WHEN YOU ARE THE ONE WHO LIES CLOSE TO ME

[unversed]

THE CATCHALL ROMANCE MEME

HOW WE ROLL:
> Post with your character, put name/fandom/etc in the subject line.
> Someone tags you with one of the scenarios listed below.
> "AND THEN THEY PORKED."
> PORNPROFIT.

THE DEETS:

ONE ➔ CONFESSION: You've been admiring this person from afar, or you've been friends with them for a while. Either way, you've finally worked up the courage to admit how you feel!

TWO ➔ LOVE NOTES: Send your crush personalized little love notes for them to find! Flick them at your crush, or hide them in their shoes! Draw pictures of you two kissing! Heck, even an old fashioned YES/NO checkbox note will do. But you've gotta get their attention with your written prowess! Get creative! Maybe they'll come up to you and you'll find true love!

THREE ➔ KISSING BOOTH: You're working a kissing booth, for whatever reason. Charity, for your school, or just because you got conned into it. But will something special bloom from a chance encounter with a booth guest? Or will you just be embarrassed for life, and punch your friends for getting you into this later?

FOUR ➔ LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT: You've been completely dazzled by this specific person! Your heart races, you have a cold sweat... whoa wtf is happening. You simply must get to know them! Maybe it was meant to be!

FIVE ➔ TSUNDERE STYLE: Sure, you like them, but you can't show that by being cute or cooking them lunch, hell no. You have to punch their shoulder and tug on their hair, obviously. W-what? They're complimenting you? Try not to blush too hard, or shove them too much.

SIX ➔ CAPULET & MONTAGUE STYLE: You're both already taken, or you simply can't be together for some reason! Your families hate each other, your friends hate each other, or you only see each other once a year! But you don't care, you have tonight, and romance is in the air. Maybe you can break away from what can't be, just for one night of fun and love.

SEVEN ➔ NEVER SAY NEVERO: You're super intent on making this person yours! You're willing to go to the extreme to garner their affections! How can they say no to extreme outbursts of love and other hard-to-ignore signs of affection? Though, it might be easier to just ask... but that's not big enough for your love!

EIGHT ➔ TLC: You suddenly feel blue, and you feel the need to be comforted. It's time for some sexual healing.

NINE ➔ SMOOTH OPERATOR: Flowers, candlelight, a bottle of champagne... it's time to woo your sweetheart!

TEN ➔ GRAB SOMEBODY SEXY TELL 'EM HEY: There's something about messing around in a public place, where anyone can walk in on you anytime. Try to keep quiet, the woman over in the bathroom stall next to you might hear you and your partner heating up and fooling around.

Comments

Roxas | Kingdom Hearts | ota

[dualstance]

[lockandkeyblade]

[He's pretty much soaked from head to toe (clothes are sopping wet and bangs plastered to his face) when he chases down Roxas. He calls Roxas from behind, just a little further down the street. When he finally catches up with Roxas, he stops to place his hands on his knees to catch his breath.]

... Hey.

[dualstance]

[ Having the coat is handy for something, that's for sure, the hood shielding him from the steady rain falling. So it's probably understandable why he doesn't hear the call of his name until the voice gets closer, making him stop in his tracks. He looks over his shoulder, a curious look on his face. ]

Sora? What is it?

[lockandkeyblade]

[Sora's glad the weather's a little gloomy if only for the fact that he'd probably look ridiculous. Roxas may be wet because of the rain, but Sora? That's a different story. He's actually taken an accidentaly plunge into the sea by the island, but he really doesn't want Roxas to know that.]

Have you got a sec? I wanted talk with you about something pretty important...

[dualstance]

[ Lucky for Sora, Roxas doesn't have anywhere in particular to go, maybe heading to one of the shops to get out of the rain and warm up a bit but that's all. He'd just been on a walk, going nowhere, before the rain started. So taking cover before he got sick would be a good idea. ]

Sure, what's up? Or- [ pause as he looks at Sora's wet form ] -maybe we should find a place to get out of the rain first.

