The Arrival

Taiyo who hadn't really considered their plans a date blushes.

Taiyo: "I'm sure that'd be okay."

Astarte joined her on the couch, "Yeah, I guess. An acquaintance who was with us in the forest back then has apparently disappeared. Cameron is worried."
She read Cameron's text and sighed again, "And now my brother is fighting in a bar."

"Says the bitch picking the fight," Hector leered. "Now I'm going to ask you one last time to get out of my face."

"Oh..." Noct tried to prioritize the information in her head. She was worried about her missing friend, but a potentially abusive drunk she would probably be meeting eventually seemed like a much more immediate concern to her. Still, it would probably be rude to imply such to his sister, whom she had the intention of courting. Noct ran a hand through her hair and settled for something non-accusatory, "Is there anything we can do to help?"

--

It seemed rude to just ignore him, so Sab waved, "Hello, Roatha."

"I don't think so," Astarte put her phone away and gave Noct a sheepish look. "Sorry, I just kind of... brought the mood down. I'm sure these things will be sorted out without us."

Noct scooted closer, and put an arm around Astarte's shoulder, "You don't have to apologize." Noct put her other hand over Astarte's, rubbing it with her thumb, "I want you to be able to trust me with things like this. I want to help, if I can. You know, be there for you."

"I know. I hope you can trust me, too," Astarte smiled genuinely and leaned onto her. "But I think we can leave everybody else to themselves for the moment, really."

Noct nodded, and snuggled closer still, pulling Astarte into a tighter embrace. "Fine, then it is just us," Noct said, kicking her feet up onto the coffee table, "I'm more than okay with that too."

R"Huh? Oh, hi...."

*In addition to looking tired, Roatha looks like he recognizes her, but can't place the name.*
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<Why don't you make me, Scum?>
==========================
E"You think I'd bring a sports bra to a date? I'm going to teach Taiyo some self-defense."

Sab is eager to get back to her room with Aroma, so she doesn't really care all that much and simply tries to continue on to her room.

*Eve looks a little embarrassed*

<I'm sorry, I wasn't really paying attention to what you were bringing...>

"So, wanna do something or...?"

"And what will you do if I don't?" Hector asked, pulling his hand out of her grip.

Noct looked at Astarte, "Something meaning? We just came from lunch, so I'm honestly all planned out for the rest of the day." She ran a hand through her hair, and took her feet off the coffee table, "Bit boring, but I'm more of a stay at home kind of person, unless you want to go do something..."

Taiyo: "I certainly wouldn't mind if you did. You do have really great-"

She blushes and stares at the floor.

Taiyo: "Sorry."

E"Exercise clothes just aren't a very good look. Well, let's walk you over there."
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V"Either way, the cops are gonna hear everything I know about whatever it is you're up to."
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*When the door is open, Aroma looks over Sab's shoulder with a start. Roatha, who it seems has a habit of looking over his shoulder, turns around.*

R"What is it?"

A"What? Oh, nothing, I just thought I saw something move. Silly me."

*Roatha turns his full attention on them & walks over, peering through.*

A"Um...."

R"Was it, like, a shadow?"

A"Kinda, I mean, that's what it looked like."

Sab is a bit spooked out, "Do you think it might be one of those guys from before? You know, the ones who attacked Gabe and the rest?" She looked at Aroma, then at Roatha.

Taiyo readies to follow Euryale and Eve out.

"Oh, I'm the same way," Astarte replied. "Anything's nice."

"Cute," Hector grinned. "I'm sure the cops will be right on my case for doing nothing. And if you weave some lies, having my father working as a DI with them should give me some more credibility than you, anyway. So go and do as you please, I don't mind."

Noct let out a sigh, "That is a relief. I thought you were about to hound me for an itinerary or something." Noct motioned to the area, "There isn't really much, but you're free to enjoy anything I have. There is tv out here and in my room, and I'm fairly certain some kind of alcohol exists in the fridge. If we raid Mortal's room we could probably find more dubious soporifics, if you're into that kind of thing."

*Euryale heads out & waits for them, holding the door open.*
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"Then if you're not plotting anything, I guess you won't have a problem with me standing here."

*She folds her arms.*
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*Aroma's grip on Sab's hand tightens & she moves closer.*

A"I sure hope not."

R"Maybe...."

*He has not looked away from the room.*

R"Maybe we should check."

Astarte looked thoughtful, and then said, "Maybe we could get some drinks, and we could put something on TV."

"It's weird, but whatever," Hector turned to Monu. "So, Tirea."

Taiyo leaves and stands with Euryale.

Noct stood up, and began heading over to the kitchen. "White Russians?" Noct asked, "The remote is on the coffee table by the way."

--

Sab doesn't really want to follow Aroma, but she has a death grip on her, and is pulling her towards certain doom. To save herself she nudges, Roatha, "You go in and check to make sure everything is safe, uh, please."

"Sure," Astarte picked up the remote and turned on the TV, looking for anything cool.

Noct mixed the drinks, and came back with two glasses. "So, what's on TV?" She asked handing Astarte one as she took a seat next to her.

*Eve follows Euryale out*
===
<We need to alert everyone that the Shadow may have taken her. Then...>

*He shrugs*

Cameron:<We should go see if she's still enrolled here.>