lot brighter. Like this, Weiss can see that she's just a small part of the world. This spot in the Conservatory is just a small part of the House, but to her, it has so much value. It's much more significant than how the rest of the world sees it. ]

Did you just look up at the sky from here?

I'd say "don't say I didn't warn ya", but thaaat's the whole point too, huh.

[ If Weiss was predicting how he'd be less embarrassed with less people around, she would be 100% correct. Moving up from walking side by side with someone, simple enough as that was, to holding hands? That was a big step already. He wouldn't explicitly say that he was growing complacent, so much as he was adapting and learning more about himself. That comfort was all to one Miss Weiss Schnee's benefit tonight, judging by the ease in which he carries her and continues to do so, not quite content in letting her down from the comfort of his strong arms quite yet. ]

One of them...but nowhere near the best one. [ His own admittance once more nets her a reassuring and knowing smile as he looks down at her momentarily, mismatched hues seemingly brighter than normal when he's watching her. From this up close, with nobody to see them...he's almost tempted to kiss her like this. But he holds off. Even with his jacket on, she still looks so small in his arms... ] But you already knew that.

[ When Weiss looks up, so too does he as the fake sky was only growing darker with the passage of time. If they stayed here for another...fifteen? Twenty minutes? That sky was going to make the stars twinkle ever so bright. In a sense, it reminds him of how they used to look back at the church...out in the countryside. ]

That's right. In a way, it kinda took me back to stargazing when I was a kid. Some nights when Jin and Saya were asleep, I'd sneak out and just lie in the grass and watch. Connect the dots.

Yup.

[ Weiss is so glad he gets it now! And she eagerly awaits what may happen in the future. It's permission specifically for Ragna, when she usually isn't so keen on affection to begin with. With him though, she wants it. He's made her feel things that she's never really felt before, and once considered to be embarrassing. Between the two of them though? It's fine to want these things, isn't it? The feeling of her hand being held, her being carried, having someone next to you when you go to bed. . . having a date, treating someone so special that they may as well be that special someone.

She lets out a huff through her nose as she leans on her arm that's still wrapped around his neck. Most of her weight is on him now, and no doubt he would have a difficult time to set her down and let her go, because she might not even want to not be near him anymore after this.

Ragna's anecdote only makes Weiss' heart grow fonder of him. He doesn't seem like the kind of guy who looks up at the sky and observes the stars! Today, she's learned something new about him, and that ultimately makes this date sooo much worth it. ]

What, did you always stay up past your bed time? [ If both his siblings were always wanting to spend time with him, those moments when they were asleep would have probably been his only quiet time, too. Though... what did Young Wagna think about then? What would his thoughts be mostly of whenever he was out here connecting the dots? ] It... must have been nice, to be able to go outside and just enjoy nature like that.

Whaaat? Gimme a break. [ He's a good boy! ...snort- okay, busted. ] Sometimes.

[ Ragna never tired of spending time with Jin and Saya. He was that protective of them, after all. But that didn't mean he never got tired in a literal sense. So those fleeting instances where he got to look up or let his thoughts drift, knowing his siblings were safe and sound inside with the Sister... ]

Did you ever get much time to do that yourself?

[ Whilst he doesn't intend to drop her down just yet...regardless of her answer, he may still do that so they can lay together. If only so she could experience even a little glimmer of that peace he felt. ]

[ Weiss' answer is pretty straightforward. She shakes her head, her braid swaying with it. ]

Nope. I mean, not outside, anyway. I would look up at the sky from my room, though it's not a view that's as nice as this.

[ Sure, the Schnee manor was big and no doubt the gardens would provide a nice view of the night sky, but that meant having a servant watch over her or something like that, when her father wanted control over all her actions. She really was only ever alone in her room. It was both peaceful and lonely. ]

It wasn't always clear, though. There would be airships that would pass by every so often.

The way you describe Atlas, it kinda reminds me of the upper half of Kagutsuchi...the last big city I was at. There was a dock where NOL airships would come and go all the time.

[ A thoughtful hum settles in his throat as he gives her body a little squeeze in his arms out of reflex as he takes in their surroundings. ]

Wanna lie here and stargaze with me for a bit?

[ It's not the real sky, but...it's close. And this is a pretty lucky spot where there's no framing to get in the way of this section of the glass ceiling. ]

Kagutsuchi... It sounds like a place in Mistral or something.

[ Though she's really only familiar with Kuchinashi because it's a city that the Argus Limited would stop at. She's never been there! ]

Yeah, I'd like that. We can stay out here for as long as you like.

[ It's something she's never done before! And she also wants to see Ragna at his most relaxed, too. ~~if they end up making out under the stars, please don't blame weiss~~ ]

Is that so? With everything you've told me about Remnant so far, it sounds like a really interesting place.

[ Yet...he doesn't understand the full state of the world she comes from now. And how it's practically a nightmare too. Or at least, it's steadily becoming one. Be that as it may, the same thing could be said for his own planet. Weiss already got a history lesson on the worst of it, and how the Dark War influenced the rest of history moving forward.

...

All the more reason to shove aside all the wanton sex this world thrusts upon them and see this little space he's found as something precious and worth protecting. Something far more peaceful than what awaits them back home. A reprieve he didn't even know how badly he needed until he came here...or more importantly, ]

Just don't go falling asleep on me now.

[ It wasn't the resort that became his reprieve. But the girl in his arms that he gently lowers to her feet so that they can both make their way down to the ground. The grass is still well-kept in here— slightly taller than the rest of the conservatory, but it only makes it softer on their backs as he starts by laying on his side. If Weiss needs help coming down softly, he's there for her too as he sighs with relief. ]

You really do make anything look good on you, dontcha?

[ It's just that red coat...and the truth. ]

Maybe I'm biased, but... yeah, it is.

[ Interesting, she means. Weiss loves her home and is so committed to protecting everything in it. And with that love comes a wish to be able to talk about it more, to show Ragna what it's like in Remnant, but without her Scroll, she wouldn't really be able to show him any pictures. ]

And please, like I would fall asleep on a date.

[ Relaxing or not, that would just be rude! Once she's set back down on the ground, she makes sure to get rid of the creases and folds on her outfit before proceeding to sit down on the grass. Ragna helping out is appreciated, and once she's settled on the grass, she's careful when she looks to the side at him, just so her hairpin doesn't end up digging into her scalp. ]

You're supposed to be looking up at the sky and not me, silly.

[ That's so Wagna of him to say something like that. But it's not unwelcome to be said either. She likes hearing compliments. Rather than say thank you verbally though, she pushes herself up a little just so she can inch closer to him, her pinky reaching for his own to loop around hers. ]

Aaand if you're brighter than the sky?

[ Ragna is quick to note how cheesy that was too, shaking his head despite his smile as he adds: ]

Okay, okay. I'm done being corny.

[ That doesn't mean he's going to stop giving her compliments, warmth spreading through him in sheer contentment as Weiss pushes herself up and scoots just a little closer. The moment their pinkies are linked, he blinks at it curiously, curling his around hers a little more as he lies down more comfortably on his side as their eyes meet. He'll lie on his back and stargaze with her momentarily. Promise. ]

Is this the part where we make a promise?

Ugh.

[ Corny, cheesy, gross... Weiss can go on and on, but all she does is roll her eyes and scoff jokingly at the whole thing.

Then he asks if they're supposed to make a promise. Because of their pinkies, is it? Weiss keeps an open mind to it all, even if she doesn't really know what the two of them would promise each other, anyway. ]

What? Like how kids would? I just wanted to hold onto you still... but. . . [ A beat, and she rolls to her side again, letting the grass brush against her legs when she moves. ] what kind of promise would we make?

Heh.

[ It's all the more reason as to why Ragna simply leaves it at that! He had his fun. And now that the night was settling towards the tail end, he was all the more aware of what he was doing with the former heiress at his side on a physical level. He's the one who flexed his pinkie a little more strongly in hers. ]

Yeah yeah, kids stuff. But, whatever, I'll make an exception.

[ "-what kind of promise would we make?" ]

I dunno... Frankly, since I met you, there's been a couple promises I've thought of making.

What, really?

[ Since they met, huh? Are these promises to himself or ones that he wants to make to her? ]

I promise... to always make sure my knees are clean and smooth. Is that one?

[ Maybe not from the day they first met literally, but between that time and up to now? There's certainly been a couple hovering around in his head. The first being— ]

Tch, get outta my freakin head, you.

[ At this point, Ragna rolls onto his back, mindful to keep himself nice and close so he was never out of Weiss' reach and her pinky, as he places one hand behind his head and looks up as the sky slowly begins to change from the twilight into a starry sky. ]

When this is all over...I wanna go see your world.

I'm not even sure what it's like now. Probably more chaotic than what it was like before we fell into the Ever After.

[ She and her teammates were... gone, after all. Who knows who much time has passed since?

With Ragna now on his back though, she inches even closer, lacing their fingers together now and not just keeping their pinkies linked. Weiss doesn't climb on Ragna just yet, but she's certainly a few steps away from getting there. ]

If you did, though... you could finally challenge Yang.

Oh wouldja lookit that. An environment I'd thrive in. [ It's only a couple of beats after this, however, that Ragna adds: ] Pain in the ass as that'll be.

[ Just because he's damn good at fighting, causing destruction and property damage, and being a thorn in the side of the world's authority, didn't mean he got some sick and twisted pleasure out of all the carnage. ...He's GOOD at it. But. There's a difference! Feeling the former heiress' hand shuffle and shift until their fingers are laced together, he once more gives it a gentle squeeze as he glances back to her with a tilt of his head. ]

Because THAT'S what I'm most looking forward to. [ ...Okay jokes aside, he WILL challenge her to an arm wrestle if it meant having everyone have fun and unwind. It sounds like Weiss and her teammates very much need that. ] Then...that's one of my promises then.

That I'll make my way to you and your world when everything's said and done.

[ Both here, and his world. ]

Even if the world's going to hell in a hand basket by the time I get there, I'll help.

[ The underlying meanings to Ragna wanting to visit Remnant aren't ones that Weiss can even consider right now. Would it mean that he'd just visit for a month or so and then head back home? He doesn't plan on staying there forever, does he? After all, what would that mean for his world? Not to mention, Remnant is a beautiful world, if you set aside all the war and fighting, anyway. Clearly, he isn't making that promise because of her right?

He says he'll make his way to her when everything's said and done, but... thinking he'd be staying solely for her would be too much, right? ]

Well... I just hope that everything's settled by then. When you get there, I mean. The less fighting you have to do, the better.

[ They were just kidding around earlier, but Weiss' expression turns a bit more solemn now. She's still smiling, but she also looks and sounds serious at the same time. ]

I don't know what to promise you. [ She gives his hand a squeeze as she looks at their joined hands (or what she can see of it from this angle) for second, before looking back at him. ] I mean... I'm not really sure what it would be like in Remnant. I don't have a home to show you around in, either.

I promise to make you the best bowl of tendondama udon ever? [ :D?? ] Does that count?

It's not like you hafta promise me anything back...

[ At the same time, his mismatched gaze settles on their entwined fingers, letting the weight of her words sink in. Atlas was gone. She didn't have a home to call her own...and they were only just getting ready to go back from where they fell. What a coincidence, then, that her Crimson Calamity didn't have a true home to call his own anymore either. ]

But if you think of one? Pass it my way, yeah?

[ Like the one that she just makes up for him now about making the best bowl of udon ever. How was it pronounced again, Miss Weiss Schnee? Because he can't help cracking a smile, his expression softening as he hums. Not a laugh by any means, but enough that he's going to lean in now that they're a breath away from one another.

And it starts with a kiss. Just a simple, slow but meaningful one as he fleetingly closes his eyes. Only to draw back and open them to say: ]

Tentama, Angel.

But, it counts.

I want to! It's not fair for you.

[ Promises are commitments, though. The only commitment she's made to someone in this place was to Kazuya, because he might not be able to survive in this place and stay sane at the same time without her Aura. It's a transaction yet again. With Ragna, she feels any sort of promise would and should come from the heart.

But when she doesn't even know what her world is like and with everything so uncertain, she just can't commit anything. She can't make a promise and disappoint him in the end. So... she has to think of something. Something that has equal weight and value. It may not be now, but she'll come up with it and let him now. For now, she just smiles at him in silent agreement. If she does think of one, she'll pass it his way.

For now, this promise of getting better at cooking and making him the best tamtena udon he's ever had is priority. He kisses her for it, and it gets her to move even closer, until her other hand is clinging to the sleeve of his shirt, until her chin is resting on the side of his shoulder. ]

It'll be better. Better than what you can make on your own.

[ She lets out a soft laugh then. They're big words, but she'll really work hard to be able to get that sort of praise from Ragna. ]

Wait for it, okay?

Alright then. [ There's a fleeting trace of laughter within his voice as she commits to a genuine promise to him. He doesn't even know why he's so insistent on it. It all started from a little joke about pinky promises when she linked his with hers. And yet...it's all stuck in his head in the first place. Truth be told, Ragna didn't have any promises to make back home. Any promises he could have had died along with his old self in those flames. ] I couldn't stop you even if I wanted to.

[ And he doesn't. Not when Weiss' little smile in silent agreement has his own heart swelling. She really was so relaxing to be around. Therapeutic, even. Not since he was still a boy and under the protection of the Sister did he feel this level of peace. With her chin resting on the side of his shoulder, his hand on the other side moves over to tenderly rest against the back of her head for support. They could be stargazing right now...and they will. But he's more keen on living in the warmth that the former heiress brings him instead. Her promise to make a bowl of tentama udon that's better than anything he could ever conjure up nets her a hum of approval. ]

Helluva lofty goal, Weiss.

But...if anyone can do it, leave it to the overachiever.

[ "Wait for it, okay?" ]

Yeah... [ A tilt her way to leave a kiss on the side of her head. ] As long as it takes.

[ It is very ambitious of her to promise that, but it wouldn't be a promise if it was easy! Her skills in cooking may be 0 right now, but because Ragna's so receptive to the idea of his own tentama udon getting upstaged by what she can make? It encourages her and makes her believe that she can actually do it. She will!

Right now though, instead of look up at the stars like what they set to do, she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath in. She takes in the moment, plays everything that happened today in her head, and lets out a content sigh. The smile on her face hasn't left, nor is she keen on opening her eyes. Whatever Ragna might be doing now, whether he's looking back up at the sky or still at her, Weiss won't say anything about it.

If he's relaxed like this with her next to him, so is she because of him. Because right now, it sinks in that they aren't in the Golden Peacock. They're in a completely different place, just like where they said they would be when they go on their dates. Though... she really might just fall asleep like this. She's far too at peace. ]

[ Her cooking may have begun at 0, but so did a lot of things in life. Ragna most certainly didn't start out as some expert cook either. Nor was he a skilled fighter. The passage of time had a wondrous way of nurturing someone and their potential when given the right environments. Seeing Weiss continue to close her eyes, he doesn't even bother to tell her to look up when he looses a content sigh of his own. Frankly, it's hard to look anywhere else that wasn't the former heiress...but he does manage to succeed with a lot of internal struggle.

If only because of the fact he really was transported to a whole other place. Another world. Not his planet. Not Remnant. Not the Golden Peacock. But a halcyon space they can call their own...if only for the next ten, fifteen...maybe twenty minutes? Mindful so as to not jostle Weiss too much as he settles comfortably on his back, he holds Weiss comfortably against his side so that she can rest with the softness of the grass acting as their bed. The stars that kiss the night sky above them couldn't be any more fake, but that still wasn't going to stop him from finally letting his mind relax. Finally setting himself free...if only because a certain angel gave him the wings to do so. ]

... Weiss?

[ No "Angel" nickname this time. Their day wasn't over quite yet, and despite his words making it feel like as such...he just really needed her to know, with a smile on his face and warmth spreading through his heart...

It might not be the words they need to truly say from the core of their souls to one another, but it was still just as meaningful. ]

Thanks. [ A beat. ] For everything today. And everything right now.

[ Weiss' eyes open when she hears her name called. Whether or mot Ragna's looking at her, she is at him. Even though there's nothing he should be thanking her for, he does so anyway, and that just sends more warmth coursing through her chest. That just makes her heart beat a little faster.

She wonders how this day would have gone if they hadn't agreed to go on a date today. Probably not like this. They would probably have just gone back to her suite after lunch, but it's really all just speculation. In an alternate universe, that's what probably happened. Right now though, Ragna's date finally lets go of his arm if only so that she can push herself up some and maneuver his arm to wrap around her as she tucks herself in closer to him. As soon as she's comfortable and laying back down, she kisses him on the cheek before nuzzling into his side again, as if the distance between them could not get any more close. ]

It's 2-0 now, Wagna. I've asked you out on two dates, and we haven't even gone on one where you asked me out. Someone's slacking.

[ Everything right now, though... She's grateful to him, too. Everything he's done for her, the happiness he's made her feel... it's ridiculous. Weiss wouldn't have thought that she would have felt this way because of him nor towards him. But it's these sorts of bonds that take you by surprise that become the unbreakable ones, don't they? She certainly didn't think she'd be friends with Ruby, and yet... ]

[ Every point of contact creates a tingling sensation, to the point that it damn near tickles when Weiss kisses him on the cheek. Somehow, it was always the tamest of gestures that got the greatest reactions out of him. His breath only fleetingly catches before he's letting out a deep hum. ]

Really now? [ Well in that case, this slacker needs to step things up. Properly. Just like she taught him from early on in this friendship. A friendship that's budded into something far stronger. He couldn't deny it anymore. Neither of them could anymore, could they? ] Third time's the charm, Angel.

[ Because when the time comes for him to ask her out first? Something tells him that nothing was going to be the same. Even further beyond how they treated one another now. ]

That's what they all say.

[ Who's they?

They're not important. Weiss couldn't really care less. And she doesn't really mind it, truly, if she was the one who kept asking him out. She knows that there's a big chance of him saying yes, so shooting her shot will likely yield good results. She'd stop if she was faced with rejection, but so far so good. ]

Today was fun, though. So... thank you, too. [ For today. For everything until now... Weiss takes a deep breath and breathes out through her nose, a little hum of contentment and yearning accompanying it. ] It's back to playing the game when this date ends.

[ She rolls onto her back so that she can look up at the sky too. It's not to observe the twinkling stars or anything, but just so that she can try and say the things she wants to say without looking at him. She'd be too embarrassed to say it to his face. ]

It kind of feels like time moved a little too quickly. It's unfair.

[ It would be nice if he could be her date for a little longer, and she was the only person that mattered to him. She can't keep him all to herself though. And even with the events of the Hearts game making her accept that she can't, it doesn't mean that she likes it. It doesn't mean that it's any less painful now that it was then. ]

Who's they?

[ What did the writer JUST say, Ragna? They're not important. 😡 As Weiss rolls onto her back when she reminds them how it's back to playing Game 52 among other 'events', his own mismatched gaze turns to her as she looks up at the "sky". The look of surprise on his face is mild, but in his heart...it starts to feel a little bit heavier when she says that. ]

Yeah...guess so, huh.

[ "It kind of feels like time moved a little too quickly. It's unfair." ]

[ It's not a very long pause on his end, but his expression does become pensive for the moment as his gaze returns to the sea of stars that start to become all the more brighter above them. It's subtle; so very subtle...but he finds himself shimmying in just a little bit closer to her despite the fact she was already resting comfortably at his side. ]

We did start our date halfway through... [ But whether it was a full one or half of one or not, that still didn't meant the weight in his chest feel any less heavy. Taking a breath in and out through his nose in turn, Ragna's pensive expression finally starts to ebb away as a trace of a smile comes back. ] Hey.

I thought of another promise just now.

Yeah, I guess...

[ She has a feeling that she'd still feel the same way if they started the day as a date, though. The day would still fly by.

What they'd have done would still be the same thing, really.

Come to think of it, they often act like they're on dates even if they aren't on one. What's the difference between a regular day between them and a date? Nothing, and Weiss hasn't realised it yet. Putting a label on it and calling their activities for the day a "date" feels different though. Like they have the freedom to show and want affection from the other. ]

Another one? [ Shoving her frustrations out of the way when she turns to look at him again, there's now a small smile forming on her lips. This better be good, Ragna. ] I still don't have one for you!

[ Another promise?? ]

Yeah. [ One that just cropped up freshly in his mind. And he wants to cast it out there for both of them to hear. Because if she was lamenting the short-lived time they spent pretending this wasn't some haunted sex resort that had them returning to "playing"...than he felt the same way. It just meant that everything he said before held all the more meaning. How he really was grateful for everything she's shown him and given him. He won't go so far as to say out loud that she's given him everything he could never have. Not yet. But, above all else... ] I promise...

[ Still watching the stars, his smile is as warm and gentle as it's ever been. ]

Promise to cherish the time I get with you. No matter how fast or slow it goes.

Are you implying that you didn't do that until today?

[ Jii... Answer properly, Ragna.

Though her pout doesn't last long. She gets what he means. More importantly, she appreciates him saying that. So much so that she rolls to her side, pushes herself up on an elbow ass he leans on him. With her arm now over his chest, she gets to look at him "from above". Sure, she's obscuring the view, but he's still really staring at the heavens when looking at his angel.

It sounds like she's about to tell him something serious, but she shows him her fist now, pinky out. She promises, so since they're doing something childish? Why not make it a pinky promise? ]

Me too.

C'mon. You know damn well what I meant. Of course I have been.

[ He just...really didn't think about it turning into a real "promise" up until now. Something that he genuinely felt like committing to now. Especially when she made it all the more convincing when he had an angel from on high above him when she stops pouting and holds out her fist. Pinky out. Blinking with a fleck of surprise on his face, it hardly lasts long before he's breathing out in sheer contentment. But instead of saying anything off the jump, he holds his fist up and slides his pinky around hers in a gentle hook. All so that he can keep her close as he leans up just enough to kiss her on the lips, their pinkies crossed and their first true shared "promise" made.

And one that Ragna damn well intended to keep for as long as they had their time together. For as long as they would continue to remember one another. Her lips taste so sweet, so soft and cool. Inviting in the face of his warmth. So much so that he goes back for a shorter, second one before he lets his head bump down on the soft grass, mismatched eyes open solely for her as he finds himself keen on watching an entirely different view.

A far better one. ]

There. [ A beat. ] Your first one.

[ Looks like she got to make a promise after all. ]

[ The moment their pinkies link and they kiss, Ragna would feel Weiss' grip on his pinky tightening some. Just like how she squeezes his hand for comfort sometimes, she emphasises this promise to treasure everything that they do together, everything he does for her, and everything he's given her.

She can't stop smiling now. Even after the second kiss, and he's resting back down on the grass. Weiss just can't stop. ]

I want one where I'm the one saying it to you.

[ She shakes her head. It's a silly thought, but at the core of it all, Weiss just wants to be the one to initiate. She doesn't want to copy his promise to her, even if it doesn't even need to be said. Weiss will leave him alone though, since it's not that big of a deal right now. He'll just have to wait! He's not the only competitive one between the two of them, after all.

For now, she rests her head on his chest, in a prime cuddle position even if they're outdoors and not in the comfort of her (their) bed. ]

I guess it's a start.

[ Promises, an actual getaway from the House, and cherishing their time together - Weiss can't really ask for anything more from this date. The stars are shining bright, just like how the House wants it, but Weiss is far too content just resting on Ragna to look at them. Just listening to the beat of his heart and calmly going along with the rise and fall of his chest is a tad bit more fun for her right now. At least she isn't distracting Ragna from stargazing. He's free to do that however long he likes. It's fine! She'll manage like this. ]

Hey, you'll get there. It took ME long enough to come up with one anyhow.

[ A silly thought though it may be, she's already instilled a feeling of excitement inside of him over it all. He really thought that at his age (especially with how long he suspects he has left...) that making something as silly as a pinky promise was past him. After all, he's had to say goodbye to a lot of other things if it meant surviving and fighting.

Was it wrong, then? To have that isolated thought that maybe, just maybe, his life was better off here?

...

No. No, that wasn't true. ]

You lemme know if you start feeling cold, yeah?

[ It wasn't where he was that was better. It's who he was with. When the realization slams into him like a freight train, the taller man's hand gently rests against the back of her head while she listens to the beat of his heart and the soothing rise and fall of his chest... It's the realization that his life was better because of her. Which makes letting her go by the end of the night all the more difficult to accomplish. Sighing, he idly finds himself threading his fingers through her hair. Rubbing her head softly. Humming deep yet gentle. ]

...I really am gonna wind up carrying you back, aren't I?

[ Judging by the relaxed tone of his voice, however, that doesn't sound like a complaint. Not in the slightest. ]

It's okay. I have your jacket and I have you.

[ Nothing to worry about if it's cold! She's fully expecting him to provide the additional warmth that his jacket can't provide, but right now, she's more than fine. Comfortable, even! She isn't even moving from how she's just resting on him, and she definitely isn't going to fall asleep! ]

You could... I'm not going to fall asleep though, no need to worry.

[ They just recently made a promise to cherish the time they have together. If she passed out now, that'd be breaking the promise already and it hasn't even been 20 minutes since! That said though. . . ]

I was thinking. . . maybe we can go camping out here some time. We can get a tent and just stay here for the night.

[ A third date? Uh-oh, Wagna. . . You still haven't asked anything. ]

So it's DOUBLE the warmth for you. ...Y'know? My real jacket they prolly got locked up somewhere here? Kept me nice and toasty whenever I had to go trekking through the mountains.

[ "You could... I'm not going to fall asleep though, no need to worry." ]

Who said you had to be asleep for me to do it anyway?

[ He's both kidding as much as he was resigned to doing so in the first place. ...although perhaps "resigned" wasn't the right word for it either. Not when he finds himself smiling to himself at the thought of her tucking herself in against his neck while he nestles her in his arms. It's a warming thought. The very same warmth that spreads from his chest as he listens to her suggest that maybe they can make a camping trip out of the Conservatory. It's spacious enough. And more importantly... ]

Well, it sure beats the jungle or the gardens up top. I swear, it feels like it's changing every time I turn around...

