[Voice / Action]

[mirrorbirth]

...What the hell is wrong with the plaza?

[Seriously, what. Giant tree out of nowhere, what. Not that he doesn't have more important things to be dealing with right now. Speaking of which-

...Man. This is going to be crazy-awkward, he just knows it. But hey, it has to be done- you can only dodge someone living in your own house for so long.

Comments

[Locked]

[goldenfirefly]

[Stella can't help smiling to herself once she sees the entry; personally asking to met with her, eh? She's already outside, in the very plaza he's questioning at that, which she feels is a convenient meeting place.

She'll just. Fix her hair a little before she answers.]

Of course. I was actually about to ask you the same thing.

[Locked]

[mirrorbirth]

[Oh, that's a relief. He hadn't wanted to impose on her, or pester her overmuch; being such an antisocial creature by nature, he'd been starting to wonder if he was choking her with his presence or something.]

Where are you? I'll meet you there.

[Locked]

[goldenfirefly]

In the plaza. Oh, Asch, you have to see this!

[Locked]

[mirrorbirth]

[........What. No. That place is horrifying.]

I've seen it. Why are you there?

[Locked]

[goldenfirefly]

I've never seen a tree like this before... And it actually feels like spring under the leaves!

Please, Asch? [Come on. Surely you can't resist that tone in her voice.]

[Locked]

[mirrorbirth]

[O-of course he can. He totally can. ...R-right.

...This is getting harder. Um. Not good.]

...Can't I wait for you outside the plaza?

[Locked]

[goldenfirefly]

[You are such a spoil sport. But, well, he's trying, and that's good enough for her.

She'll just pick one of these delicious fruits for him. Because they are quite delicious, as she found a little earlier.]

All right, if you insist. I'll meet you there.

[And now she's torn between going and meeting him right away or chilling out under the weeping willow just a little longer. It really is so nice...]

[Action]

[mirrorbirth]

[Oh, bother. She'll probably get her way anyway- she's somehow managed to do that all week so far. He takes a few moments to get ready (wearing an elegant green ensemble with a long black coat rather than his uniform, and giving his hair a good brush) then heads out to look for her, keeping to the outskirts of the plaza. Up close it's not... as bad, and she's right about the warmth. He still can't really trust it, though. Isn't this the Malnosso's doing? What if it's harmful to them? Just like during that holiday in October.]

[Action]

[goldenfirefly]

[If the tree is in view, Asch might see Stella parting the leaves and coming out while staring up at the tree with admiration. The beauty of the land has always captivated Stella, so it's no wonder that she seems quite taken with the weeping willow. She's looking rather nice herself, with a pretty violet blouse and blue pants (PANTS, no dress!) along with the some of the pink leaves of the tree woven into her hair, which lacks its usual style. Instead, it's been done into a long braid. Gotta go with something different sometimes!

Once she turns and sees Asch, Stella seems to brighten up even more, and she leaves the tree alone in favor of jogging over to him. She's not sure whether it's because he's dressed up more than usual or if he's done something with his hair, but when she gets to him, she can't help but reach for his hand with her free hand and give him a glance over.]

Hello, Asch... You look very handsome today.

[Action]

[mirrorbirth]

[Don't blush, don't blush, don't- oh, dammit. He shuffles a bit awkwardly, taking her hand and giving it a light squeeze. They're in public, so he's a little reluctant to be too physical, but he doesn't want to let her go or push her away, either.]

You're... looking pretty. [...Um. That sounds weird, coming from him.] You always do, though, so. [Wait, is that implying that she's just plain today?] ....I like your hair.

[...Probably safer.]

[Action]

[goldenfirefly]

[Stella just grins from that, because his awkward shuffling is just kind of adorable to her. And... she's feeling a little over affectionate today; maybe it's the big decision she made, or the general atmosphere. But she still lets go of his hand in favor of resting her palm against his chest.]

Relax, all right? And thank you. [She glances to the side - it's odd not so see her hair in her usual style, so his compliment is appreciated.] I was hoping you'd like it... Ah, that's right!

[Now Stella finally reveals what's in her other hand - the fruit from the tree.]

I tried some of this earlier. Would you like some of it? It's really good!

[Action]

[mirrorbirth]

[He eyes the fruit suspiciously, gaze shifting to the tree, the obvious source of the fruit. His eyes widen abruptly, snatching the fruit away from her.]

What!? You ate it!? Why the hell would you do that? It could be dangerous!

[Action]

[goldenfirefly]

[Well, that makes her lean back a little bit, and she gives a helpless smile as well as a shrug.]

I couldn't help myself! And everyone else seemed to be just fine after eating them... And I feel all right. [And she obviously looks okay, if Asch didn't point out anything... hmm.]

[Action]

[mirrorbirth]

[Asch does notice this; he stares at her for a long moment, baffled and concerned, before he turns his gaze downwards to the fruit he's now holding. Everyone has been eating these things? And they're okay? He's still suspicious, even with that lack of justification, but... he can't help but feel this strange urge to bite into it and try it for himself. ...Weird.

...And so annoying 8| Maybe he should just throw it away...]

[Action]

[goldenfirefly]

You don't have to eat it if you don't want to, but...

[She takes his free hand in both of her own, brushing her thumb along the back of his hand.]

I was planning on taking you somewhere today, and I thought you might want something to eat along the way. Unless you're not hungry? [It's true, too; There is somewhere she'd like to take Asch. Relatively far away, too...]

[Action]

[mirrorbirth]

[Her touch - and what she said - distracts him, and he blinks over at her, eyes widening a little.]

Where do you want to go? [Whether or not he's hungry, or even whether or not the fruit is dangerous, is suddenly very unimportant.]