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[alloutoflove]

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a day or two post punching

[dumber]

[ Ethan got apology flowers, he sent literal shit in return— reconciliation was not going well, dear Peony, and one boy from room 001 has yet to return. From getting "roughed up".

The only thing he really cares about in there is her, and being in a room with a guy like that? A messenger slips her a sheet of folded paper, and on it is the sloppy but careful handwriting of a concerned boy. ]

Miss Peony hi it's Ethan
are you ok?

[alloutoflove]

[ She's definitely noticed his absence -- which, even if she doesn't know him very well, she does know it would be a little odd that he'd be so enthusiastic about helping her out and then completely vanish.

Plus, she is also extremely familiar with Mallory's... everything. So she can guess there's more to "roughed up" than a bit of shoving around.

Her handwriting is much neater, a little bubbly. Kind of like her speaking voice, even if the words are serious. ]

I'm fine.
I've been worried about you.
Are you all right?

[dumber]

I'll be ok! don't worry about that.

[ But— How to approach this without ringing alarms, or making her worry more? His hearts so strangled he feels like going back just to keep an eye on things, but—

Man, what a mess. He had nothing but a scream he didn't even know how to use, he raised a hell of a lot of questions most likely, but— but if it ever came to fighting for more than himself? Something spoke louder. ]

are you still staying in the room? like
meybe can we meet up to talk when your free
I'm sort of bad at writing

[Just after Ethan's note]

[ringrust]

[Only A COMPLETE SCUMBAG would try to frame an innocent teen for mailing a parcel of horse shit to an innocent woman. Even more so for said woman to be one of the scumbag's best friends. And more still for the scumbag to do that after their last discussion left such a sad rift between them.

Mallory is that scumbag, basically. But as far as he's concerned, it's for a good cause. There's definitely something potentially dangerous about Ethan, and until he fully figures out what it is, he can't put Peony at risk. He didn't do enough to protect her last time, so if he has to stoop to such childish levels now just to get her to avoid the brat, so be it.

And so, instead of his recent habit of trying to avoid her and any of his other roommates at all costs, he's deliberately seeking her out, parcel in hand. He made sure to wrap it back up carefully, masking the scent as best as he could. When he finally spies her, that unmistakable head of bright copper, he swallows down any residual guilt and calls out as casually as he can.]

Yo... Peony!

[alloutoflove]

[ In the end, Peony has gone back to the profession that brought her fame in the first place: housekeeping.

Which is to say, she's mopping a hallway when he finds her, though the area already looks sparkling. (Maybe to the layman's eye, but the Ultimate Housekeeper is a lot pickier about how she leaves a place.) Her back is to him when he approaches, and there's a definite visible instant when she freezes up at the sound of his voice. She can't even pretend that she could think he was calling to someone else; he says Peony and she turns slowly, looking over her shoulder at him.

The expression on her face isn't quite nervous, but she is wary as she watches him approach. It takes two to make the avoidance game actually work and she's been doing her part as well as he has his; she can't actually guess why he's breaking that stalemate now. ]

...Hi, Mallory.

[ She wishes she could remember his proper name. At least then she could be more passive aggressive in how she addresses him. ]

[ringrust]

[Of course she's cleaning. She cleans even when she's happy, but when she's upset, holy hell is it ever a one-woman war on even the abstract concept of 'mess.' Mal may not know the difference between clean and pristine but he can tell when Peony's really been going at it. That's enough to give him pause, but then she responds and that feeling of guilt claws at the inside of his heart for a hot second.

Even in a world where the Witch has taken away names and the power behind them, Mallory can hear it in her tone. She doesn't want anything to do with him. Of course she doesn't. He wanted her to hate him for everything, didn't he? He should feel relieved.]

Uh... hey.

[He takes a deep breath and steels his resolve once more. He's never noticed the way his voice becomes just a low, calm rumble whenever he puts on his acts, and he doesn't catch himself now.]

I've got something for you. [He hefts the package in his hand, careful not to squeeze it at all.] I sent that kid an apology after all, and he sent this back, but- pretty sure he wants me to pass it on to you. It looks just like the package he wanted to give me to you that day I hit him.

Sometime before bodyswaps

[needscounciling]

[It's not all that often Luna to be up so early in the morning there isn't any kind of occasion on the day. However, due to recent developments -that being night terrors returning with an iron fist because a certain sword-wielding man silently stop seeking physical comfort- he finds himself waking up earlier than expected. As early as 3 AM to be exact.