[ But on that note and everything they discussed moments prior, his hand moves from the back of her head down to the centre of her back, thumb strumming idly. ]

Say then...

[ Suddenly, ]

Will you go out with me? [ ...What? ] Let's make it a camping date while we're at it.

[ He was so relaxed— that braincell not sitting his skull actually doing something right. Less overthinking. Only what Weiss had been asking for all this time. ]

[ To say it properly. ]

[ It's just a jacket, but it's clear that it means a lot to Ragna. All she knows about it is that it's red, but his other red jackets all kind of have the same style to them. It'd be easy to figure out which is his if she raided the room where the staff keeps their belongings.

If she found that room, anyway.

No doubt she'd get caught and sent to jail again, but if she manages to find the jacket? That'd be a success!

Something to think about... For now, it looks like Ragna's the one doing the thinking, especially since he asks her out on a date. A momentous occasion! ]

Oh good, you picked up on it. [ Good job, Wagna! Weiss laughs as she looks back up at him, a grin on her face. Hook, line, sinker, etc. ] Yup. We're going on a date.

[ Why does it sound like she's the one who decided? GFDAHKFH ]

Actually? There are treehouses here too. Topaz and I stayed in one a few months ago so that we can be on the lookout for rabbit hunters. It was pretty comfy in there.

Ugh, finally my dumbass gets it. [ Of course, he's kidding about himself and how long it took to finally turn the tables on her. In contrast to her little giggle, he lets out a short yet amused huff as he watches Weiss in turn. ] Aaand that settles that.

[ He caught on. It's always been Weiss' choice to make and accept. She just needed the satisfaction of knowing that he finally asked first. No prompting. ...Save for the idea she offered about camping just now. But he didn't have to take it in the "date" direction again! But there he was. Her Wagna. Her ~~dumbass~~ Wagna making progress with himself. Being more honest with himself.

Dropping his guard. Betraying everything the world at large knew about who Ragna the Bloodedge was apparently supposed to be.

She surprises him by mentioning treehouses, however, a more boyish look of surprise washing over his expression as he blinks at her atop him. ]

Hold on, you serious?? How the hell did I miss those?? [ Though as she mentions Topaz... ] Oh yeah. Back when there were too many hopping around.

Yeah! I'll take you there some time if we go out for a walk here again. This place is pretty big.

[ There are even more things that she might not have discovered yet. The Conservatory and the Vale really are nice places. Beautiful, even. It's just too bad that everything here is fake and they aren't really outdoors.

Weiss doesn't really have much to say after that though. They can keep talking about all sorts of things, anything that they can think of. But as the skies get darker and the starts get brighter, it also gets chillier. Weiss said she has Ragna's jacket and him, but she highly doubts that she can provide enough warmth for him in return. So after a few more minutes of laying on the grass, she's the first to sit up. ]

I could use a bath when we get back, but I have to fix my closet first.

[ Heheh... just thinking about all her new dresses perks her up again that she can't hide her widening smile. 💕 ]

Man, a part of me is tempted to check it out now. But...ehh they're not going anywhere.

[ Nor was the temptation any stronger than wanting to spend more time with Weiss here. However, it's starting to feel a tad chillier now that the Conservatory was emulating the still of night. Even the Giant Flemish Rabbits were starting to flop and fall asleep now, comfortable and protected as they were up here. Whilst he might not have been feeling cold, having been used to travelling through numerous terrains and venturing the world as long as he had, Weiss was at the forefront of his thoughts in all of this.

She sits up first, then he grunts and forces himself to sit up with her, unable to help his yawn at the silent implication that they're finished resting and enjoying their privacy here. ]

Me too...though I might just wind up hitting the shower instead.

[ They didn't necessarily work up a sweat or anything, and they started their day off sharing a shower together. But to feel nice and refreshed going into the night? It's a sound plan. Her widening smile earns a relaxed grin of his own. Their date may be drawing to a close...but acknowledging it and making this little piece of serenity last that much longer made it all the more worthwhile.

Less bittersweet. Even if he plans on milking the final hours before they say goodnight for as long as he can. ]

You want anything to drink or snack on when we get back? I could have it ready for you by the time you're done putzing in your closet or bathing.

[ Just to keep that smile on her face there for a little longer... ]

[ They can save all the other attractions and sights another day! They've got time. A lot of time, even. It doesn't even have to be on a date that they go out here again on a walk. In fact, instead of having breakfast at the suite? They could even have a picnic out here! There are lots of reasons to go out here again. They just have to be creative.

Right now though, as they talk about what to do once this date is over, Weiss can't help but laughing a little at Ragna's offer. It's not funny by any means, but it's very, very endearing. ]

You really are so sweet.

[ This isn't the first time she's told him that, but any opportunity she gets? She wants him to know that he is. He's very thoughtful and very considerate, and she appreciates all of it. ]

It's okay. You should just relax for the night and get some rest. I'm sure the we still have some easy to eat snacks in the kitchen.

[ Once that don't need much preparation! Ragna doesn't have to do some work anymore once they get back. ]

[ There's a brief clip in his breath when she calls him sweet again, cheeks dusting a softer shade of pink. It's only thinly veiled by the darker environment now that it's mainly the lamps along the main paths illuminating the area. Setting his hand on his hip, Ragna hums in agreeance with her. Alright. He won't go whipping up something absurdly big out of the blue. Part of him was tempted to make some instant ramen and fancy it up a touch bit for convenience...but on the other hand? Some veggies or sliced up fruits would be nice.

Although...there's still some of that thinly sliced smoked salmon that could go on crackers or toast. Anything she could have wanted! But most importantly: ]

Sure. Something nice and easy then. You ready to head on back?

Yeah. Let's head back.

[ Weiss pushes herself up, dusting off her skirt and legs, making sure there aren't any pieces of dirt or patches of grass stuck on her. Ragna's jacket is back on her shoulders, not even slotting her arms in the sleeves or anything. She likes it better like this when it's draped over her. The other jacket that got sent back to their suite though? She doesn't mind that at all. She'd wear it like it was her own!

Before they can leave though, Weiss has to make sure she has one last look at this very authentic Ragna nest. It's a nice hiding spot! ]

Thanks for showing this place to me.

[ Small of a deal as it is, it still means a lot to her. ]

[So. It's been some time since his absolutely horrific sexting failure wit Weiss. He's going to try again? It feels wrong. It feels bad. And not in a way that he's normally accustomed do as a demon.

It just feels incredibly awkward. And like he's absolutely asking for trouble when he sends off a picture of his dick.

Unsolicited.

Right to Weiss' watch.

Only a few seconds later he realizes that maybe??? He should write words? Words are good, right?]

Like what you see?

[He's going to die.]

[ Thanks for trying again, Kazuya. Though... Weiss is actually at Great Tit right now enjoying some pastries.

Huh... There's an idea. ]

Looks like it's missing something.

[ A minute or so later, Weiss sends a photo of one of the famous penis-shaped eclairs from the bakery. It's not on a plate though, rather, the photo is angled in a way that shows just the bottom of Weiss' face, nice and pink lips kissing the tip of the sprinkled tip of the pastry. ]

Something like this?

[ It's not like anyone else is out right now and can see her... she doesn't mind taking a picture like that. ]

[Progress! Kazuya isn't reprimanded, so he's immediately surprised there. He had thought that maybe she'd tell him not to suddenly send her these sorts of things, or tell him to keep it in his pants and honestly? Both of them would have been fair.

But Weiss does neither. Instead she cleverly photographs herself, lips plush on the end of one of those dick shaped eclairs, teasing just the tip of it.

It could have been him, honestly.

He bites his lower lip.]

Definitely missing that.

I think there's better things that you could be putting your lips around.

[A second message, only a few seconds later.]

Like me.

Look at you, casanova.

[ Yeah, this is amusing. Is she turned on? Not just yet. This is more surprising than it is arousing at this time. Especially given who sent it. ]

Did you eat anything funny? What's gotten you this way?

[ Kazuya this ain't you, cutiepie... ]

No, I haven't eaten anything funny. I just wanted to try again.

[Please... He's doing his best. Be nice to him, Weiss!]

And I thought you'd be alright with it.

You are so silly sometimes, you know?

I'm actually outside. Do you think you can teleport me back to my suite without you coming here, or do I have to head back by myself so I can try again with you?

I have to be touching you to teleport you, sorry. Though maybe I can teach you some teleportation magic in the future to make things easier for you?

Maybe another time.

Think you'll still be in the mood in a few minutes? I should probably head back to my suite for this one.

I really should have asked before sending you that, huh?

[To send that to a girl in public... Ugh.]

Yeah, I'll still be willing.

That's fine and all, but I don't mind that it was a surprise. No one else is around, so you're safe.

I think the fact that it was a surprise made things even more exciting. It's pretty hot, actually.

I'm heading back!

That's a relief. And I'm glad that it's more exciting too.

[ He hesitates a moment or two, trying to gauge the situation carefully. She says it's fine, so...? ]

For when you get back.

[ The picture she gets is another of his cock, head of it swollen and slick with pre, a thumb carefully angled just above the slit, pushing it forward slighly with his thumb.]

Oh?

Are you trying to entertain yourself while waiting for me? What are you thinking about?

[Well, she seems to he receptive to it, so there's no way he cam bungle this, right? ]

How much I want to bounce you in my lap again. To force you to take all of me as I fill you up and make a mess out of you.

How much I want to get my tongue back inside of you and spend forever just tasting you.

I'm almost concerned why you didn't just show up and kidnap me to your suite.

I'm trying this new thing called "Self-Restraint". Not sure I like it too much, honestly.

Of course you wouldn't.

I believe in you though. I'm in the elevator now. You can do it!

I don't know... the temptation is pretty strong to just grab you and bring you to my room.

Absolutely do not do that! You'll ruin the whole sexting experience!

No? You don't want me just grab you so I can go down on you? To eat you out and make you scream my name over and over again, until you're too worn out to even form words anymore?

I do. But right now, we're sexting. You're waiting for me to get into my suite so I can take my panties off and show you how damp you've made them.

You should hurry up then, I'm getting pretty impatient. I might not be able to keep myself from coming over there and getting a personal taste of just how wet you are.

[ As it just so happens, she's already at the door. No one else is around, so she does something and takes a photo of it, sending it to Kazuya as she's heading up to her room.

It's her panties. She took them off, so the next message doesn't have any text, just a picture of her lacy pair in her hand. ]

[Oh... Weiss took them off? In at least a semi-public area? His cock throbs a little at the thought, at the fleeting idea of maybe taking her up against a wall, holding her against it like how he did when they'd originally met all those months ago. He inhales sharply, and his response comes at a delay.]

I was hoping they'd be more soaked.

Guess I have a lot of work to do to really rile you up, huh?

You can definitely get me as wet as you like now. I'm back in my suite and I'm heading to my room.

You know, where my toys are.

It's sad that I'll be able to get you so wet but not be able to taste you.

[And that's so genuine...]

What kind of toys were you going to use? How come we've never really used any? I think I'd like to. I bet you'd squirm so much faster.

You know we can see each other again, right?

I've honestly never had to use toys with guys before. Except for that one time with you, anyway. [ since this happens after hearts game gsdfhf ] I mean, we could try some time? I don't mind at all.

[ She gets to her room and heads to one of her drawers, pulling out the box where she keeps her toys after they're clean. She sends a photo of a blue vibrator, kind of like the shade of his hair. ]

I don't think this is the exact size, but it'll do :)

I know. Maybe if I get too antsy we can cut this short and I can put that toy of yours to shame.

[ And it's the same shade as his hair. Part of him thinks that maybe she got it on purpose just to one day tease him. Or maybe when she doesn't want to bother him? A self-centered thought, but one he can't help. ]

Do you think of me when you use it on yourself?

I don't actually use these things much? I mean, I could just play the game with other people.

I'm definitely going to be using it on me with you in mind right now though.

That doesn't mean you can't use them with a partner. Maybe next time we're together I'll show you.

[He has never used a toy in his life outside of the one Weiss used on him. He's just trying to talk big.]

It's too bad I don't have anything I could pretend was you. My hands are much bigger than yours.

Oh, I know! But I don't really use toys when with others? But sure, show me. :)

[ With the exception of Nami, anyway. ]

You'll just have to be content with yourself for now.

Show me?

"For now". Like I'm not going to have to see you later to work out the frustrations you've given me of everything I can't act on now.

[Is what he said, but another picture comes in shortly after the text: His hand, so much bigger than Weiss' wrapped around the base of his cock and clearly squeezing, hips risen ever so slightly as a bead of pearly white cum drips from the head of his cock.

He's still very much turned on, and very much into what's going on, even if he thinks it's a little weird, and that he'd much rather be touching her.]

I was thinking. I don't really touch your breasts enough do I? I want to change that, it's a waste otherwise.

Did you come already? You just left me behind!

I'll let you mark my breasts, if you suck on them enough.

[ Somehow, this just seems like something Kazuya would do. Weiss can't help but laugh a little, huffing to herself as she lubes up her toy.

What she sends next isn't a text or a photo, but a video, this time. The focus is between her legs. She's seated on her bed, and her other hand is holding the toy. It's got a nice sheen to it. With a press of a button, it begins to buzz slowly, and she brings it to her entrance even if the angle doesn't provide a really good view. Slowly but surely, there's less and less of the toy that can be seen.

Weiss' breathing grows heavy in the background. ]

I wouldn't dream of leaving you behind.

[No, no. He hasn't come yet, but his stomach is tight with need. Grows tighter as he watches the video she sends with rapt attention, how that buzzing dims as it clearly goes inside her, and he lets loose a small whine as he grips his cock, head hitting the pillow underneath him.

He wants that to be him.

He's never been so jealous before. Is that it? Is that part of the allure of this? To be so insanely worked up with nothing but his hand for company? He's really not sure he likes it, but maybe he's doing it wrong. Maybe he should have gotten a toy for himself so he could match her, even if he doubts that anything could ever be as good as her. He huffs out a breath, squeezes his poor, neglected cock a little more to try and ease just how stupidly hard he is.

It doesn't really work.]

Is it as good as me? Does it fill you up the same way I can?

[ Weiss takes it slow, remembering to pace herself when she's got Kazuya on the line.

It would be so easy to just call him, turn the video on, and have fun that way, but she honest to god wants to try sexting, too. ]

It's certainly around the same size... although I just know this one won't make a mess of me the same way that you do.

:(

You're teasing me. I want to kiss you so much right now.

[ Among other things, of course. Kiss her, taste her, take her. Have her wrap those small delicate hands around him as she pumps him slow, teases her tongue around the his of his cock like she always does, like she always teases him.

It's such a vivid image in his head, and he's sure the sensations of her doing as much have been burned and branded into his body, but it's still not enough. His hands are too big, and even as he tries to mimic the way she squeezes him as he works his hand, it's a poor imitation only made slightly better by memory. ]

I think I got myself a little too worked up before I sent you the first picture.

I find that to be a compliment. I mean, you did get worked up because of me, right?

[ Because if she's not wrong, it makes the feeling of fucking herself on this toy soooo much better. She has to use her imagination and think it's his cock fucking her slowly; she has to just think that it's his cock that's getting wetter and wetter by the second with her pussy juices.

No matter how quickly Kazuya responds, Weiss has her eyes closed, whispering Kazuya's name with need, legs spread, a hand between her legs as she guides the toy in and out of her cunt. ]

Always you.

[She's one of the few people here who are constantly on his mind. It'd be embarrassing in any other place, maybe, just how much he wants to be with her. She's his first friend here. Was his first partner here. They agreed to try things with each other, and maybe that's why he craves her touch so much. He just wants her.

Kazuya gasp, brings his free hand up so that he can bite his thumb as he strokes himself delicately, trying to mimic the ways she does it all while failing so miserably. How can he be so bad at something he likes so much? It's just not the same.

He bites down on his hand a little harder, trying to pace himself even as his hips twitch upwards into his hand. There's no need to really restrain himself here. He's not setting out to keep still for her. He doesn't have to worry about bucking his hips too hard, too fast.

How pathetic.

He greedily gulps down air, slowing the motion of his hand before he goes overboard. He wants-

To snap a picture of himself, just how flushed he is. Sweaty. Fully body with him biting his hand while his other grasps his cock, his eyelids are half closed as he looks up at the camera, shirt half hiked and his pants only around one leg as he sends it to her.

How did he take such a picture? Irrelevant, isn't it? He wants her to know what she's done to him. What she's reduced him to, all without ever even touching him.]

[ How did he take such a picture? Weiss won't even question it. Right now, there's no reason to think about these things when her thoughts are consumed by her lust and want for Kazuya. At this time, he's set her off. He's made her think of no one else but him, wanting his lips all over her, to make those marks that he always makes whenever they're together.

Ugh... maybe she'd even let him bite her, with just how badly he's turned her on.

It's why Weiss doesn't even text back anymore. She sends a voice message, far to busy fucking herself and imagining her dildo being Kazuya's cock. It's something she's gotten to know so well now that the feeling is nothing like it. ]

You look so good. [ As he strokes himself. Her voice is airy and breathless, ragged. She's close. ] Want it in me, Kazuya...

You'd feel so much better...

[It's all over the moment he sees that message, hits play and hears the sweet rising cadence of her voice, how breathy she is. How full of want she is. To hear the wet sounds from the toy, the occasional buzzing as she pulls it out only to press it back inside and dull the noise.

He's done for.

Kazuya scrambles, trying to record his own noises on this video for her too. It's not anything acted, each and every gasp as genuine as the last as he feels his cock twitch hard, swell further and his stomach clench tighter than he can even squeeze his eyes shut. He spills into his hand readily, wet. Everything that could have gone to her instead slicking his hand and cock where his hips twitch into it, pooling pearly white as it drips down off of him.

He lay there, panting for a few moments before sending it to her.]

Could have been much better with you here.

[His voice is almost ragged.]

[ She's crumbling rather quickly, especially for being the one who said that Kazuya absolutely CANNOT and MUST NOT teleport to where she is so that they can fuck. She calls him. No more messages. She wants to hear him. Live. ]

Pick up...

[ She breathes it out just before Kazuya can answer, though he might even hear her mumble it to herself. When she can't hear the ringing anymore, she's quick to ask: ]

You won't tease me if I asked you to get over here, will you?

[ No his, no hellos. Just fucking. ]

[He could be mean to her. He could tell her no. That this isn't part of the whole "sexting" business.

But she doesn't even let him speak. The need in her words is clear enough.There's still a pool of need in his body too, even after all of this. It's... Not as satisfying. She wants him there.

He's fine with loosing, if she holds it over his head later. He'll gladly take the fall for being the impatient one, because there's a split second dial-tone as he hangs up, and then another for Kazuya to appear in her suite, still unclothed and still just as wanting even if he's coated in himself.]

Uh. Knock knock?

[He's just waiting for the last bit of permission before he very much jumps her like the wild animal he feels like standing at the foot of her bed.]

[ When Kazuya teleports, he'll find Weiss in bed not even looking like an elegant little thing. She's got her legs spread, with her feet no longer planted on the ground. She's fucking herself on a blue toy that she's imagining to be his cock, and she doesn't even stop when she sees and hears him. ]

Hurry up.

[ Bossy, but she always has been. Surely he'll understand. ]

I want you to ravage me.

[Even as she speaks, he's momentarily struck by the sight of it all. The way she fucks herself even when he's standing right there. The way there's a faint sheen of sweat over he body and brow.

The next second he moves, intent on fulfilling that desire of hers. To do just as she says and ravage her like a savage animal with one thing on its mind. She's all he wants right now, and his thoughts are consumed of her entirely. His lips hit her neck, they always do, one hand snaking under her lower back to pull her up against him, the moment he's able. It doesn't take long for the mess he'd made of himself to transfer to her, but that doesn't matter. He can feel the vibrations of the toy against him to, and while he bats her hands away to prevent her from fucking herself, he leaves the toy inside, not switching it out for his cock yet.

No. He said he wanted to appreciate her, appreciate her breasts, and he damn well plans on doing it. For once it's not her neck he sucks marks into, but her chest. Sharp teeth nip and drag against sensitive skin gently. Over her collarbone, over the swell of them. Kazuya wants-

So badly for Weiss to know how much he appreciates her. How much he'd rather her than his hand every time.]

[ Kazuya was the one who started this to begin with. Weiss fully expects him to take responsibility for the mess she's starting to make of herself. While she doesn't show it? She's glad he came. She's glad to be with him like this, and then maybe even hang out once they're both done and sated.

Weiss' hand slows down when his attention is on her, when his lips touch her neck and send goosebumps all over. When he slips a hand on her back, she stops working herself up, leaving the toy inside her and her pussy walls throbbing around it. She's brought closer to him, and she's rendered a panting mess all for him to behold. ]

Kazuya... [ A deep breath. A free hand weaves its fingers in his hair, holding him close as he keeps his mouth on her breasts. ] I like that... keep going.

[It's true, he's the one who started this. He's the one who sent the first picture that landed them both into this situation, hot and needy and insanely wanting. His fingers dig into her back, just a little. Just enough to leave little crescent mark indents as he wraps his lips around her nipple and toys with it with his tongue.

He wants to fuck her bad. To replace that toy with himself, but he's restraining from doing so. A paragon of restraint, actually. He knows how good she'd feel around him. How he could easily make her feel just as good, do better than a toy. He's already come once, but clearly she hasn't. She's outlasted him so easily, and he wants to bring her closer to the same edge he'd already fallen off of.

The hand not on her back is still soaked in himself, and he worms it between their bodies, follows the length of the toy that's sitting neglected inside her so he can just tease those fingers against her, bumping the toy deeper every now and again.]

[ Good, Kazuya. Leave a mark. That's just how she wants it. Nothing that would be there for days to come, nothing that punctures skin too hard that she bleeds. A mark that's done just right, one that she wouldn't even notice until they're done and have probably gone their separate ways. That just makes things all the sweeter.

Her naked body can feel more of Kazuya's heat than usual, like this, and it's also a body that he's free to mould any way he pleases. And when he uses his fingers to stimulate her further, it's her breath, so airy and desperate, that's all for him to hear, too. How badly she wants for his cock to replace his toy now, but still so content for anything he wants to give her. ]

You know... we should do something spontaneous like this more often.

[ To that, she lets out a soft laugh. Even she can't believe she said that. ]

It was kind of fun.

[He says, fingers circling just to the side of her clit, a touch with just the barest hint of pressure. He likes that noise she made, and he lets it wash over him like a cool breeze despite the heat it makes him feel. More of those and he might not be able to help himself much more.]

It was too hard to not immediately rush over to you though.

[She's too addicting, and he's all too eager for the next hit of her. Speaking of, it's only a few seconds after those words leave his mouth that he nips a small, ruddy mark into her skin, right between her breasts. He'd been so good, so restrained, and now that resolve is rapidly dwindling with each distant vibration of the toy inside her that he feels.

He's going to replace it with himself right now, actually. His fingers curl and grip, softly and slowly pulling the toy back- only to fuck her with it again, start up a slow rhythm even though he's sure she's just as mad for him as he is for her. It's just a little bit more teasing.]

Distance makes the heart grow fonder?

[ Weiss hates clichés, but that one just sounds right to say right now. And she laughs again, her fingers oh-so-gently massaging his scalp as she runs her hand in his hair.

Her pussy tightens around the toy as he pulls it out. Her toes curl in anticipation as she fully expects his actual cock to penetrate her soon. The disappointment is palpable when he fucks her with the toy instead, eyes widening with how taken aback she's become. ]

H- Hey! [ No, no, they talked about him fucking her now. What is he doing? She shakes her head, the brat in her waking up thanks to not getting what she wants. ] What are you doing? Kazuya...

Am I not allowed to use a toy on you like you did on me?

[He hears that tone, but it doesn't really do much to deter him from having a little bit of fun, slowly moving the toy in and out of her at a crawling rhythm. She takes great joy in teasing him, so turnabout is fair play, right? He's in a little bit of a better state to do it anyway, he's the one here' who's already cum once, and even if he is still aroused, he's got a bit of a clearer head about it.

His tongue teases as well, flicks against her nipple like it were her clit, and it may as well be for the eagerness he's going at it with. Maybe lacking skill, but certainly not enthusiasm.

[ When he puts it like that, it's not like she can really do anything about it... He has a point! Even if she got her hopes up and was hoping for actual dick.

Rather than give a verbal response, Kazuya will hear Weiss whine like the brat that she is. There's no fight in her though; if Kazuya wants to make her cum with a toy, or if he wants to edge her with one, it's all up to him. So long as there's a part of him that he's actually using on her, like how he uses his tongue on her nipple, then she won't put up that big of a fight. ]

Just don't keep me waiting too long...

[ She says that as if she's displeased, but with the way her breasts are heaving with each breath or with how she's rolling her hips slowly into the toy, it looks like she's managing pretty well like this. ]

[That whine is so cute. It makes him feel a little giddy, that he's gotten her to give up so fast like this, even if she could very well have easily coerced him otherwise.]

I guess I shouldn't, considering how wet you already are.

[Not that she hasn't done just that already. He can hear how wet she is every time he fucks her with the toy, can feel the way she drips readily onto his hand and how easily it glides into her.

He leans up to kiss her, chaste and affectionate despite all this.]

How d'you wanna take me? If you're feeling up to it, I wouldn't mind you riding me.

Hm? Is that what you want?

[ For her to ride him? Weiss isn't against the idea, so even before Kazuya can answer, she's already pushing herself up on her elbows. She'll move to sit up if he slows down or stops with the dildo, because there's something far more enticing for her to take care of now.

Goodbye, toy. You're no longer useful to her. ]

Get on your back for me.

[Yeah, and he'll move to accommodate her pretty much immediately as she starts to move upwards, removing the toy from her a little fast, even if he's trying to be coy with it. He was expecting a little more sass, but...

Well. He's fine with this too, and he'll lean back on his elbows quite eagerly.]

Yeah... You like it too, right? And this way I get to see everything.

[From her facial expressions to the bounce of her breasts to the way she takes him entirely.]