[lockandkeyblade]

Oh yeah. Good idea. Um... [He looks around, eyeing each shop and ruling them out for one reason or another: too many people, too quiet-- people might hear them, too noisy. This has to be just perfect. And eventually, Sora settles on what looks to be a small cafe.

He turns to Roxas.]

What about the cafe down the street? That's a good place, right?

[And his eyes wander down to Roxas' hand. If he reached out and took it, pulled him along, that... wouldn't be too weird right? He contemplates this distractedly as he waits for an answer.]

[dualstance]

[ Looking over to the café that Sora was talking about, he gives it a second's thought before giving a slight nod. ]

Yeah, that's fine.

[ It'd been the one that he had plan on going to anyway, all the other places on the street not catching his interest. They are either too packed with people or just didn't have good drinks on the menu. Or more like drinks he didn't particularly care for. So the little café sounds like a good idea.

Roxas looks to Sora, a slight smile on his face, oblivious to the other's thoughts. ]

Let's go before it starts raining even more.

[lockandkeyblade]

[He's still staring at Roxas' hand by the time he speaks up. Sora blinks, brought out of his thoughts. Right. They better get moving. He's struck with the impulse, a moment where it seems so easy that it's a crime, to just reach out and grab Roxas' hand. So he does. Before he can second guess himself, that is.

The cafe is warm when they finally come in through the cafe's doors. And the item in his pocket feels heavier than it really is. He wants to give it to Roxas right off the bat after he'd gone through the lengths he did to get it. But it doesn't feel like the right time. It doesn't feel like Roxas has even gotten the hint yet.

Wait. Maybe--!]

So uh... did you want something to drink? I can get you something warm while we dry off.

[dualstance]

[ Roxas really hasn't gotten any sort of hint yet, so it shouldn't be surprising when his eyes widen at the feeling of a hand taking hold of his own. That's just something he's not used to. So surprised that he doesn't even think to shake the other's hand off his, just following along until they reach the café.

He breathes a quiet sigh of relief at feeling the warmth of the place, not even recognizing how awkward it should be holding hands with Sora. There's a comfort, however unconscious it is. Bringing a warmth that he figures coming from the small shop itself.

His attention snaps back over to Sora at the question, having looking for a place to sit. ]

Oh um. I guess. [ pause as he looks to the menu ] I just want some hot chocolate, really.

But you don't have to-

[lockandkeyblade]

It's not a big deal, really. I mean... I want to! Besides, now I know what you like so... I'll be right back!

[He's off like a shot, squeezing his way past a few people to situate himself in line. He orders the same thing as Roxas, and eventually comes back after some time with two cups of hot chocolate. He finds the table Roxas has saved for them and he settles down on the other side of it.

Here... One hot chocolate!

[His hands fall to his lap after that, fiddling with his fingers. He's really going to do it this time, he swears he'll do it. He'll tell Roxas.]

[dualstance]

[ A part of him knows that Sora's acting a little weirder than normal, but for whatever reason the other is being this way, he isn't sure of. He could try to think of all the various reasons but whenever the truth does come up, he's surprised every time and it's always the least thing he expects. So he won't surprised if it happens this time too. ]

Thanks.

[ Roxas takes a sip of his hot chocolate, eyes glancing over the rim of the cup to look at Sora. The curiosity really is eating at him. What's so important that it's making the other nervous to talk to him?

He puts his cup down, might as well get this started, right? ]

So, um. What.. did you want to talk about?

2 ( aw yiiis auing it up )

[curepotion]

[ the good thing about a kingdom that was trained to go to war was the fact that there were carrier birds stationed about the kingdom. Riku knew a few that'd gotten friendly with him thanks to his stepbrother's constant confidential messages. one particular snowy owl always pecked at his shoulder when he had fresh bread in his hands, or fresh fish on the line. and it was this day, after the first ball he'd gone to in years, that the owl made another visit. he smiled, and an idea came to his mind far too quick.

he was rather good at calligraphy.

his father had taught him; he'd have to steal away for a bit, and with ink and parchment, he wrote a small letter to the Princess. he secured Reno's message, placing it in his room, and let it go with firm instructions to fly to Roxene's window and not leave until she received his message. ]

Dawn and sunshine both cannot compete,
for you, my dearest, hath made me complete.

