((This is the day after Speed Dates))
Aria - 10/02/2017
Seren glanced in her mirror, making sure her hair was neat, and she looked... well as pretty as she ever looked, which in her eyes was not at all. She was feeling all happy and eager, and when it had occurred to her that she hadn't seen Rhys in a day or two, well it had been utterly natural to text him to ask to hang out. She was super happy he had been available for it, too.

She gave herself one last once over, and snagged her coat. She had a cookie wrapped up to bring him, and turned to the door. She'd put on her favorite leggings, and a cozy, comfortable tshirt that said 'Love Life, Live Free' on it. She didn't remember when she got it, but it felt soooo right today!

She bounced out the door, and locked it behind her, before running downstairs, and to Rhys' door. She knocked, a happy little pattern, to let him know she was coming in, then popped the door open. "Hiiiii!" She said, beaming at him with the smile that only he ever saw, and walked in. "How are you today?"
Pao - 10/02/2017
When the door swung open Rhys still had his nose in a book, though her cheerful greeting stopped his reading in its tracks. Quickly he slipped a bookmark in and closed the book before glancing up at her, brow quirked in a very curious and questioning manner. Her smile was a sight for sore eyes, though, so he wasn't frowning...even if he wasn't exactly smiling either.

"Hi..." he said in a very normal voice as he sat up and set his book down. "I'm alright. You?"
Aria - 10/02/2017
"I'm in... the best mood I've been in days. Don't know why! Glad to see you, though." She shut the door behind her, and wandered in a little more, before leaning against the nearest wall, her bright smile not at all diminished. "Been a great day, really, for no particular reason." She shrugged and looked him over, her smile shifting from the beam to a warm, caring one. "Wanted to share a good day with you, since you're my friend. It's what friends do, after all."
Pao - 10/02/2017
Bright was really the only word he could think of at first, and Zephira offered him some help by chiming in "radiant" and as much as he wanted to he couldn't shut her down. He couldn't use the word because it just sounded weird to him, but it was completely accurate. Especially considering the cheerfulness in her voice.

"Great days are...great," he said, still a little confused and maybe even a little concerned because this really wasn't like her. At least not as far as he could tell. But that confusion faded a bit when her expression changed and he could tell it really was her. And she also said the word "friend" and no one else on the island, thus far, had ever used the word with him as far as he knew. He still couldn't admit that she was his friend at this point, though...

"Cool, I like great days and I like...cookies." He nodded at the little bag she had in her hand. "Looks good."
Aria - 10/02/2017
"Oh! Right, I brought you these! Didn't make them myself, I will be fair, but they're pretty damn good!" She happily held the cookies out to him, and then settled to sit on the floor, gazing up at him with that caring, warm look she had around him... except maybe a little more magnified then usual. "I hope you like them."

She just watched her friend... He was such a wonderful person, and being around Rhys always made her happy. Today, it seemed to make her extra happy, and she just felt so full of joy just being here today. She leaned her chin against her knee, her smile not slipping at all. "I think I have kitchen duty tonight, what about you?" She said, sounding happy about it.
Pao - 10/02/2017
The caring look was familiar, but it felt very...extra...and while he didn't mind it at all it just took a bit of getting used to. With a warm smile he reached for and pulled one of the cookies out of the bag, inspecting it (because Seren wasn't the one who baked it) before taking a nibble. When that nibble revealed that it was tasty he bit into the treat more properly, enjoyment gradually becoming clearer on his face.

"Pretty good," he said with a very approving nod. The brunette sat and watched her watch him, a sudden elatedness at knowing she was there, with him, just because she wanted to be becoming more and more apparent in his expression. He finished up the cookie and went for another before answering. "Not...sure?" he answered, then bit into the cookie and held it in his mouth as he quickly fished for his phone to find his schedule.