[ Kazuya doesn't realise what he's done. He started sexting her and now she's more horny than he is.

Seeing just how glossy the dildo looks now when it's pulled out of her is admittedly a little embarrassing, and she has to look away for a moment as she bites her lip. Is she embarrassed about how wet she's gotten? A little, but she's able to set that aside really quickly when Kazuya gets on his back.

Sitting up now and moving to straddle his lap, it's clear she's got a lot of energy right now. She's raring to go and ride his cock. More importantly... ]

I thought it was hot that you sent me a picture of you unsolicited.

[ He gets to see everything now, with her on her knees, holding onto his cock as she lines himself up between her folds. They've had enough foreplay. She's going to ride him so hard. ]

[He's in trouble, and he can tell from the way that she's carrying herself, and just how eager and excited she moves... Very much trouble, but it's not something he'll regret at all. He wants her to ride him, to use that energy to use him to please herself.

His cock twitches at her words, a bead of pre leaking from the head of it as she lines them up.]

Really?

[He exhales as she lines him up. She thought it was hot. Which means he isn't going to get in trouble for it? Not that anyone here might be surprised to see someone else receive a dick pic through text, honestly.]

Well, I'm yours to do as you please with.

[His hands are, in fact, going to move to her thighs to help her steady herself, though.]

Yeah! It's not like you to do that, so...

[ It was a nice surprise. Very exciting. And Weiss thinks that it shouldn't be done all that often, because it would just get old right away otherwise.

Now that she's told him that though, she hopes that his confidence in doing new things gets boosted. Weiss will need to surprise him at some point with something like this too, but it'll have to be something that she doesn't plan, too. The more spontaneous the better. ]

It took a lot for me to send it, honestly. I wasn't sure what you were going to think... I was kind of just hoping that you wouldn't yell at me for it.

[Considering how improper it is, and everything.

He really is elated about the fact that she'd liked it.]

I would have yelled at you if I was with someone else and they saw it too.

[ They can keep talking, too! But Weiss does get ready now, lowering herself onto Kazuya's cock. Her eyes close while there's a satisfied smile on her face as she goes down. ]

Ah... That feels good.

[He sighs too, once she's all the way down on him, encompassing him and holding onto him so tightly.

It's good. She's good. She's always been good to him, with both manner and her body. And right now, he'll let her use him as she sees fit. There's already a slick mess between them, from where he'd cum all over himself initially before he arrived, and with how slick she is, how well prepared she is from the toy...

He'd kiss her, if she were close enough. For now, he'll have to content himself with his hands on her thighs.]

Much better than my hand.

[ Sometimes it's hard to tell if he says these things to rile her up or because he just doesn't think... Kazuya's a smart guy, she at least knows that much, so she can't help but feel like these things are said on purpose.

And she falls for it every time. ]

Jerk! I should hope so!

[ He's wiped the smile on her face with that comment, and instead has replaced it with a huffy look. She isn't mad though. As she sits herself on his lap, her pussy twitching now that she's sheathed him in her, she gives herself a moment to breathe before she moves her hips up. No, she isn't gentle about it. In fact, there's desperation in the way she starts bouncing on him. ]

Your hand can't do this, idiot!

It can't.

[ She's so huffy over his words, huh? That's alright. She's so cute like this, with that expression and tone as she bounces on him so eagerly and desperately.

He laughs a little, thiugh it's cutboff by a soft groan obly a few seconds later. Much, better than his hand.

But he's going to help her now, rolls his hips upwards as she comes down to meet him and drive himself that much further with her help. ]

[ Hell yeah it can't! Kazuya really should be putting up more of a fight, but anything he says at this point would get her huffy. Has gotten her huffy. Right now though, she doesn't have any fight in her. Kazuya will even hear the frustration leave her when she sighs, sounding a little irritated but also satisfied at the same time.

There's nothing else she wants right now than to feel his cock rubbing against the deepest part of her pussy. There's just so much pleasure in that. And any energy she has left to keep arguing is spent on moving her hips up and down so that she can bounce on his lap instead. And with Kazuya helping, it makes each thrust feel more powerful. Harder. ]

Keep going...

[ She'll keep moving her hips for as long as she can. Kazuya will just have to endure her nails biting into his skin. ]

[Endure it? That would imply that he doesn't like the way her nails dig in for purchase as he moves his hips into hers. It's the little sting that makes this so much more worth it, and helps him to rock against her.]

You're beautiful like this.

[Weiss still has to deal with his praise, though. Because he's watching her very intently, the way her breasts bounce, the way he disappears inside of her. All of it stokes the fire in his belly that much more. Every little bump helps when he feels himself reach the deepest part of her, head of his cock massaging her inner walls.]

[ Weiss is more than slippery and wet from all that self-preparation that it's all just smooth sailing from here. While her walls keep a snug fit around Kazuya's cock, there isn't much resistance on her end. She could just bounce and bounce on his lap like it was the easiest thing to do.

And she gets so much pleasure out of it that she doesn't even say anything to that comment. That compliment. She does take pride in the fact that Kazuya thinks she's beautiful, and it certainly does wonders to her mood. It's why amidst her nails digging into his skin and marking him with crescent-shaped indentions, she removes one hand from his shoulder so that she can grab the back of his head and lean in to kiss him.

It's sloppy, it's desperate, but this is Kazuya's effect on her at this time. He's made her want him, and now she wants to get them both to orgasm and feel like they're on top of the world. ]

[ It's the kiss that sets everything in motion, as it always does. Her lips crash into his, and he groans against her, arching his hips that much more as one hand comes to brace her neck as she's braced his.

His cock twitches and throbs harder inside her, and the heat in his belly clenches. He's so weak to her kisses, especially when she's the one to initiate them. The desperation and need behind them, tue way she holds him close as she bounces on him, grinds against him in a bid for both of their peaks. ]

Weiss... [ He huffs against her mouth a desperate sound of her name. ] I'm close.

[ So soon after his last, but this is just what she does to him. It's unfair she has so much control over him.

He's going to still kiss her though, desperately crash his lips against her, and if she'll accept his tongue in her mouth so close to the end, he wants that too.]

[ Close? Good. It may have been a warning a long time ago between them, a sign that he's about to cum and she has to move, but she's. . . different now. She'd come to like the feeling of her partners finishing inside, even if she'd never dare to say it out loud. Kazuya knows now at least, and will always be reminded of such. ]

Give it to me.

[ Weiss whispers the words straight in his ear as she rides him with a bit more fervour, her walls tightening around his cock even more as she does some kegel exercises and squeezes the muscles in her pelvis.

It's all she tells him before their lips are back on each other's again, focusing now both on squeezing his cock dry and tasting him and allowing him to taste her in turn, lapping her tongue against his and enjoying the ride. ]

[He groans first at her words directly against his ear, a shiver wracking down his spine, and then against the kiss, tongue in her mouth to taste her as she rides him for all he has, for all she wants. It's too easy to coax it out of him, cock throbbing as she bears down on him and squeezes.

Weiss wants it all, and he's only too happy to provide with a choked sound as he arches up into her in a rougher motion, fingers pressing into her soft, pale skin as he releases deep in thick ropes. He doesn't just stop rocking against her though, he wants her to cum too, to reach her peak even if he's a little more delirious for it.]

[ To think that this all started with some sexting. Kazuya really should have stayed in his room so that they could cum separately. Stay true to the idea of sexting. But Weiss certainly isn't complaining now. The moan she lets out when she feels him fill her up is loud and so, so satisfied.

With Kazuya not stopping though, still moving into her, his cum gets mixed in her pussy with each thrust. A few drops spill out, drip down her thighs, but until he pulls out completely, his seed stays inside, leaving her feeling bloated.

She breathes against his ear as she fights for her own climax, moving in time with him as she chases the peak of her pleasure, clinging to him and resting her head on his shoulder. ]

Kazuya... close... [ Her voice comes out like a whisper in the midst of all the desperation, like she can barely speak anymore. Her walls twitch and squeeze his cock even more, and with each roll of her hips, she whimpers like it's the way she breathes now. ] Close...

[ One loud whimper, and all the pressure inside her just disappears. A sense of peace and calm washes over her and she stops moving, arms still around him as she catches her breath. ]

[ To say Monika's been looking forward to this is an understatement. She and Weiss may not always get along, sometimes butting against each other like oil and water in a legendary battle to never mix. Other times, though? They beat the odds and emulsify into the smoothest mayonnaise. This is one of those times when they become a delicious spread. Maybe. She hopes so. Having a normal experience like a normal person means so damn much to her.

On the evening of their soiree, she heads off to her destination, nearly taking too long to get there because she's never been up to the royal levels. The jump in luxury from her rank is crazy obvious. But instead of being jealous...she's even more excited. This means she's going to have the fanciest sleepover ever! She'll get pampered! She'll be a pretty pretty princess!

Whew, no. Getting ahead of herself there. She moves down the hall with her pink wheelie suitcase rolling behind her, already decked out in her favorite jammies and some fuzzy slippers. But, just to be sure she gets to the right spot... ]

hey ummm

i think i'm close but i'm not sure?? it's like a maze up here! 😵‍💫

maybe i went too far....

[ There must be a curse put on her, because Weiss isn't normally so nice. And yet, here she is, extended her suite to just about everybody. She's making friends here and there and even letting annoying people into her life. That's crazy! If Ruby knew about this, no doubt she'd have the time of her life teasing Weiss about this.

Something something "Nice Weiss". Ruby does so love to call Weiss out whenever she does something nice for her friends.

She's always nice!!! And then when she's not, she's called the Ice Queen. She really can't win...

Tonight happens to be a night to spend as Nice Weiss. She doesn't think she's good friends with Monika, but she's happy to at least spend time with someone and try to get to know them. In a place like this, having enemies is the last thing she wants. There's so little to do here that she needs to have friends and people she gets along with. So maybe with no shoes in the way—yes, Monika will have to take off her shoes—tonight won't be a night of tugging on each other's hair and screaming at each other.

She's already in her night gown as she waits in the kitchen for her guest. She's got a bunch of finger food ready, a range of savoury and sweet, so it might count as dinner if they're already too full. These can be brought up in a tray to her bedroom, where she intends to have most of the movie night events.

Her Watch beeps and lights up. Weiss doesn't waste a second in checking the message. ]

Did you go up the royal level? There's an elevator with a snowflake on it. If you take that, then you'll be at my floor.

I'll wait outside for you.

[ So up she goes, putting on her comfortable blue bunny slippers as she heads out down the hall. ]

[ Oooh, a prompt response. She likes that. It's hot when people are timely. ]

yeah i'm there! it's just hard to figure out whose place is whose....

[ Hearing there's a personal elevator to take? Jesus Christ! Not once has Monika thought about doing any work to rank herself up, quite comfortable with being a Nine, but this might be making her reconsider that idea. Imagine being able to live in her own giant library...!

She shakes off the thought, then seeks out the elevator she needs. Once she's stepped in front of it, she giggles to herself. Someone isn't doing much to escape being nicknamed Elsa. ]

found it! omw! ⬆️⬆️

[ Prepare yourself, Weiss. The moment Monika steps out and sees her, she's temporarily letting her suitcase go and running up to go for a hug. That's what you do to start off a sleepover! Or so she's imagined. She's been doing a lot of research while waiting for this special night. ]

It's Weissy~ So~ Nicey~ in her fancy palace~ [ She gasps. ] And cute as a button, too! I love your nightgown! [ Another gasp. ] The slippers! Oh my gosh, I want some!

[ Guess who's obsessed with cute, girly things? ]

[ When your first name is literally White Snow, it's difficult to not be called an Ice Queen. Especially when you don't exactly have the warmest of personalities. She's the Snow White of her show, she swears.

Weiss doesn't bother responding to Monika's text, but does check on stuff on her Watch for the few moments that she waits outside. The elevator dings and the doors open, and it's just a couple of steps to take before Monika would reach Weiss. That distance is closed in in just a matter of a second though, and. . .

Well, she's flustered. This is the sort of thing she imagines someone from her team would do. And so. . . ]

I thought I told you to stop calling me that?

[ Unfortunately, she does not hug Monika back. At least she doesn't push the other girl away, either. Her hands just remain on her sides, or just... somewhere around there, hovering close without touching the other girl. ]

I didn't invite you to have a sleepover and not be prepared. You can put your suitcase in my room and wear the slippers I got you.

[ Monika has a matching brown one all ready! :) It's hot when people are prepared. ]

( from here )

Hey! Some guys actually start leaking before you even do anything to them!

[ While Weiss won't defend said guys, she does have some sort of basis to why she asked that. Don't take her for a fool, Aak! Or do. The more embarrassed she gets now, she more bratty she's just going to be. Food for her suit, really.

Those blue eyes of hers watch his hand as it moves. No one would know it, but her walls just clench in arousal seeing something so close to her heat. She would have expected that he wouldn't even ask, but the part of her that isn't influenced by her suit appreciates it. ]

But, yeah... go ahead. I mean- [ She swallows thickly. Awkward as this is as she fumbles, she isn't turned off. A little push to the side of her swimsuit and Aak would be able to get his fingers nice and wet easily. ] You should.

[It was easy to push forward without permission. Aak liked to ask because he liked to hear a person admit it out loud. If his plummeting suit-induced self esteem thought he was demeaning to be with then someone having to say it aloud was an extra thrill. The stumble in her ability to give orders is close enough to hesitance for him to get the same excitement.]

Leaky guys, huh? [Weiss can be grateful to the dream that Aak doesn't make a joke about how they should get their pipes checked. In fact, the whole issue will get dropped because of the bigger task in front of him.]

[he hooks a finger under the fabric of her swimsuit and tugs it off to the side. His tongue flicks hungrily over his lips. He presses his finger up against the expose slit, sliding up,]

Ah, [a bit of that lethargy seems to fade, a bit of light to his tone,]

Wow, rude of you to look to me when you're making so much slippery stuff. [he arcs his finger up, delighted by what he feels. There was the part of him that knew this was manufactured, forced by the hotel and their suits, but it felt good to see another person react to him that much.]

[ Weiss makes a face, a little surprised that those people were called "leaky". Surely it's a natural thing, the same way as when women get aroused and get wet! Any sort of correction or clarification she'd like to make gets washed away though. There are more important things to do, such as adjusting her legs, spreading them some for better access.

The way Aak's tongue darts out gets Weiss to breathe in a sharp breath, enticed at the idea of that tongue being used on her, too. She always did like people going down on her... ]

That's- Well- Don't judge me.

[ Weiss lets out a shudder, goosebumps appearing down her arms. Just a simple touch is giving her chills, and she has to fight the urge to roll her hips and seek more, but the defiant part of her refuses to give him that satisfaction yet.

No smart comebacks, though. Instead, a bratty 'lil pout. >:T ]

[Alright, so: contrary to what he said before, he did not get cursed on his birthday! But he did have other things to take care of. There was the gold string between him and Jun, which still hadn't been severed despite their many attempts. There was still the connection with Esikko to deal with, too, although Weiss's help unlocking his Aura definitely made that a lot more bearable. Then once those things were over, he had to scramble to get the Magic Showcase ready, since he'd previously told people that would take place during the first weekend in August! This left little time for celebration.

But now all that stuff is done with, and he's able to accept her invitation for tea and for a tour of her suite. He doesn't show up empty-handed; instead he's carrying a nicely-wrapped box, as well as a bag with two things in it—party hats and party poppers! This is a belated birthday celebration, after all, and an even-more-belated two-person housewarming party (hence the gift). You've got to have party poppers!

He thinks he's prepared for what he'll see in her suite. He knows from attending her birthday soirée that Queen suites are large enough to be considered resorts unto themselves. Plus she already told him what to expect over Mating Season that one time: an outdoor garden, a private elevator, a piano, snow...

Still. He's not a huge fan of hot or cold. And snow was one of those things that sounded more appealing at the time, back before he'd spent a good two weeks shivering from that emotional link.]

Brr...!

[He can't hug his arms around himself, since he's holding the box of sweets. All he can do is walk along the snow-covered path, his eyes on the building up ahead and his teeth lightly chattering.]

It sure is cold. You don't have a thermostat out here, do you?

Sorry, sorry! I didn't think you'd find this to be so cold. I'll have to adjust the temperature once we get inside.

I'll get you a blanket too, if you like.

[ Even without Aura, Weiss is pretty used to the cold, so long as she's not fully exposed to a blizzard or the tundras. Atlas is pretty cold, after all, being a city up in the sky, located in the tundras and all. At the very least, they'll be able to get to warmth soon.

And if they do end up having their little celebration in a nice little spot past her study, then she'll have to make sure that the garden won't be this cold. Maybe she can change the setting to "sunny but winter". ]

We're almost there, at least. Can you use your Aura to help you out in this case?

I guess if you turned it up out here, it would melt all the snow, huh?

[Never mind where the indoor snow came from. He knows the answer. It's ~magic~!

The bad thing about Hiyori is that he's prone to complaining. The good thing is that he tends to bounce back quickly. He manages to throw her a smile despite the persistent chill, still moving forward with the box held in his hands.]

I'll see if I can manage with just my jacket. If not, I guess we'll build a blanket fort!

[The jacket he's wearing is a winter coat. He and Jun found a pair of them inside one of those treasure chests in the flower maze. Alongside an assortment of... other goods.

As for her Aura question:]

I'm not sure I've ever used it while walking before, but I guess it doesn't hurt to try.

[And then he goes quiet, trying to focus. As his words probably gave away, he's still getting the hang of activating it. He treats the process sort of like meditation and tends to do it sitting down in a quiet place. Perhaps he'd be better at it at home, where he generally had a clearer mind as a consequence of having less to worry about.

But he gives it a try, humming softly under his breath as he recalls the lullaby he used as inspiration the first time. If it works, great! And if it doesn't work, oh well. As she said, they're almost there anyway.]

A blanket fort?

[ Maybe there's a difference between how they grew up. Weiss knows that he's from a very rich family, but... did he ever build blanket forts with people before? She looks so surprised that Hiyori's even suggested that, because he must know how to make one, right? He's done it before? Wow... ]

You were allowed to make blanket forts back home?

[ If the answer is "yes", she might just be jealous...

So long as Hiyori thinks about using his Aura, then it would manifest itself. How long it can last and how well he can allot the Aura that he has is what he'd need to practice and train himself on. That is, if he'd like to keep using it, anyway. Weiss unlocked his Aura to help him and protect him, but it's ultimately up to him how he wishes to use and develop it.

By the time they make it into Weiss' suite, Hiyori will be greeted by a grand entrance hall, with big doors leading to two different wings of the suite, and two sets of stairs to go up to the upper floor. While it does look grand, it's not a castle by any means where there are 100 rooms. Weiss has kept it relatively straight forward in terms of the layout and what rooms she wanted in it. ]

So, welcome my suite! Let's put all the stuff upstairs first, and I can show you around if you like?

[ Ta-dah!! She does jazz hands when she welcomes Hiyori in. But right after that, she reaches for the panel by the entrance way to lower the thermostat outside. Change it to a light snowfall sort of day. At least the "inside" isn't so cold anymore! It's just right. ]

Yep!

[He replies cheerfully.]

Sometimes I'd make one with Nagisa-kun. He's my childhood friend, but he stayed with my family for a bit when we were kids. Sometimes we'd read bedtime stories inside a fort, or else I'd read and he'd try following along. And we fell asleep like that, too, sometimes ♪

[His voice takes on a nostalgic tone as he talks about all this and his eyes go soft. These are cherished memories.

Still, he doesn't miss the implication behind her question. The fact she's so surprised means she wasn't allowed to make blanket forts. And didn't she write all those songs about breaking away from someone else's control?

It's not hard to guess at what sort of upbringing she had. But he'd rather not dwell on the past. He'd much rather focus on the future, which is why he makes his next offer!]

If you've never made one before, then perhaps we should! Unless you'd rather save it for a sleepover sometime. Or a romantic evening with someone. But if you do want to try it, just let me know~

[It's never too late to make up for the things you didn't get to do. Just like Hiyori's aforementioned childhood friend, who didn't get to do anything when he was really young, since he grew up confined to a single room. But it's always fun to introduce new experiences to people like that—people who were sheltered, people who had a harsh childhood, and people who've otherwise been deprived of life's simple joys.

They approach the main building soon enough though, and as he steps inside after Weiss, "deprived" is pretty much the last word that comes to mind. He spends a moment taking the place in; unsurprisingly, her "suite" is more like a manor. It's elegant and sleek and tasteful, and the floors seem to shine, suggesting the suite was recently cleaned (presumably by staff and not by its Queen). And the icy-looking glass chandelier hanging from the vaulted ceiling seems very her.]

Sounds good to me.

[His footsteps echo across ceramic as he walks, looking up at the second floor and the high ceiling.]

Your suite does seem fit for a queen. Specifically, an ice queen! ♪ You don't happen to have a throne somewhere, do you?

[ They really do sound like cherished memories. Weiss isn't part of it, but she can't help the fond smile that graces her lips as Hiyori recalls what it was like. Even at Beacon, the "wildest thing" she's ever done was share a bunk bed with someone. It's an achievement, at least! But now she wants to make a blanket fort just to see what it's like. ]

I always thought that blanketforts were for sleepovers. [ Or maybe she's just a huge stickler for the rules. Either way, ] I think I'd like to experience it in a sleepover, if that's okay with you. But it does sound fun, and I'd like to try it with you some time.

[ Especially if he's an expert at it! She'll be sure to rely on him to tell her what to do when it comes to procuring what they need and building the fort itself. ]

Oh, Ice Queen! Ha-ha.

[ There it is... yet another person calling her an "Ice Queen". Weiss doesn't sound too offended. More tired of the whole thing, even if she does like being treated like royalty and she does have a snowflake of an emblem. The jokes really write themselves. ]

You're surprisingly the first person to ask about that, though. No, I don't have a throne somewhere.

[ She walks on ahead, up one side of the grand round staircase, making sure Hiyori is following her. As fancy as the suite looks, there are no elevators inside, so he'll have to carry the things a little longer. Once they've landed on the upper floor, Weiss leads the way to one of the wings, the big doors opening by themselves as if they could sense someone was about to pass through.

For how big the entrance hall is, there aren't that many rooms, even if they're all huge on their own. In a way, Weiss has kept to her simplicity, not wanting her suite to be too big that there would be 50 rooms or something like how it is in the Schnee manor. ]

The other wing is where the bedrooms are, but this is the wing for leisure and entertainment. [ It's a rather straightforward hallway. Two sets of big doors are across one another in the middle of the path, while a large and shiny suit of armour decorates the end of the hallway. ] I really like the library, since there's a nice nook for reading outside.

[ And that's the door that opens on its own yet again! Weiss steps forward and then turns to face Hiyori, gesturing to her own archive of books that the House has supplied her. She still goes to the Swan Lake every now and then, but it is nice to have a place like this of her own! There's still a bit of walking they have to do, but Hiyori can set down what he's carrying on the tables if he likes, just in case he needs a break. ]

Of course. You don't need my permission. Whatever makes you happiest is perfectly alright~♪

[Or whoever makes her happiest. They both have people here that they feel closer to than each other, he figures. And that, too, is alright. He knows all about how "love" and "family" can be difficult, but he's always thought that friendships, at least, should be straightforward. It's nice to have connections that are uncomplicated.

Her reaction to the nickname earns an arched eyebrow, though his smile remains in place.]

Heard that one before, huh?

[There's a sympathetic note to his voice that isn't entirely feigned, even if he also finds it amusing. He didn't mean to dredge up any memories of being teased by classmates in grade school or anything!

But anyway. He continues to follow her up into the suite. From floor to ceiling, it's all very nice and elegant, though it could use some warmer colors and some elevators if you asked him. (Thankfully no one did ask him.) In most respects, it couldn't be more different from the pirate queen's suite. But both are similar in terms of scale and grandeur. "Surrender your body to the House, and you'll be generously rewarded." That's the clear message being sent.

That thought makes him feel like he's covered in grime, though, so he'll try to push that aside.

At least the doors opening on their own provides a distraction from all that icky stuff. That makes both of his brows shoot way up.]

Are all the rooms enchanted?

[There are businesses in his world with automatic doors, of course. But they don't normally work like that. He peers inside those doors and down the hall, eyeing the silver suit of armor, curious about everything but trying not to be too nosy. Then finally she leads him to her little library, which looks nice, minus one small detail.]

I'd be worried my fingers would freeze off if I tried to read outside in those temperatures. I'm guessing you're built differently, though. And we can both use Aura!

[Once he comes upon the table inside the library, he does set down what he's carrying. The unopened box of sweets, the bag with the party poppers and party hats. Once that's done, he straightens up and puts both hands on his hips, facing his host with an expectant smile.]

So! ♪ Is this where we're having the party?

[ It just means they should plan a sleepover sometime! Weiss would be more than happy to host, given the state of her suite. She imagines she would need a full programme of activities if she were to host a sleepover, though. Friendship may be straightforward, but she has a rather complicated view when it comes to "special occasions". Rather - she likes to make it complicated. ]

It's an old nickname back in school.

[ She doesn't sound too fond of it, but she loves her friends all the same. Even her big sister ended up being called "Ice Queen" by her peers. It must run in the family. ]

Oh, not enchanted! They're sensor activated. [ This time around? Weiss sounds pretty proud of what she's saying. ] The doors are big, so I figured that maybe there's a way for them to open on their own. I think it's convenient.

[ Even if it certainly looks like it's magic pushing and pulling those doors close and open! ]

And don't worry about that part. [ She has surrendered her body to the House, and has been so graciously rewarded. ] It's like Atlas. There's something about the balcony that makes the temperature seem... normal? Though if you did stick your hand out past the railing, then you'll feel the actual snow and wind.

[ Does that make sense? Hopefully! She's never had to explain how Atlas can provide the Atlesians with livable weather, given how humans live in it and it's a city literally thousands of feet off the ground... but they do have the right technology to produce and control the weather. The balcony's become something like that, which is nice! And it's also why it's her favourite sport. ]

Yup. We'll just go out to the balcony.