- Farrell

[dualstance]

[ The owl is fortunate that she happens to be in her room upon its arrival, having to deal with a few things at the request of her mother. A head start in ruling the kingdom, she had been told at the time, though she wonders if it's just an excuse to get out of the tedious work load that it appears to be. Because surely something as this cannot be as entertaining as her mother has made it out to be.

So she's eternally grateful for the distracting sound coming from her window, eyes widening at the sight of the snowy owl.

Quick to stand, she makes her way over and opening the latch, allowing the creature to enter her room. Curiosity gets the better of her, wondering what it's doing here in the first place when she spots the piece of parchment tied to one of its legs. Waiting for it to settle, she gently removes the paper before petting it, a smile curling her lips. ]

Let's see who this is from, hm?

[ Unfurling the parchment and reading the words, the smile on her face becomes impossibly wider at what she reads. She can't decide if she's hopelessly amused or genuinely happy at the note, so she settles for an easy middle ground. Amused and happy seems to be a good combination.

Settling back into her seat and pulling free a spare piece of parchment, she takes a second to piece together her own words before writing them down, writing neat and elegant. ]

Quite the poet you are, words so sweet.
Though I more look forward to the day again we meet.

- Roxene

[ Writing to this measure is not something she does well in, more a warrior than the princess that she is. However, the best is all she can offer in this regard and she hopes that best is enough. Tying the note to the owl's leg and giving instructions on where to send it, she gives it another pet before letting it take off. ]

[curepotion]

[ standing at the edge of the lake, feet in the water, Riku fishes easily with a bucket behind him. he knows he needs to scamper back inside before too long, or else he'll be caught and even more severely punished for what he's done. (which is nothing more than go to the ball like his stepbrothers, he'd protest, but he knew that trying to speak to his stepmother in such a frank way would just get him in trouble.) the lake is scenic as always--it's a tired sight to him, but one that he greets every day with a secret love. it's the only piece of land that's really, truly his, after all.

he's surprised when the owl comes back--of all things he had prepared for, he hadn't thought Roxene would actually respond.

and he has no witty rhymes. ]

I do, too.
I count the suns and moons until the next gala.

[ just writing that makes his heart lurch. he can't ... go. but he's planning on doing so anyway. he'll have to do something... he doesn't know what, but something has to come up. he'll make something come up. ]

I hope I can bask in your presence, and perhaps incite a duel.
I've heard you're very good at swordsmanship.

- Farrell

[ the owl lets him tickle the feathers of his neck, and nips him twice--playfully once, not so playfully the second time. ]

--ow. If you're hungry, say so. [ it gets a piece of fish for its troubles as it flies away. ]

[dualstance]

[ She had ventured out to do some training, looking at the paperwork her mother sent to her giving her a slight headache, not to mention there's an itch to stretch her limbs and take up her blades again. Never being able to sit still for too long, it's no surprise to any of the trainees on the grounds when they see her dressed in armor with her pair of swords in hands. They watch her go through the motions of warming up before her voice snaps them back to attention at doing their own lessons.

Well into the routine, Roxene stops when she sees the familiar owl flying in circles in the sky before descending to where she held out her arm for its landing. Not used to the sudden weight, she may have faltered a little before steadying her arm so as to not jostle the beautiful bird. She smiles softly at the owl, petting it with her free hand as she makes her way to the available bench.

After requesting one of the trainees to fetch her a piece of parchment and ink as well as feed and water for the carrier, she gently coaxes the owl to settle on her lap so that she can take the note off its leg.

Anyone paying attention to her would be granted the sight of a soft smile, one that some may associate with a girl smitten with someone. And the fact of the matter is, Roxene is not so far off of that idea. Though she would argue that she's merely interested, nothing more. ]

A duel, he wants. Well, a duel he shall gain.

[ Thanking the trainee for their swiftness, she takes a moment before penning the words on her mind. ]

More rumors, I suppose you've heard.
I merely show dedication to what I've been taught.