"Mm, says here cleaning." Oddly enough, he was smiling as he offered her the phone so she could see for herself.
Aria - 10/02/2017
She nodded. "Right? I mean... I could make 'em, I bet but... Whoever did bake them must have been so nice. I want to thank them!" Seren wasn't sure who it was, but she was really grateful to them for it. They were such tasty cookies, whoever it was must have been really nice. Really nice, in fact. "They were handed out yesterday at a thing..." She said, sounding vague, because really who cared? What matters was she was here.

With Rhys.

She was happy. And he seemed happy, and the cookies were tasty. "Ohhh cleaning! I mean it's not the most fun, but... maybe you'll find some way to have fun?" She leaned forwards, so her chin rested on the edge of his bed, gazing up at him with an expression that was almost adoration.
Pao - 10/02/2017
He listened while munching on the cookie, looking happy and content and like all was well with his world. Which it was because she was there, and she was rattling away about more cooking things with him. And that they could share that and books and a lot of their time was just something he had no idea would make him so, ridiculously happy he wondered in passing where all this had been when he first started at Deus.

"If you do meet 'em thank 'em for me, too," he said as he reached for the third and final cookie. The downer that came with that fact was very much eclipsed by his gratefulness that there was even a third cookie. A third cookie.

"I hope so. Nah, it probably will be fun. I'll figure it out." He nodded a bit at that, smile deterred by the food. "But what about you? You get to cook again. You love the kitchen, right? That's ********' awesome. So what're you gonna make?"
Aria - 10/02/2017
She nodded, happily as she watched him, comfortable and relaxed. Being in this room, in this place with him was always nice. Today it just felt more so, like there was a bright glow of happiness that accompanied Rhys. She sighed, softly, in a very happy way. He was like a beautiful angel in her life, the brightest bright spot in this place.

"I will! But only if you do the same, should you find out who it is first!" She gave him a cute smile, and laughed, happily, even if there was no real joke to laugh at.

"You will, I'm sure of it! You're good at making things work out." She blinked at his questions. "Well I mean... Yeah! But mostly when some one I like to be with is there. But maybe I'll get lucky, and some one I know will be on duty. And I dunno... I usually follow the menu they have pre-made, but make it my way so it's better. You should make sure to come down to dinner in the caf!"
Pao - 10/02/2017
Oh, that laugh. It brightened up his mood even more in an instant, and he shot her that bright smile that he'd only ever given her. And he nodded, agreeing to what seemed a bit silly and chuckling right alongside her. While she answered his question he slipped down from the bed and joined her on the floor, if only because he just wanted to be closer. And at eye level...mostly.

"I'm always there for dinner! Y'know, if it makes a difference I can tell when you had somethin' to do with dinner. It doesn't taste like chalk." The brunette laughed at that, the corners of his eyes crinkling for the moment. It hadn't been a joke but he still found it funny enough. And when he calmed down enough he swayed a bit, side to side, as he thought.

"But yeah. Anyway, so. I think your good mood is pretty contagious. Another reason to like you, I think. It's great."
Aria - 10/02/2017
She gave another sigh, seeing that bright and beautiful smile. It made her so much happier to see, every day, because he didn't seem to smile enough, so seeing it made her feel amazing and special for managing to bring it to his lovely face. When he was down next to her, she just leaned forwards, just a little, and gazed happily up at him.

His words, though, about the difference regarding when she cooked made her straighten back up, with joy and pride. "I'm so glad to know my efforts at trying to make what comes out of the kitchen more palatable for everyone is working!" She had a smile on, that held notes of pride as well, an emotion she rarely displayed, as well as pure happiness he could tell. And his laugh too! Oh he laughed, and it was so wonderful.

"Ah? I'm glad! I wanted to make your day better, so if I could spread the good mood to you, that makes me just so happy."
Pao - 10/02/2017
The smile, if it was even possible, got brighter still, and he beamed right back at her at her reaction ot his compliment. He meant every word, too.

Rhys was the one to learn forward this time, not paying too much attention to boundaries as he got pretty closer to her face. He blinked curiously, wondering what it was about her that just made him feel so happy and content and grateful for everything he had in the world. Rather, on this island. And he didn't have a whole lot, but he did have her and her friendship as well as Joy and maybe a few others he wasn't totally sure about yet. But he had them in some capacity and he was grateful for it.

