Fifty-fourth Song || Video/Action for Goldenrod

[restardom]

[ Anyone who's been around Rise for the past few days or so might notice that she hasn't seemed like herself. She's been quieter, not as readily found, and tends to disappear from the house without saying anything.

Today is another such day, but she certainly doesn't seem as subdued today. Maybe it's because it looks as though she's busying

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[tiercelet]

[He's noticed her change in moods, of course, seeing her as often as he does, but he won't pry...yet. No, he'll just make himself comfortable on the bench next to her once he finds her hiding place.]

So... a fire alarm? I hope Rosemary doesn't have anything to do with this.

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[restardom]

Awww, Rosie wouldn't set anything on fire.

[ a pause. Someone may be recalling an awning. ]

You know, on purpose.

[tiercelet]

I bet she wouldn't. [An apple for the good-mannered Rapidash?]

You know, if you're really that curious, we could try setting one off now. [He makes no effort to suppress the smile.] Somewhere far from the Breeding Centre, though. I don't think Souji and Yosuke would appreciate the erm. Reminder. [And now someone may be recalling a few Gyrados and their hyper beams...]

[restardom]

[ a pause - because she genuinely looks startled - and then a breathless laugh, startling Rosemary as she munches her apple. ]

You're pretty rebellious, aren't you?

[tiercelet]

[Seeing all this, Nineve apparently decides she needs a treat of her own, too. She jumps between Merlin and Rise, nosing hopefully at his pack until he produces an apple for her.]

Me, rebellious? [That look he's giving you right now? Completely innocent.] What gave you that idea?

[restardom]

The way you were all set to go and do it, maybe?

[ hi, Nineve. ]

[tiercelet]

Aw, that's just jumping ahead.[Pause.] You can't really say I'm rebellious until you've caught me red-handed. Which, you know. You could. If we went to pull the alarm now.

[No, he's totally not trying to convince her to pull a prank with him, why would he do that. And 'sup, Rise. Nineve's going to be curling up right next to you and using your lap as a pillow now.]

[restardom]

... Wow. That was, you know. Totally convincing and subtle, Merlin.

[ and she's going to oblige Nineve by rubbing her head. ]

[tiercelet]

It really was. [Sage nod.] We might get into some trouble, you know, but with Rosemary on our side, we ought to get away safely. [And now he'll stroke the Rapidash's mane like he didn't just say something wrong.] Isn't that right, Rosemary.

[Nineve isn't even going to bother moving to scold her trainer for being an idiot.]

[restardom]

[ Rosemary snorts, tail flicking. What are you saying, Merlin? NO ONE CAN CATCH HER. ]

Nineve's pretty much asleep here, you know.

[tiercelet]

We can always save it for another time, then. [He says this with all the appropriate graveness as he pats Rosemary's neck comfortingly. There, there. Of course no one can catch you.]

You know...Nineve likes pretending she's aloof, but she can usually tell when someone needs comforting. [The question's in the air now, waiting to be answered, but Merlin still doesn't press. If Rise wants to talk, he wants her to do it on her own terms.]

[restardom]

... [ with a little laugh, she leans back against the bench. ] Now that's a little more subtle. You want to ask me what's wrong, right?

[tiercelet]

[That draws a small smile from him, though it doesn't distract him from the topic. He leans forward, elbows resting on his knees as he looks forward.]

I can tell there's something bothering you. I can also tell you're trying not to worry people again.

I would hope...that we've grown close enough that you could find it in yourself to lean on me if you need to. But...everyone has a few things they'd like to keep to themselves, so I won't pry if you don't want to talk about it. [Pauses, thinking back to Souji and Yosuke.] It just...wouldn't be fair for you to bottle yourself up when so many people have been relying on you recently. You should let other people support you every now and then, too.

[Now he does look at her, a bit ruefully.] A good friend of mine taught me that not too long ago. She's a kind person, and somehow always thinking of others even when she's busy. Maybe you know her.

[restardom]

[ Rise's quiet for a long moment, turning the bracelet over and over in her hands. Have people been relying on her recently? It feels like she's been worrying them more than anything, and it's that thought that draws forth a worn-out sigh. Knowing Merlin, even if she told him she didn't want to talk about it - which is true - he'd still worry. And the rest of the team would too.

... she owes them that much, doesn't she? ]

I was rejected... sorta.

[tiercelet]

Rejected...? ["By who?" Merlin nearly asks in his surprise, but he stops himself in time.

The source of her troubles isn't what he was expecting when he sat down to talk to her, if he has to be honest, though, his discomfiture has nothing to do with the topic at hand. The last time he could remember them discussing love was when she'd called, telling him that Ven had turned her down. Had she found someone else since then? That he didn't notice something so important to a close friend, despite them staying in the same house, is not a thought he likes.]

[restardom]

... [ have an apologetic look, Merlin. ] I didn't tell anyone. I think I was trying so hard to fight it, so...