[ She doesn't point with her hands, but she goes gesture to her subject with her palm. ]

See that wall over there with the shelves? From the entrance, it looks like the library is just a big square, but if you walk closer, you'll see that there's a pathway. I just thought it would be nice to have a sort of "hidden" place here.

Anyway, shall we?

[Yep, sounds like she was teased in grade school (and perhaps beyond)! Which doesn't exactly shock him. Prim and proper types like her, who have lots of stubborn pride and get easily flustered, are always lots of fun to tease. He just hopes the teasing wasn't anything too cruel. She doesn't sound deeply wounded, judging from her tone of voice, so that's a good sign, anyway.]

Well, if you ask me, a queen of ice isn't such a bad thing to be. I could be the King of Sunshine, and we could balance out each other's temperatures ♪

[That's all he'll say to that before letting the embarrassing nickname matter drop. Now back to the suite tour!]

Is that how it works?

[Sensor activation, not magic. It's unexpected, since her suite doesn't look super high-tech otherwise. But she's clearly pleased with it, and it is impressive. He smiles and agrees,]

Very convenient! It means you never have to open doors for yourself, like a prim and proper princess ♪ I'd love to never have to open doors for myself, so I totally get you.

[That's Hiyori Tomoe. Always preferring not to lift a finger! (Just as long as someone like Jun is there to lift one for him.)

It seems there's no end to the technological marvels inside her suite, as she proceeds to describe another one while they're in the library: a climate-controlled balcony! That gets his brows to arch; he knows all about heated floors and other conveniences, of course, but a fully climate-controlled outdoor balcony is still impressive.]

Even at ES, we don't have that sort of convenience. I'll have to tell Eichi-kun he's fallen behind the times.

[That'll be a funny conversation. If he ever makes it back to ES, that is.

There's one final revelation in store, and it's the most charming of them all: a secret passageway hidden behind a library wall! He smiles even more brightly when he hears that, less from excitement and more because he's amused by what it says about her. In some ways, she's like a little kid still.]

You've really thought of everything.

[He picks up the box of sweets and the bags of party stuff again. He just set them down, but no matter; he looks enthused.]

Go ahead and lead the way. We'll move through the secret passageway and have a secret party~♪ Since it's a secret, no one will show up and tell us not to eat too many sweets. Which is good news for you, I'm sure.

[He remembers the sweet tooth from her party.]

You are pretty sunshine-y, huh? [ The comment gets Weiss to chuckle. She doesn't think Hiyori is pure sunshine like a certain friend of her is who just spreads positivity and happiness wherever she goes, but maybe it's because Hiyori also isn't naive that he doesn't come off as too sunshine-y.

In any case, Weiss thinks about it some more— calling Hiyori the King of Sunshine at some point. It may not be to tease him because it doesn't look like he doesn't like that nickname, but it'll likely come up in another conversation at some point. ] If you're saying our personalities complement each other, then I suppose I'll accept the title.

And right, it's definitely handy. While the House recognises me as the suite's owner, some other people have access to it. If they're not around and I'm carrying a lot of things, then I don't need to put the stuff down just to get anywhere around here.

[ She says that as if she lifts a lot of things, but the situation that this would mostly apply to is if she shopped too much and has so many bags that she can't open the door...

Onwards to their secret party! Weiss starts walking past Hiyori to lead the way when he mentions her non-existent sweet tooth. She's quick to turn around, cheeks puffed because. . . ]

I don't have a- oh, you know what? Nevermind. It's just you, anyway.

[ By which she means she gives up. He can continue thinking she has a sweet tooth and she won't put up too much of a fight about it! "Just you" just shows that she's comfortable around him! It's a compliment, if anything.

Further down the library they go, and Weiss stops in front of a shelf that looks like it's a dead end! There's actually a path way in between the shelves though. No doors, no nothing— just an illusion that there are still books in between, when the books that someone looking straight at it would see are the ones from the end of the secret path. Right next to it is a glass door that leads to Weiss' secret little hiding spot.

It's snowing out, with little snowdrops very slowly falling down. It's not cold though- it's just right!

And now that they're at their party spot, Hiyori will find a rectangle looking thing wrapped in navy blue wrapping paper with a blue ribbon on a chair. On top of it is another smaller square, in the same wrapping paper and ribbon. It contains her presents for him: a tea set and a necklace. On the table are some snacks for their party. Tea in a pot that should still be warm since she just let it steep when Hiyori arrived, as well as some mini sandwiches, scones, and macarons.

Weiss may not be good at expressing herself through words, always finding being honest about how she feels to be embarrassing, but she really does appreciate her friendship with Hiyori. She wants him to feel remembered on his birthday, even if it's weeks delayed. ]

I'm sorry it took so long to give you your birthday present.

Other people have full access?

[This surprises and interests him.]

I'm surprised they allow that. It seems like that would go against the whole hierarchy they've arranged. But that does sound convenient.

[He's thinking of himself and Jun. They already share a suite, but it'd be extra convenient if Jun could unlock the door with his own watch. What incentive does the House have to allow that, though, when everyone is supposed to be treated according to their rank? When the goal isn't to build community or find someone to settle down with, but to play the field and compete through sex?

That's just his own thinking, though. And he might be starting to realize that his thinking is a bit too narrow. Perhaps he doesn't understand the House's motives, or their goals for them, as well as he thought. In any case, he can definitely sympathize with her woes about too many shopping bags...

He smiles when she cops to the whole sweet tooth thing. And then he shares:]

You know liking sweets doesn't make someone a child, right? Nagisa-kun's favorite food is chocolate, and Jun-kun's is strawberries! And I wouldn't say either of them has a childlike image. Even I've been known to enjoy sweets from time to time~♪

[Plus it's not like a princess who loves sweets is unheard of. On the contrary, it suits her character type!

There doesn't turn out to be any sort of hidden door. It's more of an illusion, which causes him to blink. A secret door would've added to the sense of espionage. But this is more convenient than crawling on his hands and knees through a hidden tunnel, so he can hardly complain too much. He follows her through the glass door, and then he takes in the scene that awaits them: an elegant-looking tea party, with some dainty (and tasty) looking snacks. And then two gift boxes, to top it all off.

It still surpasses his expectations, despite the impressive suite he just traveled through, and he stares with slightly widened eyes. Up until she wishes him a happy birthday. Then a smile comes over his lips.]

You don't have to apologize. I should be thanking you.

[He didn't get her anything for her birthday.

But it'd be rude to turn down her gifts. Whatever's inside the boxes he's sure was chosen thoughtfully. He steps closer to the table and sets down the stuff he brought along.]

I brought some sweets, too, as it so happens. Traditional sweets from my home country~♪ It's not what I usually eat with tea, but I thought it might be nice to share a little piece of my home world. And then I also brought party poppers, since no party is complete without those. And party hats! ♪

[He takes a party popper out of the bag...

... and then he pops it, just to demonstrate. The noise it makes is surprisingly loud!]

Ragna does. He has his own room here, since he's always been napping in my suite anyway, when I was still a rank 5.

[ There's Kazuya too, but explaining that her soul and his soul are bound together by a contract is a little complicated to explain. Not to mention, she wouldn't be able to, because that's a direct breach of contract agreement. ]

The staff will pretty much grant you any request if your rank's high enough. So long as it's within reason, anyway. Or if you tell them that if they do as you say, it'll get you really horny.

[ So, so sorry for making you hear those words, Hiyori... ]

Liking sweets isn't childish, no. But liking sweets too much that you eat cookies for dinner is! I'd never do that, and I would hate to have someone think of me as someone who does that just because I like sweets!

[ It's all about image, when it comes to this. Weiss has her own anxieties. Some of them are all so very small compared to the rest of the world's problems.

Problems like how she doesn't want people to think she's childish, or problems like being late in giving someone their birthday present. When Hiyori tells her that she doesn't have to apologise, she finds herself relaxing some, and the smile on her face grows wider. ]

I'd love to try them all. Maybe it might make a good snack with tea, anyway? Or what would you suggest to pair with them? I can always get the kitchen staff to make something.

[ And it does look like she's about to click on some things on her watch and make an order for a new set of beverages when Hiyori brings up party poppers and party hats, Weiss' eyes go wide in excitement, but she still looks like she's doing her best to contain herself. Pop! And she watches the confetti slowly fall to the ground. ]

That's cute. Was it difficult to pull? [ A beat. ] You do have to pull on something, right?

[ She's never used a party popper before!! She wants to try one... ]

[He arches an eyebrow. Ragna, huh? He's heard the name before but isn't sure he can put a face to it. More importantly, though:]

You must be close.

[To not only allow him access to her suite, but to let him live there full-time. And to allow him into her bed, while she was living in her old suite. ... for napping! Not for other stuff!

Though, depending on what kind of "close" relationship they have, it might also be for other stuff. Which is why there's a bit of a teasing lilt to his words. At least there's no obnoxious winking or eyebrow-waggling, though. But speaking of eyebrow-waggling...

"Horny" was not a word he ever expected to hear out of her mouth. He's not a fan of the word, but hearing it from a pure princess-type rather than a rude-and-crude guy makes it more funny than offensive.]

... clever!

[He smiles again.]

Have you told them you'd find it extra-stimulating if they let us all go home? Perhaps they'd consider that request.

[(He knows they won't. And she's surely already thought of it.)

As for the comment about cookies, he blinks before smiling brightly again.]

That sounded awfully specific. Now I'm starting to think you do eat cookies for dinner. But you're absolutely right—eating them for dinner would be silly, so it's best to have them as an afternoon snack! ♪

[At an elegant tea party. That would suit her image for sure!

In response to the question about what pairs well with the sweets, he says:]

Usually green tea. I'd go with a light roast for mochi or daifuku, but a strong aroma goes better with the really sweet stuff. Certain kinds of black tea can also pair well, though.

[Then he blinks as something occurs to him.]

Is there a bell you can ring that'll make them come over? Or do you have the staff on speed dial? You don't have live-in servants or anything like that, do you?

[He's not sure how all this works. His family home had servants, but here, he's a lonely rank 8!

They can boss around the staff in a minute, though. First: party poppers!

Her reaction makes earns a grin and he cheerfully replies,]

Sort of! Here, I'll show you!♪

[He takes two more party poppers out of the bag, passing one over to her and then holding the other in his hands.]

All you need to do is twist and release!
You grab it with both hands, twist the base right here—

[He demonstrates with a quick, forceful twist.]

—and then release! ♪

[Sure enough, with a loud popping sound, the other end of the party popper releases a burst of confetti. It's shiny gold confetti, to be exact, since this is the Golden Peacock after all.]

See? Easy! ♪ Just make sure to aim it away from your face. And my face. I would look cute wearing glitter, but I don't want to get any flecks in my eye!

[ Close would be quite the understatement. While Weiss' cheeks turn red, this isn't really something she can deny at a time like this. After all, she did just tell Hiyori that he lives with her, basically. Even though it's embarrassing, she figures it's alright to say. This is the first time she'll ever be honest to anyone that isn't Ragna about her feelings. ]

I... suppose. We met here and he helped me out at first, because he was a wildcard and was treated like a royal when he first arrived. He ended up being a rank 2 when he checked in, though, so I wanted to help him out as much as I could in return.

He's the sweetest guy I've ever met.

[ Okay, maybe not quite as honest just yet, but maybe she'll tell him a little more about Ragna once they're seated and are enjoying their snacks. They've still got to set up all the stuff Hiyori brought with him, so it shouldn't take long before they can settle down. ]

Honestly? I've never tried. I doubt they would do anything about us going home... They'd just tell us to have sex.

[ Horny? Sex? Sorry for your ears, Hiyori... Weiss doesn't find these words vulgar now given where they are. She still isn't the type to curse, though. ]

There's an app that calls for service, and a staff member can just come in on their own once I give them permission. [ Best not to ask how it works. The House works in mysterious ways... ] Should I ask for some green tea, then? I don't think I've tried that before, either.

[ So, you know what? She'll decide for the both of them after saying all that! A few beeps on her Watch, and then a noise of a message being sent. A notification of a message being received dings after that, which is basically an automatic response that the staff has received Weiss' order and will be delivered to her soon. ]

There, order placed. Nothing for you to worry about - let's just have fun today. A stress-free birthday party.

[ Now then, onto learning how to use a party popper! Taking the one being offered to her, she inspects the top side and then the bottom, trying to see how it works before Hiyori can provide a demonstration. Her eyes are on him when he does, her hands moving quick as she tries to twist the lower end of the party popper she's holding. It looks like it has to be done quickly, so pointing the party popper in the opposite direction of Hiyori, she adds a bit more push when she twists the party popper.

POP! And Weiss lets out a happy squeal, absolutely delighted to have confetti flying around, falling ever so slowly like the snowflakes outside. ]

I did it! [ She sounds like a three year old right now with how elated she is. She even turns to Hiyori, and presents the space behind her where confetti's falling. ] I did it!

["The sweetest guy she's ever met." Well then. He raises his brows, before smiling warmly. He already had a hunch, but this cinches things: it's "that" sort of relationship. How does he respond to the news?]

Then it's a good thing you love sweets! ♪

[... With a joke about her sweet tooth. That's how.

He really is happy that she's found someone like that, no joke. But now isn't the time to question her or talk about "love." That's what you'd call "girl talk"—the kind of thing he and Arashi and the others talk about at Pretty 5 meetings! And he knows from experience that those conversations are best had over tea and cake. (Or expensive lattes and cake. Or coffee and pie, or crepes. There's usually some kind of sweets involved! But basically, it can wait a minute.)

Weiss's response about the House is what he expected. He can't get mad or feel disappointed, really. He just nods and smiles grimly.]

Yep, that's what I figured. You "royalty cards" might have plenty of sway over the staff and the lower ranks, but you're still below the House in the overall pecking order.

[He speaks matter-of-factly, not trying to be spiteful. He doesn't mean to be a downer, either. They're gathered here for a party; they're supposed to have fun! So, he'll try to look on the bright side.]

Still, better to live in a gilded cage than a cardboard box out on the street. Or a big aquarium tank instead of a plastic bag~♪

[He gestures to their environment, to her big shiny suite. Surely hearing that will cheer her up.

He's at least suitably impressed when she tells him about having the staff at her beck and call via an app. He smiles and says,]

So it's like room service.

[Rather than a personal chef or live-in servants. As a noble, he's familiar with both concepts! But it's good to know the staff doesn't live with her, or enter her room without permission. Whether they're willing accomplices or brainwashed puppets, the staff are still agents of the House, and he wouldn't want one of them living with him.

But he's more than happy to exploit them for goods and services. And that includes tea service!]

Then that's another thing we'll just have to introduce you to! ♪ But not all green tea is the same, so we'll ask for two kinds! Gyokuro, and matcha grown in Uji~♪

[Weiss is a queen, so she should milk that rank for all it's worth and drink the good stuff. That's his view!

Next comes her reaction to the party popper. He watches her pop one, and everything about her reaction, from her dazzled eyes to that happy little squeal, makes him feel fond. It reminds him of how easily-dazzled Nagisa used to be, by everything from desserts to the plants and insects he found outside; after being raised in captivity, that boy was easily impressed by just about everything. (Though hopefully Weiss's upbringing wasn't quite that sheltered.) She also reminds him of Mary, whenever she's introduced to a new toy. But he spares her the dog comparison and simply chimes back:]

Yep, you did it! ♪ And on the first try, too! Good job! ♪

[He beams at her, before he gestures to the bag.]

There are still some left, if you want to keep going. And I also brought party hats!

[He takes one out and places it on top of his head, tucking the string under his chin. It's a simple striped party hat with ruffles at the bottom!]

Did people wear these at birthday parties back in your world?

... That's... no comment.

[ Tease or not, Weiss doesn't have it in her to have a violent reaction because of how honest she was just a few moments ago. Hiyori's taken her by surprise by saying something like that and all she can do after sputtering some words that make no sense is to huff as her face turns red.

She does have some stuff she wants to ask him, but that can wait until later, once they're seated and enjoying their snacks. ]

It is room service. We're in a hotel, after all. [ A crazy hotel. And by no means is the room service (or any other service in this casino) excellent, but... Weiss is able to take care of some things that she'd normally need help on because of these staff.

It is ironic, to not like this place, yet make use of the facilities and amenities. Just like what they're doing now! She has to make sure to be specific, sending a follow-up message to ask for the two kinds. If the botches the spelling, that's... fine? Hopefully the staff will understand.

With that out of the way, they can continue with their snack preparations. Or... at least, be distracted by the party poppers. She really is excited about being able to try one out! But now that she knows how it works? Yes, she will take that invitation to try one more. ]

Right. This is the last one, and— [ Because they're celebrating Hiyori's birthday? She takes one of the party hats to put on her head. No, she doesn't put it at the centre, but instead, puts it over the hairpin she wears on the side of her head. The accessory keeps the party hat in place, so she doesn't tug on the string to place it under her chin unlike Hiyori. And with that done? ]

I'm sure people who weren't at a party hosted by some stuck-up people have worn stuff like these. [ aka her friends ] My upbringing never saw me wearing anything like this, so this is also a first!

[ And with that? She starts singing! A cheery happy birthday, one that isn't too slow, but one that isn't too fast either. It's a very belated birthday greeting, but she hopes Hiyori will appreciate her little impromptu performance. At the end of it?

Pop! goes the party popper in her hand. 🎉 ]

Ufufu...♪

[He's definitely laughing to himself at her reaction. But at least it's not the obnoxious, uproarious type of laugh.]

Makes sense! Even at Rank 8, you get cleaners coming through. I think it's only the basement-level suites that don't get any service.

[Jun's rank 4 suite has been rotting for months. It probably has chemical fumes seeping through the floorboards, crawlers knocking on the door, dust, dirt, and all kinds of other unpleasant stuff going on!

As for making use of the amenities in a place they both hate, well. That's something he does, too. He justifies it by telling himself that if they're already kidnapping victims, the least they can do is demand some good tea! But is that really the right attitude to take?

Right or wrong, it's how he is, and she needs any assistance with spelling or what-have-you, he's happy to offer it. But the order gets placed, and for now, they wait for their tea to be brought to them, which he assumes won't take too long. The staff won't want to keep a Queen waiting! And in the meantime, he watches the Queen place a party hat on top of her head, beaming when he sees the result.]

That asymmetrical look is cute. It's stylish, and it suits you! ♪

[Then he adds,]

I know exactly what you mean. I didn't wear these at parties growing up, either. But there's nothing to stop us now. We can wear as many cones on our head as we want! ♪

[He definitely grew up attending the same kind of stuffy formal events she's talking about. No pointy hats, no party poppers! But they can always make up for lost time, her and him both, and he figures this two-person party is for her sake as much as it is his.

Though she challenges that idea when she starts singing to him. It's something he didn't expect, and he blinks a few times, letting her voice fill the air. He hasn't heard her sing since the recital, which was months ago at this point. She has a nice voice, he remembers now. Soft and pretty like falling snowflakes.

He's smiling warmly by the end, the look in his eyes softened. It's less bright and dazzling than usual, less overconfident, less performative. It was sweet of her to do that and he feels gratitude for this whole party.

And then she ends things with an unexpected bang, setting off the party popper. His brows fly up and he gives a jolt!]

... haha!

[Then he laughs.]

Excellent finish! ♪ You've got the makings of a star performer. And for that, I award full points~♪

[ Weiss' time as a 5 of Spades was bearable, although room service was really annoying. There wouldn't be any regular visits to clean up her suite or anything so she had to personally fetch someone from room service, and even then, then didn't do their jobs well! Weiss can at least tidy up the place and clean surfaces and all, so she always had to make sure the staff at least cleaned up and vacuumed the floors. That's the least that they could do.

Now in her new and huge suite? She barely has to lift a finger. There's a big kitchen for food, but Weiss doesn't even do anything there beyond eat at the island counter since she thinks the dining room should only be used for fancy and formal meals. When it's just her and Ragna, she prefers to eat in the kitchen or upstairs in bed, and she's not the one preparing her meals. When Ragna isn't around, it's just a push of a button and she could have just about anything she could want.

Weiss does think this is a very excessive state to be living in in this place though, but right now, she wishes to use the facilities as much as she can. It may not be forever that she gets to have all this room and space and privilege.

So as they wait for their tea and get the party started, Weiss sings Hiyori a happy birthday. It's just a simple tune so there's no need for a full-blown performance, but the way she sings—so raw and bare—shows her sincerity and earnestness. Even if she couldn't sing well (which she can!), she would have done this for Hiyori, too. ]

Thank you, thank you!

[ Most of the confetti's on the floor now, but there are still specks of it very slowly falling down. Weiss takes the edges of her skirt to hold them away from her when she does her little curtsy. Hiyori's awarded her full points even if this is all just silly stuff, so of course she has to be over the top about it! ]

Right. Should we have a seat, then? The tea shouldn't take too long to arrive, so we can get started.

[ They can catch up! Talk about boys, what's the latest goss, or some other stuff. ]

[He'd be doing the same thing in her shoes. Ordering whatever fancy dish he wants with the press of a button. Though even if he was living in such luxurious conditions, he'd still prefer to eat Jun's homecooked meals at least some of the time. He had Jun cook for him lots at home, after all, even though his family had a personal chef who could whip up whatever they want!

But back to Weiss's birthday recital.

Her little curtsy is cute, the proverbial cherry on top of the ice cream sundae. He's happy to see her soak up his praise. But now that the song is over, the tea party begins!]

Sounds good to me!

[He turns toward the table and pulls out a chair, setting aside the already-popped party poppers as he chats away.]

You really do have a nice voice. We should sing karaoke sometime! We could invite Jun-kun along, too ♪ Or Rinne-senpai or Leo-kun, or anyone else you know who can sing. And if they can't sing, they can play the tambourine~♪

[But they have more than just music to talk about. He crosses his legs beneath the table and looks across at her, smiling a tad mischievously.]

Anyway, what would you like to talk about? I don't mind hearing more about your roommate if you want to talk about him. The one who's sweeter than any other guy you've met! ♪

Karaoke? I can't say I've tried it before...

[ So, yes, Hiyori! She'd be more than happy to go do karaoke with you and the other idols sometime. She wouldn't really know what to expect though, but she does hope to learn the ropes from her friends once they try it. ]

Is there a place we can do that here? I'll ask Nami if she wants to go some time.

[ Of course her hotel bestie is the first person she'd think to invite, since she knows that they've got common friends within the idol group.

And Hiyori asks about something (someone) else, and the said person happens to be Weiss' second choice to bring if Nami isn't free. She at least knows that Rinne knows Ragna, so at least Ragna won't feel too left out. He just won't be too sociable, and it's why he's not the first choice.

She does smile at the topic though, her cheeks unknowingly turning red just thinking about him. ]

You don't have to say those words again... It feels a little embarrassing when someone else is saying it. [ Weiss Schnee feeling shy? Who knew it was possible! But she will say though- ]

Ragna's... someone I met here. He's not from Remnant. He's grumpy and is like an ogre [ WHAT KIND OF DESCRIPTION IS THIS ], but he's also really, really nice and thoughtful.

He started out as a 2 of Diamonds, and he's afraid of ghosts, so I offered my suite if he needed a place to sleep in. Not- Not because I wanted to do anything with him... like collect his card or anything like that! But... because of the ghosts, I just couldn't let him stay down there in the basement everyday.

Then that can be another first! ♪

[Along with her first time popping party poppers, and her first time trying green tea and wagashi. He's taking so many of her firsts!

... in an innocent, friendly way, of course. Despite what he's about to say next.]

That's sort of the problem...

[He deflates a bit, his demeanor turning slightly awkward as he admits:]

The only karaoke machines I've seen are in those love hotel rooms. The ones at that "Mating Season" place. I'm sure not all the rooms have them, but that's where we've found them. We've also used those rooms for practice before, since some of them have floor-length mirrors. Although now that that university place exists, we can just use the actual rehearsal rooms there, so that's a huge step up.

[The idea of Mating Season pods having singing machines might sound strange to her, but it makes sense to him. Love hotel rooms back in his home country often have them, oddly enough. (How does he know that? No comment!)]

Anyway, we don't have to go there if it makes you uncomfortable. I'll see if there's anywhere else we can find them. If all else fails, you could always buy one! You must have plenty of chips to spare, right? Or perhaps you could get the staff to bring you a karaoke machine free of charge! ♪

[He's not exactly sure how purchases work when you're a "royalty card." Does the staff just shower her with free gifts all the time? If not, they should!

But now time to talk about boys.

Or ogres. Weiss blushing cutely and calling him out on embarrassing her only makes him smile, though he does apologize:]

Fufu, sorry! ♪

[Is he really that sorry?

He's all settled in to hear her talk about the guy she apparently loves, but her description definitely earns an eyebrow-raise. His eyes widen and he repeats:]

An ogre? That sounds scary!

[Should he be concerned??

Apparently not. This person is grumpy, but he's also "really nice and thoughtful!" He's someone who's been splitting a room with Weiss for a while, even before she became a Queen rank, which presumably means she trusts him. And it also shows she has a noble heart—the fact she'd offer to share her living space with someone she can't have known for more than a matter of months, just so they wouldn't have to deal with... er, ghosts, she said? Goodness, he forgot the basement has those.

By the end of her explanation, he's smiling warmly again.]

You're a very sweet girl yourself ♪

[It had to be said first of all.]

He became less grumpy thanks to you, I assume. I sort of had that effect on Jun-kun—he didn't used to smile much, but after being warmed by my sunshine for so long, he became a lot less dark and gloomy! ♪

I see. Would we need a lot of space for karaoke? I'm sure if I ordered what's needed for it to be delivered to my suite, the staff would allow it.

[ In case the issue was about where they would need to go and all. If there's a will, there's a way! And there will almost always be a way if a royal is involved. ]

And... I suppose we can use the main hall? Or if it needs to be in an enclosed room, then we can put it in the library. [ She shrugs her shoulders, not really sure of the specifics needed for karaoke. ] I guess that might work?

