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[ It's hard to believe that it's only been practically three whole weeks (almost completely) since their arrival, but it is a given fact! So, when afternoon rolls around one of those days in this week, Argenti appears before Fray, petals encircling him and sparkling as the usual to invite him to race practice. This time he's sporting a different hair-style, though still in his signature armor.

When they finish up, Argenti gracefully leaps out of the go-kart, and he turns to face Fray, smile wide as the eye can see as he's practically sparkling, when he takes a pose, hand outstretched, with one at his side. ]

What do you think of it so far?

With each passing day do you feel ever the more confident under my humble guidance in understanding such machines? Do you feel the excitement of wind blowing through your... [ Wait, Fray's still wearing a helmet isn't he—Argenti almost certainly said hair, but he quickly pivots. ] ... armor? The exhilaration of Beauty that makes your heart race with joy and happiness as speeds surge towards numbers unknown that Idrila can only know! I also cannot help but be unable to contain my excitement, Fray! Truly, I am in good company...

But I digress, even if I imagine it cannot exactly compare to whenever we cross our weapons in combat, it certainly has its upsides, do you not think so?

[ Even if it is just a go-kart, Argenti's enthusiasm is off the charts, in almost the exact same as usual. ]

[Sayaka sucks at this.

It's becoming a slow fact of life that Sayaka is absolutely abysmal at almost every aspect of this. Opening up feels like too much to people who haven't earned it, like she could just end up teased. Made fun of, ignored or even worse. She's been so used to it over the years that keeping everything under a tight lid has certainly made it hard to try and open up. She's been receding a bit further into herself, especially since the Go-Kart incident happened--healing and helping is easy even if there's been a growing pain at her wrist from overuse, but...

If she gets discarded, there's nothing left for her. There's little she can do.

But she can get stronger. It's something she can affect herself, without anyone's help or input--sure, she has to keep balancing her job and helping around town, but it's all too easy to slip away and into the Nekiya on her own to beat up some of the monsters down there. Atropos has grown strong alongside her, and while it is reckless, she doesn't want to worry anyone. She wants to surprise them, to prove she can be strong, she just wants to be strong enough to not be afraid anymore, and she needs to get used to this or die trying.

Case and point, Sayaka takes her knife out of one of the Pixies that she was fighting against, watching it disappear as she shudders. She's...tired, definitely, but it's becoming easier.

(She doesn't know how to feel about that.)

Nonetheless, she's going to take a breath and stay on the ground for a moment, keeping her eyes ever peeled. It's not like anyone would have actually followed her down here, after all--and most of the others are probably busy. She's certain of this, but she's definitely been a lot more scarce than is normal. It's probably unnoticeable.]

[ Maybe it's about a day after what has occurred with Jordi's dungeon when Argenti comes to find Fray, because maybe he's just in so much of a daze following all of that he can't even bear to face anyone just yet or talk properly. Which is to say, Argenti isn't sure he's fairing much better, but Self-Reflection isn't helping him any, and though he is terrible at accepting help, it does actually help that Fray told him he knew where to find him if he needed him.

But, he wants to be outside, so late at night he gets a text:

Fray, please meet me near community center.

~ Argenti

Whenever the man shows up, Argenti will guide them over to where there are a collection of trees and grass, and have them seated down. ]

I...wished to speak with you.

[ There's a pause, as if he needs to collect himself some. ]

...I wasn't certain how you were doing after that. And, I thought it would be good for the both of us.

To perhaps speak about what happened, that is.

[ It's phrased so much more awkwardly than how Argenti prefers for it to be, but all the same, he is trying. He hardly seeks out help for anything, though he has a feeling that, perhaps, it really is the same for Fray.

Maybe, it will work out. Except, he thought that about Jordi, and he recalls starkly what happened then. How long is he going to be keep being a fool for? ]

Edited 2024-09-06 22:06 (UTC)

[Sayaka's back pretty late from the hotpot fun--she definitely had quite the lovely time there, of course, and got herself full of enough veggies to meet her daily regimen and then some. It was a nice little break after everything that had happened, and a chance to decompress after everything happened. And...it was strangely freeing too, to be among genuine friends and get to share in their experiences--share her own with them, too.

Is this what freedom feels like? Is this what she's been afraid of, this entire time? She feels minor thorns and pricks from the managers that feel like they live rent free in her head, but they feel so much less now. It's...

Freeing. Freedom. More beautiful than she could have imagined.

But all of this isn't enough to have missed what happened with Fray earlier. She's a girl of her word if nothing else, and after putting away what she managed to get for Fray in the fridge, she goes upstairs, knocking on the door before unlocking it.]

Fray, I'm home! [Sayaka will go and take a look at him, at least, making sure he's in here--and smiles when she finds him.] I left you some stuff in the fridge, too--Shizuki-kun was really kind and helped me out with it.

[Sayaka is going to take a seat, though, as soon as she can. She is done with walking!!! For now.]