[ True enough, as she began learning the way at a very young age. And the thought of showing him all her hardwork brings an anxious smile to her face. It's not often she has the urge to show off, however, maybe this one time she would like to impress him. ]

Though I shall take that challenge if you wish.
Perhaps I shall talk to mother about hosting another gala soon,
as I am most eager to see you again.

- Roxene

[ Giving the owl a chance to rest some, she ties the note to its leg when it's ready before sending it off.

She takes a moment to bask in the nearly foreign feeling before taking up her blades again and resuming her practice. ]

[curepotion]

[ that's five fish. Riku kneels on the creaky dock, pale knees scraped against the wood as it bends up at the ends, discolored and sun-bleached. he holds one fish in the watery bucket, above the water, checking its scales and the coloration. gently placing it back into the container, he starts to pack up his fishing line and the small lunch he'd brought with him.

his fishing pole is thrown to the top of the house--his stepmother will never find it there--as he walks into the kitchen and slides the door shut. the windows are still open, at least... hefting the bucket up to the counter, he starts to wash his hands and tries to get ready to make supper. Roasted fish with thyme and lemon, with bread and mashed potatoes--that should be good and filling. he wonders if there's going to be any left for him. probably not, but he has some things hidden away to eat in that case.

he's surprised when the owl shows up again--he wonders if the castle has an early or late supper. what's more, it doesn't seem to be content with pecking, just giving him a friendly hoot.

he's not quite sure where his parchment has all gone--it takes a moment for him to find some, and when cinders blow on it, he winces and moves away from the fire. he doesn't think she'd take it well that he's a servant boy, even if it isn't quite the truth. he thinks of her words, they roll around in his mind and he finds himself smiling, smitten.

truth be told, the thought of a duel with her is just as exciting as the thought of another gala. ]

You will find me whereever you invite me.
Certain events may have paused my training, but perhaps a duel with you will sharpen my skills once again.
I am sure you would make a fine teacher.
And though I cannot see your face, your words tide me over 'til that day
wherein I see you again.

- Farrell

[ before he sends it away, he just smiles at the bird as it ruffles its feathers. it hoots; Riku hoots back with a soft smile, laughing. his heart feels like it's going to bloom with happiness. the only thing he wishes is that he was free to speak with her, instead of being cooped up in his house.

he sends the owl off, and it soars into the sky. ]

[dualstance]

[ After a day of reading reports and then some training to ease the tension out of her shoulders, Roxene had settled into dinner with her family, listening to the day's events from their point of view. She herself fails to mention the little notes she has been getting from one Mera Farrell throughout the day. They're her small treasures that she feels she doesn't have to share with anyone else, perhaps her most trusted friend Xion or even her brother, but mentioning it to others may cause a riff between herself and her parents. Particularly her father since he has an apparent aversion to the person who's managed to catch her fancy. The reason is lost to her, unfortunately.

One would think that it be something to be happy about, knowing that her future is well on its way to being settled right. That she will not be alone when the time comes for her to take over the throne and rule as queen. Someone to keep her steady, her support in times of trouble and stress.

She might not notice quite yet but it seems her heart's decided.

But now, the whole family retiring in the sitting area with the fireplace alight, cups of tea and biscuits to relax with and a book in her hands, she wonders when the next note will come to her. The hour is late and the owl has been on this single errand all day, so she would not be surprised if there are no more this day. Disappointed, but not at all surprised.

So it comes as a slight shock that one of the guards enters the room with the very owl sending their notes along on his arm and a curious look on his own face. Before anything can be said though, she jumps out of her seat and begins to make way to the soldier. The owl finally seeing her hoots, flying to her and landing on her shoulder, gently nipping at her hair, eliciting a small laugh from her. ]

You were looking for me?

[ A hoot in response, then ruffling its feathers before shifting slightly to get into a more comfortable position.

Ignoring the rest of her family, she makes her way to her rooms after taking the bit of parchment from the owl's leg, not wanting the others to question her before she got a chance to write a reply. Not to mention she didn't them teasing her about the look on her face as she reads the lines written only for her. It is well into the night, however, it would be a nice surprise for him the morning. Maybe something that'll brighten the day as this note has made her content for the night.

