6th Trial [Voice]

[cry_camellia]

[...They were really gone.

After having spent so much time on her own in Luceti, it had been nice to have roommates again. Sharing an apartment with Noel and Ragna had been reminiscent of boarding at the Academy, and against the odds, it had somehow even started to feel like... home.

But today she stood, once again, in an empty apartment.]

[

Comments

[oda_hates_me]

[... a soft exhale]

Thanks for letting us know.

[cry_camellia]

You're welcome. I knew there were a fair number of people who'd be concerned about them...

[oda_hates_me]

[He just nods - it's all he can do at the moment]

Yeah. [a pause] Will you be alright, Miss?

[cry_camellia]

[She considers that. She's far from alright at the moment, but it'll pass. It'll have to... There's no need to burden people she's never even met.]

I'm sure I'll manage. [...] But I certainly appreciate the concern.

[oda_hates_me]

[His lips actually twitch up at the answer]

Alright.

You're Tsubaki, aren't you?

[cry_camellia]

[...That actually stuns her for a moment. Had Noel actually been talking about her?]

That's right. My apologies, but I don't believe we've been introduced?

[oda_hates_me]

Right, sorry about that!

I spoke with Noel-chan at her party and she mentioned a good friend of hers. I figured it might be you.

[As soon as the words are out, Sanji winces a little at his own lack of forethought. Dumbass chef, running your mouth like that]

[cry_camellia]

[Tales of Noel's social skills will never cease to amaze and impress Tsubaki. She can't help but let out a small smile.]

...Oh. W-Well, yes. I'm Tsubaki Yayoi, and though the circumstances are unfortunate, it's nice to meet you, Mr...?

[oda_hates_me]

Just call me Sanji~! [he shall tactfully refrain from flirting of any kind. This definitely counts as one of those Now's Not the Time moments.]

[cry_camellia]

[That's very thoughtful of him. |D]

Sanji, then. Did you know Noel and Ragna well?

[oda_hates_me]

[his smile, while still friendly, wanes a bit]

Ragna, not so much, but I considered Noel-chan a close friend of mine. [his grin gains some fondness] She came over for cooking lessons once.

[cry_camellia]

...C-Cooking lessons?

Um. No one was hurt, were they?

[To those uninitiated with Noel's culinary expertise, it probably sounds like a joke... But no. That's genuine concern.]

/sob this is so late ;; feel free to ignore

[oda_hates_me]

[Even during this sad, sad announcement, Sanji can't hide the shudder]

No no, everyone was fine.

After the first bite, I uh, took care of her cookies myself.

never! ;;

[cry_camellia]

That's good to hear. She certainly had a way with food.

[...'Had.' That one word is enough to bring the current situation back into focus.]

...Thank you for being so kind to her while she was stuck here.

[oda_hates_me]

Like I said... [His voice trails off into softness]

She was a good friend.