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Dongmei did not know anything she shouldn't, Melody was sure not to out anyone she knew the civilian identity of. Which, now that she thought about it... boiled down to Zachary only. Hm.

Still it had been Dongmei's idea to dress as a Cherubi for Halloween, considering she'd pieced together Melody's love of cherry blossoms and had picked the Pokemon for Zach based on what Melody knew of him. It wasn't much but it had boiled down to "So if this guy was a Pokemon trainer, what type do you think he'd be?". To which she'd answered Ghost type.

She really needed to get to know him better.

"Actually it's been awhile since I've been to Jada's home, or any other sort of fancy to-do." A slightly embarrassed smile. "My mom used to drag me to several, plus attending Crystal Academy didn't help. Some times she'd send me in her place!"

That put a small scowl on the blonde's face, but it only seemed... cute?

"But I do live in a rather... fancy? house... It's like a small mansion really, still has way too many rooms for my taste. But my mom likes to show off that she's worked hard to get the money she makes, though she was also born in to money so I don't get the point outside of pride."

And she was just going to continue to make faces as she talked about her mother. She loved her, honestly, but she was a little much.

"If you want, we can set up a visiting schedule for Itsuki?" Oh she hoped that didn't sound rude, or that she was trying to take his cat. "I-if only to make sure you can get some decent sleep!" she added on hastily.

"I actually help him some with his Instagram when he's at my place. It was set-up by the little girl he'd been living with before, if I remember right, and it's sweet that he keeps it running. Have you looked at it before?" Hopefully not, so he wouldn't see some of the videos of them being absolute dorks.

On the Pokemon front, however...

"I'll admit you know more then me. Dongmei helped me with my costume, I know so little about Pokemon but she's been having me play one of her older games." That she hadn't touched in awhile... But still his silly grin prompted a return grin from her, a little lopsided. "I've not really played video games so that's exciting!"

"Well I didn't start off a Crystal girl," she replied not even seeming to be bothered by his words. She knew what he was refering to and that many of those stereotypes existed in that school. Yes they were stereotypes but they had to come from something after all. "I was originally supposed to attend this other school that apparently was a part of some sort of organ ring or something. Or so they say."

She didn't remember much at all about it, so it could have been true, but something in her gut had always told her they were wrong. Not that she could prove it.

"I attended Crystal after, however. So perhaps that's why I never really seem to fall into the "Crystal Girl" thing." A growing smile, replacing the one that had fallen at the brief mention of Barren Pines. "But that... makes me happy? Is that stupid? To know that I didn't fall in with the stereotypes, and believe me there were plenty. Stereotypes are a thing only when something creates it first after all."

A small pause.

"But I suppose even those who don't fall in to those stereotypes might still feel untouchable. Money and being in a school that seems to prioritize wealth can do that. I tried not come off as untouchable but there was just so much going on in my life and all I wanted to do was finish school so I could move on to starting on my major, it was all I could think about.

"Well, until being a senshi happened. God that time in my life was a mess." Funny how things weren't nearly as much of a mess now.

"She still works hard! Being a head hauncho sort of deal in a law firm isn't easy. She's been trying to be at home more since I came back from college but she still brings so much work home I don't see the point. But my parents both love Itsuki, so that's a plus I guess."

At the comment about being parents, Melody found herself feeling torn on whether to be embarrassed or laugh. Settling for both, she looked away momentarily in hopes her laughter wouldn't embarrass him. With the way Itsuki seemed to treat them and bounced between houses it almost was like he was the child of split parents.

"We can call it a work in progress. It's not like we have to set up anything right away. Besides in the end Itsuki is a cat and will end up doing whatever he wants."

"Oh no, I was there. I just was lucky enough to make it out." Mostly unscathed too, if she remembered right. But again her memories of the whole thing were fuzzy at best and she knew several people didn't make it.

"Though I don't know why you're apologizing. There's nothing to apologize for." If it was because of the topic he really shouldn't be bothering with such things. If anything it was just nice to be able to talk to some one about the things that had gone on in her life again. With her relationship with Ignacio rocky and no attempts made (on her end for a myraid of different reasons) to try and repair her friendship with Azzo...

Zach was probably her first friend in a rather long time. Or at least first friend on the scale of "we can talk about anything" in a really long time. She wondered why she didn't do something like this sooner... It was going to be extra snacks for Itsuki next time he was over.

Laughing at his "impression" of his sister, she was certain her cheeks were going to break at some point from just how much amusement he gave her. And it was nice to feel like he didn't entirely seem like he was treating her differently just because she had money (just trying to be more polite for fear of making her look bad.)

"You are most certainly still you, you don't have to worry. But I think I should meet your sister one day." An almost teasing grin. "I feel she and I might get along rather nicely."

Okay, so maybe she shouldn't be picking on him like that.

"Well, in some ways it is. In some ways I feel like I'm taking steps back, or maybe doing things finally that I should have been doing as a normal teenager. I don't want to bore you with my history or anything but for the longest time all I cared about was becoming a famous cellist. I didn't entirely have time for friends or romance.