Sitting at her desk, she idly strokes the owl's head, thinking of what to say before beginning to write. ]

I look forward to the day we get to cross swords, my good lord.
And I am certain that even with the lapsed time,
it will be like tying up your boots when you swing a blade again.
But I will be certain to not be too harsh in the first round.

[ She grins at the thought of going easy on any opponent, even if they are a potential suitor. Once she wields a blade, all else fades away, only the thought of victory against the person opposing her. And she has no doubt that despite her teasing words, she will be the same with him. ]

You certainly do have a way with words,
as they have taken me so.
I await the day I am honored with your comforting presence.

- Roxene

[ A flutter in her chest at the bold words she had just written and bringing the piece of parchment to her lips, she wonders if she should send it off. However, she is not one to take back her words so with a deep breath she sets it down on the table. She bites her bottom lip to prevent the smile threatening to take over.

The owl's hoot brings her back and she gives the feathers another stroke before tying the note securely. ]

One last trip before you rest for the night, alright?

[ With a return hoot, she sends it off through her open window, taking in the night sky before getting ready for bed herself. ]

[curepotion]

[ there was no thyme in the house, Riku realized belatedly. cooking a meal for everyone wasn't so difficult--but when there was an ingredient missing, he had to take it upon himself to go outside and pick fresh rosemary before he went on cooking. bare feet on cooled earth felt wondrous--he shifted his gaze towards the sky and wondered what all was going on in the castle. he wondered what kind of meats and wines they would have, the conversation, if Roxene was speaking about him--

he hoped not.

for all his wishing that he could be Roxene's love, he wasn't sure about it, even with her letters. there was still a niggling sense in the back of his mind--doesn't she deserve someone stronger? someone who's been training for years? doesn't she deserve someone in a higher station? Roxene deserves someone who puts her at ease and can protect her while she protects them. can he do that?

he sighs and retreats back inside to cook, caught off-guard that his stepfamily has arrived. quick to gather coats and hats, serve refreshing beverages, unless someone's had a bad day. then it's tea and a hollow comfort from him as they speak and curl about the fire, waiting for their supper.

Riku's rather quick to do it all; he roasts the fish quicker than most people could--he knows how to do it easier from feeding himself with just a rudimentary fire rather than a stove. the bread is already bought--he uses a large, heavy knife to crack through the tough exterior, slicing into three parts and a bit for him because he loves the soft inside, and it's one thing that he'll allow himself to steal a little bit of.

at least an hour later is when they all dine; Riku's excluded from the table and moves to the laundry room, and that's where the little owl meets him, on the windowsill, framed by moonlight. Riku laughs quietly and knows whatever he'll send back to Roxene will be in the morning--the poor bird looks tired, and when he holds out his hand, it flaps its wings warily and settles to perch on his shoulder. ]

You've more than earned a rest.

[ he brushes a hand into its feathers and fixes up the jackets that've been slightly dirtied, hanging them up for a quick dry so they can pick them up in the morning.

he hesitates and avoids the dining room as he races to his room, a hand cupping the owl on his shoulder so it doesn't start to flap or freak out. reading her message, he can't help but chuckle a little. ]

Somehow, I'm inclined to not quite believe you!
I will be sure to try my best.

[ for a moment, he put his quill down and looked out into the sky. the stars are beautiful. the color reminds him of a darker version of Roxene's, and he returns to his letter. ]

And yet, so have you.
Under your rule, your people will flourish, I'm sure.
Even so, I am sure you're relieved to have time before then.
A question to mull on: what star in the sky is your favorite?
I will be sure to remember to look at its shine before bed,
and perhaps it'll give me the same comfort your eyes do.