Unable to go back to bed, he slips out of the room while the occupants are all asleep or away. The employee's kitchen had always been open at all hours, anyone can use it at any time, including before breakfast is served. Still somewhat groggy and confuse from being abruptly awake, he groggily pulls out the bowls and grabs for the eggs that are stored in the freezer. For man known for his refine air and grace, he might as well be a different person from his clumsy and not to mention rather somewhat noisy movements around the pantry. It's something how much a person changes depending on the time of day.]

[alloutoflove]

[ It's probably a safe bet to say that none of the occupants of that room sleep very well. If at all. Ever.

Peony, for example, has taken to ghosting in the hallways when she can't sleep (which is often); she usually leaves them much cleaner than when she found them. The nice thing she's found about cleaning is that, since it's almost purely physical, it's at least a way she can wear herself out to sleep for a couple of hours, even if it's fitful and restless.

Tonight, however, is one of those nights where none of her efforts are helping, so it's maybe half an hour after Luna goes to try and make himself food that she wanders into the kitchens herself, mostly with coffee in mind. When she sees him, though, she comes to an abrupt stop. ]

--ah--

[ She'd promised Mallory she'd talk to him, but she hadn't expected this!! ]

[needscounciling]

[Ah. If it were anyone else, he might actually use a kitchen knife and defend himself just because a voice suddenly startling him. But thankfully he's familiar enough with who the owner of that voice was that he doesn't do anything. In fact, he's sort of freezes on spot as he slowly turns around to face her properly.

Caught in the act as he's attempting to evenly mix the soy milk with the eggs. 3AM Tamagoyaki abandoned for now.]

Peony.

[Loading . . . ]

You're up.

[Why are you up.]

[dumber]

[ It's still probably been days on end since Ethan's ever been around room 001— as for where he slept, the choices had become pretty nomadic. He'd fall asleep on the lounge's couch, or sleep outside to quite the lovely star-filled view (and chilliness to his liking!), and when he didn't feel like it was much of a bother, he'd share some space with Eiji and Emi.

Right now it just feels a little bit too soon to have to look at Mallory, eye to eye, so distance is maintained. At least Luna had offered weapon handling classes, and from time to time he'd see Peony around as he went off to work (probably waving hello, warmth in his smile and all).

After this evening, he's made it back from the farm with a shower already taken (he can't keep smelling like manure every time he saw her—), in a clean change of clothes, bag over his shoulders and a compact paper box held with care in his hands.

It's time for take two, now with less punching. He'd look around the building first, the bath house, just to make sure she wasn't around before he took the next leap: rooms. The demi-human is soon facing the door, contemplating actually sliding it open. Ethan looks to the ground, to his feet, back up, inhaling sharply— he'll just take a peek and leave. That's all. There wasn't anything to worry about anyway, right?

Phew— Alright, let's do this.

Fingers curl around the door's edge, pulling as carefully and as quietly as possible to avoid drawing attention, just enough to have a single red eye scan over the room and whoever was in it.

Please, let it be Miss Peony. Luna was fine too, but. Peony. ]

[alloutoflove]

[ Peony herself hasn't really been in the room much -- moreso, since Mallory's birthday and the easing of tension there, but she's still a bad sleeper and she's still mostly compensating for that by working herself physically as hard as she can. Sometimes just plain flat-out exhausting yourself is the most effective way of making that happen.

As luck would have it and of course the magic of rp timing, he does manage to catch her: she's seated on her bed with what appears to be a pile of clothes next to her, apparently in the process of patching things: she's got a needle and thread in one hand and a shirt in the other, and she looks up when the door opens, a little wide-eyed in her surprise.

But a moment later she smiles at him, setting that aside and cocking her head. She had been keeping an eye out to see if he'd come back at all -- and while she honestly can't blame him for not, it's still nice to see him more than just in passing to and from work. ]

Aah, good evening, Ethan. Long time no see!

[dumber]

[ Our timing is the best sort of timing. Everything happens all the time.

The door slides a little further at the sight of the girl, one girl alone (yes!) that causes the boy to radiate like a Christmas tree, complete with the flashing yellow star on top. With a gleeful smile larger than the island itself, Ethan steps into the room and shuts the door behind him. ]

H-hey, Miss Peony! [ He nearly seems to hunch over his box with shyness, the grin showing less teeth and spreading his lips. She's knitting! She's knitting that's so cute and delicate and— ] How've you been?

MAY 3RD

[freeplay]

[ You thought you were free, weren't you. Raiden's been launched by his sensei, and now— this weapon of mass destruction has only one place to go: you, the Miss Peony. And today is your day.