"You did make my day better!" he said, looking straight into and getting almost lost in the blue of her eyes. He blinked for a second, like he just noticed them, and smiled. A little bit softer this time, before eventually pulling back. "I kinda wish I had more to offer than just me, though. Did you maybe wanna watch a movie? Or just talk? Or?"
Aria - 10/02/2017
She was just feeling so good, and she was right here with the person she liked best in all the world and it was awesome. Maybe she wasn't ready to tell him how much he meant to her, or how much his words meant, but she really knew she cared about him, and today, this great mood made her feel it even more.

Life had been so... So awful before the island, and until she found him, she'd still been pretty lonely. Joy was wonderful, but she was often so busy. Rhys... always had time for her, practically, and so she wasn't lonely anymore. He'd become such an important center of her life.

Like a sun she revolved around, in some ways. Heck, he was even golden-tone from his tan, and she was... blues. Maybe not ocean blues, but blues... A little planet circling a wonderful sun.

Knowing she made his day better just made her bounce a little in place, so happy to know it. "Really? I'm glad to hear it." She blinked at his offer, and shrugged. "I mean 'just you' is pretty awesome... But if you wanna watch a movie, or something, I'd be ok with that... Whatever you're up for, really!"
October 3, 2017
Pao - 10/03/2017
He puffed up quite a bit on the inside when just him was enough. Just him. There was the faintest urge to give her a hug just for saying that, but it was snuffed out by the various kinds of happy he was just feeling. It was unbelievable, like his eyes had been closed this entire time to how great this woman really was and he was seeing it all for the very first time. And there was no time being wasted on denying the thought that she was his friend and that yes, he liked her. A lot. And he cared about her and was glad that she was in as great a mood as he was in because it was always upsetting to see her sad for any kind of reason. Especially if he was the reason for it...but just him was apparently pretty awesome in her eyes so he shoved that sliver of not-happy aside.

"Just me! Then let's talk." He paused and blinked, then laughed as he sheepishly ran a hand through his hair. "What to talk about?"
Aria - 10/03/2017
She giggled at his response, her head dropping to the side as she watched him looking happy and sheepish all at once. "If you want!" She rocked back, shifting so that she could lean against his bed while still watching him, an almost beatific expression on her face. "Ummmmmm hmm! That's a good question."

She leaned back, eyes lost in thought, then said "Did ya have any like... hobbies outside of your sports before?" She looked back over at him, all curious and eager to find out about good things of his life.
Pao - 10/03/2017
Rhys happily watched her, his thought surprisingly so clear right that second. The entirety of his focus was on her alone, and details he missed before, little tings that changed as her expression changed, he saw them now. His eyes flickered to the movement of her hair to the way the light shined at just the right angle to compliment her even more, and he smiled. Bright and happy and content. "It is a good question," he echoed with a chuckle as he went back to swaying.

"Hobbies? Yeah! I skateboard." He pointed over at the board leaning against the side of his desk. "And I freerun. Parkour. It's fun and ********' helpful here! Less injuries when I freerun now, too, 'cause of the fear shield. It's awesome!"
Aria - 10/03/2017
"What's parkour?" She said, her eyes fascinated. "I don't know that term, or freerun. Tell me all about it?" Her voice was eager, and fascinated. "I mean, you know I like running, so I'd love to learn..." Her arms spread wide, and her hands waved a little. "Everything! I want to know what it's all about!"

She glanced at his skateboard, and nodded. "I knew skaters back home. Never had time to learn myself, and I bet I'd be a clumsy mess on one, but people who can do it are so hella cool. I always thought it looked really neat, and really interesting. Just something I'd make an idiot of myself doing, if I tried. But I bet you're hella good!"
Pao - 10/03/2017
He chuckled and, because she had her arms spread wide open he went in for a hug. Just a quick one, because he was in such a good mood and she started it. After giving her a little squeeze he scooted back and turned so he was facing her, smile still as bright as ever. And that was because of a cross between her being there, her wanting to learn about him, and him getting to talk about his interests.