[ Something to plan for later! They've got "more important" things to talk about, like boys. And it isn't even something she's used to doing because she never really liked opening up to people before... especially about someone she liked. If it was someone she didn't like, then she'd be more open about it. This is foreign territory, but she'd like to think that Hiyori is a good listener and is a safe space for her secrets and worries. ]

He's still pretty grumpy up to now, but it's like... even though he is, he doesn't really mean it? [ Does that make sense? It does to her. What she doesn't seem to realise is that she's the same - she's that kind of person too. ]

I didn't think Jun was grumpy, though! He doesn't look like the type, but you know him better. I'll take your word for it.

[ To that, she lets out a soft laugh, covering her mouth with her hand when she does. ]

Actually, I wanted to ask about you and Jun... Nothing too detailed or anything, but... [ The tea hasn't arrived yet and they haven't started snacking, but she supposes that it's alright to get on with what she wanted to ask if Hiyori doesn't mind. ] I wanted to pick your brain about. . . dating. [ A beat. ] Here.

Because I think I'd like to pursue a relationship with him.

[ But her fears weigh far too much in her head. ]

Not unless you want to dance around! It's good to have space, but karaoke booths back in my world could be rather cramped. Having everyone sit around the same table can feel nice and cozy, though...♪ And if we set up one up in your suite, we could also have food and drink service!

[Later he'll decide they should invite Ragna along. That'll be funny. And speaking of Ragna...

He nods with apparent understanding when she says he's grumpy but doesn't mean it.]

I know that type! Those types are so funny. Even though it wouldn't kill them to be more honest. But their dishonesty is part of what makes them cute...♪

["Tsundere" is what Rinne would call that type. As for how Jun used to be, his eyes grow a tad softer as he explains:]

Maybe "grumpy" isn't the right word. But he didn't used to smile as much. He was awfully serious, and he was carrying around some negative emotions. Not that I can blame him, really. I'm just glad he's found things to be happy about ♪ Things like his dazzling idol career, and of course, me! ♪

[Said without any shame.

But then they get to her last point. With a cute blush, she asks him, in a halting tone of voice, about... dating. "Here." What it's like to date here. Because, as she confides in him at last, she wants to date that person she mentioned.

It's hardly a surprise. He should've guessed that's what she was getting at. But his smile tightens just a bit, even as his tone remains casual and the look in his eyes stays soft. He's not bothered that she wants to talk about it, but it does serve as a reminder that him and Jun don't have things figured out—that they're still stuck in an environment that isn't right for them.]

Cute~♪

[Said in response to her last confession.]

I'm not sure how it compares to dating elsewhere, since I never really dated at home.

[An admission of his own.]

It means we can't have a big suite like this one, so I guess there's that trade-off. But if I had to choose between "Jun-kun" and "more space," I'd easily pick Jun-kun. Which sounds a bit mushy, so don't tell him I said that, alright?

Oh, that sounds fun! Especially the dancing part.

[ Whether or not Ragna is there, Weiss would be so thrilled to try karaoke out. She likes to sing and is damn good at it, but she also likes to dance! That's unfortunately something that she doesn't get to do all that often. Especially here.

Speaking of her roomie, though, she can't help but laugh at the descriptive word "cute". While she won't say that out loud without Ragna's consent (she just KNOWS he's going to start yelling at people if he found out that he got called cute), the very thought makes her smile. "Tsundere" was once a term Rinne used to describe Weiss, but it definitely applies to Ragna, too. ]

Exactly!

[ As for Jun... ]

I can't really imagine it. I'm glad though. I'd like to think that he and I get along pretty well, so... [ She's glad that they get along! And if that's somehow because of his dazzling career and Hiyori? Then that's also something to be glad about. ] Good job in being a good influence.

[ And she would have continued to be be proud if not for the way Hiyori reacts to what she wants to ask him. She tries to put up a brave front, but her cheeks have turned red. She's at the edge of her seat as she listens and realises that Jun and Hiyori are... exclusive. Aren't they? That's what it sounds like. ]

Oh! That's- unexpected. [ She brings up her hands as she shakes both those and her head. ] I mean, not you choosing Jun over more space, but just-! I somehow thought that you and he found a way to date while playing the game.

What will happen if there's a game, though?

Yep, I agree completely! So whenever you're in a dancing mood, be sure to let me know ♪

[There's plenty of room to dance in her huge suite. He'd have fun planning parties for a space this big and beautiful. But he'll never have a suite like this here, for reasons she's about to find out. First, however, he addresses her "good influence" comment with a smile and a wink.]

Yes, that's me, alright! Though you don't need to congratulate me. Jun-kun's the one who should be thanking me!

[It's a running gag at this point: him reminding Jun that Jun should thank him and show gratitude. The truth, of course, is that Jun's growth is a result of Jun's own efforts first and foremost. And for as much as he takes care of Jun, Jun also takes care of him, to the point where, somewhere along the line, Hiyori became pretty dependent on him. Especially in this place. Why, if Jun disappeared...

He doesn't know what he'd do.

It's a constant worry. One that her next words manage to dredge up. She says she'd thought they'd been playing the game, but of course they haven't been. It's something they talked about recently: Hiyori was afraid they might be punished if they continue to ignore it, but Jun, well—Jun didn't seem so sure. And neither one of them actually wants to play. There is a loophole he's heard of, but even that's sort of nerve-wracking, and Jun wasn't too sure about that either. He's at the point where he's not sure what to do next. So if she was hoping he'd have all the answers, well...

He snaps back into focus at her "game" question. Does she mean Game 52? Nope, that's not "a game," that's the game, so she must mean those suit-based games.]

Well, the Hearts one didn't require any infidelity. And the Clubs one got interrupted by whatever that stuff was. As for that one with the animals, we basically hid in our room all week.

[In other words, they've never been put in a position where they were forced to sleep with other people.

Even if they never are, though, there's still a bigger issue to contend with. And his shoulders sag as he remembers it, expression turning cloudy.]

But we don't even have any hope of getting out, since they say that "52" thing is the only way to go home. So we've been trying to find other ways, but it's been six months already. And the longer we're stuck here, the more desperate our situation starts to feel.

Of course. I'll let you know.

[ Weiss in a dancing mood is always a mood, so there's really no question of "when". Still, she'll need to read up more on karaoke and make sure that her suite is prepared to host such a thing before suggesting it to Hiyori again. Though, she supposes they can hit up a karaoke bar first and do it at her place the second time around.

It's something to plan for later on. Weiss listens to what Hiyori has to say while reflecting on her own experiences. If she dated someone, she honestly... would still play the game. Not because she wants to, but because she has to in order to go home. Hiyori, on the other hand... ]

I have to admit, I admire how you're able to stick to not go crazy in this place when it comes to collecting cards.

[ She was like that when she first arrived, but not because she was committed to someone else. It was because she found the whole thing to be beneath her. Funny how that's changed now. ]

I know you're not asking for advice, but have you considered. . . having other partners? I mean, the both of you with another person.

[ A threesome, basically! ]

[He blinks at her for a moment, brows raised.]

You're surprisingly adventurous.

[Suggesting group sex, when she seems like a prim-and-proper sort of girl. He guesses she really did sleep her way up to a Queen rank!

Then he frowns. It's true that Eve has a song where they basically invite the listener for a three-way, but...]

I don't know if we could do that. That'd mean someone else got to touch Jun-kun, no? And I don't like that idea, since he's my property!

[... yeah, this is their problem. He's the jealous type!]

Oh! I-

[ Yeah, maybe the suggestion is a little adventurous! Weiss just realises this now, when it's too late to take back what she said. She'll just be embarrassed about it forever, it seems. ]

It just seemed like a logical solution to the issue, that's all.

[ But given the other factors like Hiyori's possessiveness, which Weiss won't judge at all, she does reconsider. ]

It doesn't mean that the other person has to touch him. There could be some conditions to the whole thing... like, maybe this other person just has to watch or entertain themself? Or they could be with another person too, that means you and Jun can keep your hands to yourself while the other's busy with someone else.

[ It's not even a threesome anymore FGFHJ now she's talking about an orgy why Weiss ]

[Suddenly he remembers the Hearts game. How he'd skipped over the kissing task, only for her to bring it up without any embarrassment. He stops looking at her with surprise, and says, a bit more thoughtfully,]

I guess that's one way to put it.

[It's his own fault. He keeps seeing her as one thing: a prim and proper princess, living in her own palace-like suite. But she can also be tough, and she's surprisingly bold about certain things.

For example: talking about sex! It's something she can do, apparently. Hiyori, meanwhile, almost never talks about the mechanics of Game 52 because he doesn't like to think about it. But he and Jun did recently talk about ways to potentially obtain cards, and it was Hiyori who suggested exploiting a loophole he heard about. One that sounds exactly like what she's describing.]

You've heard about that, too, huh?

[That "loophole."]

I asked Jun-kun about it. He seemed sort of reluctant. And well, it's not like I don't know how he feels. Putting on a performance like that would tarnish the squeaky-clean images we built at home.

[It's hard. Everything about their situation is hard. He manages to smile a bit, though, trying to come off as reassuring.]

But he said he'd consider it. And as for me, I decided I'm willing to drag that clean image through the mud if it'll help protect Jun-kun. You have people you want to protect, too, right? So I'm sure you know what that's like.

I guess anyone would be. I mean, if you like someone, the "game"... [ She even holds her hands up and does the quotation marks with her fingers. This really is a tricky situation, and Weiss just finds the game to be transactional that it's easy to talk about now.

Had Hiyori and Weiss met earlier on, she'd be a lot more reluctant to talk about sex. Even up to now though, even if she's a lot bolder, there are some words that she can't and refuses to use. Sure, she'll play the game, but it won't turn her into a vulgar person. She refuses to go down that route. ] ... isn't really a game. Having someone else be there feels weird.

I just thought it would be a good suggestion.

[ Her lips form a small, but almost forced, smile. Weiss isn't in a relationship, but she has told Hiyori a bit about Ragna. Maybe it's okay to talk about him a little more? ]

No one here will see you differently, at least. I can guarantee you that much.

[ Back home? It will be a different story, but if Hiyori worries about maintaining a clean image... he doesn't have to here. Though she understands that what you do here would be something you'd take back home with you, even if no one else knows. ]

Sorry, I didn't mean for our party to end up with such a serious topic. I'm not even sure how else to help, much as I want to.

Right, right!

[He nods along because it's true. If Jun wasn't here, or if he didn't have feelings for him, then the game would be a mere game. He wouldn't be thrilled about it, but he knows he's capable of playing—of treating sex and relationships like simple transactions. But having someone he loves around really threw a monkey wrench into things. He was doomed from the moment he saw Jun inside that clothing shop.

It's all very difficult and complicated. But he didn't mean to get them started on such a serious topic, either. His eyes turn sympathetic when he sees her looking abashed, and he tells her:]

It wasn't a bad idea. I had the same one, which means great minds think alike! ♪ It's just hard, that's all.

[For a whole host of reasons.

... He hasn't said this out loud to anyone, and he won't say it out loud to Weiss, either. But he's worried about the voyeurism idea for another reason: the idea of being watched really appeals to him. He's worried he'll like it too much, and that Jun will notice and think he's a freak. Which would be the absolute last thing he wants.

But enough talk about him and his relationship and his kinks. This conversation was originally supposed to be about her. So when she offers him an apology, he counters with a gentle admonishment.]

Don't apologize. I'd say you already are a help. Just being able to talk to someone normally feels like a relief. Someone who's not after anything like a "card," and doesn't have other ulterior motives.

[Someone like a friend, in other words.]

I'm just sorry I couldn't be more helpful. You said you wanted to pick my brain about dating, but I can't pretend I have all the answers. Still, I wouldn't worry too much. It sounds like you've already thought of some ways to play the game without cheating. So if you want to ask out Ragna-kun, I'd say you should do it~♪

[ Hiyori and Weiss can agree to not being forthcoming about certain kinks, at least. While Weiss doesn't have a voyeurism kink, she certainly does enjoy praise a lot. . . but at the same time, there's a little bit of degradation that gets her going, too. What a complete freak. ]

I'm glad I can listen, then.

[ Her smile turns more genuine then. While she does agree that she isn't after his card nor does she have any ulterior motives, if his life was in danger and there was no other way to save him but play the game? She might just do it for his sake. ]

And that's okay!

[ She waves a hand dismissively. It's at this point that one of the House staff opens the door to their little balcony spot, wheeling in a trolley with their matcha. A blend of it is already served in tea cups for Weiss and Hiyori to drink, but the rest, should they want more, they'll have to make on their own with the pot of hot water and tea set provided. Weiss is momentarily interrupted due to this, but she quickly says thanks to the staff before letting them go their own way. The tea set and their cups are placed on the table, alongside the snacks that were brought for their little party. ]

Well, I have thought about it, but it doesn't mean that I'd be okay with it. Does that make sense? It's like... I know we still have to play, but I'd be upset if I heard about all the other things he does with other people.

I'm being a hypocrite, aren't I? [ She sighs through her nose then and shakes her head. Hiyori doesn't have to answer that! And she even changes the topic to show that. ] Anyway - does the tea look okay to you?

[Don't worry. He's too busy kinkshaming Rin Tohsaka to kinkshame her.

The matcha provides a welcome distraction from their Game 52-related woes. He watches while it's served, feeling eager to taste it!

Though he's not about to ignore what Weiss just said.]

It looks good! ♪

[The tea is a vibrant emerald green. The snacks they were brought look good, too, and he's also eager to try those. But first, he has something he wants to say, waiting until the ~~army of cronies~~ staff members have retreated.]

You're not a hypocrite, by the way. I know I'd be all torn up if someone else slept with Jun-kun. That's why I shut him in my room during that week.

[The week of the Springtime game, he means.]

After the game was announced and all those guests went into a frenzy, I was concerned about our safety. But that wasn't the only reason I wanted to stick together. The truth is, I wanted to keep Jun-kun to myself from the very start.

[He reveals all this matter-of-factly, without much shame. He already admitted the truth to Jun, after all.]

I wasn't just looking out for him as his upperclassman or his partner. It was a lot more selfish than that. But since we're trapped in an environment that wants to break us down and make us lose sight of ourselves, that "selfish love" has also been our shield and our weapon. It feels like a liability, but it's helped us. Jun-kun said he accepts it, so I don't want to apologize for it. And I don't think you should have to apologize, either.

[He stops after that, his eyes flickering back down to the table spread.]

Anyway, want to see something cute?

[His speaks with his usual cheer now, reaching for the still-wrapped box of sweets he brought along.]

[ This is awful bc Weiss has slept with a cat... ]

Oh, that's-

[ Damn, okay. Weiss honestly wasn't expecting that, but it turns out, Hiyori may just be able to understand Weiss more than she knew. She never did anything like that to Ragna, but it certainly was an idea that she thought of at some point during the game. What Weiss did instead was something else, and she got tamed for the brat that she was at the time gafhfj

Jun knowing and accepting Hiyori still after all that though. That's something that strikes home. She may not have asked Hiyori questions that led to that answer, but she needed to hear it. There may come a time that she might just do something like that, or even worse, after all. The last thing that she wants to happen is Ragna pushing her away. ]

I'm glad that the two of you have sorted it out. Thank you for sharing this with me, and for being understanding.

[ Any other thoughts she may have, she'll keep to herself for now because she needs to think long and hard about it all. Of how scared she is of this "selfish love" pushing Ragna away even more. Hiyori gave her hope though, and maybe she'll tell him another time.

Back to their party! And their snacks. ]

Hm... [ She's following where Hiyori's hands are going as she hums thoughtfully. ] Do the snacks look like animals?

[Was he able to help even a little? He didn't seem to have the answers she was hoping for. About how to make a relationship work while playing Game 52. In truth, he doesn't know if it's such a good idea for her to date here or any of them to date.

Still, he wanted to encourage her. She looked happy and excited and bashful at the thought of being with the person she loved. And he didn't want to nip those nascent feelings in the bud. Just because "love" isn't encouraged here doesn't mean they don't yearn for it. That they don't feel it in their hearts and crave to be loved in return. They're only human, after all.

(Unlike Aak, who is a cat, which makes sex with him super weird in Hiyori's mind!!!)]

Mhm! ♪

[He smiles back warmly.]

You're very welcome.

[She seems to have gotten something out of what he said, and he's glad for it.

And now that they've gotten that discussion out of the way, they can their tea party! He chimes back:]

Got it in one! ♪

[And proceeds to open up the box.

They're not all shaped like animals. Some are shaped like flowers. But there are some animal-shaped ones mixed in there, including a few birds, since this is the Golden Peacock after all. He points his finger at a little bunny with a carrot.]

Aren't they almost too cute to eat? And the ones that aren't cute are "pretty!"

[He says the word "pretty" in English...]

[ The food really is so cute?! Weiss can't help but hold her hands together. ]

Aww! Look at them! These are all so cute!

[ And to think they've just been sitting in the boxes because they had to wait for the tea. She could have seen these sooner! Cute as they are, she actually manages to not flip out too much and stays in her seat... even if she wants to pick one up already and put it in her mouth. ]

Are these the kinds of snacks you like eating? It feels little cruel to eat something so... intricate.

[His smile widens and his eyes twinkle when he sees her reaction. The birds and bunnies aren't the only things that are "cute" here.]

Right? ♪ I knew you'd like them!

[The box comes with a couple of flat utensils. Hiyori uses one to spear one of the birds, transferring it to his plate so he can admire it before eating.]

This one looks a bit like my beloved Hina-chan. That's the bird I raised together with Jun-kun! I thought she escaped, so I was rather distraught for a couple of days. But then it turned out she ended up at the Vale, along with all the other birds, which means we can still visit! ♪

[He smiles proudly, ever the doting bird mama.]

But to answer your question, I don't eat this sort of thing too often. Usually we have western-style snacks at our tea parties back home. Cookies, macarons, finger sandwiches, and that sort of thing. But these are traditional sweets, so I wanted to share what those look like. You're actually supposed to appreciate their looks first, eat them in small pieces, and then wash them down with green tea. Think you can handle that?

Oh - you raised a bird here?

[ That actually sounds really cute. It must have been related to one of the recent games. Weiss thinks there was something about that! But she never had an egg baby and that would have been so awkward for her, so she doesn't think she missed anything spectacular there. ]

Yeah, those kinds of snacks are what I'm used to, too. My butler at home makes such delicious crepes, too. They were always good with the tea he makes.

[ STILL NOT A SWEET TOOTH!! But she does love Klein's crepes... ]

Alright. [ If there's a system to follow, then Weiss will do her best to do so and respect the tradition. ] Can I just pick any, then? I want the bunny.

Yes, with Jun-kun! She's such a good girl! ♪

[He nods eagerly.]

Though I also wound up with two other eggs. One of them I took turns raising with Vil-kun, and that bird came out looking green and purple. And then the other one is just the oddest thing—it's a magpie, but it's red and has a forked tail! All the eggs appeared out of nowhere, but that one immediately hatched. And they all grew up so fast. I couldn't figure out what was going on with the red one until I heard it chirp—you're never going to believe this, but its chirps sound exactly like Rinne-senpai's laugh! You know, "Kyahaha" or "Gyahaha." That sort of sound! Isn't that so strange?

[He shakes his head to himself. It sounds like he's complaining... but then he smiles again, looking fond.]

So they aren't normal birds. And raising them was a handful, since me and Jun-kun only had experience raising a dog. But now, I love them like they're my very own children...♪

[When she found him hunched and shivering in the hall during the Hearts game, he'd actually been out to buy stuff in preparation for the eggs hatching. But she'd be forgiven for forgetting about that, considering all the other weirdness that was going on at the time.

In any case, the only animals in the room with them right now are these sweet rice flour ones. He smiles when she says she wants the bunny and chirps,]

Of course! It's all yours.

[He got the box for them to share, after all.

Some of the wagashi are small enough to be eaten in one bite. His bird, however, is a bit on the heftier side, and so he eats it in two, biting the bird's head off first and chewing delicately. It might seem a bit cruel, but it is nice and sweet. As is her dessert, though it's a subtle sort of sweetness. The bunny is made with white bean paste, and it's soft and chewy.]

[It takes a good long while for Kazuya to actually check his messages once he's back in the right state of mind and fed.

It's a lot. He sees the missed calls.]

Sorry, I didn't mean to ignore you. I think I got trapped in the hallways. It was like no time had passed.

[Wait.]

You and Ragna are dating?

Edited 2024-10-06 09:13 (UTC)

[WAIT.]

WHAT DO YOU MEAN YUZU IS HERE

YOU HAD SEX WITH HER?

did you at least tell her I was around somewhere?

Wait! Is Atsuro here too? Did you see a guy with black hair? Really nice smile and a huge nerd?

You didn't have sex with him too, did you?

IF RAGNA HAD SEX WITH EITHER OF THEM I'M GOING TO BREAK EVERY BONE IN HIS BODY

Do you know what room they ended up in? Are they permanent guests? Or like the ones who disappear not long after arriving?

I should have been here for them. I feel awful. I need gift ideas, immediately.

And I'm really, really sorry I didn't show up when I was called! I didn't even get the sensation that I was being called! I don't know what even happened! I'll make it up to you, I promise. You just tell me where and when. As soon as I make sure Yuzu and Atsuro are alright, I'll do anything you want.

[ Oh god. OH GOD. She feels so bad that he's taking her bait seriously, but at the same time, she's so relieved to get all these messages from Kazuya. ]

YOU IDIOT I WAS SO WORRIED ABOUT YOU!!!!

[ So relieved, truly... ]

I can't believe you'd text me instead of showing up unannounced! Idiot! Stupid demon!

I didn't want to see you, anyway!

[ SO!!! RELIEVED!!! ]

Yuzu and Atsuro aren't here. At least, not that I know of. I thought for sure telling you that Yuzu and I had sex would summon you right before me in a matter of seconds, so I said that.

I'm sorry to have gotten your hopes up.

It would have if I had seen it! And if they're not here, then I'll come make it up to you right now! I'm really sorry, Weiss!

[His hopes have been crushed, sure, but he can't dwell on that because there is someone here who he's clearly made upset.]

Give me two and a half minutes, alright? I'll teleport right over, but I'm gonna make you some stuff first!

Yeah, see! It would have worked! I'd heard about people going missing for some time, only to find themselves back here, so you're going to need to tell me about what you know.

I want souffle pancakes.

Give me 20 or so, then. I'll make them myself as an apology, okay?

[ And he's immediately going to get on that, because it's not nice to keep a lady waiting, and clearly he's kept her waiting long enough. Dessert, thankfully, is his area of expertise. It's not too hard to whip up everything, and in the end, it actually only takes a about 15 minutes in his rush.

He teleports not too long after putting the finishing touches on them, Pancakes just for her, with berries and syrup and powdered sugar will immediately be put down onto the closest surface to her. ]

Again, I'm so sorry. I got caught up in the hallways, and I hadn't even realized any time had passed until I got out.

[ Kazuya may show up in Weiss' kitchen with the pancakes, but she doesn't even look at the the moment he's there. Instead, she hops off the stool she's sat on by the counter and reaches upwards to wrap her arms around his neck and hug him.

She can be mad all she likes, but there is nothing more satisfying than having him back. If they had said goodbye and he never showed himself again, Weiss would not have worried. But the thing is, he disappeared without a word. Powerful as Kazuya may be, he certainly isn't as powerful as the House. ]

I missed you, [ she whispers to him, resting the side of her face on his shoulder. ]

[Honestly, he's a little surprised when he's suddenly hugged like that, and he laughs softly. It really hadn't felt like any time had passed, but he doesn't blame her. He knows he'd also have been absolutely sick to his stomach with worry if she'd up and disappeared the same way he did.

He wraps his arms around her, lifting her up so she can be comfortable and rest against him.]

I missed you too.

[Not that he'd even realized he was gone, but it feels good to say, because he misses her regardless of how much time has passed, even if it's only a few hours.]

I'll try to avoid wandering around the hallways when I can help it, okay? I don't intend to make a repeat performance.

[ He's not allowed to laugh!!! This punk... she's still mad at him! >:T

Weiss takes a deep breath in when he lifts her, clinging to him a little tighter and unwilling to let go. ]

You're really asking for it if it happens again, huh? I'm going to have so much sex with Yuzu if she ever shows up here and you're not invited.

[ ANGY.......... ]

If that does happen then I'm counting on you to take care of her for me.

[He thinks he can live with that if two of his favourite people ended up having sex together. And he trusts that Weiss would in fact take care of Yuzu too.

One hand comes up to stroke her hair lightly, letting her burrow against him fort comfort. It's nice. He likes this way more than he likes being like how he was when he'd finally managed to escape the hallways. Speaking of...]

I think I might have missed my birthday, so you have to be nice to me now.

[ Lame, Kazuya. You always have the most boring reactions. She wanted him to get upset and disappointed because he wants to join in on the fun, too. ]

I see you haven't changed.

[ A sigh!! So dramatic! It's not really a big deal though. If any of Kazuya's friends really did wind up here? She would do everything she can to make sure they're comfortable and have what they need in order to get anywhere here.

Grumpy as she sounds though, she isn't moving from her position. She's latched onto Kazuya and has no intention of letting go anytime soon. ]

Wait, seriously? When was your birthday? We'll need to celebrate.

[Wow! It's not like he wouldn't want to join in... But he wouldn't get upset about it if Weiss took care of Yuzu or Atsuro for him either.

The dream is all of his favourite people in one room, together. Kind of a greedy guy, really.]

It was August 31st. And I've already started celebrating, so don't worry.

[He's celebrating with her right now! She just doesn't know it yet. Yeah, it's lame, but just holding Weiss close like this is the perfect gift for him, honestly.]

If you hadn't disappeared, we wouldn't be celebrating it a month later!

[ Stupid Kazuya... Weiss speaks as if he could have helped it, but that's just the tsun talking, really.

Kazuya eventually will feel Weiss moving her feet, swinging gently forward and back. That's her sign that she's asking to be set back down now. She's had her fill of hugging him. ]

It really wasn't my fault...