Maybe you've gotten up and already, out the door of room 001— but, ah, what's this?! It's hard not to notice the colorful, floral patterns slapped all around her name: they're stickers, to be exact. Stickers of all colors, ranging from flowers to very cute bears, cats, birds and . . . okay, the occasional explosion and crow, but he had to put his own touch to it!

Oh goodness, that's not all. Those stickers create a pathway, dozens clustered and aligned, leading . . . somewhere. Hmm! If that doesn't get you to follow, maybe the confetti decorated arrows (and floors) along the way will. What's that smell? Something warm and baked— meat? Chicken? Chocolate?

The moe trail will take you right to . . . The gym! With a massive banner stretching over two of the volleyball club's nets across the court, both read in bold letters: 💥💥💥💥💥✨✨✨✨✨HAPPY BDAY PEONY✨✨✨✨✨💥💥💥💥💥💥, painted and coated in glue and glitter until it hurt the eyes (there's one boy in particular who's hands and hair are a mighty suspect— a hint, he's the small one coated in glitter and seems to vibrate a ton around Mallory). There're flashing lanterns (the closest thing he could find to lights— even the color of the fires change, magic!!!), music, and the occasional confetti popper dazzling the gym echo after echo. There's a table for anyone that wants to leave gifts (there's already one! a giant rainbow alpaca plush watching over the goods with this cute little gift bow), and surely, Peony is bound to get congrats from many, many people!

Let's not forget the cake: surprise! There is no cake. That much sugar is forbidden in the hands of the libero that even cook spirits are wary, but here's the next best thing.

The biggest fucking birthday pizza you'll ever see in the morning, with every topping you can imagine and not. You don't like that ridiculous amount of meat? Bacon? Ham and eggs? That's okay, go to the cheese only section. Maybe you want more than one cheese? There's a spot for those, too. Here, even 100 cheese exists.

Maybe you're in the mood for something sweet, instead— STOP RIGHT THERE, THERE'S A CHOCOLATE SECTION. WITH STRAWBERRIES. PEACHES AND CREAM.

You probably had fun at the gym!!!! Maybe a bit overwhelming, huh?! The day doesn't stop there!!!!! Because at least once every hour, Peony will be terrorized by a zipping delivery boy, the same one caked with glitter. He doesn't even give her time to object, finding her only to call her name out, bow, and present her with packages, one after another. It's for you! is all she'll get from him as he flutters off on rollerblades. They range from flowers with sweet spirit messages to holographic stickers, bewitched stationary with moving characters, and the cutest of room and item decorations. If he can't find her at the time, he leaves them in her room.

target destroyed with cuteness ]

MAY 3RD, first thing in the morning

[ringrust]

[There's no stopping the Raipocalypse now. But at least Peony's birthday can start just a liiittle more low-key, to warm her up before the overwhelming everything that lies ahead.

On top of her personal pile of (no doubt impeccably folded) work clothes, there's a small bouquet of - drumroll - peonies! Soft whites and pinks in varied states of bloom, tied in a cute bow of a particular hair ribbon. There's also a scrap of paper bearing a single ominous word:

Oops.]

we start as we mean to go on I see

[alloutoflove]

[ Oh.

Peony might have actually assumed that the flowers came from Ethan if not for the hair ribbon. She recognizes it after a few seconds, which means -- ohhhhhh, that sneaky jerk. How dare!!

The note is also a good indicator but it's really the ribbon that tells her who was responsible.

She'll wear it, though. If he sees her around today, she's got it in her hair like she used to. ]

In which this isn't backdated to the day the flurries arrived at all, totally

[needscounciling]

[A lot of the time he spent away was thinking of how Peony react to all of this, on the fact he had been seeking Mallory for physical intimacy- on the fact that it was much more than just reaching out for comfort and warmth on unbearable nights. He loves Mallory, but he never had once stopped loving Peony. Truth to be told, he hadn't even really consider the relationship over at all. Unless she said anything of it before, but she left without a word not long after the exchange he and Mallory had, and before he could have done anything, the Witch had him under isolation for days on end.

And now, with the recent arrival of the doppelgangers, he had to find her and make sure. He'll talk to her while they're alone. He's waiting in the kitchen at an questionable hour again, knowing that eventually she would get her early morning coffee, this time he hadn't sleep at all. ]

shhhh, shhh

[alloutoflove]

[ He knows her very well. In the time she's been here, Peony's sleeping habits have been very consistent -- that is to say, she barely sleeps at all. Snatched catnaps during the day when Room 001 is empty, restless sparse hours during the night, and lots and lots of coffee and tea both.

