Homecoming

<You should stop by for it some time.>
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"I guess that's for the best...."

*It is still raining, but it's down to a moderate drizzle for now.*
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*Aroma is sadly, obliviously, impulse shopping. She has added pink lemonade, razors, & strawberry-scented shampoo to her basket.*

Sab walks over and says, "Aroma, I should tell you something-- Are we low on shampoo?"

--

Mortal walked back over to Noct and put an arm around her shoulders, "You got all my favorites. And here I thought you'd be upset."

Taiyo: "Unless you really want too..."

Taiyo just kind of stares at a slice of pizza sitting on a plate that was presumably provided. A lone bite taken out of it.

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Azuma: "I'll be sure to check it out."

<We didn't see anything that matched that description.>
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*Everyone starts on their pizza*

S"Oh, really? Then what did you see?"
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"No, I guess I wouldn't want to give you a cold."
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<Great, can't wait to see you there. If you need anything else, just let me know.>

*She heads off to...somewhere.*
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*Aroma looks at her, frowning deeply.*

"I don't know! I just thought we might need it, so I bought it...."

Taiyo: "It's fine, I'll be okay."

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Azuma: "She seemed nice. Now I feel obligated to go."

Mimiru: "Seriously?"

Azuma: "Why not? Might be worth the effort."

"But... that isn't even the scent you usually get," Sab said, "Oh, but that isn't what I wanted to say. Mortal thinks Noctis might like you... Wow, that sounded more like gossip out loud than it did in my head." She eyed the razors to see if they were any good before continuing, "I think that is why she has been so upset lately. She is mad at me."

--

"Purely accidental," Noct said.

"I told Sab that you like Aroma."

"Why are you mean to me?"

*Eve looks at Thiera and Roatha*

<Things best left unseen.>
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*Monu sips his soda*

Tirea:<So how did you all meet up?>

Cameron:<Some guy wanted to talk to us.>

*Euryale puts an arm around Taiyo, smiling.*

"Yeah, some weirdo priest who wants to go devil-hunting in the woods."
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*They are the razors that Aroma usually gets. This does not make Aroma feel better. Her frown deepens.*

"That's...not fair...I feel guilty about unknowingly spurning her. But then I feel guilty about feeling guilty for being with you. What am I supposed to do?"
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*Roatha is kind of backing away from this. Thiera stands there, looking like a deer in the headlights.*

S"Come now, surely you can narrow this down for me. They're just books. Completely harmless."

Tirea:<Why would anyone want to do that?>
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*Eve looks down for a second, then back to Senthose*

<Are you doing this because you are generally interested or because you want to confirm our madness?>

"I don't know," Sab said honestly, "Maybe talk to her and get it out of the way. I mean, she is our friend, so I don't think she wants to hurt any of our feelings, but it must still hurt to be rejected. Uh, not that you did it intentionally... Luck of the draw I guess..." Sab felt bad at that, wondering if she was with Aroma simply because she got lucky.

--

"Should I go say something?" Noct asked, "Or would that just be incredibly awkward?"

"I don't know."

"Then why did you say anything?!" Mortal paused for a second but before she could answer Noct said, "If you say 'I don't know' again, I swear to god..."

Mortal stood quiet save for a small chuckle. After a second she added, "They just seemed so bummed. I thought they might deserve to know why their friend was acting so weird around them."

Taiyo scooches her chair in a bit closer. She also resumes eating at a more normal pace.

Taiyo: "What? You saw some weirdo this morning? Why would you do that?"

"I only went because I wanted to back up these guys. They're the ones who wanted to talk to him, I thought it was a bad idea."

*She gestures to everyone else at the table.*
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"Okay...I'm going in...."

*Aroma pulls down the hem of her hoody, rolls up her sleeves, walks a few paces, & then turns around.*

"I'm scared, can't you come with me?"
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S"I just want to know what you saw. None of the news reports elaborate beyond 'delusions' or 'monsters.'"

Sab had walked those few steps with her, and was a bit confused by Aroma's question, "I'm always here for you, silly." She smiled, and reached out to hold Aroma's hand, squeezing it a bit.

--

Noct let out a sigh and walked out of the aisle, looking around to see if Aroma was also around, or in one of the aisles.

*Eve glances around*

<Alright, but could we find some place more private to talk?>
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Cameron:<He went all, "It was the devil" on us, since Stephan was Christian. Or something.>

*He takes a bite of pizza*

Tirea:<How did you meet this guy?>

Cameron:<Got a call last night.>

"He called us too and talked to Astarte," Hector said. "I don't really know what to make of him. Seemed nice enough but pretty odd. Believed the whole "monsters" thing without hesitation."
Astarte stared pointedly at her food as she ate it, going a little red.

"Really, that was my first red flag. I'd hate to say it, but sane people just aren't going to believe us that easily."

*Finished with the slice of meat lover, she grabs a slice of Hawaiian.*
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S"This is a library. There's nobody here, everything is digital nowadays."

R"I really don't want to tell you anything."

S"Come on, what have you got to lose?"

R"I don't even know who you are."

S"I'm really just a psych major who's following the story. What do you expect? Why would anyone have an ulterior motive to get this story out of you?"

T"He has a valid point, there."
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*Aroma smiles weakly & walks out, like she might be preparing to meet an executioner. Sab can feel that the hand she is clutching has gone cold & is starting to get wet with nervous sweat. After Noctis checks a couple of aisles, she sees Sabroma emerge from one, Aroma looking around for her.*

"Yeah... I'm hoping we don't hear from him again really," Hector said after finishing a slice. "For more than one reason."

"Uh, hey..." Noct said, giving a small wave, and walking over.

Mortal appears out of an aisle with a bag of popcorn, and walks over to Noct, "Hey, you like popcorn right?"

Taiyo: "Um...has anyone else had any weird dreams since getting back?"

"You know, now that you mention it, I have. I can't remember the details very clearly...I was out exploring the dorm building at night. I think I was looking for someone."
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*Aroma waves, trying to hide her chattering teeth.*

"Umm...hi. How, uhh...are you...?"

"Uh, fine I guess," Noct said.

Taiyo: "Was that shadow thing in it too?"

"I saw black hands... in a dream... I think," Astarte broke in awkwardly. "And Stefan... It was scary."

"No, my dream didn't involve the Shadow. At least, not that I know of."
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"So...um...I...well, what...you, uh...see...there's...umm...something..did you...?"

*Aroma's breathing quickens with every failed sentence.*