"And then I became a senshi, a bad one at that. And I used to get so nauseous even thinking of violence! It made being a senshi so terrible, do you know how hard it is to be in a battle and having to make sure there's a trash can near by?" Red stained her cheeks in embarrassment, unable to believe she'd just admitted that. Very few people knew that and most of those senshi she'd not seen in years.

"Of course that was on top of taking care of a family friend for the longest time. That ate up so much of my life, I'd even stopped being a senshi. Until I just decided to leave town for college. I left everything behind and decided to do something for myself one day. And then I was gone for three years before coming back because being a senshi felt more important to me."

... Hadn't she just said she hadn't wanted to bore him with her life story?? So much for that! Another dusting of color in embarrassment at the realization and turned her face away a moment.

"But to answer your question like I should have done. It's not so much of a mess as it had been. And I feel it's certainly been better since Itsuki and you came into my life."

The subject of him wanting to go to college brought her gaze back his way, and brown eyes watched him for a moment as he talked. A quick twitch of a smile at the joke before it settled into her usual sweet look.

"Well, it depends I suppose, though I've left college. I've gotten my degree and that's good enough for now." A thoughtful look. "Is there anything specific you're wanting to do? Like a certain job, or something you want to do "for the rest of your life"?"

That answer would better help narrow down what college might be best, as well as classes. Granted her maor had been much easier but some of her friends from college had all sorts of requirements and what not, so she'd learned something from them about it.

"But I hear you about not wanting to live with your parents anymore. Mom's resisting letting me look for an apartment, doesn't want me by myself but also doesn't trust other people I guess? She keeps wanting me to find a husband..."

"You're the first friend in Destiny City that I have made in quite some time. So you have done plenty, as far as I'm concerned. Hell, just having someone I can talk to about certain things outside of the uniform is a big help! You are honestly the first friend out of uniform that I've made!"

And by uniform she meant senshi uniform. He was the first person she could say she knew in both forms and that was a big load off in a lot of ways. Though she had yet to realize that a rather.... non-lady like word had slipped into what she was saying.

Though there was a small look on her face of realizing something wasn't quite correct? She didn't dwell on the feeling too long though, intent on giving him the same level of interest in his words has he had constantly given her. Was it a bad time to point out she rather enoyed listening to him talk?

"Well there are schools that focus on vocational studies. Technical colleges, I think they're called?" A pause to try and think. "In any case they tend to offer a lot of different classes on different things, so you could always see if there are classes for carpentry.

"As for business management... I think the degree for that focuses on a broad scale and not like... any specific sort of managerial classification? So like, it doesn't break it down into small or large business, or food or non-food businesses. I do recall one friend of a friend in college talking about it in that it is broken down into two categories but it's more a difference of hiring/training/organizational objectives versus running the store/deciscion making strategies for the good of the store kind of thing?"

So really it depended on what kind of managering he wanted to do as opposed to what kind of business to run. Unless that's what it broke down as such in that way for him. Either way she was going to aim to be one of his biggest supporters in his endeavor.

"Of course my cousin and I could always open that flower shop he's always kind of wanted to and you could run that~" A not entirely serious offer, if only because she and Monroe had never talked the idea out fully ontop of other reasons. But it was something her elder cousin had been thinking of looking into.

His gut reaction to her mother's attempts to rush a romance on her daughter made Melody laugh outright, clearly more amused then anything. And it wasn't one of those cute-like giggles she often gave (not that those where fake, mind. just that her default laughter was just as polite as she was). No this was abrupt and almost a little too loud? The most belly like laugh the blonde had ever given in her life.

So if he was worried about having offended her or some such, he really hadn't.

"God, no!" She couldn't stop laughing even as she replied back. "She really just got tired of trying to hint that I should be dating or trying to set me up on blind dates, she's been at it since high school. I guess she's just stubbornly ready for me to be getting married and giving her grandchildren that she's decided to just move to straight up trying to get me to find someone and get married."

Finally managing to contain her laughter, or at least quiet it back down to her polite giggles, the blonde turned to face him and put a hand on his arm to stop him.

"You don't need to feel bad about your honest reaction," a sympathetically sweet smile. "Especially when you're saying things I've been thinking for the longest time. You didn't offend and you certainly didn't put your foot in your mouth either. You are fine, Zachary."

"I'd say you're just saying that because you're tired of him sleeping on your face but he doesn't even sleep on my face? So..." Usually it was on her chest, so curled up in her arms like a stuffed animal. Occasionally her hip too! An almost teasing grin. "Maybe you should try snuggling him."

She didn't know if she was reading too much into it or not but Melody could have sworn there was a hint of panic some where in him the more they talked about him figuring out his schooling and a job. She knew he felt lost and unsure about it but the fact he mentioned not wanting to be stuck at some sort of dead-end whatever just..

Without thinking she moved to grab his hand in comfort, turning to look at him.