- Farrell

[ he craned his neck to look outside, and seeing a hole in the tree nearby, he instructed the owl to rest and come back to him in the morning.

when he awoke, he was halfway through chores before the owl dutifully came to the door. he tied the message to its leg and let it fly after making sure it was fed. ]

[dualstance]

[ Mornings at the castle is always a flurry of activity, maidens and servants making sure that everything is prepared for the family as well as those of higher position. Making sure that waters are ready for washing as well as towels and the like, food prepared for breakfast, and grounds ready for any other sort of activities before having to go about their own duties assigned to them. There is never one person without something to do, all of them doing as expected of them.

Roxene is no different to the others bustling about, just going about different duties compared to them. Waking and heading off to the training grounds for morning stretches, a routine ingrained into her mind since she first began her training, it is something she doesn't do without unless the night had been late one. Clad in simple clothing, lacking her armor, she goes about her business without disturbance of anyone coming on to the grounds. No one would arrive this early, at least not before the breakfast bells chime. There are some days her bodyguard and good friend would join her, others where her brother would and even rarer her parents. But for the most part, she likes the quiet morning, able to enjoy the dawn of a new day in silence, with nothing but the fluid motions and a clear mind.

Although this day there's just one thing that occupies her thoughts, but they are pleasant ones.

Receiving notes throughout the day, her face holds a soft smile at the words that still echo in her mind, a feeling of content washing through her. Words so sweet as well as giving her some amount of eagerness, she wishes that they could meet sooner, perhaps somewhere in the town or even in the wood. Just a brief moment to assure herself that this isn't some sort of dream, that he actually exists. But she knows that isn't proper behavior for her.

That does not mean she can't hope, though.

Finishing her routine and breathing in deeply, she gets ready to return to her rooms when she hears a gentle hoot from above. A smile appears on her face before she turns back around, extending her arm for the owl to land on. She didn't expect a response so early in the morning. ]

Hello there. It seems he is quite the riser as well, hm?

[ Another hoot, a ruffle of feathers, and she can't help but let out a small laugh. It's almost as if the owl is speaking with her in this regard. A very intelligent bird, this one is. ]

I hope he allowed you to eat first. Otherwise you're free to help yourself here.

[ With that she heads to her rooms, telling one of the servants to fetch food and water for her new friend before settling down at her desk with the note.

The thought of taking over the kingdom when her mother deems her well and ready, it's a well kept secret that she fears the position, having so many people's lives in her hands. Not only that, but there's the fear of being constrained to the castle. Unable to go about and doing as she likes, being subjected to the reports and words of the advisers. Thinking of it that way, it sounds like a trapped existence, one that she doesn't favor very much. How her mother handles it day in and out, she didn't know.

But then, at the thought of her father, perhaps she does. ]

I hope that I am able to rule half as well as my mother.
But yes, there is still time yet, time I will cherish.

[ She takes a second to think on the question, going over her studies about the stars and her own times gazing. There is no one single star, however. ]

I do not have a single favorite, but three.
They stand together and shine brighter than others in the sky.
There is a story behind them as well, perhaps you've heard?
Even still, knowing that you'll be watching at the same moment as I
gives me a comfort of you being with me instead of afar.
I look to the day that the distance is shortened.

- Roxene

[ Some time during her writing, the servant had delivered the food and water for the owl, grateful for the silent entry and exit.

Smiling at the owl and giving it another pet, she ties the note to its leg before sending it off. A sigh escapes before she gets ready for her own breakfast. And possibly an inquiry from her family for her swift departure last night. ]

[curepotion]

[ the owl reaches him a little after his own breakfast, and he smiles when it hoots at him, flutters its wings proudly.

usually, this would be where he goes off to pick fruit and vegetables for the new week, but as he's confined to inside the house... his stepmother and younger stepbrother take time out of their own day to painstakingly bring him groceries, because he obviously can't be trusted outside of the home.

it doesn't matter. he finds his ways. they never bring back good enough produce--he's taken to having to make pies or mash when they just dump half-picked produce. he rolls his eyes every time and does make a show of it, because if they're so mistrusting of him, maybe they should make their own food. every time he brings this up, it falls on deaf ears and he just shakes his head and has to deal with it.

if he feels venomous and haughty enough, at times, he'll think when I become a paladin, somehow, you'll look back on this and wish you'd treated me better.

but for now, he only writes. ]

I have not heard of this story,
but I will be sure to trace the sky for these three.
Perhaps until the day we meet again,
this can be our fleeting touch.
I look forward to that moment,
where your face is alight with happiness,
as is mine.