This morning, though, even when it's this ungodly early hour, she seems a bit more cheerful than usual when she comes shuffling in. It's not a projected thing, like she normally does when she's fronting; it's just that her step is lighter and she's a bit more focused than usual.

She makes it a couple of steps into the kitchen when she sees Luna and stops. Her long tail automatically curls behind herself, out of sight, but there's nothing she can do about her ears. ]

--Luna...

http://i.imgur.com/qLRhYrU.gif

[needscounciling]

[The kitchen is dimly lit at this hour, but it's enough for him to make out the rather peculiar set of shapes on top of Peony's head. Not exactly to know what it is, but the vague shape and color makes him to draw a possibility, especially with reason addition to their shared rooms. He isn't going to say a word of it just yet, however.]

I was released from isolated training this afternoon.

[A pause.]

I'm sorry we haven't talked before I left.

THE END OF THE HEATWAVE

[ringrust]

[Mistakes Were Made.

That can be said for a lot of Mallory's life, but right now there is one thing in particular plaguing him, and the proof is littered all over Room 001's bathroom sink and floor. He spent an inordinate amount of time both staring at and trying not to stare at the mirror in horror before he finally set off on a search for aid. If anyone can help him now, it's Peony.

Scissors in hand and a towel draped over his head and shoulders, he hurries through corridors and common rooms until he finally finds her. He'd hate to interrupt her work, but this is more important.]

Peony!

[There's an undeniable desperation in his voice, much like a kid who has broken something hesitantly calling for mom.]

[alloutoflove]

[ He'll find her in one of the halls of the guest suites, mopping. She's a lot more cheerful than the last time he sought her out at work, humming a little right up until she hears him call her name. And maybe she's months out of any war scenario, but her head still snaps around at the veiled panic in his voice, instantly on the alert. ]

Mallory? What--

[ Indeed, what. Her question dies as she catches sight of him, her eyes going even wider. Oh. ]

[ringrust]

[Oh boy. She hasn't even seen the damage and he already hates the look on her face. He grabs the edge of the towel and squeezes his eyes shut.]

...Don't laugh.

[He's bracing himself for it anyway.

What he reveals under the towel is... uh. A disaster, to put it lightly. It's awkward enough to try doing delicate work in the mirror to begin with, and only having his non-dominant hand sure as hell didn't do him any favours!

His hair is short. In varying degrees. Close to the scalp in some patches, long enough to stick every which way in others, and there are even longer clumps in the back where he missed entirely.

It'd probably be endearing if he were about 20 years longer but as it is it's just sad and he knows it.]

END OF JUNE. NSFW AF

[rockyxiii]

[Maera is not going to do any literal just fucking jumping on Peony and humping her leg or anything like that, but he is going to wait around conspicuously for her after her shift on his own day off. He's wearing those low-slung sweatpants from the photoshoot and nothing else, because dammit, he's going to get something good out of that incident, and so is she!

He's just leaning against the wall with his arms crossed in the hallway, waiting. Soon.]

[alloutoflove]

[ When she appears, she's in the midst of chatting with a couple of other workers, in an apparently good mood, but she also zeroes in on him standing there almost immediately. Her first response is to smile -- how nice, Maera came to pick her up -- and then that smile goes a little bemused because she vaguely recognizes those sweatpants (did you ask if you could take those??), and also because while he's never been body-shy, he's usually a little more dressed.

Whatever, it's still summer, and even if the heatwave has broken, it's still warm enough. She makes her farewells quickly, waving before she trots over to him, bright-eyed and curious. Even if she's confused, she's still happy to see him. Actually, deep in her heart, she has to admit it's a tiny bit of a thrill to see any one of them waiting for her. There'd never been time for stupid little couple things before Despair, and certainly not after it, and she's not going to ask anyone to go out of their way for her, but...!!

But she's sooooooooooooo happy. ]

Maera! ♥ This is a nice surprise.

and now for something entirely different

[ringrust]

[So at some point a little envelope is slipped into Peony's belongings, containing a small charm and a note:]

I don't know if wearing something like this would count as showing off what you've got but I thought it would be sweet cute funny
If you think it's stupid you don't have to keep it. Don't worry about it.

-Mal

WOW that's cute

[alloutoflove]

[ Oh nooooooooooooooooo.

What he gets in return is a photo selfie (did she steal the camera from the modeling agency or did she charm it out of a photographer? sources are unclear) of Peony, grinning back at the camera. She has her thumb hooked on a bit of black cord she's tied around her neck like a proper necklace, and the charm is strong on it. It's long enough that she could wear it even with the uniform so that it's out of sight and thus not immediately violate any dress codes. So there!! ]