...Are you feeling okay?

Edited (icon pls) 2024-09-16 01:26 (UTC)

[ Following the conclusion of that Palace, alongside the party itself, Argenti is finding himself easing slowly and carefully - as he can manage - back into some semblance of normalcy in the wake of everything. He has some things to settle in his own head, but at the same time, everything feels like it is somehow clearer in some senses. The human heart is never so simple, to be made fully simple and clean, but the fact that those shadows have been in some sense brought into the light, alongside the devotion he has witnessed so keenly...

It feels as if something inside of him has been reborn anew, and Argenti will chase these bright, beautiful flames wherever they may lead him. And today, they lead him here, straight to where his dearest Fray resides; perhaps it is because the air feels light, the sun shines up high beautifully, and the scent of affection is in the air. So, he knocks lightly upon the door, speaking brilliantly, sparkling much the same as he is wont to do. ]

Dear Fray, I hope I am not troubling you so.

I would like the opportunity to spend time with you in deepest confidence. Of course, it is always my deepest pleasure to be by your side, but I feel there is always much more we can talk when it is simply the two of us.

[ ...There is always entirely the possibility Fray isn't in his room, but it doesn't quite occur to him because he just swung by spontaneously. ]

[ The two have been discussing certain matters at times, but finally, one of those seems to bear fruit upon one day, when the day has just begun.

This is in regards to a date, just between the both of them, of course. Something simple and nice in the grand scheme of things - a most wonderful opportunity for each of them to enjoy themselves with one another.

Today, when Argenti sets the time for the date for them to meet on the outskirts of the island, there he is, in a white frilly shirt, black pants, and black shoes. His hair is also pinned up, like how Fray saw that it was in the third week when they hung out for a bit following their practice in go-karting/racing. Argenti also has a little picnic basket with him because of course he has brought food - around this time no one else is around to bother them much since hardly people come out here.

So, maybe Fray shouldn't be too surprised when Argenti's face lights up like an excited puppy, and he bounds towards him in his general direction, already arms outstretched to envelope in a greeting hug. ]

Oh, my dearest Fray! It is most certainly lovely to see you! I feel I have been truly been blessed by all that is beautiful to have you here with me!

[ Argenti has done his best to look presentable and even fresher than usual (unnecessary, let's be real, he always looks amazing.) ]

How are you feeling? Excited? You did get enough rest, yes?

[ Yoon takes a good nap and tries to sleep off all of that, and while it's not a fruitless endeavor, he still feels pretty ache-y all over. God, this week has been so much and he is over it.

However, he still needs to eat, so he exits his room -- and on his way to the kitchen, he runs into a familiar cat man. ]

Ah- Fray...

[ A lot has happened as of late - particularly now, given that Argenti managed to help rescue Fray from the depths of the shadows that dared to try to eclipse his heart. He's helped the man back to his room, naturally, allowing him time to rest and recuperate. Following that, the Knight of Beauty will come back to Fray's room, to grant a soft knocking upon the door.

Before, when he might use formalities to communicate. Here, he has become...quite familiar, for obvious reasons. ]

Dearest Fray, it is I, your beloved one.

[ Though when he announces it like that, he feels his cheeks burn just a little.

Today he's also getting more into the habit of still wearing something more casual than armor whenever he sees his beloved Fray. A deep crimson long-sleeved turtle-neck shirt, black pants, and with accompanying black shoes. His hair is down as it usually is, though. ]

[ So, a lot has happened in the past few weeks, culminating to a point where people are preparing for the last confrontation to be upon them in a heartbeat. This remains true for Argenti and Fray as well, having gone through many a spar as the weeks have gone by. No sense in allowing one's sword or spear to rust, after all.

As per the usual Argenti considers himself still a Knight, even with his changes, and a Knight does not make battle easy even for loved ones - especially not his dearest Dark Knight who would be insulted for him to make it a simple battle. His tactics still employ the tried and true method of 'attack at armored weak points' so if there's any lingering wounds, there may be some around the shoulder area or legs.

But, after working up a sweat, Argenti wipes his brow, smiling brightly and radiantly at his loved one. His heartbeat is swift, and excited; nothing feels sweeter than engaging Fray in a fight, the battle frenzy feeling like it makes him now wish to sweep his loved one off of his feet, into his arms. Or kissing him passionately. Though...now they're sweaty and all that, so. ]

Refreshing as always, my dearest Fray! Your moves are always a beautiful force of nature to behold.

...Though, I believe that we should have it at an end for now. We have been going for quite a long while as it is. Oh, but have you heard about this place nearby? It has something that they call a hotspring.

Shall we both check it out ourselves as a gift for our extraordinary activity?

[ Fortunately for them, it's nearby! ~~Thanks mods~~ ]

week 3 midweek

week 5 start of week

sometime post-jordi dungeon

post hotpot party

nebulous couple of days post-palace;

date time~

post-kirumi palace

Sometime Post-Fray Palace