- Farrell

[ he lets the owl go, and tells it to check in on its owner after delivering the message. surely they must be worried, and Riku feels a little guilty, but ...

ultimately, he's thankful for the slight detour.

he watches Reno leave first, then Axel, then Edea. once he's alone again, and they're in town, he leaves for the farms.

they always bring back too little or too damaged and expect him to make do. he understands that they have no clue what they're looking for, but he just wishes they'd wake up and realize that his going to the gala wasn't an act of rebellion and a flaunt of station, but just a need to be respected as a family member. ]

[dualstance]

[ She doesn't receive the note until well into the afternoon, close to the dusk hour when training winds down and everyone makes way to their homes for supper, preparing in however fashion they do before the appointed time. Roxene is no different in the routine, making sure to instruct the younger trainees the appropriate way to polish the blades before setting off to her own rooms. The day had been a strenuous one and relaxing bath sounds like the best course of action before she eats with her family.

A part of her had been a little disappointed that there had been no owl within sight during the day, but she figures that he had been busy doing his own duties to be able to write a note to her. And just as well as she hadn't the time to return the letter with one of her own should one had arrived for her. There had simply been no time to sit and write.

But now as she takes her armor off, she wonders if he had written back at all. She shouldn't hope so easily, knowing that he must have his duties or something else to attend to. Still, she can't help but do so.

Wandering into her inner rooms, she notices something out of place on her desk, rushing over and quickly taking up the small note off of the owl that had somehow managed to find its way inside her rooms. She doesn't even notice the sudden rise in her heartbeat, the way a smile makes its way on her lips as she reads, nor the very light blush gracing her cheeks. The very image of a smitten teenage girl.

She sits to quickly pen something down, after a gentle pet through the white feathers, a silent thanks in the gesture. ]

I firstly apologize for the lateness of this letter.
It seems time has become lost this day.
However, I shall look to the skies tonight
and search for them with you.
We will be connected by those stars, that sky,
and I can do nothing but smile at the thought.

[ Even now, she can't help but smile at his words. He really does have a way with them, something she lacks in comparison but she hopes to convey them well enough. She hopes that he gets the same feelings as she does. ]

There will be day,
we shall share another connection.
One that even distance can't tear apart.
That is a day I hope is soon.

- Roxene

[ More bold words as she doesn't even know if he'll be at the suitor's gala, but she hopes he will be. And even if he isn't, then she'll search out for him. Because deep down, her choice has been made already.

Tying it to the owl, she lays a light kiss on top of its head. ]

Make haste so that he doesn't doubt.

[ And with a determined hoot, it flies off with her dreams and wishes. ]

[doortodarkness]

[Don't mind feeling like you're stalk, right blondie?
Or you know, very loud slurping. The long, annoying sort of slurping only straws in a beverage can produce.

Sluuuuuuurp.]

[dualstance]

...

[ Okay, so is it just him or does it feel like he's being watched. Very closely. Like that niggling feeling at the back of your head, someone's stalking watching you kind of feeling.

So Roxas can't help but look around to see just who it is that's keeping an eye on him. Plus, who's that doing that annoying slurping sound? ]

Um, what-?

[doortodarkness]

[Just another slurp for good measure before he pushes himself off of his perch. Hoofing on over to the blond, and pausing to look him over.
Slowly.]

Mind me, I am just admiring the view. [Another sip of his drink.] What are our plans for the day?

[dualstance]

[ Roxas feels distinctively freaked out by this guy and the way he's just eyeing him up like the way he is. It's like when tendrils of darkness lick and brush over him whenever he uses a corridor. Chilling yet luring, as if to urging him to join that darkness instead of staying in-between both realms.

He takes a step back, whether to gain distance or a gut reaction to the other's words, he didn't know for sure. ]

Plans? Who said anything about having plans?