[No... She wants down so soon. He hadn't absorbed enough affection from her.

Weiss always cuts him so short on the cuddling. It's unfair. He will set her down though because he's a very obedient demon.]

I hope you like the pancakes I made. I know I whipped them up pretty fast, but I think they should be pretty tasty?

We're eating it together!

[ Not that he even needs food anymore, but she wants to share it with him even if she did bully him into making it. ]

Come on.

[ She has to pull on another stool before hopping onto the one beside it, patting on the free cushion for him to sit on. ]

[Wow... She doesn't even sit in his lap. Double rejected and he just got back!

He'll sit next to her on command, though. Because he's a good boy, and it's what Weiss wants, and he owes her for his disappearance.]

You don't have to share... I'd be just as happy watching you enjoy it.

Don't be a pest. At least try and be human around me.

[ It's that side of him that she likes best, after all. There's no fighting to be done in a place like this. She wants to be able to have snacks with her friends.

Now that he's joined her though, she brings the plate of pancakes between them. ]

Happy birthday to you~ 🎵 [ She sings him the song, slow and endearing, and with her voice, it's pleasant to the ears. ] Happy birthday to you~ 🎵 Happy birthday, dear Kazuya~ 🎵 Happy birthday to you!

[ Sadly, they don't have any candles, so she can't tell him to blow on it, but she does gesture to the pancakes. He made it for her, but she wouldn't mind letting him have the first bite. ]

Make a wish?

[At least he has the good graces to wait until after she's sung him his birthday song... Still, he can't help it-]

It didn't really have anything to do with trying to be human, I made it for you so I wanted you to enjoy it, but...

[But now that she's bugging him for a wish...

He grabs her cheeks very gently.]

My wish is for you to have the first bite. You wouldn't deny me that, right?

[He'll lean in to steal a kiss and then let go, right before she can give a proper "No".]

You made it for me because I was mad that you disappeared without a word.

[ Yeah, she's saying all that while her cheeks are being squished. She is pouting at his general direction >:T

Now, will she deny him of his wish? ... She is thinking about it. She is kissed. She is still thinking about it, but is wanting to bend over already.

Rather than give him a dignified response, she turns away from him with a harrumph before finally grabbing a fork and slicing herself a small bite. She doesn't even use the knife or anything. Proper etiquette, which she follows consistently, would dictate that she use a knife, and yet...

>:T!!! ]

Now hurry up and eat!

[ She did as he wanted! ]

[Wow... No knife? Impressive.

He laughs at her dainty little bite, laughs again as she demands that he eat his own portion of her food Or Else.

Kazuya scoots in closer, taking her same fork to cut away a slightly bigger section of the pancake to take a bite, and is relieved to know it's as delicious as always. He'll even say as much.]

Glad to know that my few weeks away didn't degrade my skill in the kitchen any.

"Few weeks"...

[ Scoff... SCOFF!!!! CAN HE HEAR HOW SHE FINDS WHAT HE JUST SAID TO BE UTTERLY RIDICULOUS??? ]

You were gone for over a month!

[ It's hard to tell if she really is still angry at him or not. This is just how she copes, okay, Kazuya? The tsun is on max right now. But just like any soon, after showing some tough love, she has to come down from her high and show a bit of her soft side. And now that Kazuya's using the one fork, she waits for her turn to get another bite by looking him up and down. ]

Are you okay? Do you feel any different?

[Hehe... It's kind of nice to have her so worried over him like that. He doesn't mind the tsun at all.]

Things were kind of bad when I first got back... For me it only seemed like a few hours, but then everything sort of caught up to me all at once. It was pretty bad, but I'm fine now.

[He needs to do something for Yu, Makoto, and Roche, honestly. Makoto especially...]

There was no way I could have come to you immediately when I got back. I had to find someone I knew could help me immediately and could handle it.

Bad? Like... sick bad? Do you need my Aura?

[ Yeah, she's worried. He did fill her in with some details through text before he showed up, but being able to confirm it with her own two eyes and with her ears is far better than anything else. It's the only thing she'll accept from him right now. ]

Well... I told you a long time ago, back when we first met that without Magnetite that I'd basically sort of end up like a wild animal, in a way. And because I needed so much of it, there wasn't really any way for me to take your Aura in a reasonable manner.

[Not that he could have hurt her, but he also hadn't been thinking straight either.]

It all got sorted out, so it's okay now. I'll still need some of your Aura, but it doesn't have to be right now either. I'd much rather just spend time with you, honestly.

Did you end up having to drink someone's blood or something, then?!

[ Oh, Kazuya... See, that's what she was worried about! She doesn't want him hurting anyone, and more importantly, she doesn't want him ending up in a state like that. She's never seen him that way, but that's a good thing because it means he's able to get what he needs at the right time.

The pancake can stay there unattended for now. Weiss will touch it again later. ]

Are you sure you're okay now? You're not just saying that so I'm not worried, are you?

[ Though it's kind of too late for that now. . . ]

Ah... Sort of. But the resort also hit me with one of its... Brithday gifts immediately after I got out too. I... Sort of also went down on a few people too.

[A little embarrassing to admit he'd certainly gotten a full belly, and not just in the usual way either.]

I promise I'm fine for now, though. Like I said, I'd much rather spend time with you normally.

[ It is crazy to think that Kazuya had sex?? And gotten his fill before he came to find Weiss. How long has he been back, then?

It's not even that big of a deal, when you look at it from a fuck buddy perspective. But they have a contract. She's supposed to look out for him too. Though maybe this is karma for all those times that she didn't ask for his help right away. How she feels now was how she felt then. ]

Okay. And only because you promised.

[ That he's fine, she means. ]

I do promise. I think... Maybe if I had gotten that birthday gift it would have been fun to use it with you, but there's no way I could have done that in the state I was in.

[He'll lean in, just slightly, just enough to bump his shoulder against hers.]

Maybe next year?

[Haha... He's already thinking of staying here that long. Isn't that funny.]

If we're still here next year.

[ She takes the fork and starts serving herself properly now, using the knife with one hand too. ]

So... what happens now?

Well... Ideally you enjoy my cooking and then you cuddle me because you were so worried about me when I was missing.

[Ehehe.... A guy can dream, right?]

[ Scoff. SCOFF!! Weiss rolls her eyes before angrily chewing on her pancake. ]

Aren't you the one who's supposed to make it up to me for disappearing?

[ Said, of course, after swallowing her food. ]

I don't have plans today and Ragna's not around either. Come to the mall with me. I want to buy some new notebooks.

[Ah.... Denied.

He should have figured as much.]

Sure, but that reminds me. Are... you and Ragna actually dating?

[Maybe he shouldn't be surprised if that is the case, considering how close they seem, but it does kind of make him feel left out in a way too. Not that he wouldn't be happy for her if that were the case!]

[ She's taken a bit by surprise when the question comes, and while she doesn't spit her food or anything, her brows do knit and it's like her entire body stiffens up considerably when Kazuya asks that. Almost like it's a forbidden thing to even ask about.

Weiss dabs a napkin at her mouth before she sets it down. That's when she responds, chin up, as if nothing bothers her but she is so very clearly bothered. ]

No.

[ It is nothing but the truth, but even she doesn't sound fond of the fact. ]

[... He can see that reaction and the way she stiffens, silent and considering before answering.

And then she also sounds... put off, by the way she answers. Does she want to date Ragna, then? Would she really have said that sort of thing just to try and con him into appearing in a fit of desperation?

All these thoughts and more run through his head. ]

Do... you want to date him?

[ She did tell him that through text because she knew he'd have a reaction to it that wouldn't be contained via message. With how Kazuya's so naturally opposed to just about anything related to Ragna, she figured it was a good move! It wasn't like she was implying anything about her... ]

It's not important.

[ By now, she's told Ragna that she doesn't think it's a good idea to date in a place like this. Even if she's met people here who date other players or who are even married to other players. She just has too many doubts and too many fears, so the best course of action is to not do anything about their feelings for one another.

With a sigh, she slices another piece of pancake and shoves it in Kazuya's mouth. This is a way to change the topic, right? ]

Here. Have some more.

[The piece of pancake is in his mouth the moment he chooses to respond, forcing him to chew it before he can even begin to get words out, so Weiss is lucky for that blissful moment of silence from Kazuya.

Until he swallows hard, forcing the pancake down a little painfully so he can speak again.]

It is important though.

[Since she said "It's not important" and not "No, I don't want to date him", he's taking this to mean that she does, in fact, want to date him.]

It's one thing if you didn't want to, but if you do have feelings for him, what's holding you back?

[ Ugh... this guy is just going to keep asking, isn't he? Weiss isn't irritated by any means, but it's just her defence mechanism to be cold and dismissive whenever there's something she doesn't want to talk about. ]

I don't know if you've noticed, but we're in a sex casino. You know, where we have to constantly have sex and bed just about anybody in order to eat, live, and go home.

[ So what's holding her back? This whole situation. Which means that it is impossible to date anyone. ]

Should that be a problem? If it's expected here, then it's expected of everyone, so there's no meed to get jealous. Besides, just because you're having sex with people doesn't make your feelings invalidated.

[ And... Kazuya bites the inside of his cheek a little, thinking for once before he continues. ]

It wouldn't stop me from wanting to date you, because the type of time we spend together is different.

You make it sound so easy to not get jealous. It's not, and I hate that I do but I can't help but feel that way every time there's a game or something stupid is happening.

It's just... for the best that nothing happens.

[ It isn't easy! She's been feeling this for almost a year now and it sucks. It also sucks knowing that you can't be everything to someone because they need other people too.

She's getting worked up about this that she doesn't want to finish the rest of her pancake. There's just a few bites left but her mood's gone sour. She doesn't even look Kazuya in the eye anymore, mulling over her own frustrations and willing herself to calm down already.

She isn't ignoring him though. She's listening and hears him loud and clear, even if what he says is something that she might just need a bit more clarity on. Right now, she just thinks that what he just said is an example. He doesn't mean anything by it. ]

So if we were to go on a date and I didn't show up because as I was on my way, something happened and I ended up in bed with someone, you wouldn't be upset about it?

Unless I was effected by the suite, of course not. Like I said, the time we'd spend together would be different.

[And he thinks that it's important to delineate that situation. They've both been hit by aphrodisiac food here, and both been out of their minds with need. And he's positive that if they did agree to a date and Weiss didn't show up, she'd tell him why. They can always reschedule things, after all.]

And if you're jealous, then you'd have a reason for it. Clearly because you're not getting the kind of time together that would help with that.

Why does it sound like you want me to date Ragna, of all people?

[ She missed his confession... IM SO SORRY KAZUYA. . . but now it's just weird. ]

I thought you didn't like him.

Your happiness is more important to me than the admittedly petty feelings I have towards him.

[ And it's true! ]

Not that I wouldn't be sad if you'd rather date him than me, but I'd get over it because it's something and someone important to you. Though I guess I'd prefer it if you'd at least date both of us.

[ In fact, he'll nudge her a little with his shoulder, affectionate. ]

And I'm much happier not hurting someone I care about, so not dating anyone really is for the best.

[ So she says, with all the confidence in the world.

And right now, while she hasn't convinced herself that it's alright to date even in a place like this, this conversation is certainly going to bother her later on. It's a lot to think about, and it's something that she has been thinking about for some time now. She knows what her answer is, and it isn't what she's been saying out loud, but there's still a big part of her that thinks what she wants is a bad idea.

Whether or not she's dating someone, she'd still be hurt and jealous if something happened that tried to get in between their relationship anyway. They'd both still have sexual relationships with others, anyway. At least... it's what's expected of people in this casino. What would people think if she just committed to one person, just like how Hiyori is? Or if she limited things the same way Rinne does? Weiss is silent as the thinks, but Kazuya's words play in her head again.

This is what happens when you're book smart but dumb in all other aspects. ]

Wait - what did you just say? [ She's not offended, but she needs to hear him say it again just so she's understanding correctly. ] Are you saying you want me to date you?

Well, yeah. I think dating you would be nice? I really like you, after all.

[He's not even going to deny it. Not with everything he's already said.]

And... I know I can only speak from my experience, but I don't think that you'd hurt me by doing anything here if we did.

[No, he likes her way too much. She's been one of the more constant things for him while he's been here, and he does genuinely care about her. Is upset when she gets hurt or is feeling unwell.]

You mean too much to me to let something like the strange things that happen here get in the way of that.

[Ah... But if she doesn't feel the same way...]

But I also understand if you don't feel the same way about me, and I hope it won't make things awkward between us.

[ Weiss' reaction would have been less personal if not for that last part. And she's brought back to her first few months at the resort.

Kazuya was one of her very first friends here. While they formed a contract early on, both to help him and so that they can benefit from each other's cards and get money, she did find him in her thoughts more often than not. He's cute and crafty, kind of a dork, but he's also very sweet and endearing. Physically? The blue hair is very attractive, too. She liked how he kissed her, how he held her and fucked her.

How Weiss sees him now—as a close friend and confidante—would be very different if she hadn't found out about Yuzu. (And Atsuro.) ]

I... didn't know you liked me like that. I'm sorry if I never picked up on it.

[ There's no need to elaborate though. There's no need to apologise any further either, especially with what she says next. ]

I like someone else, though. And... I can't see myself liking another person at the same time.

[ She can't see herself splitting her attention between two people either, let alone more than two. And it will likely stay that way for some time, if she even ever changes her mind.

Kazuya hopes nothing awkward will happen between them, and she'll certainly try for both their sakes. But that also depends on how he responds to what she just said. ]

Edited 2024-11-04 12:33 (UTC)

[ Well, he won't say he isn't disappointed, but he does understand and he nods all the same, giving a small smile.

Like he said, her happiness is far more important than his own wants, and he'd hate to force or coerce her into something she wasn't comfortable with. ]

It's alright.

[ He can't imagine picking just one person for the rest of his life. He doesn't think that means anything bad about either of them. It just boils down to preference, doesn't it? There's so many people he cares about, both back home and here, that the thought of limiting himself brings far more heartache. ]

The person you like is very lucky then. I hope you can find happiness with them, especially here.

Is he...? [ It isn't about that other person, but she can't help but comment: ] We're not dating.

[ But she won't talk about that anymore. They really should more on from that.

If Kazuya is smiling, then she should try to do the same. This isn't the first time she had to turn someone down, even if it's someone she really, really cares about. ]

This... wasn't how I pictured what your return would be like.

[ A lengthy pause. And it's then followed by the makings of an awkward smile. ]

I went and made it awkward.

[ He laughs, because really, even if he's upset, it doesn't mean he can't still spend time with her, and that's the most important thing, isn't it? ]

How did you picture me coming back, then? I thought you would have guessed that I'd make it as awkward as possible.

[ He'll even reach out, muse her hair a little with his hand, playful.

He doesn't want her to feel bad. ]

Honestly? I imagined I'd yell at you for a good ten minutes and then we'd go back to our usual lives here.

[ The yelling did happen, at least. But this is enough of an ice breaker to set things back to how it's always been.

The hand in his hair does feel nice though. It always does. Except. . . she's gotta be that distant and cold-hearted girl that she's always been. ]

What are you doing?

Ruffling your hair. It's cuter when it's just a little messy.

[Not too much, though! Just a little dishevelment. That's how it should be, right? Once he's done with that, he takes his hands away, and connects them like he's putting her in the center of a photograph.]

Perfect. Just like that.

... no.

[ So she rejected him and now all he wants is to irritate her. SHE GETS IT!!!!!!! ]

Now I have to fix my hair again!

Really! You're much cuter like this!

[Actually. He's going to just. Take a picture of her. Perish ♥

He'll show her though, how cute she looks with just ever so slightly dishevelled hair.]

You are even more annoying since you came back!

[ Is she stopping him? No she isn't. She is letting him have it, because he did disappear and she didn't like that more. This is better, even if she has to take the fall this time.

Weiss swats his Watch away when he shows it to him. She doesn't wanna see it! >:( In fact, she's gonna grumble as she finishes the rest of the pancakes. They're going shopping after this, so they've got a busy day ahead. ]

[He's going to take a few pictures of her grumbling into her pancakes too... He's so enamoured, even if she told him "No".

Hello, new back screen. It's Weiss with slightly messy hair!]

Hehe... Is that right? If I'm that annoying, then you wouldn't want to spend time with me, so clearly it can't be that bad.

Edited 2024-11-13 15:24 (UTC)

[ It's true. Kazuya has her cornered now with a statement like that. Weiss can really only respond by being a brat. ]

I'm cancelling our plans, then.

No way, you're lying. You'd never cancel plans, especially last minute!

[Not when she works so hard on her plans!!! Ignore the fact that this would have been entirely spur of the moment planning...]

Besides, you already said you wanted to spend time with me.

Hello! 😊✨ It's me! I have some questions I wanted to ask.

1. Any plans for the holiday? I should probably ask first and foremost if you even have Christmas in your world. But either way, it's the winter season, which should feel familiar to you. So if you want to meet up for hot cocoa or go shopping for winter fashions, I'd be more than happy to. We could even make snow angels! 😇❄️

2. I was going to put a second question here, but it's somewhat sensitive. To be more specific, it's love-related. Is it alright if I ask?

It is you! Hi.

I can't say I've ever heard of Christmas. I'm a little short on chips right now, but I'd be happy to meet up for snacks. Did you see the ice skating rink? I've been all over that! Snow angels too! Walking around in the snow really is fun.

I might not be the best person to ask, but I'll do my best. If you'd like to ask about it in person in case it might be difficult to ask through text, we can meet. Or you can call me?

Is there another holiday you celebrate around December 25th, then? For example, I spoke to one person whose world didn't have "Christmas," but it did have something called "Kleinmas!"

And yes, yes I did see it! I haven't tried it out yet, but that does seem fun! I actually got an ice-skating lesson from someone here once. His name is Loki! He has all sorts of powers, and he transformed a stage into an ice skating rink with just a wave of his hand! He also made skates appear out of thin air, and they were the right size for me, too! 🥰

As for the last part, you actually are the best person to ask, because it concerns you and not me! I don't mind having the conversation in-person, though. But I guess I could tell you what my questions are right now, and you can let me know if you'd rather answer by text, by phone, at a cafe while eating sweets, or not at all! Would that work?

Kleinmas? That's a funny name. My butler's name is Klein!

What's Christmas supposed to be then?

Oh, that's a familiar name. I think Kazuya has a demon like that.

[ Said with no context whatsoever. Sorry for that weird tidbit, Hiyori. ]

Me? Alright then - what are these questions?

It's a holiday where you give Christmas gifts and eat Christmas cake! Christmas Eve is on the 24th, and that's mainly celebrated by couples. Then Christmas Day is on the 25th! Little kids get the most excited for it, but adults can receive gifts, too.

Also, there's a myth that says Santa Claus, a white-haired man in a red suit, rides his magic sleigh on the night of Christmas Eve and delivers gifts to children! So if you see any decorations around the resort featuring men in red suits, that's who that's supposed to be.

[He's neglecting to mention the religious aspect, but that's because he doesn't care... (despite the Biblical theming of his unit). Among the ES idols, Tatsumi would be the only one who celebrates Christmas a religious holiday. And it sounded like Weiss's world had a different creation myth anyway.]

Alright, here goes!

1. Did you ever start dating that Ragna fellow? I met him at the Roost not too long ago. He saved me when I was in a pinch, which shows he's valiant!

2. If you are dating him, does that means you're not open to accepting dates with others? Or does it? I'm trying to help a friend of mine get out more, so he's hired me to play matchmaker!

[Actually, Leo didn't officially "hire" him to do anything, but Hiyori at least isn't doing this without his permission.]

[ Crazy how her grandfather practically alludes to Santa Claus but she doesn't know about the myth and everything that surrounds it in other worlds. Alas! ]

I see. How is Christmas Eve celebrated, then? I guess Christmas Day won't be as fun because I'm not a child.

I think I have seen some decor like that, although this white-haired man in a red suit doesn't look like he should be seen by children.

[ Because he's shirtless. Or asking people to sit on his lap. ANYWAY... ]

Are you trying to set me up? I can fill you in on the details another time, but after turning Ragna down when he asked a few months ago if I could be his girlfriend, I'm happy to say that we are now officially dating. ✨

:)

I've been so scared all this time because I kept thinking that we'd end up fighting because of what the House wants and all the games we have to play, but I should have trusted in him from the start that we can talk about these things.

There's nobody else I want for my boyfriend, but I'm open to friendly dates. What's your friend like?

Depends on the couple! But one Christmas date activity is seeing the illuminations together. That's when they hang lights from the trees so they look like fancy Christmas trees! Me and Jun-kun did that back at home.

[Even though they weren't... dating yet.

Speaking of dating: he had no idea Ragna had asked her out and gotten turned down. And he doesn't know what sort of agreement they've reached about playing the game, either. But!]

So you are together. Congrats! 🥳🎉🥳🎉🥳

[He's happy for her, sincerely.]

I'd say that calls for more than just one sparkle. It calls for a bunch of sparkles! And hearts! ✨💖💕💗✨💖💕💗✨💖💕✨💖💕💗✨ And fireworks! 🎆🎇🎆🎇🎆🎇🎆🎇🎆🎇 And more hearts! ♥️💙♥️💙♥️💙♥️💙♥️💙♥️💙♥️💙♥️💙

The red and blue ones represent you and him!

[........ but anyway.]

The friend is Leo-kun. I don't know if you've met, but he's a fellow idol from my world, as well as a skilled composer. I don't think he's looking for a girlfriend. He's more the type who loves everyone! But I'm trying to get him out of his room more, since he's been a bit lonely since Rinne left. So, a friend-date might be just what he needs~😊

If you're sure going on a friend-date won't make the Grim Reaper attack him, that is.

[In reality, he's been aiming to find people who will sleep with Leo, since Rinne was the one taking care of Leo's suit and making sure he didn't turn to stone each month. But he feels awkward asking for that outright, especially of a girl who has a boyfriend!! And well, it's not as though Leo making regular friends would be bad for him, either.]

I see. I don't know if Ragna celebrates it, but maybe I can ask if he has some time and we can go out for a walk.

[ And maybe surprise him with a simple present, too. Thanks for the date idea, Hiyori! ]

Thank you! I have fireworks going off in my head every time I see him, but of course, I have to remain calm on the surface.

[ Which is why there's that one sole sparkle! But she appreciates Hiyori being excited and happy for her all the same. ]

Oh, we've met a long time ago. He's very skilled at making music, from what I remember. I'm happy to meet up with him for some snacks or some other activity, if you think that would help.

[ Card exchange is fine though she'd rather not discuss that sort of stuff with Hiyori like he's some third-party organiser for business. ]

I'm glad Ragna was there when you needed some help, too. What were you doing in the Roost? You didn't get hurt, did you?

He's not going to attack anyone over that, I promise you. It's a little complicated but we're still going to play the game even if we're dating.

["Fireworks going off in my head every time I see him." Goodness, she's cute. He can't help but smile, picturing her so happy. And, yeah—he understands the sentiment, since he tries not to appear like a lovesick fool, either.]

Of course! I totally get you!

I'm sure he'd find your excitement cute, too, though.

And that's right, he *did* seem to recall your name. Which is saying a lot, since he forgets names easily! You must have left a big impression~😊

[It sounds like they get along, which is good. And her last lines confirm she may even sleep with him!

... He takes no pleasure in arranging this stuff either, though. He'd really rather not know who his friends are sleeping with. And setting up a girl who already has a boyfriend feels weird to him. She says they're playing the game anyway. Should he envy their attitude or not?

But someone has to he proactive about getting Leo laid, since Leo himself isn't. His suit effects sounded scary. Hiyori doesn't want him to get hurt. Somehow or another, they all need to survive in this place...]

Well, that's good to know. His powers looked absolutely terrifying, so I'd hate to get on his bad side. But I know from talking to you that he's just a big softie deep down!

And I was hoping to talk to J, but nothing came of it. Compared to Jin Mingming, he's not good for much! Though I'm starting to think even she doesn't have the full picture.

[He'll save that for thought for another day, though.]

And don't worry. Thanks to your ~💕lover💕~, I didn't get hurt!

But if you do want to have a friend-date with Leo-kun, it might help to message him first, since he gets distracted sort of easily. Need me to give you his username?

[ It's a good thing Weiss opted to answer the questions via text because she doesn't quite know how to react to being told that Ragna find her excitement cute. She'd be smushing a palm over Ragna's face and pushing him away if he ever said anything like that while biting on her lower lip from the sheer giddiness.

She can't do that to Hiyori! ]

Yeah. Maybe.

You'd think he forgot when I recall him not remembering a lot of things before, like eating, for one.

[ It's a good thing that he has friends around to remind him of things though. But it sounds like he could use a bit more help. ]

He is. Getting on his bad side means that you're a really despicable person, so I doubt he'd think of you or Leo that way.

J would only give you something of use if you gambled for it, I think. Jin Mingming knows more than she lets on, but is also very careful with who she gives information to. That's how I see things, at least. You're right though, maybe she doesn't.

Which means it'll be more difficult for us to learn more things here.

Anyway, I'm glad you're safe. It's not safe to go to the Roost by yourself since the place sort of sucks the life out of you. Quite literally. If you plan on going there again, let me know?

[ She did promise to protect him like a knight! ]

That's quite alright, I think I still have his messages on my watch. I'll ask if I can't find it. :)

True, sometimes he just drinks coffee! So perhaps we can all go out for a lovely meal sometime. Dinner, tea, and of course, dessert! 😊

[He is never letting her live down her sweet tooth, apparently...]

That's right, I recall seeing you at the Red Cardinal quite a lot some months back.

The reason I said that is because of what she said about Rinne-senpai. She said that the resort gets its energy from us changing each other's fate. Apparently when you share something intimate with someone, it changes their fate somehow. When someone turns to stone, it's because they've used up their fate and there's no more energy to wring out of them.