"I can ride," he said, addressing the skateboarding thing first because she knew what it was already. "But it was easier than walking and helped me get to work on time, and cheap! Cheap enough, anyway." He waved a hand and dismissed the memory of having to save up for a while to get a new board because his got "lost" at the gym.

"But Parkour! And freerunning. Parkour is kinda the parent, where the goal is getting through an obstacle course without getting any kind of equipment to help you, as fast and as efficiently as you can. It's a discipline, almost like a martial art, 'cause its origin is military techniques to get out of combat situations--really great for Deus, by the way. Freerunning takes that same idea and basically made it into more of a sport or a way of self-expression. Fluidly moving through the environment kinda deal. No limitations, just free running. Freerunning."
Aria - 10/03/2017
She was very surprised when he went for the hug, and was going to return the hug when he pulled back. Still, it had felt good and she leaned against his bed, cuddled against it a little, smiling at him, her arms dropping to the side. She felt so comfortable in this moment, and that hug just served to relax her further.

She tilted her head, listening to him. "By ride, I... assume you mean a bike?" Cause she wasn't sure... She knew skaters but she didn't know the terminology. She never learned to ride a bike, either. Maybe he'd teach her someday? She was maybe more likely to not kill herself on a bike, but the skateboard wasn't the best choice for her. "You should show me your skills sometimes"

His description of freerunning, and parkour, though, had her looking super interested and eager. "Oh! That sounds like fun. Do... do you think you could like... teach me?" Her eyes were excited, and eager. "I mean you know I like to run! Learning new ways to do so, and to expand on it, sounds like so much more fun then just the running I normally do..."
October 7, 2017
Pao - Last Saturday at 3:24 PM
"Ride as in use a skateboard," he said with a smile and a shake of his head. "And that is basically all of my skill. I never wanted to risk breaking a bone or breaking my board. I can only teach you how to skate, but no tricks." The brunette nodded sagely, and rolled over and splayed out on the floor. He was as relaxed and comfortable as she was, with the added bonus of being in his own room.

"Hell yes, I can teach you!" he said, then reached over and patted his arm in case she wanted to join him in being totally comfortable. "I've never taught anyone before but I can definitely try. Just name the time and place." Then paused and waved a hand as if to dismiss something. "I'll pick the place; we need an obstacle course."
Aria - Last Saturday at 3:30 PM
She chuckled and shrugged. "Just show me is fine... I'm SURE I'm not meant to be a skater, myself. But thank you for the offer." She watched him roll over, curiously, and gave a small grin when he flopped down, her eyes gently traveling along him for a moment, enjoying the sight of the tall man's body.

"Oooo yes! Thank you!" She said, an excited smile on her face as she did so. His invitation had her blinking a little, and then she nodded and moved to lay on her back next to him, her head resting, a little shyly, on his arm. "I'll see when is best for my schedule, then." She had her head tilted so that she could see his face as they talked.
Pao - Last Saturday at 10:57 PM
It was an odd feeling, to have someone using his arm as a pillow, but since it was her the oddness was actually kind of nice. "Never know 'til you try," he said, again with a sagely nod, though this time it was directed at the ceiling. He was still smiling though, very wide and very silly-like, but he was feeling so good he didn't really care at all.

"And no problem. Any chance I get to share some stuff I know is always great," he glanced over her this time, smile still bright and wide but less silly and more genuine. "Except for this one thing; that I kinda keep for myself." He waggled his brows, the silliness coming back very quickly, and then laughed.
Aria - Last Saturday at 11:06 PM
She laughed and closed her eyes, shrugging a little as she thought about it. "I guess I could try at some point... I just suspect I don't have the balance for it, or something like that, ya know?" She felt so comfortable here, in this moment. She could only imagine one or two things that would make her happier, but this was so good. So very gooood.