"It's okay though, that you don't know what you want to do yet. Not everyone grows up knowing what they want to do or having your parents tell you what you should do. And that is so very okay.

"I know, as children, we've got all these pressures put on us by our parents and society but it's not the end of the world I promise you. Especially if you have a good support network on your side and you're trying your best."

Glancing around a moment she leaned in close.

"Wanna know something? Even though I have my degree?? It'll probably never be used." A soft laugh with a hint of embarrassment. "I just don't know if I can concievably work on being a famous cellist while being a senshi. Plus there's all the travel and leaving behind friends and loved ones, even just for a bit. I currently work at a bath house, inspired by Japanese bath houses and... I might just stay there?"

A soft blush of embarrassment covered her cheeks as she scratched nervously at her cheek. For someone who was supposed to have her life together and all that... Well technically she did but it wasn't necessarily to the degree she was sure people would think someone like her would have.

"I mean, you aren't wrong, that's for sure. But I also feel like my mom might be worried about losing me? So..." It was complicated though it didn't make it right. "I guess it will all be fine if I can ever just date someone? But I also don't want to go rushing into dating, that just seems like a terrible idea. Like, looking but not?? I guess? It will happen when it will happen."

She was surprised, however, to hear his luck in love wasn't the best. How did he not have a girlfriend (or boyfriend, she didn't know his preference now that she thought about it)?

"Really? I'd have thought you could have anyone, really."

She had been teasing him with the cuddling but she wondered briefly if maybe she was teasing too much? Or perhaps her teasing was missing a mark in humor. Was her teasing not funny like she thought it would be?

With both of his hands covering his face, the frown she made in her thoughts went unnoticed by him (for which she was glad). It was gone by the time she took his hand and his gaze was immediately on her again.

"You do have to keep in mind that my degree and what I can do with it, it takes up a lot more time then just working at a bathhouse. If I wanted to be a teacher I'd need more schooling even. But if I wanted to join an orchestra or something, that would take up so much time and I already feel like I don't have enough between being a senshi, working, and trying to have any sort of social life I didn't really have before now."

She was trying to find herself in all of this and going full throttle into her music would end that. She probably wouldn't even really have time to find out more about Lacrimosa if she moved to any sort of musical career.

"However, the wonderful thing about degrees is that even if you get one and don't get a job in that field of study, having the degree will still get you so many more places then not having one. A lot of jobs look for people who have degrees, even just an associates. So the money wouldn't go to waste entirely. But it could, the world today just.... isn't entirely what people had in mind, you know?"

At some point both of her hands held on to his, giving a comforting squeeze as she smiled up at him. Hopefully it was as comforting as she wanted it to be.

"And even should the worst outcome happen, it would be okay. Because I will help you find and achieve your dream no matter what!"

Maybe it was a little cheesy and she knew her cheeks were bright but she meant every word. He had become such a dear friend in such a short amount of time, like they'd known each other forever some how, and she wanted to make sure the world gave him everything he deserved.

"I... What's wrong with window shopping?" A small pout and her hands moved to her hip a little. She might have been a little embarrassed, especially since windo shopping wasn't really working out for her.

Concern, of course, overtook her embarrassment, listening to him as he talked about his last relationship. Granted she didn't have the whole story but the context he did give...

"How does trying to make her smile make you impulsive? I know I don't have the whole story or anything but I don't think you would have done anything on purpose to try and ruin a relationship? I'm sorry things got ugly though, and I can understand the fear maybe a little too well, but even if you did some how mess things up she was at fault too."

A blink then a return of the embarrassed look. "Ah, but I have no business being nosy about your former relationship or anything. I will, however, leave it at this. If you ever want to talk about it, I'm here to listen."

"Well, you know what they say. A dream is a wish your heart makes~" There may have been a tiny hint of song as she said the line, force of habit. "Maybe you just haven't found the right dream. Or maybe there's so much in your life that it just feels like the dream is lost. And there's nothing wrong with that."

Turning to walk backwards a little, facing him as she walked. Though they should probably start heading back. The party was probably about over and they hadn't managed to find the hay ride. But it had been nice getting to talk to some one about all of this.

And to find that there was someone much like her, lost in the world and struggling to find a place.

"I just hope I'm there when you find it." Ah that was a little silly, wasn't it?

At teasingly being called a player her cheeks turned dark and there was a small whine unnoticed by the blonde. There was no way she, of all people, could be considered a player! She didn't have it in her.

"I-I don't think I've found anyone just yet, male or female. Just missing that click, you know? But I'm sure I'll find someone eventually and mom will just have to wait for what she wants. This is on my time."

Stopping in her tracks again, she moved to take his hand once more and lead him back the way they came. There was nothing out here aside from them.

"You really shouldn't be so hard on yourself, Zach. And you shouldn't put the blame all on your shoulders as well. I'm not going to push and I'm certainly not going to try and pry the information from you, if you want to talk I'm here. Just give yourself more credit, you deserve it."