I asked her if that's why Rinne-senpai became a statue, and she said that either his fate was used up, or he wasn't sleeping with enough people. That's what J said, too: that he wasn't playing the game enough. But I don't think Rinne-senpai was slacking in that department. He got married to a bunch of people during the Hearts game, and he made all sorts of intimate connections. One of his spouses told me he'd considered changing his name to Amagi, and another had plans to visit him in his village. Rinne-senpai touched a lot of people's hearts, and he was playing that game plenty.

So if it's about sex, intimacy, number of partners, or changing people's fate, then I don't think Rinne-senpai would've turned to stone. That's why I'm not sure Jin Mingming has the full picture, either.

[.......... that got heavy. Whoops. And after she just told him some good news, too.]

Sorry. I'll stop talking about heavy stuff now.

You don't have to worry about me going back to the Roost again. That place is a dump, not to mention dangerous, so I'll pass! And it wouldn't be a good place for you either, so we might as well both stay away!

And alright, good to know! I'll tell you his username anyway though, because it's easy to remember. His username is "Knights," since that's the name of his unit! They act all chivalrous and treat their fans like princesses, which seems like something you'd like.

[Calling her out again......]

Sure. I mean, if we do karaoke, he can come along, too.

[ So long as he isn't OUTRIGHT saying she has a sweet tooth, then it's okay! Weiss doesn't even notice. ]

That's news to me. I didn't know that 'fate' had something to do with it. I can't really understand why sharing something intimate with someone would change someone's fate, but I'll try to find out more about this too.

If those are the only conditions for turning to stone, then it means that there has to be an unknown reason or two. I agree that Rinne wouldn't have turned to stone based on those.

Don't worry about the heavy stuff either. I know we're just texting, but I think we need this every now and then, especially in this place. In a way, it's a reminder that we aren't just players and that we have lives to get back to.

Good, but the offer is there if you need it. I haven't gone to the Roost in a while, personally, and I don't really have a reason to. I only made it out there alive when I first went there was thanks to Ragna, too. I guess that's another thing we have in common? :)

[ Weiss is responding to each message Hiyori sends, but the last one actually gets two messages. ]

🤨

I can't tell if you're teasing me or if you actually mean it. Let's not talk about what I like and don't like.

[ Her kinks are all out there for the world to see BUT DEFINITELY NOT SOMETHING TO BE TALKED ABOUT!!!! It is embarrassing... ]

Karaoke *and* dessert! Even more fun! 😊🎶🍰💕

She talked a lot about fate. She also said some people's fate is worth more than others. Like an emperor who will wage war one day versus a peasant who dies young. I guess that would explain why they kidnap so many bigwigs. Royals, famous people, even gods.

I'm not sure why "trading cards" would change someone's fate, either, though. If someone falls in love or catches a disease that might do it, but otherwise, I'm stumped!

And true that. I couldn't have said it better myself.

[Re: them having lives they need to get back to. It's something he never really forgets, though. He thinks about it constantly even if his lack of cards might suggest he doesn't care about going home.]

I'm glad he didn't let some nasty bar patron leave a scratch on your lovely face. That would've simply been tragic!

And there's nothing wrong with preferring nice treatment! That's how I feel, too, you know. People like us deserve the very best~

[But fine, no more teasing her about wanting to be treated like a princess. (Something he also enjoys.) (... Right down to the nickname.)]

Do you agree with that? Who dictates whose fate is more important than another's?

But yeah, that doesn't really make much sense. I don't think my life has changed.

[ They can keep thinking out loud all they like, but they really won't get any answers any time soon. Ah well. ]

That's sweet of you to say. We weren't even close then but he went in to get me out of there.

[ It ended up being a pretty good night after that, when they were both safe and sound. Though... she won't bore Hiyori with the details. It's when she started thinking about Ragna more often, wanting to see him more often and all that. It's gross! ]

Anyway...

Ha ha! Do you mean to say you like it when Jun calls you names like that?

I don't understand "fate" at all, to be honest. So I neither agree nor disagree!

But if it's a question of whether some people's lives are worth more than others', I guess that's pretty hard to deny. True equality might be preferable, but hierarchies exist in every society. That's why "assassination" and "murder" are different things. When someone important gets killed, it makes headlines all over the world, but when it's a commoner off the street, no one except their mother might care.

Killing is still wrong no matter what, though. And kidnapping someone to use up their fate is also wrong, no matter who they are. That's what I believe, and it's what I know to be true!

[... But onto more pleasant discussion.]

So he's the chivalrous sort! Like a knight in shining armor~ ⚔️🛡️✨ He saved me without knowing me, too, so that doesn't surprise me.

And nope, that's not what I meant!

[...]

Though Jun-kun's nickname does mean "Princess," and I guess I've gotten used to it. And our fans are used to it, too. Even though it gives some people the wrong idea! Like this child at the beach, who thought I was a "mermaid princess" - that's probably all because of Jun-kun's silly nickname!

[He's lying. He does like it!]

( starter )

[ This whole mishap has been really, really difficult and inconvenient. Upon arriving at the resort and being checked in by the House, she was given a rather low rank but it was still pretty decent. She'd never had to stay in the basement before, and the treatment as a 3 versus a 5, which was her previous rank, is so so different. It makes her feel awful and small, angry and annoyed, and it makes her really want to burn this place down to the ground.

With her suite being too small for comfort and for none of her gear and clothes available to her, her only options if she wants to proceed with her usual schedule is to buy a new set of clothes and do her work out at the gym again. What she doesn't expect is that she'd be turned away though. For what?! She's still a guest and deserves to use the resort's facilities! And she's more than ready to get mad and complain at the receptionist (who honestly couldn't care less), but Dark comes in and flaunts his new (?) rank.

The first thing she does is pout, because what the fuck. Ugh... she needs to exercise but does she have to ask help from him, or would he offer his help without her asking for it?

Hmm... ]

Not right now, no. As you can see, [ She gestures with her hand to the receptionist who does not seem at all eager to help her. ] I'm not even allowed in the gym even though I'm supposed to be a Queen.

[ HINT HINT. ]

So you were dethroned?

[ The receptionist moves from the desk, using the time to gather complimentary supplies for Dark: a set of towels, change of shoes, even a nice Golden Peacock water bottle. He isn't all that interested in it, despite himself. He's all cracked out on magic and always been built different, so "working out" in a traditional sense is pretty boring. He doubts and has yet to find out that there's anything here that could hold up a challenge. ]

Sucks to hear about your predicament. Everything's been working out just fine for me. [ Terrible empathy skills, 0 out of 10. Dark hasn't even realized he's not actually a Jack, since this is the first rank he's ever experienced. A short while from now and he'll be just about as miserable as Weiss is. ]

—I mean, I could just let you in as my plus one.

[ It's a very casual suggestion, but Dark not quite extending an invitation. He doesn't want her to get it twisted. Before she can misinterpret, he continues on: ]

You'd owe me a favor though. Nothing too crazy.

[ Turning to the receptionist, he pulls his complimentary gym basket close to himself and off the counter top. ]

Good for you! Congratulations!

[ Yes, that was 100% sarcasm. Right now, she could care less about how great it is for him, because she's not experiencing the same treatment.

He does, however, start dangling the idea of using his rank to get her in. Weiss makes a soft noise as she stops herself from saying more sarcastic remarks. She would have, if not for the very obvious suggestion. No, he isn't going to do it for free, either. Figures. ]

What do you want?

[ She hasn't said yes just yet. He'll have to lay his terms out first. ]

Currency chips, maybe.

[ Dark's attempts to create them for himself with magic had mysteriously failed, and his usual weaseling at the casino hadn't served him too well when he'd tried cheating at the games either. For a place that prides itself on such indulgence, the people running the show here at the Golden Peacock are weirdly by the book... hence the case and point before the both of them. ]

What else can you even give me?

Oh!

[ She sounds surprised... Legitimately. Even if she doesn't really like the guy, she does seem to perk up at the idea of an exchange. ]

Sure. Use of the gym for today... is 50 chips enough for that?

[ Weiss seems to have a change of tune now. Is she smiling at him? Just a little. There is hope that she can get her workout in today, after all! ]

Fifty's fine.

[ Is that a lot? He doesn't know. Whatever, something will come out of the plot sequence eventually. He'd be a pretty shitty protagonist to leave Weiss out on her own and unable to get in. Not to mention, she's already shown that she's capable of being almost as petulant and stubborn as he is... ]

You heard me. My guest too.

[ This part is to the receptionist who, despite the hard time she'd put up before, starts putting together a gym basket for Weiss. Fresh supplies, the water bottle, all the bells and whistles.

As she hands them off, Dark boops his wrist against a reader and the automatic doors to the gym whir open with a pleasant, hi-tech hum. He motions with his chin for Weiss to scurry in first. ]

Get in before it closes—

Edited 2024-12-22 14:16 (UTC)

[ 50 chips will get Dark a good meal at least! Weiss thinks it's pretty fair, it's not like he's using his rank for a lot of things for her. One small favour, one small price! Not to mention? She's being nice! That's already a huge bonus.

She's eyeing the receptionist who's getting the basket ready for Weiss. Everything has to be in order and accounted for. Nothing should be left out just because she's a guest! And seeing as everything is in order, she does pick up the basket to take with her inside, following her benefactor closely. ]

I suppose I owe you my thanks, so. . . [ :T She's still a little hesitant, but she does her best, holding her chin up and all. ] Thank you.

I'll have to transfer the chips to your account later. Don't make me forget!

[ But now that they're inside, Weiss looks at the direction of where the locker rooms are. ]

I'm going to go get changed now.

[ Dark had underestimated her manners and hadn't expected her to thank him. Maybe because Dark himself wouldn't. But as Weiss pulls her pride up, head lifted and with a proper expression of gratitude, he finds her much more endearing. Her character archetype is hitting him now— she's that kind of girl. It should've made sense from the start. Embarrassing that he hadn't realized sooner. Cute and snooty, she's even changing the subject. Dark follows her lead because she knows the gym better than he does. ]

You're welcome.

[ First, he must let her know that he is acknowledging the thank you. And most importantly yes, that she owes it to him. But moving on from that, he is curious. ]

What kind of training are you trying to do?

[ He doesn't know if the locker rooms are all in one, separated by gender, or what. While he asks, he's also looking around and mapping the facility out for future reference. ]

[ Weiss was thinking that she could just leave now that she's inside and has shown her gratitude, so this is a little. . . bothersome. Difficult?

Guess she'll have to play nice a little longer. Maybe he's also just looking for company! That's fine if he isn't going to be an asshole. ]

Yoga. Since I don't have a big space at this time, the studio here will be a good place for my work out.

[ It's a lot of stretching after all! She needs the space to move around. There's an awkward pause after saying that before she decides to say more. ]

What about you?

Yoga...

[ In his world, knowledge of it is still there for historians who dig. With the cataclysm of the Old World went many of its cultures. Dark though, despite the obnoxious personality that might make others think otherwise, is well read. ]

Like Vyaghrasana?

[ A nod to what Weiss has come here. ]

I just came to see what's here. Unless this place has any advanced ancient magic or deities to fight, there's not going to be a lot at a gym that tests or trains my ability.

[ He's yet to find out about the training simulation room. Once he finds it, he'll certainly be in the running for his very own Bubblevicious from The Powerpuff Girls episode. ]

Amongst other poses.

[ Yoga, ballet, pilates— these are the kinds of exercises she likes! There's a small part of her that's surprised that he even knows, but maybe he's heard of it? The lotus pose is pretty popular, after all. ]

I don't think you can fight anyone from the staff, but you can probably post on the network and look for someone there.

[ She's not volunteering anyone, nor is she volunteering herself, though making sure her swordsmanship skills don't get rusty is important too. She gets enough training from Ragna and Tseng when needed.

That begs the question though, which may be a bad decision, because she's deciding to hold a conversation with him. ]

So, what are you?

I'm a lot of things: handsome, intelligent, strong. What specifically are you trying to know?

[ Dark guesses Weiss means his species or something. His eyes pass to her once, and as he happens upon the locker rooms, he slows his stride so they can reach it not too far from one another. ]

Eugh.

[ Sorry, Dark. Weiss is showing her disgust without any shame: a roll of her eyes, sticking her tongue out as if she's gonna puke, and a quiet "Eugh". ]

You've been wanting to find out the deity or whatever of this place since you got here. So? What are you? Some sort of god, or some other being?

[ She could just as easily drop this conversation to get changed, and she will, but she'll at least wait for the answer to her question. ]

[ A lot has been revealed to him recently, and Dark thinks it'll be difficult to explain. If he asks Weiss if she knows Jesus Christ, he risks sounding like he's trying to invite her to church. It's unlikely she comes from a world ruled by the same astral planes— if anything, he'll be lucky that they're vaguely parallel. ]

Evil wizard.

[ This is the easiest answer, but if she wants more: ]

—Did the creator of your world send his kid down to your planet to piss off Romans, get owned, die, then resurrect so all humans can hang out with him and his dad in the spiritual afterlife?

[ "Evil wizard"... Would anyone really outright call themselves evil though? She might know someone here in this place who would say something like that, if only because the rest of the world's painted him to be a bad person even if he's anything but.

Without much information to go off of though, Weiss doesn't really comment on that part. ]

The creators of Remnant decided to hide some items and instructed someone to look for these relics like it's some sort of scavenger hunt. Once all the items are found, they're going to judge humanity which could mean that we could all lose our lives in the blink of an eye.

[ This took a turn. She sounds absolutely bitter, too. She waves a hand dismissively though. ]

I'm going to get changed. You can tell me more about this later.

[ If they ever meet again, anyway. She'll at least note him down as a "wizard". Though what relation he might have with the creator of his world, she has no idea yet. Maybe he's opposing him or something, then, if he's so "evil". ]

Edited 2025-01-04 14:39 (UTC)

(on christmas morning, there would be a small note left outside weiss' suite and a carefully wrapped package: buon natale, weiss ― cellinia.

it's a wish bottle pendant.)

Edited 2024-12-25 09:58 (UTC)

Cellinia, thank you for the present!

Was it meant to be for Christmas? I've only heard about it from Hiyori.

[ She unfortunately didn't understand the Italian! ]

Yeah, it was for Christmas. I bought a few things for people I was getting to know and thought that I'd deliver them personally for it. I wrote "Merry Christmas" in my note.

That was very thoughtful of you.

Merry Buon Natale to you too.

I was informed that Christmas is supposed to be a romantic holiday though. Are you trying to tell me something with this gift?

...............

(romantic holiday? cellinia blinks for a moment, brow raised, and then:)

No? Back home, it's celebrated by everyone. It can be romantic for couples, but it's not just couples that celebrate. Family's do, so do kids. Sorry, but I see you as a friend, so nothing to worry about.

Oh!

[ Give her just five minutes to scream into a pillow because this was EMBARRASSING AS FUCK ]

I meant no offence by it, I just thought that you were trying to tell me something!

You're a very beautiful lady and I'm sure you've got a lot of people who want to date you!

Not that I wouldn't date you. I would!

I'm getting lost on what I want to say now. Thank you for the present, Cellinia. I appreciate it a lot.

No, it's fine. I just thought I should clarify since....I wasn't exactly giving it with these kinds of intentions.

(good thing weiss can't see her face right now, she has the patented cellinia texas thousand yard stare. or as those who don't know her real name calls it "the texan thousand yard stare".)

Anyway, I'm glad it's to your liking. And don't worry, I probably would date you, but I know that I'm not that cut out for these things.

[ This is the most embarrassing moment of her life. (False) ]

Then let's not get into the "probably"s anymore especially if it's complicated.

Sorry for coming to the wrong conclusion.

Do you have a wish for the holiday that I can grant?

Mm.... I can't think of anything at the moment, I don't ask for much, truly. And don't worry about it. I know people can mix up these things a lot of the time, it isn't the first time this happened to me. Except it was while I was a child and one of my childhood friends decided to tell me that she liked me. ....then I rejected it, but I don't think Giovanna wanted to give up.

Dealer's choice, then. I'll get you something soon.

You are just a heartthrob, aren't you?

It's not intentional, I swear. Giovanna....I think she had two different versions of me in mind, that weren't really me. Whenever I saw her again when we were older, she offered me a place in her familiga. She thought I'd jump at the chance to rejoin, while wishing to bring me back to her side within the pack. The problem was that I didn't wish to. I realized life in the familige wasn't for me the longer I was away. And maybe I realized I wasn't truly living. Not while among them.

[ Does it mean that Cellinia is related to Giovanna? It's hard to tell, a "pack" doesn't necessarily have to mean they're related after all.

Also not something Weiss wants to think about given what she knows of Giovanna now. ]

What makes you say that? What was life like there?

Death, rain, betrayal. That's how I can sum up my time in Brunello. People could die however the familige pleases, territory or just because they made the mistake of crossing the wrong capo. Giving you an example: I saw first hand when I returned to the country's capital, Volsinii, a court official have their car blown to pieces by a car bomb. The official didn't live. I was of course being looked at as the suspect behind it since I was the one there to protect him. Before you ask, the police are considered a joke. The Mafiosi saw them as little more than something easy to control, they've done that often with bribery and planting their own within the police force. Just like with, say, the officials in the courts.

What, so the law enforcement has become a puppet of these people?

What about the government?!

[ That is very awful and just outright sad. No one should have to live in a society like that. ]

The judges were buyable too, some of the familige would plant their own in the system as a means of controlling things more. The only person none of them dared to mess with is Signora Sicilia. Nobody messes with her, not even with her Grey Hall. To do that is considered suicide because of her being the highest of all wolves. My own account of that part is she was the one that ordered the purge of my familiga because of my padre. Obviously, she wasn't pleased with his actions and after discovering what I did in retaliation against him, them....she ordered us to be wiped from history. To give an idea, if my other childhood friend, Lappland, hadn't been the one to go after me: I would not be alive right now. She let me live intentionally to stop her padre from getting what he wanted.

Edited 2025-01-09 23:16 (UTC)

This sounds so complicated.

I feel like it'd be a story best told in person, rather than text, too.

It sounds tough, what you went through.

I take it you can't really go back home after that?

I can explain it more in person some time, maybe. I was allowed back. Problem is that I do have a target on my back no matter where I go, there's plenty of people that would want that honor of killing me. With or without my inheritance involved. Lone wolves are looked at differently than they are normal lupo, scents make us distinguishable from others. Since my familiga is dead, by my hand after what happened, I count as one of them. It isn't a good different to clarify it.

Edited 2025-01-13 00:13 (UTC)

Sure, there's no rush especially if it brings up bad memories.

Do you have any other reason to go back, apart from work?

[On the day of the 25th, Weiss will receive a delivery!

He knows she's not the type to ask for gifts. And thanks to her status as Queen, she's basically the girl who has everything. But she got him some very nice birthday presents, so he wanted to get her something in return. And since they're both big tea drinkers, he goes ahead and gets her a box of assorted Non-Specific Holiday teas! Not "Christmas Teas," since that seems to be a forbidden word around the shops for some reason, but all the classic Christmas flavors are represented, from Peppermint Cheer to Gingerbread Joy.

And if those aren't sweet enough for her, he also throws in a box of sugar cubes, decorated with little blue icing flowers.

Merry Christmas! I hope you have fun celebrating with someone special.

The note is signed with Hiyori's signature!]

Edited (sorry I belatedly noticed some typos) 2024-12-28 21:41 (UTC)

Three is too many, right? Two at once is a challenge, tell me three is too many.

Of course not. You can even take on four or more if you really wanted to.

It's all about how you handle what comes your way. 😌 I believe in you!

Four? Where would a fourth one go? I'd be out of places with three.

Do you have a planner so you can list what you need to do for the day?

I'm confused.

You use a planner for this stuff? That's pretty smart. [ But also, damn Weiss, getting laid so often she needs a planner, go off sis. ]

Wait. What did you think I meant?

Weren't we talking about how many tasks you can juggle at the same time?

From a certain point of view, I guess you could say that.

Guys, Weiss. I was talking about guys.

Oh!

Sex with guys, and not dating them too, right?

Oh wow.

I'm not sure where a fourth would go? You could use your hands or maybe he can slip it between your boobs.

There's no fourth!

Dating would be easier than trying to plan how three is going to work. [ It's a good problem to have, she isn't complaining. ]

Wait, are you telling me you want to do it with three guys at the same time?!

[ That might just sound like judgment, until the next text... ]

I haven't even tried two.

I'm kind of jealous.

It's not that I have plans or anything! It's just, you know, since my crew showed up, things have gone... in a certain way often enough that-

Wait, really?

I was in a threesome with Ragna and Kazuya but he was a bunny then, so he was the one in the middle.

Those two don't even get along so if we tried something like that again, they'd just fight and punch each other instead! I feel like it'd be even worse now. It's unfair when Kazuya and I promised to each other that we'd try all kinds of kinks together.

My life is SO SAD!!! I'm glad yours isn't.

[ :( she's being very dramatic about this. ]

Edited 2025-02-05 05:29 (UTC)

That kitty guy who doesn't drink, and Ragna? Huh. I didn't know the kitty guy got that spicy.

That's not true, you know almost everyone here, especially the guys. If I've been sandwiched by a few men, I am very sure you'd be able to get in the middle.

I don't think he would have done anything like that unless the House messed with him a bit.

Well, it still hasn't happened in the way I want it to! I'm getting impatient.

It does that often. At least you got a threesome out of it.

Who would you want it to be?

[ Time for hot goss. ]

Hey, don't flip this on me!

We were talking about you and how many you can take all at once!

[ Ah, Nami's flustered Weiss... ]

Why can't we talk about both? If we can fuck more than one cock at a time, we can talk about more than one thing at a time.

[ She's such a pirate sometimes! ]

You have a point.

Then, if I'll answer seriously? I actually don't know. Probably two people I know but aren't that close to me? Because if Ragna and Kazuya are involved I just know they're bound to get jealous. Maybe even competitive.

Wait, I think that might be good, after all.

[ ... could be fun. ]

( from here )

Yeah, I think that's the best option. If we were laying on the grass, we might need a shower too, so taking time to wash up and change our outfits might be nice.

[ All so she can wow Ragna again! It'll be great for both of them. Weiss suggests to shower and all, but she isn't even thinking about how sweaty she might get in the theatre if Ragna can't control himself. Still, if it does happen and they head back to their suite before dinner, all's well that end's well.

He then moves on with the rest of the date. It's already dark out when they finish dinner, and it sounds like they're heading back to the gardens after that! She's no longer writing down any notes, just listening to everything Ragna has to say.

It's all just a plan, wants and desires, and nothing solid, but... that all sounds really exciting. It has been from the start. ]

Look at you, casanova! When did you get to be so romantic?

[ She's biting her lower lip now, grinning to herself because that sounds like something a prince would do in a fairytale for his princess. Ragna's anything but, and it's not like she's one either, but... hey - maybe Grek and Fiola have a date like this at some point in the next movies, too. ]

Hey, Ragna? [ She's a little nervous now. Sure, they're dating, they've confessed to one another and all, but the last thing she wants is to ask too much of Ragna. She doesn't want to get into arguments about wishes and expectations... that's what happened to her mother and father, after all. And she knows what happened after that.

If she's got his attention after that, she stays silent for a few seconds. It might sound a little too long. ] I know you answered because of the card, but... can we do that? I- I mean... it doesn't have to be any time soon, and you don't have to spend so much on me, but... [ Her voice grows softer. She's placing the notebook over her mouth as she leans back a little on the couch. Anything to protect herself from possible rejection. ]

I really want a date like that with you.

I-I mean, even I'VE gotta buck up and learn a thing or two at some point, right?

[ If Ragna was pitted against himself before coming to the Golden Peacock, he'd be getting lambasted for letting himself get as soft as he did. He was angrier back then, fuelled and hyperfixated on his mission to crush Terumi and dismantle every Cauldron that he could find. Be the destroyer that was thrust upon him, and see it through as a human being until the very end. But it was that very same human being who was shown another life. Another chance. One that he could reach if he fought harder than before. One that he wanted to see the end of when he finished his business on his own planet.

For once...maybe it was okay to be a little more selfish. A certain someone on the other side of the wall taught him well enough. He wonders if she's still writing anything down...or if he should have been doing the same thing. Because while this was impromptu? This...really was starting to feel like something that should have been a reality.

And then she calls his name, drawing his gaze as his head lifts up to her. ]

Yeah, Weiss?

[ ... .... ..... She wasn't saying anything. That's quite the pregnant pause on her part, that his expression ebbs back into flecks of concern. Enough that it bleeds into his voice when he calls out again. ]

Weiss? [ Not even "Angel", this time. Yet when she finally speaks from her heart, he...actually feels his lift all the more. As if his own feelings and answer was always so simple when it came to her. But instead of calling her out on it, or telling her how she was worrying over nothing, or overstepping boundaries, ] Of course we can do that.

[ He takes that proverbial step forward for them. Resolute. There's a newfound brightness that brims in his voice. A smile to be found. ]

I'm gonna spend everything on you. Because I know you're gonna do the same thing for me.

We're not just gonna have a date like that, but we're gonna upstage it somehow.

[ It doesn't even have to be anything over the top or super extravagant! It can be something as simple as following this outline they've talked over now, only to put an even sweeter cherry on top. Stop on the way back to their suite and sit on a bench in the Conservatory. Keep talking about anything and everything until one of them finally started getting sleepy...all the more reason to carry her home if it winds up being her. ]

[ Weiss was a little nervous when she asked him that question, hoping that Ragna wouldn't think she was overstepping or anything. It's not because she doubts his feelings, but these sorts of doubts and uncertainties are just ingrained in her from how she grew up. Any worry is quelled immediately though when Ragna responds.

Her heart feels lighter. While she can't see how she's smiling right now, there's so much relief and pure happiness just from hearing him tell her that they'll have a date like that— no, an even better date. Meanwhile, how light she feels is enough to get her on her feet without even realising it.

BUZZ!

The resounding noise of the button being pressed.

She isn't horny, but she just really wants to hug and kiss her boyfriend right now. ]

[ BUZZ! ]

!