She chuckled at his words, and then opened her eyes. "Well now you have me all curious about that one thing! But I wont pry, I'm not mean like that. But maybe some day you'll tell me what it is." She gave him an amused smile, and added "In the meantime, though, definitely sharing. I like sharing what I know too."
Pao - Last Saturday at 11:10 PM
"The balance comes with practice," he said first, and then waggled his finger at her. "Nope, not sharing." And again he laughed and shrugged. "Good you don't pry, I don't really like people that pry. But I like that about you, too, that you don't pry and that you share!"

It was at that point that he turned to her, not minding the proximity even the tiniest bit. "You share your time and your cooking with me, and you ask me to teach you things. These all..." and he paused, brows scrunched up in a curious way, like he was trying to find the right words to express himself.

"These all make me feel like I matter to someone out there in the world. In this case, to you."
Aria - Last Saturday at 11:15 PM
The shrug felt odd, with her head on his arm, but not bad. More amusing then anything, and she chuckled at him. "You are ridiculously silly at times, I swear. Not that that's a bad thing. I like it." She chuckled softly and shrugged in turn, the upper edge of her shoulders bumping his lower arm. "And of course not! We all have our secrets, and if I pry into some one else's, they might pry into mine." Perfectly logical in her mind.

She smiled a little as he spoke, watching his reaction and being amused that his face was close enough to kiss, a thought that made her stomach wriggle in a good way... Like butterflies in the stomach, maybe. She didn't try, though, because she would always respect his boundaries. Always. His words, though... That got him that warm, caring smile again. "Of course you matter to me, goof."
Pao - Last Saturday at 11:43 PM
When she shrugged he assumed it was because she thought it was amusing in their current position as he did; he didn't mind that she hit his arm when she did it, either. "Totally get that, dude." And her logic did make perfect sense, especially to him because he thought exactly the same way. Sharing secrets was fine, though so far he'd never been inclined to share any with anybody on the island because he didn't have anyone he really felt he trusted, but forcing them out of someone by any means was...worth a good beatdown and subsequent termination of any kind of relationship other than the hateful kind.

"I can be silly when I'm stupid comfortable," he said, again shrugging though this time with just the one shoulder because his weight was on the other one. It was only when he noticed that he could stare into her eyes that he realized how close they really were, but he still didn't seem to mind. Particularly not when she gave him that smile of hers, and he coud swear his insides just melted.

"Feels good to matter to someone," he said, expression going soft despite his scrunched brows again. "'Goof'? Is that like...your version of one of those...'terms of endearment'?"
Aria - Last Saturday at 11:49 PM
"Didn't say there was anything wrong with silly. Silly is fun." She gave a soft chuckle, and tilted her head a little more so she was as close to facing him as she could be without turning onto her side. "I mean being silly can make a sad moment feel better, so I'm always glad to have people who know how to do it around." She reached up and moved a loose lock of hair from her eyes. "And I'm glad you're comfortable. I wondered if my head might be uncomfy for you here." She wouldn't want to spoil his comfiness, after all!

"It does, doesn't it?" She said, a little wistfully, not thinking it was mutual, but not asking for it to be mutual either. "So I'm glad you know, since you feel good." She arched a brow at his question and chuckles softly, teasing him like she usually did, but with a warmth in her tone. "That, Rhys, is for me to know and maybe, someday, for you to find out."
Pao - Last Saturday at 11:58 PM
"Didn't say I thought there was something wrong with silly," he defended, though more playfully than anything. "But yeah. Could use some people like that. Sometimes they don't know anything about timing, but that kinda thing can be taught I think..." he mused for a second and then waved her worries away. "Your head being there is a different kinda nice," he commented, eyes closed as he nodded.

"And yeah, it does. First time I've ever felt that, so. Tip my hat to you, or I would if I had a hat on right now. And it wouldn't be a tophat, it'd be a beanie." Rhys smiled despite her teasing tone, thinking that because it was teasing it meant it was probably a good sign that he was right, but he played along anyway.

