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James' excitement over his threes was exactly what Caroline hoped for, and she admired that his first thought was to make something with them. He seemed to understand what she felt, if only in part, and it was nice to observe at least a small fraction of similarity. And Kammy was playing so nicely with him that she couldn't help but honor her appreciation for fours, even if they barely surpassed her favor for sevens - the small stack of fours that she sat near Kammy's end of the card house was fortunate to even exist, considering the amount of numbers she'd just discarded entirely.

Like Aces. They weren't even a number! But they were a letter, and one person in particular deserved to be rewarded with it accordingly.

As inconspicuously as she could (which was not very), she pinned a card to Rook with a clip from her hair. It was his well-deserved A, accompanied by an appreciative heart.

"Haha, yeah, Rook bailed me out. I had spent my coins on Corey." He owed Rook even though he said he didn't need to bother. Cecil had helped Corey because he knew she wouldn't help herself first and he was okay with the consequences. It just didn't mean he hadn't been a little scared.

"What's wrong? There's no need to worry about me now but we still have a few others on our team." He looked to Justin and those around them that still had collars. "But its alright to focus on yourself too. Think of it as taking the stress off the leads from having to bail you out. It means you can pull your own weight...which apparently I can't." He laughed a bit.

But soon there was a tug on his jersey and Cecil turned his attention from Rorrow to Hitsu. His smile was suddenly nervous when she said she should hit him. "Pity the wounded?" It was worth a shot.

At least her anger had faded and the serious look was gone and as she gestured for him to come closer he leaned down to give her the hug she desired. "I told you it would be okay."




Coins: 17

Time seemed to go on and on, until finally Hitsu released him and he remembered the simple skill of how to breathe.

"You--" He stared dumbly at her for a moment, before blurting out, "smell like alcohol. Were you drinking?" He looked up at Cecil, a confused look on his face. "Cecil, was she drinking---were you drinking?" The question came with a suspicious look and sudden tilt of his head that said 'really?'

Of course, given that a lot of them had expected the worst case scenario since coming here, he supposed having a drink to calm the nerves wasn't that big of a surprise.

As for Justin...

"What are you jealous?" A smug look, but it was clear he was teasing the man. They were both determined to be a pain in each others sides after all.

At Caroline's approach, Rook might have straightened a little, quieting down just a tad. After all, she was still their professor and like all university staff, intimidated him, but just a little. He felt something being pinned to him and when he looked down, he noted the ace of hearts pinned to his shirt.

"An ace card?" Ace... A... A grade. Rook might have looked a bit starry eyed and he definitely beamed a little.

Cecil leaned down in response to her gesture, and she wrapped her arms around her friend and hugged him tightly, giving him a little peck on the cheek. "You're not allowed to scare me like that again, you hear me?"

She slid away and turned her attention toward Rook again, and she laughed. "I've only had two drinks!" Granted one of those had been a shot. That she had stolen from Cecil. So, it may very well have been strong enough to run a car.

"I'm sorry if I offended," she said seriously. "I'm just really, really happy that you did that for him."

As Caroline approached and pinned an Ace to Rook's shirt, she was chuckling at the young man's response. It was so refreshing to see everyone in such good spirits now. Herself included.

Hitsu looked around quietly for a little while, gaze moving along those who had gathered and those still with collars. "I have enough coins to help someone else, too. We're so close to getting everyone out of here." Of their faction. She was still struggling with the idea that other factions might be losing some of their own.

He should have expected it, but didn't react fast enough to pull away before he pulled Justin pulled him into a headlock, forcing a strangled sound to escape the smaller man. Fortunately, he willingly let him go instead of making him break free of the hold, so it only lasted a few moments. Though now that he was finally free he made a 'tsk tsk' sound. "Clearly someone never learned how to share."

There was a somewhat disgusted noise, as he waved his hand in front of his face. "Yeah I know you've been drinking, Justin. I can smell it on your breath." Though considering they were all still standing upright, he supposed they'd be okay. Maybe. "Just as long as none of you vomit on me, I'm good. And no worries, no damage done, Hitsu." He added, waving off her concern.

"I'm holding you to that promise, Cecil."

And she would. He knew she would.

She was also glad that Rook wasn't bothered by her enthusiasm, though his comments to Justin had her self-consciously putting a hand to her mouth to try and check just how bad her alcohol breath really was.

Rorrow smiled at the other. Cecil really was a great guy. Chuckling Rorrow called out. "Are we going to gloat about that A of yours Rook? Though, that's a huge leap considering who it comes from..." he nodded then smiled at the smaller girl.

"Hi...Rorrow Graves. I think I've heard your voice before...what's your name?" his green eyes were warm as he tilted his head looking down at her. He glanced up to Cecil. "Friend of yours?"

"Alright, alright." Cecil smiled and held up his hands at Hitsu in a surrender gesture. He would indeed try his best.

His awkward grin turned to Rook then and even as Justin was making it known he wouldn't be sick Cecil was laughing a bit. "We won't be sick, Rook. Though if we do I would recommend aiming for the staff." He patted Justin lightly on the shoulder likely only adding to the weight Rook was having to bare.

And then there was Kammy. Sweet Kammy and her DnD logic that hardly made sense to him but he smiled and waved to her regardless. "I am fine, Kammy. Charlie patched me up."

Rorrow had his focus shortly after but before he could properly introduce Hitsu she was introducing herself but her explanation was what hit him. It was like a jab to his lungs and like felt it took every ouch of breath away. A hand came up to his chest as it ached, his smile trying to remain in place though the pain was creeping into his eyes. Hitsu was still in denial, Cecil was less so but he kept up the pretense for her, at least for a little longer.

"Y-yeah. Her brother. My boyfriend." He clarified. Oh it hurt to think about and the smile he had didn't want to stay in place. Drinking again sounded better. Thinking about anything else sounded better. Maybe the radio would be a distraction. The hug Hitsu offered barely seemed to dull the hurt. "I think I'm a little thirsty still." He stepped back from Hitsu gently pulling her arms from around his middle. "I'll be right back."