[ She didn't even say anything... Yet it's clear as day what that buzzer meant. It wasn't their pod doors opening, but an indicator for Ragna that he needed to follow suit and press that button. 'LUST' was just another word right now. They never needed a button to tell one another how badly they wanted each other. Hell, one speed date in here and Ragna used the button because he literally couldn't see the other person to describe them.

He might have been playing fast and loose with the button's meaning, but any that got him nearer to his girl always had one purpose.

BUZZ!

The partition comes down between their pods, and for all the outside world knew? They were going to get some extended time to have "fun". But here in this little isolated space? This is their quality time. They can still ask each other questions from the jars for fun. But he wants to do that while he can see her. While she can see him.

So she can see the smile of relief on his face when he gets up from his couch to close what distance is left between them. Whether she lets him join her on her couch or meets him halfway? ]

There you are.

[ Please hug and kiss the hell out of him already, Angel. ]

Oh good, you're actually Ragna.

[ Not that she needed any visual proof, but she still thinks it's a clever line when they couldn't see each other this whole time they've been in the pods.

He might have stepped forward first to close the distance between then, but Weiss is quicker on her feet, rushing to him so that she can slip her arms around his neck and get on the tip of her toes to give him a kiss. Sorry for her, Wagna... she just couldn't wait until you reached her or sat down with her. She wants and needs affection now.

It's why there's nothing chaste about the kiss she gives him right off the bat. It's deep and filled with longing, as if she hasn't seen him in the longest time. ]

You're Weiss?!

[ Clever begets clever, it would seem. Because it almost comes too naturally to him to quip right back with a line of his own. Seeing her hop up to her feet and make the world's quickest beeline to him, Ragna doesn't get enough time to finish his sentence before his words fade into the sweet embrace of her arms, and taste of her lips. ]

Good thing we've gotohhkay yeah-

[ Shut up and kiss her. He was originally going to make mention of how hitting that button meant they got a lot of extra time together. Anyone else pressing that button was presumed to be getting it on (don't rule it out...), but all he wants is to see her. Feel her. Touch and kiss and talk. They were barely apart for long, but it hardly mattered when, in reality, Ragna never would have wanted to play this with anyone else. In any other reality? Any other world that everyone was sucked into that wasn't forcing its denizens into sex, it would just be her.

In his heart, when neither one were wearing masks of indulgence to just navigate this casino, it still was just her.

A deep, hummed moan dies away into her mouth as he reciprocates that deep, longing and yearning kiss. The taste of her on his tongue, and the yearning for breath through his nose to keep it going. All the while, she has to contend with the feeling of his strong hand splaying the centre of her back, the other not quite frisking the usual risque spots like her backside or her breast, but more of a firm hold on her hip. Just right to make sure she's slotted up against his taller frame just right while he closes his eyes.

...And just when he breaks the kiss off? ]

...

[ Ragna gets as far as a hair's breadth from her lips before immediately: ]

Nope. Not done.

[ Only to steal away her breath this time as he kisses her back. The hand on her back slowly rubs downwards, a tickle of affection as his fingertips flirt her lower spine. ]

[ If Ragna wasn't going to kiss her again, she would have jumped him again for more smooches. He gets to it first though, which gets a bunch of giggles from Weiss when he presses her lips against hers again. She can't return it with a passion and hunger as she once did when she's busy giggling, far too giddy and happy just being close to him again, but she will, eventually.

She trusts he'll hold her and keep her steady. It's why her hands slip to cup both his cheeks instead, smiling into the kiss that she gives back.

How nice it would be to just tell him everything she's feeling and how happy he makes her, how she'd be so content with just watching a movie with him in their room with their little projector and how that would still be the best date ever. He doesn't have to do anything extravagant for her, even if she acts like she wants them here and there. Being the sweetest guy she's ever met earns him the right to just do whatever he wants, because it's in his simple actions and thoughtfulness that made her like him to begin with. ]

Can we- [ She can't stop smiling, but she plans another kiss to his lips again. ] Just keep kissing? [ And another. ] Until we get kicked out?

[ He's going to have a difficult time answering her when she can't get enough of him. ]

[ Smiling against her lips, it's hard not to feel the flames of excitement stoked in the pit of his stomach. Yet at the same time, it's a tempered feeling that keeps him content in just kissing her. In pushing the envelope and coaxing even more pleasant little mewls out of her if he just pours a little more urgency and passion into it. As if they could just keep climbing higher and higher, fighting that temptation to ask the other (silently or otherwise), if they can just do more than just kiss.

But Ragna was equally as content in this. In tending to those embers and never letting this feeling die out. And if they were kicked out? They'd just have to find another place to reconvene. If they were blindfolded and ushered off to other pods to indulge other dates, they'd just have to commit at the very end and make it worth the wait all over again.

They're still playing by the rules. The House can't get mad when they've already got their hands all over one another, right? ]

Let's just- [ A longer, drawn out sound muffled by her lips against his. ] Get you in my lap.

[ A chancing bite against Weiss' bottom lip. A friendly nip. ]

I wanna keep kissing you- [ Ooop. Cut off by another kiss again. Perhaps in a bid to try and nab her attention long enough for him to get a full sentence out, his hand glides down to her ass, squeezing with want over her skirt as he wets his lips with a swipe of his tongue. ] Iwannatalkandkissyou.

[ ...Did that make sense? Yes? No? Okay good he still managed to get it out by the time he was pressing himself against her. Slowly coaxing her little step-by-steps backwards until they were finding her sofa again. Turning the both of them around, it was only right for Weiss to reclaim the best seat in the house all over again as he kisses her all the way down to helping her get cozy in his lap. She can straddle him, sit sideways and be cradled by him, any position she wants. They're not getting up until they get kicked out. ]

[ It most certainly did not make sense, but Weiss can't even care about that right now. She just wants to keep kissing him, after all.

With Ragna seated, the easiest position would be to straddle him, but instead, she sits in his lap sideways, allowing herself to be cradled by him while she keeps his eyes on her with the hand on his cheek. Can't look anywhere else, Wagna. You're hers for the next half hour.

Maybe it was a bad idea for Ragna and Weiss to become an official couple. Now that all their emotions are out in the open and they have nothing to hide, there... really is no stopping either of them from being so gross and affectionate towards the other person, especially behind closed doors when they aren't risking being embarrassed by someone else. ]

Missed you.

[ It hasn't even been that long... But it's long enough for Weiss to feel that way and to want nothing more than this. So she kisses him again, slow, passionate, lingering. She touches him, a hand on his chest both to honk and for purchase, but nothing riskier than that. ]

[ Having her cozily seated in his lap sideways, it meant that Ragna could easier let his hand rest atop her soft thigh, not allowing himself to be so daring as to let it ride up her skirt. He could ask. He could escalate this and take things further. He could ask that of her any time he wanted to and chances were, she would have said yes. But that was just the impact of their relationship by now, wasn't it? That there would be so many opportunities for them both to indulge and have another card. It could be today, tomorrow, the day after that...but if he was with her in any capacity?

He was happy. He meant it when he told her that she was the best thing that's ever happened to him. And it made his dawning birthday here all the more excitable knowing that he wasn't just going to let it pass him by anymore. Something big? Small? Something just for the two of them? Weiss gave him so many things to look forward to now.

...

And it only made the weight in his chest all the heavier when he sits alone and thinks about how long he's been here for. How much he's grown attached to the people here. To his girlfriend in his lap, kissing him so grossly and passionately that no amount of times could ever be enough. And knowing that he needs to settle certain matters back home...it was only going to get harder and harder from here.

All the more reason to savour the days he gets with her now. Every minute. Every second. ]

I missed you like crazy too.

[ It hasn't been long. Knowing that they were all getting paired up randomly and practically being herded into temptation and pressing the button...to collect cards and fuel this world further...

This was just their little piece of sanctity that no one could interfere with. A nip of her bottom lip as she slowly, sensually kisses him, and his head is positively swimming. If Weiss happened to feel something get a little excited while she was perched in his lap, he was going to ignore it if she was. That hand on her thigh? Gives a good, firm squeeze. Telling her that he's right here. He's not going anywhere.

If she calls him out on that excitement, he'll own up to it. Before going right back to giving her another kiss. It's good that she excites him so easily. ]

Once we're wrapped up down here with everyone... [ Once their time is up, and the Mating Season mingle as a whole finally settled, ] Why don't you stay in my suite for one night?

[ His own 10 Rank suite. The one that he used maybe one out of seven days in a week or less. He'd rather be in her place. Their place. But he can host and provide just as good as she can. She's worth him giving a damn to try. Besides, as he rolls his tongue against hers, a gentler moan into her mouth as he tastes her on him before drawing away slowly, ]

Change of scenery, yeah?

[ A pseudo-getaway from what they've had to call their home. They had all the privacy in the world in that royal suite, but it never hurt to shake things up. ]

[ With their romantic date plans discussed earlier, the last thing Weiss wants now is to fuck in a room just because they couldn't handle themselves. So if she does feel anything from how she's seated, from the kisses they share and all the excitement that comes with it, she ignores it. If Ragna ever wanted to do something about it, she wouldn't tell him no. If it was just her though? She can exercise patience. Mostly.

Ragna invites her to stay over at his Rank 10 suite though. It's the perfect place for anything more than this because they really are behind closed doors and won't be interrupted by anyone. The perfect place for making a good show of just what her tongue can really do. . . Not to mention, it would be fun to be the 'guest' this time around. Her suite has practically become theirs (and Kazuya's by extension) and she isn't shy about telling him that, but she wouldn't dare call his suite hers, too. It's Ragna's own space, one that she was once scared of him having because she didn't want him to leave her, but she knows better now.

It gets her to let out a shaky breath, nervous and excited at the idea of being invited to his own space. Yet another layer to add to how flushed she already is now. ]

Yeah...

[ While she doesn't even know how wasted she's going to be by the end of all these rounds, she tilts her head and bats her lashes at him. She looks so sweet, Ragna. ]

Do you want to just cuddle up and watch a movie before bed? If you're not tired after tonight, anyway.

[ Watching a movie may or may not be interpreted as something more. ]

[ So sweet. Sweet enough that he could just eat her right up. Top to bottom. No crumbs left. Until she was arching her back and insistently rolling her hips against his face while she bit her lip in a bid to keep quiet. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that no matter what line they didn't cross together while they were making out, the thought has at least crossed his mind. Leaning in to peck her lips, she gets a generous answer. ]

I'll break out the projector again. [ Another kiss, deeper this time while his hand dares to smooth over her exposed thigh, giving it a squeeze while she gets to indulge in caressing him. ] Just like back at your old place.

[ Popcorn? Drinks? Would they finish the movie? Would they fall asleep together during the film? Would Ragna ever stop kissing her? He draws back with a heated sigh, only to gently tap his forehead to hers. ]

You make my head spin when we do this.

[ In a very, very good way. Needless to say, Ragna has learned to revel in this because of her. He wouldn't hurt her. Touching her like this didn't hurt her. It didn't hurt him knowing that someone he cared about was going to be okay for wanting to be this close to him... ]

That sounds fun.

[ If they watch a movie on the projector! It's not the fanciest way to watch a movie, but Weiss doesn't really care for that kind of stuff anymore. Besides, with the way their first movie not-date went, she realised that sometimes, when plans fall apart, great things can come out of it after all. ]

When we do that? [ She says it softly after she leans in to kiss him again, lips already starting to swell from how much they've been kissing these past minutes. ] Should we answer more questions so you can breathe every now and then? You could lay down, too.

[ It'd be more comfy if they both laid down and all, but this is fine too. She's comfy in her perch, but Ragna might not be if he keeps leaning down just to kiss her... not that he's complaining so far, but you never know! ]

[ Sooner or later, he was going to have to take some kind of break. But she does spark a very good idea. They're comfortable. Comfortable enough that he wouldn't mind playing with a few questions from the dual jars! Wetting his lips after another slow, languid bout of kisses that sees him still thrumming with excitement, Ragna decides he's going at least grab the first slip from the jar while she's perched in his lap. ]

Here. Lemme just...pick up one of these before we lie down.

[ If only this couch was a pullout... It's spacious enough for numerous activities. But the longer they wait for one another, the more exciting things were going to be after they finally wrapped up down here. Perhaps these questions were perfect for filling her pretty head with ideas. Make the wait all the more inconsolable. If they missed one another after a heartfelt talk about an ideal date behind a partition? What was going to happen to them when the games were over and they were playing their own together?

Neither one of them was getting any real sleep...

Peering over at the question between his fingers, he can't help but huff with amusement before showing it to her. ]

What're you wearing right now? [ Seeing as she's literally on top of him, Ragna wasn't talking about her dress exactly. 💦 Leaning down for a quicker little kiss this time, he teases with: ] In detail.

[ Said with an intent caress of his fingers gliding just a little further up her thigh, before just as teasingly strumming back down towards less risky territory. ]

[ There he goes. Not only is Ragna the best seat in the house, but he's also the best... bed in the house? Either way, with him laying down, she gets to climb on him and just rest there. Others might not find that comfortable, but she likes it like this. ]

Ooh... I thought we were doing the romantic ones? [ If Ragna wants to do the sexy questions though, then she won't complain. Though she better not hear him complaining or getting impatient... ]

I'm wearing...

[ She feels his fingers gliding up just a little, the heat from his hand and the weight of it very pronounced even with such a small gesture. Weiss moves her leg a bit, shifting a little in place just so she can give him more space to work with. That is to say, if he wants to go up a little higher. It's an invitation. ]

I think it's a white pair. The one with the cute garter with the blue ribbons on the side.

[ Listen, she isn't sure! But she's doing her best to remember. Before she can say something else though, she leans in to kiss him on the neck, featherlight kisses that go up the side of his face until her lips reach his ear. ]

You know the one... right?

[ For Ragna? He's ample relaxed like this. Even with Weiss' weight on him. She was a healthy, petite girl, but she was still like a feather to him. Easy to pick up, carry, ~~hold during sex~~. ]

I felt like picking at random.

[ So if Weiss plucks a romantic tag? Of course she was going to get a genuine answer from him. Feeling her shift her leg so that there's a little more room for him to work with, she gets exactly what she's inviting from him. Especially when his hand vanishes up the back of her skirt, caressing up...and down, slowly but surely gliding further up until... ]

Whites and blues...

[ Ragna, yearning to keep his eyes on her, gives his girl just as much access as she's given him, his fingertips flirting over the cute garter she mentioned while she kisses him on the neck. His spine tingles- a sensitive spot on him for sure. The featheresque kisses up the side of his face? Less ticklish but more sweet. Until she reaches his ear, the warmth of her breath washing over his shell as Weiss earns a very generous, shuddered sigh out of her boyfriend she's laying atop of.

Patience. No complaints. So long as she didn't mind if she felt something hard and thick poking into her as her voice turns him on. At the same time, his hand smooths over her panty-clad ass, as if he could just commit that white pair to memory without actually seeing them.

And then he squeezes. ]

Yeah...though I'll never say no to a refresher. [ A beat. Another caress of her butt before his fingers glide towards the inside of her thigh. ] Maybe after movie night?

[ Right. "After". ]

I dunno.

[ After movie night? That does sound like the right time for Ragna to have a look. They're going to be busy watching a movie, after all, and their attention is going to be focused on the movie. At least, in a perfect and ideal world, that's what they would be doing during movie time... ]

I might be too tired after the movie. [ Even though she'll just be chilling and watching, it's clearly tooo exhausting! He gets it, probably.

She tries to reach for the nearest set of questions so she can fish one out and read it. If it means Ragna's hand on her thigh goes up to her ass again because of it, then so be it. It's not like she's being shy about where she's allowing his hands on her, anyway. ]

I'm not asking you what you're wearing... [ God, that'd be boring. She just knows what kind of answer Ragna might say. So as she looks as what's written on the card, her eyes widen. ] Ooh, this is good!

Have you ever had a wet dream? [ Blue eyes fall on those mismatched crimson calamitous eyes of his. A knowing smirk is across her lips because she knows he's had at least one. Who hasn't??? 😏 ] Tell me about it.

Well that's a damn shame. Looks like I'm gonna hafta find a way to squeak some time in during.

[ But Weiss was correct. His answer would likely be boring. Hell, he was a smartass about it with Robin, telling her how harrowing it'd be if he asked her what she was wearing, only to flatly answer that she's wearing a dress and they were moving on. Besides, what she was wearing was far more titillating for him. Not to mention as she reaches for the questions and slides her body down his, his hand is nestled right on her ass. That's giving him all the ample, generous room he could ask for to take a wild guess to how those laced panties looked in his mind's eye.

He's slow about it. Methodical. Teasing in the way his fingers flirt with the idea of sliding beneath the backside to glide over smooth skin, only to let out a longing sigh. The longer this keeps up, the harder it was going to be to not use this room for its intended purpose. But that just made the payoff at the end of these mingled dates all the more worth it. It made the core of his diamond tattoo thrum with a deepened heat. He wasn't close to a dangerous activation, but it was responding- as was the rest of his body to her when she shoots him a challenging smirk upon asking for his wet dream. ]

I...uh...

[ Slower now, his fingers strumming along her panty-clad ass without actively taking a possessive squeeze of it. And he feels himself twitching in his pants, stirring at the revival of those dirty thoughts. She's calling him out. Because of course who hasn't? Especially here. The only difference was...

Well. This one was embarrassing. Because usually when someone has a wet dream? That's it. One typically woke up shortly after. She'd feel his body running warmer beneath her, and a strained sigh as he bids himself to get comfortable as he looks into her eyes. Fine. If this is how they're going to play it?

He asked for it by asking what she was wearing. Taking things in such a sordid direction. Now he was going to make sure she knew it. What kind of wet dreams has she had? About him? About anyone else? About being teamed between two or more players? But one of the dreams that sticks out in his mind is one that was sparked by her in stages. Leaning up for her, he cants his head as he kisses her, languid and slow, tongue rolling out in a bid to taste hers as excitement threatens to boil over within him. A squeeze of her ass later and... ]

This one...just wouldn't stop.
We were somewhere...probably a room at the Ugly Duckling. [ The school... ] You were bent over the desk asking for extra credit...

[ And, well, since she asked... ]

You had me cumming buckets, dripping all over the floor while you were getting fucked from behind. [ A more assertive caress of her panty-clad backside, all the while Ragna was doing such a good job of lying still for her. Being patient, both physically and mentally. ] You took it like a good little student...but. Then I blinked, and when I thought I woke up...we were back in that shower in your old suite.

[ He swallows. He throbs just thinking about it, face flush a burning crimson with hot and aroused shame. Feeding her into that vivid wet fantasy she sparked all that time ago. All it took was her wanting to thank him in that shower, on her knees. ]

After you got me cumming again with a blowjob, you kept...rubbing my cock against your tits while jacking me.

[ And that's when he remembers, as thoroughly wrecked as he was in that dream because of her, Weiss hadn't been talking obscenely or dirty with him throughout it. Spills of curses, maybe, but suddenly Ragna lets out a deep chuckle from his chest as he smirks right back up at her. As dirty of a wet dream as he's given to Weiss after everything they'd been through together, while she was slapping his cock against her perky breasts and rubbing herself against him...

What's so funny? ]

I remember you saying something like, "Don't worry. It'll wash off."

[ This was definitely a very good question, because it's gotten Ragna to talk more than he usually does. Asking him what kind of underwear he has on would have truly been the most boring question ever, but this... It's hard to tell if it's all real—if he really did "dream" about all this, and how much of this is just his fantasies when he's awake. Whatever the answer may be, Weiss is excited, thrilled, and eager to learn more. ]

So... if it wouldn't stop, that means you dreamt about this a bunch of times?

[ She's curious, but the way she prolongs that "soooooo" sounds so teasing, too. He really is so crazy about her; she's called it from day one, even if she didn't really mean it back then. All's well that ends well though. Weiss never thought that she'd be into Ragna romantically, but here they are. Here she is, battling her fears and going beyond self-imposed rules that she placed upon herself to survive in this place.

Weiss adds another question after that, too. Ragna's hand is on her ass; while he isn't doing anything sexual just yet, she just knows that his mind is likely to go overdrive soon. He's getting excited because of his own thoughts, and he's going to get called out for it. ]

And just talking about it now is getting you hard?

[ The truth of the matter was, as she would swiftly find out as excitement thrums through his veins with her, ]

In parts. Bits and pieces. Some longer than others...

[ He dreamt of it all. But none of it remained as just that. They were fresh in his thoughts. Invasive even in his day-to-day living around the Golden Peacock. A single burning hum of his suit, a pang of a reminder, and he can be thinking about it all over again. And there's a part of him that was tempted to flip the script right back on her. Especially when the two of them were both defying any self-imposed rules they would have dared place on themselves.

Because it wasn't just Weiss who went against everything she said she wouldn't do. But Ragna. This was forbidden for him. A self-imposed exile of affection knowing that nothing good could ever come from letting someone get this close to him. That the power that he holds wouldn't discriminate and that it'd only hurt and take away. That Ragna's been living in an ideal dream for so long thanks to this damned world, that there's a part of him that never wanted to go back to being without this. Without her.

Defying what he shouldn't be doing never felt so good. She's sent him into overdrive. He is excited because of his own thoughts.

Yet it wasn't as simple as that. She's the driving force behind them all. So much so that when she asks him if he's getting hard talking about it now... ]

Think it'd be weirder if I DIDN'T get hard.

[ After all, the way that she's comfortably lying on top of him, she'd have to scoot down just a little more before she could feel him, thickening and bulging in his pants. But he doesn't force her to slide further down his body. His subtle caressing of her ass and the deepened tone of his voice that just screams of how badly he wants her (how he's always wanted her) do the work. ]

Maybe you should find out for yourself.

[ Okay, that's a very good point. It would be very weird if Ragna didn't get hard thinking about his fantasies and talking about it. In fact, thinking about it now as she covers her mouth with her hand with a giggle, she figures that she'd be pretty insulted if he didn't get excited. ]

No, no, your honesty speaks wonders.

[ She could sooo easily find out, but she only shakes her head ever so softly. There's no need for any big movements now. ]

So... do you want to try it sometime? [ There's a knowing smile on her face when she asks that, because Ragna doesn't have to answer the question directly. ] Not now, of course, but when we've got more time to ourselves.

Ohhhh the wait for you's gonna kill me.

[ But it's in jest at this stage. Once their elongated time in here was over, Ragna was going to have to step out of these pods and mingle with someone else. Would he play by the rules? Find any excuse to get out? Find a reason to get whoever was on the other side of the pod out with him? Who was to say? At this stage of their lives, it's been about making each day as comfortable as possible despite the tumultuous nature of this haunted, gilded resort.

Because for what felt like the first time in a long time in Ragna's life, he's been given a reason to want to take things easy.

If Weiss was even asking...whether she expects a direct answer or not, he first answers her with a lean up to steal her breath again with a kiss. Short-lived yet just as filled with yearning, he tastes her once more before he slips back to look up at her. ]

Trust me. Next heat of the moment? We're gonna. [ It wasn't about a "want". And as much as he could keep talking dirty to her, filling her pretty little head with promises of just how much attention she was going to get from him and the way she gets his own body going... He's gotta behave. ] I'll text you first thing when this whole mingle officially stops.

[He had meant to respond properly to Weiss' gift sooner, but he hadn't even been sure what to do. Go to her suite dressed in it? Take a picture in it? Nevermind he ended up losing track about it when his birthday happened, leaving him quite busy on top of the suit swapping.

After finding the gift while cleaning up a bit and feeling more like himself, he decides that it has been long overdue for him to return her kind gesture.

That's why Weiss will receive a text with a photo attachment of the man. It's a photo of him with the headband and collar, though it's obvious that it's also the only thing he's wearing. Though the shot capture most of him seated comfortably on his bed, he does maneuver his legs enough that she can't see anything. There's also a bit of shyness, like he isn't used to this.

He isn't. Nevermind his lack of taking photos, the idea of sending them is preposterous. Especially one like this.]

Thanks for the gift.

Bow wow~♥︎

You're awake! Are you okay? Do you need anything? You're probably really sore and stiff... Do you need help?

I don't even know where to begin with a status update.

Well, lets start with the basics... Are you sore? Hows your suit? It can't be that happy after 2 months with nothing...

A little bit. My suit is black, but I don't feel anything strange.

I mean, you've seen me when my suit's been really dark before.

If it's black, shouldn't we take care of it? I can do whatever you want me to, however you'd like it most.

[His words are coming from a place of genuine concern, but he also realizes that Weiss may not entirely be up to something like that so soon.]

I mean, I guess so. I normally wouldn't have any issue with this, but I'm also not in the mood?

Not right now, anyway. But maybe that would change later?

It's still weird if your suit is so dark but you're not feeling anything from it... Something must be seriously wrong.

Well, either way. You know I'm available whenever you want and need, alright?

For sure.

Can your magic try and find out if I'm cursed or something?

You can come over if you want.

Yeah, I've got some magic that should be able to figure that out. I'll be over in a second, alright?

[Which is to say... He's teleporting in! No knocking needed...

Still, it's a shock to see Weiss up and about after such a long time of her not... being up and about.]

Hey...

[Can he hug her? He's going to come hug her. Right now.]

I missed you.

[ She is up, but she definitely doesn't look like she's gotten good rest recently. Her hair isn't up yet either; she's not ready to tie it up and go about her day like normal. ]

Hey- [ Maybe she should have expected Kazuya to come closer and give her a hug, but she doesn't. She's a little stiff for the next couple of seconds until she signs and reciprocates, leaning on Kazuya when she hugs back. ]

Are you alright? I'm sorry for worrying you.

[ It's alright that she's stiff against him for a few seconds. What matters is that she's awake, and... arguably fine, right now? She says her mark is darkened, but isnt suffering any ill effects.

Hard to believe, when he'd been gone for a chunk of time himself not too long ago, and came back absolutely insatiable.

His grip around her gets tighter momentarily before relaxing again. He's not too keen on letting her go yet, though. She'll forgive him though, right? She knows how much he likes her.]

I'm okay. And... It makes up for me worrying you before now, doesn't it? We're even.

🪶 inbox.

Details

→ reesay.

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early august.

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