"Someday, then. I'll mark my calendar."
October 8, 2017
Aria - Last Sunday at 12:03 AM
She chuckled more, and relaxed at his words, eyes closing as well. "Indeed. Some people do need to work on that. I wonder, sometimes, at the sense of timing some people have." She grinned when he said it was nice. "Mmm then I wont worry about it at all, cause your arm is comfy."

She managed to avoid a sad rush at the idea no one had ever made him feel he mattered before, by focusing on how nice it was to know she was the first one who DID. That was special. It had to be, right? It made her some one who could do something no one else had been able to do before. Definitely special. "Pffft and how would you tip a beanie? That's just taking it off!"

She arched a brow and said "Impressive calendar, if it has a space for 'someday' on it."
Pao - Last Sunday at 12:08 AM
It was good to know he was comfy, an odd kind of knowing but still good. And he would have commented had she not said that about his beanie, so with his hand he imitated where the visor portion of his beanie would be.

"It's one of those with the visor thing," he said, defensive but amused and still smiiling and feeling ridiculously great about just being there and being with her. He couldn't explain it, but his mood had skyrocketed since she got there. "So I can technically tip the visor thing."

"And as for my calendar, it's not that impressive. I'll just keep writing 'someday Seren explains' on the last day of every month to remind me that you've gotta explain somethin' to me."
Aria - Last Sunday at 12:13 AM
She chuckled. "Ohhhhh Visor Beanie. Those are odd, to me, but that's me." She laughed and shrugged. "To each their own, right? I mean if everyone liked the same things, it'd be so weird. I can't imagine me in your clothes, and I sure as s**t can't imagine you in mine." No double entendre meant, but possibly there. She did, however, have a sudden and bizarre as ******** mental image of him in her clothing and she couldn't help laughing because it was so ridiculous.

Though it'd look better on him then it did on Lysander, that was for sure. But then most things would.

His explanation on the calender got an "Oooooooooooh!" out of her, and a laugh. "Well I WAS impressed, anyways." She teases.
October 9, 2017
Pao - Yesterday at 2:43 PM
"That's not a bad picture though," he said way too casually than he probably should have, not really thinking much of it. "You in my clothes. Me in your clothes, though..."

The brunette shuddered and tried not to think about it too hard. She had nice clothes that fit her perfectly, but on him? Bizarre was a pretty accurate word, so he shoved the thought away and focused instead on that picture of her in his clothes. It was nicer. Fitting, even, for whatever reason he, in his current happy, upbeat mind, couldn't quite understand.

At the prolonged "ooh" he chuckled and reached up to poke her between the eyebrows. "Not impressed anymore now that the cat's outta the bag?"
Aria - Yesterday at 3:23 PM
She blinked at his comment, mind pulled from the silly insane of him wearing something of hers by his comment. "Really? I probably would end up swimming in them, practically... You're so much taller and broader of shoulder then I am. Not quite kid in Dad's clothing level, but still..." Part of her, though, had a sudden image of herself wearing one of his shirts, though, and she couldn't deny that it was a nice thought... Even if it was a classic girlfriend thing and she didn't think he thought of her in that light.

She saw the shudder, and couldn't help a small chuckle, guessing what it was about. "Never wanted to wear a kilt or something?" She gently joked at him.

She made a small eep sound at the poke, her eyes crossing as she followed his finger, then she laughed, amused and also a little bemused. "Well I mean that's less interestingly... A calendar with a someday spot would be pretty unique!"
Pao - Yesterday at 5:11 PM
"I dunno, it'd look kinda nice," he said with a shrug, the picture in his mind the same as the one in hers. As classic girlfriend was it was it really was a nice thought, and it brought a smile to his face. Even through the kilt joke, which he snorted at. "And no, no ********' kilts for me. I get that some dudes can work that, but not this dude."

The eep had him laughing alongside her, as comfortable as he'd ever been around anyone before. Before Deus he couldn't have pictured himself doing this with anyone because he'd never even considered the possibility of friendship; no one to trust, kind of thing. But now he had Seren, and even Joy. "Every lazy-a** in the world would just put 'go to the gym' in that spot if it really existed."
Aria - Yesterday at 5:25 PM
She shrugs a little and said "Well if you think so, then." She gave him a slight smile, wishing she believed that she'd ever end up wearing one of his shirts, in that way, but she didn't see that as likely. She liked seeing the smile on his face as he contemplated the idea. His response on the issue of the kilts made her laugh out loud, and she grinned. "I don't know about that, now! You've got nice strong legs."

Rhys's laughter made hers go longer, because she enjoyed hearing his so very much. Finally she slowly relaxed again, taking a few, slow breathes and closing her eyes, listening to his words. "I suppose that's true enough... Though it's not like they don't do it already, just in their heads."
October 10, 2017
Pao - Today at 12:01 AM
"Strong legs that are very happy in shorts or pants," came a very firm response. "Or in nothing at all, but that's something else entirely." At that he couldn't help but chuckle, smile wide as those feelings of happy and comfortable continued to override every other emotion he could have possibly been feeling given their position. Things like worry and concern and being mindful of what came out of his mouth were barely on his mind, if at all.

"That's true, too," he said once he'd calmed down as well, sighing as he watched her with a very subtley different gaze. "Those guys just need a good kick in the pants to get goin', usually. A good kick and a good way to stay motivated, like if their health is goin' to s**t or somethin' like that. We got a lot of those types at the old gym I used to work at."
Aria - Today at 12:07 AM
She laughed at his words, too, though her brows rose up at the 'nothing at all' comment, trying not to think too hard about it, which in her elevated mood was... harder then she'd expected, honestly. She stared up at the ceiling, looking for random patterns to distract herself, still feeling good but not wanting to risk saying some things.

Like what she'd told Joy recently.

She looked towards him, as he spoke again, her eyes curious at that. "Not something I ever experienced, really, but somehow I'm not surprised at all." She smiled at him, not really picking up on the subtle shift in his expression. All she cared about was talking and listening to him right now. "But it's not something you do, and I have no intention of doing it either."
Pao - Today at 12:13 AM
He shrugged. "My advice has just always been not to let it ever get to that point, so I'm glad you don't do that. And that I don't, too." Health was a life choice, not just something "someone did," and it was challenging and he understood that. But it being challenging wasn't an excuse to not try, at least not in his mind.

And that was what filled his thoughts in the following moment, during which he fell silent.

"But if you ever do need a good ********' kick in the a**," he eventually spoke up again, once more poking her between the eyebrows, smiling. "Just lemme know. I'd be glad to help."
Aria - Today at 12:16 AM
"I have no intention of it, like I said!" She made a little huff at him, and smiled. "And I wont, either. My health is the one thing in the world that can make the biggest difference on whether I make it through a given encounter. I'm not stupid enought to let it slide!"

She watched him go quiet, and was pondering what else to talk about when he spoked again... And poked her again. This time, she just made a silly face at him, sticking her tongue out a bit. "I'll keep that in mind, you silly man." She shook her head at him, bemused by his antics.
Pao - Today at 12:29 AM
"Good on both fronts," he said, sticking his tongue out as well before pulling her into what was probably some kind of a hug in any other context, but in this case it was just so that he could sit them both up. And then he let her go, smiling wide. "That said, duty time for me!" The words came out far too chipper than if he'd been in his normal mood, but he wasn't and they came out extra happy and he really didn't care.

"We can hang out some more after?" the brunette offered as he moved to stand, then offered her a hand up. "If you can find more of those cookies, too. Or just cookies in general would be awesome."
Aria - Today at 12:31 AM
She blinked in surprise at the hug... sitting her up... thing. It was a little weird, but not bad. Just strange. Once they were upright, she blinked at him, and then chuckled. "I got some time yet but I don't want you to be late!" She took his offered hand, her eyes happy, and stood.

"Sounds good! If I can't find any, I'll try to bake some after! Seeee you, Rhys!" She bounded out his door, waving happily at him, then headed off to her room.